South Beach Diet & Other Weight Loss

Wesley Atkins asked:


The Low GI Diet is one of the most popular diets currently around. While it was originally developed in the 1980’s as a way to help diabetes patients control their disease it was found that it also provided numerous other benefits including the promotion of weight loss.

The idea behind the diet is to fill your diet with foods that are low on the glycemic index rather than foods that are high on the index. Foods which should be avoided or limited include high processed and refined foods. Of course, this includes most breads and many desserts such as pies and cakes.

Compared to many other diets the Low GI Diet is actually much easier to follow; however, there are some tips that can help you to make the process simpler and less complicated.

While many people get started with the Low GI Diet believing they must only select foods that are low on the GI scale there is another important component that can help you to achieve better results. Avoiding and limiting foods that high in saturated fats can help you to lose weight as well as reduce your chance of developing heart disease. When you consume foods that are too high in saturated fats you can become less responsive to insulin and that can translate into forcing your body to produce more insulin. As your body feels forced to produce more insulin you are at risk for developing diabetes as well as weight.

It’s also a good idea to fill your diet with at least seven servings of fruits and vegetables each day. While other diets restrict the consumption of many fruits and even some vegetables because they may be considered to be high carb foods, on the Low GI Diet you can enjoy plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables as long as they are low on the glycemic index. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables also have other advantages as well such as reducing the risk of developing many cancers as well as other life threatening conditions such as heart disease. Additionally, research suggests that eating different fruits and vegetables can help to boost antioxidants which boost your immune system and help you to fight disease. Ideally, it’s best to aim for a wide variety of fruit and vegetables to achieve the best results.

Under the Low GI Diet you can easily select cereals and breads as long as they are comprised of wholegrains. These foods rank low on the glycemic index because whole grain foods tend to be digested slower by the body. This is a good way to also boost your intake of fiber, which can result in lowering your cholesterol level as well as changes of heart disease and cancer.

It’s also a good idea to try and replace a small number of large quantity meals with more small meals during the day. This is because some research indicates that even low GI foods can have a tendency to raise the body’s blood sugar levels to unhealthy levels when they are consumed in large quantities at one time. By eating several smaller meals on a regular basis you can avoid this problem. One way to do this is to bring small healthy, low GI snacks with you to much on during the day.

Finally, don’t forget to consume a wide variety of foods for the best healthy benefits. Remember that you do not have to totally avoid foods that are high on the glycemic index; simply eat them sparingly in smaller quantities so they do not have such an impact on your blood sugar.

Along with regular exercise and an otherwise healthy and active lifestyle, the Low GI Diet can help you to lose the weight you want and enjoy a healthier life.

Roy Barker asked:


regimen that is gaining in popularity in many parts of the world is based upon the dining practices of the people that populate the Mediterranean region. Many people have heard of the Mediterranean diet but are not particularly familiar with some of the specifics of the eating routine.

In order to assist you in becoming more familiar with the Mediterranean diet, a consideration of eight useful facts regarding the elements of this dining regimen can be most helpful to you. Of course, these are merely some basic talking points about this valuable dieting routine. Before you embark on any sort of diet plan, including the Mediterranean diet, you need to take the time to consult with your physician to make certain that a proposed regimen is appropriate to your medical status.

Eight General Facts About the Mediterranean Diet

The key elements of the Mediterranean diet are, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and wine in moderation. Because of this combination, the Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest dieting regimens to be found anywhere on the planet.

Meat and animal products are consumed in very small amounts in the Mediterranean diet. Indeed, when meat is included within the diet scheme, it is poultry or fish in the vast majority of instances. Red meat is not a staple in the Mediterranean diet and is rarely eaten by adherents to this dieting routine. The people who actually populate the countries around the Mediterranean Sea are rarely seen eating red meats of any kind. In addition, dairy products are used only sparingly within the Mediterranean diet. For example, if milk is included in a meal or in the preparation of food, it is of the low fat or non-fat variety. Eggs are rarely included in Mediterranean meals. Indeed, a heavy egg eater is one who has four eggs a week.

With the moderate consumption of fish, the Mediterranean diet allows adherents a tremendous source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Research has demonstrated that a diet flush with Omega-3 fatty acids works to prevent heart disease, stroke and even some cancers.

Many uninformed people can be found making the statement: “The Mediterranean diet just isn’t for me — it is too high in fat.” In truth, the Mediterranean diet is high in certain types of fat. Upwards to thirty-five to forty percent of the calories taken in through this diet do come from fat. However, the Mediterranean diet is remarkably low in saturated fat. It is saturated fat that has negative consequences on a person’s health and wellbeing.

The diet relies heavily on olive oil. (This is the primary reason why the diet is higher in fat than one might expect.) Olive oil is proven to increase the level of HDL cholesterol (also known as “good cholesterol”).

The Mediterranean diet is extremely high in antioxidants and fiber, two elements that have been proven to be helpful in preventing heart disease and some types of cancer.

The dietary practices of the Mediterranean region trace their origins back to the days of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, beginning in about the Fourth Century BC.

The Mediterranean diet became of more international interest in modern times as early as 1945. A medical doctor named Ancel Keys was responsible for encouraging his own patients in the United States to turn to the Mediterranean diet scheme. His advocacy increased the awareness of the Mediterranean diet in other countries around the world as well.

Conclusion

Armed with these basic, elementary facts about the Mediterranean diet, you will be in a better position to determine if this diet regiment is appropriate for you and your lifestyle. As can be seen, the Mediterranean diet has been followed by people in many parts of the world beyond the Mediterranean Sea region for quite an extended period of time.

Rone de Beauvoir asked:


Scientists all over the world have been searching for some sort of evidence that certain foods – most of which you already know; while some will be new – contain protective properties and can help ward off cancer, diabetes and other diseases. To give you a sound base idea and send you running for the nearest super market, I’ve listed seven top super foods that really will make you healthier and happier while building relationships.

1. Cutting calories with Spinach

According to new research from biochemists at Lunds University in Sweden, Eating a spinach salad with your lunch you will automatically eat less food for the remaining part of your day. They discovered that “thylakoids” in spinach – tiny membranes in the leaves coat theft in your food, making it harder to digest. As a direct result the food stays in your intestinal tract longer, thereby making you feel full several hours after you’ve finished eating. For those who don’t care for spinach, no worries; one day these researchers while hard at work today, will succeed at a thylakoid supplement that you’ll be able to enjoy at every meal.

2. Cut colon cancer in half with Flaxseed

Would you believe that Dutch scientists have discovered that taking in lots of plant lignans, which are found in huge abundance in flaxseed, can cut your risk of colorectal cancer literally by 50 percent by reducing growths that can lead to the Cancer. According to Author Dr. Anneleen Knijsten, the more lignans you eat, the greater the benefit. Why? Flaxseed contains the most plant lignans, but other foods, which have high concentrations, include whole-grain cereals, berries, fruits and vegetables.

3. Want to see Better? Try Red Wine

In France it s normal to have Red Wine everyday if you so desire, as it is a part of the culture, but millions of Americans drink red wine to protect their heart. Perhaps you are one such American drinking red wine to protect your heart, and yet have no real idea why it’s good for you. Just let me say this, if you are such a person, scientists say wine a grape-derived drink may be protecting your eyes, too. According to a five year study at Reykjavik Eye Study in Iceland, drinking at least two glasses of re wine per month to three glasses per day can slash your risk of developing cataracts by 50 percent, compared to non drinkers, heavy drinkers and beer drinkers. During the study researchers didn’t examine why red wine protects the eyes, past research shows it may be due to the flavonoid resveratrol, which has already been shown to help prevent macular degeneration, a progressive eye disease that affects mostly elderly people and can lead to blindness.

4. Your heart and Camellia Tea Oil

Most people think olive oil is the healthiest cooking oil around, you maybe surprised to learn that there’s an even healthier one. Camellia tea oil virtually unknown in the United States, comes from the seeds of the camellia plant, a cousin of green tea – has been a longtime favorite among the Chinese and Japanese chefs who love enjoy it for its versatility and heart-boosting benefits. Proud boosting of no trans fat, this virtually tasteless oil is rich in vitamin E, Omega 3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats – all shown to help reduce the levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol. Use it to fry foods, as a salad dressing or in your favorite recipes.

5. Keeping young with Vegetable Soup

Was your mother swift to sense you needed vegetable soup whenever you got sick, or to prevent you from getting sick just because she had a hunch? Turns out as you now know, mother’s hunch was right; according to scientists from Tufts University Nutrition Research Center on Aging. In a recent study, they found that, in just two weeks, two cups of vegetables soup a day produces a 22 – percent increase in vitamin C in your blood. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps lower your risk of heart disease, cancer, stoke, dementia and other age – related illnesses. As you may or may not know the basic ingredients of vegetable soup – tomatoes, cucumbers, green bell pepper, onion, garlic and olive oil – are all healthy just by themselves. But the researchers found that, when you combine, the health benefits become a super charge, turning your soup into an age-defying food you should not go without.

6. Fighting Cancer cells with Açai Berries

Many Scientists suspected that a delicious Brazilian berry called Açai (pronounced ab-SAH’-ee) would be a cancer-fighting powerhouse, and now they’ve discussed they were right. Why? Because it has up to 30 times more anthocyanins – the cancer – killing antioxidants that give grapes their violet color than seen in red wine. Would you believe during a study, the first ever of its kind, researchers at the University of Florida have proved it. When using an extract of the acai berry in a lab test, the team found that the fruit may bigger up to 86 percent of human leukemia cells to self-destruct. The berries taste like a cross between cherries with just a tiny hint of chocolate. They can be found in health – food stores in juices smoothies’ extracts or supplements.

7. Diabetes and a Citrus peel

Did you know a daily supplement of an extract made from the dried peel of citrus fruits might prevent diabetes by restoring insulin sensitivity, according to a study at the University of Hawaii. This health – boosting compounds in the extract, “polymethoxylated flavors” are antioxidants from plant pigment, that give flowers and food their yellow, orange or red colors

There you have it! My top 7 Super Foods that make you think, before you eat for healthier more romantic relations.

While each of these foods may appear to be simple and non-important, they are each very powerful in their own right. Each of these foods is essential in maintaining good health, and of course energy to burn in a manner that you choose.

If you’re still not convinced ask yourself these questions:

1. Are you efficient enough in your daily activities?

2. Do you overcome stress easily?

3. Can you work all day and still have enough energy left to enjoy the evening?

4. Do you collapse in front of the TV?

These are all questions that are intimately related to your state of health yet they are seldom if ever discuss during medical examinations. Remember Doctor’s and specialists are trained to treat only the diseased part of your body.

They do not take the holistic view. Alertness, endurance, energy, and resistance to daily stresses and the ability to relax easily are all symptoms of good health, so think before you eat.

William Winch asked:


Even though everyone loses weight in a different way, it is common and perfectly normal for any dieter to reach a plateau.  Instead of allowing it to frustrate you, use it as an opportunity to double up your efforts and reconnect with your strategy to carry you through to the finish line. Listed below are 5 of the best ways to re-ignite the healthy weight loss process when you feel challenged. Choose the tips that work best for you or simply go for them all!

Healthy Weight Loss Plateau Breaker #1: Start Exercising

Although you can lose weight without exercise, it will always accellerate your efforts. If you are not injured or do not suffer from severe asthma, be thankful that you can get outside and move your body. Take advantage of your ability to be active because many people do not have that luxury. The more you exercise, the better you will get at it, and the less it will feel like work.

If you are already exercising, add something different to the mix to make your body working harder. Add intensity, in the form of extra weight, run faster or for a longer distance, or more duration. Going until you fail is the easiest way to ensure you’re pushing hard enough. Add extra sit-ups and push-ups before you go to sleep and when you wake up. Done in the AM on an empty stomach, this can kick-start your metabolism by teaching your body to more efficiently mobilize its fat stores for energy.

Healthy Weight Loss Plateau Breaker #2: Make Healthier Eating Choices

When you are trying to lose weight, there is nothing more important than proper nutrition. Your body can perform miracles with choices like soy protein shakes, fruits and vegetables. You’ll not only bust past your plateau, but you’ll do it in a healthy way. Eliminate refined sugar grains (most pre-packaged snack foods) so carbohydrates can not get their way unnoticed into your diet.

Cutting back on how often you eat can have a negative impact on your diet plateau as well. Small, frequent meals are more satisfying and produce better weight-loss results than the same number of calories consumed in three large meals. Take advantage of healthys nacks like protein bars, soy nuts and fresh vegetable and fruit slices. Eating more of the right kinds of food is a much smarter plan of action to break a healthy weight loss plateau than starving yourself.

Healthy Weight Loss Plateau Breaker #3: Drink Green Tea

Whenever I want to lose 5 or 10 pounds of stubborn belly fat, I drink more green tea. Packed with more vitamins and antioxidants than any other drink, green tea is an all-natural way to give yourself energy to compliment your enthusiasm for losing weight. The best part, however, is that green tea ahas the amazing ability to actually speed up your metabolism! You will notice results right away with just one cup, but the more you drink it, the more you will want it!

Healthy Weight Loss Plateau Breaker #4: Keep Your Incentive Strong

the body achieves what the mind believes. If you don’t believe you can make it past the hurdle of a weight loss plateau, you probably won’t. You’ll give up before you have a chance to even try. Focus on re-capturing the determination you felt when you first began your weight-loss program. The excitement of watching the pounds drop one by one should be the focus of your motivation. If it was something that has come and gone, like a high school reunion or a wedding, choose a new goal.

Start keeping a diet journal of everything you eat and drink. You may quickly discover that hidden carbohydrates and sugars are keeping your healthy weight-loss progress stuck at the plateau. Eliminate trigger foods or anything that you think may be contributing to your inability to lose more weight. If you are eating pretzels every day at 2pm, don’t starve yourself by not eating if you are hungry at that time…just replace the pretzels with something healthier like fruit or chicken.

Healthy Weight Loss Plateau Breaker #5: Drink More Water

It is extremely important to replenish your fluids by drinking plenty of water on any weight loss program, especially if you are incorporating exercise on a daily basis. An inadequate supply of water can slow down your weight-loss, so carry a water bottle with you wherever you go throughout the day. Keeping well hydrated not only helps you burn fat efficiently, it also helps control hunger.

Follow these 5 steps and you will have a better chance of breaking your healthy weight loss plateau than if youcontinue stressing over the obstacle. Each time you sit down to eat or have a snack, take a moment to become mindful that the food you are about to eat is either taking you one step closer to your goal, or one step away. As you make this mental connection, and dedicate each serving of food or drink to your weight loss, you will naturally be inclined to enjoy the foods and drinks that pushed you past your plateau.