Want to Lose Weight? How Not Eating Enough Can Cause You to Gain Weight!

By Michelle T Green

Yes, you read it right. Not eating enough can cause you to gain weight, not lose weight! If you want to lose weight, then this can come as quite a surprise.

Why is this so?

It has everything to do with your metabolism. The higher your metabolism, the more fat your body burns. If you have a low metabolism, then of course the amount of fat your body burns is reduced.

Skipping meals or not eating enough actually helps your body to become really good at storing fat. Why? Because it needs to, in case it is starved again in future! Your body needs fuel to work properly, so if you don't provide it with enough, it will take as much as it can the next time you feed it and store it as fat so it will have fuel the next time it is starved of food.

Sounds logical, doesn't it? So how do we effectively lose weight?

First you need to calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate (or BMR). The formula to help you calculate this is in the Weight Loss Tips section of the website below.

Once you have worked this out, it's time to start completing a food diary. Write down what you are eating and the quantities consumed. From there you can work out whether you're consuming enough.

A great way to increase your metabolic rate is to eat more often. Eat around 5 to 6 times a day, spreading your calories out over the day, and you will see a huge difference.

Another way to tell if you're eating enough calories is to check your energy levels. If you're feeling like you have no energy or you're making no progress in your fitness program, then it's very likely because you're not eating enough.

Most importantly, most of your calories should be coming from fruit and vegetables. If you're eating a lot of fried or processed foods, these could be sabotaging your weight loss regime, so try to reduce these types of foods as much as you possibly can or even cut them out completely.

So remember, eat at least 5 to 6 times a day, make sure you're eating enough (based on your BMR) and eat as much quality foods as you can. The Fit Yummy Mummy program below takes you through everything you need to know about what to eat to lose weight!

Good Foods for Liver Cleansing and Weight Loss

By Paul Malycha 

Ridding your body of toxins is an important step in promoting your well-being and in the preservation or restoration of your health. One way to do this would be to engage in a diet that will help rid your liver of the many toxins that can cause health problems in your body. Your liver can become poisoned through a variety of practices, including:

* Drinking too much alcohol. 

* Having too much caffeine. 

* Using certain medications. 

* Eating too many processed foods. 

* Drinking impure water.

Sometimes people decide to engage in a diet that helps restore their liver to its normal functioning by ridding it of these and other such toxins. They do this by "purging" themselves of the foods that cause the impurities in the liver and then slowly replacing those foods with other healthier foods and beverages. Here are some foods and beverages that are often used for a liver cleansing diet:

1. Bottled water.

Drinking purified water can aid the dieter in purging themselves from the sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages, and other processed liquids that can be a detriment to the liver. Filtered water (not tap water) can be extremely helpful to the liver in aiding it to restore itself.

2. Fruits and vegetables.

Many fruits and vegetables can be incredibly helpful in aiding a cleansed liver. Foods such as grapefruit are rich in natural antioxidants and Vitamin C---two very powerful liver cleansing agents. Green tea has catechins, which is a mineral that can promote strong liver functioning. Vegetables such as spinach and mustard greens can cleanse the liver as well.

3. Garlic

Garlic has many compounds that contain sulfur. This sulfur can activate certain enzymes in the liver to help strengthen its cleansing processes.

4. Avocados

Avocados are also rich in compounds healthy for a diseased liver. Some studies have even shown that doing as little as taking one avocado a day for a month can help repair a poor liver.

Why not juice up all your Favorite Fruit and Vegetables into a power drink you can get your full daily allowance in one fruit/ smoothie drink all in one hit

8 Most Important Tips in Losing Weight

 By Kim Khanna 

Losing weight is not easy for most people, since they fail to follow the required procedures rigorously. Start and stop techniques never result in weight loss. The programme should be regular and continuous for maximum results. The 8 highly selective tips provide here should help you understand how to lose weight without too much strain.

1. Getting started is the most difficult part in any weight loss programme. You should motivate yourself on that. If necessary, you can tell your family members or friends that you are starting a weight loss regimen, so that they will remind you if you are not regularly doing it.

2. Your goal should not be vague but quite specific. You should have a strict plan, such as, I am going to lose 15 kg, I want to achieve size 8, I want to get a six pack, I want to run 8 km every day, etc.

3. It is ideal to start on a Sunday. You should list out the exercises that you are going to perform and the days in which you will be exercising. You should stick to that routine and execute it rigorously.

4. One of the most important points in weight loss programmes is to drink lot of water. If you use a tall class, you will automatically tend to drink more water. You should abstain from other beverages like coffee or tea with sugar and milk, juices, soda and especially alcohol if you really want to lose weight. If you cannot avoid alcohol completely, limit it to minimum possible.

5. Your body uses sugar as its main source of fuel. When you cut down on your intake of food items that increases your body sugar level, then your body will start using the body fat as its fuel, leading to faster fat loss and subsequent weight loss.

6. You should analyse your diet comprehensively. You should limit and reduce eating, especially food items like cream, fried food, sauces, take away items, rice, white bread and carbohydrates. You should concentrate more on whole grains, fish, vegetables, chicken, herbs and salads.

7. Instead of three full meals, you can opt for six smaller meals, since your body will be burning the calories continuously while digesting the food. You can eat every two or three hours, taking very limited meals. One or two fistfuls are equivalent of small meals.

8. Exercising regularly is very difficult but you would find that you begin to like it with practice and achieve perfection in a short period.

Find Time To Exercise and Load Up On Super Foods - Secrets To Shed Weight After Pregnancy

By Jalpa Gajjar Suthar

Your favorite celebrity has just revealed her power packed post baby body. It is every women's dream to look gorgeous and young and pregnancy is one of the phases were her body is completely out of control, gaining oodles of weight.

Like celebrity moms, you too are eager to hang back your pregnancy clothes back in the closet. Gratefully, there are no short cuts when it comes to weight loss. You require taking loads of "super foods" i.e. a healthy diet, a dedication to physical activities and most importantly lots of patience.

Remember, it is good to be eager when it comes to weight loss after pregnancy, but it is more than just that. Losing the weight after the pregnancy is more than just getting back in your old jeans. The additional weight you will be shedding, will be for a life time. How? Read on to have a successful weight loss.

Include Physical Activities
Earlier, women were told to wait at least for 5-6 weeks before starting the exercises. Now, the wait time is over. It is safe to start with light workouts within few days of delivery unless you have some complication associated with your pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about it and start when he/she gives you the green signal.

So, when your doctor says it is okay to start the foremost thing to do is:

· Be Comfortable
Because you are breast feeding it might uncomfortable for you to do a few exercises. Wear a supportive bra and comfortable clothing.

· Work On Your Abs
To lose pounds around your waist requires precise abs workouts. Exercising specific abs exercises will help you to look slim.

· Exercise With Your Baby
If your baby is taking all your time then what could be a better way to workout with your baby. Take a stroller and go for a walk with your baby. Leave your baby beside you when you are doing floor exercises.

· Have Realistic Goals
Just because some celebrity is back to her slim figure, you too would get it - the confidence is good but will your body be able to cope up? Listen to your body, lose weight that is necessary not the additional one.

Considering Your Eating Habits
It is important to breastfeed therefore, eating healthy, nutritional food is required. Make wise choices so that you can lose weight healthily.

· Say No To Temptations
Indulge in healthy foods only and stay away from tempting food items such as chocolates, burgers, pizzas etc. You know it, they are not good so don't buy them.

· Smaller Proportions
No filling big dishes rather eat smaller proportions. Never skip meals, instead eat 5-6 meals a day to keep your hunger pangs at bay.

· Eat More Fruits, Green Veggies and Grains
You get to eat delicious meals and you lose weight. You can make tasty meals out of green vegetables, whole grains and fruits that not only help lose your weight, but comes with additional health benefits.

· Don't Eat Unless Hungry
It is a magic fitness mantra if you want to lose weight effectively. Do not indulge in eating unless you are hungry. To divert yourself call up your friend, take your baby to walk etc.

Whole Foods Diet: The Best Weight Loss Plan

By Becki Andrus

If you have ever searched the internet for dieting techniques before, you have probably been bombarded with ads for crash dieting. There are many diets out there that are excellent for losing weight quickly, but are not useful for long term weight loss goals. If you are interested in losing weight and keeping it off, continue reading this article. Throughout the article we will discuss why crash diets don't work, as well as the reasons behind why a whole foods diet is the best weight loss plan.

Let's begin our discussion by learning why crash diets are not good for long term weight loss solutions. When an individual crash diets, they limit their food intake. By doing so, the body goes into starvation mode. When this happens it makes it more difficult for you to lose weight for two reasons. Firstly, it reduces your metabolic rate. When your metabolism is low, the calories in your body burn at a slower pace than they regularly would, causing you to gain weight. Secondly, when your body is in starvation mode it begins to hold food in your fat cells. Why? Your body is smarter than you think! It holds food in your fat cells, just in case there should ever be another famine. So, even if you lose weight initially, the second you start eating again, your body will react and you will gain weight!

A better alternative? Whole foods dieting! What does a whole foods diet consist of? Like most diets, a whole foods diet consists of eating certain foods and limiting others. If you want to lose weight, you will want to stick to a diet plan that is full of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. These foods contain everything that you need to keep your body healthy and functioning properly. At the same time, they are low in calories, carbohydrates, and fats, allowing you to eat large portions without gaining weight!

As said previously, a whole foods diet plan not only consists of eating the right things, but avoiding the wrong things. Animal products (milk, meats), sugars, processed foods, and fast foods all contain a variety of preservatives and chemicals which are harmful to your body and your weight. While it is okay to eat very small portions of these, it is generally recommended that you avoid them as much as possible in order to control your health and weight.

If you want to lose weight - and keep it off, avoid a crash dieting program. Instead, focus on changing your eating habits. Maintaining a whole food diet plan that is rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, will help you to stay healthy and fit! Begin searching for more information on whole foods today. There are many resources out there that can explain exactly how whole foods are beneficial to weight loss, as well as provide you with a full whole foods diet plan. Learn more about whole foods eating today and eat your way to a healthier body!

7 Foods That Prevent Weight Loss

By Charles Volcolatte 

One of the things that successful dieters will tell you is that there is a dark side to the supermarket. When you look beyond the packaging and promotion of certain edibles you quickly begin to realize that some foods are dangerous to your long term health. These foods are usually filled with trans fats which are man made fats used by manufacturers to give foods a longer shelf life. The reality is manufacturers of hydrogenated oil literally molecule into a form that has proven to wreak havoc in the body.

The Following nine foods are foods to avoid or because of the damage they inflict in calories, unhealthy fats and sodium. These foods will not only damage your waistline but they are also potentially dangerous to your long term health in more ways that you can imagine.

1. Cola products - Twelve ounces of a cola based drink usually equals abut 150 calories. Cola based products are full of sugar, corn syrup or other sweeteners. These products have been connected with obesity they bathe your teeth in cavity-promoting sugars. Consuming high calories in liquid form also leads to overeating.

2. Doughnuts - Doughnuts are fried dough and full of sugar, white flour and drenched in trans fat. A typical doughnut weighs in at weighs in at 300 calories and contains few other nutrients besides the 19 grams of fat. Unfortunately, supermarkets are overflowing with these high-calorie, low-nutrient tasty varieties. Avoid them at all costs.

3. Fried Chicken - Although it almost sounds unpatriotic to criticize this popular dish, keep in mind that fried chicken is cooked in highly heated oils most notably, partially hydrogenated oil. These trans fats have been known to cause cancer, weight gain and other serious health risks when consumed regularly. Fried chicken whether served whole or in its nugget variety are unhealthy foods. For example, if you order a ten piece chicken nugget from any popular fast food restaurant you are receiving about 500 calories, 300 grams of fat and usually over 1000 milligrams of sodium. There is no faster way to super-size yourself than to consume fried chicken on a regular basis.

4.Sugary Cereals: Sugar is one of the enemies of successful dieting. Sugary cereals, particularly any cereal where sugar or a sugar substitute is the main ingredient are unhealthy. Ingredients and terms to watch out for are "sweetened" or "dyed." The majority of children's cereals so very highly processed and have almost zero nutritional value. A great alternative is oatmeal served with honey or agave syrup. If you buy pre-packaged oatmeal, check the label and see how much sugar it contains - you will be shocked. Any cereal where sugar is listed as the first ingredient on the box should immediately be shelved. It is a much healthier solution to purchase real grain cereal and sweeten them with fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries.

5. Processed Meats - One of the fastest ways to create a healthy habit is to do a simple Google search on what is considered to be a processed meat. Almost all processed meats have sodium nitrite added as a preservative. The evidence is staggering, as demonstrated by a recent study showing a 67% increase in pancreatic cancer for people consuming moderate amounts of processed meat on a frequent basis. (Pulse; 4/23/2005, Vol. 65 Issue 16, p10). Traditional medicine believes this is because of the high saturated fat content in the proceesed meat. However research is mounting that it is not the saturated fats themselves but what is actually in those fats that is tocis and dangerous to your health. Health and nutrition researchers claim that toxic chemicals, heavy metals and environmental pollutants that are found inside those fat molecules.

A recent study conducted at the University of Hawaii found that sodium nitrite often acts as a precursor to potent cancer creating chemicals that accelerate the creation of cancer cells. We strongly suggest you read labels on all meat products you purchase. If you see sodium nitrite as a main ingredient shelve the product before it shelves you.

6. Cafe Mocha from Starbucks with whole milk and whipped cream is a very deceptive cup of coffee. Think of it as more as a Double Whopper with Cheese in a glass. Although this drink tastes great it weighs in at 450 calories and 13 grams of bad fat. Nothing worse than a sugar caffeine buzzs that adds to the battle of the waitline bulge.

7. Monosodium glutomate (MSG) - This ingredient is positioned as a preservative. However, it is much more insidious. MSG is actually an ingredient that actually increases your appetite. You ever wonder why you are hungry 30 minutes after eating Chinese food? A great deal of research surrounding MSG also shows that it is addictive. Many successful diets simply promote the idea of getting any and all foods that have MSG in them. Although this sounds simple, if you start reading product labels you will be rudely surprised as to how many products contain this dangerous ingredient.

10 Best Fat Burning Foods For Weight Losst

By Linda B. Johnson 

Is there a shortcut to losing weight? Yes, and it's called fat burning foods! Certain foods can help your body burn more calories and melt the fat away.

So, here are the 10 Best Fat Burning Foods For Weight Loss:

1. Cinnamon: Just half a teaspoon of cinnamon added to coffee or lunch, lowers the levels of blood sugar, reduces insulin secretion and helps your body burn fat instead of storing it. Additionally, cinnamon is a natural sweetener and by using it to replace sugar you can reduce your daily caloric intake. Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon to your milk or foods to help your metabolism process the sugars found in foods.
2. Eggs: A recent study by the University of Louisiana showed that women, who ate a breakfast that consisted of eggs, toast and jelly, lost twice as much weight as those who ate the same amount of calories without the eggs! The protein contained in an egg, can keep you full for many hours, so hunger is significantly reduced
3. Turmeric: This is an essential ingredient of the Indian cuisine that is rich in beta carotene, an antioxidant that protects the liver from the harmful effects of free radicals and helps the body to burn fat.
4. Cayenne pepper: This hot spice reduces the risk of excess insulin in the body, speeds up metabolism and lowers blood glucose.
5. Vinegar: vinegar contains no calories, while recent survey shows that the addition of apple cider vinegar at every meal increases the feeling of satiety and stabilizes blood sugar levels!
6. Lentils: Lentils have a lot of protein and iron, two ingredients that can stabilize glucose levels in your blood and prevent the secretion of insulin, which causes the storage of fat in the body and especially in the abdomen.
7. Garlic: It dissolves fat and cholesterol, kills bacteria and protects against cardiovascular disease. What is more, the meals that include garlic reduce the appetite. According to a study, obese people who included garlic in their diet lost an average of 18 pounds compared to others who just lost 2 pounds! Also, the powerful flavour of garlic makes the food tastier and increases satiety.
8. Coffee: It has the power to speed up your metabolism. The caffeine it contains, increases the rate of your metabolism by 15%, which means that you burn 30-50 extra calories every day without changing anything else.
9. Cauliflower: Cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamin C. Just half a cup of cauliflower, provides 36% of your daily needs for vitamin C. Additionally, this vegetable fights cancer and has very few calories.
10. Tomatoes: Every time you eat a tomato, your body releases the hormone cholecystokinin, which stretches the valve between the stomach and intestine. This leads to increased satiety and helps you reduce your daily calorie intake.

What Vegetables Are the Best Weight Loss Food?

By William D Barkley 

If you know what vegetables to eat all day, you can keep your belly full. At the same time, you will get a rich supply of nutrients and minimal calories to help get skinny. You just have to know which vegetables, from tomatoes and sweet potatoes to carrots and celery, work the best as a healthy weight loss food.

To start, broccoli is fantastic for helping people slim down. You can warm them up or enjoy eating them frozen. They are fine on their own, or you can add some fat-free dressing to your veggies. One day, you can consume some broccoli for a snack, while serving some on your dinner plate the next evening. They are low in calories, and contain both lutein and zeaxanthin to defend your cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Broccoli can even defend your eyes from macular degeneration and cataracts.

Tomatoes are a fantastic addition to any salad, as well as lunch or dinner entree. They can add flavor to any sandwich, sub, wrap and kebob. They are low in calories, but contain a bunch of protein and fiber. They also have plenty of lycopene to help fight off 

Early research suggested some amelioration of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. Just don't rely on French fries with loads of ketchup to try to get the benefits of tomatoes.

Speaking of fattening French fries, always try to replace them with sweet potatoes. Sure, they are a starchy vegetable. However, their numerous nutrients can keep anyone's body functioning at his or her best while on a weight loss diet. Sweet potatoes are filled with essential vitamins, including vitamin A and vitamin C. The skin has the most fiber and potassium. Sweet potato fries also taste much superior to any fast food chain's greasy French fries.

Spinach is also a wonderful food for losing weight. The nonstarchy selection is low in calories, and contains plenty of fiber to help with any individual's body. Spinach moves slowly through your system, allowing your body to feel full for long periods of time. The veggie is also full of vitamin K, iron and protein. In fact, spinach-based salads have far more nutrients than simple green salads made with iceberg lettuce. Spinach is a dieter's friend.

Growing up with Bugs Bunny, you may be familiar with the benefits that go along with eating carrots. Not only are they great for your vision because of all of their beta-carotene, carrots are also a marvelous weight loss food. Baby carrots are an excellent snack to keep in your fridge. Full of fiber, they can satisfy your hunger for hours at a time. Your whole body will certainly be better off munching on a handful of the vegetable than hogging down pretzels or chips.

Every 5-inch stick of celery contains no more than 5 calories. The veggie does not have a strong flavor, so it can be mixed with many other pieces of produce. Spreading some peanut butter onto celery is a fantastic snack. You can also get a little fiber with your celery. It helps fight cholesterol and lower blood pressure. The green vegetable may not be the single greatest tasting weight loss food on the market, but consuming celery can certainly help fill up your tummy.

The Ultimate Weight Solution Food Guide by Dr Phil McGraw

By Alain Burrese

"The Ultimate Weight Solution Food Guide" by Dr. Phil McGraw came out to capitalize on Dr. Phil's bestselling "The Ultimate Weight Solution." The bulk of the book, from page 149 through page 707 consists of charts regarding nutritional content of food. The first 148 pages contain some common sense guides for losing weight and maintaining that weight loss. It's a handy reference for those who want to know the basics in the foods they are eating.

While the book is normal trade paper back size, it's not so compact as to easily fit inside a pocket, a purse, or another way to carry along with you. At a little over 700 pages, it's not something you'll carry around with you, even though there are numerous fast food entries. It's a book to keep handy near the kitchen.

After a quick introduction where Dr. Phil encourages you to get excited and then outlines the scope of the book, he launches into chapter one where he has you put your weight on project status. This is where you determine where you are at, create an environment to help you achieve your goals, prioritize exercise into your life, and create accountability. It's a good basic plan toward weight goals. Chapter two contains a three stage plan to what Dr. Phil calls weight loss freedom. There is a 14-day rapid start plan, the continuation plan, and then maintenance. Chapter three has menus for the stages. The menus are contain pretty basic dishes and guidelines.

Chapter four has some behavioral, nutritional restaurant, travel, vacation, social, and stress-eating strategies to help you with your weight loss and healthy eating. Finally, chapter five teaches you how to use the food guide that takes up the rest of the book. Besides telling you what you'll find in the guide, there are some good tips on healthy eating in this chapter.

The guide itself is basically a huge chart of thousands of entries Each entry lists the following: Serving, Calories, Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat/Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, Fiber, Sugars, and Sodium. Essentials the main things most dieters want to know about their foods. For example, the entry for a frozen, ready to bake, apple turnover lists: 1 serving would be one turnover, 284 calories, 4 g Protein, 31 g carbohydrates, 16 grams fat with 4 of those grams saturated fat, na for cholesterol, 2 grams fiber, 11 grams sugars, and 176 mg sodium.

Again, there are a lot of entries here. However, they are not as easy to find as I'd like. Part of this is because foods are divided into what are called high-response cost, high-yield foods and low-response cost, low-yield foods. So you can find beef entries on page 150 and the following pages and on page 418 and the pages that follow. So first you need to look in the contents and determine where your desired food is, and then go look through the food guide sections to find it. So there is a lot of information here, but it is not the easiest to find. Additionally, there are entries where you might have to guess what you have and how it compares to the entries in the book.

Bottom line, for the price, this book has a lot of listings and information, but you do have to work a bit to find it. I'd say a five star book for the amount of listings, but three stars for organization, so that's how I came up with the four star rating. It you have a collection of health eating books, this is not a bad addition. If you want a food guide in your kitchen, this is not bad either. You'll just have to get used to how to find the listings you need and then make the choices that best suit you. And of course, there is some good general information on diet, losing weight, and healthy eating in the first five chapters.

Foods That Help You Lose Weight

By Flaviu Serban 

Foods that help you lose weight! Wow! How possible? Yes, it is possible. In fact you can even eat more to lose more and quickly get rid of those ugly belly fat and love handles. No joke! The right foods help you lose weight, burn excess fats and stay healthy by increasing the amount of energy you expend while curbing cravings.

Here are the foods that can help you lose weight and quickly get rid of those ugly belly fat and love handles. Add these foods to your dieting program now and you will become slimmer, younger and healthier in no time.

o Fiber - The two types of fiber, insoluble and soluble can help your weight loss efforts.

a) Insoluble fiber gives you satisfaction without adding calories. Foods that are rich in insoluble fiber include whole wheat bread, fruits and vegetables, wheat bran and high fiber cereal.

b) Soluble fiber helps stabilize your blood sugar levels, control your hunger and cravings for food. Soluble fiber also slows down the transit time of food in your gut, so it may keep you fuller for longer. Foods that are high in soluble fiber include beans, apples, strawberries, pears, oatmeal and chickpeas.

o Lean Protein - Lean Protein has the ability to increase metabolism after ingestion. It is recommended that you add some type of lean protein with every meal. Lean protein foods that help you lose weight include egg whites, shrimp, chicken breast, canned light tuna, wild salmon (fresh and canned), crab, tilapia, turkey breast, tofu, lean red meat, lentils, beans and low-fat dairy.

o Juicy Foods - Any fruit and veggies with high amount of water helps to fill your stomach and make you eat less during the day. Juicy foods that can help you lose weight and get rid of ugly belly fat and love handles include watermelon, cucumber, grapefruit, lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms and cantaloupe.

o Lentils - Lentils are well known food that can help you get rid of those ugly belly fats and love handles. Lentils can flatten your beer belly. They are soluble fibers and high in protein - two powerful combinations that can quickly stabilize blood sugar or insulin levels. Make it a regular habit to eat lentils and you will help prevent insulin spikes that cause your body to produce excess fat, especially in the abdominal area.

o Potatoes - Boiled or baked potatoes without fat or oil added can help you lose weight and are great for your diet. You can get them mashed, with some amount of pepper and a dash of lime. Potatoes contain only 97 calories.

o Walnuts - Walnuts are high in calories and contain protein. They also contain healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts make you feel full. Eating walnuts on a regularly can also help to lower cholesterol and keep you healthy.

o Spicy Foods - From personal experience, spicy food make you eat less since you are forced to drink plenty of water. You discover that you can only eat slower and drink more water. Hot spicy pepper soup without fats can help you lose weight since it increases your metabolism.

Instead of starving yourself because you want to lose weight, you can eat more and lose more. The above are foods that help you lose weight and get rid of ugly belly fat and love handles. Do not go looking for miracle diets and magic pills because researches have shown that some foods make it easier to lose weight. Try today to integrate these foods into your diet.

The Ultimate Weight Solution Food Guide by Dr Phil McGraw

By Alain Burrese

"The Ultimate Weight Solution Food Guide" by Dr. Phil McGraw came out to capitalize on Dr. Phil's bestselling "The Ultimate Weight Solution." The bulk of the book, from page 149 through page 707 consists of charts regarding nutritional content of food. The first 148 pages contain some common sense guides for losing weight and maintaining that weight loss. It's a handy reference for those who want to know the basics in the foods they are eating.

While the book is normal trade paper back size, it's not so compact as to easily fit inside a pocket, a purse, or another way to carry along with you. At a little over 700 pages, it's not something you'll carry around with you, even though there are numerous fast food entries. It's a book to keep handy near the kitchen.

After a quick introduction where Dr. Phil encourages you to get excited and then outlines the scope of the book, he launches into chapter one where he has you put your weight on project status. This is where you determine where you are at, create an environment to help you achieve your goals, prioritize exercise into your life, and create accountability. It's a good basic plan toward weight goals. Chapter two contains a three stage plan to what Dr. Phil calls weight loss freedom. There is a 14-day rapid start plan, the continuation plan, and then maintenance. Chapter three has menus for the stages. The menus are contain pretty basic dishes and guidelines.

Chapter four has some behavioral, nutritional restaurant, travel, vacation, social, and stress-eating strategies to help you with your weight loss and healthy eating. Finally, chapter five teaches you how to use the food guide that takes up the rest of the book. Besides telling you what you'll find in the guide, there are some good tips on healthy eating in this chapter.

The guide itself is basically a huge chart of thousands of entries Each entry lists the following: Serving, Calories, Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat/Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, Fiber, Sugars, and Sodium. Essentials the main things most dieters want to know about their foods. For example, the entry for a frozen, ready to bake, apple turnover lists: 1 serving would be one turnover, 284 calories, 4 g Protein, 31 g carbohydrates, 16 grams fat with 4 of those grams saturated fat, na for cholesterol, 2 grams fiber, 11 grams sugars, and 176 mg sodium.

Again, there are a lot of entries here. However, they are not as easy to find as I'd like. Part of this is because foods are divided into what are called high-response cost, high-yield foods and low-response cost, low-yield foods. So you can find beef entries on page 150 and the following pages and on page 418 and the pages that follow. So first you need to look in the contents and determine where your desired food is, and then go look through the food guide sections to find it. So there is a lot of information here, but it is not the easiest to find. Additionally, there are entries where you might have to guess what you have and how it compares to the entries in the book.

Bottom line, for the price, this book has a lot of listings and information, but you do have to work a bit to find it. I'd say a five star book for the amount of listings, but three stars for organization, so that's how I came up with the four star rating. It you have a collection of health eating books, this is not a bad addition. If you want a food guide in your kitchen, this is not bad either. You'll just have to get used to how to find the listings you need and then make the choices that best suit you. And of course, there is some good general information on diet, losing weight, and healthy eating in the first five chapters.

Healthy Food Tips: Food Substitution for Weight Loss

By Dominic H Milner 

Staying healthy and maintaining a normal weight is all about choosing the right foods. Some foods provide most of their calories from fat and sugar, while others are rich in complex carbohydrates and fiber. You can make simple ingredient substitutions to create healthy recipes that taste and look amazing. By replacing certain ingredients in your meals, you will be able to satisfy your cravings and lose weight at the same time.

Whole Wheat

Complex carbohydrates have many health benefits. You can include whole wheat, one of the best sources of complex carbohydrates, in your favorite desserts to replace the number of calories consumed. If you want to lose weight and improve your digestion, then you should always opt for whole wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, and whole grain crackers. Whole grains are more filling and contain essential nutrients.

High-Fat Dairy Substitutes

Replace whole milk, yogurt and cheese with lower fat versions. Most dairy products are healthy, but contain a large amount of fat. If you want to get rid of excess weight or reduce cholesterol levels, try blending the full-fat and low-fat versions. Ricotta cheese can be successfully replaced with fat free cottage cheese. You can eat low fat frozen yogurt or fat free ice cream instead of regular ice cream. Buy plain low-fat or fat-free yogurt instead of sour cream.

Meats, Fish, and Poultry

Replace ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken. This way you can easily eliminate unhealthy fats from your diet. Canadian bacon or lean ham is an excellent alternative to bacon or sausages. Always remove skin from chicken. When you buy beef or pork, choose cold cuts over the fattier version.

Baked Goods

Baked goods should not be part of a weight loss diet. However, if you are craving for pastries, donuts, or sweet rolls, you can replace them with bagels, fat free muffins, and English muffins. Choose fat-free or reduced fat cookies instead of regular cookies. When you prepare baked goods at home, add butter or avocado puree instead of margarine. Avocado puree has a subtle taste and lends itself well to the texture of dark chocolate flavorings and fudge brownies.

Sweets

Loaded with unhealthy refined sugar and simple carbohydrates, candies are one of the worst choices you can make when dieting. These sweets are loaded with calories, but contain no vitamins, minerals, or protein. If you still want to eat something sweet, replace candies with dried fruits like apricots, figs, or dates. These healthy foods are not recommended for a weight loss diet, but at least they contain essential nutrients that can improve your overall health.

Weight Loss on Raw Food Diet

 By Alex Lenero 

People who practiced uncooked food diet are also considered to be vegetarians or vegans because they just eat natural food, and they tend to avoid eating fresh meat and poultry. The reason for this is because vegetables contain at most low-fat and has fewer calories.

The easiest way to lose excess fat is to eat lower calorie foods that are elevated in nutrients. When you eat foods lofty in nutrients, and you're able to assimilate them because your body is clean, then your hunger tends to decrease, as well as your cravings for "bad foods." Weight loss on uncooked food diet recipes is scientifically proven to reduce body weight. By slowly reducing fat intake and turning to raw food diet, the calories' intakes are lessened, and you will develop a healthier and happy life.

There seems to be a major shift in physiology, which makes one feel highly energized from raw food. I can at most theorize why this occurs. It is quite likely that a large part of cooked food can just go into fat production, because heat and acid alter it making it ametabolically in other complex processes. By contrast, raw food should break down into components, which can be directly metabolized in a variety of cells.

Organic raw foods may be necessary, unless a person is very clever in working around the worst pesticides. The effects are quite noticeable, which allows adjustments to be made.

The usual assumption is that the only supplement which is needed in theory is vitamin B12, because it is primarily found in meat. It originates with microbes, and very little is needed. Outside link on B12

There are several diet plans offered to aid you on how lose weight, but the following steps should be followed in a regular eating plan so that you can obtain healthy Weight Loss.

• Eat raw vegetable and fruits when you are hungry in between meals

• One should eat low calorie-raw foods instead of energy-dense raw foods in their diet.

• Rather than eating sugary and high-calorie snacks, it is better to eat a fruit or dessert.

• Eat an apple or any other raw fruit at least 20-30 minutes before all your meals.

• raw whole fruits instead of taking fruit juices or beverages with high calories.

Learning to eat a raw food diet is mostly trial and error. Whatever is available and one wants to eat is generally adequate. Protein is found in raw nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, filberts, etc., and sprouts are also a good source of protein. Plant proteins do not have the same balance of amino acids as animal protein, so a variety of sources are needed.

Sprouts are often part of a raw food diet. They do require a slight amount of work, but not necessarily a lot. The slightest sprouts to make are lentils. The simplest way to make them is simply to soak them in a large plastic cup for eight hours, then drain and keep moist by spraying and occasionally rinsing.

Healthy Weight Loss Foods That Should Be in Your Daily Diet

 By Benton Chandrel 

If you are looking to lose weight, just exercise alone will most likely not be enough. You will have to focus on having a good diet as well in order to be successful. One of the things you might want to know is some of the different types of healthy weight loss foods that you can include in your daily diet.

Go for 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Try to get these as fresh as possible. They are packed full of nutrients and vitamins that are essential for healthy bodily functions. There are many different varieties of fruits and veggies you can choose from. Include as many different ones as you can.

Foods high in quality protein are a great choice when it comes to choosing healthy weight loss foods. Red meats, fish and chicken are some examples. When cooking these foods, try to grill or bake rather than deep frying and avoid using excessively sweet and salty marinades. Nuts and beans are also great source of protein that are packed full of nutrients and vitamins.

Another tip to include in your weight loss is to try and get at least 8 glasses of water a day. Keeping your body properly hydrated will promote weight loss. Water enhances the metabolism of the body and also aids with digestion of food.

You may have come across weight loss pills or diet pills that claim to make you feel fuller to avoid eating too much. Although this may help in the short term, once you stop using these pills you may go back to your old ways and start eating too much again. It's better to learn to eat healthy foods and lose weight naturally than to resort to using pills designed to make you feel less hungry.

List of Low Carb Foods for Weight Loss

By Mike Gi

Hello there, I have compiled a list of low carb foods and some good substitutes for the higher carb foods in your diet. Start incorporating these foods into your diet and jump start your body's fat burning power.

Fruit - Start eating low sugar fruit. The best choices are small amounts of lemon and lime, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries. These fruits contain the lowest amount of sugar than any others. Other fruits that contain slightly higher amounts of sugar but are still good choices include cantaloupes, blueberries, peaches, nectarines, papaya, casaba melon, watermelon, strawberries, honeydew melons, apples, guavas, apricots, and grapefruit. Fruits that are fairly high in sugar include pineapple, plums, oranges, kiwifruit, and pears. Fruits that are extremely high in sugar include cherries, tangerines, mangoes, cherries, grapes, pomegranates, mangoes, figs, and bananas.

Nuts and Seeds - Nuts and seeds are packed with nutrients and are great substitutes for more starchier foods like wheat. Flax seeds are extremely healthy and low in carbs. A combination of healthy fat, protein, and fiber make them appetizing to eat.

Dairy products - The amount of dairy you can eat will depend on how sensitive your body is to carbs. Some people can stomach more dairy than others. Milk contains a fair amount of sugar but is broken down over a longer period of time than other sugars. Many people tolerate milk well while others have serious intestinal problems when exposed to it. Don't blame me if you end up stuck on the toilet because you consumed too much milk. Milk does have some carbs in the form of lactose which is supposedly less glycemic than other sugars. Some good substitutes for milk are coconut milk, unsweetened soy milk or unsweetened almond milk. If you are sensitive to milk some other good dairy products where the whey is removed and have less sugar include strained yogurt, cottage cheese, and other cheeses. If you do not have a lot of dairy in your diet make sure you are getting adequate amounts of calcium.

Fats - Believe it or not, there are essential fats in foods that are vital to your overall health. Omega 3′s found in fish are great for you.

Legumes - Legumes such as beans, lentils, and peas have a lot carbs in them. However, these carbs are digested slowly and are excellent choices for people who don't process sugar well. FYI - canned beans are more glycemic than beans you cook yourself. Soy beans are lower in carbohydrates than other beans. Black soy beans are probably your best best because they don't have the bland taste of regular soy beans and they work well in most bean recipes.

Whole grains - While whole grains are often rich in carbs, there are good additions to a low carb diet. The starch is broken down into glucose more slowly than flour and refined grains. A serving of grains is about a half cup. Whole grain pasta should be cooked slightly firm as the more it is cooked the faster it is broken down. You will lose the nutritional value if you cook it for too long. Some good substitutes to pasta which are lower in carbs include spaghetti squash, shirataki noodles, and low carb pastas such as Dreamfields.

Foods you want to stay away from - sugary and starchy foods - aka. foods rapidly produced into glucose

- Foods with lots of sugars such as soft drinks and candies

- Fruit juices - Many fruit juices are packed with sugar. Here are some good guidelines when consuming fruit juices. 8 ounces a day of 100% juice is okay. However, keep in mind, that juices are usually high in calories. If you are really trying to lose weight, substitute the low sugar fruits as mentioned above for fruit juice.

Healthy Eating For Weight Loss - Nutrient Deficiency

 By Madeleine Innocent 

If you are looking at the idea of healthy eating for weight loss reasons, then you should be congratulated on your foresight, because healthy eating isn't just about weight loss. Healthy eating is all about having good health. With this in order, you can't help but have a great looking, trim body.

It's a question of looking at the problem in a different way. Although your target may be to lose weight, if you focus on your health instead, the weight will fall off seemingly all by itself.

Most people eat unhealthy food as this is cheap, quick and readily available. This is attractive when you have multiple roles in life, keeping you busy. What you may not realise is the enormous damage you are setting up for yourself and your family for the future.

Unhealthy food is nutrient deficient. This means your body cannot work properly. And so you get ailments, diseases. When your body is deficient in nutrition, it also makes you constantly hungry. This is in an effort to get you to provide it with some proper food. But you keep eating the wrong foods, which makes your body more hungry.

The end result is not only more ill health, but excess weight gain, even obesity.

Healthy eating means you feed your body with all the right nutrition so it feels good and is satisfied. When your body is nutritionally satisfied, you no longer feel hungry. The interesting spin off from this is that you no longer crave unhealthy food. Instead, all you want is good, wholesome, nutritious food. Your body comes alive.

It's the unhealthy foods which make you fat and unhealthy. And keeps you dull, unable to realise that you need real food.

Sadly, there is little real health education about today and even less proper nutritional education. Most people have been taught to eat all the wrong foods. You have been taught that the wrong foods are healthy, whereas the reverse is true.

Even doctors are not trained in nutrition. Yet most people feel they should go to their doctor for advice on nutrition. Most have as much information as you do.

There are many diets and dietary fads currently available, marketed by people who have little nutritional knowledge. Many do allow you to lose weight, sometimes quite rapidly. But the majority of them are unhealthy. This means that the weight loss cannot last. This means your health is likely to suffer.

When you make a conscious effect to understand that only in healthy eating can your body make permanent changes to a healthy weight. Healthy eating for weight loss means you can eat as much of you want of the right foods, and still lose weight.

Download your free report on tips of how to lose weight without dieting, by clicking on the link below.

Raw-Food-Diet - Why It Works for Weight Loss, More Energy and Better Health

By Munira Altaf 

Our lifestyle is mostly to blame for problems like obesity, fatigue and stress and more serious health issues such as heart disease and diabetes. The Raw-Food-Diet can help you improve your lifestyle by improving your food intake and eating habits. It can help you live just like our ancestors who were physically stronger, leaner and much more energetic than us.

What is the Raw-Food-Diet?

As its name suggests, it consists of raw foods only. Around 75 per cent of the foods which you intake are fruits and vegetables. The other 25 include other raw foods. Some of the main ones are raw nuts, whole grains, beans and sprouted seeds. These are all things you have tried and that most people generally like.

None of the foods in the Raw-Food-Diet are to be cooked. You eat them as Mother Nature has given them to us. This does not mean, however, that there are no delicious recipes. Quite the opposite, you will get extensive diet plans with delicious soups, salads, main courses and desserts. There are plenty of tasty, refreshing and energizing drinks as well from shakes and smoothies to things like green cappuccino.

Foods containing refined sugar, alcohol, tobacco and caffeine are prohibited for those who go on this diet. As highlighted earlier, it affects your entire lifestyle for the better. The transition from your traditional diet to the one with raw foods should not be hard thanks to the diverse and delicious meals you will enjoy.

What effects does the Raw-Food-Diet have on your body?

The uncooked foods contain enzymes which are lost during the cooking process and especially due to the exposure to heat. These enzymes are actually essential for the body. They regulate digestion and provide for the efficient absorption of the nutrients which you get with food.

When you are on the Raw-Food-Diet, your body will get sufficient amounts of these natural enzymes. You will enjoy improved metabolism and fewer hunger pangs and cravings. You will be able to shed excess fat and get only as much food as your body needs. You will not experience any digestion problems and the annoying stomach bloating, in particular. You will be strong and full of energy. You will get the perfectly flat tummy you have always wanted.

Is it safe?

Yes, the Raw-Food-Diet is absolutely safe. The fruits, vegetables and other foods which you will eat contain sufficient amounts of carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats for your body to function properly. You will get all the vitamins and minerals that you need as well.

Is the diet easy to follow?

The answer to this question is also yes. Most of the recipes are really simple to prepare. You have to use only utensils and appliances found in every modern kitchen such as blenders and juicers. You can get the ingredients you need from every market or grocery store. It is up to you whether to buy organic fruits and vegetables or not, even though this option is certainly highly beneficial.

Foods That Can Improve Weight Loss - Negative Calorie Food

By Harrison Thomson 

Have you heard about the wonders of Negative Calorie? If not, please read on because I am going to share with you some foods that will make you lose weight.

Negative Calorie is a concept that there are certain foods that require you to burn more calorie to digest them. As a result, you are actually using more calorie than you consume. Think of it, this means that the more you eat, the more calorie you are going to burn.

Actually this is not a new concept. It has been scientifically proven that foods such as celery indeed has negative calorie. This is because these foods are difficult to be digested. Therefore, your body will need to put in extra effort when digesting these foods.

Eating negative or low calorie is so useful because you can ensure that your body receive sufficient nutrient when dieting. Many people choose to starve when they are trying to lose weight. What we are doing here is different. We eat when we want to lose weight. This ensures that our body will not be weak and will remain healthy when losing weight.

Here is a list of negative calorie foods: 

Asparagus 

Cucumber 

Hot Chilli 

Apple 

Honeydew 

Tomato 

Spinach

As you can see, negative calorie foods are mostly vegetable and apple. Therefore it is indeed true that when you want to lose weight, eat less meat and more vegetables.

Hope that you enjoyed reading this article and have learned something today. Take action now and start losing weight.

Making Meal Replacement for Weight Loss Work

By A Aaronson  

Meal replacement for weight loss can work for many people. Many individuals struggle to finally turn the corner and to start achieving their goals. Yet, it is incredibly important for you to take the time to find the right program and then stick with it. Sometimes, it all comes down to making a decision each time you sit down to eat the right thing. This is not easy. One way to take the risk out of the equation is to use a program designed to make it simple. It does the work for you. All you have to do is to follow the plan as it should be followed and you will see the results you want.

How Replacements Can Help

There are many ways that a meal replacement for weight loss can help you. If you are one of the many people that has trouble making the right eating decisions due to time factors, portion control, emotional eating, or other concerns, this type of plan removes that risk. You don't have to make any decisions at all. You do not eat more than you should. Ultimately, this will mean that you are less likely to make a mistake that will affect your goals.

For many people, the reason they do not eat a well balanced, portion controlled meal is the lack of time to prepare it. It is far easier to drive through a fast food restaurant instead of trying to do it on your own. Who has the time to plan a meal, not to mention make it? If that is the case, this type of choice makes it easy. You no longer are at risk of not having the food you need at hand.

Minimizing Risk Factors

It is easy to take a second portion or to enjoy a snack even when you are on such a plan. The problem is, doing this could really cost you in the long term. If you want this plan to work for you, you need a foolproof way of cutting out the risks. Replacements for your meals can help. They make it easy by keeping you from eating too much of the wrong thing. More importantly, they help you to get the type of food you really need.

Take a few minutes to consider the options in meal replacement for weight loss. When you do, you will quickly learn what choices you have and how this type of change can affect your health and well-being for years to come. If you want finally to be able to get rid of the weight that is holding you back, this could be the option for you.

The 7 Secret Foods that Promote Weight Loss

By Kevin Gianni 

These 7 secret foods that promote weight loss are not just the "ordinary" superfoods like the cherry, the avocado or extra virgin olive oil.

Imagine a food--or a group of foods--that alone can elevate moods, enrich your body with almost hundreds of minerals, help you lose weight and taste great all at the same time?

The 7 foods that promote weight loss I want to talk about do all this and more... and These foods are from the corners of the world and they will pack a super-punch into your everyday diet.

The reason they work so well is because they each are highly mineralized which can help you find the nutrients you need and not be hungry all the time.

The Secret Foods that Promote Weight Loss - Superfood #1: Cacao (Raw Chocolate)

Want more energy? Try some raw chocolate.

Raw chocolate is one of the most powerful sources of magnesium on the planet. Not only does magnesium help with alertness and activity, it also helps elevate your mood.

Magnesium is one of the most deficient minerals in the human body. Depending on where you find your studies 60-80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium. No wonder we're sluggish, agitated and stressed!

Raw chocolate is the same reason you've heard that chocolate is good for you... except that the cooked and processed form that you get in your Hershey's bar does not have the same composition as it does when it's raw.

Raw chocolate also contains tryptophan--an essential amino acid--which helps naturally produce serotonin in your body. This is great news for those who need an emotional boost.

You can buy raw chocolate in the shell (it is a bean), but it's easiest if you buy it without.

Since the cacao bean is actually fairly bitter, it is best to mix it with various other foods that promote weight loss like pumpkin seeds and goji berries for a super, power-packed, nutrient rich snack that will get you through even the toughest days.

The Secret Foods that Promote Weight Loss - Superfood #2: Goji Berries

Move over carrot.

This little, bright red berry from China is one of the most potent sources of beta-carotene and vitamin C. These are both fantastic antioxidants.

Goji berries also contain 18 amino acids and over 21 minerals which give them a serious power-punch to anyone's system.

Goji berries help stimulate your body's natural human growth hormone which is critical in anti-aging and longevity.

You can only get them dried in the US, so don't expect to find them in any produce section. Some health food stores will carry them, but you're best bet is online.

Goji berries are a fantastic snack--eat them just like you would raisins--to add to your superfood arsenal and are a great addition to any herbal tea.

The Secret Foods that Promote Weight Loss - Superfood #3: Maca

Maca is a Peruvian root powder that is used to increase strength and vitality. It has more mineral content than potatoes and carrots--containing iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iodine.

The Peruvians and many others claim, Maca can help fight depression, help with anemia and improve overall memory and vitality.

This powerful food is also a libido stimulant!

Maca powder is best taken mixed with warm water in a tea. Maca has a strong taste and this can be softened with goji berries or honey.

The Secret Foods that Promote Weight Loss - Superfood #4: Raw Honey

I'm not talking about the honey in the little bear. I'm talking real, unprocessed, raw honey.

Raw honey contains enzymes, phytonutrients, resins and propolis--bee glue. This unique combination of properties makes it versatile not only as a food, but as an anti-bacterial agent.

As a food, raw honey can raise antioxidant levels in the body, restore muscle glycogen after a workout and help lower cholesterol and the risk of certain cancers.

As a topical substance, it can decrease infection and work just as well as alcohol solutions.

Use it as a sweetener, put some in your teas or your water, or just have a small spoonful for a quick pick me up.

(Be sure not to heat it to a high temperature. Heat will destroy many of its best qualities.)

The Secret Foods that Promote Weight Loss - Superfood #5: Spirulina

This superfood and next might scare some people off.

Don't compromise your health by not trying these two foods!

The first, spirulina, is an algae that has high vegetable protein content, is high in B-12 vitamins and Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA).

GLA and Vitamin B-12 are connected to mood, memory and general energy vitality. Many people believe that low B-12 levels for long periods of time is actually the cause of "old age" symptoms--fatigue, memory loss, confusion, etc.

Just because it's algae doesn't mean that it's gross! The first time I tried it, I was surprised that it tasted so good.

Buy it in flakes and sprinkle it on your salads, add it to a smoothie, sauces or soups.

The Secret Foods that Promote Weight Loss - Superfood #6: Sea Vegetables

Sea vegetables are grown in an environment full on minerals that our body needs for optimal health--the ocean.

The ocean water has up to 92 minerals can be absorbed by the plants growing in the sea.

This makes sea vegetables are one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Seaweed--compared to land vegetables--is one of the best vegetable sources of calcium, which is fantastic for muscle and bone development, strength and growth.

Don't worry if the idea of eating seaweed grosses you out. Your health food store will have different seaweed granules that you can use as a salt substitute and you'll never know the difference.

Nori, dulce, and kelp are three of the most readily available sea vegetables.

The Secret Foods that Promote Weight Loss - Superfood #7: Pumpkin Seeds and More...

The raw pumpkin seed, just like the cacao bean, is another feel good food. It is a great source of magnesium and tryptophan. You can find this super-seed right in your backyard if you live in the Northeastern US!

Pumpkin seeds also are great sources of protein, fat and other essential minerals.

Other great seeds and foods that promote weight loss are hemp seed, flax seed and raw sunflower seeds. These all contain good fats and good protein for optimal health.

If you're eating a primarily vegetarian or vegan diet, be sure to add these seeds to your diet to get some good protein. If you're NOT a vegetarian or vegan, be sure to add these seeds to your diet to get some good protein (not a typo!).

3 Simple Steps on How to Lose Weight - The Truth About Fat Burning Foods

By Dragos C 

In this short article I will demonstrate to you that the healthy food out there that we believe is good for our bodies, could be unhealthy after all. There are some secrets about this food that will be unveiled to you because we need to know the truth about fat burning foods and fat storing foods. Some people think that only exercise will help them lose weight, but food is much more important than aerobics.

The simple 3 steps on how to lose weight and find out the truth about fat burning foods are not to be taken lightly; of course, these steps are just the beginning.

Saturated Fats. This is truly a bad kind of fat, but only if you eat a lot or the wrong type. If you eat the right kind of saturated fat from within the right kind of foods, you can even lose belly fat or fat in general, on the fly;

Food Labels. That piece of paper offering information about the product. STOP trusting every food label you read; some manufacturers and companies hide certain ingredients that can make you overweight and take your energy out; the thing is, you might become addicted to the taste because some of them use trans fats which are in my knowledge one of the worst fats in nature;

"Healthy" Foods. As I said in the beginning, some healthy foods are not so healthy as we thought; your kitchen might be full of them right now. I, personally love olive oil, but it has been discovered that some of them are not so pure as we thought. So, the popular extra virgin healthy olive oil might contain vegetable oil which as you know by now, is full of trans fats.

Now, I don't want you to throw away your olive oil from the kitchen so I am going to tell you a simple formula that can decide whether the oil is good or not.

There are 3 main fats in the industry that the general population knows about: saturated fats, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. If you analyze the label you should check for the saturated fats to be no more than 13 grams, and the ratio between mono and poly or the result of the division between them to be more than 6.

A simple example would be: saturated fats 12 grams, monounsaturated 70 grams and polyunsaturated 10 grams. This would be a good olive oil. You can find more information and picture examples if you check the website at the end of this article.

The Truth on Weight Loss with Spicy Food

By Phillip England 

Everybody seems to have their own ideas on how to lose weight. Atkins and Banting suggested low-carbohydrate diet plans, the South Beach does away with bad carbohydrates and fats, and the Beverly Hills diet wants weight watchers to go with an all-fruit meal. Then there are some people who think that eating spicy foods will help them lose weight faster than you can say overweight.

Spicy foods have always figured in various native delicacies in different cultures. Black pepper, for example, is an antioxidant and it also has antibacterial effects. Cayenne pepper is touted to boost the immune system and clear congestion. Eating spicy food also increases the endurance of athletes and also helps in treating osteoarthritis.

Interestingly, among the many benefits of eating spicy food came the idea that it can actually aid in weight loss.

Weight loss with spicy dood: Fact or myth?

There is an ongoing debate on whether or not one can achieve weight loss with spicy food. The idea is that spicy foods increase your body's metabolic rate which makes you digest your food faster. Basically, spices improve digestion by increasing the hydrochloric secretion in the stomach. This is what increases your metabolic rate. With increased metabolism comes increased absorption rate. When there is increased absorption, then the body is able to utilize the stuff that you ate for your daily activities so almost nothing really stays put. Ergo, you lose weight.

Some experts believe that while it's true that spicy food can increase the body's metabolism, the increase is not really as substantial as we would like to think. The increased digestive rate after eating spicy food isn't so high as to affect weight loss. Still, there are some other people who look at it from a different standpoint.

Spicy food makes us eat less

There are only a few of us who have a high tolerance for spicy food. Logically, when a meal is spiked with pepper, we have a tendency to eat less. Cayenne pepper, for example, has capsaicin, which among others has shown to help the body burn fats and reduce the appetite. According to some scientists, cayenne increases the level of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the body which causes us to feel less hungry. Spices enhance the flavor of any food which provides the a satisfied sensation to the palate. Eating spicy food makes us eat less which explains why people connect weight loss with spicy food. As thermogenic herbs, spices helps the body burn more calories in food especially when eating a meal high in fat. This is by increasing blood circulation and the body's temperature. In this regard, spices are also capable of stimulating the break down of fat cells thus aiding in weight loss.

So in a sense, weight loss with spicy food sounds logical enough to be true.

But...

With this explanation in hand, more and more people strongly believe that eating spicy food can aid weight loss. Unfortunately, eating spicy foods is not without a negative consequence. Eating spicy food can also cause stomach ulcers. Spices can also cause GERD or acid reflux. Moderation is really the key. Don't overeat on spicy foods especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Acid reflux usually happens to obese people so if you're trying weight loss with spicy food, you may want to think this over. Maybe you can go on the spicy food diet as a sort of supplement to another weight loss plan instead of using it as your basic means of burning calories.

Aside from acid reflux, spices can also irritate your digestive tract and mess up digestion. Too much spicy food can also wreak havoc on your sense of taste. Over time, you won't be able to enjoy food in its natural state.

Heads-up

If you're still hell-bent on going on the idea of weight loss with spicy food, you may want to keep a few tips in mind before going on a curry overload.

Try to test your tolerance for spicy food in small amounts first. Make sure to put in just small amounts of it in your meals. As you go along, feel free to increase the servings according to your taste. Remember not to eat too much of it though because as it was mentioned, spicy food in large amounts isn't good for your stomach.