Mediterranean Diet

By Mislav Scukanec Reznicek

Despite its name it is not typical of all Mediterranean cuisine, although this diet was a very popular recommendation in the 1990s. Lard, butter and olive oil are commonly used in Northern Italy for cooking, but in North Africa, besides olive oil, sheeps tail fat and rendered fat (samna) are traditional staple fats, while wine is, for instance, avoided by Muslims. 

This diet includes high consumption of olive oil, legumes, fruits, unrefined cereals and vegetables, wine, fish, moderate consumption of dairy products and low consumption of meat products. But the best representative of this diet is olive oil. It is very nutritious and contains high levels of monounsaturated fats, like oleic acid, which reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Antioxidants in olive oil also help for cholesterol regulation and lowering the LDL cholesterol. 

Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard University said this diet is based on "food patterns typical of Crete, much of the rest of Greece, and southern Italy in the early 1960s", and along regular physical activity, stresses out "abundant plant foods, fresh fruit as the typical daily dessert, olive oil as the principal source of fat, dairy products (principally cheese and yogurt), and fish and poultry consumed in low to moderate amounts, zero to four eggs consumed weekly, red meat consumed in low amounts, and wine consumed in low to moderate amounts".

Creating Low-Calorie Dishes With Company Appeal

By Geoffrey Moore

Poultry

Poultry is the healthy diner's best friend. Of course, in order for a poultry dish to qualify as low-calorie, you have to select the best cuts of meat, as well as pay attention to the preparation methods that you use. The breast meat of both chicken and turkey are the best choices for a low-calories poultry dish. When using a fire pit, you have to be extremely careful, however, not to dry out the meat. 

Using a marinade can be distinctly helpful. Select options that do not use excessive oil, however, to keep the calories count down. Poultry, surprisingly, can be tenderized by soaking in milk; the enzymes break down the meat fibers making it extremely tender for grilling or cooking on a fire pit. A milk marinade can be coupled with a dry spice rub to make a dish that will wow even the most discerning meat-eater.

Fish

Fish is another low-calorie choice that does very well in a fire pit. Depending on what your finished dish is, there are several ways that you cook a lean fish recipe. Some people place the fish in a square of tin foil, adding seasoning right to the mix. When the packet is closed up, it can be placed right on the coals and steamed. 

Again, go easy of the butter and oil- just a little for flavoring is sufficient. If you grill the fish on the fire pit grate, always place it skin side down and grease the grates liberally. Cod, haddock and sole are lower is calories than fish such as salmon.

My Discovery of the Summer - The Wonders of The Humble Radish!

By Sandy L Scott

Expert Author Sandy L Scott

I've never eaten radishes - and therefore I have never grown them and my family have never been served them at home. However, this year I had a free packet of seeds so thought I might as well grow them and in just over a month, I now have a bumper crop. 

Other than lettuce, they are the first crops ready for picking and we have loads so I decided that we would eat them - even if I didn't like them. And to be honest - I couldn't even remember what they tasted like or when I had last tried them so you can imagine my surprise when I discovered I loved them!

And so I decided to do more research on this humble vegetable and discovered that it is one of the mustard family but also related to the Brassicaceae family (along with things like broccoli and cabbage). This family of vegetable are known for their anticarcinogenic properties which means they contain chemicals that can reduce the occurrence of cancer so a great reason to include them in the diet. 

On top of this, despite being made up of 90% water, they contain as much potassium as bananas and are a great source of Vitamin C, folates and magnesium. They are also very low in calories so great as a snack for those watching their waistlines!

Low Calorie Snacks Good For the Body and Health

By Lloyd Strasellhoff

Everyone is constantly in search for low calorie snacks that will quell your hunger while at the same time being tasty. Sadly, low calorie snacks don't have the best reputation; they are generally viewed as being dull, tasteless and not good value for money. 

So why is this? It is mainly due to the fact that we have been conditioned to think of low calorie snacks as only being vegetables and fruits minus any added seasonings.

Low calorie snacks can be as simple as putting sweet fruits on top of fresh cream or making a sandwich with your favourite vegetables on wholemeal bread. The only limit is your imagination. If you've ever wanted a snack but been unable to find it in your local supermarket then now is the time to create the dish that you really want to eat.

You don't have to give up coffee if you are looking to reduce your calorie intake; this is a very common misconception. Decaffeinated might not sound too appealing to most of you, but it's not as bad as you might think. Many people are put off by the idea of decaffeinated but end up enjoying it with a nice light biscuit.

How Is Industrial Food Manufacturing Made Safe?

By Valeria Stephens

Expert Author Valeria Stephens

Manufacturers who are involved in industrial food production must comply with strict quality control measures that ensure the safety of our food supply. It is the company's responsibility to make sure the food produced is as fresh as possible, free of toxins and contaminants, properly labeled and adequately preserved. Along with quality control measures, quality assurance standards require accurate documentation including information and lot numbers of all products that are produced. The following measures are just a few of the steps in the food manufacturing process.

Cleanliness and Sterilization

The production environment must be clean and sterile at all times. Each company has a quality control team who is in charge of making sure an area is thoroughly cleaned between each production run. It is also their responsibility to make sure all ingredients used are free of contaminants and in the freshest state possible.

Time and Temperature Settings

One of the most important elements of proper food production is temperature control. Foods must be adequately cooked to prevent spoilage and the growth of bacteria such as salmonella and eColi bacteria. Proper temperature and adequate cook time will keep foods fresh and bacteria free. The type of food being processed will determine the time and temperature settings needed to ensure freshness.

Cross Contamination

Cross contamination is caused by touching one type of food or chemical and then touching another food product or surface. Cross contamination can lead to spoilage, toxicity and bacteria growth. Cross contamination can be prevented by washing hands and cooking surfaces often and making sure all utensils are thoroughly cleaned between each use. Proper storage of ingredients before, during and after the manufacturing process will also help prevent cross contamination.

Quality Control

Food safety training is one of the requirements for individuals who work in the food production industry. Adequate HPCL training ensures staff members and individuals who are responsible for quality control know how to maintain a safe and secure production environment. With this type of specialized training, individuals are taught how to adequate clean and maintain a sterile work area. They know what measures must be taken to ensure quality as well as prevent cross contamination and other possible problems that can lead to spoilage and exposure to bacteria.

Freshness

Freshness is vitally important in the food production industry. Consumers rely on food companies to produce products that are nutritious and safe. They expect labels to be accurate and the ingredients contained in the foods to be safe. To maintain freshness, companies must constantly be aware of the shelf life of both the ingredients and the end product.

Industrial food production is a major process and ensuring the safety of the foods being produced is a meticulous process. Individuals who are involved in controlling the quality of the items being produced must be highly trained and dedicated to maintaining the highest standards possible, making food safety training a key part of the work.

Visit Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences (AAPS) Inc. for more information on other important career paths like preparing for a CRNE exam.

Valeria Stephens is a Copywriter at Higher Education Marketing, a leading Web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Mobile SMS Alerts, Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other web marketing services and tools.

Top Tips For Healthy Festival Food On A Budget

By Harvey McEwan

As the summer's festivals begins to wind down, many of us will already be considering how we can make next year's experience even more enjoyable. Often it's the basic provision of hygiene facilities and the cost of tickets that are the main gripe with festival goers, however an increasing number of revellers are starting to turn their attention to the food as well. Currently it can be difficult to purchase natural and affordable cuisine on the go with burgers and chips being the traditional staple of festival goers. Opt to plan and pack ahead and you can enjoy a healthy alternative whilst watching your favourite bands.

Given that the festival atmosphere is very much a 24/7 party it's important to stay hydrated at all times. Indulging in copious amounts of alcohol is not only dangerous but can also cause serious dehydration and fatigue. While festival organisers are legally obliged to provide fresh drinking water, water points can often become plagued by lengthy queues as well as being difficult to find amongst the crowds at night. While fizzy soft drinks provide a temporary energy boost, it's important to take plenty of bottled water that will last you the weekend and provides natural rehydration throughout the day.

The main problem revellers can experience when taking food to festivals is the issue of suitable storage. Tent living doesn't provide many opportunities for keeping perishable goods cool while many camp sites also prohibit the use of BBQ which makes cooking hot meals a challenge. Ingenious storage methods such as Thermos flasks and ice packed cool bags grant revellers a bit more culinary freedom; at least for the first day or so. Thankfully, items like apples, oranges and soya yoghurt don't need a chiller to keep them fresh and can help you keep your recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals topped up; especially important when air borne colds and other illnesses are easily transmitted amongst large numbers of people.

Feeling a bit peckish throughout the day but don't want to spend a fortune on a greasy bag of chips or give up your hard fought place at the front of the crowd? Keeping energy levels up is vital when walking long distances and dancing your heart out for 12 hours solid. Taking a backpack into the main arena allows you to take in snacks like cereal bars that release energy slowly and are conveniently filling. Oat biscuits in particular offer a natural alternative to crisps or chocolate given they satisfy the sweet tooth whilst providing a healthy energy boost at the same time.

Are you going to a festival this summer? Plan your weekend menu in advance to prevent the exhaustion of both yourself and your bank balance!

Healthy Soy Bars

By Jonathan Octavius Bell

One of the easiest ways to stay on track health-wise, whether you're on a diet or just trying to eat right is by eating healthy soy bars. They're one of the few food products that you can buy that taste delicious, are nutritious and low in calories. There's generally a trade of when buying tasty food, because you're usually sacrificing the healthy side and they tend to be high in calories. Clearly one of the main reasons that people fail when dieting is simply because the food they eat isn't nice tasting to them. There are some people that enjoy eating salads with no dressing, but those people are far and few between.

The reality of the situation is that for people to lose weight, they need to be happy with what they're eating. Putting someone on 2 salads and a bowl of bran flakes a day isn't a realistic method for losing weight. It is true that some people have the determination to see that diet through, but people who diet are usually overweight and if you're overweight in the first place then you may not have good self control. I really do believe that the best method for someone to lose weight isn't to go 'cold-turkey' and completely cut out everything the person enjoys.

I think the best way to lose weight is to eat foods such as healthy soy protein bars which have several significant advantages:

They're relatively low in calorie being around 200-275 calories (contrasted with regular chocolate bars that easily hit 500 empty calories).

They contain wholegrain carbohydrates meaning that the person eating it stays fuller for longer (making it less likely they'll snack)

Soy Protein Bars and What You Must Know

By Jonathan Octavius Bell

I think one of the things you must know about soy protein bars is that they're actually great tools for not only gaining muscle - but in fact losing weight. In fact I'd personally say that they're more effective in helping someone lose weight than they are in helping someone to gain muscle mass.

Losing weight is essentially the balancing of two important factors, maintaining (or increasing) your metabolic weight and decreasing your calorie intake. If you cut out too many calories and your body starts feeling too drained of energy then you might enter a biological power saving mode. This means a basal reduction in your metabolic rate meaning that you burn fewer calories as you go about an average day. What you need to be doing is keeping this rate as high as you can - but it's a fine balance between carefully cutting the amount of calories you consume as well as keeping this rate as high as you can.

What you definitely shouldn't do is go on any kind of 'starvation' diet as so many teenage girls do. When they start starving themselves they reduce their metabolic rate so that even though they've dramatically cut their intake the results won't be as promising as they hoped for.

This is where soy protein bars come in because they allow you to replace a 500 calorie chocolate bar snack with a bar that is only 300 calories. 200 calories in one day isn't a lot but when you look at it as 1400 calories a week then you can start to see the big picture. This helps you to maintain your metabolism while cutting your calories!

Important Low Cholesterol Diet Recipes

By Ari Laksemi

High levels of cholesterol have become quite common among Americans in the past decade. Around 37 million Americans suffer from this disease, which is a direct result of changes in lifestyles. In the past high cholesterol levels prevailed only among adults. But today many school going children too seem to be having more than the required amount of cholesterol in their blood. Because of this reason doctors and dietitians are advising the general public to watch their saturated and trans-fat intake. Special low cholesterol diet recipes are being prescribed not only to people who already have high levels of cholesterol, but also to people who are seemingly healthy.

The concept of low cholesterol diet recipes is not met with a lot of enthusiasm by the public. Many people think that adhering to such recipes will mean the end to most of the food that they love. But with the recent development in the food and nutrition industry, you can still have your favorite food, but prepared according to low cholesterol diet recipes. The best part in this is that there is hardly any difference between the tastes of real food and the low cholesterol substitutes. 

For example, you can still enjoy delicious desserts such as chocolate ice cream sandwich and still keep your cholesterol level to a minimum. For this, take two cups of softened low fat vanilla ice cream and mix it in a bowl with low fat chocolate chips. Place chocolate graham crackers on a baking sheet and add a scoop of ice cream mixture on top of it. Place another cracker on top of the ice cream and press lightly to sandwich it. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze them for at least two hours. This low cholesterol diet recipe contains less than 15mg of cholesterol.

Low cholesterol diet recipes can be found on the internet with ease. These recipes give a wide variety to your lower cholesterol diet without compromising the taste. But make sure that you get lower cholesterol on diet recipes from a trusted source on the internet. Make sure that the website you are downloading recipes from is a professional health related website. There are many advertisements on the internet which can be misleading, promising impossible results in short time. It is wise to be wary of such things when looking for low cholesterol diet recipes.

There are also books on low in cholesterol diet recipes in the market today. These can be bought from your local book store at a starting price of around $3 and can go up to around $20. The local library is also a good, cost effective place to hunt for low cholesterol diet recipes. You can also make your own recipes low in cholesterol if you can correctly identify the ingredients which contain lower cholesterol.

Types of Nuts For Healthy Eating

By Becki Andrus

There are a lot of types of nuts with many of them possessing health benefits which you would be unwise for you to pass up. And by definition, nuts are the hardest-shelled fruits that come from some plants that have indehiscent seeds. A very good way to get nutrients for people, nuts in fact are a combination of both the seed and the fruit of the plant, as the seed isn't released by the opening fruit. In the culinary sense, the term "nut" is utilized a lot more broadly as exampled in the the fact that Brazil nuts as well as pistachios are in the same category as nuts. Both of them are not, by nature, true nuts. Though some nuts are a lot healthier than others, it seems the healthiest nuts have a lot of benefits.

And Walnuts are one of them, It isn't surprising really that walnuts are thought to be one of the most healthiest nut types because of the number of benefits they have. They are loaded with vital acids like omega-3 as well as antioxidants such as ellagic acids. Omega-3 has long been known to give a lot protection to a persons heart, encouraging the betterment of cognitive functions as well as giving anti-inflammatory benefits for asthma, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and eczema. Antioxidants such as ellagic acid really are great in battling cancer and also supporting your immune system. The heart is your organ that will most likely benefit more when you up the number of walnuts that are in your diet. Studies show that walnuts helped the reduction of cholesterol in general, as well as bad cholesterol, which increases the elasticity of your arteries as well as the reduction of cell adhesion molecules which figure greatly in the stiffening of arteries.

Yet another of the healthier types of nuts, almonds really boast a trove of things which are really good for you such as potassium, copper, manganese, selenium, calcium, and vitamin E. Putting into context precisely how powerful a small serving of almonds really is, only one-fourth a cup have the same measures of calcium which the same amount of milk has. And your colon as well gets a boost out of almonds because of their high amount of fiber that is thought to guard against colon cancer. That conclusion was found because of research on animals. Cholesterol being yet another problem which almonds can help you with. Almonds have in them the monosaturated varieties of fat, which are not only healthy, they also help in clearing out your arteries.

And eating pecans can be wonderful if your goal is to have a lot of minerals as well as vitamins in your system. Pecans are the source of nineteen types of vitamins and minerals including zinc, phosphorus, vitamin B, manganese, calcium, potassium, folic acid, vitamin E, vitamin A, magnesium as well as copper. Researchers have found that pecans can help clear your arteries and lower your bad LDL cholesterol. And this was seen to happen only when the intake of pecans was daily.

Low Calorie Recipes: Elegant Spinach Souffle

By Virginia Butters

Traditional souffles made with eggs, milk and cheese are notoriously high in cholesterol, calories, and fat. If you're looking for a healthy alternative to the classic souffle, try this easy recipe. It tastes so rich and decadent, you'd never guess the secret ingredient is tofu.

Tofu is one of the most versatile and healthy protein foods available today. Although is is often associated with Asian cuisine, where it originated over 2000 years ago, tofu makes an excellent base for Western dishes as well, including entrees, desserts, breads, salad dressings, dips and soups.

Tofu is a bean curd made from soy milk, in a process similar to that used to make cottage cheese. It's cheap, available at most grocery stores and supermarkets, and is shockingly easy to cook with. It's also one of the most nutritious and low-calorie proteins you can find. There are about 95 calories, five grams of fat, and 10 grams of protein in a half-cup portion. It's also high in calcium, potassium, and iron.

This Elegant Spinach Souffle makes a deliciously healthy main dish for a lunch or brunch. It serves six generously, and each portion weighs in at under 180 calories. You can reduce the sauteing oil by half if you're extra calorie-conscious.

Elegant Spinach Souffle

1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach

3 tablespoons oil (for sauteing)

1/2 cup onion, chopped

3 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon salt, halved

2 pinches black pepper

1 pinch ground nutmeg

1 cup medium-firm tofu

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or vinegar

1 tablespoon oil (for souffle)

Thaw the spinach, reserving the juice in a separate container. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil an eight inch round or square pan and set aside.

Saute the onion in oil, until transparent and limp. Stir in the flour. Stir in the reserved spinach juice; add enough water to the juice to make it one cup of liquid, if necessary. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, a pinch of black pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Fold the spinach into the sauce and set the mixture aside.

In a blender or mixing bowl, combine the tofu, lemon juice or vinegar, oil, the remaining salt, and another dash of black pepper. Blend or beat until a smooth, creamy texture is obtained. Fold the tofu mixture into the spinach and sauce, and then carefully transfer the finished souffle batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until fully set.

Healthy Lunch Options for Your New Years Resolution

By Kris Wood

As we start a new year many of us make the new year's resolution of eating healthier. Here are a few options for your lunch to help you get going.

Soups

A great winter warmer which is a healthy and low cost option. There is a bit of work to do preparing the ingredients and cooking them. You can make big batches and freeze them in portion size containers to defrost as and when needed.

Flavours and ingredients are endless, whether your vegetarian or enjoy a meaty soup.

Salads

A great way to knock up your 5 a day, they can be prepared easily and relatively cheap. A way of filling you up without feeling lethargic after.

Remember the naughtiest part of a salad is the dressing you use, all the calories come from the dressing so use a simple balsamic olive oil or something with low fat.

Couscous

Something a bit different. Just soak it in hot water and in ten minutes you'll have an accompaniment to meat, fish, cooked vegetables, or the makings of a hearty salad. Couscous can be eaten hot or cold and is a staple ingredient in North Africa.

A Jacket Potato

A jacket potato is a blank canvas, there are many fillings to stuff your jacket with. Quite a versatile meal as they can be eaten hot or cold, and if hot the microwave or oven will cook them nicely. Cook in the oven to get the crispy skin but does take time and then you can reheat in the microwave when ready to eat.

Tortilla Wrap

Tortillas are most commonly prepared with meat to make dishes such as tacos and burritos, however, there are many alternate versions without meat. Again, these can be eaten hot or cold with a variety of fillings.

The night before, prep your ingredients and portion into containers. Assemble when eating to ensure freshness.

Other Tips

This article is only to get the juices flowing, they are all very versatile dishes in the way the are prepared, cooked and served. Recipes for all these dishes can be easily found over the web, just pick your favourite foods and ingredients.

Keeping hydrated is also a major influence in your overall well being. Try have 8 glasses of water a day.

Swap your mid-morning snacks and fizzy drinks with a portion of fruit or glass of fruit juice.

Try avoid mayonnaise, excessive salad dressing and butter and spreads. Most of these recipes are designed to avoid fatty ingredients, but a bit here and there won't hurt.

Is The Glycemic Index Diet As Good As They Say It Is?

By Bill Fredricks

There are several synonymous terms that are used when referring to the glycemic index diet. Some of the terms include glycemic food index, glycemic food diet, and glycemic index diet. These terms as well as others refer to a diet that utilizes the glycemic index to plan meals. So what is it?

The glycemic index is a measurement of the amount of glucose in your blood after eating. Because foods metabolize at different rates, the about of glucose in the blood will vary. The index measures that phenomena on a scale from 0-110. Zero indicates no glucose and 110 indicates pure glucose.

Early on the glycemic index was used by doctors for patients who were diabetic or had kidney ailments. But, it was found that the diet also had positive effects with regard to weight loss and preventing heart disease. When a person planned meals according to the index, they were found to be much healthier as their metabolism worked with greater efficiency.

According to the index scale, the body functions best when foods are consumed that have a glycemic ranking of 69 or lower. A side benefit of this diet is natural weight loss. As foods with a lower ranking become a regular part of a diet, a person's metabolism began to consume body fat.

The index also aids in determining the amount of protein that should be part of the meal. If food with a higher glycemic ranking, like the processed carbohydrates in white bread, are part of the meal, then greater portions of protein should be added to slow digestion and prevent a spike in blood glucose. Combining the right foods to metabolize at the best rate is also considered in this diet.

Chocolate ranks high on the food index. But, chocolate mixed with peanuts ranks much lower. This is because the protein in the Peanuts will slow digestion. So, a Snickers bar has a glycemic ranking of 40, while a French baguette has a ranking of 90. The Snickers bar is much better for you. Surprised?

Yes, the glycemic index diet is as good as they say it is. There are now over 30 years of research and proven case studies to support the research. When you make it a lifestyle, your mental alertness and energy level will be at their peak. Also, your body weight will seek a natural level, your mood will improve, and you may find you have less of a problem coping with stress.

Every year millions of people perform research online and offline trying to find the best ways to lose weight. There is a ton of good information out there that has helped people become healthier. Unfortunately, there is also a plethora of bad ideas that are dangerously accepted as fact. They cannot all be covered in one piece but here are three of the biggest myths that you are going to want to look out for when you begin your weight loss journey.

Weightlifting Isn't As Helpful As Cardio

When most people think about losing weight they imagine waking up at six in the morning and running around the neighborhood for an hour. Now, it is true in most cases that cardiovascular exercise will burn more calories at a time when working out; but you really should focus on the long-term too. Did you know that for each pound of muscle that you add onto your body you burn 6 calories more per HOUR. That goes a LONG way towards burning weight and then keeping it off, which is what you should really want. Plus, muscle looks better than fat or just skin and bones. Weightlifting absolutely needs to be part of your routine.

Carbohydrates Are Bad For You

The Atkins diet (and bad information spread around by people who don't understand it very well) is to blame for this myth being introduced and perpetuated. Here's the thing: carbohydrates are not bad at all and actually are a crucial part of your daily nutrient intake. Carbohydrates are one of the body's main sources of fuel and energy. Among other things, carbohydrates also help to regulate the sugar levels within your cells, they help bacteria break down food in your stomach, and help your body absorb calcium. Of course if you are taking in too much it is going to be harmful, but cutting carbs out of your diet completely will be just as harmful. You have to find the healthy middle ground.

Healthy Food Is Expensive

This is one of the most popular myths that are out there. Some people will fight tooth and nail to make this point, even when you hold your grocery bills up against theirs and compare. How could expensive produce really end up being cheaper than the dollar menu? In reality, healthy food is actually just as inexpensive as long as you know the right kind to buy. Vegetables, for example, do not need to be bought fresh. Frozen vegetables have just as many nutrients and actually last longer than the fresh variety that you have to throw away after a few days. The same holds true for canned fruit. If you are a conscious shopper you WILL save money in the long run.

Keep these in mind when you are planning your diet and exercise regimens and you will do just fine. This is going to be a long journey; but by the time you reach your goal you will have a new lifestyle and feel so much better about yourself so stick with it!

Healthy Shakes to Lose Weight: All About Them

By M Edward

Commercially, healthy shakes to lose weight have been there for decades. They are all over the market with manufacturers trying to bring the best out of their own. Unfortunately, sometimes it's to their advantage. So in as much as you may be admiring those commercial adverts, be quite careful as to whether you are really being misled, whether somebody is trying to sneak into your pockets for their own benefits at the expense of your health.

So if you are like I and you often wonder whether healthy shakes are really healthy; read on. Let us find out all about health shakes and their role in weight loss, and just how they do it.

What are they?

Shakes are meal replacements which come in several forms. They can be in a pre-packaged drink in a can or bottle or as a powder often mixed in milk or water. Most people refer to them as protein shakes. Some come in tasty flavors while others require that you add fruit in order to make them tastier.

Every shake is a target of a certain nutrient be it vitamin or proteins. So not all shakes are meal replacements, some of them are a counter to a certain nutrient.

How do they work in relation to weight loss?

Protein shakes in particular has become popular even over the counter since it is known to stabilize the sugar level. It has also been found to act well in reducing carbohydrates cravings. They are able to make you eat fewer by ensuring that you are full for a long period. Shakes work well with those wanting to lose weight because they make you consume fewer calories. In the same way, the increased energy levels ensure that you are able to burn the existing fats and thus are able to lose weight.

Advantage of using healthy weight loss shakes:

The very first advantage is that it will make you lose the extra pounds that you have always wanted to. They are low in calorie unlike other drinks so they can be able to quench your thirst in an awesome way. If you do not like plain water, which is quite good in helping lose weight, there are lots of healthy weight loss shakes you can add to water and find it tastier.

Again, they are packed with lots of nutrients which are quite beneficial for your health. They will deliver tons of nutrition in just a few calories unlike other drinks. So when you drink a healthy shake, you will not only lose weight but you will also be boosting your health in terms of nutrition.

So, are they healthy?

Yes, they indeed are a healthy way to lose weight. Remember when it comes to weight loss; the trick is in finding a healthy way to do it. If you have a busy and very active lifestyle, do not hesitate making this part of your everyday diet. You only need to be careful not to be misled by marketers out to market their imitated brands. Go for the right choice.

So at the end of it all, there are healthy shakes to lose weight out there, identify them and make them your daily drink, and lose some pounds as you do so.

Health Benefits Of The Lemon Water Miracle Drink

By Sharon Tappenden

Lemon Water - Is It Good For You?

Even though lemons are the smallest of the citrus fruit family, they contain more healthy nutrients than other citrus such as oranges, tangerines, grapefruits etc. Lemons are the most popular citrus fruit in the world and have been used in recipes for centuries. The most common recipe for lemons is lemon water, which is simply lemon juice squeezed into a glass of cold water. Very refreshing on a hot day!

Lemons are thought to have originated in the foothills of North-East India in the Himalayan district, but have spread through the Middle East, Africa, Americas, Pacific, and Europe to become the most widespread and prolific citrus tree in the world today.

The lemon tree itself grows to approximately 2-3 metres in orchards and plantations and prefers a temperate to tropical location. It is generally a hardly tree which only requires a moderate amount of water. Cold and frosty conditions tend to stunt their growth and ability to produce good quality large fruit.

Some lemon trees are known to have strong sharp thorns adorning their branches so beware when picking the fruit of the lemon tree. A mature fruit will generally measure between 5 - 8 cms and weigh approximately 50 - 80 grams.

The health benefits of lemons are nothing short of remarkable! They are packed full of nutrients and are low in calories and do not contain any saturated fats or cholesterol. They are rich in dietary fibre and citric acid which aids digestion, and have been scientifically proven to help dissolve kidney stones.

Lemons are also a great source of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) which is known to be a natural anti-oxidant. It also helps to prevent scurvy, a disease which plagued many ocean-going voyages around the world during the life and times of Captain James Cook.

Vitamin C also helps the body to resist infectious agents and helps with eradicating harmful free radicals from the blood. Lemons also contain a variety of phytochemicals which also assist this process.

Vitamin A is present in small levels together with flavonoids such as B-carotenes, beta-cryptoxanthin, zea-xanthin and lutein compounds which all have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is essential for good vision, healthy skin and mucus membranes. Consuming lemons which are rich in flavonoids, are known to help protect the body from lung and oral cancers.

Vitamin B-complex such as panthothenic acid, pyridoxine and folates are present in good quantities in lemons, which allows our bodies to replenish its supplies.

Minerals such as iron, potassium, copper and calcium are also present in lemons. Potassium is a significant element that helps control a good heart rate and blood pressure.

As science discovers more and more about the health benefits of lemons, we are now aware that the ingredients and dietary fibre of lemons are helpful in reducing the risk of cancer, arthritis, coronary heart disease and obesity to name but a few.

When purchasing lemons be sure that they are a rich bright yellow colour and send out a fresh citrus fragrance as you rub your fingers gently over the skin. Dark green lemons are not ripe and should be avoided, as should soft and spongy lemons as they will be old and past their best.

Lemons can be stored easily at home in the refrigerator for around a week. Fresh is always best to get the most nutrients from the fruit. The easiest and most nutritious way to consume lemons is straight from the tree made up into a refreshing glass of lemon water.

Be careful in your consumption of lemons as they have a very low PH reading of approximately 2.0. The sour taste from lemons can cause a burning feeling in and around the mouth and if lemons are consumed in large quantities it may lead to stomach ulcers being formed and the occurrence of acid-peptic disease.

The above details are offered as general advice only and should not be relied upon as exclusively accurate, nor as your only source of dietary information for lemons. I encourage you to do further research on the health benefits of lemons as this account, although comprehensive, is by no means exhaustive.

What Are The Best Fresh, Dried and Processed Fruit Snacks?

By William A. Edwards 

There is a common misconception that all fruit is good for you. I cannot tell you how many times my wife and kids came back from a shopping trip with piles of fresh fruit. They were proud of the fact that they had made such healthy choices instead of buying a bunch of snack foods like chips or cookies. I finally pointed out that while it might seem that their choices were good ones, they might have considered doing some research before buying the kind of fruits they purchased.

Buying fresh fruit is all about making the most healthy of choices. Apples are a good pick. However, there is a catch to eating apples. They are high in natural sugar content which is not really good, but as long as you eat the peel along with the rest of it you get the benefit of ursolic acid. That helps our bodies to build a type of muscle mass that burns fat and helps to prevent obesity. An apple a day also keeps the doctor away by providing fiber, antioxidants, vitamin c and other beneficial things that our bodies need.

Green grapes are a family favorite for us, but they have a high sugar content and may not be the best choice for snacks. Bananas also have lots of sugar in them, but they contain tons of potassium which is essential for good heart health and muscle function. Placing bananas on your shopping list is a good idea, just do not eat too many on a daily basis. Apricots are awesome for Vitamin A and highly recommended as a good fruit snack by most nutritionists. Blackberries, blueberries and cherries all have excellent health benefits, but beware of baking them into pies. The baking process eliminates a lot of the health benefits and who needs all that sugar and fat.

I never liked grapefruit, but some people go crazy over it and there was that grapefruit diet craze a few decades back. This is a fruit that has an oddly pleasing and extremely tart taste that is attractive for some, but no fat at all to speak of and a very low sugar content. Not only is grapefruit an excellent source of vitamin c, but it tends to make you feel full which is why so many people eat it as a diet aid. It's always been a popular breakfast staple.

Oranges are the king of fruit in some ways. They provide lots of vitamin c, folic acid and calcium. However, if you are looking for the same benefits from orange juice, you might be a bit disappointed. Experts now say that orange and many other fruit juices may be as bad a choice as soda for beverages. Unlike the actual fruit, the juice is the result of juicing a number of oranges which raises the sugar content exponentially and not in a good way. The extra calcium and folic acid is not worth the extra sugar, so beware getting addicted to fruit juices of any kind.

Purple grapes, kiwi, strawberries, mango, raspberries, papaya and prunes are good choices as fruit snacks. All have no fat content and individually contain many things that our bodies need like vitamin c, fiber and heart-healthy compounds. Sugar levels are a bit high in some of these choices like mango, purple grapes and prunes, but the benefits outweigh the sugar content in all.

Dried fruits have always been a problem for people who buy them thinking they are getting a healthy snack and all the benefits of fresh fruit. I used to buy lots of banana chips because I love the taste. I was horrified when I found out that they were deep fried with extra sugar added! If you do buy banana chips, purchase the ones that are offered without added sugar.

Pineapples are another on my greatest hits list of favorite dried fruit. Imagine my shock after I discovered that most were coated in refined sugar to give them that sweet taste. Cranberries are also processed with lots of sugar to make them taste better. Watermelon is the worst offender. Fresh or dried, it has few health benefits and tons of sugar.

If you purchase dried fruit be aware that most of your choices will not provide you with the same health benefits as eating the same fruit fresh. That is especially true if you purchase items which have been processed using extra sugar or additives for preservation or other reasons. There are exceptions. The best dried fruits to buy are apples, apricots, mango, cherries, figs, papaya, blueberries, raisins, plums and tomatoes.

Fruit candy is not the worst snack anyone can choose, but it is also not the best and no where near as healthy as fresh or most dried fruit. Fruit candy is made from fruit juice, sugar and various additives. Because the candy contains fruit juice, you are starting off with something that is not as healthy as fresh or dried fruit and has a lot more sugar in it. Even more sugar is added to give candy its taste and that is more bad news. The cooking process eliminates most of the health benefits of the fruit juice used to make it, so fruit candy is something you should probably avoid.

Fruit, whether it is fresh or dried, can be your best friend or worst enemy. It's all about understanding how your body reacts to the sugar content and making choices that include the least amount of additives or processing. If you have a natural tendency towards obesity, any snacks are probably a bad idea. If you chose fresh fruit as a snack, do not over indulge. Pick three pieces of fruit you enjoy the most each day and have one of each. If dried fruit is your thing, limit yourself to one small package a day and eat it only when you are really hungry.

Slider Foods Spell Weight Regain For Weight Loss Surgery Patients

By Kaye Bailey

For most people eating sliders is a good thing. Popularized by the American food chain, White Castle, a slider (originally slyder) is a miniature grilled hamburger or cheeseburger on a steamed bun often served with onions and dill pickle and other condiments. They originally sold for a nickel a piece in the 1940s making it affordable to add a side of fries for just pennies. By all accounts this is a good kind of "slider" food.

To the weight loss surgery patient slider foods are the bane of good intentions and ignorance often causing dumping syndrome, weight loss plateaus, and eventually weight gain. Slider foods, to weight loss surgery patients, are soft simple processed carbohydrates of little or no nutritional value that slide right through the surgical stomach pouch without providing nutrition or satiation. The most innocent of slider foods are saltine crackers, often eaten with warm tea or other beverages, to soothe the stomach in illness or while recovering from surgery.

The most commonly consumed slider foods include pretzels, crackers (saltines, graham, Ritz, etc.) filled cracker snacks such as Ritz Bits, popcorn, cheese snacks (Cheetos) or cheese crackers, tortilla chips with salsa, potato chips, sugar-free cookies, cakes, and candy. You will notice these slider foods are often salty and cause dry mouth so they must be ingested with liquid to be palatable. This is how they become slider foods. They are also, most often, void of nutritional value.

For weight loss surgery patients the process of digestion is different than those who have not undergone gastric surgery. When slider foods are consumed they go into the stomach pouch and exit directly into the jejunum where the simple carbohydrate slurry is quickly absorbed and stored by the body. There is little thermic effect in the digestion of simple carbohydrates like there is in the digestion of protein so little metabolic energy is expended. In most cases patients in the phase of weight loss who eat slider foods will experience a weight loss plateau and possibly the setback of weight gain. And sadly, they will begin to believe their surgical stomach pouch is not functioning properly because they never feel fullness or restriction like they experience when eating protein.

The very nature of the surgical gastric pouch is to cause feelings of tightness or restriction when one has eaten enough food. However, when soft simple carbohydrates are eaten this tightness or restriction does not result and one can continue to eat, unmeasured, copious amounts of non-nutritional food without ever feeling uncomfortable.

Many patients turn to slider foods for this very reason. They do not like the discomfort that results when the pouch is full from eating a measured portion of lean animal or dairy protein without liquids. Yet it is this very restriction that is the desired result of the surgery. The discomfort is intended to signal the cessation of eating. Remembering the "Protein First" rule is crucial to weight management with bariatric surgery.

Gastric bypass, gastric banding (lap-band) and gastric sleeve patients are instructed to follow a high protein diet to facilitate healing and promote weight loss. Bariatric centers advise what is commonly known among weight loss surgery patients as the "Four Rules" the most important of which is "Protein First." That means of all nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat and alcohol) the patient is required to eat protein first.

Protein is not always the most comfortable food choice for weight loss surgery patients who feel restriction after eating a very small amount of food. However, for the surgical tool to work correctly a diet rich in protein and low in simple carbohydrate slider foods must be observed. The high protein diet must be followed even after healthy body weight has been achieved in order to maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight regain.

Raw Food Weight Loss Success Stories - Meet Dave and Angela Minus 400 Pounds

By Angela R Parker 

The raw food diet has helped people enduring the worst of health problems slim down quick. Simply eating the excellent foods mother nature designed for you will trim your waist line naturally - And might just eliminate all your other health problems along the way.

Results are rapid and outstanding.

Dave - "the raw food trucker"

In 2008, Dave weighted over 430 pounds and felt - literally - "like he was dying." Dave had been suffering the rough side-effects of the (S.A.D.) Standard American Diet for years. Diabetes, heart disease, colon cancer, failing kidneys, high blood pressure are just a few of the horrible ailments he endured after a life of poor eating. He was taking over 25 medications to cover up the health problems of his obesity.

But only 4 days after starting a raw living diet, Dave was able to stop taking those medications doctors told him he needed to survive. He immediately experienced a greater level of energy and expressed that his depression was simply floating away.

Fast forward to 2010, Dave had lost over 230 pounds on the raw diet. The abundance of nutrition in natural foods also cured his cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Today he rests at an ideal male weight of about 180 pounds.

Dave is wonderful testament to how easy the raw food diet is. He consumes his healthy dose of fresh living foods while trucking extreme distances.

Angela Stokes - "deflated like a balloon"

Angela is another individual who had fallen victim to the horrible weight-packing properties of cooked and processed foods. In 2006, she weighted over 300 pounds and "was in a lot of pain a lot of the time." Her mobility was restricted by her weight and she carried a poor self image linked to her obesity and skin problems.

After reading a book about the benefits of the raw diet, Angela made the switch began reaping the rewards immediately. After over five years of being alone, she was dating within a month of switching to a natural diet. Rapid cleansing from living foods cured her skin problems as she dropped weight.

Skip to 2008, Angela had lost over 170 pounds eating the raw diet. "I'm happier than I've ever been," she says. She is now a prominent figure in the raw food world, helping thousands lose weight fast and get healthy like she did through the power of living foods.

What does this mean for me?

Dave and Angela are just 2 examples of millions that have discovered the amazing benefits that only the perfect design of nature can provide. They lost over half a pound a day on average and over a pound a day in the initial stages of their transformations. The way raw food has remedied their cases of extreme obesity and poor health means that anybody can experience the excellent benefits of a natural diet.

Raw foods have mother nature's balanced combination of enzymes, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. They will:

Slim you down naturally and quickly

Maintain your ideal weight without the "yoyo-ing" effect of other diets

Cleanse your body and cure other problems, from Angela's acne to Dave's colon cancer

Rapid Weight Loss Diet Fads - Important Information and Advice

By Loren R Antonios

How many diets or crazy weight loss regimes have you tried in the past? No doubt countless. In fact, because today's society has more overweight persons than ever before in the entire history of the human race, weight loss regimes are among the number one practices that humans spend so much time, effort and money on. I'm sure you would agree. But why are so many of us still fat? Clearly these rapid-burn weight loss regimes (i.e., fad diets) do not work, otherwise we'd all be skinny by now, and weight problems would be a thing of the past. The following paragraphs will relate some of the crazy fad diet ideas which clearly have proved to be faulty and non-fruitful.

Crazy diet fad #1 - The Grapefruit Craze

This promises rapid weight loss if you eat unlimited amounts of grapefruit (and little else) during the day. This is based on the belief that grapefruit speeds up one's metabolism to the point where weight will magically start to melt away. This diet is not only based on starvation methods but is also very dangerous and could cause one's body permanent damage.

Crazy diet fad #2 - The "No-Carbs" Diet

I honestly don't know who made this diet up, but when you think about it, it makes little to no sense. Everyone knows that if you have 100g of fat, 100g of protein, and 100g of carbs all lined up on the table - it is the fat should be avoided due to the high kilojoule content, not the protein or the carbs. In fact, carbs by themselves are very low kilojoule. I've never been able to work this one out!

Crazy diet fad #3 - The Low-fat to No-fat diet

This also makes no sense. Fat is a highly nutritious and important element to our daily food intake. In fact, avocado, olive oil, fatty salmon and walnuts all contain healthy omega 3 fats which are absolutely essential to a healthy diet. If these fats are omitted or drastically cut back from one's intake - cravings, low-energy, low-concentration and extreme bouts of will inevitably occur. Clearly this is not how we are supposed to eat in the long-run!

Crazy diet fad #4 - The Replacement Shakes

Although I see no harm in swapping one meal a day with low-calorie diet shakes, any more and a person is liable to start going crazy. That's right, literally bonkers! You know why; it's because us humans are born to enjoy fine food, and most days, we incorporate this into our social life. If we are not able to sit down and enjoy a meal anymore, depression and moodiness often take over our 'otherwise' happy or positive self. Can this type of diet be maintained for very long? You tell me.

Crazy diet fad #5 - Counting Calories to Lose Weight

Let's be honest - who of us has not attempted counting our calorie (kilojoule) intake at some point in the past? I know I have. It can sort of be fun at first, but after a few days of it you seriously start to go loony! Keeping this up requires a massive amount of work, not to mention a lot of time involved in reading food labels and recipe energy content, recording your energy consumed, and calculating your new daily total with each consumed addition! If you want to remain reasonably sane, then counting calories to lose weight is NOT the way to go! I'd stay clear from this idea altogether.

Clearly, there are no rapid weight loss diets (i.e., crazy fad diets/ crash diets) that are really safe or suitable to conform to for very long. Attempting to burn rapid amounts of weight off is not safe and is liable to damage your body. The initial weight that comes off from fad diets may excite you, but this is only water weight that you are losing, not actual fat. Rather than attempting to lose weight rapidly you should instead undergo a healthy diet plan and moderate exercise regime that will give you steady results and will be achievable.