The concept of consuming deficit calories is an intriguing option when talking about fat loss foods.
There are no true negative calorie foods as everything has at least a few calories so the name “negative calorie” stems from something else.
Basically, a weight loss food which has so few calories that it takes the body more energy to digest it than what is consumed is considered negative calorie.
Primarily, fruits and vegetables fall under the category of negative calorie food that are very beneficial to lose weight. You may include blackberries, peaches, lemons, plums, cantaloupe, guava, raspberries, grapefruit and various other healthy fruits.
Some of the negative calorie vegetables are : spinach, tomatoes, peppers, celery, broccoli, asparagus, cabbage and lettuce.
Let’s Look At The Nutritional Information Of Grapefruit:
* An average sized grapefruit has 74 Calories.
* No fat or sodium.
* High in Vitamin C & Potassium.
* Contains 15 Grams of Pectin (a fiber linked with lowering cholesterol and fat)
* Potassium has many important jobs, including helping to regulate blood pressure, helping to keep the right balance of water in fat and muscle tissues, and helping to ensure the proper functioning of cells. Classic symptoms of potassium deficiency include fatigue, mood changes, irregular heartbeat and muscle weakness.
Grapefruit helps dissolve fat and cholesterol and is recommended for any diet food list.
Coming Up……More Fat Loss Foods & Details To Get Your Metabolism Cranked Up!
Here’s To Your Fat Loss Journey!
Fat Loss Foods & Negative Calories
Fat Burning Foods-Avocado Benefits
Avocado Benefits Are Plentiful:
=============================
Avocados Nutrition
(medium size)
*115 Calories
*3 Grams of Protein
*9 Grams of Carbohydrates
*Fat in Avocado this size is 15 grams
(Avocado Cholesterol = “0″)
Approximately 75% of an avocado’s calories come from fat, most of which is monounsaturated fats which lowers LDL (bad cholesterol). Avocados also have 60% more potassium than bananas.
They are rich in B Vitamins, as well as Vitamin E and Vitamin K. They have the highest fiber content of any fruit - including 75% insoluble and 25% soluble fiber.
Avocado Salad With Chicken
This Avocado salad is an all in one meal with lots of healthy Carbs, Protein and Fat.
*Tomatoes
*Romaine Lettuce
*1 Sliced Avocado
*Slivered Almonds
*Cubed Chicken Breast
*Add your favorite light salad dressing to add some zing to the flavor.
There are lots of free Avocado recipes on the Internet & This is one fruit you need to Include in your daily nutrition arsenal!
12 Power Foods To Fuel Your Body
I’ve been researching the researchers and here are 12 power foods that will give you body fuel for life. These whole foods can be easily transformed into regular meals that will feed your immune system, keep energy levels high and maintain body parts.
- For Your Heart- Asparagus has the B vitamin folate homocysteine, an amino acid that is believed to decrease inflammation which can cause heart disease. 8 spears of asparagus will give you 20 % of your folate requirement.
- Purple Grape Juice-has a powerful antioxidant that decreases heart damaging free radicals. I haven’t tried this mix of equal parts grape juice and seltzer but it’s recommended for cutting calories and guarding arteries.
- For Muscles & Joints-Ricotta Cheese is loaded with body building amino acids and made with the whey left behind from the cheese making process. A great breakfast would consist of low fat ricotta cheese in scrambled eggs with salsa, and broccoli sprouts mixed in.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil-contains an anti-inflammatory that is supposed to work like Ibuprofen. This oil is great for a healthy salad dressing when mixed with balsamic vinegar.
- For Your Bones-Canned Salmon has Omega 3s that help with bone density and adds calcium to your diet. Instead of ground beef make your next hamburger patty out of salmon with 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of chopped onion & 1/2 tablespoon of cumin powder.
- Believe it or not Chocolate consumed at one ounce per day maximum is high in magnesium which helps build bone mineral density. Yay!
- For Your Skin-Tomatoes have carotenoid lycopene which absorbs into the skin limiting UV damage from the sun and fights against skin cancer and wrinkles.
- Hemp Seeds helps your skin retain moisture from the omega 3 fatty acids it contains. You can make a pesto sauce with a tbsp each of lemon juice, pine nuts, shelled hemp seeds, chopped garlic clove, pinch of salt & 1/2 cup of fresh basil.
- For Your Hair-Low Fat Cottage Cheese helps hair growth and strength (hair is mostly made up of protein). Cottage cheese has 14 grams of protein in 1/2 cup.
- Pumpkin Seeds contain zinc which reduces hair shedding. Throw a tablespoon of seeds into your soup or cereal.
- Brain Power food-Arctic Char (cold water fish) Is known for it’s high source of omega-3 fatty acids & improves brain function. It also stimulates feel good neurotransmitters and reduces inflammation.
- Kale is another brain power food that decrease brain decline by 40%. 2 servings minimum a day of veggies maximizes brain health.
These 12 Power Foods are not only a healthy way to maintain your immune system and body parts but will also keep your energy levels high and of course burn the fat on a regular basis.
Here’s a great read called “Fat To Fit” that contains the whole package when it comes to fitness and weight loss.
Until next time be consistent and don’t forget “nothing happens overnight” your body will not change without your help.
Fish: A Very Good Protein Food You Need For Optimal Health
Research on the benefits of fish has been extensive for many years. The omega 3 fatty acids help with our brain function and prevent cardiovascular disease. While a fish oil supplement is a worthy replacement, no supplement can match eating a good protein food like fresh fish.
Fish has no carbohydrates and is low in fat and calories while being very high in protein. baked or broiled (never fried) fish is the paramount natural protein food for anyone wanting to lose weight and build muscle depending on what kind of direction you want to go in.
Fish is considered a good protein food that contain generous amounts of omega 3 fatty acids are higher in fat like sardines, mackerel, salmon and halibut. Lean fish like mahimahi, tuna and orange roughy have almost no omega 3s.
Canned Salmon Nutrition Information (average figures for all types)
Per 100 Grams
Calories: 160 - 190
Protein: 19 - 21 Grams
Fat: 7 - 10 Grams
Carbohydrates: 0 Grams
Try This Salmon Steak Recipe
2 10-ounce salmon steaks
1/2 cup olive oil (extra virgin is better)
1/4 cup Chinese light soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/8 cup lemon juice
Ground Clove
Prepare a sauce of the olive oil, soy sauce, dill weed, lemon juice and clove.
Mix well, and brush over the salmon steaks.
Place on a cookie sheet. Broil steaks on both sides until lightly browned and tender.
Do not overcook.
This will take very little time, so be careful.
Serves 8.
Out of all meats combined fresh fish is the best and should be consumed on a regular basis to get the natural protein in your body for optimal bodily function and recovery after a workout.
Until my next post Take Care and Don’t Quit!
DEADLY SNACKS ~ How Much Do You Eat?
It is inevitable that I get asked, "is it okay if I eat just a little of this or that food"? I tell them that there are consequences for all of our choices, good or bad. You must start with a goal in mind, then set up the plan to achieve that goal. It doesn't matter how small the goal is, whether you want to alleviate allergies or you want to cure your Irritable bowel disease, you have to eliminate foods that are poisoning your system and replace them with healthier snacks and meals.
"But Doc", I hear, "why can't I have just a few chips or fries, it isn't going to kill me". I reply that "you are right, it is not going to kill you, TODAY anyway". I encourage you to check out this link which may have you think twice before eating any chips, fries or fried potatoes again.
We are living in a society where we are flooding our systems with toxic chemicals in our food, drink(including water) and air. It is no wonder we have the staggering disease processes we have and are considered unhealthy as a nation.
We have to make changes, don't put these chemicals in your body, no matter how "acceptable" the limits.
Cyclotrim weight loss water
What would it take for everyone in the world to be thin? Would it take a miracle drug? Maybe a fast-acting powder? How about an exercise machine that works out your body while you sleep? Either way, according to marketers right now, it’s got to be easy- and what’s easier than drinking water? The makers of Cyclotrim Weight Loss Water agree and have introduced a small, effervescent pill that gets dropped into a 20 ounce bottle of water in order to help you lose weight.
Cyclotrim weight loss water’s name is a bit misleading. The product they sell is not water - it is a pill, much like Alka-Seltzer, that dissolves in water. The pill is filled with many of the currently popular vitamins, minerals and ingredients that have been purported to enhance weight loss. Regardless of the claims of this and other products, most of these ingredients have not been proven by the scientific community to help in weight loss.
The first ingredient heavily touted on the Cyclotrim website is the green tea leaf extract (EGCG). Cyclotrim claims that clinical studies have found that EGCG can help your body burn stored fat faster. Green tea leaf extract has lately become the miracle ingredient in a vast majority of fat burning, energy increasing supplements. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition did complete a study on the effects of EGCG on fat burning which appeared in its March 2008 edition. Their article states that large amounts of green tea extract (about 5 mg) were shown to increase the fat oxidation (or burning) by 17% in young males as they exercised for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise. Unfortunately, we do not know how much EGCG is in Cyclotrim Weight Loss Water, and the website makes no mention of the need to exercise in order to benefit from the fat burning enhancement of EGCG.
The next claim made by the Cyclotrim website is that the guarana and Vitamin B Complex in the tablets will increase energy and mental alertness. The first thing that should be pointed out is that green tea and guarana both contain caffeine. This is probably the main factor behind any increased energy experience while taking Cyclotrim Weight Loss Water. Cyclotrim touts the benefits of all-natural guarana as a stimulant, but they could say the same if contained all-natural coffee beans. “All-Natural” does not mean caffeine free. Vitamin B Complex consists of a group of B vitamins including riboflavin, niacin and folic acid. B Complex has been shown to improve the condition of metabolic pathways that are stressed during exercise, so these vitamins can be helpful in aiding activity endurance.
One of the things that Cyclotrim Weight Loss Water gets right is that it encourages dieters to drink water. Increased water consumption is one of the best ways to assist in weight loss. It flushes out the system, reduces appetite and cravings and can reduce bloating. For dieters who don’t like the taste of water, Cyclotrim adds a fizzy, lemon tinged flavor that may make drinking water easier.
Cyclotrim contains electrolytes, which are important to replenish in those who may be increasing their physical activity as a result of a weight loss program. It also contains 200 mg of caffeine, which can contribute to dehydration, so it is important that people who drink Cyclotrim Weight Loss Water do not drink it excessively and also drink un-caffienated water.
Other than the excessive amount of caffeine it contains, Cyclotrim Weight Loss Water is a relatively harmless weight loss supplement. It would be smart to consider it more of a nutritional supplement than a weight loss aid. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved the product and there have been no published clinical trials to support its claims.
Healthy Halloween Treats
It used to be that the healthy houses were the ones all the kids avoided at Halloween. You knew which houses had the Snickers bars that you had to hit twice, and the ones that were handing out apples that you could definitely skip. Well nowadays, there are all kinds of healthy treats you can hand out while still enticing the kids to change costumes and make a second stop. Here are just a few great ideas that will keep the moms and the kids happy on Halloween.
1. Try handing out snack foods like mini bags of pretzels, cracker packs, trail mix, or even hot cocoa. Even if it’s not the healthiest option, it’s going to offset all the sugar they will be getting.
Many companies now make “snack size” bags of all kinds of goodies that are easy and convenient. Plus they can make parents feel safe since the bags are sealed so you know if they’ve been tampered with.
If you’re going to a party where everyone knows each other, or having a get-together yourself, you can save money by making your own snack-size baggies.
2. Why not hand out coupons for sugary snacks instead of actual sugar? This way parents can decide when the kids gets their Halloween treat and it controls portions a bit better.
Many restaurants and other stores are starting to catch on and sell coupon booklets for small treats. Just pick up a few booklets and you’ll be set for the night. Some companies even donate the proceeds to charity.
3. Some of the best Halloween treats don’t have to be treats at all. There are tons of non-food items that you can give out that will put a smile on kids’ faces. Just take a trip to your local party store or look in a party favor catalogue and you can find tons of fun ideas that will provide way more joy than a simple piece of candy.
You can use everything from small toys and games to little books and crossword puzzles. Most towns have a place where you can buy these in bulk if you are going to a large party or live in a high-traffic area. Just be sure to provide age-appropriate toys for smaller children that may stop by.
4. If you abide by the rule that it’s just not Halloween without the candy, there are still ways to be healthier. In addition to the sugar-free candy you find at your local grocery store, there’s also plenty of great finds at your local health food store or organic bakery. While it may still contain sugar, it’s generally natural, less processed, and better for you. If you go to one of the larger chains, they have plenty of great options including organic chocolate.
With a little extra thought and effort, you can keep Halloween healthier for your kids and everyone else in the neighborhood.
Healthy Cooking for Thanksgiving
The holiday season is notorious for packing on the pounds, but eating a good Thanksgiving meal doesn’t mean you have to eat fattening foods. And eating a healthy meal doesn’t mean you have to forego your Thanksgiving favorites. Here are some easy ways to tweak the classics to be a bit healthier for you and your family. Spices. As long as you use tasting and add them in small increments, adding extra spices to your foods is a great way to cut back on calories. If the food is well seasoned, you won’t need to add butter or gravy to make it taste good. Plus, if food is hot or spicy, you tend to eat less of it.
Evaporated milk. This is great for adding to recipes like pies or gravy. It adds flavor without all the calories of cream. Just remember to use a product made from skim milk.
Ditch the fat. When it comes to turkey, it’s pretty easy to cut back on the greasy fat. Cook the turkey in a drip pan instead of one that collects the fat at the bottom. Before you eat the turkey, be sure to remove the skin because this is where hidden fat and extra calories can be found.
Also, don’t stuff your turkey. This absorbs most of the fat and calories you’d rather keep out. Cook the stuffing in a separate pan. If you use the drippings to make gravy, skim the fat off first. You can add broth to these dishes to keep the moisture without adding the bad stuff.
Lose the butter. Butter is a big offender on Thanksgiving. You can put it on almost anything and it adds lots of fat and calories. Instead, try using chicken broth and evaporated milk to add flavor to dishes like mashed potatoes without all the fat.
Watch the drinks. Thanksgiving calories can come from what you drink as well as what you eat. Try having water or juice with your meal rather than high-calorie drinks like eggnog, soda, or alcoholic beverages.
Salad for side dishes. A lot of what we eat on Thanksgiving comes in the form of side dishes rather than the main course. Why not skip the stuffing or the rolls and start with a salad instead? This is a healthy option to help fill you up before the meal so you eat less of the fatty offenders with your turkey. Just remember that salads can be bad for you too, depending what you put in them.
Remember that no matter how good something is for you, if you eat thousands of calories, you’re probably going to gain weight. Even healthy food should be enjoyed in moderation, so watch your portions as well as the kind of food you’re eating.
Great Foods for a Winter Diet
One of the most important ingredients of any diet, particularly a winter diet, is water. With the cold dry air, your body loses more water. Without proper hydration, your cells can’t work as well which leaves your looking and feeling bad. Be sure to get at least eight glasses of water a day to keep your body at its best. Plus, being properly hydrated can help you eat less and feel less hungry.
A healthy winter diet needs to include protein, fruits and vegetables at every meal. This will not only provide all the nutrients you need but will help balance it out through the day, giving you energy to get by and keeping you from feeling sluggish.
While it is often more difficult to eat properly during the winter, try to find foods for your family to enjoy rather than meals that or frozen or prepackaged. Just like fast foods from restaurants, fast foods from the grocery store contain higher amounts of fat, preservatives, and other things that can harm your health. You may have to start checking more than one store or supplier, but it will be well worth your family’s health.
While we often associate fruits and veggies with spring and summer, there are plenty of options available during the winter. You can find veggies such as carrots, leeks, pumpkin, broccoli, and other greens. And winter is actually the best time to find a variety or citrus fruits, along with certain types of apples. While you may have to pay slightly more because the veggies are being shipped fairly far, the health benefit is definitely worth it.
One reason many people gain weight over the winter is because of depression. We stay inside, get less sunlight, and may feel lonely around the holidays. For many people, this triggers them to eat comfort foods that are high in fat and calories. But while food is the problem, it can also be part of the cure. Instead of grabbing for fatty foods when you’re feeling down this winter, why not grab for foods like fresh fruits and vegetables that will naturally boost your mood. This will help break the cycle instead of fueling it.
A healthy diet is not only about what you eat, but when you eat. While we’ve been taught to eat three full meals a day, it’s often healthier to eat six smaller meals, or to simply supplement yourself with between-meal snacks. This will help keep you fueled throughout the day and will also keep your mood more even to combat depression. Just make sure you’re adding healthy snacks like fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
During the winter, it’s easy to forget that a healthy lifestyle includes not only eating right, but also getting plenty of exercise. Many of us slack off when it comes to exercising during the winter. Don’t let yourself become lazy; take time every day to get your heart rate up. This will help give you more energy to make it through the winter.
You may have to spend a bit more time and money on winter food shopping, but it’s still possible to keep you family healthy all year round.
5 Great Tips for Curving Your Cravings
Starting a diet is pretty easy. The biggest problem with diets is not getting started, it’s sticking with them. Most of use start out fine, but eventually succumb to cravings for sweet or fatty foods (or both). Here are some tips for keeping your cravings at bay.
1. Drink water. Many times, your body experiences hunger when you’re really not hungry at all, but thirsty. When you feel a craving coming on, instead of jumping for your favorite foods, try drinking a glass of water and waiting fifteen minutes. You may also want to try a low-calorie flavored water if the regular stuff isn’t cutting it. After a short wait, you’ll probably find you’re not so hungry anymore.
2. Give in. While you shouldn’t give in to every craving you have, breaking the rules every so often can actually help give you the willpower to stick to your diet. If you completely stop eating your favorites, you’re only going to crave them more. Just remember that “occasional” means once or twice a month, not once or twice a day.
3. Find your triggers. One of the best things you can do for a diet is to keep a food journal, but don’t stop there. Why not add what you’re craving to your journal, along with what you’re doing or feeling at the time. You may find that you often crave chocolate when you’re sitting with the kids, or only eat potato chips when you’re feeling lonely. If you figure out what’s making you want to eat, you can figure out ways around it.
4. Distraction. Before your next craving hits, make a plan of something you can do instead of giving in. If you like puzzles or brain teasers, you can keep some around to work on and distract yourself. Many people exercise whenever they’re craving their favorites. This not only distracts you, it helps burn more calories and keep you on track.
5. Eliminate temptation. One of the easiest ways to avoid temptation is to remove it, or at least make it a lot harder to get to. If you keep sweets in your house, you’re a lot more likely to eat them than if you have to go out to a store to buy them. And if you’re keeping the sugary snacks around for the kids, remember that if you shouldn’t eat them, there’s a good chance the kids shouldn’t either.
While many cravings are simply for foods we like, others are actually for foods we need. If you find yourself having regular cravings, you can research online or ask your doctor to find out what nutrients you might be deficient in. Once you’ve replaced the missing nutrients, you should see a decrease or elimination of your cravings.
With a little work and willpower, you can be well on your way to beating those cravings and seeing results.
Great Places to Find Vegan Food
Being a vegan has many benefits, but convenience has not traditionally been one of them. Over the years, vegans have often had to either eat raw food or make their own fruit and veggie creations. Packaged snacks and convenience foods for vegans were few and far between.
But today, it’s not so difficult to find vegan foods. In fact, most grocery stores carry a respectable selection of vegan foods, including some meat and dairy substitutes. Many of these items aren’t marketed as vegan, so you may have to do some detective work to find them. But there is help available online. PETA has a handy guide to vegan groceries on their website at http://www.peta.org/accidentallyVegan/default.asp.
Another good place to find vegan food is your local farmer’s market or produce stand. There you’ll find fresh, locally grown produce that hasn’t been touched by preservatives. Farmer’s market vendors also often carry sauces, dressings and other locally made items that do not contain animal products.
Health food stores usually have vast selections of vegan items. They feature veggie burgers and hot dogs, soy cheeses, non-dairy frozen treats, and much more. And these stores are no longer just found in major metropolitan areas. Most smaller cities have at least one or two health food stores these days.
You can also order vegan foods online. A growing number of grocery stores are now offering online ordering and will either ship your order or deliver it to your door. There are even some vegan grocery stores that sell online, such as Food Fight Grocery.
Dining Out as a Vegan
It wasn’t long ago that eating out as a vegan was next to impossible. Few restaurants had any vegan choices besides salad, and fast food chains rarely had that. While there still aren’t as many choices for vegans as there are for meat eaters, prospects have improved significantly.
Most restaurants have at least one or two menu items that are suitable for the vegan diet. And an increasing number have entire menu sections of vegan choices. Most fast food restaurants have salads, and some have other items that vegans can eat.
There are also restaurants that specialize in vegan fare. These are most often found in larger cities, but as the popularity of veganism grows, so does the number of areas where vegan restaurants can be found. You can easily locate vegan restaurants in your area online.
Finding vegan food is much easier than it once was. A trip to any grocery store will yield many options, and if you want more, chances are there’s a store nearby that has what you’re looking for. There has never been a better time to go vegan.
Top 5 Foods that Flatten the Belly
When it comes to wanting to lose weight, most people are looking for ways to flatten their belly. This seems to be the trouble area for most people when it comes to dieting. There is a way to work at getting rid of that trouble area. You can workout and burn calories. Overall this will help you to lose weight but it will not target your belly fat. To target that stubborn belly, you need to change the way that you eat.
A link has been found between monosaturated fats and losing belly fat. Yes, you can eat a type of fat to flatten the belly. Monosaturated fats are found in different types of plant foods. You can mix and match these healthy fats to help you to lose weight.
The first food that you need to think about when it comes to a flat belly is nuts and seeds. The best nuts to eat are going to be unsalted. Some nuts that will work for you are cashews, walnuts, and pecans. Two of the best seeds to eat are pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. A couple of tablespoons of these healthy foods will be a great snack for your diet.
The second food that will help to give you a flat belly is oils. There are healthy oils that actually help you to lose weight. Some of the oils that you can use for your diet are sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, and walnut oil. One tablespoon of one of these healthy fats used to sauté some vegetables and you are on your way to your weight-loss goals.
The third food to use in your diet is avocados. Avocados are packed with monosaturated fats. They can be used in a variety of ways. Place some in your salad or on you sandwich to make your meal belly friendly.
Olives are another food that will help to flatten your midsection. It does not matter what type of olives that you choose to eat - they are all healthy for you. For a unique way to eat your olives, try an olive tapenade spread on your next sandwich.
The final food to be added to the list is chocolate. Yes, chocolate can be a diet food when consumed in small portions. You can use either dark or semi-sweet chocolate to get the wonderful qualities of the monosaturated fats that this food has.
By adding a serving of one of these five belly fat-fighting foods to every meal, you will begin to see your midsection shrink. A simple addition to your diet and workout routine that you already have in place is all that you need to have that flat stomach that you dream about.
Beat the Blues: Serotonin-Boosting Foods
When we’re depressed or in a bad mood, some of us get the urge to eat. But if we eat the right foods, that’s not necessarily such a bad thing. In fact, there are some foods that can help improve our mood.
About Serotonin
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter present in the brain. It is responsible for controlling anger, aggression, mood, sleep, body temperature, appetite and metabolism. When we’re depressed, our serotonin levels go down. That’s why some depression drugs are designed to raise serotonin levels.
But drugs are not the only way to increase the amount of serotonin present in the brain. There are certain foods that can raise serotonin levels. By eating these foods, we can improve our mood and outlook safely and naturally.
Using Food to Boost Serotonin Levels
Foods do not contain serotonin, but some do contain substances that help our bodies produce more serotonin. Tryptophan is an amino acid that is one of the most important building blocks of serotonin, and it is found in many foods, including:
* Poultry
* Chocolate
* Milk
* Spinach
* Eggs
* Crab
* Shrimp
* Pork
* Tofu
* Nuts
It’s important, though, to eat something that is high in carbohydrates with the food that contains tryptophan. Carbohydrates are needed to help tryptophan move across the brain.
Foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, will also help improve mood. DHA works by improving the synthesis and function of serotonin in the brain. However, eating foods containing DHA does not have as immediate an effect as eating those with tryptophan. DHA is found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel. If you’re not a fan of fish, you can try products that are fortified with DHA. These foods will be clearly identified on the label. Try to eat foods with DHA at least three times a week for best results.
Foods with high levels of protein can block the effects of serotonin. Turkey, for example, contains tryptophan, but it is also exceptionally high in protein, so it may do little to improve mood. Similarly, when trying to boost serotonin levels through diet, it’s important to avoid eating other foods that contain lots of protein. All foods containing tryptophan contain protein, but if it is present in small amounts, it won’t negate the effects of the serotonin.
Going on a binge when we’re depressed is unhealthy, but eating certain foods in moderation can help us beat the blues. By choosing foods that boost serotonin levels, we can see effects similar to those of prescription depression drugs, but without the expense and side effects. So the next time you’re feeling out of sorts, grab a snack that contains tryptophan and carbohydrates.
Snap Out Of Your Slump With These Healthy Foods
Do you ever feel in a bit of a slump and need something to give you a boost to help snap you out of your mental misery? No need to mope around like a miserable misanthrope feeling blue-here are some great food choices to help boost your mood and get you back in high spirits or at least perk you up a bit.
**Try Some Dessert- Yes! You read that right, try some dessert! Sugar soothes us when we're feeling stressed out ( I know that to be true and will take full advantage). But before you binge on a pan of brownies, cookies and candy, know that a little sugar may soothe you, but too much will wreak havoc with your blood sugar. So, as always moderation is the key here.
**Beans -Like most legumes, beans are rich in iron. If you're low on iron like many active people are--you can be tired and have trouble sleeping, which as we all know can make you cranky, cranky, cranky. Beans are great thrown in salads, over white rice, in a tortilla with salsa, in chili and soups.
**Bananas-Stress and the lack of magnesium are so closely related that it is a good idea for those who lead an active life to add foods rich in magnesium, such as bananas to their diet. Increasing the intake of magnesium reduces anxiety and makes for better sleeping.
**Oranges-Two glasses of fresh orange juice are enough to help say goodbye to some nervousness, bad moods and depression; lack of vitamin C, can make you irritable and cranky.
**Chocolate-Hurrah! Hurrah! Now I know it cannot get any better than this! Some experts believe that like many other foods sweet and rich in carbohydrates, chocolate can have a soothing effect; others, however, consider that the caffeine and other substances contained in chocolate could act as stimulants. I don't care why, I am just so glad to hear it! Ahem, moderation here though, again.
**Spinach and Lentils-Both Lentils and spinach are full of folate, a B vitamin that you need to make the serotonin that makes you feel good. Folate is strong enough to ease clinical depression, say researchers and low levels of folate have been linked to depression. A cup of cooked lentils provides 90% of the recommended daily allowance of folic acid-so try some lentil soup and be happy and healthy. Also, you could add frozen spinach and make a low-fat spinach dip, have a nice spinach salad or use on sandwiches instead of lettuce.
**Walnuts- Are a great source of omega 3 fatty acids-a type of fat that's needed for brain cells and mood-lifting . Also been shown to relieve mild depression. I love to eat walnuts as a snack but they are also delicious on salads.**Salmon-Salmon is also rich in omega fatty acids and canned Salmon with bones contains vitamin D which has been linked to possibly increasing our levels of serotonin- one of the key neurotransmitters influencing our mood.
A couple other remedies that I have found lift my spirits are physical exercise-take a walk or go to the gym and having an animal companion. My cat Jaap cozies up to me and all is right with the world.
I am going to start having more walnuts, oranges and bananas for snacks and incorporate spinach and lentils into my diet. Don't worry, I already have the desserts and chocolate covered. To feeling better!
Burn Fat With These Healthy Foods-Eat and Lose Weight!
Burn Fat With These Healthy Foods-Eat and Lose Weight!
I love to eat but do not like to gain weight so any foods that are going to help me lose or maintain weight are an absolute plus. The list below is a great resource as I religiously drink green tea, eat string cheese and nuts and really find that I am able to maintain my weight and feel full. Hope these help you out!
Health Benefits of Sex (why do I have a hard time typing that word?), Vita-Mix And More All Coming Up
Just to let all you all know that I have not fallen off the earth and am currently working on my Vita-Mix post and (okay I still get nervous discussing this publicly) a post on the health benefits of sex. I saw an article and was completely amazed at all the benefits of sex (heart, prostate, bones, immunity, mood, longevity, fertility and more). Normally I would not write on this subject because you never know who is going to get all riled up over it but the benefits outweighed my fear of offending anyone and we are all adults here so I think it should be okay (oh my, I am blushing even typing the word sex-okay I am 40 not 16-I need to get with the program-sorry but growing up we NEVER discussed such things and if you did you would probably well who knows since it was not discussed-ahhhhh-stop blushing-so ridiculous). So, that is what I have coming up hopefully tomorrow. Until then……
Give These Healthy Foods A Try To Put You In A Sweet Slumber
Yawn, toss, turn, toss some more-sound familiar? Ever have trouble getting to sleep? Me too, so I decided to see what foods we can incorporate into our diet to be healthy and sleepy. Most of us know not to drink caffeinee before we go to bed and we know that we might not want to have alot of sugar either- but what about foods and beverages that might actually help us rest and sleep better? Since sleep has always been one of those elusive things to me, I started wondering if maybe I could find a diet that would help me sleep better. I did a little research and tried a few of the suggested foods and well, I'm sleepy now so maybe they are helping. I did actually take a short nap yesterday which is unheard of for me. I have never been able to sleep during the day and never could understand how anyone could but today I actually did and it was so nice (some strange dreams though). Once again being the health nut wannabee that I am- I am amazed at how almost everything that I need I can find in changing my diet and so, here are some great suggestions if you are looking to have better quality shut eye.
Apparently foods containing tryptophan-an amino acid that your body cannot make( you must obtain it from the foods that you eat) is used to make a hormone called serotonin.Serotonin acts within your body to promote feelings of sleepiness, calm, and relaxation. We need adequate levels of Serotonin in our brain in order to fall asleep and rest throughout the night. The key to getting enough tryptophan to your brain to sleep well at night is to combine a tryptophan-rich food with a carbohydrate-rich food. This is because ingesting a carbohydrate-rich food causes your body to release insulin, which diverts many of your other amino acids away from your brain, leaving tryptophan with little competition to cross your blood-brain barrier to gain access to your brain (okay, that is the technical part that I am still processing in my brain).
Healthy Foods To Help You Have A Great Nights Sleep
*Bananas
*Flax seeds
*Potatoes
*Whole-Wheat Bread
*Honey
*Lentils
*Turkey
*Beans
*Hazelnuts
*Hummus
*Peanuts
*Eggs
*Chickpeas
*Seafood
*Oatmeal
*Rice
*Almonds
*Tofu
*Low-fat dairy
*Soy Products
*Chamomile Tea
Foods that are high in carbohydrates and calcium, and medium-to-low in protein also make ideal sleep-inducing bedtime snacks. Meals that are high in carbohydrates and low-to-medium in protein will help you relax in the evening and set you up for a good night's sleep. Some suggested healthy meals and snacks to help you get a good nights sleep are-
*Rice, black beans, and guacamole
*chili with beans, not spicy
*Whole grain crackers with peanut butter-honey would be great on this too!
*Tofu stir fry
*Bagel with peanut butter
*Oatmeal or raisin cookies (okay maybe this one and the next aren't the healthiest but they do taste good)*Ice-cream (organic preferably)
*Glass of warm milk (organic preferably)
*Tuna Fish sandwich on whole wheat bread
If you are like me you will look at this list and say mmmmmmmm I can have cookies and ice-cream and fall into a deep wonderful sleep- but as always-moderation is the key and so is good sense (I think I lost mine). Thanks for reading and here's to a healthy, happy nights sleep!
Slim And Trim With These 8 Superfoods!
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could eat things that are healthy and that we like and still lose weight? Below are some superfoods that your body will thank you for.
Olive Oil-I personally take a teaspoon a day as well as drizzle this on salads and pasta. Olive oil has healthy fat that increases satiety, taming your appetite. It is also know to have anti-inflammatory properties and chronic inflammation in the body is linked to metabolic syndrome.
Buckwheat Pasta- This pasta is high in fiber and, unlike most carbs, contains protein. This makes it hard to overeat buckwheat pasta over regular pasta.
Quinoa-This whole grain is packed with fiber and protein, a nutrient combo than can keep you satisfied for hours.
Blueberries-these berries have the highest antioxidant level of all the commonly consumed fruit and deliver lots of fiber. “Fiber may actually prevent some of the fat you eat from being absorbed because fiber pulls fat through digestive tract”.
Almond Butter-May lower bread’s glycemic index (which measures food’s effect on blood sugar). A study from the University of Toronto found that people who ate almonds with white bread didn’t experience the same blood sugar surges as those who ate only the slice. This is great news because blood sugar changes cause the body to make insulin, which can increase abdominal fat.”
Plain Yogurt-Has a trifecta of carbs, protein and fat that can help stave off hunger by keeping blood sugar levels steady. In a study from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, people on a low-calorie diet that included yogurt lost 61 percent more fat overall and 81 percent more belly fat than those on a similar plan but without the yogurt. I love plain yogurt with fresh or frozen berries on top!
Pomegranate Seeds-they are loaded with folate and disease-fighting antioxidants, they’re low in calories and high in fiber. They can satisfy your sweet tooth without blowing your diet.
Eggs-Egg protein is filling prompting you to eat less during the day. Women on a low-calorie diet who ate an egg with and jelly each morning lost twice as many pounds as those who had a bagel breakfast with the same number of calories but no eggs, a study from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge reports.
I know that I am going to start including more of these in my diet and see what happens!
Spotlight Blog - Personal Fitness Coach
This week I interviewed Jenn from Personal Fitness Coach. Her blog explains how this 40 year old mother of two lost 40 pounds and you can too. Scroll down for my exclusive interview with Jenn.
HM: Where are you from?
Jenn: Outside Boston, MA
HM: When did you start blogging?
Jenn: Last year.
HM: Why do you blog?
Jenn: I turned 40 last year and made it my goal to get in the best shape of my life. I've lost 40 pounds and decided to blog about my experiences and to help other moms meet their health and fitness goals as well.
HM: What is your blog 
about?
Jenn: Health, fitness, exercise, personal coaching, diet tips and MORE!
HM: What are your ultimate goals for your blog?
Jenn: To help moms realize that health and fitness can be fun and can be done from home to fit into our busy lifestyles.
HM: What do you want your readers to get out of your blog?
Jenn: I want all of my readers to feel like they have learned something to help them make their lives a little healthier.
HM: What do you do to get your readers to keep coming back?
Jenn: I try to offer new and interesting content almost daily. I also offer discounts and contests from time to time.
HM: Do you have any favorite blogs or any blogs that you read regularly?
Jenn: One that I really enjoy is fitnessfig.com. She is another great mom helping other moms get fit.
HM: Do you have any advice for other bloggers?
Jenn: Just have fun with it.
Clear Up Your Child's Ear Infection With the EarDoc
The Ear Doc is a revolutionary new tool that stops ear pain and helps relieve swimmers ear, ear infections and fluids in the ear. This is tool will open up the ear tube for about 75% of children up to the age of seven as well as adults, divers, and air travelers that suffer from ear pain.
All you do is put the Ear Doc behind your child's ear and turn it on. It will vibrate and relieve ear pain. These vibration waves travel through to the bone to the middle ear and open the Eustachian tube. The waves drain the trapped fluids and ease the pressure.
All this sounds great! With the Ear Doc you don't have to get medications or expensive surgeries to take care of ear problems. I was able to try this out for myself. When we got the Ear Doc in the mail my husband took it out and tried it out on his sore ear. Afterward, he told me that the vibration made his ear hurt even more. We took it out once more to try it again and the Ear Doc fell apart.
All of the promises that this company says this instrument can perform sound great but it needs some major improvements. For one thing, it is light weight and made of cheap plastic. The Ear Doc takes two double A batteries which are not included. This tool is so flimsy that it wouldn't take much to break it. All we did was put the batteries back in because they fell out and the darn thing fell apart. I was very disappointed.
If you child suffers from frequent ear infections please visit their website to read other testimonies and reviews before you decide to purchase the Ear Doc.
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