Carbohydrates (Carbs)

Our first healthy eating diet advice and healthy eating diet plan is to eat your carbs. Carbohydrates are vital because it provides us the energy for our day to day activity. It is our “battery” that powers us through the day. Additionally, carbohydrates play an important role in the synthesis of our DNA, our hormones, create powerful antioxidants and protect our cells and tissues from damage and ageing. Apart from all this, carbohydrates help in the functioning of our brain cells. Which is why if we are hungry, we can’t seem think straight. If we are low on carbs, our brain cells draw energy from limited reserve fuel supply (similar to your car switching to reserve gas when you fuel tank is empty). When that is depleted, our brain puts the body into sleep mode and kind of shuts down. So now you know just how important carbohydrates are. But are all Carbohydrates good? No of course not. But that’s an issue we shall tackle elsewhere.

Proteins

Our second healthy eating diets advice is to explain why we need proteins and its importance to your body. We’ve all been told that we need to include proteins in our diet but do you know why we need proteins? Proteins are needed to make antibodies which are our primary defense mechanism against diseases and infections. Proteins are required to contract and relax our muscles. So without proteins you would not be able to pick up that cup of coffee that will provide the carbohydrates to power your brain and body. Hormonal Proteins are the body messengers. They pick up signals and instructions and carry them across to the required destinations. Hormonal proteins are the “runners” within your body. Proteins make up the cells within us and create the connective tissues, tendons and ligaments. Finally, along with carrying messages, proteins perform another vital function – they transport nutrients throughout the body.

Fats

When we say people should eat fats we get looks that seem to suggest we might have lost our marbles. Our third healthy eating diet advice and healthy eating and exercise is to explain why fats are vital to our body. Fat is the long term slow release reserve energy source in our body. It gets utilized at times of distress and illness. In times gone by when surviving was tough and sickness was common, the body utilized the fat reserves to release energy required to survive. Fat is the only nutrient that can help us survive through the toughest phases of our life. Further, only fat can metabolize vitamin A,E,K and D which are also known as fat soluble vitamins. Believe it or not, fat actually protects vital organs such as the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs etc. Fat also insulates your body and prevents heat loss (Which is why overweight people feel hot quickly). Fat stimulates the flow of bile from the gall bladder. Fat also plays a vital role in pregnancy as it is required for milk production and growth of the foetus. Also, we bet you did not know that 60% of your brain is made up of fat. Finally, fat is the grease that lubricates the joints.

Water

Our fourth healthy eating facts advice is on water and its importance to your body. For survival, water is the most important element that our body needs. Without water, you cannot utilize the nutrients that come from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Modern lifestyle, lack of exercise and stress has dulled out thirst mechanism. Instead of drinking water, we drink beer, sodas and juices all which only aggravate the problem and leads to dehydration. Dehydration leads to dullness because the body is unable to process the food you eat. In turn we rush to consume “energy pills” that promise to perk up your life and so on and so forth.

Water

In this article on healthy eating diet advice and Healthy eating menu, we have explained that carbohydrates, proteins, fats and water must form part of your diet. We have also explained why. In other articles on this site we have explained the various foods that contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats and also explained the quantities that you should be consuming.

Click for Portion control diets and Portion control plates

The detox diet is a short term diet that last approximately 2-weeks and is generally done once or twice a year. The diet includes organic foods and emphasizes food that provide vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants to the body and is high in fiber and water intake. Through this change in dietary intake the body flushes the toxins through increased bowel movements and urination.

After the completion of the detox diet, the dieter should continue participating in a healthy diet, and exercise. It is believed that the toxins are deposited in the bodies fat cells, creating what is called “Body Burden”, which occurs over time from unhealthy diets, lifestyles, and pollution. This “body burden” can lead to increased allergies, illness, hormonal imbalance, poor immune system, decreased metabolism, fatigue, bad breath, muscle pain, and poor skin health. The flushing of the “body burden” can result in improved, energy levels, clearer skin, more regular bowel movements, mental clarity, weight lose and better digestion.

The detox diet consists of special nutritional diets, herbs, supplements, hydrotherapy, exercise, and breathing techniques. Some of the more controversial techniques are fasting, colon hydrotherapy, liver flush. An alternative practitioner can customize a diet to fit the clients needs. EX: Special diets to detox skin, liver, kidney, colon, lungs, or lymph systems.

Many participants of the detox diet prefer to begin the diet at a time when they may stay home for 2 -3 days as in the first few days of the diet there is an increased volume and frequency of bowel movements and urination. Critics of the diet sight that the detox diet is unproven in medical testing and research and that it could be harmful to some people. Critics also point out that the body is capable of flushing toxins from the organs on a daily basis and does not require additional flushing or detoxification.

Breakfast: Half a grapefruit, Two eggs, Two slices of bacon.

Lunch: Half a grapefruit, Salad, Any meat

Dinner: Half a grapefruit, Salad with dressing, Meat or fish, Plain coffee or tea

Here are some rules to adhere while on the egg grapefruit diet:

• Eat until full to stuffed Drink at least eight ounce glasses of water each day Limit coffee intake
• Don’t eat breads, desserts, white vegetables or sweet potatoes
• Do not snack between meals
• Follow the diet for 12 days, take two days off and then repeat

There are variations to the egg grapefruit diet which allow other fruits, breads and cheese. Still, the calories are very restricted, which is what leads to the rapid weight loss. It does advocate drinking a lot of water, which is important, but eating the same diet for 12 or even three days, can get incredibly boring. Anyone who only takes 800 calories a day is bound to lose weight, but when you begin eating normal meals again, chances are the weight will creep back on. Eggs are also a good source of protien, but can be less ideal for those watching their cholesterol levels. Many people skip the yolk and just eat the egg whites, which are healthier.

Why can some people seem to eat anything and never gain weight while you just look at a piece of pizza and gain five pounds? This, of course is an exaggeration, but you get the picture. The explanation lies with a discovery of lectins that are found in protein molecules of many foods. Each individual’s body interacts with these lectins in different ways, both good and bad.

The theory behind the Blood Type Diet is that only your blood type can predict how your body will handle the lectins. If you know your blood type, you can take advantage of this because you will know before you eat something how your body will react. Exposure to the wrong lectins over an extended period can have serious health effects or chronic conditions.

Someone with blood ype O for example, cannot handle the lectins in wheat very well and often mistake their symptons for a simple stomachache. Every blood type has its own characteristics, individuals with different blood types actually exercise differently, eat differently, and some have even suggested that blood type influences personality traits in individuals.

There are many resources from which you can learn about the Blood Type Diet. It is suggesteed that you research and seek a doctor’s advice before you start any type of diet. The first thing you need to do before you can take advantage of the information you find in your research is to have a simple blood test done to determine your blood type. If you donate blood, they will automatically type your blood. Find out all you can in your research. Many have found success in the blood type diet and swear by it.

Detoxification of the body according to health experts,becomes a conceptual debate and dieters following detox diet lose the initial pounds of weight as fast as their mates with other diets. My personal experience with liver-detox diet was the same. Gearing up for a group vacation last summer, i decided to lose few pounds and tried on with the liver Detox diet, with the recipe containing orange juice, lemonade, cranberry extract, fennel seeds, and no solid food was allowed. The program was for 7 days and the target weight to lose was around 7 pounds. Even though the plan was very difficult to follow for the first 2 days, eventually out of sheer interest I did complete the program and lost around 6 pounds.

I believe that occasional detoxing might help your body in the intracellular level. The natural foods and drinks used not only nourishes the body inside out, but also gives the sense of well being from inside. My skin became clear, the hair loss was minimal and most essentially I felt light and active all through the day, enjoyed deep sleep with absolutely no thought of hunger. For an efficient weight loss, diets should always be accompanied by moderate amount of Exercise such as brisk walking, doing yard work or house hold chores. Or if you’re up for it even running might help.  Dieting without Physical exercise never reaps its full benefits.

Persons who wish to diet must actually know the pros and cons of the dieting recipes, pick out which suits them the most based on practicality, comfort and ease of time. Among all the detox diets I have tried so far, the detox diet from Ayurveda proves to be the best for long term weight loss.Identifying the body types based on ‘doshas’ and practising diet accordingly for a long term definitely reaps its benefits. One can try this one, after initially dieting on detox recipes so that the weight loss will be constant and is permanently put away rather than gaining it back again.

Your carbohydrates, fats, protein mix is a key. To maintain healthy blood glucose levels, meals and snacks should be balanced to provide a mixture of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

CARBOHYDRATES: These are the basic currency of glucose. For most diabetics,carbohydrate-rich food such as vegetables, breads, cereals and pasta should account for 45 to 60 percent of their daily calories. Because the fiber content of these carbohydrates slows down the release of glucose, high fiber starches, such as barley, oat cereals, beans, peas and lentils help suppress any sharp increase in blood sugar levels after meals. Soluble fiber-the kind found in oatmeal,may help lower blood sugar levels.

PROTEIN: High-quality protein foods (lean meats, meat substitutes and lower fat diary foods) should supply 10 to 20 percent of daily calories.

FAT: People following the diabetic diet should consume less fat. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as those found in vegetable oils, nuts, fish and avocados helps to stabilize blood-sugar levels.

EAT PLENTY OF: Regular meals and snacks to avoid fluctuations in blood-sugar levels. A balance of carbohydrate, protein and fat at each meal. Low-fat, high-fiber foods to achieve and maintain a normal weight.

LIMIT: “Empty calorie” foods such as sweets and snack foods, which can contribute to obesity. Saturated fats and foods made with hydrogenated fats. Here are some junk food substitution ideas.

KEEPING CONTROL: Diabetes does not demand special meals, just a healthy diet. Clockwise,  from top, are pasta with vegetables, a baked potato topped with a vegetable medley, a poached salmon on whole grain bread.

REALITY: Contrary to popular belief, there is no need for people to with diabetes to cut out sugar entirely. An occasional sweet treat is fine.

Your diet acts as a major factor in keeping oneself healthy to a much larger extent. Regular Excercise is another factor. A proper diet is so important in your daily routine, that it can make you active also and if not taken properly can make you dull also.

Now, a days many people suffer from diabetes, their sugar content is pretty high. One should control that too, to be normal. Diabetic patients need to be extra cautious in eating sweet objects. By a single spoon of sugar, the level of sugar can reach the heights. The diabetic diet consists of strictly “NO” sugar food. The sugar content has to be nil or minimal otherwise it can cause you high sugar depression and attacks. The diet must not include anything containing sugar.

These people can’t eat ice creams, sweets, etc,. They take sugar free tablets, if they want to eat something sweet. Their diet is exceptionally non-sugarcoated because they have to eat that food, if they have to live. The diabetic diet followers should take certain precautions before eating, they check that food contains sugar or not. They also have a regular or on daily basis, sugar level check at homes with an instrument, which measures the level of sugar in one’s body. The range in which one’s sugar should lie is from 90 to 110. Its the perfect sugar level, and one should maintain it, by checking the sugar level on some regular basis. The food play the most important part in maintaining that perfect sugar level. Food only decide the ups and downs in that level. So, one must take a diabetic diet, if he has higher level of sugar in his body.  Here is also another article on the diabetic diet.

Carbohydrates are essential when dieting. Without them, the dieter will not have any energy to go about their daily lives. He/she would feel week, nausea, confused, and moody. When taking on any diet, it’s important to follow the Food Pyramid every single day. If a part of the pyramid is missing, throughout the day you may feel ill. Whether it’s from having a headache, being sleepy, lazy, and irritable, the pyramid balances out stability for you to feel good and healthy!

It’s very imperative to know how many carbohydrates you’re eating and to see your doctor before dieting. Your doctor can place you on a diet that will allow you to keep normal blood sugars, feel good, and drop weight all simultaneously. Asking your doctor inquiries about what is better for you to eat and what may harm your diet, are all essentials for your knowledge. Some foods you think may be healthy to eat aren’t.

On the diabetic diet you should be careful when purchasing low-fat and fat free items. Some of these snacks contain tons of sodium and/or sugar which can cause other issues within your body. Exercising as a diabetic is always helpful to decrease the blood glucose. As a diabetic, you can never get enough exercise. Walking 1 to 4 miles a day can decrease your weight and also A1c. Not only does this decrease weight and your glucose level, but it can lower the risk of heart disease. So, if you’re a diabetic, a diet should always be apart of your daily life. Before choosing a diet to lose weight, consult your doctor so that he/she can give you the correct plan so that you can live a happier, healthier, and wonderful life.  Hope you now know more about the diabetic diet.

Well I had this exact some problem, a holiday party in only a month with 10 lbs. to loose. My mother-in-law, feeling my pain, suggested I try the cabbage soup diet. I remember back in the eighties when the diet was so popular, everybody, maybe even Oprah tried it, and it seemed to work.

I was a little hesitant, not being a huge fan of cabbage soup, I wondered if all you ate was soup. My mother-in-law dug out an old copy of the diet and explained everything. It turns out the diet is a weekly cycle of rotating foods plus cabbage soup.

The first day you make a huge batch of cabbage soup, enough to last at least a week and then you consume the food-group for that day. Everyday you eat as much as the single food grouping you want and as much cabbage soup as you want starting with fruit, vegetables, skimmed milk, beef etc.

After a week you start over again. The theory is that the cycling of nutrients somehow abates hunger while providing nutrients which correlates to weight loss. The first week of the cabbage soup diet took a lot of discipline to stick to my food groups, but the diet is designed to eliminate choices while providing abundant food quantities. Basically I was never hungry and but had plenty to eat. It actually works too, after three weeks I lost over twelve pounds.

I would have probably lost more except the cabbage soup diet, even though simple, is difficult to maintain over long periods. It worked as I no longer looked like a sequined sausage in my dress and if I ever need to burn calories fast again, I’ll know it’s time to put the soup on.  Here is also another article on the cabbage soup diet.

The basic premise of the cabbage soup diet is to eat as much of the cabbage soup as you want along with all the low-calorie vegetables you want at each meal. There is a strict meal plan for each day, which if followed religiously, will take off weight. However, your diet will be lacking in many vitamins and minerals and most people get bored rather quickly.

The cabbage soup recipe is simple, with just a few ingredients. Cabbage, carrots, green peppers, onions, and 2 cans of tomatoes. Some variations on the recipe include adding bouillon cubes or other herbs and seasonings for flavor. Saute all vegetables except the cabbage and tomatoes. Add cabbage, bouillon cubes and 10-12 cups of water. Simmer until cabbage is tender, and then add the tomatoes.

As you may learn after eating this soup for a few days, the cabbage may cause you to feel bloated or gassy. This is temporary – it will only last as long as you are on the diet. This is not a scientifically tested diet. It does work, if only by virtue of restricting the amount of calories you take in. Since the weight you lose is mostly water, you will probably gain most or all of it back in a relatively short period of time after you go off the diet. Using this diet to lose a quick 5 to 10 pounds for a specific event might work, but should not be followed as your daily diet.