New Lemon Diet Tips And Tricks: September 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

How to Make Lemonade From Store Bought Lemon Juice

Lemonade consists of lemons, water and sugar. If you do not have time to juice lemons, you can make lemonade by using store-bought lemon juice. When you make lemonade with lemon juice, you have to make lemon syrup with the lemon juice and sugar. This involves heating the sugar and water to help the sugar dissolve into the water. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Combine 2 cups of lemon juice with 2 cups of sugar in a sauce pan. Place the pan on the stove top over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Boil the lemon juice and the water for two minutes. Place the solution in the refrigerator to chill for two hours.

Pour the mixture into a gallon-sized pitcher. Add 1 gallon of cold water and stir until the sugar solution mixes with the water.

Garnish the lemonade with fresh lemon slices. Serve the lemonade in cups filled with ice. Store the leftover lemonade in the refrigerator.

What Is a Cleanse?

The term "cleanse" in a naturopathic sense is generally used to describe a lifestyle change meant to reduce the body's toxic load. Though some undertake this change in pattern for life, most people cleanse for a temporary period. Many follow a prescribed cleansing program with a set ending date. There are many cleansing methods one may choose to follow (from water-fasting to symptom-targeted cleanses), but there are overarching themes.

While cleansing, a person stops ingesting substances with toxic properties. Depending on the program followed, the person may supplement the experience with massage, herbs, colonics, breath work, exercise (often, yoga), sauna, probiotics or other boosters.

There isn't any hard evidence that cleansing diets do what they say they do; healthy kidneys generally remove these toxins as a matter of course, no matter what dietary acrobatics one undertakes.

Many cleanse-based diet methods warn prospective dieters that they'll experience "detoxification headaches" among other symptoms---notably, many of these headaches can be attributed to low blood sugar and caffeine withdrawal.

The simple act of restricting caloric intake has been linked to exaggerated feelings of "lightness" and well-being. Some clinicians postulate that it's this empirical evidence that cleanse devotees trumpet as being the effects of detoxification.

James Dillard, MD, an assistant clinical professor at Columbia University, notes that "people usually die with the full burden of PCBs they've ever been exposed to---from fish, animals---stuck in their liver."

How to Have a Bad Diet Day

A "bad diet day" is a day that a dieter selects to "cheat" by eating favorite foods that his regular daily diet doesn't allow. Calling it a "cheat day" might be more appropriate, as it doesn't have to be a bad thing -- to the contrary, nutritionists recommend that dieters have one day each week to relax their diets, which staves off cravings. Cheat days get a "bad" rap because many dieters take the concept too far by treating it as a freebie day for unrestrained binging. However, when approached sensibly, a well-deserved "bad diet day" can be guilt-free and healthful.

Instructions

Select in advance the day to which you will allot your dietary splurging for the week. Typically, dieters plan their cheat days over the weekend or on a day that they have a scheduled dinner or other event involving food at which they know they'll be tempted to indulge.

The concept of a cheat day demands commitment to your diet at all other times.

Follow your regular dieting program through each of the other six days of the week. Comply strictly with your eating and exercise regimen. If you feel inclined to stray, remind yourself of your upcoming cheat day as incentive to stay on course. Your chosen day will be exponentially more pleasurable, and your favorite foods that much more mouth-watering, if you know you've truly earned those rewards.

Anticipate your cheat day with the mindset that it is a vacation, but not a free pass to eat anything. For one day, you can relax your worries about counting calories and avoiding your favorite foods. However, if you use your diet progress as motivation for a moderate approach, you are more likely to meet your diet goals while making good use of cheat days.

Use your food cravings as incentive to stay on course.

Choose in advance the treats you will allow yourself on your cheat day. Having an envisioned plan for your day's menu gives you something concrete to look forward to throughout the week and will help you squash the tendency to grab and devour everything in sight when the day comes.

Planning one indulgent cheat meal can be your treat of the week.

Plan either one celebratory cheat day meal at a favorite restaurant and comply with your diet the rest of the day or scatter small splurges throughout the day, incorporated into healthy, enjoyable meals.

Savor each and every one of your indulgences on your cheat day. Carve out time for your meal or treats and eat slowly. Not only will you relish the sensory eating experience more completely, but you'll also give your brain time to register when you're full and trigger you to stop while you're ahead.

The gym will be easier on Monday if you've indulged sensibly over the weekend.

Hit the gym with extra gusto on Monday because you didn't fall off the wagon or slow yourself down by gorging unreasonably. Make the gym a reaffirmation of your continued commitment to sensible, healthy and successful dieting.

Fish Diet to Lose Weight

Fish has always been popular as a diet food because it is high in protein and low in fat and calories. In most places around the world renowned for human longevity, fish is a dietary mainstay. It's not hard to see why this food is so popular, but a question remains: Is a fish diet a good, healthy way to lose weight?

Eating the exact same meal every single meal for every single day isn't practical. For dieters wanting to lose weight on the fish diet, canned tuna seems great because it's loaded with protein, low in calories and has the healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. While a fish diet should include canned tuna, you will need more of a variety to stay on the diet. Fresh fish from markets can provide this variety, and you will want to prepare the fish in more than one way. Grilled and baked fish are still better than fried, and mixing fresh fish with canned will help you stay on track.

A warning: Pregnant women should not go on a fish diet because there is a chance of mercury contamination, which can be harmful for the fetus.

The second caveat is to be careful of eating too much catfish or carp. Both of these fish are known to eat anything and collect pollutants in their flesh. An occasional bit of carp or catfish won't hurt, but these should not be the mainstay of any fish diet.

While replacing most red and white meats with fish will dramatically improve the healthfulness of a diet, this isn't enough alone. Eating fish is great, but if you add in two big spoonfuls of mayonnaise, it's going to make up for all those eliminated calories and fat. Breakfast is the meal that least lends itself to fish, and it's OK not to eat fish for this meal. A reasonable breakfast is fine, and by having one meal that doesn't have fish, you're less likely to get completely sick of the diet.

Eat fish for both lunch and dinner. Don't skimp on the portions; you can eat a lot of fish before you come anywhere close to the calories in beef or other common meat. Many dieters also recommend taking fish oil pills in the morning around breakfast to get that early dose of Omega-3.

Dieters who switch from a high fat, high calorie diet are going to see some huge changes from eating reasonable meals with the fish diet, but there are some precautions you should heed.

First, the common "tuna sandwich" might be a favorite, but it's a terrible choice for the fish diet. On average, one tablespoon of mayonnaise contains 100 calories, almost all of which are fat. Most people use 2-3 spoonfuls for tuna fish sandwich, which takes away all of the health benefits this could otherwise offer.

The other temptation is to always deep-fry the fish, then drown it in tartar sauce. Once again, this adds fat calories and takes away from many of the health benefits that fish can offer. While having some fried fish isn't a bad thing, fish that is steamed, baked, or grilled is better for you and even tuna out of a can will be better healthwise than fish that has been deep-fried in oil.

As also mentioned earlier, be careful of eating too much "scavenger fish" like catfish or carp, which have a tendency to absorb any toxins or pollution that could be in the water.

How to Lose Weight Fast on a Water Diet

Saturday, September 28, 2013

The Four Corners Diet

The Four Corners Diet was developed by Dr. Jack Goldberg and Dr. Karen O'Mara in 1996 after they did substantial research in weight loss and popular diet methods. Add this to my Recipe Box.

The Four Corners Diet was developed by two doctors to help dieters lose weight based on the most proven elements and best data resources from scientific literature that they had researched. The diet, according to their book, consists mainly of low-carbohydrate foods with normal protein, also suggests eating foods low in saturated fat, high in fiber and plenty of vegetables and some dairy, according to the Low-Carb website.

Greek-style yogurt is a popular food choice for the four corners diet because it is low in carbohydrates yet still high in protein and, of course, contains dairy. Kefir, a drinkable yogurt with probiotics, and berries are also on the list of foods to eat on the four corner diet. While these things are ideal for breakfast, raw nuts and seeds are suggested by another book, The Protein Power Lifeplan, as a snack because of their high-monounsaturated fat content.

Prior to beginning the Four Corners Diet, you should check with your doctor to make sure that this (or any type) of diet will work for you. Also, diet combined with exercise has been found to be the most effective way of losing weight.

Mosquito Repellent Diet

No one likes mosquitoes, but unfortunately these pesky insects love us. One of the things that attracts them the most is our smell. Many scents attract insects, including perfumes, deodorants, hair gels and even laundry detergents and soaps. When we eat certain foods, the smell that is emitted through our skin is enticing to mosquitoes, even if you can smell nothing yourself. These critters have a keen sense of smell, so as true as it is that eating certain foods will attract them, eating other foods will repel them.

Though the theory is controversial, some people claim that when they take vitamin B1, mosquitoes do not bite them. It is shown that B1 emits an odor through the skin, but just how effective it is at actually deterring them from biting you has not been put to a thorough scientific evaluation. However, like anything, something that works for one person may not for another. Therefore, test it out. If it works for you, fantastic. If not, you may end up with a little extra B vitamin in your system and maybe a few mosquito bites.

Though not technically a yeast, brewer's yeast is actually a one-celled plant that is a kind of fungus known as Accharomyces cerevisiae. When dried and ground up, it can be used to brew beer and is also taken as a nutritional supplement. Brewer's yeast is a superfood and contains all the essential amino acids, 14 minerals and 17 vitamins and is one of the best natural sources for the B-complex vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6, biotin and folic acid. Since B1 has been shown to have mosquito-repelling attributes, it is no wonder that many people find that by eating brewers yeast, mosquitoes are repelled in the same way. Taking it to keep mosquitoes away may or may not work for you, but you are sure to be healthier for trying.

Lemon contains citric acid which, when emitted through the skin, has been said to repel mosquitoes, so drinking a good shot of lemon juice may help you defend against mosquitoes. It is also effective to use lemon oil on the outside of the skin, especially on the wrists, ankles and neck, to repel mosquitoes.

Garlic is one of the most popular of the alternative methods for discouraging mosquitoes. When you eat garlic, the smell is released via the pores in your skin. Even humans can detect this strong scent, so animals definitely can. It is also recommended to try squeezing a fresh garlic clove and rubbing it on your wrists and behind your ears for added benefit. Even if it doesn't work to keep mosquitoes at bay, garlic has a host of other health benefits, so you can't go wrong with trying it.

Many of the toxic chemicals found in bug sprays, especially DEET, may be worse for you than getting a mosquito bite. Natural remedies act to boost your immune system, and that may be the most effective thing about them. A healthy body is better able to fight off disease and harmful encounters like mosquito bites. So pumping your body full of garlic, lemon or B vitamins is probably a better alternative to spraying yourself with toxic chemicals.

Dangers From Detox Products

Detox products claim to clean the human body of harmful toxins. However, many experts find that detox products and programs may lead to harmful health effects ranging from mild to severe. Consumers of detox products may suffer from electrolyte and intestinal microorganism imbalances, enema dependency and nutrient deficiencies.

Detox products can dehydrate the body or lead to the dangerous dilution of electrolytes in your body. Electrolyte imbalances harm the body's organ functions and, in extreme cases, may lead to death. Self Magazine chronicles the story of Aimee Popovich, who engaged in a raw food detox diet for nearly two years until she suffered three seizures and nearly died. Paramedics rushed Popovich to the hospital, where doctors found she had a severe electrolyte imbalance. She also suffered from hyponatremia, a condition of high water and low sodium in the blood. Dr. Roger Clemens of the University of Southern California also warns detox dieters about the risk of hyponatremia.

Colonics, or enemas, play a part in many detox products and programs. Some people overuse such techniques, leading to negative consequences. Los Angeles dietician Julie Eltman, cited in Self Magazine, notes that she has seen patients that rely on colon cleansing to simply have a bowel movement. This shows that detox enemas may disrupt the normal functioning of the body's digestive system and lead to dependence.

Frequent flushing of the intestines with tonics and laxatives not only eliminates purported buildup of harmful deposits, it also can remove "good" bacteria from the digestive system. These beneficial bacteria aid in the breakdown of foods and nutrients and keep harmful bacteria and yeasts at bay. Detox products that flush the intestines may upset this delicate digestive balance. Self Magazine cites similar negative effects on beneficial bacteria from colonics.

Most detox products restrict the user's intake of food. Without nutrients from foods, users may experience deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and proteins. The lack of protein leads the body to break down muscle as a protein source. Detox users quickly may become deficient in water-soluble nutrients because the body does not store these nutrients. Dallas dietician Lona Sandon, cited by MSNBC, states that nutrient deficiencies from prolonged detox programs inhibit the body's immune system.

Restaurants with Heart-Healthy Menus

Nowadays, restaurants have modified their menus to include a variety of healthier options for their customers to choose from. Some restaurants follow a specific diet plan, while others have created more reasonable portions or added whole-grain options at no cost to the customer. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Applebee's low-fat menu options appear under the Weight Watchers program, featuring both calorie counts and point breakdowns. Order grilled options to keep meat lean and the flavors in, such as the Garlic Herb Chicken, served with steamed potatoes and fresh vegetables, or a flame-broiled 4 oz. sirloin steak topped with mushrooms. Enjoy an individual dessert shooter after dinner, where you can savor the flavors of strawberry cheesecake or hot fudge sundae in a shooter glass without overindulging.

Friday's created the right portion, right price and the better-for-you options on their menu, smaller portions that would not overwhelm you and healthier choices. Choose salad or sandwich options like a Strawberry Fields salad, with a bed of mixed greens, pecans and marinated strawberries, or a California turkey burger on a whole-wheat bun. Opt for Dragonfire chicken, a grilled chicken breast, covered with Chinese kung pao sauce and served with brown rice and pineapple salsa.

This steakhouse offers recommendations to its customers on how to maintain a heart-healthy diet. Order your steak or chicken and tell your server to prepare it without butter. This will save you some fat calories, as will ordering your bake potato plain and only adding margarine as needed. Stick to the Victoria's Fillet, the Outback Special, or a shrimp and vegetable griller. When ordering your salad, select a noncreamy dressing, such as tomato or Italian, and only eat one slice of bread before dinner to save room for your steak and fresh vegetables.

This restaurant features several menu options for customers to choose from. Select a flatbread pizza instead of a deep-dish pizza and you will shave off 330 calories and 29 grams of fat. Add a salad to your meal for half of the menu price when you select any pizza or entre. Choose to substitute whole-wheat penne in the pasta dishes and stick to combinations that include vegetables and grilled chicken like Tuscan Chicken Penne, which is tossed in a sun-dried tomato sauce.

Friday, September 27, 2013

How to makeThe Master Cleanse lemonade

The Master Cleanse lemonade detox diet is a famous, intense lemonade detox drink and if consumed with no other food will completely clean out your system and you will lose massive weight very fast along with gaining massive energy. In this article I will tell you exactly how to make one serving of the Master Cleanse detox diet lemonade.

Instructions

2 tablespoons lemonade from fresh squeezed lemons (invest in 5 dollar juicer if possible to make it easier and faster!)

2 tablespoons maple syrup (grade B organic if possible)

1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper (the more pepper the better for cleansing purposes if you can tolerate it add more.)

10 ounces filtered water

Add all ingredients together and drink lemonade hot or cold day and night while consuming nothing else other than herbal tea. Drink a minimum of 6 servings per day and try to stay on Master Cleanse lemonade detox diet for 10 days or more. After a couple days on Master Cleanse lemonade detox diet you will have a ton of energy along with losing a lot of weight fast!

How to Cure Ulcerative Colitis Through Fasting

Modern medicine offers few options for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, the most definitive being removing the colon itself. Because ulcerative colitis can be such a damaging disease to the body's lower digestive tract, as many as 50 percent of patients experiment with alternative therapies to treat it. One route many patients try is fasting, which some alternative medicine practitioners claim detoxifies the colon and other digestive organs and allows them to heal.

Instructions

Talk to your primary care physician. If you've not had success with other treatments for ulcerative colitis, your doctor will likely understand why you want to give fasting a try. He or she can clear you for the practice or tell you if you have a condition that prevents fasting, and he or she can advise you on how to fast with minimal negative consequences for your health.

Ask about drugs and other supplements. While talking to your doctor, discuss the prescriptions and other supplements you are taking and how they may affect your fast. Certain drugs for ulcerative colitis, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, aid in digestion and may not be necessary if you're not eating, but talk to your doctor and ask which you should continue taking.

Start by drinking fruit or vegetable juices while eliminating all other foods and drinks. Some people may find it difficult to dive into a water fast right away.

Drink water. The most important thing you can do in a fast is to stay hydrated. Fasting proponents claim water flushes toxins from your body, so if you fail to drink enough, you're not getting all the benefits from your fast. And every health practitioner agrees that hydration is important for the body's basic functions. There's no hard and fast rules about how much water you should drink--just consume enough to keep you from feeling thirsty.

Listen to your body. Feeling a little tired while fasting is normal--after all, your body isn't getting the same energy supply it usually does. If you start feeling ill or very weak, however, that may be a sign that your body needs food. Try eating something small and easily digestible and see if you feel better, then talk to your doctor.

Break your fast. Alternative medicine practitioners advise fasting for as short a time as possible but long enough to see improvement in your condition. Mainstream doctors, even if they consider fasting to be unnecessary, agree that a short-term fast of only a few days will not be harmful. If fasting for the first time, try ending your fast after three days. Add juices and easily digested foods into your diet and slowly work up to your regular eating patterns.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

How to Prevent Kidney Stones During Pregnancy

Kidney stones are solid mineral deposits that develop from crystals in the urine. They are generally made of calcium, but kidney stones may also form from uric acid, cystine, or struvite. While the overall prevalence of kidney stones is no higher during pregnancy, treatment of stones is more difficult. Common procedures for treating kidney stones in nonpregnant women, such as radiation, surgery, and anesthesia, may harm an unborn child. This makes it important to prevent kidney stones during pregnancy.

Instructions

Drink plenty of water. Fluid needs increase during pregnancy, and dehydration increases the risk of kidney stones. To significantly reduce the risk of kidney stones caused by dehydration, you need to drink enough water to produce at least 2.5 liters of urine each day. You can measure your urine output by collecting your urine and transferring it to empty 2-liter soda bottles.

Have a glass of lemonade every day. The Mayo Clinic states that lemonade made with real lemon increases urinary citrate levels, which helps prevent stone formation during pregnancy.

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice to prevent kidney stones during pregnancy. While the exact relationship between kidney stones and grapefruit juice is unclear, the risk of stone formation is significantly higher, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Avoid chocolate, nuts, beets, rhubarb, wheat germ, sweet potatoes, okra, concentrated tomato sauce, and dark-green leafy vegetables. This will help prevent the formation of calcium oxalate stones, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

Reduce the amount of sodium in your diet. A high-sodium diet leads to increased calcium excretion, which may increase the risk of stone formation.

Take supplemental magnesium and vitamin B6. According to New York Medical College, these nutrients slow or prevent the formation of most kidney stones.

Diet for Hypothyroid Disease

Hypothyroidism is characterized by the thyroid gland's inability to produce enough of the thyroid hormone. This hormone regulates metabolism and body temperature. Digestive symptoms can include constipation, fatigue and weight gain. Diets for hypothyroidism can help support synthetic thyroid replacements like Synthroid to be properly absorbed by the body and help alleviate symptoms. Find out what foods you can eat to help.

The thyroid gland needs iodine to be able to function. Certain foods bind iodine and hinder the positive effects of medication. When taking your thyroid medication, be consistent by taking it at the same time every day. Avoid these foods for at least several hours before and after taking your medication. According to Mayo Clinic at www.mayoclinic.com, eating too much dietary fiber can interfere with thyroid replacement medication. Fibrous foods include cabbage, broccoli, buckwheat, kale, oats, rye and legumes. In addition, calcium will not allow for the medication to be properly absorbed. These foods include milk, cheese and calcium-enriched juices. Also, refrain from taking any supplements with calcium or aluminum because they can interfere with the medication.

The University of Maryland Medical Center at www.umm.edu suggests cutting out unhealthy fat like red meat and processed foods. Replace beef with low-fat proteins like fish, chicken and turkey. Trans fatty foods can elevate cholesterol, which worsens the symptoms of high cholesterol and weight gain found in people with hypothyroidism. Incorporate more fresh vegetables, whole grains and fruits. Eat foods packed with antioxidants like blueberries, tomatoes, bell peppers, squash and cherries. Those with hypothyroidism are oftentimes depleted of vitamins and nutrients. Get the nutrition you need by adding foods packed with vitamins in your diet.

The University of Michigan at www.med.umich.edu reports that hypothyroidism can be caused by lack of iodine in the diet. Though rare, it is possible to not eat enough iodine for your thyroid to function. The university recommends for adult women and men to get 100 micrograms of iodine daily. Also, help your underproductive thyroid glands by adding more iodine in your diet. The majority of people get their iodine from eating table salt. Table salt is high in iodine, yet can also elevate blood pressure and cause hypertension . Eat foods with iodine like cod fish, haddock, eggs, seaweed, kelp and sea salt. Sushi is a great choice for those trying to get more iodine. The nori seaweed used in sushi rolls is full of iodine. Choose sushi rolls made with brown rice. Experiment at home by making your own rolls with foods important to your hypothyroid diet.

Isagenix Cleanse Instructions

Isagenix is a diet and nutritional program targeted at achieving weight loss and overall health. Isagenix combines its own line of cleansing and fat burning products and is intended to provide a fast but healthy way to lose weight while cleansing your body of impurities and toxins. With nutritional shakes, soups, snacks and supplements, the Isagenix system is fairly simple to follow and provides much of your nutritional needs in its pre-packaged programs. The 30-day program is the most popular, but there is also a 9-day program for those with lower weight loss goals.

Instructions

Skip to step 8 prior to beginning if this is your first time using the Isagenix program. It's recommended that you cleanse first if you've never used Isagenix in the past.

Consume two servings of IsaLean shake or soup to replace your morning and evening meal beginning on day one. Do this for every day of your program except cleanse days.

Eat one regular meal each day (typically lunch) in addition to your IsaLean shake or soup on all days except cleanse days. Isagenix recommends high fiber, low fat foods that total between 400 and 600 calories.

Take 1 to 2 ounces of Ionix Supreme and one IsaFlush capsule daily. If you become constipated, you can increase this to two IsaFlush capsules daily.

Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day. If you weigh 140 pounds, you'd drink a minimum of 70 ounces of water. Increase your water intake on cleanse days and when you are exercising to stay properly hydrated.

Take two Natural Accelerator capsules each day (morning and noon).

Exercise at least 20 minutes daily.

Cleanse one day each week. To do this, add Cleanse for Life supplement to at least 8 ounces of cold water and drink 4 ounces of this mixture four times each cleanse day.

Eat up to 6 Isagenix Snacks per day during cleanse days, consuming one or two between your Cleanse for Life servings.

Cleanse on the first two days of your 9 day program by drinking 4 ounces of Cleanse for Life supplement with at least 8 ounces of cold water four times each day.

Take two Natural Accelerator capsules (morning and noon) each day for the entire program.

Drink at least eight glasses of water each day for the entire program and eat up to six Isagenix snacks.

Discontinue Cleanse for Life for days 3 through 7, replacing it with IsaLean shakes twice each day (usually breakfast and dinner) and one regular meal that is high in fiber and low in fat (about 400 to 600 calories). Continue taking two Natural Accelerator Capsules each day for days 3 through 7.

Repeat cleansing for days eight and nine, using the Cleanse for Life supplement, Isagenix snacks and Natural Accelerator capsules as you did the first two days.

Fastest Way for Men to Lose Weight

Men typically want to lose weight to improve their health and overall well-being, though physical appearance can play a role as well. Men and women have different nutritional needs that must be understood by men trying to lose weight fast.

Men need to jump-start their metabolism by eating a healthy breakfast. This can be a bowl of high fiber cereal accompanied with low-fat milk and some fruit, or eggs with a slice or two of whole-grain bread. The high fiber cereal is a complex carbohydrate and will give you an energy boost, while the protein in the eggs aids in building and repairing muscles before and after working out. This ultimately results in a higher metabolism.

Eating two or three snacks during the day lessens cravings for high-sugar, weight-adding enemies and keeps your metabolism running strong, burning fat and calories all day. Choose cheese for calcium, fruit for fiber, a handful of nuts such as almonds or walnuts for essential fats, or low-fat yogurt for dairy.

When it comes to lunch or dinner, you may believe eating a salad is better than enjoying a burger or piece of steak because of the calories. Men actually need more calories than women, so that steak can be more beneficial. In addition, it contains zinc, a mineral responsible for increasing testosterone levels. And for men, those higher levels of testosterone fuel metabolism and make it easier to build muscle, another means of burning more fat and calories. Choose toppings for your burger wisely: Rather than mayonnaise and ketchup, try lettuce, tomato and salsa. As a side, go for the salad or a veggie rather than the typical burger partner--french fries.

Water is a great alternative to carbonated beverages or pre-packaged juices packed with high fructose corn syrup. It has zero calories and helps cleanse the kidneys of toxins, making it easier for the body to metabolize fat.

Exercise is vital for anyone trying to lose weight. Cardiovascular exercises, such as swimming, walking or using the elliptical bike, are great for burning fat and calories and should be done four to five times a week for 30 to 60 minutes. Strength training doesn't help you lose weight directly; but it does build muscle, which increases metabolism. Strength training should be done every other day, giving the muscles time to rest in between. On average, three days a week of strength training is sufficient for most men.

High Protein Diet Sample Menu

Proponents of high protein diets, commonly known as low-carb diets, claim rapid and continued weight loss. However, the American Heart Association (AHA) and Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine issue warnings about the associated health risks.

High protein diets recommend consuming more protein and fat than carbohydrates to promote weight loss. According to the AHA, high protein dieters strive to consume 30 to 40 percent of calories from protein. Low-carb intake causes a loss of body fluids, which causes weight loss. High protein dieters limit foods high in carbohydrates, such as sugar, bread, fruits and vegetables. Sample menus emphasize meats, eggs, fish and nuts.

The Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine publishes a typical Atkins sample induction menu. Breakfast includes four slices of bacon, 8 oz. of coffee and two scrambled eggs. Lunch is comprised of a bacon cheeseburger patty and a small salad without dressing. Dinner includes a 3 oz. shrimp cocktail, 1 tsp. mustard, 1 tbsp. mayonnaise, 1 cup consomme, a 6 oz. T-bone steak, salad with Russian dressing and sugar-free Jello with 1 tbsp.of whipped cream.

According to the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, the AHA, American Dietetic Association and the American Kidney Fund there are dangers associated with high-protein diets. According to the AHA, animal foods usually are high in saturated fat. Eating animal products over time is a leading cause of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and several types of cancer. Persons who cannot effectively process high amounts of protein may be at higher risk of kidney and liver disorders and osteoporosis.

How to Getting Rid Of Belly Fat - Foods That Make You Lose Weight

Although men and women usually gain fat in different areas, one common place that the pounds pile on is the stomach. Getting rid of belly fat isn't difficult if you incorporate the following foods into your daily diet. You don't have to go on a starvation diet to melt abdominal fat, it's very easy to lose weight safely. In fact, if you eat more of these foods you might not even know you're dieting, but as the weeks and months pass by you should have a flatter stomach.

Instructions

Cook up a pot of beans on the weekend and add them to your meals throughout the week. Whether you choose black beans, pintos, kidney beans or any other type, they're loaded with fiber and protein which can help you burn belly fat. Add the cooked beans to salads, broth-based soups, chili, or make a healthy bean dip and have it with baked tortilla chips or raw veggies.

Eat eggs freely since they're loaded with protein, B-12 and amino acids. They're also filling, cheap and versatile. Scramble them with your favorite vegetables and top with low-fat cheese, boil them and slice one over a salad, poach an egg or two and have with whole wheat toast. Eggs can help you get rid of lower belly fat, but, if you're worried about the calories substitute two eggs whites for every whole egg.

Whole grains can help you lose weight around the stomach

Pour yourself a bowl of whole grain cereal in the morning and top with low-fat milk or soy milk to help your weight loss efforts. Enjoy steel cut oats topped with berries and your favorite yogurt, or make your sandwiches with 100% whole grain bread and substitute brown rice for white rice. You'll feel full longer, will increase your fiber intake and lose abdominal fat.

Choose lean protein for fast weight loss

Choose lean cuts of beef, turkey and chicken breast. Loaded with B vitamins, iron, and amino acids, these meats can kick your metabolism up a few notches and have you burning more calories. By adding protein to each of your meals you'll balance your blood sugar levels and you should feel full longer.

Quickest Weight Loss Diets for Women Over 40

Anyone over 40 might notice a slowdown in their metabolism, the rate at which her body burns calories. To remedy this, eat a balanced diet that includes several small meals and smaller snacks a day. This keeps blood sugar level to ward off binging.
Resist fad diets--follow My Food Pyramid from the USDA to lower weight safely. Add enzymes from fruits and supplements and eat no more than 10 percent saturated fat, 30 percent fat overall, per day.
Exercise daily to burn off more calories.

It is easy to diet during the day when you are distracted by work, but nighttime overeating, at dinner or afterward while watching TV, can derail any diet.
Split your total calories into four or five meals and two smaller snacks. Eat protein at breakfast and choose non- or low-fat milk, yogurt and cheeses.
By eating small meals and snacks all day until three hours before sleeping, you keep your metabolism stoked, which makes you burn calories more efficiently.

Consult reputable sources such as My Food Pyramid from the USDA on how to structure your diet. To lose one pound, you must trim 3,500 calories per week from your diet. You could add 20 to 30 minutes of walking to burn 200 to 300 calories a day, or trim 500 calories per day.
Do it by eating lean cuts of beef, poultry, fish and legumes, whole grains and whole fruits and vegetables. Eat flax seed, hemp seed and olive oils instead of butter.
Bake, broil, steam and grill while avoiding frying, which produces heart-congesting trans fats and can increase the risk of hypertension.
Drink filtered water between meals. Take a good multivitamin with iron, magnesium and calcium.

Anyone over 30 could experience a downshift in metabolism. The exception are those who exercise: they build lean muscle tissue and burn calories efficiently.
If you are over 40, you may produce less stomach acid--hydrochloric acid (HCl)--and this can make digestion sluggish, resulting in weight gain. Counteract it by eating fruits high in enzymes such as pineapple or papaya, or buy enzymes made from the same.
Also consume probiotics to boost beneficial flora in the gut: acidophilus lactobacillus or bifidus. These live cultures are found in yogurts labeled as such and can help increase absorption.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

What Are Some Foods That Help Get Rid of Kidney Stones?

Kidney stones are deposits of minerals that develop when urine is not able to dissolve the solid elements in the kidneys. While they often bring on excruciating pain, kidney stones typically do not cause permanent damage. Diet plays a major role in the formation of kidney stones, and treatment typically is focused on lifestyle changes rather than medication.

Approximately four in five cases of kidney stones involve a type of stone known as calcium oxalate stones. These stones occur when calcium binds with oxalates in the urine to form crystals. Stones develop over a period of weeks and may eventually reach a diameter of a quarter-inch or larger. Less common types of kidney stones are uric acid, calcium phosphate, struvit and cystine stones. All types are the result of accumulation of minerals in the urine.

Oxalates are a type of mineral salt that occur naturally in a variety of foods. These salts normally are excreted by the body through the urine, however, when there is an excess of oxalate in the urine, they may bind together with other minerals to form kidney stones. Individuals with a history of kidney stones may wish to reduce consumption of foods high in oxalates, which includes nuts; chocolate; beans; beets; leafy, green vegetables; and black tea.

Low urine volume is a major risk factor for the development of kidney stones. When volume is low, the urine becomes highly concentrated, affecting its ability to dissolve material in the kidneys. As a result, ensuring adequate water intake is the first step toward preventing and treating kidney stones. A study published in the July 1, 1980, Annals of Internal Medicine found a reduced susceptibility for kidney stones in subjects who produced more than 8 cups of urine per day. In order to achieve this amount of urinary output, it is recommended that those suffering from kidney stones drink a minimum of 10 to 12 cups of water per day. Soft drinks are not recommended, as sugar is believed to promote the development of stones.

In addition to water, evidence shows that a glass of orange juice may also benefit those who have kidney stones. A 2006 study conducted at the University of Texas found that the citrate in orange juice acts to slow the development of kidney stones by stabilizing pH levels in the urine. While all citrus fruits contain citrate, researchers in the study did not find similar beneficial effects with lemonade. For those who do not tolerate orange juice, potassium citrate supplements may work in much the same way, by raising urine pH levels slightly.

According to a 2004 Brigham and Women's Hospital study, dietary magnesium appears to decrease the risk of kidney stones in men. Magnesium levels can be increased through diet, however, it is important to note that many foods high in magnesium also are high in oxalates. Foods high in magnesium and low in oxalates include lima beans, green peas, avocados, bananas, and pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

How to Do a Two Week Detox

Detoxing is a way to rid your body of toxins that come from eating unhealthy foods, smoking and drinking. The Master Cleanse diet, created by Stanley Burroughs in his book "The Master Cleanser," is an extreme method of detoxing that involves removing food from your diet and only consuming liquids for two weeks. As always, consult your doctor to find out if your body is healthy enough for the Master Cleanse detox diet.

Instructions

Purchase the above ingredients from a health-conscious grocery store. It is important to buy fresh ingredients for your diet, as part of the detox is supplying your body with vitamins B and C.

Prepare your body for detoxing by following the "ease-in" guidelines. While easing in to your extreme diet is not required, it does help your body adjust to not having food. The "ease-in" period consists of three days; the first day you eat only fruits, vegetables and salads, followed by juicing the fruits and vegetables the second day. Consuming juiced fruit and vegetables on the second day is beneficial as it prepares your body for the liquid diet. The third day of the ease-in period calls for drinking two liters of freshly-squeezed, organic orange juice mixed with one cup of water and two tbsp. maple syrup. Drink the orange juice mixture throughout the day.

Mix the ingredients listed above for the Master Cleanse together in a large pitcher. You can put the mixture into two 30 oz. bottles to carry around with you.

Drink the entire 60 oz. of the mixture each day for 10 to 14 days. The ingredients for the Master Cleanse diet will replace your food intake and should be consumed over the course of a day. It is best to drink it around the same time you would normally eat.

Mix one tsp. of unrefined sea salt with 30 oz. of water and drink it to flush out your system. This step should be done twice a day. This saline wash will have a laxative effect, so you should stay near a bathroom until it works.

Follow the "ease-out" guidelines once the two week period is complete to avoid indigestion and constipation when you resume eating solid foods. Follow the "ease-in" process in reverse. The first day, drink two liters of orange juice mixed with one cup of water and two tbsp. maple syrup. The second day, consume juiced fruits and vegetables or broth. The third day you can eat salads, vegetables and fruit, after which you can resume a normal, healthy diet.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

How to Make Lemonade Vodka With Almost No Calories

There is a way that you can make a lemonade vodka cocktail that has almost zero calories. If you are looking for a great tasting vodka drink with close to zero calories this article will guide you on how to make it. This drink is great for parties as you can't taste the alcohol very much at all, so people who don't enjoy the taste of hard liquor can enjoy this drink. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

The first step to making lemonade vodka with almost no calories is to get sugar free powdered lemonade mix. Sugar free powdered lemonade mix has virtually no calories, it is important that you get the sugar free powdered mix, so read the label carefully to make sure it is sugar free and has no calories(these powdered mixes are available in most any grocery store).

The second step is to mix 1 quart of the sugar free lemonade mix with water. Once you have made the mix add ice to the glass and 3 parts lemonade with 1 part premium vodka.

The third step to making lemonade vodka with almost no calories is to get a fresh piece of lemon and squeeze it into the lemonade. The fresh lemon really gives the drink a great taste.

An All-Salad Diet to Lose Weight Fast

Even if you love eating meat, don't let that be a reason to avoid picking up a fork full of leafy greens. In fact, incorporating salad into your diet is one of the best things you can do for your health. Eating a great big bowl of lettuce, fruit and other veggies for lunch or dinner will make you feel 100 times better than you do after binging on protein or carbohydrates. A salad contains more nutrients, which your body can digest swiftly, along with dietary fiber. Lose weight by eating an all-salad diet.

To start your all-salad diet, either visit the grocery store or your garden to collect your favorite vegetables, fruit and nuts. Steer clear from eggs and cheese, which may add on even more pounds while you're trying to lose them. Add peppers, tomatoes, celery, carrots, spinach, onions, avocados, fruits such as mandarin oranges or blackberries, or whatever you like. Throw in a few walnuts or almonds---just remember to stretch them out, as they have large amounts of protein and some fat (although it's the good kind), which can also pack on the pounds.

If you do not want to eat salad for breakfast and do not have time to prepare it for a snack, eat a piece of fruit or some nuts. Carry an orange, banana or apples with you to avoid the temptation to stop at a fast-food restaurant. Although an orange clearly doesn't constitute a salad, it is an ingredient.

Get other people you live with to participate in your all-salad diet, even if they only do it for a week or two. (Try it for two weeks or a month yourself, depending on how much you love leafy greens. As long as you get enough nutrients and include enough vegetables, you will reap the benefits.) When other people in your household eat well, you will find it easier to keep up with your own routine. Sometimes, just giving them a bite of your salad can convert them.

Good Diets for Bad Kidneys

The kidneys are a major portion of the waste disposal system of the body, being responsible for processing certain types of nutrients and regulating fluid balance in the body, among other tasks. When disease or chronic infection compromises the efficacy of the kidneys, steps should be taken to improve their longevity by decreasing the overall volume of their workload. This is done by reducing consumption of nutrients that overly stress the kidneys, including protein, sodium, phosphorous and potassium.

Reduce your overall protein consumption to the equivalent of no more than five to seven ounces of meat per day, according to the health website Peacehealth.org. This works out to roughly 40 to 60 grams of protein. While the body's primary source of protein is meat and dairy products, keep in mind that many foods contain trace (lower) amounts of protein as well, which can add up over time. Therefore, you must be diligent in examining the food labels of all foods to stay under this limit. Furthermore, do not think that "less is more," because the body requires some level of protein to build and repair tissue, so aim to hit your protein limit and do not intentionally shoot under it.

Aim to limit your overall sodium consumption to less than 2,000 mg per day. In addition to taking stress off of the kidneys, this can help solve problems with hypertension (high blood pressure) as well. To reduce the amount of sodium in your diet naturally, avoid foods that are pre-prepared (processed), canned items, salt-added items like chips and pretzels and salted meats like ham, bacon and lunchmeat.

Perform simple food substitutions to limit your overall intake of both potassium and phosphorous. Avoid consumption of dairy, nuts, nut butters, lentils, seeds, cola, beer, bananas, tomatoes, raisins, oranges, chocolate and broccoli. In lieu of the aforementioned items, consume milk substitutes, zucchini, apples, pears, rice, beans, lettuce, watermelon, cherries and cranberries. These foods will help provide your body with vitamins and minerals while avoiding high levels of either potassium or phosphorous.

Cayenne for Liver Detox

Cayenne pepper has for years been used in the Eastern tradition to cleanse the blood, aid in digestion, and heal headaches and toothaches. Cayenne can be used on a regular basis. Dr. Richard Schulze, a master herbalist says, "if you master one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper." It is no surprise cayenne pepper is used in detoxification of the liver. There are many different things that can be done to ensure the liver is cleansed and continue to aid in overall well-being.

Cayenne contains vitamins E and vitamin C. There is also a special ingredient in the pepper family called capsaicin, which is what gives peppers their heat. The hotter the pepper the more capsaicin it contains. When cleansing the liver, you want to have the hottest peppers possible. These peppers would be Habanero, African Bird or Serrano. You can also purchase plain cayenne pepper from your local health food store, but cayenne alone is not going to detoxify the liver. There are two different detoxification programs you can choose from to cleanse the liver. Remember to seek the assistance of your health care practitioner before attempting any new diet or detoxification program.

The most popular use of cayenne pepper is in the master cleanse diet. The daily Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemonade diet, consists of 14 tablespoons lemon juice, 14 tablespoons maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 2 quarts of water. Use organic ingredients if possible. This diet has been said to cure the body of many illnesses, in addition to aiding in weight loss. The cayenne pepper in the master cleanse contains vitamins and minerals that ensures the body is getting the proper nutrition considering the master cleanse is a strict liquid-only diet.

Schulze has a program that is said to cure any ailment. It is suggested that you cleanse the entire body to reap the benefits of cleansing the liver since each organ operates in unison. Schulze created a cayenne pepper tincture to be used daily for cleansing purposes. It consists of filling a jar with the hottest dried cayenne pepper and 50 percent grain alcohol. Let the mixture sit for 15 to 16 days, shaking periodically. Strain with a coffee filter and take two to three drops three to four times a day or as needed. Naturally, for added nutrition and minerals you can always take cayenne capsules or add a dash of dried cayenne pepper to a glass of water. If you can stand the heat, your body will love it.

Monday, September 23, 2013

3 Day Protein Shake Diets

A three-day protein shake diet consists of drinking four protein shakes per day with no solid foods for a period of three days. This is intended to purge your system before gradually adding food to your long-term high-protein diet plan. The most healthful protein shakes are low in sugar and consist of whey protein and low-fat soy milk. In addition to limiting solid food intake, it is important to walk at a fast pace for at least 30 minutes each day, drink at least 64 ounces of water daily and supplement the diet with a daily multivitamin. After the first three days, remain on the liquid protein shakes for breakfast and two daily snacks, adding two meals of lean meats and vegetables.

The bad thing about store-bought protein shakes is that most of them are very high in sugar. You want to avoid these. The easiest high-protein, low-carbohydrate shake can be made at home with low-fat soy milk and whey protein powder. The basic recipe includes:
2 scoops of whey protein powder
8 ounces of low-fat milk, preferably unsweetened soy
3 packets of Splenda (optional)
3 ice cubes

Blend ingredients in a food processor or blender until well-mixed, and serve.

After the first three days, remain on the liquid protein shakes for breakfast and between-meal snacks. Lunch and dinner will consist of lean meats, such as baked chicken breast or fish, and two non-starchy vegetables, such as green beans or broccoli. You can also add a bit of variety to your protein shakes. Variety is easy by purchasing flavored whey powder such as chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. Fresh fruits such as bananas or strawberries can also be added to the mix. Keep drinking 64 ounces of water each day, walking for 30 minutes and taking a daily multivitamin. Limit your caloric intake to 1,300 calories for this phase of the diet.

After two weeks of the diet, remain on the shakes for breakfast and snacks with two solid meals each day. Replace one of your vegetables with a starchy vegetable at lunch and dinner for some additional variety. Examples of starchy vegetables are corn, sweet potatoes, squash and green peas.

Protein shake diets are safe for healthy and fit dieters for the three-day duration. The protein shake typically contains 20 grams of protein with very little carbohydrates or fats and approximately 200 calories once mixed with skim milk. You feel full with a very high-protein content with a lower calorie intake than if you had eaten a normal breakfast or lunch.

Do not continue the liquid fasting past three days to avoid the risk of health issues. If followed long-term, liquid diets can cause cramps, nausea, malnutrition, starvation and dental complications. Dieters often regain the weight that was lost when reverting to their old eating habits.

How to Repair Your Liver

Research has been done showing that one out of three of us has a sluggish liver. This is a problem which can slow fat burning and allow toxins to build up throughout the entire body. The good news is there is a simple way to rejuvenate your liver and protect it using this easy total body detox.

Instructions

Flush your system - Mix together 1 ounce of unsweetened cranberry juice with 2 ounces orange juice and 3 ounces of water. This drink helps to reduce the inflammation in the livers tissues helping it function better in as little as one week. The vitamin C helps the liver to process up to 35% more fat and toxins.

Go easy on OTC pain meds - Almost half of the people taking OTC pain relives take more then the recommended dosage. Taking to much of the acetaminophen makes the start of production of the damaging compound TNF, which is the leading cause of liver failure. When you take pain medications in small doses your liver can break down the acetaminophen easily, but in larger doses it can not, and it can cause liver damage. Taking over 4000 mg in one day or even a little less for three to four days straight can cause permanent liver damage. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned and remember to read all the labels of medication you are taking prescription or not. Acetaminophen can be found in Tylenol, cold medications, pain relievers as well as over 400 other OTC medications.

- Feed your liver the good stuff -
Avocados -Research has shown that eating one or two avocados a week can help to repair a damaged liver in as little as 30 days. Avocados help to increase levels of the antioxidant glutathione greatly.
Broccoli - This vegetable works the same way the avocados do.
Oatmeal - Oatmeal is loaded with solube fiber that binds to toxins in the digestive tract and makes them be excreted before they are able to cause any liver damage. Oatmeal is a great tasting good for you food we all should eat for several reasons!
Edemame - This vegetable an also help to heal your live in as little as 30 days.
Yogurt - Yogurt helps to stabilize your body' s blood sugar level, which helps it to stop fatty buildups.

Walk - We all know we should exercise to keep our bodies good on the inside and the outside. If you walk for as little as 20 minutes a day, you can cut your risk of developing liver cancer by up to 16%. Physical exercise helps our body to increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients which activate the liver' s detox process.

Take milk thistle - This supplement contains silymarin which speeds the growth of healthy new liver cells. This helps to cut the risk of developing any serious liver problems 43% or more. You want to include 300 mg. daily.

Take a soybean extract - A fatty liver is a leading cause of liver problems. Taking the soybean extract PPC, can help to stop this from happening and even slow the process in people whom have already been diagnosed. You can buy PPC in health food stores. PPC stands for polyenylphosphatidylcholine and is also called PolyPC. Follow the directions on the box for taking this supplement.

Remember if you have any questions or before you start taking any new supplements you should talk to your doctor first.

Why Is Cranberry Juice Good for You?

Cranberry juice may be one of the healthiest juice choices on the market today. Full of antioxidants, cranberry juice not only provides a sour treat but also provides a significant source of vitamin C, along with other health benefits, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).

One 8-oz. glass of cranberry juice every 8 hours can prevent bacteria from clinging to your bladder, thereby preventing urinary tract infections, according to the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Cranberry juice can also stop helicobacter pylori infections, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, according to the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). The NCCAM also notes that cranberry juice may prevent plaque from developing on the teeth.

For best results, you should choose unsweetened and 100 percent cranberry juice, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. An unsweetened cranberry cocktail may be a suitable alternative for people who don't like cranberry juice.

Too much cranberry juice can cause stomach ailments such as diarrhea, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The juice may also interact with blood-thinning medications such as warfarin and aspirin. Consult a physician or pharmacist regarding other potentially harmful interactions.

Fruit Diets

There are many different weight loss plans available due to the rising obesity rates. Selecting a diet that is right for you is something to discuss with a medical professional, especially if you have current medical conditions. Most fruit diets include eating healthy meals to round out the nutrition of the diet plan.

The fruit flush diet is a three day detox program created by Jay Robb. The diet claims that a dieter can lose nine pounds in three days. Jay Robb is a clinical nutritionist, and he recommends the fruit flush plan for people who are feeling bloated, fatigued, irritable and carbohydrate addicted. The basics of the diet are on day one the dieter consumes protein shakes five times a day every two hours and eats a raw vegetable salad with lean protein at dinner. On day two and three the dieter consumes fruit five times a day every two hours apart and then dinner is the same as day one. The positive aspects of this plan are that the dieter is motivated to stay with a longer term diet after the detox, and the dieter's appetite is reset to healthier foods. Negative aspects of this diet are the dieter cannot use if they are hypoglycemia or blood glucose issues.

Grapefruit is a fruit that contains simple carbohydrates, high fiber, no fat, low calorie, low sodium and high in vitamin C. The grapefruit diet claims weight loss of 10 pounds in 12 days. The premise of the grapefruit diet is to eat a half grapefruit before each meal to maximize the fat burning enzymes. The dieter consumes healthy meals after eating the grapefruit. The suggested meals include two protein servings per day, one to two servings of dairy, two to four servings of vegetables, four to six servings of fruit and three to four servings of carbohydrates. The positives of the grapefruit diet are it provides an excellent boost of antioxidants that protect against infection and cancer, and the plan is easy to follow. The negative aspects are dehydration is possible due to lack of calories, and the plan is deficient in some nutrients.

The three apple diet plan was created by Tammi Flynn, a registered dietician and group trainer for Gold's Gym. This plan has the dieter eating an apple before every meal. The idea is the apple provides fiber that is filling and the dieter will consume a smaller amount of calories. The apples also satisfy the sweet cravings. The apple diet meal plan suggests eating four to five small meals daily. The dieter consumes six servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Recommended foods are low fat cottage cheese, low fat yogurt, eggs, chicken breast, turkey, lean beef, salmon, oatmeal, brown rice, broccoli and lettuce. The positive aspects of the apple diet are apples contain soluble fiber that reduces cholesterol, and apple contains flavonoids that prevent heart disease. The negative aspects of the apple diet are dieters become bored with eating apples daily, while vegetarians find the apple diet difficult.

The lemonade cleanse diet has been around for more than 50 years but recently became well known due to celebrities announcing they use the plan. With this diet, the dieter only consumes the lemonade mixture for 36 hours to cleanse the body of toxins. The lemonade recipe consists of two tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice, two tablespoons of organic maple syrup, one tenth teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 10 ounces of filtered water. This plan has the dieter fasting except for the lemonade drink six times a day. After the first 36 hours, the dieter practices a liquid diet for a few days and then slowly introduces solid foods. The lemonade diet isn't recommended for people who have health concerns because it is rough on the body.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Diet Menu for Lowering Cholesterol

If you need to lower your cholesterol, you can do it without the use of medication if you control your diet. Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the bloodstream. The goal is to minimize your intake of foods that raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol while maximizing intake of foods that raise HDL ("good") cholesterol.

Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet will increase your dietary fiber and energy and as well as provide essential vitamins and minerals. Most importantly, fruits and vegetables will help lower your dietary cholesterol because they contain none. Instead of chips and candy for a snack, try currants, grapes, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, carrots and corn.

Start off your morning with a bowl of oatmeal and you're doing one of the best things you can do for lowering your cholesterol. Whole-grain cereals also have no cholesterol but they have fiber, which can help the body rid itself of cholesterol. Eat cereals with low-fat or fat-free milk to avoid adding more cholesterol to your breakfast. Peanuts, almonds, beans and lentils will also help lower your LDL cholesterol.

This is a big component of a cholesterol-lowering diet. Avoid foods high in saturated fats, especially fast foods, which are usually fried in unhealthy fats. Drop junk food like potato chips and candy bars from your diet. Replace butter with margarine that doesn't contain partially hydrogenated oil. Replace partially hydrogenated cooking oil with canola oil or olive oil. Use more spices in your cooking to give your foods taste rather than relying on butter and sauces.

Red meats, organ meat and full-fat dairy products can contain high levels of cholesterol. While you don't need to eliminate them from your diet entirely, cut back on them. In particular, watch out for full-fat dairy products and high-fat processed meats. Choose lean cuts of meat and reduced-fat or fat-free dairy products.

Fish, chicken and turkey are better choices for a main dish than red meat, but they still should be prepared with low cholesterol in mind. Remove the skin. Bake, grill or broil them as opposed to frying them. Fish such as salmon, swordfish and tuna are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce your chances of cardiovascular disease.

Store soups, stews and cooked meats in the refrigerator several hours. This will solidify the fats on the top of the liquids so it can be removed. Once done, the dish can be heated and served. Choose low-fat substitutes whenever available. Use two egg whites instead of a full egg with yolk in recipes. Use nonstick cooking sprays to grease pots and pans instead of butter.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Diets Using Normal Foods

You do not need to spend a lot of money on special foods in order to go on a diet and lose weight. You can eat most of the same foods that your family eats and that you can easily buy at the grocery store. To lose weight, you need to limit portion sizes of high calorie foods and eat more foods that are filling and nutritious yet have a moderate calorie count.

You can go on a low carb diet to lose weight by eating normal foods. There are specialty brands you can buy, but these are more expensive and you don't really need them. When you eat a low carb diet, you eliminate or strictly limit foods that are high in carbohydrates or are made with refined carbs. This means you eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and dairy products. When you do buy carbohydrate-based foods, choose those made from whole grains like whole wheat bread, oatmeal and whole grain pasta.

It is quite easy to go on a low fat diet while eating normal foods. Natural foods are sometimes better than specialty low fat foods. In fact, be careful when you buy packaged food that is marked as low fat. Low fat packaged foods are sometimes still high in calories since other ingredients have been added to enhance the taste. To eat a low fat diet, choose lean meat and be sure to cut off any visible fat before you cook it. Cook meat in such a way that the fat drains away, like on a rotisserie or rack. When possible, cook your meals in advance and let them cool so you can scrape away hardened fat instead of eating it. Remove the skin from your chicken before you eat it. Choose reduced fat or fat free milk and cheeses in order to eliminate unnecessary fat.

Change the types of food that you eat so you consume larger quantities of low calorie food and smaller quantities of high calorie foods. Keep hunger at bay by eating raw fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Add more cooked vegetables to your diet and eliminate calories from bread and sweets. Changing your habits can reduce your calories too. Instead of using melted butter or oil on your popcorn, prepare the popcorn in a hot air popper and lightly spray with a butter spray. Give up calorie-laden drinks like soda and drink water instead.

Diet for Gallstones

Gallstones are made up of hardened cholesterol and other things commonly found in gallbladder bile. When these materials gather together and begin to resemble tiny rocks, they're called gallstones. Gallstones often do not cause any health problems and may be undetected for years, but sometimes they can. Gallstone attacks can be extremely painful, and, if they cause a gallbladder infection or pancreatitis, life-threatening. The good news is that gallstones can be prevented or treated by changes in diet and by natural body-detoxification methods.

In general, overweight people are more at risk for developing gallstones than people who are not overweight. Therefore, a low-fat, low-calorie diet is one good way to prevent developing gallstones. There is as yet no directly proven link between consuming fats and sugars and getting gallstones, but, according to Dr. Howard LeWine of Harvard Medical School, there is an "association" between consuming simple sugars and suffering from gallstones. Strangely, overweight people who lose weight quickly are also at higher risk for gallstone attacks.

Good foods to avoid to prevent both forming gallstones and having gallstone attacks are high-fat foods, such as butter, oil, cream, eggs, cheese, fatty meats and full-fat milk. Try to keep your all foods to items which contain less than 5-percent fat. One fat to not avoid are omega-3 fats, which are healthy and needed by your body in order for it to function correctly.

A diet high in fresh, organic fruits and vegetables can help stave off further attacks. Freshwater fish, flax seed and cucumbers and cucumber juice are also said to help both prevent attacks and alleviate the pain resulting from gallstones.

If you want to try to flush the gallstones completely from your system, there a number of home detox remedies said to enable you to pass them through your body. One way is the Epsom salt diet. According to Woman Junction, the Epsom salt diet is a relatively easy detox plan that can be finished within two days, but it does involve drinking several glasses of saltwater at specific times during the day and 4 ounces of olive oil before going to bed at night.

Another gallstone flush involves drinking not only olive oil but lemon juice. Beginning in the evening, you drink 1/4 cup of olive oil chased with lemon juice, repeating every 15 minutes until you have consumed a full pint of the oil. If the taste is too terrible, you can chase the oil and lemon with pineapple juice or V8.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Fat Flush Diet Ideas

The Fat Flush Diet is a "New York Times" bestselling diet plan created by Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D. While many individuals throughout the country have certainly seen success with this diet plan, that does not mean it is perfect. There have been several criticisms of the Fat Flush Diet, which can be addressed with simple changes to the structure of the plan.

The Fat Flush Diet is intended to be a combination of diet and detoxification efforts, taking you to your ideal physique while simultaneously strengthening your body's natural defense systems. The diet focuses on preservation and protection of the liver, which is your main "detox" organ in the body. Thus, the Fat Flush Diet is a holistic plan that sets its sights on long-term weight loss and improved health.

The diet is divided into three phases. Phase one lasts for two weeks, during which time you consume no more than 1,200 calories per day. Phase one uses a low-carb eating regime coupled with additional fiber via flaxseed or psyllium shakes to cleanse the body's organs and digestive system. Phase two of the plan boosts caloric intake to 1,500 calorie a day while boosting carb intake, allowing for two daily servings of whole grains, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes or squash. Phase three allows for over 1,500 calories daily and adds two additional carb servings to your daily allowance. You can remain in phase three indefinitely. The diet also recommends anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes of exercise daily.

One problem for men following the Fat Flush Diet is that the caloric levels are far too low, especially at the beginning of diet. Though men have greater caloric needs than women (due to their larger body mass), the diet fails to take this into account. This means men on the plan might lack overall energy levels for the prescribed workouts and might lose weight too rapidly, resulting in a loss of lean body mass. To curb this, increase daily caloric intake for men by 300 to 500 calories in all phases of the diet.

Fasted cardio performed first thing in the morning has been shown to burn more fat than exercise performed at any other time of the day. Therefore, to get the most out of your time on the Fat Flush Diet, schedule your cardiovascular training sessions before breakfast, giving your body that extra boost it needs to burn even more fat while on the diet.

As the recommended intake levels of the diet are so low, you might also have a problem with a corresponding slowdown of metabolism, even if you implement the aforementioned recommendation of adding calories to the plan. To counteract this, employ liberal consumption of thermogenic foods such as green tea. Green tea contains a chemical called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which increases your metabolism, helping you to burn more calories throughout the day. A few glasses of green tea per day can help to keep your metabolism burning brightly on the Fat Flush Diet, even in the low caloric ranges suggested.

About Grapefruit Cleansing Diets

According to proponents of the grapefruit cleansing diet, people can lose up to 10 lbs. in one week to 12 days. This is a high-protein diet, meant to be short term only. It can be a quick start to a longer-term weight-loss plan, or a fast way to lose some weight for a special occasion.

The main focus of the grapefruit cleansing diet is eating a half grapefruit, organic if possible, at the beginning of each meal. A daily multivitamin tablet is also recommended because the diet is low in calories and nutrients. Also, drinking eight 8-oz. glasses of water each day is essential. Coffee is an optional beverage, up to three cups a day. At least 30 to 60 minutes of mild or moderate exercise each day is important. Walking is a good choice.

The diet has the same menu plan each day. Breakfast includes two eggs and two slices of bacon. Lunch includes a salad and unlimited meat or fish. Dinner is unlimited meat or fish, along with green or red vegetables, which can be eaten with butter, or another salad. An 8-oz. glass of tomato juice or skim milk is the designated evening snack. People are not to eliminate anything from the diet or it will not work properly. Vegetables that are not allowed include peas, beans, corn, sweet potatoes, white potatoes and onions.

The grapefruit cleansing diet is not actually a cleansing diet, which would be a detoxification process. Detoxification diets as a rule do not include animal products, which are harder to digest, as well as coffee. The theory behind this plan is that grapefruit has a fat-burning enzyme, but this is questionable. Since the menu has under 1,000 daily calories unless people eat a great deal of meat, the low-calorie menu along with exercise most likely accounts for the weight loss.

The diet is not meant to be a long-term solution, but rather a quick way to lose up to 10 lbs. It can be a good motivator by providing a noticeable weight loss in a short time, after which the person can go on to a more sensible long-term plan combining healthy eating with exercise.

People may prefer to do this diet when they do not have to go to work full time, because they may feel low in energy due to the low-calorie menu. Also, with all the water and grapefruit, these dieters need to use the bathroom often. The plan should not be undertaken for longer than 12 days because it is low in nutrition, and must be exited gradually to avoid stomach upset. It is better to re-introduce carbohydrates as pasta and bread in limited amounts for the first day or two.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

10 Best Foods for Weight Loss

Losing weight can be a challenge, but some foods can make it much easier to hit your goal weight and stay there. Some foods, more than others, can help you with portion control, help you stay full longer, give you additional energy and help you find new ways to enjoy eating healthy.

Most dairy products are available in non- and low-fat varieties that offer all the taste and nutritional value of their full-fat counterparts. Choose low-fat varieties for texture and use non-fat varieties in recipes to gain a significant calorie savings.

These popular pre-measured and packaged treats, such as cookies and chips, allow you to satisfy a snack-food craving without blowing your diet.

This quick and convenient alternative to fast food is also inexpensive and healthy. Pick up an extra chicken to guarantee that a nutritious, no-stress meal is waiting for you on the days you don't have the time or energy to cook.

These condiments are another way to add a lot of extra flavor to all kinds of dishes without adding a lot of calories. Use them as marinades or to replace oil or mayonnaise in recipes or dishes. Combine them with lemon or lime juice for even more variety.

These foods can provide a quick and healthy start to your day. Breakfast with whole grain cereals helps your energy level over the course of the morning. Eat them as a snack or pair with dried fruit to turn a cup of yogurt into a satisfying mini-meal.

When kept under 400 calories, 600g of sodium and 5g of fat, frozen entrees are a fast and portable lunch. Combine an entree with a salad or additional vegetable for a quick, balanced dinner. They are also another way to learn portion control.

They are the backbone of any weight loss diet as they supply nutrients, color, nutrition and taste while being low in calories. Fresh or frozen fruits can satisfy a sweet craving or make a high fiber snack. Dried fruits make a healthy addition to nuts, cereals or yogurt. Canned fruits can provide an on-the-go complement to lunch. Pre-washed and package veggies are standbys for a speedy lunch or side salad. Frozen vegetables are just as nutritious as their fresh counterparts and are a snap to make for dinner or add to dishes in any quantity in any season. Assorted veggies with low-fat dip are a healthy option when only something crunchy will do.

Whole grains are a complex carbohydrate that releases its sugars slowly and helps keep blood sugar levels from spiking. They also help to keep you feeling full longer due to their high fiber content.

Protein is necessary for muscle building and provides satiety. Keep red meats and other meats as low-fat and lean as possible and be sure to eat fish twice a week. Whole eggs, including the yolk, are best, as the bit of cholesterol and fat in the yolk is far outweighed by its health benefits.

A recent study done at Penn State University showed that, due its high water content, a cup of broth-based soup before lunch helped participants to feel fuller the rest of the day while reducing their caloric intake by 20 percent.

Grapefruit Juice & High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure results when fat and cholesterol accumulate along the walls of arteries. Because the heart must work harder to pump blood through the constricted arteries, blood pressure is increased. Also called hypertension, high blood pressure is treated with certain drugs, but it can also be lowered by eating grapefruit. However, grapefruit can also be lethal if consumed with certain high blood pressure medications.

Red grapefruit has been found to be effective in moderating high blood pressure because it contains antioxidants that are useful in lowering triglyceride levels that contribute to increased blood pressure. Red grapefruit is richer in antioxidants than white and therefore a better choice for treating high blood pressure.

In fact, red grapefruit has been shown to be more effective in lowering blood pressure than statin (cholesterol-lowering) medications.

One to two grapefruits (preferably red) can be consumed before a meal daily to lower blood pressure as long as you're not taking any medications that can cause adverse side effects. Such medications include calcium channel blockers (blood pressure medication treatment) and statin drugs.

Grapefruit can cause a dangerous reaction in individuals taking certain medications to treat their high blood pressure. According to an article in the "American Journal of Nursing" (December 2004), an enzyme in the liver, cytochrome P-450 3A4, breaks down grapefruit into useful components. But it also prevents the breakdown of certain medicines and substances as well. Therefore, a patient can become quite sick as the effectiveness of the medication is substantially diminished. Consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice with medications such as calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and statin medicines is not advised.

Consult with your doctor first before including grapefruit in your diet if you have high blood pressure--it can be helpful to you or life-threatening. Make sure you read the warning labels on all your blood pressure medications carefully.

Pages

Monday, September 30, 2013

Instructions

Features

Considerations

Warning

Theories/Speculation

Expert Insight

Instructions

You Need a Variety of Fish

Preparing Meals

Precautions and Things to Avoid

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Function

Foods

Considerations

B1 Vitamins

Brewer's Yeast

Lemon

Garlic

Considerations

Electrolyte Imbalance

Enema Dependence

Flushing of Good Bacteria

Nutrient Deficiencies

Applebee's

T.G.I.FRIDAY'S

Outback Steakhouse

Chicago Uno Grill

Friday, September 27, 2013

Instructions

Instructions

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Instructions

Foods to Avoid

Fatty Foods

Iodine Rich Foods

Instructions

30 Day Cleanse Program

9 Day Cleanse Program

Eat Breakfast

Snack Regularly

Choose Meat

Water

Exercise

Features

Sample Menu One

Warnings

Instructions

Keep Blood Sugar Level

Calculate Your Daily Calories

Consume Enzymes and Probiotics

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Identification

Oxalates

Water

Orange Juice

Magnesium

Instructions

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Instructions

Buy or Collect Your Salad's Vegetables

Avoid Temptation

Convert Others

Protein Reduction

Sodium Reduction

Potassium and Phosphorous Reduction

Background

Master Cleanse

The Incurables Program

Monday, September 23, 2013

Basic Shake Recipe

Intermediate Stage

Maintenance

Benefits

Warning

Instructions

Benefits

Considerations

Warning