What foods should be avoided during pregnancy and to avoid constipation

It is important to avoid vitamin A during pregnancy because it may cause damage to the embryo. Foods containing large amounts of vitamin A include liver, and should be eaten on an occasional basis only. Unpasteurised cheeses, blue-veined cheeses and pâté are also not recommended because of the possible risk of transmission of infectious diseases such as Listeria.

Constipation during pregnancy can be caused by hormonal changes that cause the intestines to move less. Iron supplements can also cause constipation. To avoid constipation, eat lots of fibre-rich foods such as fruit, vegetables, wholemeal bread and cereal, prunes and prune juice. Drinking 2 to 3 litres of water each day will also help prevent constipation by keeping stools moist. Regular exercise will also help get the intestines moving. About 20 to 30 minutes' swimming or brisk walking two to three times a week is a good level of exercise to aim for.

A pharmacist will be able to provide advice about over-the-counter preparations that are safe to use during pregnancy to relieve constipation. It is not necessary to be obsessive about your weight during pregnancy. Many obstetricians have stopped weighing women other than at their first visit because the information is of little use in detecting problems with the mother or her baby.However, excess weight gain is probably best avoided since most women will want to return to the same dress size within a few months of delivery.

Food for pregnant lady

A French company has developed a new line of food products for pregnant women. Dubbed Luna, the range consists of eight products made with organic ingredients, all aimed at ensuring women get the nutrients they need for a healthy pregnancy. Included are honey & sesame biscuits that are rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and fibre; and a herbal infusion that promotes healthy circulation. While the benefits of dietary supplements continue to be contested by those who insist that a well-balanced and varied diet contain all the nutrients people need, nutraceuticals (also known as functional food) are big business. Website: www.lunabio.com

It has often been said that a pregnant woman should eat for two people, but this is not true. What is true is that during pregnancy a woman has to provide good nutrition for two individuals. The growing baby gets all its nourishment from its mother through the umbilical cord, so diet is very important. If the mother is lacking in any vitamins and nutrients her baby might lack them too.If a woman has had trouble keeping her weight up or down before the pregnancy, she should make a nutritional plan with the help of her doctor or midwife.


Surprisingly, we haven't seen other brands target pregnant women with similar product lines, except for nutrition bars. Seems like a smart move by Luna. One to bring to a market near you? You might want to read female fever first, briefing on creating products and services for women.

The Key to a Flat Tummy isn't just Abs Exercises

There is a massive misconception in the fitness industry that you need to do situps and crunches in order to get a toned set of abs.

It is not fully correct.

I think the reason this misconception is so widely spread is because it allows the big fitness corporations to sell products to women who think that the regular abs exercises don’t work. I mean, have you ever watched television after about 11pm at night? If you have you will know what I am talking about. Commercial after commercial of the crappiest abs machines you could ever dream of! Half the time it looks like the machine is doing the crunches, not the person.

The reason cardio and diet is so important for your abs is simple. We have all heard it before but judging by the amount of emails I get asking me this question it seems I need to mention it again:

If you have a layer of fat over your abs you will never ever see them!

It is that simple. How can we expect to have a set of shapely and firm abdominal muscles if there is a layer of squishy fat covering them? It would be like trying to see the outline of a brick wrapped up in a blanket. Not possible.

It is for this reason that you must focus on losing weight if you want to create some visible abs. And the best way to lose weight is with a healthy clean diet and some good old cardio.
Abs are made in the kitchen

It is an old saying but it still holds true. No amount of cardio or abs exercises is going to help your tummy if your diet is beer and chips!

As far as toning your muscles go, diet is the most important thing. If you get your diet on track then the cardio and resistance training that you have to do will be reduced.

Did you all hear that?

That’s right! Control your diet and you can spend less time in the gym. If you have a Coke with lunch then you can add on about 25 minutes of running if you want to burn off all the sugar to stop it from being stored as fat. If you had water or tea instead of that Coke you wouldn’t have to worry about it.

I look at it like this: if my diet is clean then everything I do at the gym is positive, not negative. What this means is that I am playing “get ahead” not “catch up”. People who eat crap food and then go to the gym are playing catch up because they are trying to burn calories. That is an uphill battle. People who eat cleanly and then go to the gym are playing get ahead because everything they do is going show results sooner. It is a much easier way to go about your weight loss persuits.

Conclusion
If you want to see some sexy abs and a nice flat stomach then start today by cleaning out your kitchen and making a promise to eat natural, healthy, vitamin rich foods. Swap Coke and sugary drinks for water and milk and swap candy, pasta and breads for fruits, vegetables and nuts.

Best Flat Tummy Exercises For Great Female Abs

1. Tummy Isometric Crunch - exhale, then suck in your stomach as far as you can, hold for about 15 seconds. Relax and breathe. Visualize moving your bellybutton straight toward your back. Holding in your tummy muscles and tensing your abs is a good way of firming and strengthening them. You will also become more aware of how to control your tummy muscles. Repeat several times. This exercise can be done anywhere, anytime.

Note - if you have high blood pressure, do not hold your breath for extended periods of time.

2. Rectus Abdominis Tummy Exercises (sounds great, no?):

a. Lie on your back on the floor with bent knees and your feet flat on the floor, knees and feet spread apart the width of your hips.

b. Place your hands gently on the sides of your head for support, spreading your elbows so you cannot see them.

c. With your chin tucked toward your chest, gently curl upward and forward so that your head, neck and shoulder blades lift off the floor and your lower back presses against the floor (if you want, start with your head resting on a pillow which has your head and neck in the correct position to begin).

d. Pause just a moment, then gently return to the starting position.

e. Repeat several times.

Note - do not use your arms to complete the curl. If you can see your elbows, you're cheating. Do not put your feet under anything since this lessens the effectiveness of these types of flat tummy exercises. If this female abs exercise is too difficult for you, do the next one below.



3. Sit-Back Flat Tummy Exercises - if your female abs muscles are weak and you have trouble lifting yourself off the floor in #2 above, here is an alternate flat tummy exercise for you:

a. Start in a sitting position on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor (secure your feet under a piece of furniture).

b. Cross your arms over your chest and roll your head and shoulders forward toward your chest.

c. Gently and slowly lean back, keeping your head and shoulders tucked. Continue until you begin to feel your stomach muscles contracting.

d. Then try to lean back just a bit more if you can and hold that position until your muscles start shaking. Try to hold this position with your muscles shaking for five seconds, then ease back to the upright sitting position.

e. Repeat in a few seconds.

4. Reduce Chewing Exercises - yes, as in jaw muscles used for excessive chewing as in overeating. Reducing overeating or exercising those jaw muscles less may be necessary to have great female abs. No one can see great female abs if they are covered with body fat! Having great female abs may require losing some body fat. Losing body fat means:

a. Cardio exercise on a regular basis - getting the heartbeat up with fun whole-body workouts several times a week.

b. Healthy eating habits - eating healthy foods, eliminating sodas/junk food and taking in fewer calories than you burn each day.

c. Besides flat tummy exercises, strength training for the whole body - any muscle tissue you add will burn extra calories 24/7.

Besides looking great, having great female abs is about good health. Visually and physically, the midsection is the center of the body and the foundation of strength. Weak abdominals leave a woman weaker looking and vulnerable to lower back pain. At first, the goal is to build up the basic strength in the female abs area with flat tummy exercises. And remember, always check with your health care provider before starting any exercise program. Start out slowly and gradually build up your strength and repetitions.

For great abs and good health, the ideal is to reduce body fat down to no lower than 15-20% for women. Sometimes, doing flat tummy exercises is the EASY part, losing excess body fat is the TOUGH part. Eat right, exercise right. It may take time, just do not give up on your dream of having those great female abs.

Get a flat tummy fast - with this five days diet plan!

1. Have a carb curfew
Try not to eat starchy foods like pasta and potatoes after lunch and don't eat after 8pm. And try catching up with friends for low-kilojoule drinks rather than dinner.

2. Have a fruity morning
Have a piece of fruit for morning tea. It cleanses your system and is great for getting a nice flat tummy for the day ahead.

3. Get a gym buddy
Arrange to go to exercise classes with a friend, because once you've made that appointment, you won't want to let them down.

4. Eat more fibre
Fibre is essential for a flat tummy. It aids the digestive system by soaking up water in the gut, softening food and making it easier to eliminate from the body.

5. Chew your food properly
If you don't chew properly, it may lead to wind and bloating. The process of chewing also alerts the stomach to start producing hydrochloric acid, which it needs to digest its contents.


MONDAY
BREAKFAST
1 small bowl of cereal with 1 glass low-fat milk
SNACK — 2 kiwifruit, 1 small tub fat-free yoghurt
LUNCH
Ham, reduced-fat cheese and tomato jaffle, garden salad, 1 tomato
SNACK — 1 apple
DINNER
Char-grilled chicken, 1 cup green beans
SNACK — 1 small piece of chocolate

TUESDAY
BREAKFAST
1 small bowl of cereal with 1 glass low-fat milk
SNACK — Low-fat muesli bar
LUNCH
Beef pie, garden salad, 1 carrot
SNACK — 1 kiwi fruit, 1 pear
DINNER
Grilled crumbed fish wedges, garden salad
SNACK — 1 kiwifruit, 1 small tub low-fat yoghurt

WEDNESDAY
BREAKFAST
Low-fat Swiss choc drink, 1 apple
SNACK — 1 banana
LUNCH
Broccoli and reduced-fat cheese baked potato, garden salad, 1 tomato
SNACK — 1 small tub fat-free yoghurt
DINNER
Beef lasagne, 1 cup broccoli, 1 cup green beans
SNACK — 1 small slice of low-joule cheesecake

THURSDAY
BREAKFAST
1 small bowl of cereal with 1 glass low-fat milk
SNACK — 1 pear
LUNCH
Chicken pasta salad, garden salad, 1 carrot
SNACK — Fruit muesli cookie
DINNER
Minestrone, 1 slice bread, 20g reduced fat cheese, 1 tomato
SNACK — 2 kiwifruit, 1 small tub low-fat yoghurt

FRIDAY
BREAKFAST
Wholemeal pancakes, 1 banana
SNACK — Low-fat muesli bar
LUNCH
Pasta with low-fat sour cream and chives, garden salad, 45g lean ham
SNACK — 1 apple
DINNER
Roast beef with oven potatoes, 1 cup broccoli
SNACK — 1 small tub low-fat yoghurt

Where to find Diet Foods That Taste Good

Looking in the produce aisle of your local grocery store is a great way to find a good diet food that you can use in several dishes. You may be asking "what is a good diet?" so fruits and veggies are a great place to start. A healthy good diet consists of different types of foods, and good diet recipes are no different. The key is to search for color--the more colorful your produce selection is, the better. Green vegetables will provide you with a good source of fiber and vitamin C, as well as iron, and yellow and orange vegetables and fruits will give you a healthy serving of beta carotene, which is essential for good eyesight and healthy blood. These foods are not only good for you, but they taste great, even if you season them lightly with margarine, olive oil, and minimal salt.

Spice Things Up
Think food that’s good for you has to taste bland and boring? I have news for you...it doesn't have to be. A great way to add taste without adding fat or salt is to add more spices. Salt is not the only seasoning you can add to your food. Try experimenting with different herbs and spices until you find the ones you like the best.

Grab Some Fruit
If you’re craving sweets, fruit is a great way to get your fix without binging on candy and chocolate. Instead of your normal afternoon snack, try an apple or another fruit you can easily toss in your purse. At dinner, you can add fruit as a dessert, side dish, or even put some into the main course. Fruit gives you lots of vitamins and minerals and it satisfies your need for sweets. Another great idea, if you own a juicer, is to juice various vegetables and then add fruit to flavor. You’ll be getting the added benefit of vegetables with the taste of fruit juice.

Try New Foods
The health food market has changed in recent years. Eating healthy is more popular; so a lot of new products and healthy alternatives are now available. Next time you’re at a health food store (and if you don’t go, you definitely should), look around at all the different options. There are now healthier versions of previously unhealthy foods. Why not try them; you might be pleasantly surprised with the taste.

'Nutrition' may also mean something different to you depending on your state of health, so you'll need to make adjustments to a good diet. Diabetic patients may have to use sugar free seasonings and sweeteners, as well as reduce the consumption of some fruit juices, so remember to customize your nutrition and good eating for best results.

How to Make Healthy Foods That Taste Good

Nowadays there are a lot of good diet foods that taste great. So, you've decided to change your lifestyle and eat more healthy foods. But how do you find a good diet food that will actually help you get to and maintain a healthy weight? If you're trying to find a healthy good diet that you can realistically eat every day, here is some information on good diet foods that will definitely support your good diet habit.

One of the biggest reasons people don’t eat healthy foods is because they feel it just doesn't taste good. Healthy foods can taste very good, you just have to find the right dishes and foods to try. Not all healthy food has to taste bland, boring, or completely gross. There are plenty of ideas out there for eating healthy without making sacrifices on taste Here are just a few of them.

Nutrition and good eating are also factors you should consider when you're looking for good diet foods. Just because something tastes good doesn't mean that it's good for you (especially in excess), and just because something is good for you doesn't mean it has to taste bad. Here are some things you can incorporate into good eating. Fish is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which get rid of antioxidants in the body. Rice and beans constitute a complete protein, which your body can immediately use for energy. You can incorporate a variety of foods into your diet by changing the beans you prepare often; kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans all go great with brown rice to create a complete protein.

It’s become so easy to buy food that’s frozen, boxed, or even already cooked for us. The problem is that convenient isn’t necessarily healthy, and the ones that are marketed as health food usually don’t taste that great. It’s much easier to have healthy food that actually has some flavor if you make it yourself. If there’s just no time, why not cook several meals on your day off and pop them in the freezer. That way you have the convenience of frozen food without the blandness and questionable texture.

Other good diet tips you may want to follow include pacing yourself. Your whole lifestyle will not change overnight, but it will change sooner than you think if you are committed to eating good diet foods on a regular basis. You can find several good diet recipes on a number of internet sites (www.allrecipes.com and www.about.com have great suggestions), as well as your local book store.

Good Diet Foods that Taste Great

Healthy food can be as mouthwatering as creamy pasta or a sumptuous burrito -- yet many of my clients still think "boring" when they imagine a healthy diet. I tell them they don't have to be whizzes in the kitchen to make healthy food taste good. Just pick up a few key, flavorful items from the grocery store, such as the ones below.

Vinaigrette: Use a tablespoon of this classic -- a combo of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and mustard -- to top steamed vegetables, grilled greens, bean salads, chicken, shrimp, or tofu. Or limit yourself to up to 120 calories if you buy a store brand.

Bacon: Turkey bacon is lower in saturated fat than pork, but even pork is okay in moderation. Crumble on a salad, add to sautéed or steamed vegetables, or use it to top a turkey sandwich. Your max: 90 calories. That's about three strips of turkey bacon, three strips of Gwaltney 40% reduced-fat bacon, or 2 strips of regular bacon.

Guacamole: A bean burrito can taste a little dry — even with a dollop of salsa -- but add guacamole and you'll have a much more satisfying experience. Treat yourself to two tablespoons if there are other fats in your meal or indulge in 1/4 cup if guacamole will be the only fat you're eating.

Toasted nuts: Freshly roasted nuts add texture, taste, and richness to your meals. For instance, pine nuts (pignoli) pair beautifully with sautéed spinach, broccoli rabe, and other sautéed greens. Toasted walnuts are naturals on salad, oatmeal, rice, couscous, or bulgur wheat. Slivered almonds or pecans are wonderful on fruit salad. To toast: Heat in your toaster oven at 250° for about 4 to 6 minutes, watching carefully that they don't burn. Have 2 tablespoons (about 90 calories).

Cheese: It helps if you like stronger-tasting cheese; a little goes a long way. A tablespoon of Parmesan, for example, gives boring steamed broccoli the same lift as it does a bowl of pasta with tomato sauce. A pungent goat cheese makes any salad -- and your standard turkey sandwich — much richer. Max out at 1/2 ounce of regular or 1 ounce of reduced-fat.

Low-fat or fat-free sauces Artery-clogging Alfredo or cheese sauces aren't the only tasty types -- lighter sauces do the trick, too. Reduced-sodium soy sauce transforms a stir-fry; a side of yogurt/cucumber/mint sauce moistens a skinless chicken breast; fresh herb-infused light mayo tastes great with fish; barbecue sauce, mustard sauce, and many others perk up grilled foods. Limit yourself to 50 calories per serving.

Fresh Lemon Grass Drink Causes Apoptosis to Cancer Cells

A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough citral to prompt cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube.Citral is the key component that gives the lemony aroma and taste in several herbal plants such as lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), melissa (Melissa officinalis) and verbena (Verbena officinalis.) According to Ofir, the study found that citral causes cancer cells to 'commit suicide: using apoptosis, a mechanism called programmed cell death.' A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough citral to prompt the cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube.

On a trip to Europe in the mid-80s, he began to become interested in herbs. Israel, at the time, was nothing like the trend-conscious cuisine-oriented country it is today, and the only spices being grown commercially were basics like parsley, dill, and coriander. Wandering in the Paris market, looking at the variety of herbs and spices, Zabidov realized that there was a great export potential in this niche. He brought samples back home with him, 'which was technically illegal,' he says with a guilty smile, to see how they would grow in his desert greenhouses. Soon, he was growing basil, oregano, tarragon, chives, sage, marjoram and melissa, and mint just to name a few.

His business began to outgrow his desert facilities, and so he decided to move north, settling in the moshav of Kfar Yedidya, an hour and a half north of Tel Aviv. He is now selling 'several hundred kilos' of lemon grass per week, and has signed with a distributor to package and put it in health food stores. Zabidov has taken it upon himself to learn more about the properties of citral, and help his customers learn more, and has invited medical experts to his farm to give lectures about how the citral works and why.

He also felt a responsibility to know what to tell his customers about its use. 'When I realized what was happening, I picked up the phone and called Dr. Weinstein at Ben-Gurion University, because these people were asking me exactly the best way to consume the citral. He said to put the loose grass in hot water, and drink about eight glasses each day.' Zabidov is pleased by the findings, not simply because it means business for his farm, but because it might influence his own health. Even before the news of its benefits were demonstrated, he and his family had been drinking lemon grass in hot water for years, 'just because it tastes good.'

OKRA also known as LAIDIES FINGER

A relative of mine has been suffering from *constipation* for the past 20 years. He didn't realize that the treatment could be so simple -- *OKRA (Lady's Finger) ! *

He started eating okra for about 2 months and since then have never taken medication again.
All he did was consume *6 pieces of OKRA everyday*. He's now regular and his *blood sugar has dropped from 135 to 98, **with his cholesterol and acid reflux also under control*.

Here are some facts on okra (from the research of Ms. Sylvia Zook,PH.D/nutrition, University of Illinois . )

"Okra is a powerhouse of valuable nutrients, nearly half of which is soluble fiber in the form of gums and pectins. Soluble fiber helps to lower serum cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. The other half is insoluble fiber which helps to keep the intestinal tract healthy, decreasing the risk of some forms of cancer, especially colo-rectal cancer.

Nearly 10% of the recommended levels of vitamin B6 and folic acid is also present in a half cup of cooked okra. Okra is a rich source of many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin B6 and folic acid. He got the following numbers from the University of Illinois Extension Okra Page . Please check there for more details.

Okra Nutrition (half-cup cooked okra)
* Calories = 25
* Dietary Fiber = 2 grams
* Protein = 1.5 grams
* Carbohydrates = 5.8 grams
* Vitamin A = 460 IU
* Vitamin C = 13 mg
* Folic acid = 36.5 micrograms
* Calcium = 50 mg
* Iron = 0.4 mg
* Potassium = 256 mg
* Magnesium = 46 mg

These numbers should be used as a guideline only, and if you are on a medically-restricted diet please consult your physician and/or dietician. Ms Sylvia W. Zook, Ph.D. (nutritionist) has very kindly provided the following thought-provoking comments on the many benefits of this versatile vegetable. They are well worth reading :

1. The superior fiber found in okra helps to stabilize blood sugar as it curbs the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract.

2. Okra's mucilage not only binds cholesterol but bile acid carrying toxins dumped into it by the filtering liver. But it doesn't stop there...

3. Many alternative health practitioners believe all disease begins in the colon. The okra fiber, absorbing water and ensuring bulk in stools, helps prevent constipation. Fiber in general is helpful for this but okra is one of the best, along with ground flax seed and psyllium. Unlike harsh wheat bran, which can irritate or injure the intestinal tract, okra's mucilage soothes, and okra facilitates elimination more comfortably by its slippery characteristic many people abhor. In other words, this incredibly valuable vegetable not only binds excess cholesterol and toxins (in bile acids) which cause numerous health problems, if not evacuated, but also assures their easy passage from the the body.

The veggie is completely non-toxic, non-habit forming (except for the many who greatly enjoy eating it), has no adverse side effects, is full of nutrients, and is economically within reach of most.

4. Further contributing to the health of the intestinal tract, okra fiber (as well as flax and psyllium) has no equal among fibers for feeding the good bacteria (probiotics).

5. To retain most of okra's nutrients and self-digesting enzymes, it should be cooked as little as possible, e.g. with low heat or lightly steamed. Some eat it raw.

The miracle of Papaya leaves

Dengue Fever Remedy

I would like to share this interesting discovery from a classmate's son who has just recovered from dengue fever. Apparently, his son was in the critical stage at the ICU when his blood platelet counts drops to 15 after 15 liters of blood transfusion.

His father was so worried that he seeks another friend's recommendation and his son was saved. He confessed to me that he give his son raw juice of the papaya leaves. From a pallet count of 45 after 20 liters of blood transfusion, and after drinking the raw papaya leaf juice, his pallet count jumps instantly to 135. Even the doctors and nurses were surprised. After the second day he was discharged. So he asks me to pass this good news around.

Accordingly it is raw papaya leaves, 2pcs just cleaned and pound and squeeze with filter cloth. You will only get one tablespoon per leaf. So two tablespoon per serving once a day. Do not boil or cook or rinse with hot water, it will loose its strength. Only the leafy part and no stem or sap.
It is very bitter and you have to swallow it like Won Low.Kat. But it works.


*Papaya Juice - Cure for Dengue*

You may have heard this elsewhere but if not I am glad to.inform you that papaya juice is a natural cure for dengue... fever. As dengue fever is rampant now, I think it's good to share this with all.. A friend of mine had dengue last year. It was a very serious situation for her as her platelet count had dropped to 28,000 after 3 days in hospital and water has started to fill up her lung. She had difficulty in breathing. She was only 32-year old. Doctor says there's no cure for
dengue. We just have to wait for her body immune system to build up resistance against dengue and fight its own battle. She already had 2 blood transfusion and all of us were praying very hard as her platelet continued to drop since the first day she was admitted.

Fortunately her mother-in-law heard that papaya juice would help to resuce the fever and got some papaya leaves, pounded them and squeeze the juice out for her. The next day, her platelet count started to increase, her fever subside. We continued to feed her with papaya juice and she
recovered after 3 days!!! Amazing but it's true. It's believed one's body would be overheated when one is down with dengue and that also caused the patient to have fever papaya juice has cooling effect. Thus, it helps to reduce the level of heat in one's body, thus the fever will go away. I found that it's also good when one is having sore throat or suffering from heat. Furthermore it's so easily available. Blend them and squeeze the juice! It's simple and miraculously effective!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Vinegar is a product of fermentation. This is a process in which sugars in a food are broken down by bacteria and yeast. In the first stage of fermentation, the sugars are turned into alcohol. Then, if the alcohol ferments further, you get vinegar. The word comes from the French, meaning "sour wine." While vinegar can be made from all sorts of things -- like many fruits, vegetables, and grains -- apple cider vinegar comes from pulverized apples. In order to complete the apple cider vinegar diet, you must take one, two, or three teaspoons of apple vinegar before each meal. While it can be quite difficult to get three teaspoons down initially, after a couple of days most people have no problem working up to it. Any more than three is most likely beyond what your stomach can handle anyway, due to the strongly acidic nature of the vinegar. That said, there are now apple cider vinegar diet pills which are probably far easier to consume if you are set on trying this diet.

The main ingredient of apple cider vinegar, or any vinegar, is acetic acid. However, vinegars also have other acids, vitamins, mineral salts, and amino acids. Like many other fad diets , it's not clear as to whether there are any properties in the vinegar that will help you lose weight. In fact, vinegar has been around as a "diet miracle" since Lord Byron popularized it in the 1820's according to the American Dietetic Association's Fad Diet Timeline. The primary reason that this diet would work is that you are told to eat moderate portions, watch the nutritional composition of the food you eat, and get exercise. Just doing those alone is often enough to stimulate your body to maintain a healthy weight, if not lose weight.

All you need to know about Kiwi

Kiwifruit may look unpalatable at first glance, but under that hairy brown exterior lies emerald green flesh with a flavor reminiscent of strawberries to some and pineapple to others. As tempting as it is in desserts, this sweet, yet slightly tart fruit also works well in savory dishes.

New Zealanders do not take kindly to the fruit being referred to as a kiwi, preferring kiwifruit. The kiwi is a small flightless bird native to New Zealand, a term New Zealanders often use in reference to themselves. The moniker of "kiwifruit" is a fairly recent development, believe it or not. New Zealand growers adopted the name kiwifruit for the Chinese gooseberry in the mid 1960's, believing it to be more palatable than a reference to the hairy bird which its hairy exterior resembles. There are also some references to the name change being in response to anti-communist sentiments implied by Chinese gooseberry. In France, kiwifruit translates to souris vegetales, meaning vegetable mouse. It's an apt description, albeit not very appetizing.

Kiwi Berries are packaged in a 6-1/2 ounce clamshell and should be allowed to ripen at room temperature. Their skin will begin to turn darker green, and the berries will yield to gentle pressure. Refrigerate softened fruit for best storage life and let it return to room temperature when using in recipes for the best flavor.

Some of the following recipes call for KiwiBerrie puree, so here are several ways that we have made it. For small batches we process ripe fruit with a squeezo, a small hand crank unit, which can be found in most hardware stores. The fruit is put into the hopper and then goes through an auger that is covered with a screen which removes the skins and most seeds. The puree, the nutritious essence of these unique berries, exits down a side tray. Another way to make puree is to remove the skins and use a food processor or a blender. If you prefer a bitter/sweet flavor - leave the skins on. The last way in which we've made puree for recipes is to simply smash the ripe fruit with a fork.

You can use the puree fresh or we store it in Hefty freezer bags or plastic ice cream containers for future use. Note: Puree must be frozen to store it due to it's active enzyme actinidin.

Processed food like bacon bad for diet?

This is a critical distinction because the health benefits of these minimally-processed foods and ingredients are all but lost when a person turns to processed, manufactured foods. Worse yet, most processed foods are tainted with highly toxic chemical additives that are well known to promote brain tumors, colon cancer, endocrine system disorders, stubborn obesity, and other problems that are avoided outright when eating raw, fresh food ingredients.

Let me give you an example of this. The meat category shows beef, pork and fish, but nowhere in the meat category do you find bacon. Virtually all bacon at the grocery store contains a cancer-causing chemical ingredient known as sodium nitrite. It's listed right on the label. Sodium nitrite, when consumed, results in the formation of highly carcinogenic nitrosamines, which are so toxic that lab researchers actually use nitrosamines to give lab rats cancer as part of their experiments! (To learn the shocking facts about sodium nitrite, read the sodium nitrite section of Low-Carb Diet Warning.)

Trans fat is derived from a chemical process known as "partial hydrogenation." That's the process of converting liquid oils to a semi-solid form. It's what allows you to take a tub of margarine out of the fridge and spread it on your toast without ripping it apart, like you would with straight-from-the-fridge butter.

Food companies have tended to like trans fats because they allow their products to stay fresh on the shelves longer. And they're made from less expensive oils, keeping production costs down.

On Dec. 5, 2006, New York City's board of health approved a ban on trans fats in all restaurants across the city. The ban took effect in June 2008. A month later, the city's restaurants were further required to post calorie counts on menu boards in the same font size as the price or face fines of up to $2,000 US.

In March 2003, Denmark became the first country to pass legislation strictly regulating the sale of foods containing trans fats. No more than two per cent of the fats and oils in any food product can contain trans fats. The legislation effectively limits people's trans fat intake to less than one gram per day

Grapefruit diet plan - lose 3 stone in only 12 weeks

The Grapefruit diet or the New Mayo diet is certainly one of the great fad diets. I have been watching my mother for years using the grapefruit diet to lose weight, all she has done is screwed her face-up trying to eat this sour fruit.

There are claims that the grapefruit diet will help you lose 3 stone in only 12 weeks, due to the amazing benefits of grapefruits. Maybe grapefruit sales were low one year, so somebody came upon the idea of the grapefruit diet, to help boost sales.

Here are the basic rules for the grapefruit diet if you wish to try it.

You must drink eight 8oz. glasses of water daily (64 oz. total per day).

At any meal you may eat until you are full.

You must eat the minimum listed at each meal. (yep, this diet list the minimum you should eat).

You cannot eliminate anything from the diet. Especially the bacon at breakfast and the salads. You must eat the bacon and salads. These combinations of food burn the fat, omitting one part of the combination will cause the whole thing not to work.

The grapefruit or fruit juice is important because it acts as a catalyst that starts the burning process. Don't add or reduce the amount of grapefruit or juice.

Cut down on coffee, it affects the insulin balance that hinders the burning process. Try to limit to 1 cup at meal time.

Don't eat between meals. If you eat the suggested foods you will not get hungry.

You can fry food in butter and use butter generously on vegetables.

Do not eat desserts, breads, and white vegetables or sweet potatoes.

You may double or triple helpings of meat, salad or vegetables.

Eat until you are stuffed. The more you eat the more weight you will lose.

Stay on the diet 12 days, then stop the diet for 2 days and repeat.

10-Minute Meals Diet Plan

Breakfast

At-Home-Option
Oatmeal with Milk, Walnuts & Raisins [Calories 276]
Make up 1 packet instant oatmeal, with 1/2 cup fat-free milk, top with 1/2 ounce walnuts, 1 tbsp raisins.

Take-Out Option
Hash Browns and Scrambled Eggs [Calories 290]
McDonalds: 1 portion Hash Browns, Scrambled Eggs


Lunch

Fast-Food Option
Pizza Hut [Calories 360]
One slice Thin 'n' Crispy Cheese, 1 serving Breadsticks, 1 oz Breadstick Dipping Sauce.

Take-to-Work Option
Soup, Crackers & Fruit & Nuts [387]
10 3/4 oz can Campbell's Healthy Request Soup, any variety
1 packet soup crackers
1 banana chopped, 6 dried apricots, small handful almonds
Microwave soup. Serve with the crackers and follow with fruit and nuts.

Quick-Cook-Option
Curried Chicken Pita & Salad [Calories 396]
4 oz cooked skinless chicken breast chopped,
1/2 red onion chopped,
1 rib celery, chopped,
2 tbsp fat-free mayo,
pinch curry powder,
1/2 cup grapes,
6" whole wheat pita or whole wheat bun.
Blend the mayo and curry powder.
Put the chicken, onion and celery into a bowl and stir in the mayo mixture and add the grapes. Heat and split pita bread (or bun) and fill with the chicken mixture. Serve with salad leaves and 1 tbsp fat-free dressing.



Dinner

Microwave Option
Lean Cuisine Salisbury Steak and Salad [Calories 400]
Microwave 1 pkg Lean Cuisine Traditional Salisbury Steak (or equivalent), serve with salad leaves, 1 tbsp fat-free dressing.

10-Minutes-or-Less-Option
Chicken Tacos [Calories 380]
5 oz cooked chicken breast,
2 regular size taco shells,
2 tbsp reduced-fat shredded cheese,
2 tbsp low-fat sour cream,
1/4 tsp hot sauce, shredded lettuce,
1 large tomato, sliced.
Chop the chicken into bite sized pieces.
Warm the tacos.
Mix the sour cream with the hot sauce and coat the chicken.
Pack the tacos with lettuce, tomato, chicken and top with cheese.


Two-Day-Option
Pasta & Shrimp Ragu & Salad [Calories 392]
8 oz can shrimp, drained,
2 cups mixed frozen vegetables,
1 cup tomato sauce,
2 tsp olive oil,
hot sauce,
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese,
1 oz (dry weight) pasta.
Heat the oil in a pan, cook vegetables for 2 mins.
Add tomato sauce, hot sauce, cover, cook over low heat for 5 mins. Add the shrimp, cook for 5 mins.
Serve half the sauce over cooked pasta and sprinkle with cheese. Refrigerate other half for tomorrow.

Strawberries - Nutritions and Cooking Tips

A strawberry is a superstar when it comes to anti-oxidant power, says Dr. Barry Sears in his book The Top 100 Zone Foods. In addition, 1 cup of strawberries gives you a whopping 140 percent of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Strawberries are also packed with flavonoids, two in particular, called quercetin and kaempferol. Research shows that these two flavonoids help keep “bad” (LDL) cholesterol from oxidizing and damaging artery walls.

The Romans prized wild strawberries for their medicinal properties. Ounce for ounce, strawberries have more Vitamin C than citrus fruit. According to the American Cancer Society, foods rich in Vitamin C may lower the risk of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.

Strawberries also contain ellargic acid — also found in raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, grapes, cherries, walnuts, pecans and Brazil nuts — which acts as a scavenger to “bind” cancer-causing chemicals, making them inactive. It inhibits the ability of other chemicals to cause mutations in bacteria. In addition, it prevents binding of carcinogens to DNA and reduces the incidence of cancer in cultured human cells exposed to carcinogens.

Select strawberries that have a full red color and avoid any that are uncolored or white.

Strawberries Romanoff

Indigrents

1 pint fresh strawberries with stems intact
1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 cup granulated brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash the strawberries and soak them in the orange juice for a few minutes at room temperature or several hours in the refrigerator.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar. Transfer the sweetened sour cream to a small serving bowl and place the remaining brown sugar in a small dish or bowl.
3. Drain the strawberries and place them in a large serving bowl.
4. Invite everyone to dip their own strawberries (holding them by the stems) into the sweetened sour cream and then into the brown sugar.
Serving Size: 1/2 cup strawberries with sour cream and brown sugar

9 things eat too much could be killing YOU!

Strong-smelling fermented beancurd: The strong-smelling fermentedbeancurd in the fermentative process, extremely easily by themicrobial contamination, simultaneously can volatilize the massivesalt base nitrogen.

Monosodium glutamate: Each person absorbs the quantity every day tothe monosodium glutamate, take does not surpass six male grams as the principle, eat much is harmful and unhealthy.

Spinach: The spinach nutrition is rich, but because includes theoxalic acid, sends in food the precious element zinc and the calciumunion, but is discharged in vitro, but causes the human body zinc andcalcium lacking. (Man lacks zinc, can be unable to gain groundcultivates the behavior, terror!) As well as hydrogen sulfide and soon; These all are the corrupt matter which the protein decomposes, isharmful to the human body.


Preserved egg: When manufacturer preserved eggs, often increases the quota, if we eat frequently, can cause of poisoning. At the same time, calcareous could drain in the body.

Pig liver: Kilogram pig liver, it contains the cholesterol to reach ashigh as above 400 milligrams, but a person if absorbs the sterol, cancause the arteriosclerosis.

Barbecue: Because barbecue in smokes roasts in the process, canproduce like 'the benzene' and so on the deleterious substance, isinduces the cancer the factor.

Pickles: The pickles if manufactures does not get the knack of,contains the carcinogen, and contains the nitric acid amine, can cause of sick with long time eats.

Cruller: In the cruller potassium alum, is contains the aluminum theinorganic substance, may not frequently edible.

Steamed bun: Ate many has also been able to support the deceasedperson to drop, ha ha ha ha!

7 dont's after a meal

Try not to do the followings after having a meal...

* Don't smoke - Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).

* Don't eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruit 1-2 hr after meal or 1hr before meal.

* Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid.This substance will cause the Protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.

* Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted &blocked.


* Don't bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.

* Don't walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.

* Don't sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be able to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric & infection in our intestine.

Suger Myth

Twenty years ago the public first began hearing the "facts" about how sugar was responsible for numerous health issues: diabetes, heart disease, obesity, hyperactivity and dental caries.

Diabetes
The presence of "sugar" diabetes is, of course, blamed on the consumption of sugar – or the over-consumption. "Sugar affects people with diabetes no more damatically than do other forms of carbohydrates such as rice and potatoes. The rise in blood sugar after meals depends on total carbohydrates eaten, not on the types."

Obesity
According to the USDA, approximately 68 percent of Americans are considered overweight, with 3 percent of these considered to be morbidly obese. "Sugars, as well as other carbohydrates, are recognized by the body's appetite regulatory system and help produce satiety. Carbohydrates, such as sugar, are preferentially metabolized by the body for energy and, therefore, are converted to body fat less efficiently than dietary fat. Added sugar can also help increase consumption of fiber and other nutrients by enhancing the taste of starchy foods. Many people who avoid sugary foods compensate by eating foods high in fat."


Dental Caries
On any given day, but especially around Halloween and Easter, you can hear numerous parents inform their children how too much candy will "rot their teeth."

Hyperactivity
Many adults may be getting the message that sugar can be viewed as a positive component of a healthful, balanced diet. Nevertheless, one myth that remains hard to destroy is the notion that sugar causes "hyperactivity" in children. "America's sweet tooth may be essential for its health. The myths surrounding sugar and health are slow to disappear. Because these myths are misleading and harmful, nutrition educators need to continue to place sugar in the diet in perspective – the proper perspective."

5 functions for every fruit / food: a to b

apples

Protects your heart
prevents constipation
Blocks diarrhea
Improves lung capacity
Cushions joints
apricots

Combats cancer
Controls blood pressure
Saves your eyesight
Shields against Alzheimer's
Slows aging process
artichokes

Aids digestion
Lowers cholesterol
Protects your heart
Stabilizes blood sugar
Guards against liver disease
avocados

Battles diabetes
Lowers cholesterol
Helps stops strokes
Controls blood pressure
Smooths skin
bananas

Protects your heart
Quiets a cough
Strengthens bones
Controls blood pressure
Blocks diarrhea
beans

Prevents constipation
Helps hemorrhoids
Lowers cholesterol
Combats cancer
Stabilizes blood sugar
beets
Controls blood pressure
Combats cancer
Strengthens bones
Protects your heart
Aids weight loss
blueberries

Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Stabilizes blood sugar
Boosts memory
Prevents constipation

broccoli

Strengthens bones
Saves eyesight
Combats cancer
Protects your heart
Controls blood pressure

Drink Warm Water to prevent heart attack

Not only about the warm water after your meal, but about Heart Attacks. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating. For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.


Common Symptoms Of Heart Attack...
A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting . Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line ..

You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. Read this & Send to a friend. It could save a life. So, please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about.

Should we drink distilled water?

You can live just fine on mineral free water. There are only very, very trace levels of minerals in mineral water, usually not even 1 percent of your daily value of any mineral per 8 oz glass. Mineral water or non-mineral water, essentially all of your minerals will come from food or a multivitamin. While it's not as though distilled water holds any special health benefits, it's not going to harm you either. Some people may have a preference for one or another based on taste.


"Distillation is the process in which water is boiled, evaporated and the vapour condensed. Distilled water is free of dissolved minerals and, because of this, has the special property of being able to actively absorb toxic substances from the body and eliminate them. Studies validate the benefits of drinking distilled water when one is seeking to cleanse or detoxify the system for short periods of time (a few weeks at a time). Fasting using distilled water can be dangerous because of the rapid loss of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) and trace minerals like magnesium, deficiencies of which can cause heart beat irregularities and high blood pressure. Cooking foods in distilled water pulls the minerals out of them and lowers their nutrient value."

However, our bodies are mostly water, and so this ongoing intake of water is essential to our every function. Drink the appropriate amounts, and everything is much more likely to function at optimal levels. Don't drink enough water, and over the short term you will experience routine fatigue, dry skin, headaches and constipation; over the longer term, every body function will degrade more quickly. It really is as simple as that. Things get a bit more complicated in what type of water to drink. Bottled spring water and filtered water are both good options. Do not drink tap water or distilled water.

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