Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The 6 Basic Tips That Every Diet and Nutrition Guide Should Have

With so many fad diets and health programs circulating around us, how do we choose the one that is just right? Well, it starts from knowing more about your body, and from there you can easily plan out the types of food to eat and the exercise regimens to put into action. Here are 6 basic tips that you should always keep in mind in knowing which diet and nutrition guide you should choose to follow.

Dispel the misconception that calories are a myth. Although it may be a bit challenging at first, counting your calories can help you assess just how much food and what type of food you should eat. Read nutrition boxes religiously. Also, look up the calories from the different activities you do regularly each day. Put these two tips together and you will have a clearer idea of how to plan out your food consumption and physical activities.

Fresh fruit and vegetables are very important in any diet as they are rich in vitamins and mineral content. Always incorporate the fresh variety into your diet and nutrition guide so that your body becomes stronger and your immune system has a better chance to withstand viruses and germs. Having your daily dose can also help you lose weight as they are generally low in fat.

Many fad diets have declared carbohydrates to be the ultimate villain, but this is not always the case. Carbohydrates are important to the body because it acts as fuel for the body to run on. Although carbohydrates can contribute heavily to weight gain, the secret is knowing which type of carbohydrates is right for your own body.

Water may not have any nutritional value but it's a very important ingredient in making sure that your body is always in tip top shape. Water enables the body to flush out the toxins and other unwanted particles that may be present in the food we eat. As often as you can, choose to drink water with your meals instead of mixed drinks or juices. As it also contains no calories at all, you can feel satisfied without the extra calorie load.

Sweet foods are amazing treats that people of all ages enjoy, but it shouldn't be made part of a regular diet as it can dramatically increase the chances of obesity in a person. Don't cut it out from your diet completely because the body needs sugar for energy. Keep the sugar consumption at a minimum.

In choosing which meat cuts to consume, always opt for lean cuts that have a minimum amount of fat on them. It will be easier on your heart and your waistline as well. Choose more white meat over red if you want to follow a healthier diet plan.

A Diet and nutrition guide is a helpful tool for anyone who wants to get back into shape or have a healthier general well being. Not only will you feel healthier, but you will also be able to feel good about yourself as well.

Monday, November 9, 2009

High Protein Low Carb Diet - The Key to Losing Weight

A high protein low carb diet plan offers many health benefits. For example, cholesterol levels in people who choose a high protein and low carbohydrate diet plan have been clinically shown to improve. Triglyceride levels of individuals usually drop markedly and HDL levels rise. Do you know the higher the HDL levels, the more likely you are able to keep your body's blood circulation system in good condition?

Persons with Type II diabetes should notice an immediate improvement in blood glucose levels within a few days of implementing a low carbohydrate but high protein diet program. Individuals with high blood pressure can also achieve tremendous benefits from a similar plan. Many people have been able to discontinue the use of prescription medications for the treatment of both Type II diabetes and hypertension after starting a high protein low carb diet plan. Of course, you should NEVER stop using any medications without first consulting with your doctor. It is always advisable to check with your physician before beginning any diet or exercise program.

Losing weight can be such a hard goal to reach when you're hungry all the time. Luckily, another benefit of using a high protein diet plan is that the types of food you can eat are foods that tend to leave you feeling fuller and for longer periods of time. When you eat food higher in protein, you feel less hungry. Nibbling and snacking on nuts and cheese for example, will leave you feeling more satisfied and for a longer period of time than if you chose to eat chips or a cookie since both of these have a high carbohydrate content.

For low carb diet plan, the reason it helps losing weight is due to the removal of the adverse effects carbohydrates can have on our bodies. Carbohydrates increase our bodies blood sugar. Increased blood sugar causes the pancreas to produce insulin. Insulin itself is a very necessary hormone that enables our bodies cells to use the needed blood sugar. However, insulin has some undesirable effects in the body as well. One such effect is that it causes fat to be deposited. Insulin also stimulates the brain to produce hunger signals. These signals cause us to crave more food. Usually they are the hunger for more high carbohydrate content food.

A low carb diet plan is a very effective way to halt this destructive cycle that is caused by a high carbohydrate diet. When such diet plan is enacted the level of insulin in the body is decreased. When the insulin level decreases the level of glucagons is increased. Glucagon is a hormone responsible for the burning of body fat and it is also what enables the cholesterol removal from the arteries.

For best results, besides following a low carb and high protein diet plan, get thirty minutes of exercise at least three times per week, and drink plenty of water. Doing so will keep your metabolism high and help you lose weight faster.