Posts Tagged ‘healthy diet’

How to Outsmart Your Metabolism

Monday, August 25th, 2008

Your metabolism is the key to burning fat and calories efficiently. As we age weight-loss can become difficult for a number of reasons but one of the most common reasons is due to a sluggish metabolism. Here are some changes you can make to help kick your fat burning furnace into high gear and keep it there.

Begin your day first thing in the morning with an intense workout of cardio.  It’s best to do this upon waking because you burn calories from stored body fat rather than calories consumed over the course of the day.  It’s also a great way to get energized for the day and keep your metabolism revved for hours.

Eat a healthy breakfast shortly after you workout but don’t eat a heavy meal. Choose sources of food that are high in fiber and protein as they will keep you satisfied longer and take longer to digest.

Eat small portions or snacks instead of sitting down to large meals. Eating frequently in smaller amounts is easier on the digestive system and prevents the stomach from being stretched. It also prevents binge eating later in the day.

Try to consume only complex carbohydrates such as slow cooked oatmeal, brown rice, or whole grain bread instead of refined starchy carbs. Complex carbs offer a high source of fiber and satisfy hunger longer because they take longer to digest. The key with consuming carbohydrates is to eat them earlier in the day when your metabolism is at its highest so they are easily converted to energy and burned off. This means that a couple servings during the day would be ok while omitting them at dinner would be a better option.

Proper elimination is very important when it comes to having a healthy metabolism. If you are not going to the bathroom daily you may want to think about doing a colon cleanse. By cleansing the body you are eliminating toxins and chemicals that can slow your metabolism down. This is also a great way to increase your energy naturally, and clear up your skin. It allows the liver to process waste more efficiently which can help boost metabolism and weight-loss.

Make sure you are drinking enough water everyday because it is required for just about every bodily function. Water is also important for proper elimination and helps with regularity by drawing fluid to the colon for waste removal.

Get adequate sleep each night and you will continue to burn calories at a rapid rate. Studies show that lack of sleep not only attributes to weight gain, but it also slows the metabolism down and inhibits the lack of growth hormone which is necessary for  rejuvenating the body and burning fat more effectively.

As we get older it becomes harder to lose weight for various reasons. Keep these healthy tips in mind and you can burn calories effectively at any age.

 

What Are Super Foods?

Monday, June 30th, 2008

Super foods are foods that are packed with nutrition and offer a form of health protection to the body naturally.  By eating these foods daily, you can reduce your risk or even prevent certain health issues such as high cholesterol, heart disease, cancer or diabetes.  Not only will you be able to prevent various health issues, you will also find that managing a healthy weight is much easier by eating a diet free of additives and preservatives.  Here’s a list of some of the most common super foods and what they provide the body nutritionally speaking.

For starters blueberries rank very high on the list because of their high vitamin c content and antioxidant value.  Antioxidants help to protect your cells against free radical damage, ward off cancer, and slow the aging process.  By picking blueberries richer in color you are also picking berries that are higher in nutritional value.  Choosing fresh organic berries is the preferred choice, however if they are not in season frozen is fine too.

 Next on the list is one we are all familiar with, oatmeal.  Oats are a great way to help keep your cholesterol in check and keep it from climbing too high.  They are also a great source of soluble fiber which helps to manage weight easier and prevent against heart disease.  Because they also have a high B1 content this super food is great in assisting with carbohydrate metabolism as well.

Salmon and walnuts are both rich in omega-3 fatty acids.  Omega-3 fatty acids are especially well known for reducing bad cholesterol and increasing good cholesterol.  Omega-3’s help to prevent heart disease, plaque build up and hardening of the arteries, they also keep joints lubricated and act as an anti-inflammatory which in turn can be helpful for anyone who suffers from chronic or severe arthritis.  From a beauty standpoint, consuming salmon or walnuts at least once a day is also beneficial for healthy shiny hair, a beautiful complexion, and strong nails.

Known for its power packed nutrient content, spinach ranks in at the top among all leafy greens.  Its nutritional content includes a high amount of vitamins, proteins, and antioxidants.  Spinach is a great way to give your self a natural boost of energy and enhance your mood by either juicing or eating raw in salads.

Another super food worth mentioning is yogurt.  Plain low-fat yogurt is a great source of calcium and protein which is excellent for bone health.  It also contains live active cultures or healthy bacteria such as acidophilus which helps to regulate the digestive system and keep you regular.  Plain yogurt is great for treating and preventing yeast infections as well as strengthening the immune system.  Another benefit noticed when consuming yogurt is that it may help reduce your appetite and keep you satisfied longer between meals.  When consuming yogurt you should stick to plain and choose organic if possible.  By adding a little granola and some blueberries it can be an amazing snack or dessert late at night when you feel like splurging on all the wrong things.

These are some of the important super foods to choose from.  By incorporating them into your daily diet you can keep your health in check, manage your weight, and experience an overall sense of well being.

 













Google