Diets
Simple Slim
Jul 11th
Simple Slim
Spring is right around the corner and retailers have already begun stocking their floors with warm-weather goods — including swimsuits. Besides looking great on the beach, commonsense tells us that one of the best things you can do for your overall health is to drop a few pounds. Or maybe more than a few pounds.
Being overweight significantly increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer … the list seems almost endless. Plus, if you do get sick or need surgery, being overweight can make any treatments riskier.
You know the drill when it comes to losing weight — take in fewer calories, burn more calories. But you also know that most diets and quick weight-loss plans have about as much substance as a politician’s campaign pledges. You’re better off finding several simple things you can do on a daily basis — along with following the cardinal rules of eating more vegetables and less fat and getting more physical activity. Together, they should send the scale numbers in the right direction: down.
1. Once a week, indulge in a high-calorie-tasting, but low-calorie, treat. This should help keep you from feeling deprived and binging on higher-calorie foods. For instance:
- Lobster. Just 83 calories in 3 ounces.
- Shrimp. Just 60 calories in 12 large.
- Smoked salmon. Just 66 calories in two ounces. Sprinkle with capers for an even more elegant treat.
- Whipped cream. Just 8 calories in one tablespoon. Drop a dollop over a bowl of fresh fruit for dessert.2. Treat high-calorie foods as jewels in the crown. Make a spoonful of ice cream the jewel and a bowl of fruit the crown. Cut down on the chips by pairing each bite with lots of chunky, filling fresh salsa, suggests Jeff Novick, director of nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa in Florida. Balance a little cheese with a lot of salad.
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Low-carb? Low-fat? Study finds calories count more
Feb 26th
By ALICIA CHANG, AP Science Writer
AP – Debbie Mayer, who was part of the clinical trial, poses at her home in Brockton, Mass.
LOS ANGELES – Low-fat, low-carb or high-protein? The kind of diet doesn’t matter, scientists say. All that really counts is cutting calories and sticking with it, according to a federal study that followed people for two years. However, participants had trouble staying with a single approach that long and the weight loss was modest for most.
As the world grapples with rising obesity, millions have turned to popular diets like Atkins, Zone and Ornish that tout the benefits of one nutrient over another.
Want To Lose Weight? Relax
Feb 18th
By Martha Edwards
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Meditation and yoga may not burn as many calories as a tough session on the treadmill, but they might be the most effective activity you can do if you want to lose weight, according to recent studies. Experts believe that relaxing might be the key to successfully battling the bulge because it can help eliminate your cravings for fatty and sugary foods.
The reason why is pretty simple: “By learning and practising relaxation techniques as part of a wider lifestyle change programme, women have effective tools to manage stress and emotions without resorting to unhealthy eating,” says Dr. Caroline Horwath of the University of Otago in New Zealand. And, according to the findings, weight loss achieved through relaxation was maintained in the long run — which is not true of most dieting approaches.
So relax! Of course, by that, we mean take some time to yourself to do something healthy. Relaxing in front of the TV with a jumbo-sized bag of chips doesn’t count.
Caffeine and Weight Loss
Jan 13th
Should You Skip the Gym and Head to the Local Coffee Shop?
Caffeine and Weight Loss
Is it really dangerous to rely on caffeine or other stimulants to aid weight loss? For most people, there is probably nothing wrong with having a cup of coffee in the morning, but you shouldn’t be relying on coffee or increasing your caffeine consumption under the misguided impression that it will help you lose weight.
The Truth about Caffeine
Caffeine can speed up your body in many ways. If caffeine keeps you awake and allows you to skip an afternoon nap and you exercise instead, then, of course, you might end up losing weight. Relying on caffeine, however, to help you make it through each day and to lose weight is unhealthy.
You May Not Realize How Much You’re Getting
Many people are surprised when they find out just how much caffeine is in the foods that they consume. Most of us know that dark-colored colas contain caffeine. What many of us don’t know is that some light-colored or orange sodas actually contain caffeine as well.
Even decaffeinated coffee and decaf tea still contain some caffeine. And chocolate is another source of caffeine. That’s right — all those bite-sized chocolate candies you eat contain caffeine.
Too Much Can Hurt You
Too much caffeine is harmful to the human body. There is some evidence to indicate that caffeine fuels the growth of cancerous cells. Caffeine also accelerates heart rate.
Caffeine has been shown to have a minimal effect on weight loss but only in individuals who exercise and also follow a low-fat diet. So if you are a couch potato and haven’t made efforts to improve your diet, you probably won’t receive any of the limited weight loss benefits caffeine may offer.
Many experts feel there is no need to give up your morning cup of coffee if you enjoy it, but don’t go crazy and drink coffee and iced coffee all day long under the mistaken impression you are going to lose weight. Caffeine may be fine in moderation, but it is definitely not a legitimate substitute for proper diet and exercise.
Jan 9th
The top 10 healthiest diets in America
Relax -- some diets are more about burning calories than counting calories.
By Tracey Minkin
If losing weight is at the top of your resolution list, you’re not alone. An estimated 80 million Americans go on diets every year, spending more than $30 billion annually on programs and products.
That’s a lot of money, a lot of advice, and a lot of emotional investment. So, which diets really work — and work safely? To find the weight-loss programs with that golden balance of nutrition, calorie-control, motivation, and activity, Health harnessed a panel of experts to put more than 60 well-known diets to the test and narrow them down to the top 10. Here’s the list:
• The Structure House Weight Loss Plan (Fireside)
Don’t recognize this plan? That’s because for more than 30 years its author, Gerard J. Musante, PhD, has been working quietly and very successfully running the actual Structure House, a Durham, North Carolina-based residential treatment center for obese adults. That’s a lot of time spent with patients and a lot of attention paid to the broad factors that affect weight loss — particularly the relationship people have with food.
But can an excellent residential program transfer to an effective at-home plan? The answer, according to our experts (meet them at right), is a resounding “yes,” which is how this below-the-radar plan grabbed highest honors from its better-known rivals. iReport.com: Tell us about your New Year’s resolutions
With top-shelf scores on every aspect of healthy weight-loss, Structure House won an “outstanding!” from obesity expert Tim Church, MD, on its exercise component (often a weak spot in diet programs). And several panelists raved about the plan’s motivational components. “It focuses on the ‘why’ behind overeating,” says registered dietitian Maureen Callahan, “and helps dieters learn to put their lives in balance.”
Health’s Senior Food and Nutrition Editor Frances Largeman-Roth agrees: “This book takes a holistic approach to weight loss, asking you to fill your life with things other than food — outdoor activities and time with friends and family, for instance. Plus, the recipes, such as Balsamic Dijon Chicken and Classic Pesto, won high marks for tastiness, another factor in long-term weight-loss success. Health.com: Lose weight on fast food— really!
• The Step Diet (Workman Publishing)
We all know that walking 10,000 steps a day can really make a huge difference healthwise. But now we also know that the diet inspired by this fundamental, healthy approach to movement and activity is a big winner. And it even comes with a pedometer, a device that studies have shown can be a huge motivator for staying active and losing weight.
Our panelists agree that establishing a lifestyle regimen that combines intentional walking with spur-of-the-moment step-building (parking farther away, taking the stairs) is a healthy, all-ages, all-levels-of-fitness diet prescription. “This is more about calories burned than calories cut,” Health’s Frances Largeman-Roth says. Health.com: 5 tips to keep office snacking from derailing your diet
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Safe Fat Burners
Jan 5th
Unwanted fat is something that every one of us wants to get rid of. There are several methods to burn calories. But the million-dollar question is how it can be flushed out safely. Proper food selection is the safest way for weight loss.
Following is the list of the foods that are capable of burning calories, fast and quick.
Soybeans:
Soybeans contain lecithin that acts as a fat emulsifier. It also breaks down fat deposits in the body. Consumption of soybeans at least thrice a week prevents collection of fat to a large extent.
Fruits:
-Fruits such as, apple, fig, blackberries, pear, banana are packed with fibers. These fill up stomach quickly making you fill full earlier. So these prevent more eating.
-Fruits such as, lemon, lime, grapefruit, guava are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is capable of diluting fat. Thus intake of these fruits makes it easier to flush out calories from the body.
Chillies:
Red chillies contain capsaicin that helps in speeding up metabolic rate. Thus chillies are considered to be an important weight loss food.
Dairy products:
Calcium present in some diary products such as, milk, yogurt, and cheese is very good for losing weight.
Water:
It is recommended to drink lots of water for the purpose of weight loss, as body can’t work properly without being hydrated.
Green tea:
Green tea is considered as an excellent supplement for weight loss.
There is no need of any fancy methods to lose weight. Just with some simple physical activities like running, swimming, jogging etc. and proper food selection, you can achieve your desired figure.