Posted by admin on 24th January 2011

Can Eating Hot Peppers Help You Lose Weight?

When anybody is trying to lose weight it’s always useful when some useful  information comes along that may be able to help the process. Scientists have been studying what happens to people when they eat certain types of hot foods and how it can affect their metabolism.

WP Greet Box icon

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

They have discovered that peppers contain a substance called capsaicin, which tends to be found natively in hot peppers when you eat enough of them, they create a warming effect within your body.

The way that they came up this theory was that this particular substance, contained within peppers is to help protect the plant if it is being attacked by predators such as insects, etc. And due to their small size it has more of an effect on them. However, when we eat this type of food it just makes us get hotter.

The way that they came up this theory was that this particular substance, contained within peppers is to help protect the plant if it is being attacked by predators such as insects, etc. And due to their small size it has more of an effect on them. However, when we eat this type of food it just makes us get hotter.

For those of us who might not like to eat hot foods, there is a variation of this particular substance called dihydrocapsiate DCT which has the same effect but doesn’t have the hotness in comparison to the other which is  capsaicin.

To find out what sort of effect of this would have on people, using DCT which is the cooler of the two. The scientists conducted a study to see exactly what would happen to people whom ate this particular variant of the ingredient.

During their study, they recruited 30 men and women, and initially they were put on a low calorie liquid meal replacement diet for 28 days, then the researchers involved in the study started to swap things around a bit they get some people, a placebo and the others were given the DCT.

During the study, the participants were given two levels of DCT to see what the effects were on their bodies. Their body weight and their body fat were both measured at both the beginning and the end of the test period to see what differences, there were.

The data that they collected proved without doubt that the control group that ate the high level of DCT had a higher expenditure of energy in comparison to the placebo group, it was a double the amount.

They also found out that DCT enable’s the oxidisation of fat within the body. Which in turn will help the body to use fat as fuel, and help the person to lose weight.

The one limitation of this study was that it was based on one particular meal only, and the effects could be different with other body sizes so it could be different if you’re leaner or obese/overweight. But overall though it seems that peppers are good for you.

So if you don’t eat peppers already why not start now it’s never too late. They do have a lot of health properties so, even if they don’t have the same effect as on the participants within the study it’s still worth eating them, nonetheless.

Source  http://www.sciencedaily.com

Posted by admin on 12th January 2011

Should You Supplement?

You walk into any health food store, pharmacy, or supermarket and see thousands of bottles of vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies making numerous promises and health claims. Which ones are right for you? Do you even need to take any supplements? Feeling confused? Should You Supplement?

Supplements can play an important part of any wellness plan as it’s pretty difficult to get all of the nutrients you need from your diet, even a perfect one. There are certain supplements, like Vitamin D, probiotics, and Fish oil, that are impossible to get enough of from food alone. We know how important these supplements are to a healthy body and mind:

  • Fish Oil: The two important Omega-3 fish oils are EPA and DHA, vital for decreasing inflammation in the body, heart health, brain development, brain function, and retinal (eye) health. The typical diet is very low in Omega-3s, as your best sources are wild Alaskan salmon, wild Pacific halibut, black cod, herring, sardines, and lake trout. Unfortunately, most people do not eat enough of these to supply the body with sufficient amounts to provide the health benefits. Daily supplementation with a high-quality Omega-3 fish oil can fill in this nutritional gap.
  • Probiotics: Did you know that 70% of your immune system is in your gut? So, if you’re not healthy on the inside, how can your immune system be up to par? Supplementing with a quality, multi-strain probiotic will help to colonize your GI tract with the healthy strains of bacteria (and outnumber the unhealthy bacteria) and boost your immune system.
  • Vitamin D: This vitamin has been getting a lot of press lately, and for good reason. Current research has implicated vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more.  Most people are vitamin D deficient, even those who live in latitudes that provide strong enough sun rays to help the body produce vitamin D. We recommend that you get your vitamin D levels measured via the 25-OHD blood test to find out your current level. Always consult with a health professional, such as a medical doctor, naturopathic doctor, or Registered Dietitian, who has experience in supplementation. The learn more about vitamin D, check out http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

There are also plenty of supplements that you probably don’t need, but it’s hard to say what the correct supplements are for you unless you consult with a trained health professional, who can analyze your current dietary program, medical conditions you currently have, and assess your disease risk based on family history and current lifestyle habits.

The other thing to consider is this: with so many supplements lining the shelves, how do you distinguish one from another? Which companies make safe and reliable supplements? The supplement industry is an unregulated one, so there are no standards for purity, quality, and quantity. If you are looking for some guidance on better supplements, check out the Consumer Labs website http://www.consumerlab.com/ or look to the U Rock Girl line of supplements to help you achieve your health and wellness goals.

Article Source: URockGirl.com.

Posted by admin on 2nd December 2010

Protein-Packed French Toast

INGREDIENTS:
- 4 slices of P28 High Protein Bread
- 2 cups egg whites
- 2 tablespoon of Vanilla
- Cinnamon to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Warm pan over medium heat.  Combine egg whites, vanilla and cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Soak bread on both sides of mixture and place in a hot skillet until brown on both sides.

KITF TIP:
Top with some fresh fruit or Sugar Free Syrup!

Recipe makes 2 servings @ 300 calories.

Posted by admin on 2nd December 2010

Importance of Protein for Women

Are you concerned about your body? Exercise is not the only factor that should be considered, if one wants to stay healthy and fit. An effective diet, with the right mix of protein for women, is just as important. Combined with adequate exercise, this will bring you several benefits.

Protein is an essential ingredient that we all need. Some foods that contain high levels of protein are lean meat, fish, low fat milk, and egg whites. When you are following a protein diet, there are certain foods that you must stay away from. Sweet foods, like cakes and candies, must be strictly avoided. Ideally, one should focus more on protein, vegetables and fiber, while carbs should be minimized.

However, for some women, these high-protein foods may not satisfy their daily protein demands. Other women may not have the time to implement such a diet. If adopting a protein diet is not a solution, then you can turn to protein supplements. Protein supplements are a great replacement for meals, and can provide a woman with the adequate amount of protein.

While protein supplements are usually used by bodybuilders and athletes to meet their daily protein intake, a growing number of ordinary individuals are also using them. These supplements make up for any protein deficiency in your diet. There are many protein supplements available in the market, and each one is different. Each protein for women supplement will bring different results, depending on what your goals and objectives are. There are some supplements which aid in weight loss, while others help in muscle gain. However, gender plays no role when it comes to protein supplements. A woman could even use some of the supplements targeted at “men”.

Benefits of Consuming Protein For Women
Weight loss – Protein for women is an essential ingredient in several weight loss products. It boosts the metabolic rate of the body. This means that your body burns calories at a faster rate. In addition to this, it also helps in satiating the appetite. Therefore, you will feel full, even without a high-carb meal.

Builds and repairs muscle:
Muscles need protein to grow. Protein is an essential ingredient in bodybuilding supplements because of its ability to increase muscle mass. It will also help your muscles recover after a great workout or exercise.

Strong hair and nails:
Nearly every part of the body is made up of protein. It improves the cell growth, and as a result, the body is able to repair itself faster. This results in stronger hair and nails, as well as a speedy recovery from wounds or injury.

In addition to the above benefits, protein for women also helps in boosting the immune support, reducing fat and improving bone health. However, in spite of its many benefits, many women fear taking protein. They believe that they will bulk up, if they take protein for women. However, a woman’s body is different from that of a man’s. Consuming extra protein will not make a woman look like the Incredible Hulk. Unlike men, women lack certain hormones which can help build bulky muscles. A woman will still achieve a toned appearance. With the right amount of protein, and a great lifestyle, you will be a stronger and healthier woman.

So how much protein do women need? According to Tara Dellolacono Thies, a registered dietitian and nutritional spokesperson for Clif Bar, most women need between 50 – 60 grams of protein a day. But this isn’t an exact science. The Institute of Medicine recommends .8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, but here’s a simpler way to break down you protein needs:

Activity level Protein needs (grams)
Sedentary Weight in pounds X .4
Active Weight in pounds. X .6
Competitive athlete Weight in pounds X .75
Light body-builder Weight in pounds X .85

Best sources?
Most people with a well-rounded diet eat enough protein, but it’s important to include complete proteins, which contain all nine of the essential amino acids. Sources of complete protein include meat, fish, eggs, most dairy products, and soybeans. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are often missing certain amino acids, but they can be combined to make a complete protein meal. And although meats contain high amounts of protein, be sure to consider how much saturated fat is in your cut. One serving of steak can contain up to 75% of your saturated fat for the day! Here are a few good examples of low-fat, protein-packed foods:

Protein source Amount of protein (grams) Serving size
Tuna (yellowfish) 33 4 oz.
Roasted chicken 32 3/4 cup, diced
Lean flank steak 31 4 oz.
Soybeans 21 3/4 cup
Lentils 17 1 cup
Non-fat plain Greek yogurt 15 6 oz.

Other good protein sources include salmon, turkey, lamb, beans, nuts, milk and quality protein powders. If you’re on the go, there are shelves full of protein bars. However, these can often be candy bars disguised as healthy snacks.

Source: www.health.com & www.holistichealtharticles.com

Posted by admin on 2nd December 2010

6 Tips for healthy holiday eating

Ah yes, holiday seasons are wrought with food and festivity and thank goodness. There is nothing wrong with a little indulgence during this time. We have to be careful not to overdo and remember to eat food that will help us maintain a nutritional balance. Enjoy yourselves with moderation.

1. Don’t go to a holiday party hungry. I know exactly what you are thinking, however, if you go to the party hungry you most assuredly will overeat. So, before the dinner party have a healthy snack. If this isn’t possible, at the party perhaps snake on vegetables or a salad before your indulge in a meal or other holiday goodies.

2. Maintain your healthy eating habits throughout the holiday season. Do this by choosing for example, Christmas Dinner. For this meal perhaps decide to allow yourself to eat something that you would not have normally. Like having stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes and dessert. Then don’t feel guilty about your choices. But remember this will only work in your favor if you choose one meal during the holiday in which to over indulge. For all other meals during the season try to maintain that healthy balance that you already have in place.

3. Do not skip meals. Again continue to practice your daily healthy habits. Eat your 3 to 5 small meals a day. Skipping meals will most assuredly mean over eating when the festive foods are in front of you.

4. Increase your exercise. Let’s face it; avoiding the extra calories during this time is very hard. So, increase your exercise to counter balance the extra caloric intake that you may have. One way to get extra exercise is while out doing holiday shopping park in spaces farthest from the store. Also, choose the stairs versus the elevator or escalators.

5. Host a holiday party yourself. Hosting a Holiday Party yourself gives you complete control over the menu. This way you control the number of healthy offerings versus the non-healthy ones. This is also the time that you could take the focus away from the food. Make the holiday celebration more fun an meaning.

6. Take time for yourself. Holiday time is stressful for many people. Be sure to take time to relax and unwind. Regarding the holiday, set limits, plan, eat well, get plenty of rest and most of all keep it simple.

Above all, enjoy the holidays. Use this time to celebrate family and your blessings. Be sure to help others and donate to charities during this time as well. Lastly, it is a special time of year and the occasional slice of cake or cookie will not hurt.

Source: www.stayinformed.info.

Website Designed and Developed by: Tarte Advertising