You always hear about the importance fresh fruits and vegetables have in a diet. However, most of this information is never elaborated on or isn't explained in detail enough that it will help you understand why it's so important. Just saying or hearing the words "fresh fruits and vegetables" can sound delicious; however, many people don't understand what exactly "fresh" means.
When purchasing produce from the grocery store, we all look for certain things on certain pieces - with apples we look for no bruising and a good, healthy color; tomatoes are often given a squeeze in order to detect firmness; some people even smell fruit in order to get an idea of ripeness. While this is all great in theory, the fact of the matter is that it isn't about squeezing or smelling, it's about the preparation and incorporation of fresh fruits and veggies into your diet.
There are several ways to prepare fruits and vegetables and different ways of consumption mean different benefits. For example, juicing allows you to get pretty much everything out of a fruit or vegetable vitamin-wise; however, you could be peeling away several important aspects of these foods. For example, the skin of an apple or potato has a lot of vitamins and nutrients that our bodies need in order to feel energized throughout the course of the day.
When you boil things like broccoli or cauliflower, you often boil away the nutrients as well. While it's great to first include these ingredients in your diet, you absolutely want to get the most from them. While both fruits and vegetables are best raw, you can also steam vegetables in order to get a little variety in your diet.
The bottom line when it comes to fruits and vegetables is that they provide natural sugars and essential vitamins that you would otherwise have to supplement if you didn't eat them. In addition to this, most fruits and veggies aren't conducive to heavy weight gain, so you won't be looking at a lot of pounds coming to visit either.
While juicing is a great way to incorporate all of your fruits and veggies in your diet, variety is even more important to maintaining the natural inclusion of minerals and vitamins these foods provide for your body. In other words, whenever you alter a food expect to lose something; whether it's a loss of vitamins or taste. While many people prefer to go the low route and choose to use vitamin supplements, it's best to lean on fruits and vegetables for natural relief. For example, think of how oranges contain Vitamin C and how eating one or drinking a glass of orange juice every day can help prevent the common cold.
Fruits and vegetables have the ability to help your body naturally protect itself and boost the strength of your immune system. This can be great in many different aspects, but mostly in the sense that you won't have to seek out help elsewhere - like from supplements.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Eating Healthy Meals on a Budget
The best food to eat every day is not the stuff that is in the freezer section at the grocery store. Not only that, but it is pretty expensive as well. Since most of us cannot hire someone else to cook for us, we need to figure out some fast and easy options.
Chicken is a great meat to use for general cooking because they are cheap, and they also go a long way. Making a nice chicken dinner can also provide meat for sandwiches or even soup for the next couple of days.
You can do a lot with chicken, but most importantly, you can do nothing too. Pop it in the oven, and all of a sudden you have a couple of hours to do other things that need your attention.
If you are a vegetarian, you can always use some pasta instead of chicken in a lot of different dishes. The great thing about pasta is that it is cheap, and you don't have to fuss with it when you are cooking. Also, it is very tasty, and there are tons of different combinations that you can try.
There is very little that you cannot do with pasta dishes. Tomato sauce is a great mechanism to incorporate a long and varied list of healthy foods into the diet. Use your imagination and see what inspires you.
Another great idea is to have breakfast at dinner time. This is a family favorite in a lot of homes, and they are a piece of cake to do. Think about how easy and delicious breakfast can be, and then think about what a great dinner they make.
Finding alternatives to eating a big and complicated dinner is not at all hard, but you do need to add a little creative thinking to the process. In the end you and your family will enjoy mixing things up a little bit.
Chicken is a great meat to use for general cooking because they are cheap, and they also go a long way. Making a nice chicken dinner can also provide meat for sandwiches or even soup for the next couple of days.
You can do a lot with chicken, but most importantly, you can do nothing too. Pop it in the oven, and all of a sudden you have a couple of hours to do other things that need your attention.
If you are a vegetarian, you can always use some pasta instead of chicken in a lot of different dishes. The great thing about pasta is that it is cheap, and you don't have to fuss with it when you are cooking. Also, it is very tasty, and there are tons of different combinations that you can try.
There is very little that you cannot do with pasta dishes. Tomato sauce is a great mechanism to incorporate a long and varied list of healthy foods into the diet. Use your imagination and see what inspires you.
Another great idea is to have breakfast at dinner time. This is a family favorite in a lot of homes, and they are a piece of cake to do. Think about how easy and delicious breakfast can be, and then think about what a great dinner they make.
Finding alternatives to eating a big and complicated dinner is not at all hard, but you do need to add a little creative thinking to the process. In the end you and your family will enjoy mixing things up a little bit.
The Super 9 Health Benefits of Apples
These are probably the best health benefits of apples. But remember, there's plenty more!
1. Energy boost.
Natural sugar means a natural energy hit... Get ready for a boost!
2. Grow some hair.
One of the most interesting health benefits of apples is its powerful ability to promote hair growth. It's perfect for those luscious locks.
3. Improve brain function.
Scientists have found the nutrients in apples to promote higher brain function. Try an IQ test after you eat an apple. You might score off the chart.
4. Improve eyesight.
More often associated with carrots, improved eyesight is one of the health benefits of apples too. This is due to the high vitamin A and C content which also treat night blindness.
5. Lose weight.
A study in the Brazil found that women who ate three apples a day while dieting lost more weight than women who didn't. If you want to be slim, just eat some apples!
6. Protect bones.
A flavonoid in apples called phloridzin is thought to increase bone density.
7. Prevent breast, colon, liver and lung cancer.
Studies consistently show that the more apples someone eats, the less they are at risk from cancer. Antioxidants come from fruits and vegetables and have an amazing power to eliminate cancerous growths.
8. Restore strength.
One of the great health benefits of apples is strength. They have often been given to people to restore their vitality, promote strength and speed up recovery times.
9. Slow aging.
The powerful nutrients in apples slow aging of the brain and the skin.
Most people like to eat them, but there's a better way to enjoy the health benefits of apples. It's called juicing and it's sweeping the world like Olympic fever.
1. Energy boost.
Natural sugar means a natural energy hit... Get ready for a boost!
2. Grow some hair.
One of the most interesting health benefits of apples is its powerful ability to promote hair growth. It's perfect for those luscious locks.
3. Improve brain function.
Scientists have found the nutrients in apples to promote higher brain function. Try an IQ test after you eat an apple. You might score off the chart.
4. Improve eyesight.
More often associated with carrots, improved eyesight is one of the health benefits of apples too. This is due to the high vitamin A and C content which also treat night blindness.
5. Lose weight.
A study in the Brazil found that women who ate three apples a day while dieting lost more weight than women who didn't. If you want to be slim, just eat some apples!
6. Protect bones.
A flavonoid in apples called phloridzin is thought to increase bone density.
7. Prevent breast, colon, liver and lung cancer.
Studies consistently show that the more apples someone eats, the less they are at risk from cancer. Antioxidants come from fruits and vegetables and have an amazing power to eliminate cancerous growths.
8. Restore strength.
One of the great health benefits of apples is strength. They have often been given to people to restore their vitality, promote strength and speed up recovery times.
9. Slow aging.
The powerful nutrients in apples slow aging of the brain and the skin.
Most people like to eat them, but there's a better way to enjoy the health benefits of apples. It's called juicing and it's sweeping the world like Olympic fever.
Health Benefits of Filberts
Filberts are more commonly known as hazelnuts, however filberts are a slightly larger than hazelnuts. There are over 100 varieties of these nuts grown world-wide including United States and Canada. Filberts are used to flavor foods such as ice cream, chocolate, tea and coffee. But did you know that these nuts have a lot of health benefits to offer you?
Filberts are a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, vitamins E, B1, B2 and B6, folate, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, protein and dietary fiber.
Here are some of the benefits that you can obtain by adding them to your diet.
Healthy Heart
Filberts can help you to lower your cholesterol levels, and thereby prevent high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart disease and stroke. Filberts can also help to relax your blood vessels to increase the blood flow. This makes it easier on your heart.
Prevent Cancer
Filberts are a good source of folate which can help you to prevent cancer.
Mental Health
Filberts contain B vitamins which are essential for a healthy mind, especially during early childhood. In addition, the folate can help to protect your mind against depression and Alzheimer's disease.
Birth Defects
They can also help to protect your baby from neural tube defects which are birth defects of the brain and spinal chord.
Absorb Nutrients
Adding filberts in with your salads or green smoothies can help you to better absorb fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K. This is due to the healthy fats in filberts which help to carry those vitamins around the body so that they can be absorbed.
Filberts are a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, vitamins E, B1, B2 and B6, folate, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, protein and dietary fiber.
Here are some of the benefits that you can obtain by adding them to your diet.
Healthy Heart
Filberts can help you to lower your cholesterol levels, and thereby prevent high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart disease and stroke. Filberts can also help to relax your blood vessels to increase the blood flow. This makes it easier on your heart.
Prevent Cancer
Filberts are a good source of folate which can help you to prevent cancer.
Mental Health
Filberts contain B vitamins which are essential for a healthy mind, especially during early childhood. In addition, the folate can help to protect your mind against depression and Alzheimer's disease.
Birth Defects
They can also help to protect your baby from neural tube defects which are birth defects of the brain and spinal chord.
Absorb Nutrients
Adding filberts in with your salads or green smoothies can help you to better absorb fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K. This is due to the healthy fats in filberts which help to carry those vitamins around the body so that they can be absorbed.
Plan a Healthy Diet
We become what we eat. Everything we eat and drink affects how our body functions and as the needs of our body vary at different stages of our life, our nutritional needs vary too. The connection between diet and health is clear. To grow properly and function normally, we need a complete range of nutrients including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibers, water as well as variety of vitamins and minerals.
Because of our lifestyle or the type of work we do, many of us do not get much exercise as we need. Excess food taken is stored in the body as fat, leading to weight gain and possibly obesity. This, in turn leads to various medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and joint problems.
Of course the reverse is true, if we expend more energy than we take in, we will lose weight and this is the rationale behind many weight loss diets. However, being under weight brings its own health problems and a reduced life expectancy.
What is the optimum number of meals a day? There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Everyone's biological clock is different and we all have different demands on our schedules. However our body and mind needs a steady supply of energy and nutrients throughout the day, so eating three balanced meals is the optimum way to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
If you prefer to have just two meals a day, make sure one of these is breakfast and avoid eating heavy meals at night. Breakfast is the most important meal. It breaks the long overnight fast, helping you wake up and get going. It stops you from feeling hungry later and helps you be more alert at school or work.
For a quick and healthy breakfast have a bowl of whole grain cereal with fresh or dried fruits and milk (skimmed). If you have more time, make an omelet and eat with whole meal bread. If you must eat on a run, grab a piece fresh fruit such as banana or apple, some nuts or seeds and yogurt.
Fruits and vegetables should form the basis of every diet. They should be your first choice to snack and every meal should contain them. Vegetarians already will be reaping the benefits of these nutritious foods. Fruits and vegetables are fat free and low in sodium. Evidences show that eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day may help prevent development of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Some foods which are highly valued for their health giving and disease preventing properties of nutrients the supply e.g. Linseed (flax), curd, nuts, olive oil, oranges, pepper, pulses, oats, red grapes, spinach, tomatoes.
Because of our lifestyle or the type of work we do, many of us do not get much exercise as we need. Excess food taken is stored in the body as fat, leading to weight gain and possibly obesity. This, in turn leads to various medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and joint problems.
Of course the reverse is true, if we expend more energy than we take in, we will lose weight and this is the rationale behind many weight loss diets. However, being under weight brings its own health problems and a reduced life expectancy.
What is the optimum number of meals a day? There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Everyone's biological clock is different and we all have different demands on our schedules. However our body and mind needs a steady supply of energy and nutrients throughout the day, so eating three balanced meals is the optimum way to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
If you prefer to have just two meals a day, make sure one of these is breakfast and avoid eating heavy meals at night. Breakfast is the most important meal. It breaks the long overnight fast, helping you wake up and get going. It stops you from feeling hungry later and helps you be more alert at school or work.
For a quick and healthy breakfast have a bowl of whole grain cereal with fresh or dried fruits and milk (skimmed). If you have more time, make an omelet and eat with whole meal bread. If you must eat on a run, grab a piece fresh fruit such as banana or apple, some nuts or seeds and yogurt.
Fruits and vegetables should form the basis of every diet. They should be your first choice to snack and every meal should contain them. Vegetarians already will be reaping the benefits of these nutritious foods. Fruits and vegetables are fat free and low in sodium. Evidences show that eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day may help prevent development of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Some foods which are highly valued for their health giving and disease preventing properties of nutrients the supply e.g. Linseed (flax), curd, nuts, olive oil, oranges, pepper, pulses, oats, red grapes, spinach, tomatoes.
Benefits of Natural Health
In recent years, the natural personal care market has grown by leaps and bounds. In fact, this niche now comprises a growing segment of the beauty market. Consumers have developed a strong interest in beauty items such as natural shampoo and conditioner, soap, facial care and body care products. This is more than just a passing trend as more and more consumers discover the myriad of benefits associated with these items.
One of the main advantages driving consumer consumption of natural products is the fact that they are, in fact, "nature" based. This means that consumers do not have to worry about the presence of such items as sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates in their facial, hair, and body care items. In addition, there is no PABA or parabens contained in these items. This is extremely important to many consumers who are concerned about the impact that such ingredients could have upon one's health.
There are many other benefits linked to natural personal care products as well. Consumers who are also concerned about the use of animals in the production and testing of products will be pleased to know that this is not an issue with some natural personal care products. This is because no animal by-products are used in these items. Furthermore, there is no animal testing conducted in the manufacturing of some all natural products. This ensures that conscientious consumers can enjoy high quality health and beauty care without worrying about the impact of such goods on the animal population.
Many natural personal care products are also environmentally friendly because they are bio-degradable. This is a benefit that cannot be associated with most commercial health and beauty items. Through the use of completely natural personal care items, consumers can rest easy knowing they are not damaging the environment.
A wide range of natural health and beauty items are now available today. Consumers can choose products for every aspect of their hygiene regimen. Some also offer another distinct advantage and that is the use of certified organic ingredients that are considered to be far superior for the health of the entire body. These products include certified organic Aloe Vera gel and other natural products such as hair shampoo, soap, body care and facial care.
One of the main advantages driving consumer consumption of natural products is the fact that they are, in fact, "nature" based. This means that consumers do not have to worry about the presence of such items as sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates in their facial, hair, and body care items. In addition, there is no PABA or parabens contained in these items. This is extremely important to many consumers who are concerned about the impact that such ingredients could have upon one's health.
There are many other benefits linked to natural personal care products as well. Consumers who are also concerned about the use of animals in the production and testing of products will be pleased to know that this is not an issue with some natural personal care products. This is because no animal by-products are used in these items. Furthermore, there is no animal testing conducted in the manufacturing of some all natural products. This ensures that conscientious consumers can enjoy high quality health and beauty care without worrying about the impact of such goods on the animal population.
Many natural personal care products are also environmentally friendly because they are bio-degradable. This is a benefit that cannot be associated with most commercial health and beauty items. Through the use of completely natural personal care items, consumers can rest easy knowing they are not damaging the environment.
A wide range of natural health and beauty items are now available today. Consumers can choose products for every aspect of their hygiene regimen. Some also offer another distinct advantage and that is the use of certified organic ingredients that are considered to be far superior for the health of the entire body. These products include certified organic Aloe Vera gel and other natural products such as hair shampoo, soap, body care and facial care.
Natural Energy Drinks Versus Health Drinks
Comparing health drinks or naturally alkaline drinks with "enhanced" sports drinks or energy drinks is kind of like comparing the benefits of eating peaches and lemons over the benefits of eating candy. It's a no brainer!
First, truly beneficial health drinks with naturally alkaline properties are processed so that the whole food ingredients are kept intact with living plant enzymes and natural antioxidants. This makes it easier for your body to absorb valuable nutrients essential for electrolyte replacement.
Second, alkaline drinks that are formulated with natural ingredients are good for pH balance while most sport drinks and energy drinks are acid forming. They create an alkaline/acid imbalance in the blood.
Perfectly natural health drinks contain real alkaline foods as ingredients. That's vastly different from all the colorful dyes, "natural flavors", isolated vitamins and harmful sweeteners found in many of the artificially enhanced vitamin waters, energy drinks and sports drinks advertised today.
Of course, some of the herbal nutrients in these naturally healthy alkaline drinks may not sound as sophisticated as something like "sucralose" (a sweetener in sport drinks made through a process of chlorination), but they are much more beneficial for the body. When deciding whether to consume a colorful energy drink or a naturally formulated health drink, let's look at a sensible way to compare them.
Sports Drinks:
· Some of the ingredients are water, natural flavors, sucralose, isolated B vitamins, and other laboratory produced, artificial nutrients. So, in this energy drink you get water, a chlorine processed sweetener, unidentified natural flavors and artificially created vitamins that your body doesn't recognize as nutrients from whole foods. There are no real strawberries, peaches or other fruit. Even if there were any whole food ingredients, the temperatures used in processing would have destroyed the live enzymes. Without those living plant enzymes your body does not easily absorb the available nutrients. So, how many of the isolated vitamins in this "enhanced" sports drink would you really be able to use for energy?
Naturally Alkaline health Drinks:
· Natural lemon, peach, raspberry or cinnamon flavored alkaline drinks are made with water, real lemon juice extract, real peach juice or rasberry, and a few herbal ingredients you probably don't recognize. Researching behind the nutrition fact label we find that these natural plant ingredients contain valuable nutrients found in whole foods, plus live enzymes and powerful antioxidants. When properly processed at lower temperatures, live enzymes in whole foods make it easier for your cells to absorb the nutrients. As an extra bonus, the natural alkaline properties of the food grade herbs add balance to all those acid-forming foods and drinks most people consume every day. (To learn more about alkaline foods and alkaline drinks for pH balance, take the Alkaline Food Test.)
First, truly beneficial health drinks with naturally alkaline properties are processed so that the whole food ingredients are kept intact with living plant enzymes and natural antioxidants. This makes it easier for your body to absorb valuable nutrients essential for electrolyte replacement.
Second, alkaline drinks that are formulated with natural ingredients are good for pH balance while most sport drinks and energy drinks are acid forming. They create an alkaline/acid imbalance in the blood.
Perfectly natural health drinks contain real alkaline foods as ingredients. That's vastly different from all the colorful dyes, "natural flavors", isolated vitamins and harmful sweeteners found in many of the artificially enhanced vitamin waters, energy drinks and sports drinks advertised today.
Of course, some of the herbal nutrients in these naturally healthy alkaline drinks may not sound as sophisticated as something like "sucralose" (a sweetener in sport drinks made through a process of chlorination), but they are much more beneficial for the body. When deciding whether to consume a colorful energy drink or a naturally formulated health drink, let's look at a sensible way to compare them.
Sports Drinks:
· Some of the ingredients are water, natural flavors, sucralose, isolated B vitamins, and other laboratory produced, artificial nutrients. So, in this energy drink you get water, a chlorine processed sweetener, unidentified natural flavors and artificially created vitamins that your body doesn't recognize as nutrients from whole foods. There are no real strawberries, peaches or other fruit. Even if there were any whole food ingredients, the temperatures used in processing would have destroyed the live enzymes. Without those living plant enzymes your body does not easily absorb the available nutrients. So, how many of the isolated vitamins in this "enhanced" sports drink would you really be able to use for energy?
Naturally Alkaline health Drinks:
· Natural lemon, peach, raspberry or cinnamon flavored alkaline drinks are made with water, real lemon juice extract, real peach juice or rasberry, and a few herbal ingredients you probably don't recognize. Researching behind the nutrition fact label we find that these natural plant ingredients contain valuable nutrients found in whole foods, plus live enzymes and powerful antioxidants. When properly processed at lower temperatures, live enzymes in whole foods make it easier for your cells to absorb the nutrients. As an extra bonus, the natural alkaline properties of the food grade herbs add balance to all those acid-forming foods and drinks most people consume every day. (To learn more about alkaline foods and alkaline drinks for pH balance, take the Alkaline Food Test.)
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