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Written by AVI Diet
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Tuesday, 20 May 2008 |
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Carbohydrates in the foods we eat come in two forms, simple and complex. Although both forms are naturally occurring, the low carb dieter benefits more from obtaining their daily carbohydrate allowance from foods on the list of complex carbohydrates than from simple carbohydrates.
Simple carbohydrates are quickly broken down by the body and used for energy. Most naturally occurring foods are made up of simple carbohydrates, including milk and dairy products, and fruit. Sugary foods like candy, syrup, and sodas are also composed of simple sugars. Natural simple carbohydrates are much better for us than the refined sugars in candies and sweets, which involve processed and refined sugars. These are the types of carbohydrates that will give us sugar-highs and lows and will ultimately make us crave more carbohydrates quite quickly. Also known as simple sugars, simple carbohydrates include lactose (milk sugar), fructose (fruit sugar), and sucrose (table sugar). Their simple form makes them readily digestible, and the body has to do minimal work to break them down into a usable form, unlike foods from the list of complex carbohydrates that require more work to convert to energy.
Menu items on the list of complex carbohydrates get their name because they are long, complex chains of sugar molecules, and include fibers and starches. Foods on the list of complex carbohydrates are also broken down into glucose and used as energy for the body. The list of complex carbohydrates includes vegetables, beans, and whole grains, all of which provide an array of additional health benefits. Foods chosen from a list of complex carbohydrates are preferable to simple carbohydrates, particularly those from processed or refined sugars, because they provide additional vitamins, minerals, and fiber. In fact, refined foods offer practically no nutrients, and multiple studies have linked them to a higher risk of developing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and diabetes.
Another advantage to selecting your daily carbohydrates from a list of complex carbohydrates is that these foods also contain dietary fiber, which is essential to maintaining a healthy diet. Only a small amount of this fiber is actually digested and absorbed into the body; the rest travels through the gastrointestinal tract and eases in digestion. Fiber helps stool process through the body faster, reducing the risk of colon cancer. It also retains water, preventing hemorrhoids and constipation, and binds with unhealthy substances that would otherwise remain in the body, which lowers the risk of heart disease. These benefits are gained only from carbohydrates on the list of complex carbohydrates, not simple carbohydrates.
Serving selections from the list of complex carbohydrates include whole grains, rice, cereal, pasta, vegetables, and beans. Although a diet low in carbohydrates is very beneficial for losing weight, it is virtually impossible—and unhealthy—to completely eliminate carbohydrates from one’s diet altogether. Making sure most of the carbohydrates one does consume are from the list of complex carbohydrates ensures that you get the most benefits out of the carbohydrates you do eat. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 May 2008 )
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Written by AVI Diet
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Tuesday, 20 May 2008 |
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Low carb dieting is big business these days, and dieters have many tools at their disposal to assist with successful weight loss. However, trying to work out which food can and cannot be eaten may get a little confusing. Consulting a low carbohydrate food chart will enable dieters to see what type of food they can eat whilst on their eating plan. This will make things much simpler and faster when trying to work out carbohydrate quantities in different foods as well as trying to calculate overall carbohydrate intake for the day.
A low carbohydrate food chart provides a list of low carb foods, along with the quantity of carbohydrate (in grams) per serving. This further enables low carb dieters to make a more informed choice about what they eat. For example, the dairy section on the low carbohydrate food chart clearly shows that full-fat milk and yoghurt are quite high in carbs, whereas butter and cheese have no carbs at all. By using this chart as a handy reference, dieters can see at a glance which foods are high in carbs and should be avoided. They can also see which foods have few or no carbs, and the recommended servings that should be consumed to stay within the levels of carbohydrate allowed.
The low carbohydrate food chart is useful for both low carb dieters looking to lose weight and for some diabetics who need to monitor the type and quantity of carbs consumed each day. For those on a low carb eating plan, the low carbohydrate food chart will prove invaluable. It enables them to easily calculate carbohydrate consumption for the day without having to resort to calculators and bean-counting. In the same way, diabetics can use the chart as a reference tool to make sure that they do not eat any more than the recommended levels of carbohydrate.
The low carbohydrate food chart is very simply laid out, so there is no complicated working out or confusing jargon to worry about. Anybody who is looking to simplify the process of low carb dieting should make a point of consulting a low carbohydrate food chart. This will allow them easy reference and access to carb quantities in different types of food.
You will find a comprehensive low carbohydrate food chart in most books that relate to the subject of low carb dieting, such as the Atkins or the South Beach diet books. In addition to this, you can often pick up a low carbohydrate food chart at your local health food shop.
The internet is another useful resource for those looking to gain access to a low carbohydrate food chart. By utilising these tools, dieters can concentrate on their everyday lives and spend minimal time on worry about calculating the intake of carbohydrate quantities. |
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Written by AVI Diet
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Tuesday, 20 May 2008 |
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Calorie in Spinach
Everybody should have a healthy approach to dating. Everyone needs all the info they can acquire when starting any new program, especially dieting. It's funny the kind of searches people make on google searching for information. For example:
How many calorie in spinach? Well, 100 grams of spinach contain 2 grams of carbohydrate and 30 calories. Calorie in an orange: Well, 100 grams of an orange contains 10 grams of carbohydrate and 42 calories. Calorie in french fries: A 100 gram serving contains 34 grams of protein and 280 calories.
Below are some tips for newbies to help you get started on the right foot, especially those searching for How many calorie in spinach!
1. Forget about fat. Most diets require you to constantly be aware of the amount of fat you are consuming in your diet. On this diet, fat is your friend. Instead of concentrating on fat, you should concentrate on building a low carb food list that consists of foods that you enjoy eating. Some of the foods from your low carb food list may contain large amounts of fat, but concentrate on lowering your carb intake and forget about fat.
2. Stock your pantry and refrigerator prior to starting the diet. Armed with your low carb food list, you should stock your refrigerator and pantry with foods from the list that you enjoy eating. Do not allow yourself to purchase foods that you know you will be tempted to eat, and also do not stock your refrigerator with a food such as celery, if you know that you will not eat it. If a juicy New York strip steak is your cup of tea, (and they are on your low carb food list), purchase those instead and don’t feel guilty about eating them.
3. Purchase ketostix. Ketostix are litmus type strips that are used to determine when your body has entered ketosis. During ketosis your body is like a furnace, burning stored fat for energy. The release of ketones in your urine, (measured with the ketostix), will signal that you are indeed in ketosis. Eating foods from your low car food list will enable your body to enter ketosis. Being able to see physical evidence that proves that you are burning stored fat will be a great motivator and aid in your weight loss success.
4. Exercise regularly. You will, unless you are metabolically resistant, definitely lose weight on a low carb diet. Eating foods from your low carb food list will get you started on the right foot, and adding regular exercise to your regimen will put you even farther ahead of the game. Regular exercise speeds up your metabolism and assists in your weight loss. Weight-bearing exercise, such as weightlifting, also helps to prevent osteoporosis.
5. Consider taking a fiber supplement. Fiber supplements for dieting can be very helpful. Some of your favorite foods selected from your low car food list may also be low in fiber. To avoid the effects of a low fiber diet, such as constipation, consider taking a fiber supplement such as Metamucil. One tablespoon of Metamucil contains only 5 grams of carbohydrates and will also help you digest food more efficiently.
6. Drink plenty water. Try to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Some of the foods from the low carb food list are comprised of water, but drinking 8 extra glasses of water a day will aid in flushing excess fat from your system. When you have been on the diet for a few days and have only eaten foods from your low carb food list, you will begin to lose a great deal of water weight. Foods not from the low carb food list, which are comprised mostly of carbohydrates, contain large amounts of water. Since you are only eating foods from your low carb food list, your body does not retain the water that it does with carbohydrate consumption. Thus, the excess water in your body usually used to burn carbohydrates for energy, will be lost.
7. Investigate new low carb foods. When the diet first reached popularity, there were very few, if any companies, producing low carb foods such as bread and pasta. Just as necessity is the mother of invention, so too, is it in the case of low carb dieting. Check your local grocer and look for the low carb food section for a variety of foods to add to your low carb food list.
Remember those searches?
How many calorie in spinach, calorie in an orange, calorie in french fries. An inexpensive calorie counter book will give you all the calorie information you need! |
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Written by AVI Diet
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Tuesday, 20 May 2008 |
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American Heart Association Recommendations
The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a variety of foods from the different food groups. In order for women to lose one to two pounds a week, they should consume between 1200 and 1500 calories a day. Men should consume between 1500 and 1800 calories a day if they want to lose one to two pounds a week. Let’s examine the different food groups the American Heart Association suggests you consume.
Meat, Poultry, Fish - You should consume no more than 6 ounces of meat, poultry, and fish per day. Lean cuts of poultry and fish have fewer calories than fatty red meat, but you can find lean cuts of red meat in your supermarket.
Breads, Cereals, Starches - This food group includes bread, cereal, pasta, rice, and starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn. You can have six servings from this food group a day. A serving size is 1 slice of bread, 1 cup of cereal, and 1cup of rice, pasta, or ¼ to ½ cup of starchy veggies. So, if you eat Remember here, that whole grain is best. When you can, choose whole-grain bread, brown rice, and whole-wheat pasta instead of their white counterparts that have been stripped of nutrients and fiber. Vegetables and Fruits - Fruits and vegetables are essential parts of your diet because they contain a variety of vitamins and nutrients. You can have five or more servings a day of fruits and vegetables. A serving size is ½ cup to 1 cup of cooked and raw vegetables, ½ cup of fruit juice, or one medium piece of fruit. Aim to choose a variety of colors in your diet because they have different vitamins and minerals. Let’s examine the colors you should include in your diet every day. Red - Red fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that help keep your heart and urinary tract healthy. They also help with your memory and lower your risk of some cancers. When it comes to red, choose from apples, cherries, strawberries, tomatoes, red peppers, and radishes, to name a few.
Yellow/Orange - Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that keep your heart, vision, and immune system healthy. Some yellow and orange fruits and veggies include apricots, lemons, peaches, cantaloupe, yellow squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
Green - Green fruits and vegetables help lower your risk of some cancers and keep your bones and teeth strong. Choose foods like green grapes, broccoli, avocados, spinach, green apples, and limes.
Blue/Purple - Blue and purple fruits and vegetables lower the risk of some cancers and keep your urinary tract healthy. They also help maintain your memory function. Some delicious blue and purple foods are blackberries, blueberries, raisins, plums, eggplant, and purple cabbage.
White - White foods promote your heart health, and if you already have healthy cholesterol, they’ll help maintain those levels. Bananas, pears, cauliflower, mushrooms, and garlic are tasty options you can fit into your meal plan.
Milk Products - If you love dairy products, the good news is that you can still eat them and lose weight. However, choose low-fat or fat-free products. They contain the same vitamins and minerals, taste good, and lower your cholesterol all at the same time. Adults aged 19-50 should have three servings of milk products per day. A serving of dairy is 1 cup of fat-free or low-fat milk, 1 cup of fat-free or low-fat yogurt, 1 ounce of low-fat cheese (stay away from fat-free cheeses—they have too much sodium) or a ½ cup of low-fat cottage cheese.
Fats - You should have no more than five servings of fats a day in the form of oil, nuts, seeds, olives, avocado, and mayonnaise. Fat servings include one teaspoon of oil, three teaspoons of nuts or seeds, 5-10 olives, 1/8 of an avocado and two teaspoons of mayonnaise. If you love the taste of butter on your vegetables, use a fat-free imitation butter spray. It really doesn’t taste that much different. |
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Written by AVI Diet
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Tuesday, 20 May 2008 |
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An overview of the main types of diet plans
According to the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), diet refers to what a persons eats or drinks during the course of a day. There are many different types of diets, like the Atkins diet, the Zone diet, the South Beach diet and many more. It is important to remember that a diet that limits portions to a very small size or that excludes certain foods entirely to promote weight loss may not be effective over the long term.
It is much easier to maintain a diet that takes into account the foods that you like and dislike and also include combinations of foods with enough calories and nutrients for good health.
When planning your diet it is important that you consider what calorie level is appropriate for you. Is the diet that you and considering to take nutritionally balanced? Will this diet be pratical and easy to follow? Will the diet be maintainable for the rest of your life? The below information will show you what to look out for in a diet.
Calorie level Low-calorie Diets. Most weight loss diets provide 1,000 to 1,500 calories per day. However, the number of calories that is right for you depends on your weight and activity level. At these calorie levels, diets are referred to as low-calorie diets. Self-help diet books and clinical and non-clinical weight loss programs often include low-calorie diet plans.
The calorie level of your diet should allow for a weight loss of no more than 1 pound per week (after the first week or two when weight loss may be more rapid because of initial water loss). If you can estimate how many calories you eat in a day, you can design a diet plan that will help you lose no more than 1 pound per week. You may need to work with a trained health professional, such as a registered dietitian. Or, you can use a standardized low-calorie diet plan with a fixed calorie level.
The selected calorie level, however, may not produce the recommended rate of weight loss, and you may need to eat more or less.
Good nutrition Make sure that your diet contains all the essential nutrients for good health. Using the Food Guide Pyramid and the Nutrition Facts Label that is found on most processed food products can help you choose a healthful diet. The Pyramid shows you the kinds and amounts of food that you need each day for good health. The Nutrition Facts Label will help you select foods that meet your daily nutritional needs. A healthful diet should include:
Adequate vitamins and minerals. Eating a wide variety of foods from all the food groups on the Food Guide Pyramid will help you get the vitamins and minerals you need. If you eat less than 1,200 calories per day, you may benefit from taking a daily vitamin and mineral supplement.
Adequate protein. The average woman 25 years of age and older should get 50 grams of protein each day, and the average man 25 years of age and older should get 63 grams of protein each day. Adequate protein is important because it prevents muscle tissue from breaking down and repairs all body tissues such as skin and teeth. To get adequate protein in your diet, make sure you eat 2-3 servings from the Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans, Eggs, and Nuts Group on the Food Guide Pyramid every day. These foods are all good sources of protein. Adequate carbohydrates. At least 100 grams of carbohydrates per day are needed to prevent fatigue and dangerous fluid imbalances. To make sure you get enough carbohydrates, eat 6-11 servings from the Bread, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta Group on the Food Guide Pyramid every day.
A daily fiber intake of 20 to 30 grams. Adequate fiber helps with proper bowel function. If you were to eat 1 cup of bran cereal, 1/2 cup of carrots, 1/2 cup of kidney beans, a medium-sized pear, and a medium-sized apple together in 1 day, you would get about 30 grams of fiber. No more than 30 percent of calories, on average, from fat per day, with less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fat (such as fat from meat, butter, and eggs). Limiting fat to these levels reduces your risk for heart disease and may help you lose weight. In addition, you should limit the amount of cholesterol in your diet. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in animal products such as meat and eggs. Your diet should include no more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day (one egg contains about 215 milligrams of cholesterol, and 3.5 ounces of cooked hamburger contain 100 milligrams of cholesterol).
At least 8 to 10 glasses, 8 ounces each, of water or water-based beverages, per day. You need more water if you exercise a lot.
The different types of diets Fixed-menu diet. A fixed-menu diet provides a list of all the foods you will eat. The advantages of this kind of diet is that it can be easy to follow because the foods are selected for you. However the disadvanatge of this type of diet is that you get very few different food choices which may make the diet boring and hard to follow away from home. In addition, fixed-menu diets do not teach the food selection skills necessary for keeping weight off. If you start with a fixed-menu diet, you should switch eventually to a plan that helps you learn to make meal choices on your own, such as an exchange-type diet.
Exchange-type diet. An exchange-type diet is a meal plan with a set number of servings from each of several food groups. Within each group, foods are about equal in calories and can be interchanged as you wish. For example, the "starch" category could include one slice of bread or 1/2 cup of oatmeal; each is about equal in nutritional value and calories. If your meal plan calls for two starch choices at breakfast, you could choose to eat two slices of bread, or one slice of bread and 1/2 cup of oatmeal. With the exchange-type diet plans, you have more day-to-day variety and you can easily follow the diet away from home. The most important advantage is that exchange-type diet plans teach the food selection skills you need to keep your weight off. Prepackaged-meal diet. These diets require you to buy prepackaged meals. Such meals may help you learn appropriate portion sizes. The disadvantage to this is that they can be costly. Before beginning this type of diet, find out whether you will need to buy the meals and how much the meals cost. You should also find out whether the program will teach you how to select and prepare food, skills that are needed to sustain weight loss.
Formula diet. Formula diets are weight-loss plans that replace one or more meals with a liquid formula. Most formula diets are balanced diets containing a mix of protein, carbohydrate, and usually a small amount of fat. Formula diets are usually sold as liquid or a powder to be mixed with liquid. Although formula diets are easy to use and do promote short-term weight loss, most people regain the weight as soon as they stop using the formula. In addition, formula diets do not teach you how to make healthy food choices, a necessary skill for keeping your weight off. Questionable diets.
You should avoid any diet that suggests you eat a certain nutrient, food, or combination of foods to promote easy weight loss. Some of these diets may work in the short term because they are low in calories. However, they are often not well balanced and may cause nutrient deficiencies. In addition, they do not teach eating habits that are important for long-term weight management.
Flexible diets. Some programs or books suggest monitoring fat only, calories only, or a combination of the two, with the individual making the choice of both the type and amount of food eaten. This flexible type of approach works well for many people, and teaches them how to control what they eat. One drawback of flexible diets is that some don't consider the total diet. For example, programs that monitor fat only often allow people to take in unlimited amounts of excess calories from sugars, and therefore don't lead to weight loss.
It is important to choose an eating plan that you can live with. The plan should also teach you how to select and prepare healthy foods, as well as how to maintain your new weight. Remember that many people tend to regain lost weight. Eating a healthful and nutritious diet to maintain your new weight, combined with regular physical activity, helps to prevent weight regain. |
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