Foods That Heal

"We dig our grave with our teeth." That's an old saying I recently came across that made me laugh and shudder at the same time. I guess it's true. Nowadays we are learning more about the importance of avoiding harmful foods. We understand that certain substances in our foods such as transfats and chemical pesticides can harm us.
At the same time, many of us know that eating healthy is important. The right foods can strengthen your immune system, help you lose weight, and even keep your hair and skin healthy well into your golden years. These are the foods that heal.
By making certain, simple changes to your diet, you can enjoy better health while drastically reducing the risk for degenerative disease. In the long run, these dietary changes can cut your health care costs and reduce your chances of having to be dependent on medications later in life.
Most of us know what to avoid. The more processed the food, the less nutritious it may be. But, what should we eat? Here is a partial list of foods that heal.
Garlic is one of the most well-known foods that heal. stimulates the immune system and is a known to be anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. In addition it helps your body cleanse by killing parasites and eliminating toxic substances such as lead and zinc. It is being studied by the National Cancer Institute for its anti-tumor properties.
Chili Peppers are known to help keep blood flowing freely which helps lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. They contain a substance called capsaicin, which fights inflammation. It is currently being studied for pain relief such as in arthritis and psoriasis. Many athletes advocate using chili pepper sauce on foods to speed up metabolism.
Ginger is a proven to relieve nausea. It also helps to relieve inflammatory pain and swelling caused from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In Denmark, researchers found that ginger can block the effect of substances that cause inflammation of the brain leading to migraines. Research has also discovered that it has a similar effect as aspirin does on thinning blood clots.
Tea is loaded with polyphenols. These  antioxidants have been shown to protect from free radical damage as much as many fruits and vegetables! In addition, a recent study showed that just 2 cups of tea daily may lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 46%.
Fish such as salmon and albacore tuna, are high in omega 3 fatty acids. According to the American Heart Association, these substances have been shown through research to decrease growth rate of arterial plaque, lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death.
Avocadoes contain monounsaturated oleic acid. They can help prevent clogging of arteries and help to dilate blood vessels as well as lower bad cholesterol.
Asparagus is a great source of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant. Glutathione has been shown to protect against at least thirty carcinogens.
Bananas contain vitamin c, magnesium and potassium and are a good source of fiber. They can strengthen the stomach lining against ulcers and since they are very high in potassium, they can help regulate high blood pressure.
Barley has long been considered a heart medicine in the Middle East. It can reduce cholesterol levels and contains antioxidants that may help prevent cancer. Many people drink the dried barley grass because it is full of vitamins, minerals and protein.
Beans are high in fiber which can reduce cholesterol levels as much as 10 percent. Another powerful side effect of beans is that they help regulate blood-sugar levels.
Bell Pepper are packed with vitamin C, which is known to be a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C can help fight colds, asthma, bronchitis, respiratory infections and cataracts, as well as angina, atherosclerosis (damaged, clogged arteries) and even cancer.
Blueberries act as an antibiotic. They can keep infectious bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract, which helps to prevent urinary tract and bladder infections.
Cinnamon is a strong stimulator of insulin activity therefore it is potentially helpful for those with adult-onset diabetes. In addition, it has been shown to help prevent blood clots.
Dates are high in fiber and full of minerals such as iron, potassium, manganese, phosphorous, copper, magnesium and calcium. They also contain a natural aspirin.

Oats contain a fiber called beta-glucan, which has been proven to lower bad cholesterol levels. It can also stabilize blood-sugar levels and seem to suppress nicotine cravings.
Parsley is rich in antioxidants and can help detoxify carcinogens, including those in tobacco smoke. It is a known to absorb toxins to assist their removal.
Spinach consumption has long been associated with lower rates of cancer. It is a great source of antioxidants, including folate, beta carotene and lutein.
These are just some of the many super foods that heal. Any of these are easy to include in your day-to-day health regimen.



Reference - Foods That Heal by Cindy Papp

How important is water in your diet?

Water is your most important nutrient. Everyone knows that the majority of our body is water. Here are some facts. babies are 70% water, adults are 50-60% water and in breaking your body down, Blood is made up of 83 percent water, bones are 22 percent water, and muscle is 75 percent water. So water is really important.
Most people do not drink much water if any at all. In fact both Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig both have their customers drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water a day and most people find that they lose 2-10 pounds in the first week on their diet, primarily from the water loss.
Hydration is a very interesting thing. If you do not drink enough water your body seems to retain it to protect itself, once you start to drink a LOT of water you will find that for the first few days you will be running to the bathroom every hour but your body quickly adapts and you regulate quite well. When drinking your water you will also find that your concentration gets better and you are more attentive. I have also found a very interesting attitude amongst others around me, when they see you increasing the water in your diet they will in a very condescending tone tell you that yes in fact drinking water is good for you. You are going to see this with many of the new habits that you pick up that people will seem to know these things and sometimes feel guilty to see someone else follow through on them.
There is always a few strategies for getting yourself to make these changes that are som important. I do not just drink a lot of water in the morning and then forget about it until the next day. Instead, I drink three cups of water first thing in the morning and then at 10, 12, 3, 5, and later in the evening I try to have a big glass of water. I time this water so that I drink it at the same time as I have a meal. Some say that you should not drink water with a meal as it will hamper your digestion of that meal but I have not run into this myself.
Finally just one thing that I have found is that I kick start my day by drinking about 3 glasses of my water first thing before I get on my bike to start my day.

Reference - How important is water in your diet? by Bill Nadraszky

Alkaline Diet for Energy and Vitality

Fatigue, low energy and an overall lack of well-being are all common daily problems. Many people experience fatigue on an almost daily basis, sometimes even to a debilitating level. "Brain fog" and a lack of mental clarity are also common complaints. Although it's tempting to think that there is some magic pill that can cure all these problems, in most cases what it really means is that the body is not being fed properly. The average diet is high in foods that have an acidifying effect on the body. When this trend is reversed and more foods that have an alkaline effect on the body are consumed, most people find that their energy level increases and fatigue becomes a thing of the past.

The Negative Effects of Acidifying Foods

There are many reasons why acidifying foods are bad for the body. When an overall level of acidity exists, the body is more susceptible to illnesses. An acid diet generally includes foods that are high in fat, sugar and calories, which can cause weight gain. Even a modest amount of extra weight can drain your energy and create fatigue. For example, twenty pounds might not sound like a lot of weight. But think how tired you would be if you had to carry something that weighs twenty pounds around with you all day. It's often a struggle lift a twenty pound bag of pet food at the grocery store, so why would you want to carry it around with you all day long? Many acidifying foods also have a tendency to drain the body of energy during the digestive process. It is much more difficult to digest meat, fat, and sugary desserts. While these foods may taste good, they have an overall detrimental effect on the body. These foods can cause sleepiness and a lack of mental clarity and energy when eaten during the day. When eaten during the evening meal, these foods can also cause sleep problems, which in turn will decrease energy levels for the next day.

The Positive Effects of an alkaline diet

As compared to an acidifying diet, an alkaline diet will improve your energy level instead of decreasing it. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy grains such as wild rice and quinoa, soy products, nuts such as almonds, and healthy fats such as olive and flaxseed oil will give your body everything it needs. When your body is well nourished, you'll have an increased level of energy. A meal that is high in fresh fruits and vegetables but low in fat and processed sugar is much easier for your body to digest. As a result, you will not experience fatigue, sleepiness and lack of mental clarity after eating this kind of meal. The fresh whole foods commonly consumed on an alkaline diet are also rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and the kind of nutrients that your body needs to stay healthy. Most people are amazed at how their energy level soars after they switch to an alkaline diet.

Reference- Alkaline Diet for Energy and Vitality by Anthony Sparks

Healthy food for energy

The modern life is, to put it mildly, significantly less healthy than it was in days past. Juggling between jobs and family can be tiring and stressful. Both of them demand some time from you. Consequently, you have to face the fatigue. As a matter of fact, it takes up most of your energy. What you should fight this fatigue with is some healthy food for energy. When it comes to food, Healthy foods are normally an abundant source of essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, which are a must for boosting up your energy levels. Let's dig out some information about super foods.
Whole Grain and High Fiber Cereals
Whole grain cereals, as opposed to the sugary cereals that contain highly-refined grains, add energy without a great deal of sugar, which can be used to make a high fiber diet as they contain fiber along with healthy fats and other nutrients. They help you feel full for hours and continuously release energy to your body.
Nuts
Most  people may be confused about whether nuts increase your weight or not. It is a fact that peanut butter is also a good substitute. There is a good amount of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats in peanut butter and nuts in general, and these "good" fats lead to improved stability in insulin and glucose levels. When you feel low and have a lot of work ahead of you, just grab some almonds, peanuts and soy nuts and munch on them to get all your work done on time. It is amazing!
Eggs
These are one of the best foods that give you energy. No doubt, eggs contain protein, which enters the bloodstream more slowly than carbohydrates and helps to lead to a sustained energy. It should be noticed that in a week you should not eat more than 3 eggs. Or, it may lead to weight gain.
Fish
Cold water fish like salmon, sardines and herring are also consumed as these are foods for energy and stamina. There is no denying that every type of fish contains mercury (a harmful substance) but in salmon it is found in meager amounts. Eating salmon in moderation maintains good cholesterol levels as well as lowers high blood pressure.
Fruits and Vegetables
As a saying goes, an apple a day, keeps the doctor away. Apples, blue berries, oranges, and bananas contain a high amount of ready to use sugars. These sugars are converted into energy by the body, which is utilized by the body. Besides, vegetables can easily form a part of your regular healthy diet.
In a word, healthy foods are those which make your immune system strong and help you feel fresh and active all the time. Knowing which healthy foods benefit you lead a happy life, free from illnesses. Regular consumption of these healthy foods discussed above for energy will ensure that you never fail in your balancing act.

reference for this article - Healthy food for energy by Alissa

For more information on energy foods, detox and healthy living, just put your name and email address in the green box on the right hand side of this page and you will receive free of charge 4 fantasic ebooks that will transform your life and your body, so what are you waiting for, Let Your energy filled lifestyle begin.

10 Tips to keep the weight off post - diet

 

1. Set a realistic goal

Don’t try to reach your target weight loss in one go as this risks the whole lot going back on again after the diet. Aim to lose no more than 3-4kg in stages, maintaining your weight in between.

Don’t slim down drastically at the start of the diet either. The quicker the weight loss, the quicker those pounds will pile back on afterwards! Make sure you stick to losing 1kg a week maximum.

This is the best way of making sure you don’t put the weight back on. If you want to lose more than 5kg, get support from a health professional.

2. Don’t die of hunger!

It is pointless to skip meals and stop eating from one day to the next. A diet that is too low in calories is often the reason for failure. First of all, you will probably give up really quickly. Secondly, if you starve your body, it will store up even more when you begin eating normally again, in preparation for the next famine!

3. Stock up on supplements

Supplements can give you a little boost and make dieting much easier. Think about detoxifying supplements especially to help you flush out toxins. Vitamin supplements can also help you avoid deficiencies.

4. Get moving!

A little bit of physical exercise is essential for a slimming plan that keeps weight off for good. On top of this, numerous studies have shown that people who are physically active while on a diet, put on less weight statistically afterwards. Ideally, you should keep up your exercise regime after a slimming plan as well.

5. Eat fruit and veg

Learn to feel full up on foods with low calories, or in other words, ones which fill your stomach but do not supply the body with too much energy. The best foods for this are fruit and vegetables, and they are nutritious as well!

6. Vary your diet

Don’t cut out sugar or fat, or any other food group from your diet. It is pointless to demonise these products and you risk putting on all those pounds again when you begin to eat normal meals. Your slimming plan should help you balance your food intake above anything else, and you should use it as a model for your normal diet afterwards.

7. Get people around you to help!

It’s difficult to stick to a diet by yourself. Especially if everyone at home is gorging themselves on fattening food around you! Without making your whole family go on an eating plan, set down some house rules for healthy eating so everyone gets a balanced and varied diet.

8. Reward yourself!

A diet that deprives you of all your favourite foods is the surest way of making your crack and start compulsive eating. So allow yourself a little treat every now and again, in moderation. A couple of squares of chocolate, a really good dessert... the choice is yours!

9. Learn how to eat again

A diet plan is not just about choosing the right foods. You also have to look at the way you eat as well, by eating slowly, for example, savouring every mouthful and giving your system a rest between courses. In this way, you give your body chance to register when it is full up. You will see very quickly that this is the perfect way to reduce calorie intake without even noticing you are doing it. Keep up your new good habits after the diet to make sure that weight stays off!

10. Deal with slip-ups

Learn to deal with slip-ups, and even try to anticipate them. Have you eaten a hearty meal at lunchtime? You can compensate for this by eating light in the evening. You can balance out your food intake in a day like this or equally in week. Heavy meals one day can be compensated for with lighter meals the next day. Doing this will help you get the hang of managing your food intake after the diet, especially around festive times of the year...

Reference - Alain Sousa