Shape U Up

in Health / Nutrition    (submitted 2012-05-17)

Children are always on the move. They are usually hyperactive and extremely busy discovering new things all the time. It is parent’s duty to see to it that the children eat well, on time and most importantly, healthy food. Healthy food makes the child’s body and mind healthier, so they have more energy to learning and playing.
It is very important for the parents to plan a well balanced diet for the child which includes right amount of nutrients. The child needs to be give fresh fruits, raw vegetables and milk along with the regular food. We all know how difficult it is to get a child to the dining table and have the everything that is served.

Here are a few tips to make the child eat well without the parents running behind them with the food in hand:
•Children always love colours, textures, shapes and taste. Try to make the food look attractive, colourful and in different shapes. For example if you are making rotis, parathas and chapatis, cut them in different shapes with the help of a cookie cutter. You can also make them colourful by stuffing the parathas with different vegetables. Or you can also make some design on the rotis with sauce or cheese.
•Serve them raw vegetables cut in different shapes, along with some nice homemade dips made of cheese or cream.
•Boiled vegetables with different colours and textures mixed with dried herbs gives a different aroma and attracts the child. You can add a few drops of lemon juice to the vegetables while boiling. It retains the fresh and natural colour of the vegetables.
•Milk should be given at least twice a day. But not every child likes to drink milk. You can serve the milk with homemade almond mix, which gives a good flavour and taste to the milk. It also adds up to the child’s nutritional intake. Take couple of almonds, some sugar, and a little bit of kesar or saffron churned in a blender to a fine powder. This mix can be stored in an airtight container for a couple of days.
•Whenever a child asks for noodles or soups, add some fresh vegetables to the canned or dried foods.
•Make attractive pulavsor rice items with lots of vegetables.
•Prepare fruit salads with custard and keep it in the fridge. This comes handy when the child asks for something to eat.
•Whenever the child asks for between the meal snacks, heat some butter and frozen corn and add a bit of salt and chat masala. Children will love this.
•Indulge your child in cooking and shopping for the vegetables. Buy the vegetables that they prefer and they will love to eat them.
•Prepare fresh soups at home which proves to be healthier than ready or dried soups.
•Avoid giving them junk food, colas, sweetened juices and street food. Instead try preparing them at home. With a little efforts, creativity and time, even home made food can also turn out to be tasty and appealing to the children
•Above all make sure your child drinks lots water. This helps the digestive system in good condition and keeps the body cool and hydrated.

Try these out and I am sure your child will eat well and comes back for a second helping.

About the Author

This article is copy righted. The author Mrs.Deepa Manoj is web master of http://www.kids-helponline.com. Read complete article at http://www.kids-helponline.com/Articles/nutrition.html

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Nutrition-for-children/6519400/

People get excited about a lot of things, but I have never met anyone who’s thrilled about being overweight. I meet good people all the time who are a physical wreck because of failed rollercoaster diets Rather than deal with more dieting disappointments, some of these people conclude that living “large” is simply in the cards for them.

You deserve better than just giving up! A decision to stop trying can rob you of precious years of living. C’mon, you owe yourself and your loved ones so much more than this.

Weight loss does not come in a bottle. The best way to achieve successful weight loss results is to know what types of foods to keep out of your diet.

Just Say “No” to Prepared Foods

Processed foods are cheap, convenient and easy to prepare. Read the lable on the food packaging for a case of sticker shock. Billions are being spent every year to make tkese food look apealling. Since manufacturers aren’t going to give you the dirty on the ingredients they use in processed foods, I’ll gladly do it for them.

Let’s start with trans fat. Many of you know that there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol -these food raise the bad and inhibit the good. Can you believe that 27.1 MILLION adults in the US have heart disease!!

If you’re wondering where that spare tire came from, the high fructose corn syrup used in some of your favorite processed foods may be partially to blame. High fructose corn syrup has been getting a lot of negative press because of it’s role in the the out of shape epidemic.

Don’t even get me started on the chemicals manufacturers use in processed foods. I challenge you to read the ingredients in a hostess Twinkie, case closed! Besides, you’d probably think I was reading the label on a can of hair spray instead of the ingredients in your favorite microwavable meal.

Did you know that the average person in the US consumed 150 lbs of suger in a year (much of it hidden in our processed foods). Let’s join together to get processed sugar out of our lives. If you don’t think that sugar is in everything, read the ingredients of bar-b-q sauce or a can of green beans. So, what’s the big deal? You don’t have enough time in the day for me to tell you about all the damage sugar can do to your health. However, I can give you a quick rundown.

Sugar contains nothing but empty calories. When you eat this stuff, a large portion of it gets stored in the body as fat. If your goal is to slim down, being heavy-handed with the sugar isn’t going to help. This is not even the worst of it. Sugar can also depress the immune system, feed cancer cells, contribute to heart disease, raise your risk of osteoporosis and make you look decrepit.

Give Artificial Sweeteners the Boot

Before you run out and stock your fridge with a bunch of those zero-calorie diet drinks, there’s something you should know. The artificial sweeteners used in diet drinks and other low-calorie products are lab-created. Yep. You heard me right – mixed up in a lab like something out of a Frankenstein movie.

These chemical sweeteners can cause or contribute to a laundry list of neuropsychiatric disorders and chronic illnesses – depression, anxiety, migraines, mood changes, panic attacks, vertigo, memory loss, Alzheimer’s, brain tumors – should I go on? And if you think you’re going to shed a few pounds using artificial sweeteners, think again. These sweeteners stimulate your appetite and make you eat more food.

When you’ve tried diet after diet and not one of them delivers results, it can certainly make you want to give up. But you owe it to yourself and to your family to live the healthiest life possible. Processed foods, sugar and artificial sweeteners are the main culprits of weight gain. When you eliminate these foods from your diet, you greatly improve your chance of losing weight.

We all have our “turn-ons” but one of them is not being overweight. Do you know anyone who is always on the “new” diet? i do. Rather than risk failure one-more-time, some folks just give up.

Accepting that you’ll always be unhappy is just not good enough for you. A decision like this can beat your self-esteem into the ground and shave years off of your life. If you won’t do it for youself, do it for your loved ones.

Weight loss does not come in a pill. The best way to achieve successful weight loss results is to know what types of foods to keep out of your diet.

Just Say “No” to Prepared Foods

Processed foods are cheap, convenient and easy to prepare. These foods are largely responsible for the current type 2 diabetes crisis. Remember, marketers are getting paid big bucks to make these foods look good. Since manufacturers aren’t going to give you the dirty on the ingredients they use in processed foods, I’ll gladly do it for them.

Let’s start with trans fat. Many of you know that there is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol -these food raise the bad and inhibit the good. You’ve heard that heart disease is the silent killer – don’t let trans fats “sneak up” on you.

Look at the label of your favorite foods and soft drinks for high fructose corn syrup. High fructose corn syrup has been getting a lot of negative press because of it’s role in the the obesity epidemic.

Don’t even get me started on the man-made ingredients manufacturers use in processed foods. I challenge you to read the ingredients in a hostess Twinkie, case closed! Besides, you’d probably think I was reading the label on a can of insecticide instead of the ingredients in your favorite microwavable meal.

Give Artificial Sweeteners the Boot

Before you run out and stock your fridge with a bunch of those zero-calorie diet drinks, there’s something you should know. The artificial sweeteners used in diet drinks and other low-calorie products are lab-created. Yep. You heard me right – mixed up in a lab like something out of a scary movie.

These chemical sweeteners can cause or contribute to a laundry list of neuropsychiatric disorders and chronic illnesses – depression, anxiety, migraines, mood changes, panic attacks, vertigo, memory loss, Alzheimer’s, brain tumors – should I go on? And if you think you’re going to shed a few pounds using artificial sweeteners, think again. These sweeteners stimulate your appetite and make you eat more food.

When you’ve tried diet after diet and not one of them delivers results, it can certainly make you want to give up. But you owe it to yourself and to your family to live the healthiest life possible. Processed foods, sugar and artificial sweeteners are your enemy in reaching your goal of fat loss Just these simple changes will put you on the path to a better life

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/The-Shocking-Truth-About-Artificial-Sweetners/6509918/

Consumed regularly, precooked foods rich in calories and low in nutrients can cause serious health problems due to deficiencies of vitamins that support the body. To counteract this phenomenon, should consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables.

Here are some of the problems caused by lack of vitamins in the diet:
• Frequent mouth sores: they are caused by lack of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12
• Dry, cracked lips: deficiency of vitamins B2 and B6
• Redness and irritated skin on the arms and legs: a lack of vitamin B complex and vitamin E
• Dry skin: lack of zinc and fatty acids
• Premenstrual syndrome: lack of zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6
• Slow growth of hair: lack of iron and zinc
• Bloodshot, tired eyes: lack of vitamins A and B2
• Brittle nails: lack of iron, zinc or fatty acids
• Anemia: iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency
• “Tingling” in legs at night: lack of iron and folic acid
• Acne: zinc, vitamin A and essential fatty acids deficiency.

It is well known that the human body cannot function normally, cannot regenerate or develop properly if he is not provided with necessary vitamins (group of natural organic substances). The main source of supply (and healthier) with vitamin is daily food, but no food except breast milk does not contain all the vitamins you need. It is therefore necessary to be careful with your diet to cover all necessary vitamins.

Deficiency of one vitamin can cause problems or medical conditions. Vitamin deficiencies occur not only due to improper diet, but also because other factors such as cooking which destroys vitamins, anorexia, imbalances in the intestinal flora (flora synthesize vitamins), impaired absorption of vitamins, parasites or physiological conditions such as lactation, pregnancy and growth.
The importance of vitamins

• Vitamin A, has an important role in raising young bodies, protect mucous epithelia and vision. Vitamin A deficiency is manifested by disorders of epithelial tissue, the skin becomes dry and horny, and eye disorders that occur in severe deficiencies that lead to the appearance of xeroftalmia.

• Vitamin D has fundamental role in regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the process of ossification. Vitamin D facilitates
calcium absorption in small intestine and deposits it in bones.

• Vitamin E is essential for maintaining normal structure and function of reproductive organs, ensure trophicity of muscular system, slows aging and play a protective role against coronary heart disease.

• Vitamin K – involved in blood clotting. Deficiency cause bleeding.

• Vitamin C – participate in cellular oxidation-reduction reactions, so in the energy release processes. Vitamin C increases the body’s resistance to the toxic effects of certain drugs or chemicals in the ambient environment. People with a vitamin C deficiency manifest weakness and have a low capacity of defense against microbial and viral infections.

• Vitamin B1 – form a large number of enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism. In case of inadequate dietary intake occur: fatigue, loss of appetite, insomnia, headaches, weight loss, decreased attention and memory, palpitations, tachycardia, arrhythmia, lower blood pressure and neurasthenia.

• Vitamin B2 – enter in the structure of enzymes. Vitamin B2 deficiency produces slow growth, skin lesions, edema, hair loss, cracking, bleeding, blepharitis, corneal vascularization.

• Vitamin B6 – is involved in amino acid metabolism. Deficiency determines slow growth, the development of dermatitis (itchy dry skin), muscle spasms, convulsions, and anemia.

• Vitamin B12 – facilitate the release of folic acid from its conjugates. Deficiency cause megaloblastic anemia, digestive mucosal changes, atrophied gastric mucosa and neurological disorders.

Vitamin PP – or vitamin B3 has a role in the formation of enzymes. Hypovitaminosis cause a marked fatigue, apathy, digestive disorders, weight loss and psychic disorders. In extreme deficiency is Pellagra.

Completing intake of vitamins with Calivita natural supplements

Kids Greens nutritional supplement composition has not less than 66 vitamins, minerals, probiotics, fiber and antioxidants that meet all nutritional requirements of both children and adults. Nutritional eating habits are learned in childhood and child body has an ongoing need for nutrients for a harmonious development.

Full Spectrum is the most complex version of nutrients for adults and their nutritional requirements. It contains 29 vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential elements for a body working at full capacity.

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Signs-of-lack-of-vitamins-in-the-body/6510094/

Diet is an essential part of fitness, providing not only the essential energy needed to exercise, but also the vital nutrients the body demands to maintain healthy functions. Amongst these valuable food groups are two very tasty ingredients that are often overlooked: cocoa and hazelnut. Combine these two and you’re able to create a granola that provides the energy and nutrition needed for a fit lifestyle.

Hazelnuts for your heart

Void of cholesterol and low in saturated fats, hazelnuts instead contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. The oil from the hazelnut is also rich in vitamin E, which is an essential nutrient not only for heart health, but also for the health and maintenance of all muscles within the body. This particular nutrient is responsible for producing and forming red blood cells, muscles, and other tissues within the body. Because of these characteristics, the hazelnut is ideal for helping decrease the risk of heart disease.

Arginine, the amino acid responsible for relaxing blood vessels is also found in this simple nut. Rich in foliate, they are also responsible for reducing the risk factors of cancer and even depression. Hazelnut also contains b 1, b 2, and b 6 vitamins, which provide benefits for mental health. The fat content within the hazelnut also facilitates the absorbtion and digestion of vitamins K,E,D, and A, all of which are responsible for maintaining healthy tissues and controlling body temperature.

One characteristic that the hazelnut shares with its fellow nuts is the ability to be manufactured into oil or even butter. Because the oil within hazelnut contains the majority of its nutritional value, this makes it an effective substitute for cooking ingredients, allowing you to turn any meal wholesome.

Cocoa and its benefits

Cocoa is something we often think of as a treat. Despite its awesome flavor, this chocolaty treat also has its own unique nutritional value. Perhaps one of the most underestimated benefits is cocoa’s effect on insulin absorption within the body. Over time, the body can begin resisting insulin absorption, potentially leading to diabetes. Cocoa reduces the body’s resistance to insulin, allowing the body to effectively metabolize and digest sugars and reducing the risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.

Strangely, these abilities are derived from the polyphenolic flavonoids that are present in cocoa, particularly dark chocolates (milk chocolates contain less cocoa and more milk and sugar products). These flavonoids act as antioxidants that are similarly found in many fruits and vegetables. As toxins accumulate within the body, healthy functions within the digestive system, liver, and heart can suffer or even become resistant to the absorption of necessary nutrients. In addition, dark chocolates are also renowned for improving mood and returning energy and enthusiasm. If you’re feeling low on energy, cocoa can help you regain your spirit quickly without adding sugars to your diet.

Keep in mind that cocoa is optimally consumed in its pure form, such as dark chocolate, semi-sweet, and baker’s chocolates. Here, they are absent of sugar and other products that don’t necessarily offer benefits to a healthy diet.

Complementing one another

Needless to say, by combining both of these two beneficial ingredients with some oats and a few other ingredients, you can enjoy an exceptionally tasty snack. One of the favored combinations of these two ingredients involves such additions as milk, oatmeal, and even some fruits to add a little extra spice to the mix. Blueberries, cranberries, and even strawberries are all tasty, and rich in antioxidants, completing the hazelnut-cocoa granola combination.

Both of these food products contain their unique approach to maintaining the heart and body. Hazelnuts provide both nutrients themselves as well as the ability to absorb them in order to ensure the health of the entire circulatory system and proper function of the muscular system. At the same time, cocoa’s properties help to remove toxins within the body, and return the body’s ability to function properly. Together, they complement one another in both flavor and fitness nutrition.

Fitness centers such as Drenched Fitness recognize the integral value that nutrition and healthy dieting play in a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is only part of maintaining your health. In order to achieve optimal well-being, it is important to not only provide your body with the energy it needs to function, but also with the nutrients it needs to maintain the body and its functions. Be sure that the next time you find yourself looking for a tasty snack, you consider how foods such as hazelnut and cocoa can not only satisfy your hunger, but can also provide you with nutrition that shows you care about your health.

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Who-Else-Wants-a-Super-Great-Snack/6498131/

in Health / Nutrition    (submitted 2012-05-11)

For a long time I looked at ketchup as a “decadent” condiment, mostly because of its high sugar content. But now I look at it differently and must admit it is quite good, provided you get a decent quality one. I was also surprised to learn, through an anti-aging physician who is also a great Chinese food cook, that ketchup is one of the frequent ingredients of sour and sweet sauce recipes. I had no idea it was that simple! So what makes it an interesting food? Well, most of us know by now that tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, which is the pigment that gives this fruit its color and one of the most powerful antioxidants. As such, it reduces the amounts of free radicals in your body and consuming lycopene can help reducing the risk of cancers, mainly in the prostate, stomach and lungs. It also seems to have a protective action against cardiovascular diseases. Lycopene is only found in a small variety of fruits and vegetables, mainly the ones that are red (watermelon, guava, pink grapefruit, etc.). What you might not know is that the form of lycopene (trans-) that is found in raw tomatoes is not well absorbed by the organism. The form that is well absorbed is the isomer cis-lycopene. The good news is that heat allows the “trans-” to become “cis-.” Therefore all the preparations made from cooked tomatoes, including ketchup, tomato juice, tomato soup, tomato sauce, are excellent sources of absorbable lycopene! In addition, the fact that ketchup is a more concentrated form of tomato than fresh tomatoes makes it even more interesting. More good news is that lycopene is fat soluble. This means eating it with a small amount of oil makes it easier to absorb. That is what is so interesting about studying traditional cuisines: you start to understand that there are reasons for the choice of ingredients and combination of foods. Part of my family is from Mediterranean origin and at home we use a lot of tomato sauce and olive oil-based dishes that are delicious. Now you can see that they are not only tasty but they are an excellent way to get your antioxidants!

I want to add something about green tomatoes that I remember from pharmacy school. I was told never to eat raw green tomatoes, and here is why: tomatoes (and eggplants and potatoes) belong to the Solanaceae or Nightshade family and therefore contain toxic alkaloids (mainly solanine) when green or unripe. Fortunately, heat destroys those alkaloids and makes eating green tomatoes harmless. (That is why we eat them fried.) I was also told that vinegar has the same effect and I guess this is why we pickle green tomatoes. So in any cases, avoid eating large quantities of raw green tomatoes. The same is true about the green parts of eggplants and potatoes that turn green when exposed to light. But who would eat them raw anyway?

About the Author

Now based in California, Raphaele earned her pharmacy diploma from the University of Paris Sud in France. She works as a professional education specialist for a company that manufactures homeopathic medicines. Before that, she worked for years in pharmacies in France where she acquired a large experience answering questions about health.

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Ketchup-is-not-so-bad-for-you-after-all/6496337/

We all enjoy food that’s bad for us. Why? Because it fills us up and satisfies us in ways where some “healthy” foods just can’t. But if you know which foods that you should stay away from and know that are very bad for you, you may be more likely to avoid them and end up eating something a bit better for you.

The end game is to lose weight, but you can’t get there if all that you eat is foods saturated in fats and calories. Here is a list of the top foods that you should try and stay as far away from as possible when you try to lose weight, and some healthy alternatives to them.

1 – Chips are loaded in calories and fat. They are also in most cases salted, so this makes it even worse for you. Chips are what people grab when they just want to sit down and munch on something, but there is a better alternative. While popcorn and rice cakes are not necessarily healthy for you, it takes 3 1/4 cups of popcorn to make 100 calories, while only a handful of chips could cost you 150 calories.

2 – Eating red meats is never a good idea when trying to lose weight. They are usually full of saturated fats, can raise your cholesterol level, and even bring you to a closer risk of heart attack or cancer. A good replacement would be skinless chickens and turkey. These meats contain omega 3 fats, which are actually healthy and help your body. They also tend to have less calories then red meats as well. Fish is also a healthy choice as it contains many helpful products for your body.

3 – Doughnuts are a very, very tempting treats to most people, but they can be very dangerous. While your average doughnut could contain anywhere from 200-300 calories, there are many saturated and trans fats inside as well which can do you more harm than a lot of other foods. A good substitute might be a bagel, or a low calorie chocolate bar. While you might end up eating the same number of calories, you’ll be doing yourself a favor by not taking in any of those unhealthy fats.

4 – Canned cheeses are among one of the top worst things you can eat, especially if it’s something that you do on a regular basis. A lot of people have really gotten hooked on this, and is one of their biggest downfalls. The amount you would put on a cracker would equal to around 140 calories, while if you went for the real thing, and bought a soft cheese, it could reduce that dramatically.

5 – French fries are another food that contains an immense amount of calories. If you ordered a large order of fries at McDonalds, you would be looking to gain about 570 calories. A good alternative would be to stay at home and make your own potato wedges. This way you can control how many calories you will be eating, and you won’t be putting any saturated fats into the food.

So try and stay away foods that contain a lot of salt, butter, and fats. Fruits and vegetables are ALWAYS a good alternative to anything. They will fill you up and be very healthy for you. Just work on not eating a lot of sugary foods, or foods that contain high sodium.

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Alternatives-For-The-Top-5-Foods-You-Should-NEVER-Eat/6495927/

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month. As we’re heading into the summer season and more sun exposure, it’s a good time to review current research and protect ourselves from ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB) and now Infrared (IFA’s) rays.

New Sunscreen Guidelines

Sunscreen companies base their SPF ratings on UVB protection and have been claiming “broad-spectrum” to include UVA without any proof of amount of UVA protection. From here forward, sunscreens cannot designate themselves as “broad spectrum” unless they have an SPF of 15 and can block 90% of UVA rays. avobenzone, ecamsule (a.k.a. MexorylTM), oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide are active sunscreen ingredients that provide UVA protection.

Cosmetic companies making sunscreen claims have not been required to verify their SPF claims on cosmetic products until now. Starting this year, makeup must meet FDA guidelines to post an SPF rating. We will likely see many cosmetic brands dropping their sunscreen claims from their packaging.

There is no such thing as a “sweat proof” or “waterproof” sunscreen. You will no longer see these claims made on sunscreen products. Companies will now have to be more specific by stating the duration a product will provide protection in adverse conditions. For example, “water resistant up to 40 minutes.”

What are UVA, UVB and Infrared Rays?

UVA or ultraviolet A long waves account for 90% of radiation reaching the earth’s surface and can penetrate clouds and windows. While this ray is weaker than UVB, we are exposed to more of it and it penetrates deeper into our skin causing premature aging, permanent pigmentation (age spots) and DNA damage which leads to skin cancers. For this reason, we need to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily, regardless of the season or weather.

UVB or ultraviolet B short waves, while causing shallow damage to our skin, is the main culprit of skin reddening and sunburns. Unlike UVA, UVB intensity is seasonal and varies during the day. In the US, UVB rays are the most intense between the hours of 10am and 4pm from April to October. UVB can still damage skin year round. It cannot penetrate glass like UVA, but it does bounce off of reflective surfaces such as snow and ice.

Infrared Rays (IFA’s) cannot be seen or felt, as they do not generate heat. But, these rays penetrate deep into the skin and cause damage to the mitochondria within our skin cells causing free radical damage. They also increase pigmentation and inflammation within the skin leading to premature photoaging. Sunscreens do not protect against infrared rays, but current research suggests that topically applied antioxidants fight against the free radical damage caused by IFA’s.

Skin Cancer Screenings

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. There are more annual cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined, according to SkinCancer.org.

Examine every inch of your skin monthly and have professional exams annually. With May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month, you can get a free skin cancer screening with the “Road To Healthy Skin Tour”. The Skin Cancer Foundaton is offering free skin cancer screenings during the month of May. Click here for details.

Skin Cancer Foundation Recommended Sun Protection Guidelines

• Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
• Do not burn.
• Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths.
• Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
• Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a water-resistant, broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
• Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside.
Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
• Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
• Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
• See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

Guidelines and UVA/UVB information from the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Bottom Line? Protect the skin you’re in. Stay informed. Read your sunscreen labels to ensure you are getting the amount of protection you are expecting. And, be sure to infuse your skin with antioxidants.

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Skin-Cancer-Awareness/6485438/

From our mothers to our dentists, everyone tells us that sugar is bad for us. It torts are teeth, pollutes our physique and tends to make us fat. Filled with empty calories, sugar would be the bane of those of us wanting to preserve a healthful life style and shed belly fat. How can you beat your sugar cravings the moment and for all?

The Signs and symptoms of Sugar Addiction

Positive, sugar cravings aren’t as critical as a drug trouble, but there’s unquestionably a mental aspect to this addiction. Sugar tastes terrific and if you consume it, you wish much more. Which brings to thoughts the old saying, what we want just isn’t normally excellent for us.

Inside our bodies, the sugar cravings battle is going on. The physique breaks down the food we eat into a lot of different nutrients, like glucose, as sugar. The pancreas secretes a hormone referred to as insulin in response for the sugar in our blood. When we consume too much sugar there’s a spike of insulin. Regrettably there is certainly also a spike of power which we really like. But within too short a time, our physique utilizes up the energy and crashes and burns. So we crave a lot more sugar along with the cycle begins anew.

Ways to Beat Sugar Addiction

Not simply will eating too much sugar bring about your body’s energy to crash and burn, too much insulin can also be a poor thing because it can lead as much as situations like diabetes. Add in the truth that sugar is a calories dense, nutritionally empty food and you have really serious issue. The extra we crave sugar, the more harm its going to do our body, from the empty calories that may pack on the extra pounds, to the damage for your body’s all-natural functions.

You may beat your sugar cravings by following a few simple tactics.

1. Drink Water We reach for sugary snacks when we really feel hungry or tired. From time to time our body is just dehydrated. Water would offer us with that necessary choose me up instead of food. So prior to you reach for the sugar, drink some water rather.

2. Read Your Labels – You can also limit the sugar you do consume by getting vigilant about the quantity of it in the foods you eat on a regular basis. Things like rice, bread and prepackaged foods generally contain significantly greater amounts of sugar than you believed. So compare labels

3. Prepare Your personal Food – Yes this means cooking, but certainly one of the very best approaches to control just how much sugar you consume and beat the sugar addiction will be to know exactly how much of it you are eating – which comes from getting in charge of one’s menu.

4. Consume Nature’s Sweetness – You will find a lot of naturally sweet foods like fruit, each fresh and dehydrated. Learn to sideline your sugar cravings with dried apricots in place of chocolate candies.

Working with these simple tricks will allow you to manage your sugar cravings and keep you happy and wholesome. By beating your addiction to sugar you’ll drop some weight, be healthier and have more energy, more than the extended haul.

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Sugar-Cravings-and-Addiction/6484000/

in Health / Weight Loss    (submitted 2012-05-11)

Losing weight is not the easiest thing in the world to do, and sometimes you need to set goals for yourself in order to achieve your dreams. It takes a lot of work and dedication into losing weight, but given the right situations you can make tremendous changes.

When setting any goal, you need to personalize it for yourself. Everybody is at different fitness levels and stages in their development, and we all need things tailored for ourselves. You need to set goals within a realistic means.

If I asked you how much weight you want to lose per week, you might say that if you could lose 30 pounds every week you would reach your goal in x number of weeks, but that is unrealistic. You are not going to lose 30 pounds every week, and therefore you won’t believe in yourself or your dream. If you DO believe in your goal you CAN achieve it.

Always start small. You don’t want to wish for the world, only to discover that you need to put so much effort into it. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the same goes for losing weight.

If you set a realistic goal of 3 pounds per week, you could calculate how much time you need to designate into working out, and can plan how many calories per day you are allowed to have.

You should be thinking both long term and short term, and set goals for both. Wanting to lose 3 pounds for a desired week may be a short term goal, but getting a six pack and running a marathon would be a long term achievement. Your short term goals will keep you motivated on a daily basis, and you’ll always be looking forward to the future to accomplish what you have set out to do.

You should write your progresses and achievements down. Ask yourself many questions. How many calories can I afford to eat for lunch? Will I have to work out extra on certain days than others? How much weight have I lost last month compared to this month so far?

In conclusion, work hard, set realistic goals for yourself, and put your progress down on paper. Seeing a visual of what you have accomplished can be an incredible motivator, and can encourage you to move on to your next goal, eventually reaching your long term achievements.

About the Author

There are many more things you should know about losing weight such as the right foods you should be eating, the foods you should stay away from, and specific techniques designed to get your body in the best shape, in the shortest amount of time possible.

Please visit http://www.secret2fastfitness.com for more information, and get your FREE information guide.

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/How-To-Make-Your-Weight-Loss-Goals-A-Reality/6495901/

Losing weight is a never ending battle. Even if you reach your goal, you are still going to have to work to keep yourself there. People always view the working out aspect as the main key goal, but it could all mean nothing depending on the food you eat. This is just as important as any other aspect of losing weight.

A lot of the foods you might eat may have more calories than you think, and other foods that you may not normally think have lower calories than expected. I would like to share with you the top 7 foods you can eat that are good for you, and also help you stay thin and stay under your calorie limit.

So here they are, in no particular order:

1 – Oatmeal; this is a superb source of soluble fiber, which will slow down your digestion, which in turn keeps you feeling fuller for a longer period of time. Whole grains and rice are also rich in this area, and because they are more “bulky” it doesn’t take as much as something else would to make you feel full.

2 – Grapefruit; this specifically is probably one of THE TOP foods in my opinion that are best for losing weight. The fruit itself is on average 90% water, and only 80 calories. You will gain virtually no weight and feel decently satisfied afterwards.

3 – Certain dairy products, such as low fat yogurts, cheeses, and milk may not necessarily be the lowest in calories, but they can play a vital role in helping you get thin. This is because these dairy products break down fat cells faster than most other foods, and if consumed in small doses of 3-4 times a day could immensely help you lose weight fast.

4 – Popcorn; this surprises most people. Before seeing the truth myself, I just assumed that popcorn would be higher in calories than other comparable food, but this is not the case. It takes 3 and 1/4 cups of popcorn to make 100 calories, so this is GREAT food to munch on if you’re in that mood to just keep eating. Just remember to not put too much butter on it!

5 – Raw nuts produce quite a lot of fiber and can help control your hunger pains. It is a good dose of Omega 3 fats which will help you burn fat faster. Just remember that all nuts will help you in these areas, but raw nuts will be the most helpful.

6 – Fish can help your body become more sensitive to a hormone that most other foods can not help with. This fat burning hormone is called Leptin, and basically what it contributes to is suppressing your appetite, and this is also the deciding area in whether the calories you consume are stored as fat or burned as energy.

7 – Water, water, water. This is not a food obviously, but I think it deserves a place on this list. For one, it is the most essential thing that you should be consuming. Especially when you work out, you need to replenish your fluids. In addition to help you with your weight loss, drinking water can save your life. Drinking just 5 glasses of water every day can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 45%, cut the cost of breast cancer by 79%, and drops bladder cancer to only a 50% less likely to happen if you drink the water your body needs.

Some people will try to cut all their fat when they want to lose weight, but this is incorrect. Your body will need at least some source of healthy fat, or polyunsaturated fat. This will be MUCH healthier than saturated fats. By adjusting your diet you can really change the way you lose weight and stay in shape. Just remember to eat all the types of food you need, drink your water, and watch your calories!

Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Top-7-Foods-To-Eat-To-Lose-Weight/6495873/