There are numerous factors behind the rising obesity in the world; one of the major causes is the diet that we are taking. Let us discuss about some food items which increase the chance of weight gain and must be avoided if you are considering losing weight.

Alcohol & Beer

Alcohol is a major contributing factor behind weight gain and obesity. Although all the alcohol products are known for weight gain, beer is especially notorious for high weight gain. It contains high calories, carbohydrates and fat, all of which are known agents behind weight gain. A beer bottle contains 153 calories and has high carbohydrate content.

Donuts

Donuts and especially the sugar coated ones are known for weigh gain. Many people have relied on diets on donuts for weight gain and have succeeded in the same. It is because donuts are filled with carbohydrates and the sugar coating provides extra calories. It is hence better to avoid if you want to lose weight. Also donuts do not provide much of nutritional content and a single donut contains about 192 calories.

French Fries

French fries taste great and are hard to resist. French fries are nothing but carbohydrates and fats. Also a medium plate of French fries come laden with 271 calories and hence is one of the things to totally avoid for preventing weight gain.

Fruit Juice

Fruit juice may sound healthy as people insist on eating fruits and vegetables to prevent weight gain. However having fruit juice is not as healthy as eating a fruit which contain more nutrition. 100 percent fruit juice contains only carbohydrates. A 10 oz orange juice contains 140 calories.

Potato Chips

Potatoes are laden with carbohydrates and can lead to weight gain even if one consumes it in baked or mashed form. Fried potatoes on the other hand contain additional fat and hence add weight. 1oz of potato chip is loaded with a whooping 150 calories and is hence it is best to forfeit potato chips to prevent weight gain.

Processed Meat

Processed meat must be avoided as they can lead to weight gain as well as may lead heart related ailments including heart attacks and stroke. 3 medium slices of potatoes contain 14 calories.

Soda

Soda is considered to be one of the main reasons behind weight gain as it is packed with calories, contains caffeine and contain no nutrition. 1 can of carbonated beverage contain 137 calories.

Whole Dairy Products

Whole milk and other dairy product contain high amounts of fat and carbohydrates. Although it also contains good amount of proteins, it is best to drink low fat or non fat milk instead of whole milk. One cup of whole milk contains 150 calories.

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The author has written several posts on health and nutrition. She is a blogger and provides various tips and information on acne prevention and cure, weight loss, early aging etc.

You just need to cut down the processed refined carbohydrates, like cookies, doughnuts, potato chips, soft drinks and anything containing bread and added sugar from your diet. Here are the few benefits of cutting carbohydrates in your daily diet.

Swift Weight Loss

Carbohydrates are the major source of calories for your body. When your intake of carbohydrates is reduced, the calorie consumption goes down as well. Calories are the main reason why you put on weight. As long as you don’t replace the calories you have cut down, you will be on the road to swift weight loss. If you want to compensate for the decrease in carbohydrate consumption, look for healthy food sources that are rich in nutrition but not fattening.

Improved Energy Levels

You may not know but consuming the unhealthy carbohydrates causes you to feel lethargic. The lack of energy is present throughout the day, impeding your ability to complete your work. Once you start consuming the healthier alternatives, your energy level is going to improve tremendously. From the early morning to the time you go to sleep, you won’t feel dull or drowsy.

Reduces Risk of Heart Diseases

Consuming a lot of carbohydtates on a daily basis is not ideal for your health. As you start gaining weight the risk of heart disease and related health problems increases significantly. By reducing your intake of carbohydrates, you will reduce the risk of heart disease. Another major benefit of cutting down the carbohydrate consumption is that your blood sugar and cholesterol levels remain fairly stable.

Decrease in Liver Fat

Carbohydrates enhance the fat buildup in your liver. Over time, the calories you consume add to the fat already present in your liver. For a person who drinks alcohol regularly, liver fat can be extremely dangerous. Reducing the amount of carbohydrates you eat causes a simultaneous decrease in the fat accumulated in your liver.

Eliminating carbohydrates completely from your diet is not possible. It will destroy the balance of your daily diet, making it counter productive. However, reducing consumption of the harmful carbohydrates and replacing it with healthier nutrients will give your health a solid boost. As you can see, there are some major benefits of cutting carbohydrates from your daily diet. You have to make sure you don’t suffer a lack of nutrition because of it.

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Allan enjoys reading and blogging about nutrition and health related issues. He has written numerous articles on health insurance covers, weight loss and fitness.

Stay hydrated:

Water is the best thing to maintain weight. Drink 5 glasses of water after waking up. That will not only help you to sustain your hunger but it will also aid in improving your digestive system. With so many Americans suffering from obesity, a clean digestive system is very important. Since drinking water keeps the stomach full for longer, you will find it easier to control your urge to eat as well.

Keep a track of your calorie consumption:

Count your calories. Count the number of calories you burn while working out, count the number of calories you consume and consider the number of calories your body needs on a daily basis. That will help you to make better food choices.

Eat at home if you plan to go out for dinner:

If you are planning on going out for dinner, eat something at home and go out on a partially full stomach. That way, you will eat only 2 slices of pizza instead of 3 or 4.

Maintain a food diary:

A food diary is a great way to keep track of your calories and everything you consume. Knowing what you have eaten will aid you to have a realistic idea of everything that goes inside your body.

Plan your meals in advance:

Planning can work wonders and help you to maintain your weight. Consult a dietician to get to know your body’s calorie requirements on a daily basis and then plan your meals accordingly. This will also help you to keep the calories under control thereby enabling you to maintain your weight.

Eat vegetables:

Nothing defines healthy food as much as vegetables. Not only are they a great source of nutrition but they don’t harm your body (like red meat) by increasing your cholesterol level among other things.

Have a healthy breakfast, a light lunch and a lighter dinner:

Breakfast should be the heaviest meal of the day. Since, there is a gap of about 6-7 hours between breakfast and lunch; it has ample time to get digested. Lunch should be light (I would suggest lean proteins) so that it takes less time for the meal to get digested whereas dinners should be the lightest meal of them all.

Avoid eating Trans fat:

It aids in increasing the cholesterol level and in fact, it can also slow down the incorporation of healthy fats into the body which is required for the functioning of important organs.

Take some food home:

Whenever you eat at a fast food joint, remember that you don’t have to eat everything there itself. Instead of going crazy on your favorite food and finishing the massive portions, ask for a container when you place the order so that you can carry half of it home for your family members. By doing this, you won’t overeat but at the same time, you won’t miss out on your favorite fast food either.

Carry fruits and celery sticks when you go out:

Instead of roaming around with a bag of chips, carry an apple or some celery sticks with you. Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals so they are a healthier option. In fact, celery is known to be a weight reducing agent so think of ways to eat healthy even when you are on the go.

Eat frequent small portions:

The key to a balanced diet is to eat small but frequent portions. That will take care of your sudden hunger pangs in a healthy and nutritious way.

Don’t keep leftovers:

Whenever you have a party, encourage your guests to take the leftovers with them in Tupperware containers. If you keep them at home, you will end up binging on them instead. On a daily basis, make your meals with due consideration to the number of people so that you don’t have a lot of food left after dinner everyday.

Hit the gym routinely:

Going to the gym should be a routine rather than a session of convenience. It will help you to burn additional calories on a daily basis thereby helping you to keep your weight in check!

Do exercises you like:

Workouts can get very monotonous after a point of time so you can consult your instructor and change your exercises every couple of months. Do exercises that you enjoy to make things less boring.

Get acquainted with your weighing scale:

Weight scales are good because they keep giving you a reality check. You don’t have to check your weight on a daily basis so looking at it once in 3 days should be good enough. A scale will help you to evaluate your position so that you can adjust your eating habits and workout sessions accordingly.

Minimize your consumption of junk food:

Junk food is a source of Trans fat along with other unhealthy elements. By junk food, I also mean fast food because it has the same effect on the body. Avoid eating it whenever possible and if you love it beyond measures, limit your intake of it.

Include fruit servings in your diet:

Apples, oranges and grapefruits are a big source of vitamin C. In fact, fruits rich in vitamin C should be a part of your daily diet because it is supposed to help in reducing the chances of coronary heart diseases.

Limit your alcohol consumption:

Alcohol is a big hindrance for weight watchers because it is high in calories. That is precisely why people who drink a lot of beer usually have a beer belly. Two glasses of alcohol are good enough for weight watchers.

Include more proteins in your diet:

Include lean meats like poultry in your diet. Minimize your consumption of fat oriented meat products because that will only help you to increase your weight. Also, lean meats are easier on the digestive system.

Start your meal with soup:

Soups are a great way to begin a meal, especially for people who are trying to maintain their weight because it fills your stomach. However, since it is primarily water, it doesn’t add up to a lot of calories.

Don’t trust trendy diets:

Trendy fad diets give temporary results, if at all. Even if it does help you to stay in shape, it’ll only work as long as you stick to the diet. Have a wholesome meal and give your body all the nourishment it needs instead of giving it only one nutrient at a time.

Go for a swim whenever possible:

Swimming is a great form of exercise and it’s also enjoyable. The water helps in burning calories faster which can work wonders for your weight. Whenever you get bored of working out, go for a swim instead.

Compromise one thing for another:

The key to eating healthy is the act of balancing. If you have pizza for dinner, skip the ice cream to compromise for the additional calorie intake. If you go out for dinner, have a cocktail but skip the cake.

The little things count:

Small things can make a huge difference towards helping you to maintain your weight. Instead of driving, walk to the places that are close by. Instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs. These small things can go a long way in helping you to stay fit.

Keep up the motivation:

The most important thing for maintaining your weight is to stay motivated. Do not get discouraged on the way. Read motivational books, talk to people and look at yourself in the mirror to see the difference whenever you feel low.

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The post is written by Nairita who work for corebloggers.com

Most people despise the sight of stretch marks on their body and usually feel embarrassed by it. Some pay good money to have these removed with the use of expensive chemical treatments. But there are actually effective, easy, affordable, natural remedies you can do.

Eat Food Rich in Vitamin E, K and C

Your first defense against developing stretch marks is to make sure to include foods rich in Vitamin E, K and C in your diet, as they promote re-growth and healing of tissues. Your skin can rejuvenate better if you regularly eat green and leafy vegetables, some dairy products and tomatoes-based ingredients.

Moisturize With Kitchen Ingredients

Stretch marks can also be easily prevented if the skin is constantly moisturized and kept supple. There are plenty of common kitchen ingredients you can use for this, and what’s great about it is that these are natural and free of toxic chemicals.

A)    Aloe Vera is a popular skin remedy that delivers many benefits aside from healing or treating several types of skin diseases. It contains detoxifying ingredients with many restorative elements. When applied or massaged at least times a day in vulnerable areas where the marks are, the muscles are also kept firm and hydrated.

B)    Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) contains fatty acids that are actually anti-oxidants. This ingredient reverses free radicals that cause skin damage. It also helps the skin regenerate better. VCO can be applied topically or taken internally.

C)    Olive Oil works really well with lesions and stretch marks because it is rich in Vitamin K, D and A. Apply regularly on the skin and massage for at least five minutes. Olive oil also prevents discoloration effectively.

D)   Lemon Juice promotes production of collagen fibers and brings back your skin’s natural colors. Since it contains high level of Vitamin C, it also helps with repairing skin tissues.

Stock Up On Aromatic Oils

Aromatic oils or essential oils are sold everywhere and for taming stretch marks, you will need these particular oils: chamomile, jojoba, lavender, almond or avocado. Mix these up with any of your kitchen ingredients listed above for best results.

Do watch for vendors that sell aromatic oils labeled as “fragrance oils”, however, as these are not pure essential oils and may already contain chemicals that strip it off its therapeutic benefits.

According to the National Institute of Health, there really is no specific treatment for getting rid of stretch marks. Some people can be lucky and find that these stretch marks disappear over time, while others may take more patience and perseverance getting rid of it.  But with these easy and natural solutions, prevention and elimination is possible.

It is important to detoxify regularly because of the lethal toxins present in our bodies. Although a huge majority are not lethal, they still have harmful effects on our system. The important thing is to remove these right away so that they do not harm our immune system.

The best way to remove toxins is through body detoxification. Toxins are not capable of reproducing but it is still wise to get them out as soon as possible. Cleansing fast in 5 steps is achievable and the following explains it.

STEP 1

Maintain a healthy diet. A diet that is free of chemicals and preservatives is crucial. Chemicals become toxins with prolonged stay in the system. The nutritious food you eat will help in removing the toxins that have long formed.

STEP 2

The second step is juice fasting. This is done by maintaining a diet composed only of fruit and vegetable juices. These juices are easily digested and when they leave, so do the toxins.  Take note that juice fasting should only be enjoyed around once or twice a week. It is not that healthy to do it daily as the body needs nutrients in order to perform functions correctly. Juice does not have much of the food groups in it which is why fasting should be enjoyed seldom.

STEP 3

The next step is to revamp your diet so that it does not include fat. Toxins usually hide within fat. The lesser fat there is in the body, the fewer toxins remain as well. When the toxins residing in fat are removed, some may take its place. As long as there is no more fat in that area, antibodies will be able to dispense these toxins swiftly since they have no place to hide anymore.

STEP 4

It is also possible to detoxify through regular exercise. Working out at the gym or at home will keep your heart rate up. This will improve the flow of oxygen and nutrients which helps in flushing out the toxins.

STEP 5

Going to a sauna or having a steam bath is the last step. The heat will open up our pores which act as a conduit for the toxins to leave. Plus, this will also remove any microorganisms or bacteria present in our skin. As an added bonus, the heat also makes the heart work faster. This provides more blood in the bloodstream which contains nutrients, oxygen and more importantly, lymph to combat the toxins.

Detoxification is one of the most important processes of the body. It is so important that it is performed daily without fail. In fact, the body’s efforts cannot totally cover all the toxins in the body. If you help out by doing the steps mentioned, the body will benefit from it by having more resources to spend on other processes such as respiration and circulation.

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Article written by Andrew Ellis from www.steamshowersupply.co.uk experts in saunas, hot-tubs, steam showers and whirlpool baths

Eat less meat

You don’t have to fully embrace the vegetarian lifestyle to improve your health and boost your wallet, even choosing to live one day a week meat-free can make a big impact. Meat prices have risen at a rate higher than that of vegetables and grains, making it more expensive to serve meat today than in years past. When you serve meat, consider using it as an addition to the meal instead of the focus. For example, if you serve fajitas, serve large portions of several grilled vegetables with just a bit of steak or chicken added for flavor, instead of all meat with a small amount of peppers and onions added.

Beans and other legumes

There is a reason many ethnic dishes are built around these staples—rice and beans a base and add different flavorings, meats and other mix-ins. You’ll find your grocery budget grows when you use simple staples like this, and your body appreciates the complex carbohydrates, fiber and vitamins found in most beans.

Serve smaller portions

If you’ve ever read what actually constitutes a serving of most foods you were probably shocked. Cut back on portions and you will not only save money, you will lose weight. Most of the time you are eating what you have conditioned yourself to expect, not what your body actually needs. Learn to follow your own hunger cues and serve smaller portions. Another thing to remember is that just because you cook a large meal does not mean your family must finish it. Properly utilizing leftovers is a great way to stretch your food budget.

Buy locally and in season

Produce farmed locally and purchased in season is likely tastier than that shipped from overseas which results in lower prices. Fresh produce is a healthy addition to your diet, and it can encourage you to try new foods. Shop at local farmer’s markets, roadside stands and from friends who have a garden. Even if it didn’t save money, the fresh taste is hard to beat.

Eat a healthy breakfast

A healthy breakfast such as fresh oats, fruit and eggs will get your day off to a great start, keep you from overeating later in the day and also costs less than picking up a combo meal from a fast-food joint on your way to work. While it does take a bit of time to cook for yourself, there are shortcuts, and your family too will appreciate starting the day with a home-cooked breakfast.

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This was an article by Tracy on behalf of brokerreview.org - a user driven online stock broker review site.

Understanding Carbohydrates

Whenever you are looking to lose weight you will be told to severely limit your carbohydrates intake. If you are increasing your exercise levels to complement your upcoming improvement in general nutrition, then carbohydrates will form an essential part of fuelling your body. Even without the exercise, there are some vital and tasty foods that you should not be missing out on. Many of the staples of a good diet, including wholemeal bread and all bran cereal, are brilliant examples of carbohydrates which will help you to effectively beat the bulge without severely starving yourself.

Fruit and vegetables are key principles of any general nutrition programme, so bananas, blueberries and broccoli should form part of your everyday snacking or meal routine. If you are exercising then go for generous portion sizes, however be more controlled if you don’t have the time to workout and are looking to lose weight purely by improving your general nutrition.

Make Fast Food Healthier

While a diet consisting entirely of fast food should never be eaten as a substitute for excellent overall levels of general nutrition, there will be inevitably times when you do not have any other option. There are ways to make fast food healthier however and these ideas will quickly help you fight the fat!

For example, even looking at a KFC meal there are huge gains to be made. By doing two things, swapping the bun to a healthier wrap, and asking for grilled instead of fried chicken, you will significantly reduce the calorie content of your meal and instantly have achieved a better level of general nutrition. They also serve a healthy side dish in sweetcorn, meaning you can eat KFC guilt free on the occasions when there are no other options available, saving you up to 550 calories against fried chicken in a bun!

Know Your Superfoods

There are many superfoods which will boost your body’s rate of fat burning and help to speed up your metabolism. Thankfully they all taste great, too, meaning you can come up with some creative recipes knowing that great general nutrition levels are a definite.

Among the best examples are blueberries and pink grapefruit. Adding a handful of blueberries to your breakfast will add important nutrients and anti-oxidants to your meal, and kick off your body’s fat burning systems for the day. If you cannot eat a grapefruit a day, try a glass of pink grapefruit juice before each meal. This, along with adding lemon juice to meals as an alternative, stops the body absorbing increased levels of fat and will help you maintain a healthy weight in the long term.

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Videojug is an online video turotial website with a section dedicated to general nutrition advice.

A tangerine has 23.5 mg of vitamin C, or 39% of the amount that the Food and Drug Administration recommends consuming daily. Vitamin C helps build collagen, which is important for healthy skin. It also protects tissue and organs from free radicals, which are harmful byproducts of your metabolism which can cause premature aging and diabetes if left unchecked.

The fruit contains 1.6 grams of fiber, which is 6% of the amount that the Food and Drug Administration recommends consuming daily. Fiber provides hunger satisfaction, and binds with excess cholesterol in the digestive track to prevent its absorption into the bloodstream, where it can lead to cardiovascular disease. It also helps to regulate bowel movements.

Tangerines provide 5900 IU, which is 12% of the required daily amount. Vitamin A supports healthy vision. It provides a healthy mucosal lining of the nose, throat, and digestive track to protect against harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

The juice of the tangerine is 85% water. Water helps maintain a healthy blood pressure and helps to flush out toxins from the body that are produced by normal metabolic processes.

The glycemic score, which measures the tangerine’s effect on blood sugar, is low and will not cause a sudden increase in blood glucose. Including low-glycemic foods in the diet is important to avoid possible pre-diabetic conditions.

The verdict? Tangerines are healthy for you and provide a tasty, fun snack that is easily accessible for on-the-go snacking.

Cottage cheese is low in calories. It varies by brand, but in general, most cottage cheeses contain between 80 – 120 calories per half-cup serving.

It is low in fat, coming in a variety of percentages, from 0 to 4 percent. At 4 percent, each half-cup serving contains 4 to 6 grams of fat, so if you’re dieting, it is probably a good idea to choose the brands that contain the lower fat content.

The cheese is high in protein. It doesn’t contain as much protein as meat, and one half-cup serving contains up to 15 grams of protein.

It is high in calcium, because it is made from milk. Calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth, and it can also help control blood pressure. One half-cup serving contains approximately 70 grams of calcium.

Because cottage cheese is a fresh milk product, it is low in preservatives and sodium. People who have, or are at risk for high blood pressure will find that cottage cheese is a great choice as a healthy food to avoid heart disease.

Overall, calcium is a good snack or food choice, offering many nutrients that are essential for good health and low in fat for people who are trying to lose weight.

When processed, the manufacturers extract only the sweet part of the bitter-tasting leaves. The sweet part of the leaves is called Rebaudioside A, which is 300 times sweeter than sugar.

So, can one assume that it’s not safe for diabetics? The sweetener does have medicinal properties. It has an insignificant effect on blood glucose and has been used to treat people with diabetes in South America. And, it doesn’t increase your craving for sweets like consuming white sugar sometimes does.

Stevia has been used regularly as a sweetener by people in Japan for over forty years and accounts for 40 percent of its sweet consumption over there, and so far, nothing has come of it negatively.

Stevia comes in powder and liquid form. Many people prefer the taste of the liquid form to the powder form. Although more expensive, the liquid form doesn’t have all the chemicals that the processed powder form does.

In addition to not having effects on blood glucose, here are the other medicinal benefits of Stevia:

• possible positive effect on triglycerides, cholesterol and obesity
• anti-inflammatory effect
• may help diarrhea
• may lower blood pressure
• may treat heartburn
• may improve skin rashes like eczema and eliminate dandruff