Eating Healthy

Eating Healthy is Easy If You Have the Right Healthy Recipes

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 03:32:22 +0000

In today’s world unhealthy foods such as processed foods, foods with too much sugar, sodium, fat are prevalent on every shelf of any store out there. The problem with eating healthy is that finding the right food is hard because we depend so much on taste as well as food content. When we don’t get the taste we tend to become discouraged to want to eat healthy and the vicious dieting cycle continues. Even foods you can find like subway sandwiches still contain preservatives and things that are not good for us, mainly because these are still fast food items that the business owner wants to preserve to maintain their profits. So how do you eat healthy and have many different options as well of delicious tasting food? Healthy recipes!

When it comes to health, today more than ever, people are starting to take notice. Being sluggish and tired all the time is enough motivation for anyone to take a closer look at their diet. Healthy recipes are starting to show up everywhere and these are not recipes that look or feel or taste like dieters food! You can throw that old image of diet being synonymous with bland foods, only lettuce and a few vegetables, fruit and lettuce diets and so on, out the window. Today’s healthy recipes are delicious, mouth watering, and appealing even to people who aren’t trying to diet!

The main thing that makes these healthy recipes stand out in the crowd of healthy foods is that they are not only delicious, but they can be prepared to look delicious, taste delicious, and smell delicious. The hardest part of eating better or even dieting is de-programming your old idea of what delicious is. Tasteful should always be based on the tongue and olfactory (nose) not on some programming from television commercials or cleaver packaging. Most packaging says it has healthy food inside but the reality is that this is:

1. Before cooking it
2. Before adding the counter productive preservatives
3. Often is mislabeled anyway.

Healthy recipes at the core usually make use of the blends of many different healthy choices as well as ingredients that help your body operate at optimal efficiency. Items that have no taste usually (if prepared correctly) like fiber help your body to move things through it and remove toxins, foods like fruits and vegetables help replenish the body’s needed vitamin supply, and are much better at this in their natural form than any vitamin will ever be. There are many ingredients you may never have even thought about that alone may not be too tasty but mixed with others could prove to be amazing. Take the tartness of grapefruit, a very good for you food by the way, that most people won’t eat alone. Mix it with the sweet flavor of strawberries, berries and more into a smoothie and voila, you have your grapefruit!

You should rethink your strategy when it comes to healthy eating. Take out the negative incantations of what healthy eating means. It simply means eating foods that are good for you without the bad stuff. With the right recipes you’d be surprised how good it can be. Once your body acclimates to the new foods, it will actually reject in every way, those donuts, ho-ho’s, and even foods with preservatives will taste and smell bad to you. Would you take a whopping bite out of a stick of butter? Of course not. Why? Because your body knows that’s bad for you. You will instinctively know that certain foods will make you feel sluggish, and you will reject even wanting them!

By: Jamie West

About the Author:

In addition to writing about health and nutrition which is the true passion of Jamie West, she also does product reviews as well. Please check out her new site based on the wood coat tree.

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Eating Healthy While Eating Out

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:18:05 +0000

Probably the most difficult time to eat healthy is when we’re going out to eat. Restaurants earn their money by serving the most tempting, tasty, decadent food you ever tasted. Unfortunately for us, that’s because they’re generous with salts, fats, sugars, creams and butters we should not be eating in large amounts. The good news is, as long as we exercise good choices, we can eat out and still eat healthy.

The Right Restaurant: The fist healthy choice to make is the right restaurant. Sometimes you’ll have no choice about this, but when you do, it’s important to make the right choice. It’s best to choose restaurants that take orders and serve you at the table. Fast food is notoriously unhealthy, you have few good choices and no control over how the food is prepared or served. Buffets offer a wide variety of foods, but you’re usually allowed to eat all you want. With good self-control, you may still be able to choose foods for health at a buffet.

Healthy Menu Selection: Even at a buffet, we can choose the vegetable salads, the light dressings, the low fat entrées and avoid the fatty, creamy, fried stuff. This is the same thing we do when reading a menu in a traditional restaurant. We’ll want to skip all the beef, pork, cheese, and fried options. Grilled, baked or stir-fried poultry or fish are the most healthy options. Read all the ingredients, though, because some of these dishes are baked in a butter or cream sauce, or are breaded and “oven-fried.” Of course, green are a far better choice than those creamy, oily, salty salads (like potato or macaroni). The same with soups…always choose broth over cream.

Ordering For Health: Once we’ve made our menu selection, the next step is ordering. Ask, “How is that prepared?” and avoid things fried, baked or soaked in oils, butters or creams. Always order salad dressings and sauces “on the side,” so you can dip the food into it and enjoy the flavor but still be in control of the amount you’re eating. Vinegar and oil are the most healthy salad dressings, but you can choose any kind as long as it’s on the side. Water is probably the best thing to drink with your meal, diet soda is probably next best. Milk and juice are high fat or high sugar options. Alcohol should never be consumed while eating because it increases our appetite and capacity for food. Dessert is something best done at home, where you can control the portions and ingredients.

Portion Control: Now, you’ve got your food…dig in, right? Wrong! Restaurants almost always serve you too much to eat, but we were taught by our Mommies to clean up our plates. So, the first thing to do is figure out a serving size, cut that amount off (usually half) and move the rest to the other side of the plate. Do the same thing with potatoes, rice, noodles, etc. Now we can eat all of the salad, all of the vegetables and a serving each of the meat and starch. Then we have a great meal to take home for later. Even if you don’t eat leftovers, it’s better those extra portions go to waste than to waist.

Now you know how to enjoy eating out and still be eating healthy. If you eat out as rarely as we do (once a month, or less) you can follow another, simpler rule. The rule is, enjoy yourself by eating the rare treat and make up for it at home. After all, life isn’t all about rule-keeping. Either way, I hope to meet you in some nice restaurant in an exotic location. If I do, I promise not to tell if you don’t. We can always do more exercise when we get home.

By: Glen D. Williams

About the Author:

Glen Williams is Webmaster at E-Health-Fitness Nutrition Exercise And Illness Help and Founder of E-Home Fellowship (EHF), Co. He has counseled and helped people on life and health issues since 1987. You can comment on his articles at his Health And Fitness Forums.

Eating healthy

Healthy Eating on a Limited Budget – Healthy Living on a Shoestring

admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 07:38:53 +0000

Yes you can eat well on a limited budget. In this article I will give some tips and tricks to save money on your grocery bill, and still provide your family with an appetizing variety of healthy meals.

First you should take some time to list the things that you and your family regularly eat. Next evaluate the health benefits of the food on that list as well as the cost. You may have to change some items based on this assessment. I am not suggesting immediate drastic changes. What I am proposing is that you get your family to buy into your plan of eating well on a limited budget.
If they agree and entrust you with the responsibility of setting up this plan, they should be ready to accept some gradual changes for the better. This is where your menu planning starts.

Define how far you want to go in making changes to your daily diet. Are you just looking to reduce your family’s consumption of some unwholesome foods? Are you ready to go all the way to vegetarianism? Is everyone on the same page or will you be faced with preparing different meals for individual members of your family? All this must be clearly defined long before you go shopping with your new list.

I remember that my mother, back in the old days in Trinidad, cooked specific meals on certain days. For instance Saturday was soup day. On different Saturdays we got different types of soup. But Saturday was always soup day. Sunday was the day we had a big family lunch that included all the food groups.

The point I am making here is you should simplify your menu choices by first deciding what type of meal you will have on each day of the week. The next step will be to list the choices for that day. For instance…Saturday is soup day… one Saturday will be lentil soup, another Saturday could be split pea soup or vegetable soup…you get the idea. Remember that at all times these choices are based on previously agreed upon favorite and good-for-the-family foods. Here are some quick guidelines:

1. Clean out your pantry. Many homes have food sitting in the pantry for long periods. Every food has a shelf life. Whether it is in a can or a sealed package, it has an expiration date. Buying in bulk is a great way to save money but you have to make sure that the food you buy is consumed long before its “best before” date.

2. Buy the fruits and vegetables that are in season. It is a simple case of supply and demand. The prices on fruits and vegetables are generally lower when there is a big supply on the market.

3. Depending on where you live, you can even grow some of your own herbs and vegetables. That way, you know they have not been sprayed with any chemical and it’s a short distance from your garden to your pot.

4. Buy a freezer bag sealer. There are many inexpensive sealers on the market. Investing in one of these will save you lots of money. Being able to seal fresh herbs, vegetables and good left-over food can make a significant difference on your bank account.

5. Avoid the fancy recipes with the exotic ingredients. They are great for special occasions but they can be very expensive in a weekly menu rotation. Keep it simple, tasty and nutritious.

6. Encourage family participation in meal preparation. There is something that everyone can do to help. There are always vegetables or fresh green salad to cut-up. Pots to stir, tables to be laid etc. This is a great time for family bonding.

7. Don’t go overboard in your effort to save money. You should not shop by price alone. The proper nutrition of your family is even more important than saving a dollar today. You may have to spend it on medical bills years from now because your family was mal-nourished.

8. Take time to read labels. Then do some research on the internet to learn about the additives and preservatives in the food you are serving to your family. Some of it may be harmful.

9. Shop at your local food co-op or farmers market if there is one near you. The prices and quality of food is usually better than the big stores.

10. Always make a list before you go shopping. Check with family members for particular items they may want. Make sure it fits in the agreed budget.

11. Don’t shop on an empty stomach. Everything looks appetizing at that time.

12. Set a time limit for grocery shopping. The more time you spend in the store the more you will spend

Cheers to your total best health,

Guildford Joe Thomas

By: Guildford Joe Thomas

About the Author:

Guildford Joe Thomas began his wellness journey 30 years ago when he quit smoking, stopped eating meat and became a vegetarian. He is a strong advocate of holistic fitness. For him, mind, body and spirit must be equally nourished and exercised. He is an avid reader and lifelong student of healthy living. His latest project is a series of articles on Healthy Living on a Shoestring. Get additional cost saving ideas at: [http://healthylivingonashoestring.com]

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The 5 Key Benefits of Eating Healthy

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:22:11 +0000

Most of us know that the biggest benefits of eating healthy are that we will stay physically fit, feel better, and have fewer illnesses. We can lower our risk of illnesses like heart disease and diabetes as well. Another key benefit of eating healthy is being able to maintain a healthy weight. In this age of epidemic obesity, this is one of the simplest weight loss plans.

But how many of us teach these benefits to our children, and insure that the habit of eating healthy becomes a part of their daily lifestyle? If we did, we could see healthier, happier children, and teenage obesity could become a thing of the past. Here are the 5 major benefits of eating healthy every day:

1. Eating healthy is probably the easiest and most important way in which you can keep active and shield yourself from the many diseases that are now common as we grow older, including heart disease and diabetes. By eating healthy you are boosting your energy levels, improving your bodily functions, and helping to improve your immune. By eating a healthy diet and combining this with exercise you could end up leading a longer and more vibrant life.

2. You will meet your daily nutritional needs. Your daily food intake should include some amounts of grain, fruit, vegetables, milk (or other dairy products), beans, oils, and protein. There are vitamins and minerals in healthy foods which can boost your immune system and shield you from many common illnesses. In some cases, by eating a healthy diet you can actually reduce the risks that are often linked with such serious diseases as cancer and diabetes.

3. You will enjoy life more and have more energy to face the tasks before you. Healthy eating can reduce your stress levels. Combine this with daily exercise and you will increase this effect even more.

4. You will sleep better and be more rested when you wake up.

5. If you are currently overweight, you will be able to lose that weight more easily – and maintain it long term! Most people who lose weight with fad diets gain it right back again when they go back to their normal eating patterns. With a healthy diet that you maintain for life, you will lose that weight once and maintain it long term.

Once you implement a healthy diet, you will be surprised at how fast you will start reaping these rewards. The benefits of eating healthy will continue to reward you for the rest of your life.

By: Linda J Bruton

About the Author:

Healthy Eating every day does not have to mean time-consuming menu preparation or boring meals. To discover delicious alternatives you never knew could be healthy, be sure to check out my Eating Healthy blog at: http://www.eating-healthy.org

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Why Eat Healthy? – Tips to Help

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:50:22 +0000

As I get older I realized I am reaching that critical age. I hear of more and more people around my age suffering from blocked arteries, having to have heart by pass surgery or have had heart attacks and I’m only in my 40′s! Scary!

More young people are suffering from illness that used to only happen in the older generation. People in their late 60′s, 70′s or higher, not before they reached 50 and definitely not while they were in their 40′s.

They say people are living longer but in what condition are they living in I ask?

Today’s society expects easy assessable food therefore people are eating convenient food rather than cooking. It is easier to stop off and grab a ready made meal, fast foods or take away on the way home, than to cook.

Also more people are eating out, going to bars and restaurants for their meals. But all this means is, they are eating foods that are higher in fats and sugars or meals in lovely rich sauces, which are high in fats or food that is high in cholesterol such as seafood.

Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying you cannot enjoy these types of food, but not on a daily basis.

Eating these types of meals every day can lead to higher cholesterol levels, diabetes, blocked arteries and heart problems to name a few. Today these have become a young person’s illness.

I know myself I have cut my family back on our fat intake and am looking at a healthier way of cooking and preparing our meals.

Yes I am cooking more meals rather than going out or buying convenient ready made meals.

I look at healthier choices such as lean meats, adding more fish and poultry and less red meats. I have even started having more vegetarian meals but I still like to get my protein from meat so will not completely cut meat from our diets. I have no problems with vegetarians, that’s great it is your choice but I like meat.

I am also looking at healthier oils over butter and lard. I prefer to use light oils when cooking and olive oil in dressings as the olive oil is better for you when it has not been cooked.

Try to cut back on sauces and use more herbs and spices for flavours.

When making a sandwich choose healthier bread or buns such as whole grain or brown over white. Use more filling and flavourings such as chopped herbs or ground seasonings (not salt) or pickle spreads that are low in salt and sugars, and cut out the use of butter or margarine.

Remove the skin from your chicken pieces when cooking or when you roast a chicken then remove the skin once cooked do not eat it. I know it’s tempting to eat but it is high in fat! This goes for turkey, goose and duck as well.

Trim the fat off your meat to make it leaner or if it comes cooked with the fat on then don’t eat the fat, cut it off. Fat is fat and you are only needing a little amount for a healthy body, and you will get enough from the meat itself.

Having a healthier lifestyle is easy and by using these little tips will be a good place to start from.

Remember we are supposed to live longer so let us do it with a healthy body. Stop abusing your body with foods it cannot cope with and go healthier. Your body will love you for it.

By: MaryLee Leahy

About the Author:

Check out http://maryleesfood.blogspot.com for other great suggestions.

Mary Leahy is a registered nurse with many years experience in nutrition and assisting patient and their families on the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. She also lived overseas working in a mutli-national hospital along side a variety of multi-national staff members. She had the opportunity to observe and study a variety of cultures and their eating habits. With the help of her husband they came up with this healthy eating program designed to help you understand food, lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Kansieo.com

What Is A Healthy Eating Schedule?

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 09:32:35 +0000

It always happens. You get to about 4 in the afternoon and suddenly you are thinking “What should I fix for dinner tonight?” At that point, the thought of actually preparing a meal all seems a bit overwhelming. It’s no wonder that the fast food restaurants and delis do such a brisk business as people are getting off work!

If you really want to ensure that you are serving healthy meals for your family, you really need to organize a schedule. By setting up a healthy eating schedule you are less likely to splurge on unhealthy fast food.

One of the best things you can do when organizing a healthy eating schedule is arrange to eat your meals at a set time each day. Try to include two or three balanced meals per day in your schedule. Eating at regular intervals and as part of a schedule not only helps the body’s hormonal system but you will find that you are digesting your food much better as well.

A well-balanced meal as part of a healthy eating schedule should include the following components:

1. Protein

2. Carbohydrates

3. Fiber

It is important that you plan the meals you will have each week as part of your healthy eating schedule. Sit down at the start of each week to plan your meals, make your shopping list, then only buy the foods on your list. You have your meals planned for the week and it is important that you keep in mind the family’s schedule and arrange healthy meals around that. For example, if one night the whole family has outside activities, then arrange for everybody to sit down in the evening to something easy to prepare, such as soup and a sandwich.

The whole idea of having a healthy eating schedule is to ensure that you have a small healthy meal every 2 to 3 hours. It can be either a healthy sandwich, protein shake, fruit, healthy fats, or whole grains. Unfortunately our bodies have not been designed to digest large portions of food all at once. It is much healthier to eat 5 or 6 smaller meals a day. This will help to keep your metabolism at a higher speed. A great benefit of that is that it makes it much easier to lose weight.

If you want to lead a much healthier life then ensure that you include a healthy eating schedule into the equation. You will soon find that it becomes second nature to follow it.

By: Linda J Bruton

About the Author:

Preparing healthy meals does not have to mean time-consuming menu preparation or boring meals. To discover delicious alternatives you never knew could be healthy, be sure to check out my Eating Healthy for Life blog at: http://www.eating-healthy.org

Create a video blog…instantly.

Eating Healthy in a Fast Food World

admin — Sun, 02 May 2010 22:24:18 +0000

Most of us today have very busy lives dealing with our careers, families, friends, etc. This often leads to most of us living very unhealthy lives when it comes to other parts of our life, ESPECIALLY diet and exercise. During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States.* Everyday you turn the tv on or every magazine and newspaper article you read, you hear of the increasing numbers of those dying everyday from health related conditions (diabetes, heart disease, stroke…the list goes on and on)

Making time to make sure we take care of our bodies and health should become the number 1 priority. There are many excuses (believe me, I have used them all!) that can prevent us from even taking 30 minutes a day to devote to our bodies. Think about that…there are 24 hours in a day. Most people work a 9 to 5 and may avg around 5-6 hours of sleep. That leaves 10+ hours per day that the AVERAGE person has available to them. When most think of getting a workout in, it can seem overwhelming, especially when that “big” project is looming or little Billy needs to make it to soccer practice on time. These are all valid reasons to devote extra time to but no excuse to hit the “drive thru” day after day. After all, the body you have is the only one you will get this lifetime.

I like to tell clients that you have to treat your body like a baby. A baby is totally dependent on the parents to make sure they get adequate rest, proper food and stay active and take care of them. Likewise, our bodies depend on us in this same aspect. We are amazing beings if you really look at how the body works but it truly depends on us as individuals to provide it with the proper fuel and exercise to operate at peak performance. You would never put garbage in the gas tank of your $60,000 sports car…why would you load your body with it??? There are fast food places on every corner in America, which makes it no wonder we have such an obesity problem in the US. While we all have the need to indulge and have our little treats here and there, too many in America have turned to fast food in PLACE of balanced, home cooked meals. Following these tips below can help you get on the start to whittling down your waste line and feeling better!

1. Prepare meals in advance. This will help “commit” to eating what you make and not eating something quick and unhealthy.

2. Pack lunches for the entire family. Make it something all members of the family can help with. This helps control exactly what you eat instead of letting the Drive Thru dictate it!

3. Make a grocery list in advance and try to stick to the outer portions of the store. Most processed and fatty foods are located on the inner portion of the store. Pay attention the next

time you are grocery shopping and you will notice the fresh produce, fresh meats, dairy are all on the outer perimeter of the store.

4. Pay attention to Fat Free and Low Fat. While some foods may indeed be fat free, they can compensate for that with extra sugar, which is just as bad and in some cases, worse.

5. The fresher your selections, the healthier and better!

By: James D. Clark

About the Author:

http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/trend/maps/index.htm

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How to Eat Healthy With A Healthy Eating Plan

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:29:54 +0000

Including nutrient rich food in your diet is a simple change that is painless. A healthy eating plan does not have to be boring and tasteless. Creating a healthy end plan can provide delicious recipes that contribute to your long term health and beauty. Dietitians and nutritionists suggest that to enjoy optimal health, fruits and vegetables must become mainstays in a healthy eating plan.

To create a healthy eating plan, start at the fruit and vegetable section at your favorite grocery store. Pick up a few recipes at the store or scour magazines for new ways to prepare familiar items. You will soon discover that a healthy eating plan is not expensive and not time consuming. A good healthy meal contains a vegetable, some protein and a carbohydrate. Finding easy recipes based on a healthy eating plan is as easy as clicking your mouse.

Eating healthy is an important part of your life. Taking the necessary steps to incorporate nutrient rich foods in your diet improves every facet of your life. You will feel better, look good and your skin and hair will take on a radiance that only comes from good health.

You will be pleased with yourself when you discover that a nutrient dense meal takes less than 30-minutes to prepare. when you see the smiles on the faces of your guest or your family, you will know that you have started the family on a healthy journey toward longevity and freedom from illness.

Besides tasting fantastic, healthy eating will provide you and your loved ones with more energy and protection against disease. By introducing fruits and vegetables into the diet, there is a reversal of the national trend toward obesity and diabetes. The antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables include a class of vitamins, minerals and enzymes that help the body eliminate toxins that may contribute to aging and chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

Make a conscious decision to add more fruits and vegetables to your diets. By going back to basics using natural healing aids available in foods, we provide our bodies with the nutrients that can insulate us against the ravages of time and the environment.

Researchers links eating plenty of fruits and vegetables with a reduced risk for heart disease. These fruits and vegetables protect the heart because they contain heart healthy vitamins and minerals. There are certain minerals like Potassium found in fruits that help the kidneys excrete excess sodium. This secretion of sodium contributes to a healthy blood pressure.

Then there is dietary fiber that helps with glucose control. Improved glucose control reduces the risk for diabetes. Fruits and vegetables are almost super foods in that there is something in the foods that protect our bodies from certain diseases. So , get out the broiler, put up the deep fryer. Spend some time in the fruit and vegetable section of the grocery store. There are some delectably healthy benefits available in this section.

Loading up your grocery cart with fruits and vegetables can add up to huge gains in your health. You can almost eat an unlimited amount of these foods as they are very low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and disease fighting phytonutrients.

You can start on the road to healthy eating and a healthy life today.

Healthy eating can be very rewarding, so start your journey to better health today.

By: Susanne Myers

About the Author:

Get started with Happy (easy!) menu planning today by visiting http://www.healthymenumailer.com and try it free for a week.

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Eat Healthy for Fitter Abs

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:29:59 +0000

The first step towards great abs is great abdominal health. In order to achieve the look you want, pay attention to what you are eating. Support the functions of your body by the foods you eat.

One of the many causes of tummy bloat is improper digestion. Many people are so busy that they do not allow time to pay attention to their diet. This means lots of grab-and-go meals that provide little or no dietary support. Not only are these foods generally high calorie and low in nutrition, they contain little fiber. It is hard for the body to digest this stuff, let alone get rid of it.

Eat plenty of fiber. Fiber comes from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A good rule of thumb to follow is the less processing and packaging, the better. Dark green vegetables and the skins of fruits such as plums, apples and pears provide a good source of fiber. Avoid white and bleached flour baked goods and choose whole grains instead. Whole grain oats, barley, and wheat also support healthy digestion. A sufficient amount of fiber in your diet helps your body cleanse the bowels and maintain a healthy digestive track.

Reduce, but don’t eliminate, carbohydrates. Don’t cut all carbohydrates out of your diet, but reduce your intake of simply carbohydrates like cookies, candy, and sweet drinks. Be mindful of eating complex carbohydrates and whole grains to balance your digestion and metabolism.

Lessen your fatty foods intake. Not all fat is created equal, but too much of any fat is bad. Saturated fats and partially hydrogenated oils are particularly nasty and create the highest impact. Having some natural oils and fat in your diet is healthy, but make sure you know the source. Read labels!

Another enemy of flatter abs is water retention. This often comes as a result of high sodium intake. Lessen sodium intake by paying attention to the salt you are eating. Sodium doesn’t just come from the salt shaker, though. Many prepackaged foods and especially fast food contains high levels of sodium and preservatives. When the body has to process the extra sodium, this causes water retention and bloating.

Also make sure you drink lots of water. Staying fully hydrated aids the digestive process. This ensures that the body makes a quick job of absorbing what it can use and expelling what it does not. Drinking enough water also helps relieve the bloating from excess sodium intake by flushing sodium from the body.

On the issue of liquid intake, quit drinking soda. The calorie free kind won’t help you lose weight either. The sugar in a can of regular soda delivers a calorie wallop and can cause weight gain. However, studies have shown that drinking a can of diet soda a day can increase the risk of being overweight by 41%. This won’t do any wonders for your midsection.

If you want firm, flat abs, or fitness in any muscle area, you must eat to support muscle development. Without muscle tone, your belly is going to sag and bubble. Amino acids found in protein are essential for building and maintaining muscle health. Health officials recommend women consume 46 grams of protein a day and men 56. Protein in the diet comes from meats, eggs, grains, beans, and dairy products. Lean meats and vegetable proteins are the healthiest choices.

Remember though, eating the right foods only goes so far. Work out your abdominal muscles and get some aerobic activity. A sedentary lifestyle makes it extremely difficult to get the shape you want, no matter what you eat.

By: Bill Mann

About the Author:

As the captain of his high school football team, Bill Mann was fit and lean. After letting himself go for years, he is back on the fitness track and losing his gut thanks to better nutrition and exercise. He reviews the best abs programs at AbsAtLast.com

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How to Acquire Healthy Eating Habits & Actions to Become Lean

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:43:40 +0000

I like to people watch. How about you? There are many reason why someone would be people watching. But the reason I do it is to learn the habits and actions of folks that are in great shape and the folks that could do much better…

In short… it is way easier to copy the designs for a wheel than reinvent the wheel… isn’t that right?

Sure! So if you want to get good at something… you should find a mentor or observe someone that you admire and figure out how they do it. Like a business skill. Like a wealthy person. Like a popular person. I think you get my drift here.

And many times, when somebody finds out that I’m a fitness expert… they start peppering me with questions. And I don’t mind because it gives me an opportunity to reinforce my beliefs and a chance to learn what other people do that is counterproductive to getting a fit and lean body.

And most people, believe it or not is either obese or overweight. It is sad and it can be overcome.

Also, I’m not one of those guys who think I know it all and must tell everyone what they are doing wrong. It is sort of like someone telling ME something what I’m doing wrong and I didn’t even ask for their opinion.

So I won’t offer any advice unless someone ASKED me for it. This is the right way to do it without being an a-hole.

The last time I went on vacation at the Caribbean… I noticed that out of every 1000 folks from every walk of life, I saw only four or five guys or women that actually had what I would call a six pack abs.

This is incredible… we all want great looking, flat stomach! How come most of us has a belly that we are unsatisfied with?

One way is to observe if these folks have healthy eating habits by seeing what they get and eat at the grocery stores, gym, restaurants, at the office or even at a friend’s house.

And if you pay attention to what their body shape is like and whether or not they make healthy lifestyle choices…

You may notice that your office mate who complains that she cannot lose weight is the one most likely to eat free donuts and stuff that co-workers bring in and other bad food choices.

In fact, I remember once a long time ago, my girlfriend made a cheesecake that I brought in to share with my co-workers. It was a big cheesecake and was absolutely delicious! And throughout the day, I noticed the same guy kept coming back for another slice. And he was overweight.

My point is not to point out things that will make you feel bad, but to point out that the actions and choices you make (many times you may not be aware of it until someone points it out) DOES have an effect on your health and fitness.

By: Matt Taylor

About the Author:

Find out how you will: Never be confused about effective fat loss again. Get rid of orange peel thighs. Wave goodbye to those cottage cheese arms.. Once and for all, fit back into your old “thin” clothes… AND spend more time with the family because you are not wasting it on useless and boring cardio exercises…

Discover the insider secrets to get a flat stomach. Go to Six Pack Abs and grab free fat loss report.

If you want to gain muscles or lose body fat, then be sure to check out Effective Weight Loss Programs.

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