Archive for the ‘Diet’ Category:
Know Your Cholesterol Level
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to function and makes all the cholesterol it needs in order to keep you healthy. It is also present in some of the foods we eat. It is used to make hormones, Vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods.
Cholesterol is an important substance that is crucial to many biochemical processes in your body,including synthesis of several hormones, homeostasis and membrane transport. In principle, your liver can produce all the cholesterol your body needs.
What is HDL and LDL Cholesterol?
Blood is a watery like substance and cholesterol is an oily one. As a result the two do not mix well together. So for it to travel in the bloodstream, cholesterol is carried in packages called lipoproteins. These packages are made of fat (lipo) on the inside and proteins on the outside. Two kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout your body, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL).
Cholesterol is transported in blood stream by lipoproteins. Lipoproteins are complex spherical particles which carry fat and cholesterol inside. There is a variety of lipoproteins in the blood. Most of us have heard of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Other lipoproteins include chylomicrons, very low- density lipoprotein (VLDL) and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL).
High concentrations of LDL and lower concentrations of HDL are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Cholesterol can build up in your arteries and make them more narrow and harden. Eventually, too much cholesterol might completely block an artery. A heart attack occurs when blood supply to the heart muscles is blocked. A stroke occurs when blood supply to your brain is blocked.
Most people do not know that they have high cholesterol as there may be no symptoms. High cholesterol can be detected by a simple test. If you are 20 years old or older, you should check your cholesterol level every five years.
Raw Foods Diet is Beneficial to Your Health
HTML clipboardThe benefits advocated from eating such a diet seem endless: lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, eliminating cravings, preventing overeating, purging the body of accumulated toxins, balancing hormones, maintaining blood glucose levels and reversing degenerative diseases. Followers of a raw diet cite numerous health benefits, including increased energy levels, improved appearance of skin, improved digestion, weight loss and reduced risk of heart disease, just to name a few.
Proponents believe that enzymes are the life force of a food and that every food contains its own perfect mix. These enzymes help us digest foods completely, without relying on our body to produce its own cocktail of digestive enzymes. There can be some side effects when you are first starting a raw foods diet. Some detoxification effects may be experienced as your body attempts to shed some toxicity.
This may include occasional headaches, nausea sensations and mild depression. If these symptoms persist, you should seek the help of somebody who is experienced with detoxification symptoms. Following a raw food diet means that you have to carefully plan your meals to make sure you don’t fall short of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
In some instances it might be appropriate to consider taking dietary supplements, especially when just starting out. You’ll need to invest in some appliances so that you are able to prepare the food, if you don’t already have them available. A durable juicer, a blender and a large food processor make raw food preparation a breeze. You may also want to look into purchasing large containers to soak sprouts, grains and beans, as well as for storage. A durable juice extractor for your fruits and vegetables The smoothest way to begin a raw foods lifestyle is to slowly transition into it. Try starting off by eating approximately 70 to 80 percent raw foods in your diet. Have fruit and salads throughout the day and a cooked vegetable meal with a salad in the evening.
This should help make the transition easier on your body and hopefully lessen side effects associated with detoxification. This is an emotional time as well, so you should allow yourself plenty of time to make the switch. Journaling during the process can help. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling the positive effects of a healthy, detoxifying raw foods diet.
Facts About Nutrition Labels
The nutrition label located on each and every food item, will tell you all the information about that food. For some however, this information isn’t exactly that reader friendly. Fear not, as it’s actually easier than you think. Serving Size This size is based on the amount people eat.
Similar food items will have similar serving sizes, thus making it easier to compare 2 foods of the same category. % Daily Value This indicates how food will fit in a 2,000 calorie diet.
This will help you to understand if the food has a lot, or just a little of the important nutrients. The middle section The nutrients you’ll find listed in the middle section are the ones that are most important to your health. This information can help you to calculate your daily limit of fat, fiber, sodium, and other nutrients. Vitamins & minerals The percent daily value found here is the exact same as the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamins and minerals.
Now that you know what the nutrition label actually means, it’ll be a lot easy to eat healthy. Eating healthy is a great thing – especially when you use the nutrition label to assist you with your food choices.
Eating Right During Your Pregnancy
You already know it is important to eat a well-balanced diet, but it is even more important when you are pregnant. Keep in mind now you are eating for two. Whatever you eat, the baby eats as well. In fact the baby actually takes your nourishments so you must eat enough for both of you. The healthier you eat the better it is for the pregnancy and you.
Never miss a meal while you are pregnant, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your baby has probably been waiting since he/she woke up in the middle of the night. You may learn that if you wait so long before eating you start to feel sick, this is your body telling you to eat. Do it!
Make sure you are getting enough of the food you need daily. It takes 4-6 servings of dairy a day for a healthy pregnancy, this can include some cheeses, milk, yogurt. This provides the baby with calcium which it’ll need to develop healthy growing bones. Adding extra calcium to your diet wouldn’t hurt you either, especially your teeth and bones.
Don’t forget about your fruit and vegetable servings. Lots of green is always a good choice, so are sweet potatoes. Not only will you be giving your body what it needs but you’ll start to have more energy. Try laying off the sweets for a week and replace them with healthier items and see how alive you feel.
Foods to Avoid
Not all foods are safe during your pregnancy, there are a few things you should avoid eating:
- unpasteurized products- brie
- Certain fish- exotic, shark, swordfish, anything high in mercury
- Raw eggs
- Undercooked meats- lunch meats. If you are buying a deli sandwich you can ask for them to eat the meat up a little.
- Caffeine- soda, chocolate. If you find this difficult you can wean yourself off, but the less caffeine in your system the better it is for the baby.
If you are ever unsure of the foods you can eat you can ask your doctor for a list of items to avoid during pregnancy. They’ll be more than happy to share this with you.
You may also learn that your stomach won’t handle certain foods that it would before. Some of those foods may include foods that contain grease, fast foods, meat, and certain foods that have a strong odor.
Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to cut out all the fun in your life, you can still treat yourself from time to time. Go out and get a frozen yogurt or a smoothie.
While you are making sure you get enough to eat throughout the day, that doesn’t mean neglect your fluid intake. You’ll need lots of water and juices from here on out. The baby will thank you later. Who knows, you may discover that you really enjoy eating healthier and continue it even after the pregnancy.