Archive for the ‘Nutrition’ Category

by Alfa - Losing Weight Zone
05-15-2011

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Green tea benefits studies.

Green tea benefits studies.

If you are currently taking weight loss pills, just look at the back of the bottle and you will see “green tea” or “green tea extract” listed as an ingredient. Green tea helps in weight loss as it has been proven in studies to burn calories and block fat absorption.

Food is synthesized into “triglycerides” in the small intestine and liver and then carried into the bloodstream to other tissues in the body. Triglyceride is used as a source of energy and is necessary for physical activity and life support. When there is too much triglyceride, it turns into fat and causes obesity. Green tea contains high amounts of polyphenols which is enzyme that dissolves excess triglyceride.

Catechin polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that are in green tea and are responsible for the health benefits of green tea. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) stimulates the metabolism and accelarates weight loss. EGCG and caffeine in green tea, stimulate the central nervous system and causes fat to release into bloodstream for fuel. Thermogenesis is what this process is known as.

Though caffeine cannot stimulate the metabolism alone, combined ingredients in green tea are very effective.

Exercising burns calories, builds muscle and increases your energy which boosts your metabolism. Catechin polyphenols in green tea stimulate the use of fatty acids. This allows more endurance and longer exercise timesdue to the reduction of the rate that carbohydrates are used. More endurance equals more exercise which equals more weight loss.

by Alfa - Losing Weight Zone
04-11-2011

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Some ideas for health and weight loss with juicer.

Some ideas for health and weight loss with juicer.

by Alfa - Losing Weight Zone
02-08-2011

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Tips for boosting your energy.

Tips for boosting your energy.

Do you ever feel like you have hit a brick wall during the middle of the afternoon? If you are like most women, your to do list will keep you busy way past your normal working hours: pick up the kids, go to sports with kids, cook dinner, homework with the kids, workout, house work, feel the dog, pay the bills, etc. It’s exhausting work that never seems to end!!!

There are strategies that you can use to get an energy boost. Some are for an instant boost and others are more long term boosters. They require some time and patience, but it will be worth it.

When you reach for a snack, skip the candy bar and go for a healthy snack containing protein and a complex carbohydrate instead of that sugar. Experts recommend whole grain crackers with low fat cheese or a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread. The sugar of a candy bar is short lived in energy boosting, but experts say that the combination of protein and a complex carbohydrate increases your blood glucose level for a longer energy boost.

Eating a high fiber, carbohydrate rich breakfast will make for a short and long term energy stimulant. Examples of the breakfast you should consider are whole wheat toast or high fiber cereal. A half a cup of high fiber cereal contains as much as 14 grams of fiber. Your goal should be 25 to 30 grams of total fiber per day, but most Americans get only 10 to 15 grams.

In today’s busy world, it is hard to take breaks, but taking a short break and doing nothing for a few minutes helps you overcome fatigue and you will get more done over the course of the day. Making a habit of taking 5 to 10 minute breaks will help your energy long term. “If you take short breaks throughout the day, you will have more overall accomplishments,” says Gordon, author of The Energy Bus.

Researchers have found that workers who took four breaks per hour, usually just 30 seconds each, followed by a 14-minute break after two hours of sitting at the computer, reported higher performance and worked faster and more accurately than their co-workers.
Experts also recommend that you drop everything for 10 minutes and go for a walk. Studies have also shown that if you can take 3 minutes and close your eyes and meditate, it will also boost your energy. Experts say that this will help you to take control of your exhaustion. Just disappear into the bathroom at work for 3 minutes and close your eyes, they say.

It is also important that you surround yourself with positive people whenever you can. You can’t always stay away from negativity, but they less you are around them the better. Many times, people in bad moods can bring you down with them. If you become tense, you may find yourself, all of a sudden, exhausted and possibly nauseous or dizzy. It is contagious.

by Alfa - Losing Weight Zone
06-16-2010

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Summer Foods That Wreak Havoc on Your Diet

Summer Foods That Wreak Havoc on Your Diet

Summer is upon us and that means BBQ’s, Pool-side tropical drinks and Fair Food. Some of the foods and drinks we indulge in during the summer can derail all of the had work and exercise you did to get ready for summer! Here are a few of the food and drink items in question. Now, we are not saying to avoid them altogether. It is summer damn it! Rather, be aware of their fat, caloric and nutritional content before indulging in them and keep in mind portion control.

BBQ Meats and Hot Dogs: What is summer without Barbecuing? This typically involves a lot of meats, including steaks and burgers. However, these foods are high in fat and calories. A 20-oz T-bone has around 1,500 calories and 120 grams of fat. A cheeseburger has about 750 calories and 45 grams of fat. It also means eating foods like hot dogs, bratwursts, sausages which are high in sodium. A better choice, while still being able to BBQ is going with lean cut of pork tenderloin, lean ground beef or skinless chicken breast. Also, pull out the veggies and do a shish Kabob! You will eat less meat (cut the mean small enough to be bite size) and will add veggies to your meal which will fill you up!

Mayonnaise Salads: A half cup of potato salad has 180 calories and 12 grams of fat. A half cup of coleslaw has about 150 calories and 8 grams of fat. So, to reduce the caloric intake, use light mayo or substitute 1/2 the amount of mayo with low-fat yogurt, light sour cream or chicken stock. Try German-style potato salad which uses more vinegar than oil. Be sure to watch your portion size and again, load up the salad with veggies!

Frozen drinks are oh so yummy but can have as much calories and fat as a meal! A piña colada can range from 245-490 calories, a daiquiri from 300-800 calories, and a Long Island iced tea is about 520 calories, mainly due to the sugar content. Wine spritzers or drinks mixed with seltzer or 100% fruit juice are better choices. Non-alcoholic beverages such as sweet tea, energy drinks, juices, beer and soda also pack on about 150 calories each. Better options include having water or lighter versions of your favorite drink on hand.

While ice cream is part of summer but be careful! A cup of soft-serve ice cream has about 380 calories and 22 grams of fat. If you add toppings, the fat and calories can double! A better choice is to keep portions small, ditch the toppings, consider sherbet, fudge bars, fruit bars, or other treats like strawberry shortcake.

Fair foods are very fatty. Consider a fried cheesecake which has about 500 calories, fried macaroni and cheese has about 600 calories, turkey legs have about 1,000 calories and 54 grams of fat! Better alternative fair foods include cotton candy, caramel apples, or a simple grilled meat. If you have to have the fried food, consider sharing it with someone so you aren’t tempted to eat the entire thing.

Salads are a great option for a side dish but be careful what you are loading on top of the veggies! Skip foods like fried chicken strips, bacon, cheese and croutons. Instead, opt for grilled chicken, tuna, eggs and nuts. Or, double up the veggies instead of adding a lot of other toppings. Keep an eye on your dressings as they also cause a salad to go from good to bad!

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