Fittness and Weight loss News

This article will tell how to eat healthy for life and avoid the fad diets.

• If you consume more calories than your body needs each day, your body will store the excess energy as fat. In today’s society, that excess body fat is unnecessary. We are no longer gatherers. Your next meal is as close as your local grocery store and we do not need extra energy stores to hold us over till the next meal.

• Eating healthy will give you some health benefits, but you will not achieve the full benefits possible unless you exercise. Exercising doesn’t have to be hard, and you don’t even have to break a sweat. Just going for a short 30 minute walk four times a week will greatly improve your health.

• Use extra virgin olive oil when cooking. It is purer, and is better for your heart than other kinds of olive oil. The darker the better. Furthermore, “light” olive oil has as many Calories as extra virgin olive oil — the “light” refers to the color and flavor intensity. Unfortunately, though, using extra virgin olive oil when cooking at higher temperatures ruins the flavors that make it “extra virgin”. But olive oil is not necessarily the most healthy oil, canola oil may be better.

• This takes patience. You won’t see a drastic drop in your cholesterol level or weight or increase in your energy level immediately. You need to give the changes in diet some time to kick in.

• Have a positive and upbeat attitude. If you start your new diet thinking “This is something I have to do,” instead of “This is something I want to do,” then you’ve already failed before you started.

• Adding whole, unrefined grains to the diet can add valuable vitamins and minerals that would otherwise be lost, however it can completely upset our digestion as well. Many animals that eat grains have four stomachs they use to digest them adequately, and ferment them so they can uptake nutrients. Humans have only one stomach, and if you introduce grains without first fermenting or sprouting them you may experience digestive upsets. There are various anti nutrients in grains (like phytic acid) and enzyme inhibitors that will prevent mineral absorption and lead to deficiencies and digestive problems. To remedy this, take oatmeal and soak it the night before in a little bit of yogurt. This will make it taste slightly sour, but make it more digestible. Sourdough bread is also another good example.

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  Lettuce is a great choice of natural fiber, and can taste great with the proper healthy dressings. You can make a great salad with nuts, raisins, and whole wheat croutons. Mix it in a bowl so it’s evenly distributed and place it on top of a salad. Use a sugar free and low carb balsamic dressing; it has less than 1 gram of carbohydrates and 0 Calories. The head of lettuce is 21 Calories, plus the nuts and raisins and whole wheat croutons which could range depending on size but for this example we will estimate 100 Calories, bringing you a very low calorie and filling meal for only ~120 Calories.

• Smoothies are great for breakfast. Combine the following:
  • banana
  • 4 medium-size strawberries
  • 1/2 cup of skim milk or soy milk

• Choose wheat (brown) bread instead of white bread. Processed carbohydrates such as those found in white bread are harder to draw nutrients from, and therefore are seen as empty Calories.

• For protein, try substituting beans for higher calorie foods like boneless skinless chicken breasts, or tuna. Not only will you be getting additional phytochemicals from the plant based protein, it will not have the harmful saturated fat content. Remember that even an orange has more than 5% of its calories from protein!

• Carry water with you at all times. Try to drink water in place of soft drinks and other flavored beverages. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces per day.

• Non-fat yogurt can make a great snack, and its healthy bacteria can help with various stomach problems.

• Consider eating organic. Organic food isn’t made with the use of a lot of harmful chemicals, or other harmful processes. Not only is organic food good for you, but it is sustainable and good for the environment too! Other foods can be extremely harmful to the environment.

• Read the labels on everything you eat. Do not just buy something because it is marketed as being “healthy.” Lots of companies trying to sell their food off as healthy when really it is full of high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, trans fats, and hidden sugars. This is also the best way to learn about a product. It gives you almost all the information about that product you’ll ever need. If you’re trying to lose weight, try to choose foods with low calories. If you want to gain weight for a football team or some such reason, you are going to choose food with lots of calories. However, too many calories, not enough exercise, and eating too much at one time, can make you fat.

Over the years, people have come up with some very interesting cake recipes. For instance, there is chocolate and zucchini cake, Coca Cola cake, and Kaluha cake, all delicious but not necessarily healthy. As you will discover in this article, you have another option in the form of a recipe for green tea cake. With this, you have both flavor and a healthy snack.

Although we have provided you with our favorite recipe for green tea cake, keep in mind that you will find many variations. In addition, you might take the recipe we have and modify it using your own creativity. Regardless, a green tea cake makes a wonderful dessert when entertaining guests or snack for the kids after school. Green tea cakes are light, moist, and offer just the right amount of sweet.

You will even find that with this recipe for green cake tea fills the room with a wonderful, green tea fragrance. This type of cake can be made as a sheet cake, layer cake, or for different types of molds. As far as icing, you could choose whatever you like but we do suggest you consider a cream cheese based icing, which adds just the right touch of flavor to complement the cake’s ingredients. If you want to give this recipe for green tea cake a slight green color, you can add an additional amount of Matcha, which is green tea powder.

RECIPE FOR GREEN TEA CAKE
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 to 5 teaspoons powdered green tea
1 ¼ cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs

RECIPE FOR ICING
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
2 ½ teaspoons powdered green tea
2 tablespoons butter or margerine, soft
3 ounces cream cheese, soft
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons milk

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch or two, 9-inch cake pans. In a bowl, sift the all-purpose flour with cake flour, baking soda, salt, and green tea powder, mix well and set aside. In another bowl, beat the white sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract. Gradually beat in the flour mixture, alternating with the yogurt. Mix well and pour the batter into the prepared baking pans. Bake the cake for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a cake rack for 30 minutes before icing.

For the icing, sift the powdered sugar with the green tea powder in a bowl. In a second bowl, mix the sugar/tea mixture with butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk. Beat until smooth with an electric mixer. Spread the icing on the cooled cakes, distributing evenly. To enhance the appearance for this recipe of green tea cake, you could sprinkle a small amount of the green tea powder on top.

Julie Health writes about health benefits of green tea and has provided you with more recipes using green tea.

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Whether dieting or needing energy for sports performance, a smoothie made with the right ingredients would provide a huge nutritional benefit. A growing trend is the incorporation of green tea into our society. Considering that green tea has been studied intensely and proven to provide excellent health benefits, it would only make sense that someone would come up with a green tea smoothie recipe.

Over time, the initial green tea smoothie recipe has evolved. Now, while we are providing you with more than one green tea smoothie recipe, remember that you can add or delete whatever ingredients you want. This would be a great time to experiment, coming up with a smoothie that you love. Green tea adds a slight, sweet taste that works exceptionally well with fruits and vegetables.

You will even discover that your kids love smoothies made from green tea. Used as a breakfast food, afternoon or after school snack, or to improve performance and stamina, you cannot beat green tea. Oriental people have long appreciated green tea and now, people in this country are discovering the benefits. These smoothies can be made using actual brewed green tea or green tea powder, known as Match, which can be found at health or Asian food stores. Below we have listed recipes for green tea smoothies, which are delicious and nutritious.

Green Tea Smoothie Recipe – One

1 large peach, fresh, pitted, and sliced or cubed or ¾ cup canned peaches, drained
1/2 banana, sliced
1 ½ tablespoons honey
1 cup of brewed green tea, chilled
1/2 to 3/4 cup ice cubes

Brew the green tea and then chill for 45 to 60 mutes. In a blender, mix all the ingredients until creamy and smooth. If you like, this green tea smoothie can be decorated with a fresh peach slice.

Green Tea Smoothie Recipe – Two

1 cup milk
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla or vanilla bean ice cream
2 ½ tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1 banana, frozen and cubed

In a blender, add all the ingredients, blending until smooth.

Green Tea Smoothie Recipe – Three

1 1/2 cups cantaloupe or honeydew, diced
1/2 cup lemon or vanilla yogurt
1 cup green grapes, frozen
1 tablespoon fresh mint, minced
Lemon juice, fresh

In a blender, add all the ingredients, blending until creamy. If you prefer a tarter flavor, add additional lemon juice.

Again, we suggest you take a base green tea smoothie recipe and have fun coming up with your own creation. This would be an excellent project for the kids too while also having the opportunity to teach them about health and nutrition. In addition to cold smoothies, you might also consider creating hot smoothies, similar to green tea soup. Today, we often grab fast food simply due to a lack of time. Now, you could use a green tea smoothie recipe instead, knowing you are providing your body with rich nutrients while also having excellent taste. Quick and easy, it is no wonder green tea has become such a huge hit!

Julie Health writes about health benefits of green tea and has provided you with more recipes using green tea.

You may reprint the article above in its entirety provided the resource box and its links remain.

Most people think only of positive benefits of green tea. However, while this type of tea does offer some excellent benefits, many directly related to health, it is also important to understand there are some negative effects of green tea leaves. Just as with many foods and drinks we consume, green tea may not be good for everyone. Therefore, we wanted to address some of the negative effects of green tea leaves so you can determine if this is right for you.

Green tea comes from a bush in the Camellia family, which is why the official name for green tea is Camellia sinensis, which is Latin. This evergreen bush has shiny, pointed leaves that have a wonderful aroma. This particular bush also produces beautiful white flowers. Today, green tea is grown in more than 50 countries to include Argentina, Brazil, and Russia, among others.

The exciting thing about this tea is that study after study shows positive effects on the body, meaning the negative effects of green tea leaves is minimal. For instance, green tea contains powerful antioxidants that have been proven to help fight various forms of cancer, as well as tooth decay, obesity, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Because of the amazing benefits, the level of consumption for green tea has skyrocketed throughout the globe.

Now, when it comes to the negative effects of green tea leaves, we want to start with pregnant women. Although most doctors agree that a small consumption of green tea is fine but when large amounts are consumed, caffeine can increase the risk of spontaneous abortion, low birth rate, and even growth retardation. Keep in mind that these risks are associated with the beverage of green tea, as well as supplements.

EGCG molecules, which are similar to a methotrexate compound, work by fighting off cancer cells by bonding with the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme, which is good in non-pregnant women. However, in pregnant women, the negative effects of green tea leaves involves involve the epigallocatechins, otherwise known as EGCG. In this situation, EGCG can affect the way in which the body uses folate, which is vital in the prevention of neural tube birth defects.

Nursing women should also consider the negative effects of green lea leaves. Remember, green tea is high in caffeine. Therefore, a woman who is breastfeeding and consuming green tea would be passing the caffeine on to the baby. Even small amounts or green tea powder used for baking, smoothies, and other foods should be avoided while nursing a baby.

In addition, negative effects of green tea leaves would link to individuals who have allergies. In this case, someone who is caffeine sensitive could develop problems such as hives and rash from consuming green tea. With caffeine being a stimulant that affects the central nervous system, other problems could result such as insomnia, excessive urination, reduction of potassium levels, and even incontinence. Just keep in mind that if you have any concerns about negative effects of green tea leaves for you, we recommend that you talk to your doctor or a health food specialist.

Julie Health writes about the benefits of drinking green tea and the harmful problems of green tea. Visit her website to discover more about how a miracle in a cup can improve your health.

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Green tea has become very popular due to the essential health benefits it brings. It has a very long history in being used by Asians as traditional medicine for many years. In addition to adding to one’s vitality, in recent years scientific research has also shown that green tea can help with weight loss.

The green tea diet is different from all other tea diets because its liquid is extracted by steaming the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant as opposed to full oxidation. As a result, the green tea diet preserves a lot more antioxidants for the body to use. The fact that green tea is a natural ingredient makes it a healthy drink which anyone can drink with no long term harmful side effects, unlike other drugs for weight loss.

What are the key health benefits of green tea diet?

The green tea can diet can help fight the signs of aging since it contains big amounts vitamins C and E which are antioxidants. This marvelous drink is an outstanding source of polycatechin polyphenols, antioxidants that can fight free radicals that damage cells. Heart attacks, cancer and diabetes are some of the diseases that can be caused by damaged cell membranes. Due to green tea diet’s polycatechin polyphenols, a person has a better chance of evading ailments and keeping himself healthy for a much longer period of time. One can get better vitality by simply drinking green tea diet.

There are currently ongoing studies on another antioxidant which is available in green tea diet which can potentially cure cancer. Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG found in green tea diet has been discovered to destroy cancer cells while keeping surrounding healthy cells unharmed. By simply drinking green tea diet, one can also reduce the risk of cancer.

Some studies in recent years have also shown that drinking green tea can help lose some weight. It has been noted by a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that with the consumption of green tea diet, the body’s total 24-hour energy expenditure is boosted by up to 4%. Green tea diet helps increase the body’s metabolic rates. With its thermogenic properties, it is only natural that green tea diet can also promote faster metabolism of fats and sugars. With the green tea diet, one can therefore lose weight without doing a workout at the gym.

Green tea can also help your body fight any infections. Some recent studies have shown that drinking tea increases the immunity system, thus strengthening the body’s ability to fight diseases.

In recent years, the green tea diet has also been proved to lower blood pressure and also help asthma sufferers. Green tea contains theophylline which can help muscles surrounding bronchial tubes to relax, thus helping asthma sufferers to breathe easier.

With all these benefits of green tea diet, why should you pass up on boosting your body’s vitality and lose weight at the same time?

Are there any downside effects to green tea diet? Even though green tea diet has a reputation for boosting health, scientific evidence of its health benefits are rather mixed.

In an article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, American researchers collaborated with their Chinese counterparts to discuss the positive effects of green tea diet on cholesterol levels. Using a sample of 240 men and women (average age 55) who possess moderate to high LDL cholesterol levels, the researchers instructed them to retain their usual low-fat diet, green tea diet intake, and activity levels. After three months, those who consumed green tea diet extract with their regular meals lost more than 15% of their total LDL cholesterol levels. This finding therefore further supported the benefits of green tea.

Based on recent studies and experience, the general consensus is that green tea offers several health benefits and also help with losing weight.

Dieting generally involves eating well and exercising. Green tea diet, like all other diets, needs a lot of effort and commitment for those who try it. This diet requires both discipline and dedication for it to make any significant impact on your weight loss goals. With the green tea diet, you lose weight and also keep your body healthy.

Julie Health writes about the health benefits of drinking green tea like its weight loss benefits at her website.

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