Here are 10 foods that can help you lose weight and provide a variety of health benefits.
Artichokes
A half a cup of artichoke hearts has 45 calories and seven grams of satiating fiber.
Sugar Snap Peas
Rich in fiber, folate,
Source of vitamin K, a bone and blood-building nutrient
Strawberries
One cup contains 49 calories and three grams of hunger-fighting fiber.
Asparagus
High in immune-boosting vitamins A and C
Contains potent phytochemicals
Cilantro
Substituting herbs and spices for fatty flavors saves pounds (10 per year in Virginia State University study).
Cucumber
Water-rich vegetables helped people reduce their overall calorie consumption by 12%
Pineapple
Contains bromelain, an enzyme that's been shown to reduce the inflammation and aid in digestion
Avocado
At 120 calories these 11 grams of fat are the heart-healthy kind of fat
Banana
Rich in potassium, a nutrient which helps regulate blood sugar
Has energy-boosting B vitamins
Nectarines
Skin contains satiating soluble fiber
Also source of lycopene and lutein, two powerful, natural compounds that have been shown to slash risk of heart disease
Source: ivillage health
Showing posts with label Weight Loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weight Loss. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Excessive Weight Can Strike 8 Years Off Lives of Young Men
While we realize that unhealthy weight can cause a myriad of diseases, I don't think any of us felt that young people could be losing a number of years off their lives.
A new Danish study, as reported by the AP, said that men who are obese by age 20 die eight years earlier on average than their non-obese peers.
Another interesting fact that was presented at the International Congress on Obesity in Stockholm is that obesity usually develops before the age of 20 and that most people are unlikely to develop obesity later in life.
The research, led by Esther Zimmermann of Copenhagen University Hospital, found that the risk of premature death in already obese men increased 10% for every point surpassing the healthy level of 25 body mass index points.
As for women, last year a study published in the medical journal BMJ said obesity could slash women's chances of reaching the age of 80 in good health by nearly 80% The researchers found that for every one-point increase in their body mass index women had a 12% lower chance of surviving to age 70 in good health.
A British study published in Lancet in 2009 found that people with a body mass index from 30 to 35 die about three years earlier than normal, while those who were morbidly fat, with an index above 40, die about a decade earlier.
A new Danish study, as reported by the AP, said that men who are obese by age 20 die eight years earlier on average than their non-obese peers.
Another interesting fact that was presented at the International Congress on Obesity in Stockholm is that obesity usually develops before the age of 20 and that most people are unlikely to develop obesity later in life.
The research, led by Esther Zimmermann of Copenhagen University Hospital, found that the risk of premature death in already obese men increased 10% for every point surpassing the healthy level of 25 body mass index points.
As for women, last year a study published in the medical journal BMJ said obesity could slash women's chances of reaching the age of 80 in good health by nearly 80% The researchers found that for every one-point increase in their body mass index women had a 12% lower chance of surviving to age 70 in good health.
A British study published in Lancet in 2009 found that people with a body mass index from 30 to 35 die about three years earlier than normal, while those who were morbidly fat, with an index above 40, die about a decade earlier.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
What Can Help You Lose Weight and Make You Smarter?
Food, of course. Let's start with the weight loss so we will look good as we get smarter.
According to Prevention magazine there are 6 foods that can help burn fat.
1) Beans
2) Bananas
3) Potatoes
4) Barley
5) Brown Rice
6) Corn
Then there is the issue of intelligence. A recent article in the Economist ( July 19,2008) called, "Food for Thought" talks about the research done by Fernando Gomez-Pinilla at the Univ. of California, LA. He found that changes to diet can enhance cognitive abilities, protect the brain from damage and counteract the effects of aging. He has looked at over 160 studies on how food effects the brain.
He suggests people eat more anti-oxidants since the brain is especially susceptible to oxidative damage.
Food to eat: Berries, cucumin ( it's what makes turmeric yellow and is a polyphenol), oily fish (omega 3 source)
One very interesting aspect of the benefits of Omega 3 was found on the Japanese island of Okinawan where fish is a large portion of their diet. They have a "strikingly low rate of mental disorders" according to the article. That's because Omega 3 has been found to help resist conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, ADD and dyslexia.
Food, of course. Let's start with the weight loss so we will look good as we get smarter.
According to Prevention magazine there are 6 foods that can help burn fat.
1) Beans
2) Bananas
3) Potatoes
4) Barley
5) Brown Rice
6) Corn
Then there is the issue of intelligence. A recent article in the Economist ( July 19,2008) called, "Food for Thought" talks about the research done by Fernando Gomez-Pinilla at the Univ. of California, LA. He found that changes to diet can enhance cognitive abilities, protect the brain from damage and counteract the effects of aging. He has looked at over 160 studies on how food effects the brain.
He suggests people eat more anti-oxidants since the brain is especially susceptible to oxidative damage.
Food to eat: Berries, cucumin ( it's what makes turmeric yellow and is a polyphenol), oily fish (omega 3 source)
One very interesting aspect of the benefits of Omega 3 was found on the Japanese island of Okinawan where fish is a large portion of their diet. They have a "strikingly low rate of mental disorders" according to the article. That's because Omega 3 has been found to help resist conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, ADD and dyslexia.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
It's Almost Spring, Let's Boost That Metabolism
Like spring cleaning, most of us use March to get off those pesky pounds that crept up while we were tuned to the TV watching the Democratic presidential debates.
In addition to adding more drinking water to our diet ( 8 glasses per day is ideal) and getting back to exercising (30 min or keeping your heart rate up according to my friend Steve who is a personal trainer), we can also boost our metabolism by including some vitamins, minerals and foods in our diet.
As reported on MSNBC, here a couple of supplements to add to your new spring regime.
-- B Vitamins -- If you don't have enough B6 or B 12, folate, thiamin or niacin you could be slowing your body's metabolism. Of course the best source is food which includes: spinach, asparagus, beans (navy, soy, black beans), melon, broccoli, fish, poultry and eggs. But good quality supplements work too.
-- Magnesium --Magnesium is is used in than 300 biochemical reactions in the body including energy metabolism, according to the article. Sources of food include: spinach, halibut, nuts such as almonds, cashews and peanuts, soybeans (edamame), whole-grain cereals, oatmeal, and legumes such as black-eyed peas and lentils.
Like spring cleaning, most of us use March to get off those pesky pounds that crept up while we were tuned to the TV watching the Democratic presidential debates.
In addition to adding more drinking water to our diet ( 8 glasses per day is ideal) and getting back to exercising (30 min or keeping your heart rate up according to my friend Steve who is a personal trainer), we can also boost our metabolism by including some vitamins, minerals and foods in our diet.
As reported on MSNBC, here a couple of supplements to add to your new spring regime.
-- B Vitamins -- If you don't have enough B6 or B 12, folate, thiamin or niacin you could be slowing your body's metabolism. Of course the best source is food which includes: spinach, asparagus, beans (navy, soy, black beans), melon, broccoli, fish, poultry and eggs. But good quality supplements work too.
-- Magnesium --Magnesium is is used in than 300 biochemical reactions in the body including energy metabolism, according to the article. Sources of food include: spinach, halibut, nuts such as almonds, cashews and peanuts, soybeans (edamame), whole-grain cereals, oatmeal, and legumes such as black-eyed peas and lentils.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Whole Grains: Not only Nutritious, Can Help Weight Loss
Isn't it great when you find out that something you like to eat anyway helps you lose weight? A new study, reported on MSNBC found that by eating whole grains you can rid your body of that awful fat that gathers at your belly.
And if that's not enough whole gain can lower the blood levels of C-reactive protein or CRP. CRP is a marker of chronic, low-level inflammation in the blood vessels, and both abdominal fat and CRP, in excess, are linked to heart attack and stroke. The study was done by Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton at Pennsylvania State University.
Some sources of whole grains would be:
Isn't it great when you find out that something you like to eat anyway helps you lose weight? A new study, reported on MSNBC found that by eating whole grains you can rid your body of that awful fat that gathers at your belly.
And if that's not enough whole gain can lower the blood levels of C-reactive protein or CRP. CRP is a marker of chronic, low-level inflammation in the blood vessels, and both abdominal fat and CRP, in excess, are linked to heart attack and stroke. The study was done by Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton at Pennsylvania State University.
Some sources of whole grains would be:
- Barley
- Brown rice
- Buckwheat
- Bulgur (cracked wheat)
- Millet
- Oatmeal
- Popcorn
- Whole-wheat bread, pasta or crackers
- Wild rice
Friday, January 11, 2008
Yoga for Weight Loss?
While I will confess to having bought a CD with this title and am using it, I wasn't sure it would actually lead to weight loss. It makes me more relaxed and I am getting physically stronger but according to an article on Health, depending on the type of yoga I do I will lose weight as well.
The type of yoga the article refers to is ashtanga or power yoga. A 150-pound woman can work off more than 460 calories during a single hour of power yoga (versus around 170 calories for a traditional yoga session).
It's funny that while most of us use yoga as a quiet meditative form of exercise, we can now use this ancient tradition to cure our modern problem of obesity.
While I will confess to having bought a CD with this title and am using it, I wasn't sure it would actually lead to weight loss. It makes me more relaxed and I am getting physically stronger but according to an article on Health, depending on the type of yoga I do I will lose weight as well.
The type of yoga the article refers to is ashtanga or power yoga. A 150-pound woman can work off more than 460 calories during a single hour of power yoga (versus around 170 calories for a traditional yoga session).
It's funny that while most of us use yoga as a quiet meditative form of exercise, we can now use this ancient tradition to cure our modern problem of obesity.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Soda Pop Is Culprit in Weight Gain
According to a report on CNN, soda pop contributed 10% of the calories that Americans consume. While we all know that pop isn't good for us, I wonder if any of us knew how fattening it was.
According to a report on CNN, soda pop contributed 10% of the calories that Americans consume. While we all know that pop isn't good for us, I wonder if any of us knew how fattening it was.
"Highly concentrated starches and sugars promote overeating, and the granddaddy of them all is sugar-sweetened beverages," said Dr. David Ludwigendocrinologis, head of the Optimal Weight for Life Program at Children's Hospital in Boston.
It's so upsetting to the Center for Science in the Public Interest that they are pushing for obesity warning labels on the side of soda cans.The doctors are worried about the calorie content. The article points out that there are 400 calories in a 32-ounce Coke which is nearly a 25% of the recommended caloric content for an adult women.
It seems the schools are trying to reduce the availability of these "fatty" drinks. Last week the American Beverage Association said that shipments to schools of sweetened soda are down 45% since 2004, while shipments of bottled water are up 23%.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Foods To Help Boost Metabolism
If you are like me as long as it's summer there is still a chance to lose those few extra pounds. Good Housekeeping magazine put together a list of Foods To Help You Loose.
Here are a few:
Eggs - The protein boost in the morning can help prevent spikes in blood sugar. My holistic MD, Dr. David Brownstein not only recommends eating eggs in the morning, he in fact does so every morning.
Beans - This healthy food contains cholecystokinin, which is a digestive hormone that is a natural appetite suppressant. High fiber beans can also lower cholesterol.
Cinnamon - This spice can help control after meal insulin spikes. Just one quarter of a teaspoon a day lowers blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people who have Type 2 diabetes, according to a USDA study.
Tofu - Turns out this protein quashing appetite.
Vinegar - The acetic acid in vinegar slows the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine so your stomach feels full longer. It can also short-circuit the blood-sugar rise after you eat refined carbs such as cookies or crackers (source: Good Housekeeping magazine)
Pears - A medium-sized pear has six grams of fiber which fills you up
If you are like me as long as it's summer there is still a chance to lose those few extra pounds. Good Housekeeping magazine put together a list of Foods To Help You Loose.
Here are a few:
Eggs - The protein boost in the morning can help prevent spikes in blood sugar. My holistic MD, Dr. David Brownstein not only recommends eating eggs in the morning, he in fact does so every morning.
Beans - This healthy food contains cholecystokinin, which is a digestive hormone that is a natural appetite suppressant. High fiber beans can also lower cholesterol.
Cinnamon - This spice can help control after meal insulin spikes. Just one quarter of a teaspoon a day lowers blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people who have Type 2 diabetes, according to a USDA study.
Tofu - Turns out this protein quashing appetite.
Vinegar - The acetic acid in vinegar slows the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine so your stomach feels full longer. It can also short-circuit the blood-sugar rise after you eat refined carbs such as cookies or crackers (source: Good Housekeeping magazine)
Pears - A medium-sized pear has six grams of fiber which fills you up
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
An Internal Spring Cleaning
OK, so you clean your house for spring, or the holidays. Then you clean your yard. What about a spring cleaning for your internal body?
Although this is certainly a delicate subject and I don't exactly feel comfortable talking about it, I must. There is a wonderful, easy-to-make drink that really does a good job of -- let's just call it -- internal spring cleaning.
Originally I got the recipe from a radio talk show host but I have seen various versions on other health sites.
To one glass of filtered water add 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon. Add one tablespoon of organic maple syrup. Then shake in some cayenne pepper. Take as much as you can stomach on the cayenne pepper. Start with a little then increase.
Try it. I'll say no more.
OK, so you clean your house for spring, or the holidays. Then you clean your yard. What about a spring cleaning for your internal body?
Although this is certainly a delicate subject and I don't exactly feel comfortable talking about it, I must. There is a wonderful, easy-to-make drink that really does a good job of -- let's just call it -- internal spring cleaning.
Originally I got the recipe from a radio talk show host but I have seen various versions on other health sites.
To one glass of filtered water add 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon. Add one tablespoon of organic maple syrup. Then shake in some cayenne pepper. Take as much as you can stomach on the cayenne pepper. Start with a little then increase.
Try it. I'll say no more.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Pasta... Walking... Weight Loss
I stumbled upon a wonderful way to eat during my vacation to Italy. I had great food, walked through ancient Rome and Florence and lost weight!
Certainly not what I expected.
It was the combination of how Italians eat, or how my family ate while in Italy, and the amount of exercise. On a typical day we started out with croissants, bread, coffee, fruit, yogurt and cereal. Certainly more than I eat at home. Lunch was pasta, bread. Mid-afternoon was a gelato, very small portion and dinner was pasta, bread and a vegetable.
It sounds like a lot of food but we didn't eat any sugar, except what was in the gelato and we didn't eat in-between meals. The portion sizes were also on the small side. When you eat rich pasta you can't eat two plates full.
And of course we walked on average 3-4 hours per day.
Although the exercise had a lot of do with the weight loss (I lost one size) I think it's the healthier approach to eating that did the trick. I ate great food, reasonable portions and had no "junk". The sugar intake was so low, that I think my body finally had a chance to relax and not work so hard to process all of the extra junk that is normally in our diet. I had much more energy than I normally do. What's more I don't feel deprived in the least. (This from someone who has chocolate daily.)
I think the Italians have it right. They walk everywhere, eat great food in small portions and laugh a lot.
I'm going to try and adapt that here. I can add time to my walking by taking the dogs out in the morning as well as the evening, park farther from my office, walk at least 40 minutes at lunch and try to stand and pace when I'm on the phone at work. I can certainly exercise in the evening and take a second evening walk. It's doable!
And I'm going to make it a point to eat better quality food in smaller portions, and skip the snacks. My meals were so satisfying that I didn't reach for any additional food between meals. But I'll keep that gelato every so often!
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