Dieting and Weight Loss

Zero Calorie Dieting

2008-11-25T03:13:00.000-08:00

Zero Calorie Diets - sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong! Read on to see how you can use zero calorie food to lose weight.

Zero calorie food is food that requires more calories to burn than it adds. For example, a slice of chocolate cake has 400 calories. Your body needs about 150 calories to digest this, leaving 250 calories that add to your body fat. Now, let’s take a zero calorie food like a stick of celery that has only about 5 calories. Since you need 150 calories just to digest it, this means you’re burning 145 calories just to eat it.

So, what kind of food has zero calories? In general, this means food that needs a lot of chewing. Some zero calorie foods are:
Cucumber, celery, tomato, lettuce, asparagus, garlic, spinach, zucchini, lemon, grapefruit, cabbage, gourd, turnip, papaya and pineapple.

Here are a few tips to lose weight with the zero calorie diet:

Go Veg
Meat and eggs don’t fall under zero calorie foods, so its best to have as little of them as possible, or add vegetables to them. (Look at the last tip to see how you can do this).

Go Green
Go in for fruits and veggies that are high on moisture and fiber. The extra bulk from fiber and the water content is proven to keep you full for longer, so that you can keep away those cravings and lose weight faster.

Solid, Not Liquid
Chewing, digesting and metabolizing burns calories, so munch on a whole celery stick rather than celery soup, and eat whole fruit rather than juicing them. This is a healthier snacking option than chips or cookies too.

Eat raw…
As far as possibe, have these foods raw. The vitamins in raw fruits and vegetables stimulate tissues to produce enzymes that help break down calories.

… Or Cheat A Little
If you just can’t live without cooked food or meat, make a few changes.

Opt for fruit in your dessert – try a light and tasty fruit tart instead of a heavy chocolate mousse.
Add lots of fresh lettuce and tomato to your chicken salad sandwich.
Make a filling stew with meat and plenty of vegetables
Add veggies to your omelets and turn them into hearty Spanish omelets.
Start with fresh fruit and salad before you move onto the main course.

Cut Carbs And Lose Weight

2008-11-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

Who does not have any concerns about weight? Even the slimmest and fittest of all people constantly have to think about ways to maintain their current health state. With all these concerns on weight loss, what options should people turn to?

Among the known solutions for weight loss include diets, exercise machines, and even soaps, creams, and sauna belts for fast fat burning. However, if you want to eliminate fat, there is no instant solution, and you have to approach your routine systematically and under the supervision of an expert.

In general, people accumulate excess weight because there is no balance between the calories taken in and the calories that the body burns as it works. People tend to get heavier because they eat beyond the normal caloric requirement for their height and weight, and they do very little to burn off these excess calories they eat. This is why one of the best methods to effectively lose weight lies in cutting carbs or carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates are macromolecules that are made up of various forms of sugar. They are found in foods such as potatoes, bread, pasta, pastries, rice, and other plant products. Basically, the body needs carbs as an energy source. Think of the sugars you eat as additional calories that your cells burn up to give you energy to move. There is a need to cut carbs if you do not have a good balance of the basic food groups in your system. weight,

Generally, carbs must be eaten in the highest amounts, with protein and vitamins and minerals following next. However, there are some people whose diets rely mainly on carbs with little or none of the other food groups present, so excessive sugars are taken in, but not all are burned up. These then wind up as fat. You can gradually decrease your carb intake and include in your diet other food sources like dairy, whole grains, fruits and veggies, and many more.

How Diet Pills Work

2008-10-29T06:08:00.000-07:00

How Diet Pills Work

Are you very conscious about your weight these days? Have you been looking for the most effective diet you can use to reduce your food intake? Perhaps you have been trying to do exercises, but still you have not lost enough weight. Maybe you have heard about the use of herbal supplements or dietary supplements for quick and easy weight loss. But are all these supplements or diet pills effective and safe? How do diet pills work anyway?

Diet pills operate following the principles of increased metabolism in the body. The ingredients found in diet pills have compounds that increase cell metabolism, as well as aid digestion. In this manner, fat can easily be burned, and hence, weight loss is achieved. Diet pills are called supplements because they are integrated as part of a smart dietary plan, which should also include proper and regular exercise as well as moderation of food intake. Keep in mind that although it appears that way, diet pills do not work alone when weight loss is the primary objective. They are only there to supplement your current weight loss routine.

Diet pills can be purchased almost anywhere, even online. However, there are certain risks involved when buying new products, especially when they pertain to the market of weight watchers. You might end up with bogus products that have nothing to offer, and you do not get your money’s worth. Or worse, you end up using the diet pills, not knowing about side effects you may experience from taking them.

What should you look for when shopping for diet pills online? Because the internet is almost infinite in size, it is quite difficult to single out or narrow down one’s search for reliable, authentic, and effectively safe diet pills. You can do a little additional research and reading on diet pills to find out about any known side effects as well as satisfying results. Read about products and brands that have been granted high ratings from clients or users, so you can gauge if it is something that you would want to use for yourself

How to Diet Safely

2008-10-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

There are many methods that people turn to as an answer to their concerns with weight loss. A lot of them would consider taking fad diets like the Atkins Diet, South Beach Diet, Lemonade Diet, and many more. These fads are not necessarily effective for all body types, and there are some serious side effects if they are not followed under supervision.

On the one hand, there is a huge percentage of health buffs who try out various products like pills and exercise contraptions to help them diet and lose weight. There are those who wish to take the short cut, by undergoing cosmetic surgery procedures like liposuction and abdominoplasty to slim down and reshape their bodies.

With all these options available, is there really a way by which people can diet safely? Exercise and diet always have to come together, but they must be done in the right way. To be able to achieve the best results, you should first know what your body’s limits are, and you can learn this by having a consultation with your physician. What diet choices are good for you without depriving your body of its needed nutritional intake? If you are prone to injury, which exercises will provide the least strain on fragile areas of your body?

The general idea of dieting and exercising is that you should take it slowly. Walking for a few minutes per day is good for keeping your blood pumping and also for fat burning. Later on, when your body becomes accustomed to the added physical activity, you can increase the intensity of your exercises as well as the duration. At the same time, accompany this with a decrease in your caloric intake, and stick to your diet in a disciplined manner.

When you do these together properly, you can burn off as much as a pound per week. Some other great fat burning exercises you can do is swimming or cycling, which can also burn of 600 or more calories per hour. Sports and games are also excellent ways to burn fat, plus you also get to have fun while doing them. Remember, safe dieting is possible, and it can also be rewarding if you arm yourself with knowledge.

Lose Belly Fat: Fat Belly is Ugly

2008-09-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Getting rid of belly fat is the toughest part of any weightloss program, but a few lifestyle changes can help you get rid of that ugly belly fat. Here's how:

1. Don't overeat
Sounds simple, but how many of us follow this rule? We really don't need that many calories each day - about 1800 is more than enough for the average adult. Always leave the dinner table feeling like you could have eaten more, and leave a gap of atleast 2 hours between meals.

2. Chew!
Your mom probably nagged you to chew your food well and she was right? When you take your time with your meals and chew slowly, you not only get more flavour and nutrition out of your food, you also feel full faster so you don't overeat.

3. Switch to tea
You need to ban those aerated drinks and colas rightaway. Aerated drinks lead to abdominal bloating which can give you an unsightly paunch. Switch to tea instead if you really need a caffeine kick without empty calories. Fennel tea is great for abdominal swelling. Just remember - use a bit of honey instead of heaping your tea with sugar.

4. No more midnight feasts
Leave a gap of atleast 3 hours between dinner and bedtime. This gives you body time to digest your food and convert it into energy instead of fat. Try and shut down your kitchen at a fixed time every night and don't have any readymade or microwaveable snacks lying around.

5. Exercise
You were dreading this bit, weren't you? The bad news is that you just cannot get rid of belly fat unless you exercise. The good news is that you don't have to spend hours in the gym for that. The point is not just to lose weight fast, but to change your lifestyle from a sedentary to an active one. You can start out slow -- go for a little walk with a loved one after dinner or join a dance class. Just find something you think is fun and stick to it.
It's not impossible to get rid of belly fat. Just have faith in yourself and concentrate on being healthy!

The Truth About Carbs:Lose Weight By Cutting Carbs

2008-09-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

Carbs have received so much bad press lately that even if you’re not on the Atkins’ diet you’ll stay miles away from them. But how bad are carbohydrates? What’s the truth about carbs? Read on to find out.

1. Carbs are not evil
Carbohydrates are actually a vital nutrient that your body needs to be healthy. Cutting carbs out totally is a bad idea. Carbs are essential in order for the body to have energy. That is why the US Government Diet Guidelines and the World Health Organization say that 50 to 55% of your calories should come from carbohydrates.
In moderation, carbs actually help you lose weight. They’re full of fiber so they keep you feeling full for longer and help you overcome the urge to snack on junk food.
carbo
2. Watch what you add to carbs
Carbs by themselves aren’t that harmful. Carbs actually have fewer calories than fat or alcohol. When you add loads of butter to bread or a creamy sauce to your pasta, it’s the fat that’s to blame. Eating just that slice of bread or pasta will probably add fewer inches to your waist. So the next time you’re on a diet think of the stuff you might be adding to carbs that you need to watch out for.

3. Know your carbs
Carbohydrates are of two kinds. First you have starches or complex carbohydrates, such as those found in potatoes or pasta. The second type is in the form of sugars found in fruits and vegetables.
The carbohydrates found in manufactured foods (like cookies, cakes, soft drinks, icing sugar and ice cream) are refined sugars and you need to stay away from them. They have “empty calories” meaning that they make you pile on the pounds without giving you any nutrition.

4. Add “good carbs” to your diet
Now that you know that not all carbs are bad, which are the ones you need to add to your diet? Here’s a short list:
1.Bread (swap white bread for brown bread)
2.Pasta and Noodles (swap regular pasta for whole wheat)
3.Cereals (have whole grain cereals instead of frosted or sugar coated ones)
4.Rice (use wild rice or brown rice instead of white)
5.Potatoes (bake potatoes instead of frying them)
6.Beans and Lentils (add them to your pasta, veggies or rice)
7.Oats (use them in cereals or home baked cookies)

Knowing the truth about carbs will let you see how they can help you lose weight in a safe and healthy way, provided you eat them in moderation and have a regular exercise plan. So, here’s to healthy slimming!

5 Dieting Dos and Don'ts

2008-09-21T10:36:00.000-07:00

Here are five no nonsense tips to lose weight. Forget all the fads and trends. These are the straight facts to lose weight and keep it that way forever.

1. DO: Eat Less
The average individual needs only about 1800 calories a day to sustain, but we consume a lot more than that. Reducing 300 to 400 calories per day could help you lose at least 5 pounds a month. But nutrition cannot be compromised. It is essential to eat nutritious food with low calories. Opt for vegetables, wholegrain and low-fat proteins that keep you full longer.

2. DON’T: Go On a Fad Diet
There are several fad diets that promise quick and easy to lose weight, but you end up gaining back more weight than you lost. Fad diets do not work in the long run. They cause nutritional imbalance and are far too rigid to follow for life.

3. DO: Exercise
You just can’t get away from exercise. Simply walking briskly for 45 minutes a day, 4 to 5 times a week is enough to lose weight. If going to the gym bores you try fun alternatives like martial arts or even dancing to shed those pounds.

4. DON’T: Fall For Diet Pills
There are many diet pills available over the counter with very attractive write upside pills are not an option for an average individuals to lose weight Most of them are not safe. Never attempt to have them without a medical advice.

5. DO: Change Your Lifestyle
Sometimes all you need to do are make changes. Avoid fried foods and desserts and replace them with fresh fruit and vegetables. Avoid cheese and reduce edible oils. Steam, roast or broil your food rather than frying it. Cut back on alcohol and remember to drink plenty of water.

3 Diet Questions To Ask Yourself

2008-09-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

Diets can be frustrating. Maybe you just can’t stick to the rigid diet and exercise rules. Maybe you get tempted and break your diet easily. Here are 3 questions you need to ask yourself and 3 answers that will help you make the most of your diet.

1. When Do You Eat?
When you eat is almost as important as what you eat on a diet. Most of us tend to eat 3 large meals a day, which lead to binging and guilt later. 4 or 5 mini meals a day are much more effective in controlling your appetite and weight. Also, since the portions are smaller you can usually get away with a small treat in one of the meals, like a square or two of chocolate or some fries.
At the same time, remember to leave a gap of at least 2 hours between each meal.

2. How Do You Shop?
Even when you try to stick to a diet, a trip to the supermarket can change all that. How many times have you bought food that you didn’t want, just because it was on the shelf?

Go shopping for groceries after eating a full meal – you will be less inclined to impulsively buy snacks and junk food. Supermarkets often have free food tastings and sampling a high calorie snack can make you give in. If you’ve already eaten, you’ll be less inclined to fall for that.
Before going shopping, make out a list and stick to it. If you have a specific list you won’t want to buy stuff that you don’t need and that’s going to wreck your diet.

3. Where Do You Eat?
Never eat on the go. Sitting down and eating helps you stay focused on your food. You appreciate the flavors; get the most nutrition (because you’re chewing well) and you know when to stop.
Get into the habit of eating at one specific place. By identifying that place with eating, you’ll avoid mindless snacking elsewhere. Choose a quiet place at home or work where you can eat in peace.

So forget the diet pills, the Atkins diet or South Beach diet or whatever diet. Before you start, ask yourself these basic questions. They’ll help you stay on your diet. All the best!