The Raw Food Diet: Healthy, or are Benefits Cooked-up?

Posted on 31 December 2009 by Summer

Since when was getting a raw deal a good thing? When you decide to try the Raw Food Diet, apparently. Proponents of this natural food diet stick to unprocessed uncooked plant foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, grains, beans, dried fruit, and seaweed.

Most adherents are vegetarian, while some eat raw fish and even fewer eat (gulp!) raw meat. Either way, you may as well say bye-bye to that new stainless steel stove of yours. That’s because raw food proponents believe that heating any food above 116 degrees Fahrenheit destroys important enzymes that help in digestion and absorption of the essential nourishment you get from your meals.

Critics claim that even if enzymes are inactivated when food is heated, the body uses its own enzymes for digestion. They also point out that cooking makes some phytochemicals easier to absorb into your system.

Regardless of which side you stand on, the emphasis on natural, non-processed food sources, is undeniably a good place to start.

So, are you still interested in trying the raw eating lifestyle? Since this is a pretty drastic change in your eating habits, you may experience some withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and nausea when you first give up sugar and caffeine. But don’t fret; it should only last a couple days. You may also risk some nutritional deficiencies such as protein, calcium and iron, so consider consulting your doctor first.

The Basics Of Healthy Food Vs. Non-Healthy Food

Posted on 11 December 2009 by Summer


For anyone who is trying to eat healthier it is important that what you do eat is the best choice. Sometimes products may look healthy but are actually packed in sugar syrup or high in salt. Here are some tips to help make sure what you are eating really is healthy.
Yogurt is a good source of calcium but double check how much sugar is in each serving. Many types of yogurt are packed full of sugar so that the nutritional value is lost. Fresh fruit versus canned fruit. Fresh fruit is always the best choice. Canned fruit has be boiled, canned and processed most times canned with heavy syrup. Stick with fresh fruit for the best option. Frozen fruit would be second best. Fresh vegetables versus canned. Again go with fresh as much as possible as the canned variety has been processed and lost some nutritional value. Avoid boxed meals or frozen meals. They may seem like a quick and easy meal but are high in calories and salt. By preparing your own version at home it will be healthier and better for your family. Fruit juice. When buying fruit juice make sure it is 100% juice. Some juice is actually only 30-40% juice and the rest is sugar, corn syrup and water. Read the label before you buy.

A great general tip for buying healthy food is to avoid the middle aisle of the grocery store. This is where you will find processed foods. The outside walls of the store are where you will find the healthiest and freshest selection of food. We all want to live healthy and happy lives and making sure what we eat is the best quality, is a great start.

Creating a Healthy Food List – Eating Healthy Equals Living Healthy

Posted on 11 December 2009 by Summer


Creating a healthy food list can be easy if you remember to choose basic foods that are widely accepted to be better for your body than others. Make a list at home, before you get in front of those tempting displays and packages. Packaging today can be confusing, as marketers holler “low fat”, and “100 calorie”, and other diet keywords. Making lists can save you money if you stick to it instead of randomly selecting items.

When in a grocery store, remember that the best foods are on the outer borders of the store, and not in the aisles or at the ends of the aisles. Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables. Organic and fresh are better than frozen, and frozen is better than canned food, due to ingredients used as preservatives.

Learn about labels. The first item on the list of ingredients is the item that the package includes the most of. For example, if high fructose syrup is listed first, the highest percentage of that food is that ingredient. If a juice says apple juice and other juices, but apple juice is listed first, most of that juice is made up of apple juice.

Healthy food list, the basics:

Fruits – the most colorful, ones with pulp, whole instead of juice. Most fruits are good foods, and fresh again is always best. Go easy on sweet fruits like banana.

Vegetables – organic, colorful, fresh is the rule if possible. Sweet potatoes are better than white. Red peppers contain more vitamin C than green. Salad greens are good for keeping your pH balance where it should be. Roughage in vegetable, fiber, helps clean the body from inside.

Grains – choose whole grain, multi-grain, dark over light. 12 whole grain breads, brown rice, whole wheat or spinach pasta instead of regular. For cereals, oatmeal instead of sugar laden sweet cereals. Especially watch the sugar content of cereals.

Nuts and seeds – watch out for salt content.

Spices – use spices to flavor your foods, instead of dumping on salt. Many spices have medicinal qualities that are favorable, such as cinnamon, garlic, peppermint, and parsley.

Oils – olive oil, peanut oil, and canola oil are preferred over hardened oils like butter, margarine, and oleo.

Dairy – low fat, skim, yogurt, cheese, goat or soy milk. Go easy on dairy, but include it. Skip ice cream and opt for frozen yogurt or sherbets.

Meats and Poultry – choose lean cuts, light meat instead of dark, wild game is leaner, baked or grilled over fried, low fat content. Chicken or turkey is better than red meat.

Fish – excellent, but choose lean over fatty.

Sweets – limit intake, read ingredients.

You can create a healthy diet from most foods, but it is necessary to watch out for fats, additives, and artificial ingredients. Limit portion sizes, and eat a wide variety of foods. Drink lots of water instead of soda. Learn about foods and custom design your own healthy food list for optimum health
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How You Can Present Healthy Food For Dogs Through A Raw Food Diet

Posted on 10 December 2009 by Summer


Just like for humans, there are certain foods and diets that won’t go good for your dog. There are several different variations of diets that can be put together, but a raw food diet is some of the best healthy food for dogs. As strange as it may sound, the more raw food you can give your dog the better the pet’s health will be.

Some people who are not completely sold on the entire raw food diet for their pet’s health will opt to go for a half raw food and half dry food diet, which is good as well. Just as long as you include some amount of raw food it will be extremely beneficial for a number of reasons.

Raw food diets have been found to help the body of your dog deal with common ailments such as flea infestations, allergies, immune disorders, continual shedding and much more. The kind of diet that you present to your dog and the healthy foods that you give to your dog will create a long-lived life. By providing healthy food, it will help your dog build immunity, heal quicker from illness and overall just become a healthy canine.

The worry that people have regarding raw foods, especially raw meat, is e. coli and salmonella. What most people don’t know is that the way dog’s digestive systems are designed they are made to accommodate raw meat unlike humans.

There is an array of different kinds of healthy food for dogs that are raw, which most dogs like because of the variety. As mentioned above, raw meat is the best kind of food to build up a healthy canine. Things like raw chicken and turkey necks are great, as well as raw poultry bones. Raw poultry bones are very beneficial because they are healthy and it is a great way to clean your dog’s teeth. The best kind of raw meat is naturally raised, hormone and antibiotic free or organic meat.

Whenever you change your dog’s diet, especially when you begin feeding healthy food for dogs, you want to start small. Having a different diet will take time for the dog’s digestive system to adjust and you may notice either diarrhea or constipation at first. Over time, you will be able to gradually build up until you are feeding your dog only raw foods. If you dog can handle it, a combination of raw foods and hard foods is ok.

While there are a number of different healthy foods for dogs, putting them on a raw food diet can be extremely beneficial. Just remember to gradually introduce the food to their digestive system because it will be hard at first. The end result though will be a healthy canine with a stronger immune system
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Healthy Food Snack Recipes To Make Guests’ Mouths Water

Posted on 10 December 2009 by Summer


Natural healthy food organic recipes are usually tasty. Nutritionists tell us that there is more nutrition in the cardboard box that packages your cornflakes than there is in your cornflakes. But even if cornflakes were nutritious, they can’t compare with the flavor of strawberries straight from your organic garden.

I’ve spent many happy hours gathering mulberries from the roadside trees, and blackberries, and carob beans, and raspberries, and strawberries, and English gooseberries. Some of these delicious fruit even reached the container because I couldn’t eat them as fast as I picked them.

Of course your healthy food breakfast should have a bit more than just fruit. Vegetables are also great. I used to wander my organic garden and gather whatever struck my fancy. Some of it was suitable for breakfast such as Daikon radish, Florence fennel, purslane, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, nasturtium flowers, pansy flowers, day lily flowers, parsley, garlic greens and so on.

Of course your healthy food breakfast should have a bit more than just fruit. Vegetables are also great. I used to wander my organic garden and gather whatever struck my fancy. Some of it was suitable for breakfast such as Daikon radish, Florence fennel, purslane, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, nasturtium flowers, pansy flowers, day lily flowers, parsley, garlic greens and so on.

Now I have hardly any teeth left I prepare this healthy food breakfast. It doesn’t take me very long at all. I start by drinking 1.2 litres of water.

Into my 1.5litre blender I put three driied shiitake mushrooms, half an orange with the skin still on it, a tomato, a carrot, three florets of broccoli, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons powdered ginger root, 2 tablespoons brewer’s yeast, one apple, handful of raisins, 50ml coconut oil, 600 ml (1pint) water. While it is blending I crack 2 jumbo-size eggs into a glass ready to pour into the blender.

When everything is blended to my satisfaction I add the two eggs and blend for another ten seconds, then drink everything from the blender, to save on washing up.

I finish my breakfast with a good handful of dried bananas. Not only are these cheaper than fresh bananas, but recent research indicates that they are more healthy than fresh bananas.

In the middle of the morning I snack on a tablespoon of apricot kernels, because even if they don’t protect me from cancer, I like their flavor.

For lunch I have 200 gm red cabbage and some fruit. In the middle of the afternoon I drink 400 ml of water, and a mug full of cocoa with dried stevia powder as a sweetener. The cocoa makes me feel good and suppresses any pangs of hunger, just as chocolate does, but the stevia is a better sweetener than sugar.

For the evening meal I have a stew made of kangaroo mince, and seaweed, and garlic, and onions, and 1.5 litres of coconut oil. In the evening I munch of almond nuts and three Brazil nuts, and perhaps some raisins.

If your children don’t like natural healthy food organic recipes, get them interested in growing vegetables, and in preparing meals with the fruit and vegetables they have harvested themselves. They will suddenly start enjoying good food
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How Healthy Food Changed My Life?

Posted on 10 December 2009 by Summer


Often, developing healthy food habit is not as restrictive or as confusing as several individuals imagine. The first and foremost principle of healthy nutrition is simply eating a wide range of foodstuff. This is more important, since varied foodstuff make varied dietary contributions.

Secondly, vegetables, fruits, legumes and grains are necessary, since these foods are high in carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and low in fatty substances and are cholesterol free.

It is also better to balance between calorie expenditure and calorie intake. That is, avoid eating more foodstuff than what the body can consume. Otherwise, there is a possibility of gaining additional weight. Therefore, the more the active an individual is, the more he can eat and uphold this balance.

It does not mean that aforementioned three fundamental steps suggest an individual to sacrifice the favorite food. As long as, an individual’s diet is rich in fiber and nutrients and well balanced, there is nothing improper.

Individuals also can view healthy foodstuff as a chance to expand range of alternatives by trying some healthy food such as vegetables, fruits or whole grains. A healthy nutrition does not have to imply eating foodstuffs, which are unappealing or bland.

Benefits of Healthy Food:

Nutritious and healthy diet is very much significant for maintaining a healthy body. Healthy diet involves timely and regular food, snacks, nuts and juices. A balanced meal and appropriate food habits are essential for leading a healthy life. In due course of life, everyone forgets to take essential nutrition for proper body function, hence fall under several life-style diseases. Hence, it is necessary for an individual to understand and know about the benefits of healthy food such as vegetables, fruits and nuts.

Below discussed are some of the benefits of healthy food:

• Beetroot: It has good amount of potassium, manganese and foliate. It also contains fewer calories and helps to cure skin problems.

• Cauliflower: It is extremely nutritious and is much effective in curing several ailments. It is rich in folate and apt for pregnant women.

• Mangoes: They are very popular and largely available fruit. They are rich in potassium and good for healing wounds.

• Nutritional Values of Banana: It aids in the healing of anemia, depression, brainpower, blood pressure and constipation.

• Egg: It is nutritious and healthy food. Eggs lecithin prevents the absorption of egg’s cholesterol and other sources as well.

Overview:

Research has witnessed that, those who eat less processed food and saturated fatty items live longer and healthy life, and are very less prone to disease and illness. Good health food along with proper exercise gives tons of energy and makes feel stronger and healthier.

Good health food can assist individuals in maintaining a healthy weight. The phrase Healthy Weight is not only important for those individuals who are overweight, but also for individuals who are underweight as well. With eating healthy food, individuals can control their body weight without being underweight or overweight.

Healthy livelihood is all about understanding the body requirements and rendering it with good supplies for proper body function. Unhealthy eating habit can affect the individuals’ body severely, hence intake healthy foodstuff to avoid such consequences
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Not Your Mother’s Diet -Eating Disorders Checklist

Posted on 10 December 2009 by Summer


Not Your Mother’s Diet Book may surprise you. Complete the Eating Disorder Checklist Quiz and see where you are with these generally accepted expectations that we hold culturally about diet & weight.

Healthy Food

Posted on 10 December 2009 by Summer

Food is an important element for the health of our body. Pollution, hereditary factors, noise, the environment where we are born, others’ behavior do not depend on us, but we can always decide what to eat or not to eat.

Four Basic Nutrients

Water, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the main elements of a healthy diet. If you choose the healthiest version of these nutrients and you eat them moderately, you can help your body function at an optimal level.

1. Water – it is recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water per day (2 liters).

2. Carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates: sugar in milk, honey, and sweet fruit

Complex carbohydrates include fibers and starch, in bread and pasta, in beans or in potatoes.

3. Proteins – Complete proteins that can be found in meat, fish, cheese, eggs, yogurt, and milk, products based on soya – tofu, soya oil, and soya meat – contain complete proteins. Incomplete proteins can be found in cereals and vegetables.

4. Fats
Saturate fat acids are found in beef, lamb, pork, ham, and dairy products. Poly saturate fat acids can be found in different types of fish (tuna, salmon, and mackerel) and in vegetable oils – sunflower oil, soya oil or maize oil.

Essential Food for your Health

Money saved to eat at a fast food restaurant are not actually saved because you will use them after some time to treat your cold or other diseases that are consequences of unhealthy eating. Food should be the healthiest investment for your family. Here you can find a short list including the healthiest foods.

1. Fish Oil

It is healthier than fish and it can bring you many advantages:
• It prevents heart diseases, cancer, depression, arthritis, diabetes, ulcer and Alzheimer syndrome;
• It amplifies the energy level and the concentration capacity;
• It offers the greatest resistance against common diseases like flu and cold;
• It can help pregnant women avoid premature birth and other complications.

2. Fresh Vegetables
Nothing compares to the nutritional value of fresh vegetables. Apart from many nutrients, folic acid in green leafed vegetables prevent diseases, especially neurodegenerative ones, like Parkinson, and antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E) can help you keep your wit. If you eat especially animal proteins, you must opt for vegetables that are low in potassium – cauliflower, green peas, spinach, lettuce, and mushrooms.

3. Raw Eggs
Raw egg is an amazing food for your mind and your immune system. Even though it can take you quite long until you get used to it, do not forget that proteins and fats contained by eggs are essential for your body. Cooked eggs do not bring the same benefits from the nutritional point of view. There are more methods to eat raw eggs. You can simply swallow it quickly, or you can mix it with milk and banana shake or with vegetables juice.

4. Fresh Milk
Fresh milk is an amazing source of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. Pasteurized milk does not offer the same benefits as fresh milk does
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Healthy Food for the Liver

Posted on 09 December 2009 by Summer

Eating healthy foods for the liver can improve and support liver function on a daily basis. Having a healthy liver results in greater energy and general well-being. A poorly functioning liver can result in tiredness, headaches, bad breath, allergies and intolerances, problem skin and weight gain.

Foods that are healthy for the liver fall into two main categories. First are those that promote the detoxification process of the liver. And second, are those that are high in antioxidants and therefore protect the liver while it’s carrying out its detoxification processes. Below are a list of the top eight foods that are considered to be good for your liver.

1. Garlic and onions. Garlic contains allicin which is a sulphur-based compound needed by the liver for effective detoxification. Garlic helps the liver rid the body of mercury, certain food additives and the hormone oestrogen.

2. Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage). These vegetables are very powerful detoxifiers of the liver. They contain chemicals that neutralise certain toxins such as nitrosamines found in cigarette smoke and aflotoxin found in peanuts. They also contain glucosinolates that help the liver to produce enzymes it needs for its detoxification processes.

3. Freshly squeezed lemon in hot water. Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in a cup of boiled water first thing in the morning helps to cleanse the liver and promote detoxification. It also stimulates bile production, cleanses the stomach and bowel and stimulates a bowel motion.

4. Beetroot. It’s a blood-purifying tonic that is also capable of absorbing heavy metals.

5. High-antioxidant fruits. In a study done by the US Department of Agriculture at Tuffs University, it was found that the following list of fruits had the highest levels of antioxidants (in descending order): Prunes, raisons, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe, apples and pears. Antioxidants help to protect the liver from the high levels of free radicals that are naturally produced during the process of detoxification.

6. Apples. Apples contain pectin that bind to heavy metals in the body (in particular in the colon) and help their excretion. This reduces the load on the liver and its detoxification capacities.

7. Artichoke. Increases bile production. One of the jobs of bile is to remove toxins through the bowel, as well as ‘unfriendly’ micro-organisms. It has been suggested that 30 minutes after eating globe artichoke, bile flow is increased by over 100%.
8. Bitter leafy salad greens (dandelion, chicory, endive, rocket). The bitterness of these foods helps to stimulate bile flow within the liver.

Please note: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of a personal relationship with a qualified health practitioner nor is it intended as medical advice.

Buying Healthy Foods for Your Freezer

Posted on 09 December 2009 by Summer


Ever since our family almost ran out of food during a blizzard, I keep track of what is in our freezer. As soon as the neighbors heard about our food shortage the phone started ringing. Every neighbor offered us chicken. We didn’t want them to go out in such frigid weather, and we didn’t want to go out, so we didn’t accept their chicken. We ate what was on hand and had some creative meals.

For me, stocking up on food is not an option, it is a necessity, and my freezer is full of healthy foods. I keep the freezer full during summer months as well.

Before I tell you what is in my freezer, I will tell you what is NOT in my freezer. There are no “5 for $10 Bucks” pizzas, frozen dinners, soups, coffee cakes, pies or muffins. If there are muffins in the freezer I made them with combination flour (half white, half wheat), sugar-free applesauce, Splenda, and a tablespoon of olive oil. There are other homemade things in the freezer, too.

When I make chili (light on meat, heavy on vegetables), I make extra and freeze it. I try to have flank steak in the freezer because it is lean and adaptable. Though flank steak is pricey, I get a good deal at my local super store. I also freeze leftover beef, chicken, turkey, and rice. Having a well-stocked freezer is comforting and gives me a jump-start on meals. What is in my freezer?

PROTEIN

Chicken breasts (skinless)

Turkey breast

93% lean ground beef (several pounds)

Flank steak

Pork chops (thin cut)

50% less fat pork sausage

Talapia (a farm-raised fish)

Egg substitute (two cartons)

Homemade chili and soup

VEGETABLES

Chopped spinach

Broccoli

Broccoli stir fry

Mixed vegetables

Tiny peas

French green beans

Chopped onions (at least 2 bags)

Vegetable egg rolls (speciality of a local restaurant)

Hash brown potatoes (for vegetable soup)

FRUITS

Strawberries

Blueberries

Raspberries

Sliced peaches

Lemon juice (a so-so substitute for fresh)

BEVERAGES

Calcium-fortified orange juice

Grapefruit juice

Lite grape juice

Lite cranberry juice

Ground coffee (which freezes well)

BREADS

Hamburger buns (lowest salt content I can find)

Whole wheat bread

Homemade muffins

Homemade oatmeal and French bread

OTHER FOODS

Fat-free mozzarella cheese

2% milk cheese

Sugar-free, fat-free ice cream

“Free” whipped topping

When grocery stores run specials on frozen juice and vegetables I take advantage of them. I also keep special foods on hand, such as frozen artichokes and angel food cake, in case we have unexpected company. What is in your freezer? Take inventory now. Discard unrecognizable food, food with freezer burn, old food, and unhealthy food. Buying healthy foods for your freezer helps you to cook healthy, eat healthy, and live healthy.