Fattening Foods To Avoid

Foods that make you fat quickly

Long-term goals are daunting, especially in regards to nutrition. It’s often easier to set a short-term goal. For example, avoid gaining weight before your next date rather than resolving to replicate Mark Wahlberg’s abs by the holiday season.

In honor of this, here is a list of foods to avoid since they will make you fat quick. Of course, any food eaten in excess will bulk you up quickly. These foods just do it with more pizzazz and less effort.

Fast (and/or Heavily Processed) Food

Since these items tend to be high in calories and artificial ingredients, they’ll waste no time expanding your waistline. The majority of foods on the market (everything from canned vegetables to crackers) contain some type of refined sugar. These sugars are derived by extracting out the sucrose from a plant and then further removing unwanted substances from the extract. This clarification process results in a sweet product devoid of any real nutritional value- hence the term “junk food.” When you consume a product heavy with refined sugars, you’ll be getting lots of calories and few sustaining nutrients. These sugars are almost impossible to completely avoid; the best you can do is opt for more natural and whole foods when possible.

Beer

Everyone’s familiar with the dreaded beer belly. It’s usually caused by the simple fact that beer has a lot of calories, around 150 per 12 ounces. That may not sound like much, but it adds up when you consider beer is often taken with a meal, or with eight other beers. Beer, and alcohol in general, is a key conspirator in weight gain thanks to the additional damage it can do to your liver. A damaged liver means your body won’t efficiently perform basic functions like the processing of fats, leading to easy weight gain. To avoid this, drink in moderation and consider switching over to red wine every now and again- its antioxidants pack more health benefits than your average brewski.

White Bread

Loaded with simple carbohydrates, typical white flour vehicles like sandwich loaves and dinner rolls will quickly bring you to a heftier size. While the body needs carbs for energy purposes, simple carbs have the shortest shelf life of the bunch. Once in the body, they need to be used up quickly otherwise they’ll likely convert to fat. Furthermore, simple carbohydrates are usually stripped of most nutritional value. When you factor in the additional calories gained from classical white bread accompaniments like butter, jelly, and mayonnaise, it’s no wonder so many diets blacklist such foods. High-fiber and whole wheat options are good alternatives since they have complex carbs, meaning you have more time to use up their potential energy before they convert to fat.

Avocados

Rightfully known as the most fattening vegetable available (except for the minor fact that it’s actually a fruit), the avocado gets 80 per cent of its calories from fat. They’ll fill you with fats, but the good monounsaturated kind. Monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, belly fat, and joint pain. This makes them a fatty treat that’s actually healthy for you. A few slices in a sandwich make a great alternative to mayonnaise. Think of avocados (and other sources of MUFAs like olive oil and nuts) as the fat antidote.

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How Much Water Should A Person Drink Each Day?

When you stop to consider just how much of our bodies are made up of water, you begin to realize how important water is to our diets.

Water makes up somewhere between 60 and 70 per cent of our bodies. It exists in every organ, every cell, and every function of our bodies. From breathing to walking, water plays a role in our health and our ability to function on a daily basis.

Replacing water through our diet is critical, and knowing just how much water to drink each day is just as important.

First, we need to realize there are consequences to not consuming enough water. Most importantly, a lack of water can lead directly to dehydration and more complications such as dry skin, irritability, sunken eyes. In severe cases, death can occur – all because there is not enough liquid included in a diet.

The simple answer was always to drink 8 glasses, or 64oz of water a day. This idea didn’t take into consideration things like body weight and activity level.

Today, a slightly more involved formula is commonly used to determine just how much water you should drink. Each day, try to drink at least half your weight and that’s how many ounces of water you should drink. If you weigh 100 lbs, drink 50 ounces of water. If you are an active person, you will want to up this to 75\% of weight. If you weigh 100 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water. This formula will ensure that you have enough water to keep yourself hydrated.

The benefits of drinking enough water are much more than simply avoiding dehydration. Water can help your body do any number of necessary things such as:

Keeps Skin Looking Fresh and Young – Water will help you replenish moisture in your skin and help keep its natural elasticity.

Assist in Weight Loss – By aiding in digestion and increasing metabolism, a simple glass of water can help you lose weight.

Work as a Natural Headache Remedy – Many headaches are actually caused by dehydration, so staying hydrated can keep those headaches at bay.

Increase Productivity – Like most of your body, your brain is made up mostly of water. Drinking enough water can help you think clearly.

Increase Benefits While Working Out – Water helps to keep your body temperature regulated which can make your work outs more productive.

Improve Digestion and Assist in Alleviating Constipation – Water keeps the digestive system working and can stop reoccurring constipation.

Lessen the Occurrence of Sprains and Muscle Cramps – Water keeps muscles, joints and ligaments properly lubricated and in good working condition.

Improve the Immune System – Water will help you fight off common flu bugs by helping the body work properly.

Alleviate Fatigue – Water assists your body as it gets rid of toxins – the fewer toxins, the easier it is for your body to work and the less tired you feel.

Improve Mood – When your body is functioning well, you feel better!

Increase the Body’s Protection Against Cancer – Especially cancer of the digestive system. By improving the function of the digestive system, it benefits your overall health.

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Which Candy Is The Healthiest?

Which Candy is the Healthiest?

If you are on a diet, as so many of us are, chances are you avoid candy like the plague. Or at least try to. But what about those times when you simply must have something sweet?

From candy bars to sugary sweets, candy has long been the weakness of many people. There is hope. Some candy isn’t quite as bad for you as others and don’t rule out the healthy alternatives on the market today.

Figuring out just which candy won’t impact your diet too much but will still satisfy your sweet tooth may be the first step towards finding a diet that actually works for you.

High fructose corn syrup and sugar are the biggest culprits when it comes to how unhealthy a snack is. Other factors such as artificial ingredients and preservatives also make some candies less than ideal. Carefully review the candy labels by checking the levels of sugar, fat and calories to determine how well that particular brand of candy will fit into your diet.

Of course, not many of us have the time or the inclination to carefully read every single label. Instead, below is a list of healthier candies for you to choose from.

First, there are several types of candy that claim to be good for you. There is some scientific data to support these claims – just remember that sometimes the benefits don’t outweigh the added calories and sugars.

1. Gummy Bears: These are supposed to help keep the skin looking fresh and young.

2. Sugar free tarts: Manufactured by several different candy companies, there is some evidence that they may help fight tooth decay.

3. Chocolate: Research suggests that chocolate is actually good for the heart (too bad it isn’t so good for the thighs).

There are some candies that do aim to do it right:

Borba Skin Balance Candy:

These are relatively low in sugars and calories. While they do not contain protein, they are specially designed to aid in skin renewal.

CocoaVia:

Produced by Mars, these chocolate bars are specially designed to promote a healthy heart. They are loaded with cholesterol lowering additives as well as calcium, folic acid and several key vitamins.

Dr. Fuhrman’s Pop’ems:

Containing only healthy fats and proteins, these snacks are created from raw seeds and nuts combined with dates. The high levels of antioxidants make this a healthy choice.

Figamajigs:

Simple figs and rich dark chocolate are combined to create this low fat, high fructose syrup free candy.

At the end of the day, the best choice might be Hershey’s line of sugar free candies. Hershey’s has spent years developing an alternative line of candies that contain no added sugar. Many people choose these as the healthiest candy… and they taste good too.

In a perfect world, we would all eat a piece of fruit when we were hungry, but in reality that rarely happens. Instead, focus on finding a healthy alternative for your candy craves and you may find the perfect balance between sweet and healthy!

For more interesting tips and advice on diets and weight loss please visit the Diet & Weight loss section on GKHealth.

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Top 10 Foods That Will Help You Lose Weight

Top 10 Foods to Eat on your New Year’s Resolution to Lose Weight

You might have noticed that with the onset of the holiday season, the festive foods you indulge in only once or twice a year has caused your weight to increase, possibly by as much as 10 pounds. By the time New Year’s comes, it’s time to start thinking about your resolutions and what you need to do differently next year. One of the most popular resolutions has to do with weight loss, as well as healthier eating in general. Here is a list of the top ten 10 foods to eat to help you with your New Year’s resolution of losing weight, and promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Grapes

It has been proven that coming home and eating grapes before dinner, rather than chips or fatty crackers will help to keep the pounds down. Grapes are naturally low in calories, and have a high water content, which will fill you up resulting in eating less at dinner.

Salad

We have always known that salad is good for us and good for dieting, but do you know the real reason why? Salads filled with a variety of raw vegetables can boost your metabolism, in addition to keeping your stomach and your colon clean. Make sure you consume a variety of vegetables to ensure that you are getting the vitamins, minerals and fiber that your body needs.

Fiber Cereals

We all are learning that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and an easy way to get the fiber we need to help ensure a healthy, disease-free body. There are a variety of great tasting cereals that are high in fiber, and a great way to start out your day. If you have to grab breakfast on the run, there are plenty of high fiber breakfast bars at the grocery store. Just grab a bar and a banana, and you have a nutritional and filling breakfast.

Popcorn

Microwave popcorn can be a great low calorie, high-fiber snack. ( I don’t mean the popcorn that you get in the movie theater that is laced with hydrogenated fat and salt, and can have more calories than a Big Mac). Be sure to use only air-popped or low-fat microwave varieties and be sure to read labels. Even some microwave popcorn brands are high in fat.

Chocolate

Believe it or not dark chocolate has been proven to be a great tasting treat as well as a way to help you lose weight. When eaten in moderation, dark chocolate can satisfy a sweet tooth, and has even been discovered to have some health benefits. Dark Chocolate contains a number of antioxidants that protect the body from aging by preventing damage that could lead to heart disease, and may help balance hormones throughout the body and regulate blood pressure.

Chicken/Lean Meats

It’s time to switch out the greasy burgers for lean meats and poultry. Lean red meat contains iron and is rich in vitamins such as B6 and B12. While chicken and turkey are generally considered healthier than beef, a piece of dark meat with the skin can have a great deal of fat. Skinless white-meat chicken or turkey is the healthiest form, and the lowest in fat and calories.

Water

Drinking water is one of the most effective things that you can do to lose any excess weight after the holidays. Flush out the fat by drinking the suggested amount of water per day, which is about 65 fluid ounces.

Fruits

Have plenty of fresh fruit on hand to satisfy any sugar cravings that may occur during the day. Fruits are full of natural sweeteners, and contain a variety of vitamins and fiber that when eaten in moderation will actually help you shed a few pounds!

Yogurt

Another great food is yogurt. As one of the top 10 foods to eat on your New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, you should stock up on plenty of small cartons. Take them to work or even carry them with you. Make sure they are the low-fat or non-fat varieties. This can also help eliminate unhealthy snacking.

Curry

Those who are a fan of Curry Chicken will like to know that the spice they are using will actually help them lose weight. When you use this ingredient to prepare your meals, you are getting turmeric and cumin, which are agents that help to clean out your system and can help you lose weight faster.

For more interesting tips and advice on diets and weight loss please visit the Diet & Weight loss section on GKHealth.

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Does a Diet Diary Work? – Food Diaries For Weight Loss

Food Diaries & Weight Loss

In the battle of the bulge, dieters now have a strong ally. Food diaries are here to help shed those stubborn pounds that just will not seem to budge. While diary may seem like an unlikely aid in this battle, consuming dairy is actually a proven weight loss technique.

A comprehensive six month study was performed. In it, participants were split in to two groups. One group was asked to write down everything that they consumed – both food and liquid. The second group only recorded in their diaries once a week. Each group met on a weekly basis. In the group meetings, participants were asked to go over their diaries and go over diet related skills.

Food Diary Guarantees Results

When the study came to an end, the average participant lost thirteen pounds. The researchers noted that the weight lost by each person was easy to predict. It corresponded to each participant’s food diary and how many times they wrote in it.

Write More, Loose More

Those who participated in the first group and recorded everything in their diaries daily lost twice as much as those in the other group. The second group was only asked to record liquid and food intake once or week or less.

Why Does a Diet Diary Work?

The answer is simple: accountability. As each person wrote down what they consumed, they became more accountable for what was ingested. They could not deny what they had eaten, because it was there, recorded in black and white. It also helps to point out where the most calories are consumed during the day. It gives the dieter a place to start, in terms to working on rewiring their daily habits.

Diet Diary Creates Accountability

Showing the food diary to others also creates accountability. If you know that you are going to have to write down food that is not acceptable and show the entry to others, you may think twice before consuming it. It almost adds an embarrassment factor to it. If you do not want to explain to others why you slipped, you may be less likely to eat the offending food.

Food diaries do not have to be hard to keep. Make it easy on yourself. Keep the diary nearby and easy to access. This will help you to record as you eat. If you wait until the end of the day, you are much more likely to leave out food or drinks that were consumed.

Record your intake accurately. Include the size of the portions you consume. Write down anything that you think will help in analyzing your eating patterns and portions. This is to help you, so do it right.

Diet Diary Comes in All Forms

Your diary does not have to be a notebook and pen. Record your food intake on whatever medium best suits your lifestyle. Record it on the notes function on your cell phone or PDA. Use sticky notes. Use a spiral notebook. Use a voice recorder throughout the day and then type it up at night. The point is to choose something that you will actually use.

For more interesting tips and advice on diets and weight loss please visit the Diet & Weightloss section on GKHealth.

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Exotic Foods That You Should Incorporate Into Your Diet

Some Exotic Foods You Ought to try to Incorporate into Your Diet

Sometimes, the old routine gets to be a bit much, and you may find yourself looking for new ways to jump start your diet. Perhaps you just want to vary your diet, and change thing up for yourself. Just because it says organic doesn’t mean its healthier. We’ve put together a list of healthy exotic foods that you should try.

Pomegranate

Before pomegranates took off as a popular fruit, many people enjoyed grenadine, which is a sweetened concentrated pomegranate juice used in mixing cocktails. Nowadays, it’s known that eating pomegranates or drinking the juice helps reduce the risk of heart disease, inhibits viral infections (partially due to the high volume of Vitamin C in the fruit), and helps cleanse the body of free radicals.

Acai Berries

The fruit of a palm tree, it is claimed acai berries help improve energy levels, digestion, skin appearance, and sleep. It is also touted as a weight-loss aid and is loaded with antioxidants.

Kabocha

A Japanese variety of winter squash, the kabocha is similar in shape and size to the commonly known orange pumpkin, but features a green skin. It is similar in taste to a sweet potato, and contains numerous vitamins as well as beta carotene, iron, fiber, and potassium. They take about 2-3 months to fully ripen after picking.

Daikon Radishes

The diakon radish is very similar in look to carrots, but slightly more mild than most radishes. It has next to no calories, and is high in vitamin C, folate, and magnesium.

Maca Powder

Known as “Peruvian ginseng”, maca is a nutritionally dense root vegetable. It is rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Its other benefits include increasing libido, fertility, supporting the immune system, and increasing stamina, endurance, and energy. The dried root is sweet and spicy at the same time. It is noted to be similar to butterscotch when roasted.

Cacao

Cacao is an ingredient in chocolate, which is not to say it is just like chocolate. Cacao has more antioxidants than almost any other food in the world. It increases levels of serotonin, endorphins, and the “bliss chemical” anandamide. It contains more magnesium by weight than any other food. Whole cacao can be dissolved in liquids or eaten as nibs.

Flax Seeds

The most common flax seeds are small, brown, and flat. They contain a huge amount of omega-3 fatty acids. They also contain lignans, which benefit the heart and have anti-cancer properties. It also helps stabilize blood sugars, which is helpful for diabetics. To get the most benefits, grind your own seeds in a coffee grinder and consume within 30 minutes – the oils inside go rancid quickly.

Chia Seeds

Not just for “the pottery that grows” anymore, chia seeds are packed with vital nutrients. Chia is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, even more than flax seeds. When ground and mixed with water, it forms a gel. Scientists believe this also happens in the stomach, slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar. This is great because it slows the rate at which the body releases insulin, and can help prevent insulin resistance.

Avocado

The fatty fruit of a Mexican native tree, the avocado has been shown to have positive effect on cholesterol levels. This is due to their high concentration of mono-saturated fat.

Miso

A Japanese seasoning made from fermented rice, barley and/or soybeans, it is a thick paste used to make soups and flavor dishes. It is high in vitamin B12, and in studies has shown the interesting property of protecting people from radiation sickness.

For more great food choices and healthy living tips please visit the Diet & Weightloss section on GKHealth.

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