Kevin Botha asked:


It is undoubtedly a smart plan of attack toward losing weight effectively in targeting “Healthy Foods To Eat To Lose Weight”. However, as much as this is true, it certainly isn’t the entire truth. Many advertisers of weight loss products would like you to believe this, whereas in fact all they are doing is telling people what they want to hear, a very effective sales technique.

Let’s get real for a moment. Those people loving exercise in this world are in the minority, and knowing this, advertisers of weight loss products oftentimes tap this by telling people that they can lose weight strictly by eating certain foods. However, nothing can be further from the truth and the hard reality is that exercise is every bit as important to eating right in the equation of losing weight.

When it comes to considering healthy foods to eat to lose weight, it is essential to realise that different food groups need different digestive conditions. By combining food groups in the appropriate manner, effective and targeted weight loss products and programs are fashioned including many healthy foods to eat to lose weight.

In dietary circles, certain food groups are usually considered to be incompatible and are not deemed suitable to be consumed together, such as starchy and acidic foods, carbohydrate and protein foods, protein and acid foods, and protein and fatty foods. These combinations are avoided in typical food combination diets.

A typical food combination diet promotes the intake of fresh foods, fruits and vegetables etc., whilst strongly cautions against the consumption of processed foods and desserts. This phenomenon makes “food combination weight loss diets”, which are designed to essentially produce healthy foods to eat to lose weight, a very appealing weight loss alternative for many.



Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle

Diets In Review asked:


Let’s face it, no one likes feeling fat. No one likes their clothes to be too tight or to look in the mirror and not feel attractive, but losing those excess pounds can be difficult, intimidating, and confusing. With so many diets and weight loss plans out there it’s really hard to tell the difference between the fads, the frauds, and the programs that actually work. And, to complicate things, the same plan doesn’t work for everyone—so how do you choose one?

One thing that most programs agree on is that there is no quick fix when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off—it takes work. Dieting is work, but choosing the right diet for your body and your lifestyle can make the experience less of a chore. Some people have a hard time counting calories and preparing healthy meals due to busy schedules or lack of cooking skills, and for those people diet plans with prepared meals, delivery services, or planned menus can make losing weight a snap. Other people don’t like pre-prepared food or need larger portions. For them, preparing their own meals based on their tastes means that there is a much better chance they will actually stick to their diets. Plus, then they can eat larger portions of vegetables and fruits to help keep them full without consuming too many calories. Others like to be able prepare some of their own meals and purchase prepared foods for some of their meals. They need plans with lots of flexibility that can incorporate spontaneity.

Exercise programs are just as varied as diets. Some people can run for miles or do aerobics for hours, while others prefer lower impact workouts like swimming, yoga, or Pilates. Some people are self-starters who motivate themselves while others burn more fat in class settings with a trainer there to motivate them. Some people hate exercising altogether and need fun classes or sports like tennis that feel less like a workout. The best way to figure out which exercises you are going to enjoy the most is to head over you your local gym and try a few things out. Go to a few classes, try out the equipment, hop into the pool, or pick up a racquet. You will be more likely to stick to your workouts if you don’t hate them!

When it comes to losing weight, it is always easiest if you take your lifestyle, preferences, and taste buds into account when choosing a plan to follow. What works for your best friend or sister may not work for you. If you play to your strengths and chose a program that isn’t a huge stretch for you it’s going to be easier to stick to and ultimately you are going to have more success.



End Anxiety And Panic Attacks

Jun Yuan Lim asked:


It is not true that you have to go on a dieting in order to have a successful weight loss experience. In fact, by reducing the amount of food intake everyday drastically, it is harmful for your body. What you need to do actually is to carefully consider the type of food you eat everyday.

Here are some healthy food choices you may want to consider:

1. Grains

You should consume 6 ounces of grains everyday. Grains can be found in foods such as whole grain cereals, breads, rice, crackers and pasta.

2. Vegetables

You should consume 2 1/2 cups of vegetables everyday. Vegetables you should consume are broccoli and spinach. Carrots and sweet potatoes are very good as well, along with dry beans such as peas, pinto beans and kidney beans.

3. Fruits

You should consume 2 cups of fruits everyday. You should focus on eating a variety of fruits (and not stick to just one variety). You can also consume fruit juices as well.

4. Milk

If you are an adult, you should drink 3 cups of milk everyday. If you are a kid aged 2 – 8 years, you should drink 2 cups of milk everyday. When choosing milk or other dairy products, you should opt for those which are fat-free or low-fat.

If you do not like milk or you can’t have it due to medical reasons, you can go for lactose free products or other sources of foods with calcium such as fortified foods and beverages.

5. Meat and Beans

You should consume 5 ounces of meat and beans everyday. When eating meat, you should always bake it, grill it or broil it, as this will prevent grease from adding to the equation. You should also vary the amount of protein intake everyday, with more fish, beans, peas, and nuts.

In addition, when you cook your food, you should also limit the amount of solid fats such as butter, margarine, shortening and lard you put in. Even though these may help make your dishes taste better, but along with it comes with lots of fats, and it will also increase your cholesterol level.

By picking the types and varieties of foods wisely, it will greatly aid you in your weight loss regime.

However, on top of choosing healthier food to consume, you should not neglect exercising – as it goes hand-in-hand with your healthy eating lifestyle.

No matter how young or old you may be, eating healthy will help you keep prolong your active lifestyle for even more years ahead and help you in your health as well.

Discover an amazing, never-revealed before instant fat loss secret you can use immediately to lose at least 45lbs of that sickening, unwanted fat from your body in the next 14 days – Click here to learn about this amazing fat loss secret.



Fat Loss For Idiots

Diets In Review asked:


The Nutrisystem diet is created to take the guesswork out of dieting, eliminate time consuming shopping and preparation, and allows for convenient weight loss. Based on the Glycemic Index, which measures the quality of carbohydrates and their impact on blood sugar levels, this program creates delicious, prepackaged, and ready to eat meals that are delivered right to your doorstep. No more grocery lists, pre-planning, and stressing over what to eat. Nutrisystem takes the hassle away from dieting and allows you to focus on reaching your weight loss target.

For many dieters, stress and busy schedules often get in the way of successful weight loss. When we are pressed for time or faced with too many choices, we often make poor eating decisions. Nutrisystem offers a list of prepackaged foods for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, and desert. Simply click on what foods on the list appeal to you and Nutrisystem brings the meals to you. No more counting calories, weighing, or measuring what you eat. Just click and enjoy.

The meal plan is based on low-fat foods and a balanced diet from the Food Guide Pyramid. Whether you enjoy pastas, sweets, salads, rice, or meats, Nutrisystem includes a wide variety of meals for whatever you crave. Combined with an exercise plan, this program provides optimum weight loss results while relieving the stress of dieting.

For those that choose not to eat the prepackaged foods for every meal, Nutrisystem provides healthy guidelines for grocery shopping and food preparation. No matter what you choose, by following the Nutrisystem program, you will be on your way to making healthy eating choices and losing weight.



The Truth About Abs

Diets In Review asked:


NutriSystem is a wildly successful weight loss program that uses the Glycemic index to help you lose weight while still eating foods you love. Prepackaged meal options and a healthy approach to hunger and snacking can help even the most difficult dieter achieve success.

The NutriSystem program includes a meal plan with 120 delicious pre-packed options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts! You select the foods you want online or over the phone and they are shipped right to your door, no cooking involved. All you have to do is add a few ingredients like fresh vegetables and fruits. After all, who has time to hunt down special ingredients for low-fat cooking, or to prepare one diet meal for yourself and something else for the rest of your family? All of the meals are perfectly portioned so there is no weighing, measuring, or counting calories or points. And if you have any questions, a counselor, nutritionist, and dietitian are a phone call or e-mail away.

The foods in the NutriSystem program are designed based on the Glycemic Index. They are low in fat and include the right amounts of protein, fiber, and good carbohydrates. This balance of ingredients makes each of the meals easy for your body to digest and turn into energy, without spikes in your blood sugar that can lead to energy crashes. Instead, you get to eat tasty meals five times a day that help you stay full and provide constant energy levels so that you have plenty of motivation to workout. Best of all, the meals aren’t standard diet fare. You get to have burgers, lasagna, pizza, and even chocolate desserts! It’s much easier to stick to a diet when you get to eat the things you love without feeling guilty.

More diet tips and diet reviews at www.dietsinreview.com and the diet forum



The Fat Loss Secret

The Diet Guy asked:


The Zone Diet works on the principle that 100,000 years ago, we were meat eaters, and our metabolism is designed to handle the demands of a meat-based diet. 

Madonna, Demi Moore, and Jennifer Aniston swear by the results of the Zone Diet, which was created by Barry Sears, PhD.  The Zone Diet contains 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein, and 30% fat and is known as the 40-30-30 plan.

As the food industry evolved, more carbohydrates have been introduced into our daily diet, thus causing an imbalance in our metabolism to burn fat.  The reason for our extra weight can also be attributed to the many grains and starches in our diet (pasta, rice, breads, and potatoes).  The Zone Diet’s approach calls for a return to the diets of our ancestors where meat, fruits, and vegetables are the main dietary foods. 

The Zone Diet suggests that you need the right ratio of carbohydrates to proteins and fats in order to control the insulin in the bloodstream.  Too much of the hormone (insulin) can increase fat storage and inflammation in the body (conditions that are associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease).  Sears asserts that by using the Zone Diet, you are actually optimizing the body’s metabolic function.  Through the regulation of blood sugar, you allow your body to burn excess body fat.

Although you are not prohibited from any particular food group, it is best to avoid food with high fat and carbohydrates such as grains, starches, and pastas.  The ideal sources of carbs are fruits and vegetables and for monounsaturated fats olive oil, almonds, and avocados are recommended.  The Zone Diet claims to use food as a drug for overall good health, weight loss and prevention or management of heart disease and diabetes.

Sears says that you can test to see whether you are ‘hormonally’ correct by eating following the Zone diet and see how you feel four hours later.  To simplify the Zone Diet, fill one-third of a plate with low-fat protein, and then two-thirds with fruits and vegetables.

Celebrities and some health experts say that the Zone’s recommendations do not stray far from the USDA’s (United States Dietary Association) dietary guidelines and therefore are advocates of the Zone Diet.  Others argue that the Zone Diet has flawed ratios but Sears argues that the Zone diet is a low-glycemic-load diet that has adequate protein.  . 

A critic of the Zone diet such as the AHA (American Heart Association) classifies the Zone Diet as high protein and does not recommend the Zone Diet for weight loss.  They contend that the Zone Diet has not been proven effective in the long term for weight loss.  The AHA issued an official recommendation warning against diets like the Zone Diet.  They believe that the Zone Diet is hazardous as it restricts the intake of essential vitamins and minerals present in certain foods.  The AHA also contends that the protein ratio in the Zone diet is too high even if the minimal fat ratio is good.  Robert H. Ecker M.D of the A.H.A. finds the Zone Diet’s theory on insulin flawed and argues that there is no scientific proof that the hormone insulin plays a big role in weight regulation.



Fat Loss For Idiots

MAIKEL WOOD asked:


There are many diet plans proposed and/or promoted by different people. There is the 5-Factor Diet, South Beach Diet, Bob Greene’s Best Life Diet, Atkins Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Detox Diet, Anne Collin’s diet, Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet, and now you have Size Zero Diet, DASH diet and Fat Smash Diet and …. it goes on! We shall try to explain the top five diets that are very much in news.

Cabbage soup diet

This diet caught the fancy of many when it was proposed due to its utter simplicity. Proponents of Cabbage soup diet claim that by consuming low-calorie cabbage soup for a period of seven days you can lose 10 lbs of weight. It is only a short term program for weight loss.

In the opinion of nutritional experts it is not possible for body to lose 10 lbs of fat in a week; what you will lose by following this plan is body water, and it will be highly detrimental to health. This diet is considered a fad diet. However, there are many who believe in it and there are many variants of this plan still in circulation.

Fat Smash Diet

The Fat Smash Diet of Dr. Smith is an approach to weight loss not as a quick fix solution but as a lifestyle approach. It gained prominence because of the Celebrity Fit Club TV program on which people could see it being put in practice. It focuses on healthful diet, filling foods, and lot of exercise as a necessary accompaniment. This plan focuses on low calorie content of the diet which is easy to follow. This plan does not make tempting claims of fast weight loss; it can be followed whether you are looking for a small or a heavy weight loss.

This is a 4 phase plan; first three phases extending to about 8 weeks and the fourth phase being a lifetime phase. This plan lays as much stress on regular exercises as on proper diet control.

Atkins Diet

Dr. Atkins diet is based on the premise that the main cause of obesity is eating refined carbohydrates, particularly sugar, flour, and high-fructose corn syrups; and secondly, that the fats from hydrogenated oils and not the saturated fats are a problem. Atkins diet plans were based on very low carbohydrates.

Medical opinion however has been vehemently critical of this approach condemning it as “the most dangerous to the public if followed for any length of time.” Atkins diet now is looked at more as a fad diet.

South Beach Diet

South Beach diet plan was initially evolved by Dr. Agatston for his heart patients and its launch for weight loss was only as a spin-off. This plan emphasizes the consumption of “good carbohydrates” and “good fats”. “Good carbohydrates” are high in fiber and they are digested and absorbed slowly. “Good fats” are polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, especially those with omega-3 fatty acids. Saturated and trans fats are bad fats.

This diet has generally been perceived as a successful weight loss diet.

DASH Diet

This diet is primarily proposed for patients suffering from high blood pressure. It consists in following a diet which is low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, and is rich in low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables. The plan is rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium, as well as protein and fiber. Since it uses the same concepts in choice of diet as are used in case of weight loss diets, it is successful for weight loss also. This diet is supported by many health organisations such as NHLBI, etc.



The Fat Loss Secret

The Diet Guy asked:


Staying on your diet can be a challenge for anyone, but for a busy working mom the challenges can be especially tough. A busy lifestyle can make it impossible to get to the gym for a daily workout, prepare your meals ahead of time, or even to remember to pack your lunch for work each day. Being in a rush can make it difficult to stick to your diet when it’s so easy to grab something at the drivethrough. Here’s a collection of hints and tips from other busy women that will help you stay on your diet despite all the temptations.

Don’t try to ‘save time’ by eating on the run, or snacking at your desk while you work. No matter how rushed you are, take the time to eat like a civilized human being, to quote my mother. Set the table, put your food on a plate and have a meal. You’ll eat less and feel fuller – and not feel the urge to snack because you ‘haven’t eaten anything all day’. 

Cook just what will be eaten. Ignore all those homemaker articles that suggest that you ‘cook for tomorrow’ to save time. Cook one portion per person at each meal. That way you’ll avoid the temptation to finish off the leftover – and teach your family healthy eating habits. 

Get up early enough to eat breakfast at home. The morning rush to get ready may make it tempting to grab something on the way to work, or skip breakfast entirely. Don’t do it. You’ll end up eating up all that saved time – and a lot more calories – with midmorning trips to the snack machine, or fight off the blahs all morning long. Stock up on easy breakfast foods. A piece of fruit, a container of yogurt and a slice of toast are a healthy, balanced start for your day.

Most diets suggest that you drink at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day. If the thought of drinking a half gallon of water makes you queasy, there are ways to make it more appealing. Stock up on flavored bottled water in the fridge at work and keep one icy cold on your desk. At home, float mint sprigs or lemon slices in a crystal pitcher. There’s no added calories, but oh what a difference in presentation and flavor!

Trying to lose baby weight can be frustrating. You want to take it off as quickly as possible – but your body may not be cooperative. Keep in mind that your body is designed to nourish a child for up to a year after you give birth. Putting it on a starvation diet will kick it into survival gear, making it even harder to lose the extra weight. Instead of fighting your body’s natural tendency to store up nutrition for the baby, eat healthy portions and increase your activity level. And if you’re breastfeeding, remember that your body needs up to 1000 more calories a day than usual. Don’t skimp – you’ll just convince your body that it’s starving. 

Employ the buddy system for moral support. Making a pact with a friend to exercise together makes it easier to stick to your resolution. Instead of meeting with friends for lunch, challenge friends to a tennis game, or take a brisk walk in the park together.

Remember that a healthy, active lifestyle and a nutritious diet are the true keys to losing weight permanently. By choosing a diet that makes sense for your lifestyle, you’ll make it easier on yourself to lose weight, and keep it off for good.



End Anxiety And Panic Attacks

The Diet Guy asked:


What Diet Pills Are Out There For Me? The last 20 years have seen people become obsessed with losing weight, Meaning, they have spent billions every year on appetite suppressants, fat burners, and fat binders. With so many out there which one is right for you!

 

Appetite Suppressants

 

Many people think that their weight problem is caused by not knowing when to stop eating. They reason that if they don’t feel hungry, they won’t eat as much and will lose weight. The appetite suppressant was designed to lessen a person’s psychological motivation for food. Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), one of the most widely used appetite suppressants, affects the hypothalamus, a control center in the brain. PPA interrupts the ability of the hypothalamus to tell the body when it’s hungry. This curbs the appetite and the individual wants less food. By eating less, a person loses weight. PPA is found in Dexatrim, Vitaslim, Hungrex and Acutrim. PPA along with diet and exercise promotes weight loss. You must stay on PPA or your hunger will return and you will most likely regain your weight. The most common side effects include thirst, irritability, palpitation, tiredness and jitteriness. Major side effects include cardiac arrhythmias, intracerebral hemorrhage, acute dystonia, myocardial injury, psychosis, cerebral arteritis and hypersensitive crisis.

 

Fat Burners

 

A fat burner does two things. It acts on the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that helps to regulate appetite. It also causes the release of certain brain chemicals that trigger the body’s “fight or flight” mechanism, preparing it to take action. In effect, the body burns extra calories to be able to respond to a physical or emotional attack. To stay ready for the attack that never comes, the body keeps burning calories even when it is at rest. Until 2004, fat burners usually contained ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin as their active ingredients. After the FDA banned the use of ephedrine in diet pills, some manufacturers began using herbal ephedra or Ma huang. Others used Citrus aurantium (CA) and green tea extract (GTE). CA, also known as Bitter Orange, comes from manadarin orange peels, seville orange juice, and certain types of potatoes. One of its primary active ingredients, synephrine, acts similar to ephedrine in the body. Scientists have said that combining synephrine, caffeine and other substances found in weight-loss products, can lead to high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Most health professionals agree that the risks of synephrine far outweigh any potential weight loss benefits. GTE is ephedra-free. Recent studies have found that it may play a role in stimulating thermogenesis (fat burning) and increasing calorie expenditure. GTE contains catechins, which increase norepinephrine levels in the brain and prepare the body for “fight or flight.” In high doses, GTE and caffeine may result in heart palpitations, insomnia, and other negative effects.

 

Fat Binders

 

Fat binders are also known as fat magnets. They claim to be able to lower cholesterol and contribute to weight loss. These products usually contain chitosan. It is derived from chitin, a polysaccharide found in the exoskeletons of shrimp, lobster, and crabs. Chitosan is supposed to cause weight loss by binding fats in the stomach and preventing them from being digested and absorbed. Although chitosan can decrease fat absorption, the amount in fat burners is too small to have much effect on cholesterol levels. Your doctor can prescribe a number of drugs which can actually lower cholesterol. Both the British Advertising Standards Authority and the FDA have won suits against advertisers of chitosan. As a result, advertisers must make clear in future that the product had not been proven to aid slimming or prevent weight gain.



The Fat Burning Furnace

The Diet Guy asked:


Jennifer, a middle-aged single mother with one six-year-old daughter, has been skipping sweets for a few weeks now. She’s also become a stickler for portion control. She feels as if she’s eating less than ever, and she’s been diligently exercising for an hour at a time at least four days a week. Yet, she hasn’t lost a single pound. The question is, “Why?”

This is a dilemma which affects dieters the world over. They think they are taking the steps necessary to lose weight, but nothing seems to be happening. In essence, they are trapped in a dieting rut and they don’t know how to free themselves. As a result, they become frustrated and depressed and may then engage in binge eating.

One of the problems with diets is that they are often standardized. As a result, they don’t take into consideration your individual physiology and metabolism. They provide a cookie-cutter approach to weight loss—an approach which may not work in your individual case. As a result, an increasing number of people are turning to dieticians to formulate a person weight loss strategy for them. This process has been made easier through the Internet, where you can correspond with a dietician any time of the day or night via e-mail. The dietician can also act as your personal coach, helping you through your dieting dilemmas.

Another reason that you may be failing at your diet is because of a lack of support. You may have family members who can eat whatever they want and seemingly not gain a pound. As a result, they may fill your refrigerator with junk food, leading you into temptation. Also, you may feel as if you have no one to turn to in order to discuss your weight problems. In order to solve this problem, many individuals look to psychotherapists to help them with their food-related issues. This can be particularly important if an individual has turned to purging in an effort to combat their weight problems. Bulimia is a serious disease which must be treated in order to ensure the good health of the patient. Thankfully, there are a number of treatment programs throughout the U.S. specifically focusing on bulimia.

Yet another reason for diet failure is hidden calories. You may literally be consuming calories and not even realize it. For instance, the frappucinos that are so popular today are loaded with calories—as many as 600 in a single serving! You may also be indulging in sugary sodas—another source of extra calories. By taking a few simple steps, such as eliminating the exotic coffee drinks from your diet and substituting skim milk for whole milk, you may be able to eliminate the hidden calories that are denying you dieting success.

Lack of consistency can also be a diet-killer. You might go on a diet for a while, then quit before you’ve made any measurable progress. It’s only natural to want to see quick results. The problem is that healthy weight lose involves loseing only a couple of pounds a week. That means you’ll have to stay on your diet for months before you see appreciable weight loss. Discouraging? It can be, but if you keep a positive attitude you can achieve your ideal weight.

You may also be more successful in your dieting if you consider it to be a lifestyle change. Therefore, your diet becomes a meal plan for life. This means that you must change the way you look at food. It is designed to be fuel for your body, and nothing more. As a result, you should not turn to food to make you feel better or to provide you with a sense of comfort. A lifestyle change implies commitment; it means that you are prepared to follow the plan for the long haul. If you feel as if you cannot be on your diet for any appreciable length of time, perhaps it’s time to consider a different diet. Your aim ultimately should be not simply to lose weight, but to become healthier. A fad diet will not allow you to reach that milestone. Therefore, you must choose your diet carefully.



Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle