Healthy Products

Using Food to Control Hormones

Published by:

Hormone imbalances can wreak disaster in your life. Ranging from causing mood swings to allowing the development of cancer, uncontrolled hormones are dangerous. Studies have shown that women tend to develop more hormone related health problems. Various alternative therapies exist including hormone supplements and even surgery. However, these options have side effects and may cause other health problems. Going natural is the best option and this is easily done by eating the right foods which will work naturally to control your hormones.

There are certain groups of food which  have been proven to balance hormones naturally. The first group of foods are healthy fats. Most hormones are made from cholesterol and if you eat less fat then you may have insufficient hormone levels. Healthy fats are found in palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil, egg yolks, whole milk, butter and cream. Foods that contain unhealthy fats such as hydrogenated oils should be avoided.

The second important food group is the phytoestrogens which are plant products that have a similar effect to estrogen. Estrogen is important to our bodies well-being but in excess, it causes problems including cancers like that of the breast and endometrium. The estrogen receptors in our bodies will bind to the phytoestrogens, therefore no excess estrogen will be found to fuel cell mutations and lead to cancer. Excess estrogen has other negative effects apart from cancer such as hot flushes and menopausal symptoms. These can be avoided by eating phytoestrogen containing foods which such as legumes, grains, nuts and most fruits. Beans in particular are really beneficial. Therefore, if you are looking for a remedy to control hormonal dysregulation, go natural and eat your way to a solution.

Note from The UnDiet: Since hormones control your emotions, energy level, appetite, and metabolism, it stands to reason that unbalanced hormones can be a cause of unwanted weight gain. So if you can get a handle on balancing out your hormones then you may be removing a substantial block in your weight loss journey.

Healthy Products

Multiple Uses Of Acai Berry

Published by:

We had such a great response to the guest post on the benefits of acai berry that we thought we’d invite another guest post on the topic with some more specific information. Enjoy!

Right from top celebrities to the guy next door everybody is a fan of acai berry. Suddenly there are hundreds of acai berry products on the market. Such is the craze of this nutritious fruit from the Amazon rainforests. The fact is that the hype is totally justified. This inch-long fruit is a powerhouse of essential nutrition. It is packed with antioxidants, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Not one or two but it offers several benefits to the human body. To know more click here.

  • When eaten regularly the fiber present in the fruit forms a layer on the inner walls of the colon and removes the toxic waste sticking to the walls of the colon. It is an effective natural colon clean. The fibers also prevent excess absorption of sugar by the colon walls.
  • The antioxidant present in acai berry gives a boost to the metabolism which in turn helps to lose weight. The antioxidants also help to remove the free radicals from the body that are harmful and accelerate aging.
  • You stop craving for food as acai berry is a super food for it contains all the essential nutrition. As the body gets the required nutrition it stops craving for food. This way you can easily maintain a slim body.
  • With a clean colon and increased metabolism you feel more energetic and active throughout the day. It also helps to get a clear and fresh mind. Overall you become more productive at your work place.
  • Acai berry seed oil is one of the key ingredients used in the manufacturing of cosmetic creams. As the oil is rich in antioxidants it helps to maintain soft and beautiful skin.
  • Acai berry is also known to be effective in fighting life threatening diseases like cancer.
  • This wonder fruit if taken regularly also helps to improve the eyesight.  The acai berry weight loss program is the way to go.
Vegan

Vegan Nutrition – Are You Getting What You Need?

Published by:

As a vegan I am often asked whether vegan nutrition is really that much better than following “regular” nutritional guidelines.  The answer is yes… and no.  The truth is that you can be a vegan and still not be eating a truly nutritious diet.   In fact, many vegans tend to load up on carbs and processed vegan foods, which can not only cause weight gain, but can also contribute to other nutrition-related ailments.

On the other hand, if you follow a vegan diet that is balanced and insures that you have covered all the nutritional bases, you will undoubtedly lose weight, lower your blood pressure and keep yourself clear of diabetes. Here are a few guidelines to insure that your vegan nutrition plan has everything it needs:

Vitamin B12 – This is probably the biggest issue for vegans.  Contrary to popular belief, Vitamin B12 is not produced in animals.  It is actually manufactured by microorganisms that live primarily in soil and water.  When animals eat food that is grown in soil containing these microorganisms, they get the B12 and pass it on to the humans who eat them.  Because vegans don’t eat meat, they often develop B12 deficiencies.

There is actually an easy solution to the B12 issue.  You can take a methyl B12 supplement (the most bio-available kind of B12), or you can get your B12 and a boatload of other nutrients from nutritional yeast.  I highly recommend the latter as it is food-based.  In particular, I recommend KAL nutritional yeast.  It is grown on molasses and is completely plant-based.  It has a terrific nutty flavor, and you only need a couple of tablespoonfuls a day.  I throw it in smoothies, in soups, on cereals, and in my salad dressing.  It actually contains the entire compliment of B vitamins.

Vitamin D – As a vegan, you can still eat foods that have been fortified with vitamin D.  If you are very particular, you’ll want to be sure you are taking vitamin D2 rather than D3. D3 comes from the lanolin of sheep and is therefore an animal product.  D2 is synthetic and vegans consider it to be an acceptable alternative.  Unfortunately the research tends to show that D3 is more effective than D2.  Either way, make sure you are taking supplemental vitamin D of some kind, and spending some time in the sun!

Iodine – This one is often overlooked by vegans.  It is critical for thyroid health, reproductive health and it helps to keep your nails and hair strong.  You can get your iodine through iodized salt, but you’re better off using sea salt.  One of the best ways to get iodine is from seaweed.  You can get it from nori-wrapped vegan sushi, or just throw a small amount of kelp powder or dulce flakes on a salad.  It’s delicious and in addition to the iodine, you’ll be getting lots of wonderful minerals.

These three essentials, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and iodine, are all critical for good health.  If you insure that you include these in a diet consists mostly of vegetables, fruits, and legumes, along with a few nuts, seeds and whole grains, your  vegan nutrition will be in great shape and so will you!

Healthy Products

What Is Acai Berry And Does It Truly Work?

Published by:

Acai berry is a fruit that is found in the swamps and the jungles of the Southern and Central America. The berries are an inch long and are reddish purple colored. Research has found out that the acai berry is loaded with antioxidants, fiber and many other beneficial vitamins. Being a natural fruit the acai berry diet does not have any side effects. Only if you are allergic to berries then you should first consult your doctor before going ahead with the diet plan.

Let us now see how acai berry helps to lose weight. This super food contains the perfect combination of phytosterols, fatty acids and amino acids. These substances help to boost the digestive system and increase the metabolism of the human body. Furthermore, it also reduces your craving for food as you receive all the nutrition required for the healthy functioning of the body. In addition to this the presence of fiber helps to keep the colon clean as fiber helps to remove all the waste that is stuck to the colon walls. This leaves you feeling fresh and energetic.  As a whole food strategy, acai berry weight loss is a proven way to help.

On top of this the presence of the antioxidants helps to destroy the toxins that can lead to life threatening diseases like cancer. Acai berry is also known to improve the eyesight and the overall immunity of the body. Though these benefits have not been proved scientifically there is no doubt that the acai berry is a super food that can help you to not only lose weight but also improve the overall health.

To make the maximum out of the acai berry diet combine a healthy diet and a mild exercise regime. You do not have to go to a gym to pump weights. All you need to do is go for a brisk walk in the park. This can accelerate the process of weight loss.

We here at the UnDiet wanted to add to our guest’s post with a few acai berry recipes so that you can start enjoying the weight loss and anti-aging benefits of this highly nutritious fruit.

Incredible Smoothies has some delicious and very healthy acai berry smoothie recipes that use nothing but whole foods. No hard to find powders and elixirs.  Be sure to check out their tips for coming up with your own recipes.

Vegetarian Times – Acai Sorbet recipe – yum!

So get yourself some acai, whip up some of these recipes and start enjoying the many benefits of this South American berry.

 

Paleo

One Reason Why the Paleo Diet Is a Sure Fire Diet for Most Americans

Published by:

Usually people who are in the market for an effective diet plan aren’t just trying to lose one or two pounds. They are looking for something that could help them make a significant change in their body composition. The Paleo Diet is centered around eating in a way that, for most Americans, would mean a significant alteration to their daily menu.

What is the Paleo Diet?

The Paleo Diet is a way of eating that encourages people to get back to their roots as hunters and gatherers, eating the natural foods our ancestors hunted, fished, and gathered since the beginning of time. In our day this would mean fish, wild game meats, grass-fed beef as well as vegetables, seasonal fruits, and healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive and coconut oil. The diet completely EXCLUDES all grains, dairy, beans, refined sugars, processed foods, and alcohol. The claim is that our modern diet wreaks havoc on our bodies contributing to several “diseases of civilization” such as obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and many autoimmune diseases, as we have not had sufficient time to make the genetic adaptations necessary to handle an agricultural diet.

Why the Paleo Diet Will Work

We as Americans love and basically live on every food that the Paleo diet encourages followers to totally EXCLUDE from their diet. They are our quick foods, comfort foods, party foods, snack foods, basically every-occasion foods. The only bad thing is they are also the foods that have gotten us into trouble with our body weight too. Many of them are packed with calories and fat to enhance flavor and improve shelf life. By completely excluding all of these refined sugars and processed foods from our diet, and revising our diet to include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and lean cuts of meat, it is nearly impossible not to see results. Agreed? Read this article for more information on the Paleo Diet.

How Paleo Makes it Easy

Paleo followers have made the diet super easy to follow as well. There are numerous books and websites that lay everything out for you including meal ideas and even a shopping list of Paleo approved foods. Check out knowmybody.com for tons of information about how eating Paleo will do more than just help you lose weight.

 

 

Healthy Products

How to Make Naturally Sweet Sugar-Free Lemonade

Published by:

Lemonade is a favorite warm-weather drink all over the world. Traditionally made by pouring freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, and sugar, over ice, lemonade adds a lot of empty calories to the diet, so most dieters prefer to use low- or no-calorie sweeteners. But what can you do if you want the sweet-tart taste of lemonade without the sugar and also without Sweet ‘n Low, Nutrasweet, or acesulfam?

The obvious choice for a naturally sweet sugar-free lemonade is stevia. Liquid stevia extract is 100 percent natural, and it’s blissfully simple to use to make lemonade. Add a few drops, stir, and you’re done. There are, unfortunately, a couple of drawbacks to using liquid stevia extract to make lemonade.

One problem with liquid stevia is its licorice-like aftertaste. If you happen to like licorice, using stevia extract to make your sugar-free lemonade may be fine. But that leads to the other problem with liquid stevia.

Stevia is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. It is very easy to use too much. Too much stevia, surprisingly, carries a bitter taste that can be very hard to get out of your mouth. However, there is an almost sugar-free alternative,.

Powdered stevia sweeteners contain tiny amounts of stevia rebaudiosides, the plant chemicals that make stevia taste sweet. The powder in a stevia packet is actually 99.8 percent filler and only 0.2 percent stevia. The filler is usually some other sugar that is chosen to complement the sweetness of the rebaudiosides. Manufacturers in the US and Canada often use glucose, which is sensed on the tongue just a fraction of a second before the sweetness of the stevia rebaudiosides kicks in. Manufacturers in Australia and Asia use xylitol, a lower-calorie sugar that is manufactured from corn cobs. Powdered stevia products are not really completely natural, and they are not really completely calorie-free, but it only takes about 15 calories in sugar “filler” to carry the stevia rebaudiosides that will sweeten an entire pitcher of lemonade.

What if you simply don’t want any kind of added sugar at all in your naturally sweet sugar-free lemonade? Then the solution is to make your lemonade with “sweet lemons,” a relatively hard-to-find fruit born by the lemon species Citrus limetta. Once you find and buy the fruit, or after you pick your lemons from your own Citrus limetta tree, you will have to do your own squeezing to make a slightly greenish juice. The juice of the sweet lemon, however, is sweet enough to drink without sugar, artificial sweeteners, or stevia, and also high in antioxidant flavonoids and vitamin C.

Healthy Products Working Out

A Personal Review For The Stamina 55-1610 InMotion E1000 Elliptical Trainer!

Published by:

UnDiet: Thank you to one of our readers for this detailed review of what looks to be a great piece of home gym equipment.

I like this small so-called elliptical! Having tried a mini-stepper before, I found the Stamina Inmotion E1000 to greatly surpass the workout quality. Putting it together was a breeze.

I normally use it while I am watching TV and you can easily transport it from one place to another. Before I purchased this elliptical, I used to eat food while watching TV which is unhealthy. Now I’ve effectively swapped that habit by exercising on the Stamina E1000 elliptical machine. The advantages are tremendous!

Reviewers have stated how compact the stride is in comparison to the fitness-center elliptical machines. This is quite true actually; however I don’t feel this is as a bad thing as the motion is extremely nice!

The E1000 Elliptical Trainer can easily get my heartbeat up or assist me in breaking a sweat. The best thing is that this elliptical completely hits the core areas as there are no handles to lean on. Due to the lack of handles, one is forced to stand upright which in turn works the core muscles.

My abs are always sore the next day if I am completely focused on my position during workout. I sometimes carry small weights to workout my arms during cardio on this machine. That’s an additional advantage of having both hands free.

The tension could be changed from easy to hard very effectively. It apparently counts calories too (unsure how that actually works because it never requests my weight to begin with, but it’s still good because it helps me to monitor and motivate myself!)

The Stamina 55 E1000 trainer also counts steps and miles walked. My only real minor complaint is that it stops and starts over after 9999 steps rather than counting ahead. Nevertheless it does remember your steps and miles walked from a while back like a week ago or last 2 days!

It’s an excellent elliptical as its cheap, small and less expensive in comparison to regular elliptical machines. Even if it only lasts a few years, I possibly could buy a replacement but still wouldn’t be anywhere near to the cost of a regular elliptical!

I made use of the free Super Saver delivery to have mine shipped through Amazon and now I get a great workout several times a week within the confines of my very own house which saves me the troubles of having to pay at a gym and drive there just to get a decent workout!!

$$$avers Healthy Products

Top Reasons To Buy Your Gluten Free Groceries Online

Published by:

In terms of specialty foods, web-based suppliers will almost always have a far more extensive selection than traditional grocery stores. This is one of the foremost reasons why many people are now opting to buy their gluten free groceries online. They know that they will have a number of different options for each particular product, rather than just a single, scant aisle in the middle of a physical supermarket.You can also find a number of savings opportunities over the net that are often not available at your local market. Many specialty food items tend to be quite a bit more costly than their conventional counterparts. For each product, you might well pay several dollars more per every unit that you buy. This can quickly add up, making your efforts to accommodate a household allergy a very costly one, unless you make sure to use the right shopping services.You can be assured that a specialty store has taken extra care to ensure the quality and authenticity of the merchandise. This is one very important consideration that shoppers must make when purchasing their food items. If you want pure, unadulterated products you will need to shop through a trustworthy supplier who is dedicated to the provision of goods for your specific purpose. While some foods do not contain nuts or tree nuts, such as packaged oatmeal, these things may be processed in factories in which these items are present. Thus, even a simple bowl of oatmeal can cause a nasty allergic reaction in someone whose physical system is averse to these things. The same is true of products that are manufactured for those with gluten allergies. When using a specialty web-based supplier, you know that you will be getting exactly what you require.Your goods can be delivered right to your doorstep on a regular basis. This is another benefit of the internet shopping process. People do not have to fight through long lines or navigate a lot of aisles in order to find what they need. Their goods can be selected electronically instead and then conveniently brought to their very own homes.Many website offer a lot of valuable cooking and recipe information. If you are just now learning how to cook for yourself or someone else who suffers from Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease or any other food-related condition, learning how to prepare delicious and interesting meals can be quite a challenge. Many of these sites offer recipe ideas and cooking instructions that can help to make these special diets far more enjoyable.You can even link up with like-minded individuals when shopping for your gluten free groceries online. The friendship and moral support that is derived from online shopping communities is another advantage that is hard to overlook. You can start grocery shopping online with the link provided. Purchasing gluten free groceries online is a great way to connect with others in your community with similar dietary restrictions and health goals.

Healthy Products Tips

Will You Lose Weight With Hoodia Diet Max?

Published by:

Hoodia Diet Max is one of the more popular supplements that contain extract from hoodia gordonii, a plant that looks like a cactus, found in the deserts of Africa. Legend has it that when men from the native tribes of South Africa would go hunting, which can take days at a time, they would take hoodia gordonii with them because they found that the plant was a natural appetite suppressant, and that eating it would keep them full longer and get hungry slower. When news of this began to spread, hoodia gordonii products began to grow in demand, and Hoodia Diet Max is one among others that promise fast weight loss safely and effectively.

The hoodia gordonii plant has become endangered and is now a protected species due to its high demand, and since the plant cant easily be cultivated in other countries and climates, this makes getting real hoodia gordonii extract a bit of an ordeal for the countless manufacturers eager to earn money and provide all the people anxious to lose weight with their own versions of hoodia. This is why you hear more and more stories about fake hoodia products, items that contain too little hoodia to give any real effect, and sometimes these products have absolutely no hoodia at all.

Hoodia Diet Max is actually one of the products known for offering only a very minute quantity of hoodia gordonii extract. A website called diet-pills-reviews.co.uk reports that Hoodia Diet Max only contains about 25 milligrams of hoodia extract per serving, and that you will need as much as 400 mg to really experience appetite suppression and weight loss. This means that Hoodia Diet Max is similar to those homeopathic b12 injections benefits, where the solutions sometimes contain less than 54353370f real vitamin B12. Despite this reading, Hoodia Diet Max still remains one of the most popular hoodia-based products, largely because of its lower price when compared to the other products that promise a higher concentration of hoodia extract, and also because it is widely advertised and promoted all over the Internet.

Real hoodia gordonii extract may really be effective in helping one lose weight by decreasing the appetite, which will naturally make you eat less, but you may only experience real benefits with a higher concentration than what Hoodia Diet Max offers. Consult your doctor first on which hoodia products you should try, and on whether your body can really benefit from taking hoodia in the first place.

NOTE FROM UNDIET: we provide our readers with the information above as part of our quest to provide you with the most up-to-date information but do advise that you check this out for yourself by comparing various sources.

$$$avers Recipes Starches

Healthy Dip – Prepare Your Own Hummus Recipe

Published by:

Mediterranean cuisine has introduced us to our a different kind of healthy dip or spread. Hummus is a popular alternative to sour cream dips or cream cheese spreads. Some people buy hummus from a specialty shop already prepared. However, because the cost of preparing a hummus recipe on your own is very inexpensive and so easy to make, you could whip up your own hummus dip in just a few minutes and save yourself a bit of cash also. And the varieties  – you can make lemon or garlic flavored or even a super spicy dip for the adventurous palate. You can add spinach or roasted peppers or even roasted eggplant.

Ingredients

There are two basic ingredients – chickpeas and tahini. In some other recipes, garbanzo beans are listed as the main ingredient. Chickpeas and garbanzos are the same thing, garbanzo being the Spanish term for chickpea. Tahini is the other main ingredient used in every hummus recipe. These are sesame seeds that are ground until the seeds achieve the consistency of a paste. You can make this yourself in a food processor or pick up a jar of tahini.

Hummus recipe preparation

Preparing the hummus dip does not require any culinary expertise and preparation can take as little as 5 minutes. You just  place the ingredients in a food processor, run the small appliance until the chickpeas are crushed and processed to achieve the desired consistency. If you need to add liquid to get the hummus to the desired consistency you can add extra-virgin olive oil, broth, water or even tomato juice. Taste and add salt to taste (if needed). Truly – it takes less than 5 minutes.

Nutrients

As this dip is made from beans (chickpeas or garbanzos beans) and seeds, hummus is rich in protein. The two ingredients both come from the plant kingdom like the main ingredient of any quinoa recipe. Thus both hummus and quinoa recipes are loaded with protein. Other nutrients in a hummus dip are iron, folic acid and monosaturated fats. With sesame seeds in the tahini paste, the hummus dip is a good source of amino acid. Again, like quinoa, hummus is a good source of protein and dietary fiber.

Due to the simple way to prepare the dip and the availability and affordability of the ingredients, you can serve hummus dip very frequently. If you want to have hummus dip with a twist, add other ingredients for a different taste. Hummus is also good for vegetarians and goes well with chips, breads and fruits.

NOTE FROM UNDIET: We like hummus also because it is a good way to have a healthy spread or dip when having a Starch meal. We generally will add vegetables to the hummus to cut down on calories and to add a nice flavor.