Tuesday, 24 February 2015

High Protein Foods to Eat

Whether you’ve decided to go meatless once a week or adopted a full vegetarian lifestyle, you need to keep nutrition on the front burner. Since you’ve nixed the meat, making sure your body is getting enough protein to stay strong is crucial. Protein functions to build and maintain your body, fight off disease, and keep energy levels high to you can stay alert all day.

Select a variety of protein foods to improve nutrient intake and health benefits, including at least 8 ounces of cooked seafood per week. Young children need less, depending on their age and calorie needs. The advice to consume seafood does not apply to vegetarians. Vegetarian options in the Protein Foods include beans and peas, processed soy products, and nuts and seeds. Meat and poultry choices should be lean or low-fat.

Soy milk

While most non-dairy milks are light in protein, soy milk is the exception. If you're eschewing cow dairy for reasons such as lactose intolerance, consider using soy milk to float your cereal in, or for whipping up post-gym shakes. To keep your intake of gut-busting added sugars to a dull roar, opt for brands labelled "unsweetened." And if your goal is to avoid genetically modified foods, splurge for organic.

Eggs

King of food protein is the humble egg. A medium egg has around 6g of protein of the highest biological value, meaning it comes complete with all 20 amino acids in the most digestible form. An omelette is a good way to start the day and is a good recovery snack too.

Protein Power

This bodybuilding staple delivers more protein than other poultry cuts, which is why it should remain a constant presence in your shopping cart. To keep more greenbacks in your wallet, get chummy with the meat guy at your supermarket, who can give you a heads-up when the poultry is likely to be marked down for quick sale.

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese serves as great snack. It’s affordable, comes in reduced-fat versions, and also contains calcium to keep your bones strong. But you can also hide it in creamy dishes, or sub it out for ricotta cheese or sour cream in certain dishes too. Try combining with fresh veggies for a savory treat, or adding fruit and cinnamon for something more sweet.

Nuts

Whether you go for cashews, walnuts, pistachios, or any of the other varieties, whole, raw nuts are a healthy high-protein snack choice. If you're concerned about calories, limit your nut intake to a handful or two, and remember that though nuts are high in fat, it's healthy monounsaturated fat, which doesn't clog arteries and is an essential part of a healthy diet. Plus, nuts are high in fiber, which when paired with their protein content, keeps you feeling full longer.

Milk

Dairy foods are packed with protein and contain bone-building calcium, too. Chocolate milk is the age-old recovery food after exercise, since it contains energy-replenishing carbohydrates and a blend of both slow and fast release whey and casein proteins. You can get the same recovery-boosting effects from a milk-based fruit smoothie - such as this cranberry & raspberry smoothie recipe.

Monday, 16 February 2015

Best Protein Diet Foods

Researchers found that over typically 12 weeks, people assigned randomly to a high-protein diet lost about 1.8 unwanted weight, and more body fat, compared to those assigned to a standard-protein diet. Many dieters mistakenly limit their consumption of protein when cutting back on fat and calories, which could result in health problems.

Protein aids in the development, development and upkeep of muscle mass in the body while carbs supply the main source of energy towards the body and brain for normal daily functions. Both nutrients try to increase satiety to avoid over-eating and satisfy hunger cravings. This might further assist in weight loss goals included in a diet plan.

The body need protein to help our cells grow and repair themselves. Protein likewise helps us fight infection and keeps our hair and nails strong. Protein is located naturally in all animal items like meat, fish, milk products and eggs.There are many excellent high protein foods that are perfect complements to some diet and will ensure that you stay healthy when you lose weight.

Whole grain products and Legumes

Whole grain products are another supply of incomplete protein, that, in conjunction with other incomplete protein foods, like legumes, constitute a complete protein meal. Beans and brown rice is really a common combination that creates an entire protein. Other whole grains to think about in creating meals with complete protein are oats, whole-grain breads and corn. Corn and peas are a combination that is sometimes forgotten, but makes for an entire protein.

Eggs and Dairy

Good selections for a high protein diet include eggs, low-fat or nonfat milk, cottage type cheese and low-fat or fat-free yogurt, along with a variety of non-processed cheeses. The very best choices are hard cheeses, which offer an average of 10 grams of protein per ounce, and low-fat cottage type cheese, which packs about 15 grams of protein per half-cup serving.

Beans, Seeds and nuts

Beans are one of nature's most perfect foods. Fat-free and filled with fiber, they are also a great high protein diet food. Most types of cooked beans offer an average of eight to 10 grams of protein per half cup serving. Cooked soybeans are better still, providing about 14 grams of protein for each half cup serving consumed.

So how exactly does the high-protein it work?

Protein is extremely filling so you likely will feel full quickly, and hopefully consume fewer calories over time. Protein takes a lot of energy to digest so a high-protein diet supposedly boosts metabolism. Protein provides long-lasting energy without making your blood sugar levels surge or slump.

Thursday, 12 February 2015

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Choosing olive oil as your main source of dietary oil or fat, as well as eating a healthy and balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals, may reduce your risk of chronic disease development and also increase life expectancy. Traditionally boasting low cholesterol, fewer instances of heart disease and very little obesity, the Mediterranean diet has always been defined by the liberal use of extra virgin olive oil.

According to medical experts, these essential properties give olive oil health benefits. It helps protect against heart disease, aids in digestion, and has been known to promote healthy aging. Promote healthy eating habits for you and your family by making olive oil a delicious, nutritious addition to your diet.

Cholesterol and Heart Health

Despite the drama surrounding the use of fats and oils, these things are an essential part of a balanced eating plan. The key is to choose your fats wisely. Olive oil is one of the healthiest types of fat around. The monounsaturated fat in olive oil has been shown to control LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. This can potentially lower your risk of heart disease.

Blood pressure

Adding small amount of extra virgin olive oil in the daily diet and continuing with the usual treatments for1 high blood pressure can actually improve blood pressure. Taking olive leaf extract also helps to lower blood pressure.

Diabetes Benefits

Diabetes causes severe spikes and drops in blood sugar levels, so people with this disease have to be very careful to maintain blood sugar. One way to do this is to eat a diet low in carbohydrates. Now, some researchers are starting to think that a diet high in monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil, is even more effective. On this page you'll learn about the latest research on how to use olive oil to manage diabetes.

Skin and Hair

The antioxidants contained in olive oil can benefit more than your heart. Because this substance prevents cell destruction, it fights the signs of aging and gives you a more youthful appearance. When applied topically, olive oil moisturizes and softens dry skin. Since the product is natural, adverse reactions are not common.

Protects Liver

As said previously, olive oil is full of antioxidants, which provide protection to our liver from severe oxidative stress and keeps it healthy. When various molecules present in our body start reacting chemically with the free radicals, we develop oxidative stress, which ultimately takes a toll on the structure and activities of our body cells. But, the antioxidant content of olive oil can shield our hepatic tissues from this damage, maintaining a good and healthy liver.

Inflammation Benefits

Inflammation is the immune system's first line of defense against injury and infection. It's a natural process that is designed to heal. But too much of a good thing can be painful and ultimately harmful to the body, even going so far as causing organ damage and diabetes. Fortunately, olive oil has a compound called oleocanthal that controls inflammation. Learn more about inflammation and why olive oil keeps it in check on this page.

Keeps Bone Healthy

Olive oil can promote the absorption of calcium in our body, which is extremely necessary for the mineralization as well as calcification of our bones. It also prevents our bones from getting fragile by maintaining their mass. Therefore, we do not end up developing serious bone disorders like osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

Monday, 2 February 2015

High Protein Foods for Muscle Building


Use these ten foods in your diet to aid protein synthesis and build muscle in conjunction with a strength training program. Building muscle is not about bulking up with the addition of useless non-contractile fat tissue. The other two groups, which ate high and normal levels of protein, experienced equal weight gain, and gained greater than the low-protein group. But what stood out about these groups is that rather than losing muscle mass, they gained muscle mass.

Building muscle is not as simple as just hopping in to the gym, lift a few weights and you'll get results. It requires much more than that. You'll need an excellent workout plan and then, you need a solid diet.

Whey Protein

Whey protein is great to consume before and after a heavy workout, because the body absorbs it up fast. It's the best source of protein and has the best biological value. Whey is a rich source of branched chain amino acids.

Tuna and Other Fish

High in protein, low in fat, and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The important thing here is omega-3 fatty acids. They are essential, not only for health reasons, but additionally because they improve fat loss and ensure the proper purpose of your body processes, such as your metabolism.

Fish

Fish is another great source of protein. It has to become a regular part of your diet. It contains no carbohydrates and fewer saturated fat. Trout sardines and salmon are the top varieties to consume. Fish have 6g protein per ounce and are generally high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Fish is easier to digest than beef or pork.

Eggs

Eggs contain high quality protein, nine essential amino acids, choline, the proper of fat, and vitamin D. To sum it up, they are the most value for money. And please be aware, eggs are not harmful for your health, as numerous research has already shown.

Turkey and Chicken

Chicken and turkey both have a higher amount of protein and less saturated fat than red meat. One ounce of turkey and chicken breast contains 9g of protein. They're a rich source of B vitamins, phosphorus and tryptophan. The high level of proteins makes poultry a much better and healthier choice.

Nuts

Nuts are the best snack because they contain quality protein and good fat. Peanut butter, peanuts and almonds are high in protein. Almonds and peanuts contain 8g and 9g of protein per ¼ cup.

Fruits and Vegetables

Firstly, fruits and vegetables really are a rich source of antioxidants, which are essential for the healthy functioning of your immune system. Secondly, they offer tons of other nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Finally, your body requires the fiber these fruits and vegetables provide, which helps to purge out the substances your body does not need.

Cottage Cheese

The amount of protein in cottage cheese differs with respect to the brand. ¼- cup of cottage cheese contains about 7g of protein. Ensure that you check the label before buying cottage cheese. It is advisable to purchase cottage cheese made from low-fat or skimmed milk. You may also make cottage cheese at home.

Low Fat and Chocolate Milk

Milk is a superb combination of whey protein and casein. Consume low fat milk as much as possible. Chocolate milk can be the very best after workout beverage, as it contains all the required components needed by your body after a heavy workout. It has a high water content that prevents dehydration.

Friday, 30 January 2015

Foods You Should Eat Every Day

Eating healthy is an important part of life. Many of us strive to eat as healthy as possible every day, but are you really consuming the best nutrients for your body? There are countless “superfoods” on the market. These foods boast so many health benefits that they’re referred to as superfoods because of their many super powers.

With the help of several nutrition experts and the right kinds of foods, you can stave off heart disease, stay slim and boost your immune system. So what follows is a list of the healthiest foods you should be eating now.

Broccoli

Consider broccoli your number one cancer fighter, thants to its sulfur compounds, such as sulforaphane, which you can smell as broccoli cooks. These compounds signal our genes to boost production of enzymes that detoxify potentially cancer-causing compounds. Eat more broccoli and you could slash your risk of everything from breast and lung cancer to stomach and colon cancer.

Berries

All berries are great sources of fiber—a nutrient that most Americans don’t get enough of and one that is important for a healthy digestive system. Fiber may help to promote weight loss. Raspberries boast the most at 8 grams per cup—and also contain ellagic acid, a compound with anti-cancer properties. The same amount of blueberries has half the fiber (4 grams), but is packed with anthocyanins, antioxidants that may help keep memory sharp as you age. A cup of strawberries contains 3 grams of fiber, but more than a full day’s recommended dose of skin-firming vitamin C.

Oats

Oats’ cholesterol- and blood pressure-lowering powers come from beta-glucan, a type of soluble fibre. One cup (250 mL) a day of cooked oat bran, 1 ½ cups (375 mL) of cooked oatmeal or thee packets of instant oatmeal provide enough beta-glucan to lower blood cholesterol by about five percent and heart attack risk by about 10 percent.

Beans

Beans are a good plant-based source of iron (up to 13 mg per 3/4 cup), a mineral that transports oxygen from your lungs to the cells in your body. Because your body can’t absorb the form of iron in plant-based foods as well as it can the form found in beef and poultry, pair beans with a vitamin C-rich food, such as sweet potatoes or lemon juice, to boost your iron absorption.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a great source of bone-building calcium, but its real strength lies in live beneficial bacteria, know as probiotics, that keep down the growth of harmful bacteria in your gut. Eating more yogurt could help with inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, urinary tract infections and vaginal yeast infections.

Monday, 12 January 2015

The Health Benefits of Buttermilk

Buttermilk is fermented milk, usually made by adding lactic acid bacteria to regular milk. The good bacteria in the buttermilk boost the digestion, providing low calorie nutrition to the body. Buttermilk is sought after by health conscious individuals as it contains less fat than milk; the fat has been taken off to prepare butter, though it is rich in lactic acid.

In a pinch, you can use a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice mixed with milk and left sitting for about 10 minutes to thicken in place of buttermilk. Using buttermilk along with baking soda in recipes provides an effective leavening agent without having to add yeast, giving you light and fluffy baked goods. Buttermilk may also provide some health benefits.

Aids in digestion

Ginger, pepper and jeera all make excellent digestive agents. Known for their carmative properties individually together in a tall glass of chaas, they make the best natural digestive out there. So, If you feel a bout of indigestion coming on try sipping on some chaas for instant relief.

Weight Maintenance

Many people are learning the weight loss benefits of buttermilk as compared to regular whole milk. It is also a great snack to ward off hunger between meals or as a meal replacement altogether. People who drink buttermilk regularly tend to get full quicker and weigh less.

A great tool against dehydration

It has salt, water, curd, and spices – all mixed into it make a delicious drink. Packed with electrolytes and lots of water, chaas is the best thing you can give your body to fight dehydration. With the summer sun beating down on us, invest in a glass of chaas every now and then for some much needed relief from the punish weather.

Healthy Skin

Another benefit to drinking buttermilk is the benefits to the skin. Regularly drinking buttermilk keeps the digestive system healthy, which show up in clearer, healthier skin. Some people even use buttermilk baths to improve skin health and appearance. It moisturizes the skin, adding a natural glow and elasticity; not to mention that a buttermilk bath is extremely relaxing and soothing.

Reduces blood pressure

Buttermilk is rich in unique bioactive protein that has cholesterol-lowering, antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. In this study, scientists found that drinking buttermilk significantly lowered blood pressure, if had on a daily basis.

Thursday, 1 May 2014

The Healing Benefits of Rose Oil

Rose essential oil is a type of essential oil commonly used in aromatherapy. Sourced in the Rosa damascena plant, it contains the flower's aromatic compounds. Because those compounds are believed to possess healing properties, rose essential oil is used for several health-related purposes.

Rose oil is used to improve your body's circulation and boost the immune system. In aromatherapy, it's used as a natural sedative and to help reduce depression. It's also used in massage therapy, as it can certainly help soothe muscles and smooth skin, while it's sweet scent helps with relaxation. If rose oil interests you because of aromatherapy or as a treatment, there are several ways you can make good use from it.

Benefits against depression

The sweet aroma of rose essential oil is great for elevating moods and relieving the sensation of depression. People who use the oil, experience a boost in self confidence and self esteem, feel more hopeful and therefore are more cheerful. The oil is another good anxiety reliever. It generates positive thoughts and infuses joy. For people who're undergoing rehabilitation treatments for depression and anxiety, rose essential oil lends highly positive effects.

Benefits for that immune system


The immune system of the body is largely benefited because of the antiviral properties of rose essential oil. As mentioned above, cells become more resistant against bacteria. Also, white blood cells are stimulated. The oil is extremely effective in influenza virus as well.

Benefits for that skin

Rose essential oil has the astringent properties that help in curbing secretion of excessive sebum in the oil producing sebaceous glands in the skin. As a result, people with oily skin experience relief from having a greasy face. Diluted oil can be dabbed right into a piece of cotton and rubbed around the face.

Benefits against stress

The smell of rose essential oil is a stress reliever. Few drops of the oil in bath water can lend immediate invigorating and soothing effects following a stressful day. Rose essential oil also relieves headaches.

Benefits against pains and aches

Taking cold compress with a cloth drizzled with water containing few drops of rose essential oils is extremely beneficial for obtaining relief from pains and aches. Cramps are also relieved with this treatment.

Benefits against viral and bacterial attacks

Rose essential oils have strong anti-viral properties that will help in fighting viral infections. Since essential oils are often absorbed by the body, the effects are immediate. Research has also discovered that when essential oil is absorbed through the cells in the body, they acquire a special resistance against penetration of virus. There's some kind of a shield that prevents infection of the cells through the virus. Rose essential oil is also a very effective bactericide. It protects the body against bacterial attacks as well.

Aphrodisiacal benefits

The benefits of rose essential oil being an aphrodisiac are age old knowledge. The oil stimulates senses and hormones accountable for sexual feelings, which in turn results within an increased sex drive.