There used to be a saying that claimed no salt, no fat and no taste but that is not necessarily the truth these days. The popular thinking today is that trans fatty acids are the culprit and are responsible for all that is wrong in the weight world. Weight loss low fat cooking can taste good provided you use the right ingredients.
The right ingredients may include the ones called for in a recipe, just using less of them or possibly substituting them with other ingredients that can serve the same purpose. The United States Dairy Association recommends reducing the amount of salt, fat and sugar in our food. Many recipes for weight loss low fat cooking can be prepared using less of each or in some cases finding a suitable substitute that will not detract from the original taste.
For example, to reduce salt intake if the recipe calls for a half teaspoon of salt, use one quarter of a teaspoon or omit it all together. However, if a recipe uses yeast, you may have to leave it in, but the best way to reduce salt intake is to leave the saltshaker off the table. When using canned vegetables in weight loss low fat cooking, use the salt-free kind or rinse then when they come out of the can. Replace salt with spices or herbs as many seasonings contain a high level of sodium, which is listed on the label of ingredients.
Reduce Intake Of Oils And Sugars
Processed sugar takes longer to absorb in to body than raw sugar, reduce the amount of sugar in baking recipes by about one-third. To give the impression of sweetness cinnamon, vanilla or almond extract can be used. In many weight loss low fat cooking recipes, sucralose can be used instead of sugar and adding a half-teaspoon of baking soda for each cup used will maintain the sugary consistency.
To reduce oil you can substitute half the butter, oil or shortening with applesauce or prune puree. The baking time also have to be reduced by as much as one-fourth. When weight loss low fat cooking recipes call for using tuna, pick the ones packed in water or in lite oil and use low fat milk, low fat cream cheese and two egg whites for every egg called for in the recipe. These simple substitutions can help reduce the intake of these items without leaving the flavor on the counter.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Exercise And Weight Loss
Weight loss is something that millions of people are interested in. The fact of the matter is that not everybody is at their target weight. If you feel that you could shed a few pounds, you are in luck. There are many ways that you can do this, and if you are aware of all the options there is a good chance that you will become quite successful in reaching your goals.
Most people who are interested in weight loss start out by searching for the diet that best suits their needs and lifestyle. The good thing about going on a diet is that there are many different types available. Not only are there some diets that have been in existence for years, there are many more that are known as “fad diets.” These are weight loss plans that people use today, but they will be gone before you know it. In order to find the best weight loss plan for yourself, you may have to go through a trial and error process. Sooner or later you will come across the diet that is best for you.
Another thing to consider when it comes to Visit weight loss is the many products that are available on the market today. Not only are there special diets that come with diet food, but there are also many supplements that you can take. Just make sure that before you start to eat any special food or vitamins that you check with your doctor. Remember, your health is the most important thing in your life. You do not want to risk getting sick in order to lose a few pounds.
Finally, exercise and weight loss also go hand in hand. If you work out while also sticking to a diet you will give yourself a much better chance of success in the long run.
Overall, there are many ways that you can lose weight. You can diet, take supplements, and/or exercise. It is up to you to decide on which weight loss plan will best suit your needs, and which one will allow you to reach your goals.
Most people who are interested in weight loss start out by searching for the diet that best suits their needs and lifestyle. The good thing about going on a diet is that there are many different types available. Not only are there some diets that have been in existence for years, there are many more that are known as “fad diets.” These are weight loss plans that people use today, but they will be gone before you know it. In order to find the best weight loss plan for yourself, you may have to go through a trial and error process. Sooner or later you will come across the diet that is best for you.
Another thing to consider when it comes to Visit weight loss is the many products that are available on the market today. Not only are there special diets that come with diet food, but there are also many supplements that you can take. Just make sure that before you start to eat any special food or vitamins that you check with your doctor. Remember, your health is the most important thing in your life. You do not want to risk getting sick in order to lose a few pounds.
Finally, exercise and weight loss also go hand in hand. If you work out while also sticking to a diet you will give yourself a much better chance of success in the long run.
Overall, there are many ways that you can lose weight. You can diet, take supplements, and/or exercise. It is up to you to decide on which weight loss plan will best suit your needs, and which one will allow you to reach your goals.
Weight Loss Recipe: Pan Seared Cod With Balsamic Dressing
Lean protein is your diet is essential to weight loss and weight maintenance. Cod is an excellent source of lean protein as it is lower in fat than red meats.
Losing weight isn't about hunger, misery and crash dieting! By learning to make, delicious, easy-to-prepare, nutritious food your body needs and will enjoy – losing weight becomes exciting and energizing.
Instead of high calorie, fatty sources - use spices to provide flavorsome, exciting meals your whole family will enjoy. "Pan Seared Cod With Balsamic Thyme" is another recipe in a range of hunger-fighting, low fat recipes to assist you keep your weight under control. This irresistible, no-hassle meal will help you reach your weight-loss goals - while making mealtime a real treat.
Variety is an essential element of any successful health program. If you get bored with foods, you're much more likely to abandon your program altogether. Experiment with spices to find exciting alternatives, try new recipes and build your repertoire of quick home cooked meals to replace take outs, frozen dinners and snacks. Your body will love you and your family will be delighted.
Ingredients:
500g fresh cod fillet (or boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
2 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoon fresh thyme
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Sprinkle fish with salt and freshly ground pepper on both sides. Heat a large skillet for which you have a cover over medium-high heat. When hot, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, place the fish in the pan, lower the heat to medium and cook for five minutes or until the underside is brown and a curst begins to form.
Carefully turn the fish over, turn the heat down to medium-low and cover the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes more. Fish is done when it flakes with a fork. Remove fish from skillet and place on a plate. Bring the heat back up to medium-high, add the balsamic vinegar and cook quickly, scraping the pan with a spatula.
Turn off the heat, put the fish back in the skillet and turn over to coat both sides with the reduced vinegar. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately.
* Note: fish should cook for about 10 minutes for each inch of thickness. If you use chicken breast instead, it will need a total of about 15 minutes cooking time.
Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:
Calories: 228
Protein: 40 grams
Fat: 6 grams
Carbohydrates: 1 grams
Losing weight isn't about hunger, misery and crash dieting! By learning to make, delicious, easy-to-prepare, nutritious food your body needs and will enjoy – losing weight becomes exciting and energizing.
Instead of high calorie, fatty sources - use spices to provide flavorsome, exciting meals your whole family will enjoy. "Pan Seared Cod With Balsamic Thyme" is another recipe in a range of hunger-fighting, low fat recipes to assist you keep your weight under control. This irresistible, no-hassle meal will help you reach your weight-loss goals - while making mealtime a real treat.
Variety is an essential element of any successful health program. If you get bored with foods, you're much more likely to abandon your program altogether. Experiment with spices to find exciting alternatives, try new recipes and build your repertoire of quick home cooked meals to replace take outs, frozen dinners and snacks. Your body will love you and your family will be delighted.
Ingredients:
500g fresh cod fillet (or boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
2 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoon fresh thyme
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Sprinkle fish with salt and freshly ground pepper on both sides. Heat a large skillet for which you have a cover over medium-high heat. When hot, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, place the fish in the pan, lower the heat to medium and cook for five minutes or until the underside is brown and a curst begins to form.
Carefully turn the fish over, turn the heat down to medium-low and cover the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes more. Fish is done when it flakes with a fork. Remove fish from skillet and place on a plate. Bring the heat back up to medium-high, add the balsamic vinegar and cook quickly, scraping the pan with a spatula.
Turn off the heat, put the fish back in the skillet and turn over to coat both sides with the reduced vinegar. Sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately.
* Note: fish should cook for about 10 minutes for each inch of thickness. If you use chicken breast instead, it will need a total of about 15 minutes cooking time.
Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:
Calories: 228
Protein: 40 grams
Fat: 6 grams
Carbohydrates: 1 grams
Using A Weight Loss Fat Burner
Using a weight loss fat burner is a great way to get to that level of physical comfort that will allow you to feel okay with yourself and your weight. You need to be able to look yourself in the mirror to carry on through this life, so looking at yourself as you make improvements can be a great way to go through the day with a little more spring to your step. You can get there using a weight loss fat burner to cut down on the fat intake in your body and change some of that to muscle with the help of hard work and discipline. Nothing comes easy, so do not simply trust the weight loss fat burner to work without helping it along.
There are many ways that you can get a weight loss fat burner product to work for you. There are some that come in the form of powders that can be put in milkshakes and other drinks, blended, and ingested simply. These products often come flavored and can be a wonderful meal supplement to replace meals. It can also be a great companion when you go to the gym as you can take your fat burner in a beverage form and then work out to greatly improve the effects. With the help of your doctor, you can use your weight loss fat burner product to improve the results you want and get to the point of happiness again.
Product Selection
When you are selecting a weight loss fat burner, you will want to look for ones that will benefit you in the long run. You need to ensure that you can take this product for a good amount of time without experiencing any adverse reactions. Always consult the label for any allergy information, too, so as to safely be assured that taking this particular product is best for your health. At the end of the day, you should be able to select a product that you can be confident in and that can greatly improve the quality of your life within the weight loss process.
Another aspect of the weight loss fat burner is that your doctor should be consulted before taking anything you are unsure of. Always consult your physician for help if you have questions about some of the products out there, as they can give you ample help with product selection and can help turn your questions into answers. Without answers and the help of the doctor, you could be going into a dangerous situation with your help and could be risking it all for the sake of losing a few points.
There are many ways that you can get a weight loss fat burner product to work for you. There are some that come in the form of powders that can be put in milkshakes and other drinks, blended, and ingested simply. These products often come flavored and can be a wonderful meal supplement to replace meals. It can also be a great companion when you go to the gym as you can take your fat burner in a beverage form and then work out to greatly improve the effects. With the help of your doctor, you can use your weight loss fat burner product to improve the results you want and get to the point of happiness again.
Product Selection
When you are selecting a weight loss fat burner, you will want to look for ones that will benefit you in the long run. You need to ensure that you can take this product for a good amount of time without experiencing any adverse reactions. Always consult the label for any allergy information, too, so as to safely be assured that taking this particular product is best for your health. At the end of the day, you should be able to select a product that you can be confident in and that can greatly improve the quality of your life within the weight loss process.
Another aspect of the weight loss fat burner is that your doctor should be consulted before taking anything you are unsure of. Always consult your physician for help if you have questions about some of the products out there, as they can give you ample help with product selection and can help turn your questions into answers. Without answers and the help of the doctor, you could be going into a dangerous situation with your help and could be risking it all for the sake of losing a few points.
Weight Loss Through Simple Home Remedies
Being overweight is quite certainly one of the greatest health risk people over the world are facing today. Medically, this condition is known as obesity. Obese people are very vulnerable to a large number of lethal diseases, such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems, diabetes, paralysis and gangrene. Hence, doctors and medical experts all over the world stress on maintaining a healthy weight to keep most diseases at bay.
In Ayurveda, there are several dietary and herbal techniques by which people can reduce weight. Just like it does in other treatments, Ayurveda does not believe in any kind of debilitating treatment methods; instead its treatments are centered on making the person lead a healthier lifestyle. The following article is about some of the best remedies and methods that people can do within their homes to achieve a healthier profile.
Treatment with Simple Home Remedies
Remedy # 1
This one is not actually a remedy, but it is the most important thing you must do in order to keep your weight in a normal level. And that is, stick to a healthy diet. The following are the dietary guidelines you must follow in order to keep your waistline healthy: -
1 Do not overindulge in eating any one type of food. Keep your diet balanced.
2 Keep the intake of sugars and fats to a minimum. The fats to be avoided are the saturated fats and the trans-fatty acids.
3 Too much carbohydrates build weight. Hence, the intake of rice and potatoes must be reduced. Wheat, barley and maize are ideal substitutes for rice in people who has weight problems.
4 You must have at least one bitter vegetable per day. This helps in the proper metabolism of fats and do not allow them to accumulate in the body.
5 Never eat to full capacity.
6 Consume a lot of fluids in the day. This helps to eliminate the undigested foods effectively.
7 Exercise is extremely important. It is necessary to indulge in mild physical activity after each meal even if you cannot make time to go to a gym.
Remedy # 2
Have a totally salt-free diet once a week. This helps reduce weight. Also skip a meal once in a month.
Remedy # 3
Prepare chutney of mint leaves. This must be taken with every single meal. It helps in the proper breaking down of the fats. Also begin your day with a cup of mint tea.
Remedy # 4
Vitamin C is very good for people who are looking to reduce their weight. Since amalaki (Emblica officinalis, Indian Gooseberry) is the best source of vitamin C in the world, it is good to eat two three fruits of the amalaki each day. Also have a glass of any one citrus fruit – orange, lemon, etc. – each day. Green leafy vegetables also have good vitamin C content. They can be consumed raw in the form of salads.
Remedy # 5
Honey is very good for mobilizing the fats in the body. Take a spoonful of honey half an hour after every meal. A good remedy is to mix a teaspoonful of honey and lemon juice and have it twice a day. Alternatively, you can take a bowl of warm water, put a teaspoonful each of honey and lemon juice and drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. This is a very good remedy to dissolve the excess fats.
Remedy # 6
The Indian plum, i.e. jambula, is renowned for its weight controlling properties. Jambula dissolves the excess fats and gets them properly utilized in the body. Take four leaves of the jambula plant and soak them in a glass of water overnight. In the morning, discard the leaves and drink the water on an empty stomach. If you do this everyday, then you will find a positive reduction in your weight in three weeks or a month.
Treatment with Special Ayurvedic Methods
Ayurvedic experts would first try to ascertain what dosha type the patient is, because the treatment of obesity depends on that. Generally, Vashti Karma is prescribed, a therapy that is quite like giving an enema. This flushes the toxins from the body. Then other methods are employed to reduce the excess fats.
There are various herbs and preparations that are prescribed in order to treat obese people. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and the Triphala choorna are definitely prescribed. It must be noted that the Triphala contains amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki; all of which are extremely potent in dissolving the excess fats. Shilajit is also prescribed quite often, as it removes the unwanted constituents from the digestive system and provides the body with a good mineral balance that it requires. Most importantly, the significance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle is stressed upon the patient.
In Ayurveda, there are several dietary and herbal techniques by which people can reduce weight. Just like it does in other treatments, Ayurveda does not believe in any kind of debilitating treatment methods; instead its treatments are centered on making the person lead a healthier lifestyle. The following article is about some of the best remedies and methods that people can do within their homes to achieve a healthier profile.
Treatment with Simple Home Remedies
Remedy # 1
This one is not actually a remedy, but it is the most important thing you must do in order to keep your weight in a normal level. And that is, stick to a healthy diet. The following are the dietary guidelines you must follow in order to keep your waistline healthy: -
1 Do not overindulge in eating any one type of food. Keep your diet balanced.
2 Keep the intake of sugars and fats to a minimum. The fats to be avoided are the saturated fats and the trans-fatty acids.
3 Too much carbohydrates build weight. Hence, the intake of rice and potatoes must be reduced. Wheat, barley and maize are ideal substitutes for rice in people who has weight problems.
4 You must have at least one bitter vegetable per day. This helps in the proper metabolism of fats and do not allow them to accumulate in the body.
5 Never eat to full capacity.
6 Consume a lot of fluids in the day. This helps to eliminate the undigested foods effectively.
7 Exercise is extremely important. It is necessary to indulge in mild physical activity after each meal even if you cannot make time to go to a gym.
Remedy # 2
Have a totally salt-free diet once a week. This helps reduce weight. Also skip a meal once in a month.
Remedy # 3
Prepare chutney of mint leaves. This must be taken with every single meal. It helps in the proper breaking down of the fats. Also begin your day with a cup of mint tea.
Remedy # 4
Vitamin C is very good for people who are looking to reduce their weight. Since amalaki (Emblica officinalis, Indian Gooseberry) is the best source of vitamin C in the world, it is good to eat two three fruits of the amalaki each day. Also have a glass of any one citrus fruit – orange, lemon, etc. – each day. Green leafy vegetables also have good vitamin C content. They can be consumed raw in the form of salads.
Remedy # 5
Honey is very good for mobilizing the fats in the body. Take a spoonful of honey half an hour after every meal. A good remedy is to mix a teaspoonful of honey and lemon juice and have it twice a day. Alternatively, you can take a bowl of warm water, put a teaspoonful each of honey and lemon juice and drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. This is a very good remedy to dissolve the excess fats.
Remedy # 6
The Indian plum, i.e. jambula, is renowned for its weight controlling properties. Jambula dissolves the excess fats and gets them properly utilized in the body. Take four leaves of the jambula plant and soak them in a glass of water overnight. In the morning, discard the leaves and drink the water on an empty stomach. If you do this everyday, then you will find a positive reduction in your weight in three weeks or a month.
Treatment with Special Ayurvedic Methods
Ayurvedic experts would first try to ascertain what dosha type the patient is, because the treatment of obesity depends on that. Generally, Vashti Karma is prescribed, a therapy that is quite like giving an enema. This flushes the toxins from the body. Then other methods are employed to reduce the excess fats.
There are various herbs and preparations that are prescribed in order to treat obese people. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and the Triphala choorna are definitely prescribed. It must be noted that the Triphala contains amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki; all of which are extremely potent in dissolving the excess fats. Shilajit is also prescribed quite often, as it removes the unwanted constituents from the digestive system and provides the body with a good mineral balance that it requires. Most importantly, the significance of a healthy diet and an active lifestyle is stressed upon the patient.
Hypnosis And Weight Loss
The problem with talking about hypnosis and weight loss, or hypnosis and many other things for that matter, is that there often are few, if any, studies on whose results you can hang your hat. In this world where it seems everything is studied from every different angle, it seems that the final conclusion is that hypnosis can help you lose weight...or not.
There are plenty of claims of success by the myriad of hypnotherapists of all kinds who have put up websites and gone into the "Hypnosis can cure..." business.
Actually, the problem is not even whether or not hypnosis can or cannot be a tool in a healthy weight loss program. That much, at least, is pretty well agreed upon. The question seems to be how to use it and how much effect it actually has on an individual's weight loss.
That brings us to another factor. We are dealing with individuals, and individuals tend to react differently to the efforts of hypnotherapists in ANY attempt to produce a viable effect.
Most claims found for hypnotherapists on the internet, whether they are claiming that hypnosis is effective for weight loss or not (and most are) is that they ARE successful. Like many other things that can be effective and valuable in weight loss, or almost any other endeavor, the unknown fact is what does "effective" mean to these people and can they define "effective" in terms of so many successful outcomes in so many total attempts. This is the problem. There are no numbers, at least none that I could find.
However, many studies DO exist that show that hypnosis CAN be combined with other standard weight loss efforts to produce a better outcome. For example, it has long been known that changing eating habits and attitudes towards food can help with weight loss. It has been found that hypnosis, combined with behavior modification, tends to meet with greater success than behavior modification or attitude alteration alone. It seems that the hypnosis does what it often does best...it relaxes the subject, allows them to focus and concentrate, and helps them learn their lessons, if you will, more quickly and efficiently.
Bottom line? Hypnosis alone is not very likely to produce profound effects on weight loss. This is particularly true in light of many hypnotherapists' claims that "only one session" will cause a massive, immediate, and continuous weight loss. If anything, for most people, hypnosis is simply one more weapon in an arsenal of weapons in the war against obesity. As always the main weapons will be regular physical activity and sensible eating habits.
There are plenty of claims of success by the myriad of hypnotherapists of all kinds who have put up websites and gone into the "Hypnosis can cure..." business.
Actually, the problem is not even whether or not hypnosis can or cannot be a tool in a healthy weight loss program. That much, at least, is pretty well agreed upon. The question seems to be how to use it and how much effect it actually has on an individual's weight loss.
That brings us to another factor. We are dealing with individuals, and individuals tend to react differently to the efforts of hypnotherapists in ANY attempt to produce a viable effect.
Most claims found for hypnotherapists on the internet, whether they are claiming that hypnosis is effective for weight loss or not (and most are) is that they ARE successful. Like many other things that can be effective and valuable in weight loss, or almost any other endeavor, the unknown fact is what does "effective" mean to these people and can they define "effective" in terms of so many successful outcomes in so many total attempts. This is the problem. There are no numbers, at least none that I could find.
However, many studies DO exist that show that hypnosis CAN be combined with other standard weight loss efforts to produce a better outcome. For example, it has long been known that changing eating habits and attitudes towards food can help with weight loss. It has been found that hypnosis, combined with behavior modification, tends to meet with greater success than behavior modification or attitude alteration alone. It seems that the hypnosis does what it often does best...it relaxes the subject, allows them to focus and concentrate, and helps them learn their lessons, if you will, more quickly and efficiently.
Bottom line? Hypnosis alone is not very likely to produce profound effects on weight loss. This is particularly true in light of many hypnotherapists' claims that "only one session" will cause a massive, immediate, and continuous weight loss. If anything, for most people, hypnosis is simply one more weapon in an arsenal of weapons in the war against obesity. As always the main weapons will be regular physical activity and sensible eating habits.
Water, Diet Sodas And Weight Loss
What on earth does water have to do with weight loss? Actually, a lot more than you previously imagined.
Are you aware that some studies have shown that your brain cannot distinguish between hunger and thirst? Sometimes when your body is telling you that you are thirsty, your brain may be hearing that you are hungry. So what do you do? You put food in your mouth when a glass of water might have been sufficient. Most food has calories, most water doesn't. Simple equation. 'Nuff said on that topic.
By the way, ever wake up in the middle of the night and crave a snack? Nine times out of ten, a glass of water will do the trick. I know, I didn't believe it either until I tried it. It really works!
Tissue, muscle, cells, even blood are all comprised to a large per cent of water. When your brain starts getting signals that water is needed...well, remember the confusion factor mentioned above? We eat something instead of giving our body what it really craves and needs! Your entire body works much better, by the way, when the fluid levels are kept up where they need to be.
BUT I DRINK LOTS OF LIQUID AND STILL GAIN WEIGHT!
Sure you do, but what KIND of liquid. I won't even talk about sodas, coffee, or tea sweetened with sugar. I'm going to assume that you already know that sugar is not the way to go if you want to lose weight, but what about the artificially sweetened drinks?
Did you know...
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS CAN CAUSE YOU TO GAIN WEIGHT?
Some studies have shown that using artificial sweeteners can contribute to weight gain in at least two ways.
First, there is the confusion factor. When you use artificial sweeteners, you, and your brain, become confused about the calorie content of the food you eat. You may actually find yourself eating more in an effort to satisfy an internal urge or interpretation, and this urge may be related to the assumed "fact" that the sweet soda you just drank didn't have that many calories, so neither does this cinnamon roll. Actually, before artificial sweeteners, our bodies and brains were pretty good at relating calorie content to food based on the sweetness.
A WORD FOR PARENTS!
Our bodies' understanding of "sweetness" and the development of the internal calorie estimating apparatus mentioned above apparently occurs in childhood. Early use of artificial sweeteners could cause the grown-up years later to ingest more of sweet foods than they should.
The second way in which artificial sweeteners may contribute to weight gain is what could be called...
THE SUGAR TRAP!
Your body is a complicated device which has developed a huge number of inter-related, synergistic, stimulus sensing and automatic response mechanisms. It has learned to begin things happening inside when something sweet is detected. The digestive system is prepared to receive a certain type of fuel...which it welcomes! When you ingest food or drink which has been artificially sweetened, all your little hormones, glands, cells, and systems begin asking, "What's going on?" Like prisoners in an old movie, they start rattling their tin cups and yelling out, "FEED ME!" Oh yeah, that was the plant in "Little Shop Of Horrors", wasn't it?
Anyway, your internal messengers are now not very happy, nor will they be until you send down some calories for them to munch on. See the trap? It reminds me of when I managed a restaurant when people would order a salad and diet drink and then smother the salad in high-calorie, high-fat dressing and have ice cream for dessert. Get the picture.
WAIT! IT MIGHT EVEN BE WORSE!
Artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than ordinary sugar, and that's why you can sweeten a cup of coffee with one little white pill. However, there are some studies which indicate that artificial sweeteners become somewhat addictive. If that isn't bad enough, this brings us to one of the most popular drugs in America...
CAFFEINE
Even though a lot of people who want to lose weight are drinking artificially sweetened drinks, a lot of these drinks - coffee, tea, sodas - contain caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic. It dehydrates you, causing your body to lose water. Remember, water = good. When you are dehydrated, low on internal liquid, your metabolism slows down. This means your body gets by on fewer calories and stores the rest as fat. Think it through: You get dehydrated, you get thirsty. You just drank a cup of tea, coffee, or soda, so you can't be thirsty, can you? Since your brain can't really tell the difference between hunger and thirst signals, it tells you to eat something when all that's really going on is that you need a drink of water.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Substitute water for most of the other stuff you're drinking.
2. "Buy" your artificially sweetened drinks. My wife came up with this idea, but I have seen it used in other contexts as well. If you drink an artificially sweetened drink and/or one with caffeine, buy it back with at least an equivalent sized drink of water. Eight ounces of coffee? Follow it with eight ounces of water.
3. Is water boring for you? Then try flavoring your water with lemon or something else. Use herbal teas that have their own flavor and might not even need to be sweetened.
4. Include soups and juices in your diet. These are high liquid content. Just be aware that while nutritionally better for you than diet drinks or drinks with caffeine, they DO contain calories.
5. Can't do without sweetened drinks? Try stevia. This is a natural food additive available online and at most health food stores. While it has a sweetening effect, the FDA does not allow it to be called or marketed as a sweetener. Due to its chemical makeup, it does not seem to produce the cravings for more food as do other non-sugar sweeteners. I read that in a book, but I tried Stevia and that's how it worked for me. I was drinking four to eight cups of coffee sweetened with artificial sweeteners a day, and munching tons of snacks as I drank the coffee! I started using stevia, and the desire for constant snacking went away. I will warn you, while technically VERY sweet, it does have an acquired taste. I figure if I could get used to it, anybody could. It's the only sweetener in our house now.
Are you aware that some studies have shown that your brain cannot distinguish between hunger and thirst? Sometimes when your body is telling you that you are thirsty, your brain may be hearing that you are hungry. So what do you do? You put food in your mouth when a glass of water might have been sufficient. Most food has calories, most water doesn't. Simple equation. 'Nuff said on that topic.
By the way, ever wake up in the middle of the night and crave a snack? Nine times out of ten, a glass of water will do the trick. I know, I didn't believe it either until I tried it. It really works!
Tissue, muscle, cells, even blood are all comprised to a large per cent of water. When your brain starts getting signals that water is needed...well, remember the confusion factor mentioned above? We eat something instead of giving our body what it really craves and needs! Your entire body works much better, by the way, when the fluid levels are kept up where they need to be.
BUT I DRINK LOTS OF LIQUID AND STILL GAIN WEIGHT!
Sure you do, but what KIND of liquid. I won't even talk about sodas, coffee, or tea sweetened with sugar. I'm going to assume that you already know that sugar is not the way to go if you want to lose weight, but what about the artificially sweetened drinks?
Did you know...
ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS CAN CAUSE YOU TO GAIN WEIGHT?
Some studies have shown that using artificial sweeteners can contribute to weight gain in at least two ways.
First, there is the confusion factor. When you use artificial sweeteners, you, and your brain, become confused about the calorie content of the food you eat. You may actually find yourself eating more in an effort to satisfy an internal urge or interpretation, and this urge may be related to the assumed "fact" that the sweet soda you just drank didn't have that many calories, so neither does this cinnamon roll. Actually, before artificial sweeteners, our bodies and brains were pretty good at relating calorie content to food based on the sweetness.
A WORD FOR PARENTS!
Our bodies' understanding of "sweetness" and the development of the internal calorie estimating apparatus mentioned above apparently occurs in childhood. Early use of artificial sweeteners could cause the grown-up years later to ingest more of sweet foods than they should.
The second way in which artificial sweeteners may contribute to weight gain is what could be called...
THE SUGAR TRAP!
Your body is a complicated device which has developed a huge number of inter-related, synergistic, stimulus sensing and automatic response mechanisms. It has learned to begin things happening inside when something sweet is detected. The digestive system is prepared to receive a certain type of fuel...which it welcomes! When you ingest food or drink which has been artificially sweetened, all your little hormones, glands, cells, and systems begin asking, "What's going on?" Like prisoners in an old movie, they start rattling their tin cups and yelling out, "FEED ME!" Oh yeah, that was the plant in "Little Shop Of Horrors", wasn't it?
Anyway, your internal messengers are now not very happy, nor will they be until you send down some calories for them to munch on. See the trap? It reminds me of when I managed a restaurant when people would order a salad and diet drink and then smother the salad in high-calorie, high-fat dressing and have ice cream for dessert. Get the picture.
WAIT! IT MIGHT EVEN BE WORSE!
Artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than ordinary sugar, and that's why you can sweeten a cup of coffee with one little white pill. However, there are some studies which indicate that artificial sweeteners become somewhat addictive. If that isn't bad enough, this brings us to one of the most popular drugs in America...
CAFFEINE
Even though a lot of people who want to lose weight are drinking artificially sweetened drinks, a lot of these drinks - coffee, tea, sodas - contain caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic. It dehydrates you, causing your body to lose water. Remember, water = good. When you are dehydrated, low on internal liquid, your metabolism slows down. This means your body gets by on fewer calories and stores the rest as fat. Think it through: You get dehydrated, you get thirsty. You just drank a cup of tea, coffee, or soda, so you can't be thirsty, can you? Since your brain can't really tell the difference between hunger and thirst signals, it tells you to eat something when all that's really going on is that you need a drink of water.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Substitute water for most of the other stuff you're drinking.
2. "Buy" your artificially sweetened drinks. My wife came up with this idea, but I have seen it used in other contexts as well. If you drink an artificially sweetened drink and/or one with caffeine, buy it back with at least an equivalent sized drink of water. Eight ounces of coffee? Follow it with eight ounces of water.
3. Is water boring for you? Then try flavoring your water with lemon or something else. Use herbal teas that have their own flavor and might not even need to be sweetened.
4. Include soups and juices in your diet. These are high liquid content. Just be aware that while nutritionally better for you than diet drinks or drinks with caffeine, they DO contain calories.
5. Can't do without sweetened drinks? Try stevia. This is a natural food additive available online and at most health food stores. While it has a sweetening effect, the FDA does not allow it to be called or marketed as a sweetener. Due to its chemical makeup, it does not seem to produce the cravings for more food as do other non-sugar sweeteners. I read that in a book, but I tried Stevia and that's how it worked for me. I was drinking four to eight cups of coffee sweetened with artificial sweeteners a day, and munching tons of snacks as I drank the coffee! I started using stevia, and the desire for constant snacking went away. I will warn you, while technically VERY sweet, it does have an acquired taste. I figure if I could get used to it, anybody could. It's the only sweetener in our house now.
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