Another blog about benefits of goji berries

benefits of goji berriesMaking Good Choice For The Last Meal Of The Day

When attempting to lose weight dieters will not only need to construct a diet plan they'll also need to think about each and every meal or snack, especially if they are trying to stick to a specific calorie intake. I have found some people struggle when it comes to selecting a good choice for the last meal of the day. Some people can be influenced by what they read or hear which may lead to a bad choice. Some of the ideas they hear are; don't eat after 8pm, don't eat certain food items before bed or the last meal should contain specific nutrients or a specific combination of the macronutrients. Listening to all the many "rules" about what we should or shouldn't eat can be very confusing for anyone trying to lose weight.

The last meal can be important to get it right in order to lose fat stores. The correct choice is important because before sleep the body's metabolism slows down and we burn fewer calories. The body is also at a point where many nutrient-storing enzymes are active, this means that food high in fats, or even essential oils can cause them to be stored in fat cells. Even a meal composed mostly of carbs with little or no fat can cause some of the sugar to be converted to fat for storage. Another problem is if the meal has a high G.I. (glycemic index) as this releases insulin and causes the cells to take up any fat present in the meal.

The last meal may change from day to day depending on what you've done or even what you've eaten during the day. What could be considered a "bad" choice may be ok one day if there is a change in the nutritional status of the body.

Here we will provide some guidelines as to what would make a suitable last meal that helps limit any fat storage.

Some guidelines as to what the last meal should be made up of:

• Choose natural, wholesome foods
• Low Glycemic index food
• Low in fat
• Low in calories
• Contain high quality protein, up to 35 grams
• Low in sodium
• High in nutrients

If you've been working out intensely during the day then you may be able to get away with a snack higher in calories, or even high in protein. If you've not eaten much during the day then maybe try eating more of a high quality protein meal to help replenish any muscle protein loss.

In any case I believe the last meal should still contain low G.I. foods or maybe even contain no carbs, I would also try to keep the fat content quite low, probably less than 5 percent total.

Some sample meals and snacks I may include as my last meal:

• Fruit such as pear, plum, apple or prunes
• Low-fat yoghurt with cherries
• Tuna salad
• All-Bran or Muesli with skimmed milk
• Fettuccini (pasta) with tuna
• Lean chicken breast (small portion) with sweet potato
• Fresh fish with broccoli, cabbage and green peas

To help keep calories low try to only have small portions. In the example of a meal lean chicken with sweet potato try cooking then simply split the quantity into two or three meals and snacks. This way you can eat little and often but still have a low calorie, low fat, and low G.I. meal.

The listed foods above may not be the best for everyone, it may be best to think about your personal food preferences. Remember to omit foods which you may cause an allergic reaction!

Wayne Mcgregor has a degree in nutrition and dietetics, a diploma in fitness training, and a wealth of experience in helping people to lose weight and build muscle. His website provides hundreds of free weight loss articles, sample diets, tools and charts of calorie content of different foods.

http://www.weightlossforall.com

Vegetarian Cuisine - Transiting From Meat To Vegetables

Going vegetarian is easy. Grocery stores are always stocked with colorful vegetables and plenty of other vegan foods. Almost all grocery stores now carry delicious faux meat products, too - from veggie burgers and veggie hot dogs to vegetarian chicken nuggets, ribs, steak strips, and more. With all these great products available, it's easier than ever to whip up delicious meat-free meals at home. Going out to eat couldn't be easier too! With more and more people becoming vegetarian these days, most restaurants now offer great-tasting, healthy vegetarian selections.

Vegetarian foods can be classified into several different types:

1. Traditional foods that have always been vegetarian (Cereals/grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc.)
2. Soy products including Tofu and Tempeh are common protein sources.
3. Textured vegetable protein (TVP), made from defatted soy flour, is often included in chili and burger recipes in place of ground meat.
4. Meat analogues, which mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of meat and are often used in recipes that traditionally contained meat. Vegans may also use analogues for eggs and dairy products.
5. Food usually regarded as suitable for all types of the vegetarian cuisine usually include:
6. Cereals/grains: maize, corn, wheat, rice, barley, sorghum, millet, oats, rye, triticale, buckwheat, fonio, quinoa; derived products such as flour (dough, bread, pasta, baked goods) (assuming they have been made without dairy products, such as butter-crust bread).
7. Vegetables (fresh or pickled) and mushrooms (though some strict Indian vegetarians do not eat mushrooms); derived products such as vegetable fats and oils
8. Fruit (fresh or dried)
9. Legumes: beans (including soybeans and soy products such as tempeh, tofu, soy milk, and TVP), chickpeas, peas, lentils, peanuts)
10. Tree nuts and seeds
11. Spices and herbs

Food suitable for several types of the vegetarian cuisine:

Six Tips To Make The Transition
1. Make vegetarian versions of your favorite meals.
2. Explore thousands of delicious vegetarian recipes.
3. Try some tasty faux meats and dairy alternatives.
4. Sample vegetarian microwaveable meals and convenience foods.
5. Search online for the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants in your area.
6. Explore the amazing variety of meat-free ethnic

Cruelty To Animals

Animals on factory farms are treated like meat, milk, and egg machines. Chickens have their sensitive beaks seared off with a hot blade, and male cattle and pigs are castrated without any painkillers. All farmed chickens, turkeys, and pigs spend their brief lives in dark and crowded warehouses, many of them so cramped that they can't even turn around or spread a single wing. They are mired in their own waste, and the stench of ammonia fills the air. Animals raised for food are bred and drugged to grow as large as possible as quickly as possible many are so heavy that they become crippled under their own weight and die within inches of their water supply.

Animals on factory farms do not see the sun or get a breath of fresh air until they are prodded and crammed onto trucks for a nightmarish ride to the slaughterhouse, often through weather extremes and always without food or water. Many die during transport, and others are too sick or weak to walk off the truck after they reach the slaughterhouse. The animals who survive this hellish ordeal are hung upside-down and their throats are slit, often while they're completely conscious. Many are still alive while they are skinned, hacked into pieces, or scalded in the defeathering tanks.

Vegetarian Stars

Alicia Silverstone notes how much better vegetarian diets are for your health: "Since I've gone vegetarian, my body has never felt better and my taste buds have been opened up to a whole new world. It's one of the most rewarding choices I've ever made and I invite you to join me in living a healthy, cruelty-free lifestyle." Indeed, studies show that a vegetarian diet promotes a healthy heart and that helps stars maintain a youthful vigor and boundless stamina while on stage, in the studio, and on the field.

Sir Paul McCartney sums it all up: "If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat. That's the single most important thing you could do. It's staggering when you think about it. Vegetarianism takes care of so many things in one shot: ecology, famine, cruelty."

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books. You can find the best marketplace for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books at these sites for Krishna art, vegetarian gifts, and vegetarian cuisine books.

Top Ten Ways to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Did you know the average American gains 5-7 pounds every year between Thanksgiving and New Year�s Day? That equates to ingesting at least 17,500 more calories than you burn on a daily basis during that time period. At a minimum, that equals nearly 500 extra calories per day on average over that stretch of days.

Usually, the added weight comes in fancy cookie trays or creatively decorated gift baskets from clients, friends and family. The sound of Christmas music and arrival of cold weather encourage us to partake of traditional holiday fare and simply move less. This combination leads to tighter fitting pants and feeling sluggish.

Now is the time to fight back! Don�t wait to start your exercise program after the New Year begins. Initiate better exercise and eating habits now, because the weight is always harder to take off compared to preventing the gain beforehand. See the list below for tips on staying trim during this holiday season.

1. Perform strength training workouts at least 3 times per week.

2. Build in extra cardiovascular training if you decide to stray from your normal eating patterns to offset the extra calories.

3. Limit alcohol consumption as it will cloud your eating judgment and predisposes you to cravings and overeating.

4. Limit the number of holiday parties you attend.

5. Eat a small nutritious and fibrous snack prior to arriving at holiday parties. This way you will eat less because your stomach will feel full faster.

6. Do not buy holiday snacks for your house. If it is available, you will graze all day long without even noticing.

7. Plan events such as the Jingle Bell Run that keep you focused on training and exercise amidst the hustle and bustle.

8. Try to limit eating out when possible. With shopping, it becomes easy to dine out and partake in heavier foods and desserts.

9. Go to bed early or on time. Studies suggest that getting too little sleep will affect metabolism and prompt late night eating.

10. While at the mall, take additional time to walk after your shopping is finished.

Brian Schiff, PT, CSCS, is a respected author, physical therapist and fitness expert. You can sign-up for his free online newsletter @ http://www.thefitnessedge.cc.

Copyright � 2004 Brian Schiff

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