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Linda Smyth asked:


Now that the Atkins diet has fallen from grace, what type of diet is best for weight loss, and what’s the skinny on fat, carbohydrates and protein?

WHICH DIET IS BEST?

The acute fall in demand for Atkins-type low-carb food products, which led to the recent decision of Atkins Nutritionals, the promoter of the Atkins diet, to file for bankruptcy protection, has left many dieters wondering what type of weight loss diet is best. The short answer is: any balanced diet which is calorie-controlled. The US Department of Agriculture offers two dietary paradigms: it’s own “Food Guide” - a balanced food plan - and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan - a diet to reduce raised blood pressure - neither of which merits the description “low-fat” or “low carb”. Furthermore, the consensus among most dietitians and nutritionists is that the precise percentage of fat, carbohydrate or protein, matters less than the type of these macronutrients. Put simply, whether you eat 30 or 35 percent of your calories as fat is less important than the type of fat you eat.

FATS TO EAT, FATS TO AVOID

Recommended fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated varieties, with most coming from foods like fish, nuts, and vegetable oils. Oily fish, like salmon, mackerel and sardines, are especially nutritious as they contain omega-3 fats which are not manufactured inside the body and must be obtained from food.

The new “bad guys” are saturated fats and trans-fats (AKA hydrogenated fats). It’s best to eat less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fats and less than 300 mg/day of cholesterol, while eating as few trans fats as possible. Cheese and beef are the main diet foods which contribute to excessive intakes of saturated fat, while cakes, cookies, crackers, pies, bread, animal products and margarine are largely responsible for the high intake of trans-fats. Eggs, while high in dietary cholesterol, are now regarded as a healthy food.

CURB YOUR REFINED CARBS

The rise in digestive disorders such as diverticulosis, as well as metabolic disorders like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, is directly attributable to our modern dietary preference for white flour foods, as well as our overconsumption of foods and drinks with too much added sugar, including: regular sodas, frosted cereals, cakes, and confectionery. Being easily converted to blood-glucose, these refined carbohydrates can lead to excessive levels of blood glucose and insulin - causing appetite swings, cravings and a variety of metabolic problems. And being easily digestible they can also cause calorie overload and weight gain. All this is reflected in the latest Dietary Guidelines which advocate a reduction in refined carbs and a corresponding increase in the consumption of whole grains, like oats, brown rice, basmati rice, whole wheat breads and pasta. Being largely unrefined, whole grains are richer in fiber and nutrients. In addition, they keep us full for longer, which assists appetite and weight control.

BE GUIDED BY THE GLYCEMIC INDEX

The most comprehensive guide to healthy carbs is the Glycemic Index (GI). Originally created to help diabetics control their blood-glucose levels, the GI classifies carb-rich foods into three categories: high-GI, intermediate and low-GI. Put simply, the higher a food’s GI value, the faster and greater its impact on blood-glucose, and the more health problems it can cause. Intermediate and low-GI carbs are the basis for the new generation of “GI Diets”, which in effect offer all the benefits of traditional low carb diets, without any of the nutritional risks associated with long term carb restriction.

Concerning non-starchy carbohydrates, the message has not changed in years. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables of all types, including: leafy green vegetables, deep green, yellow, orange or red vegetables; as well as fruits, notably: blackcurrants, cantaloupe, kiwi fruit, mango, all citrus fruits, and strawberries. All these foods contain important micronutrients many of which are beneficial for metabolism and weight management, as well as general health.

DO CARBS CAUSE A SLOWDOWN IN WEIGHT LOSS?

It’s not accurate to say that eating carbohydrate has a detrimental effect on weight. True, low carb diets are famous for causing fast initial weight loss, but let me explain how this occurs. When we eat a normal amount of carbohydrate, we burn it straightaway or else store it for future use in the form of glycogen. Point is, each unit of glycogen binds with 3 units of water. When we start a low carb diet, we rapidly use up all our stored glycogen along with the attached water. It is this sudden loss of water which accounts for most of the extra weight lost when starting a low carb diet. Naturally, as we reintroduce carbs into our diet, we rebuild our glycogen reserves and re-absorb water. Thus, it is more accurate to say that restricting carbs causes an unnatural loss of water-weight, rather than saying that eating carbohydrate causes a slowdown in weight reduction.

HOW MUCH PROTEIN DO WE REALLY NEED?

How much protein we need depends on our ideal body weight. This is because protein is not needed by fat cells, only by our lean tissue. According to official US guidelines, the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of protein for adults is 0.8 gram per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of ideal body weight. This RDA is said to meet 97.5% of the population’s needs. For example, a woman of 5′4 who is at her ideal weight of 126 pounds needs 45g of protein per day. This amount is easily obtainable as follows:

BREAKFAST (14g protein)

1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup skimmed milk, 2 tbsp wheatgerm

LUNCH (18g protein)

Whole wheat pita, 2 oz salmon, sliced tomato and spinach leaves

DINNER (34.5g)

3 oz chicken breast, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 cup mixed vegetables

This daily menu actually includes a massive 66.5g of protein, well over the RDA for a person of her size. Yet it hardly looks like a high protein eating plan, does it? This is because there really is no such thing as a food that is ‘just’ protein or ‘just’ carbohydrate - most foods are a combination of protein, carbs and fats. For example, 1 cup of cooked rice has 5g protein even though we think of rice as a ‘carb’. The same applies to spaghetti - in most people’s mind this is classed as a ‘carb’ food, yet 1 cup of cooked spaghetti contains 7g protein!

WHICH PROTEIN IS BEST?

Protein from animal foods is marginally better than vegetable protein, although many animal protein sources can be high in unhealthy saturated fat. Ideally, include both vegetarian and low-fat animal protein in your diet.

HOW TO GET 10g OF HEALTHY PROTEIN

Here are some easy ways to meet your daily protein requirements. Provided your weekly diet contains some complete proteins from meat, eggs or milk, vegetable protein is perfectly fine.

1.5oz of white fish

1.7oz of oily fish like salmon

1.1oz of skinless chicken/turkey fillet

1.25oz of pork tenderloin/lean beef

3 egg whites

2.5oz of Brazils

1.25 cups of fat-free milk

1 cup of fat-free yogurt

1/3 cup cottage cheese

1.5oz of hard cheese

1/2 cup of lentils

3/4 cup soybeans

2 cups cooked brown rice

2 cups cooked pasta

2 cups cooked oatmeal

2.5 slices of rye bread

1 tbsp wheatgerm

CONCLUSION

There is no best weight loss diet. Provided you choose foods from all food groups, taking care to select the right type of fats, carbs and protein, the exact percentage of these macronutrients is up to you. As a basic guide, eat 20-35 percent of calories as fat; 45-65 percent of calories as carbohydrate and 10-35 percent of calories in the form of protein.



Tom

Mitamins Team asked:


Recent estimates have indicated that one in three adults in the USA has high blood pressure and that a third of these people are unaware of their condition. Your blood pressure is quite simply the force of the blood on the artery walls when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when it rests between beats (diastolic pressure). The normal values are less 120 mm Hg systolic and less 80 mm Hg diastolic. If your blood pressure is 140-159 mm Hg Systolic over 90-99 mm Hg Diastolic then this is classified as High blood pressure or Hypertension.

There are many causes of high blood pressure; in 90-95% of cases the actual cause cannot be discerned. Nerve impulses cause your arteries to dilate (become larger) or contract (become smaller). If these vessels are wide open, blood can flow through easily. If they’re narrow, it’s harder for the blood to flow through them, and the pressure inside them increases. High blood pressure may occur at this point. The remaining cases high blood pressure may be caused by kidney abnormalities, an abnormality of the aorta, the narrowing of certain arteries.

Blood volume also affects blood pressure - the more blood in the body, the higher the amount of blood returning to the heart and the resulting cardiac output and higher the blood pressure. Arteries thickened by fatty tissue increase the resistance of the blood as it flows and this increased the resistance will contribute to higher the blood pressure. Other factors could also affect blood pressure like blood viscosity or stickiness. This is called your triglyceride levels. A raised triglyceride can be caused by a high alcohol or carbohydrate diet, being over weight or having poorly controlled blood sugars.

Keeping fit through a balanced diet and exercise is an important way to decrease high blood pressure. There is a direct link between rising blood pressure or hypertension and being overweight. Exercise improves the condition of the thickened arteries which helps in the treatment of high blood pressure by making the heart stronger. A stronger heart pumps more blood efficiently, which means that the heart doesn’t have to work as hard. However anyone with high blood pressure should consult a doctor before any exercise plan.

Research has also shown some evidence that exercise reduces the release of nor epinephrine, which is a hormone that raises blood pressure by constricting arteries and increasing the heart rate.

Aiming for and maintaining an ideal body weight is really important in the treatment of high blood pressure. If you are overweight or obese, ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian who can help you make permanent, achievable changes to the way you eat to assist with weight loss.

Cutting down on your alcohol intake, is very important - as this has a significant role in boosting blood pressure. Women should limit their intake to one drink per day and men two. Smoking injures blood vessel walls and accelerates the hardening of the arteries. Although it does not directly cause even though it does not cause high blood pressure, smoking is bad for anyone, especially those with high blood pressure

Dietary changes can really contribute to the treatment of high blood pressure. In studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan has been shown to be effective. Essentially this plan involves consuming increased amounts of fruit and vegetables and choosing low-fat or non-fat dairy products. Studies have shown that eating fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy food and proteins as well as foods with lower saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, lower blood pressure and promote overall fitness. Whole grains, poultry, fish and nuts with lower fat content are good choices for the heart. Details of the DASH diet can be found at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

Foods with large amounts of saturated and trans fats such a fatty cuts of meat, fast food, fries, cakes and cookies should be kept to a minimum. This will also help with limiting the amount of sodium or salt in the diet. You should also try to avoid adding salt in your cooking and at the table, to limit gravy powders, salty soups and seasoning as well as salted crisps and nuts.

So why not have a go at these small changes - they really can make a difference in the treatment of high blood pressure!



Mary

Debra Gropp asked:


The cells in our bodies are in a constant process of breaking down as we age. The older we are, the more wear and tear on our cells. This process makes it vitally important to provide our cells with the resources they require for optimal maintenance and repair.

A healthy diet is the strongest ally our body has in the fight against disease and cell deterioration. Eating healthy foods makes it easier for our bodies to function better and longer and can impact the progression of many diseases and conditions.

Learning to eat a nutritious and healthy diet is not as difficult as it sounds and the rewards are abundant. Making simple changes in our diet can help us live longer, reduce the risk of many diseases, and give us a feeling of renewed energy.

The guidelines listed below will help you make intelligent and healthy choices in your diet and lifestyle.

-Eat a Well-Balanced Diet. Try to incorporate a variety of healthy foods into your diet every day. Fruits and vegetables (whole foods are best), moderate amounts of lean protein, and foods that are high in complex carbohydrates are the healthiest choices for your diet.

-ALWAYS eat in moderation. This is probably the most important advice you can receive. If your favorite foods are high in fat or sugar, do not avoid them. Simply eat them in moderation.

-Eat Regularly Spaced Meals. Never skip meals or completely eliminate certain foods. This will lead to out-of-control hunger that usually results in binge eating.

-Eat High-Antioxidant Foods. Foods that are high in antioxidants strengthen the ability of the body to fight diseases and keep cells healthy and constantly regenerating. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and herbs are rich in antioxidants.

-Drink Water. Believe it or not, most people are dehydrated and do not even know it! Our bodies need water to operate at optimal capacity and function properly. If the body becomes dehydrated, the organs become damaged and result in degenerative diseases. Every organ in the body relies on water to work properly.

-Exercise Every Day. Regular exercise is necessary to maintain good health and better mobility. The best exercise that is the most accessible and beneficial is walking. Walking even 10-15 minutes per day can help control blood sugar, detoxify your body, and help to lose weight.

-Get Plenty Of Rest. Many people, as they get older, suffer from insomnia or other sleep problems. Getting good rest is essential, however, for physical and emotional health. Some tips to help you sleep better: never read, watch television, or eat in bed. Listen to soothing music or try some easy yoga movements for relaxation.

-Lower Your Stress Level. There is nothing that ages you more quickly than extreme amounts of stress. Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine that can increase your stress level. The same holds true for alcohol. Too much alcohol can mask the problem and increase stress levels. Learn how to say NO sometimes. Learn deep breathing exercises, massage or meditation.

-Take A Good Multivitamin. A good multivitamin will fill in any nutritional gaps that your diet is missing. There is an abundance of vitamins to choose from nowadays that address specific nutritional needs and age groups. Ask your doctor for suggestions if you are unsure about the choices.

-Have Regular Checkups. See your doctor for regular checkups and preventive services. Many diseases such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes can be discovered early and treated successfully.

Living a healthy lifestyle is a wise choice no matter what your age. However, making the extra effort to stay healthy as you age will decrease your chances of suffering through many debilitating diseases and increase your chances or enjoying a fuller, happier life.



Timmy

Tom Chuong asked:


WHO (World Health Organization) defines health as a state of complete mental, physical, and social well-being; not only the absence of infirmity or disease.

It is well said and well proven that there is always a healthy mind in a healthy body. Better health is directly related to a person’s well being — mentally and socially too. By maintaining good health, you’ll not only feel better about yourself, but you’ll also live well too.

Following a healthy diet is crucial to a better health because a good diet helps to prevent critical diseases such as obesity, heart attacks, and strokes. A good diet will also be helpful to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, and celiac disease. And if you need to prevent vitamin deficiency and loss of muscle strength, you have to eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly.

Heart attacks and obesity are two major health problems for people living in today’s high stress working environment. Unfortunately, most of the working people eat high calorie food that their body usually does not burn. As a result of their high calorie intake, these people tend to have less physical exercise, which finally results into obesity. Obesity can then lead to other diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure just to name a few.

To prevent obesity and maintain a healthy weight you need to eat low calorie food. Fruits and vegetables are great energy food, which you can eat in a large amount without thinking of calories. Vegetables and fruits contains large amount of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats necessary for healthy bones, organs, muscles and nerves. Vitamins and minerals found in green leaves and juicy fruits are essential for normal body metabolism.

Clearly, eating a well-balanced diet which includes fruits and vegetables are an important part of a good diet. Everyone can benefit from eating more of them, and eating a variety of them is as important as the quantity you consumed. Most importantly, it’s critical to also include regular exercise into your well-balanced diet if you want to maintain a health body.



Auberge

MAIKEL WOOD asked:


Diet is the “kind and amount of food prescribed for a person for a special reason”. In the context of weight loss the term diet would cover all specific requirements in terms of constituents, their quantities and also the manner of their preparation as food for promoting loss of weight.

There are many diet plans proposed/promoted by different people. There is a 5-Factor Diet, South Beach Diet, Bob Greene’s Best Life Diet, Atkins Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Anne Collin’s diet, Carbohydrate Addict’s Diet, and now you have Size Zero Diet, DASH diet and Fat Smash Diet and …. it goes on!

Some are promoted by parties who as publishers, producers or suppliers of supplements or constituents of the diet and are suspect as being purely a commercial vehicle. Some others are merely fad diets that look upon the concept of weight loss or weight control as a gimmick. Many of these are neither based on proper scientific knowledge or scrutiny.

Three major constituents of a beneficial diet are carbohydrates, protein, and fats. Usually the main energy source for the body is the carbohydrates; proteins are necessary for the growth and repair of body cells, and general maintenance of the body, fats are a rich source of energy. A well balanced diet includes these in appropriate proportions; it will also include water. Water is vitally important to life - metabolic reactions and other functions depend critically on adequate water. Water constitutes almost 80% of the body weight.

There are various items in our everyday food that contain carbohydrates, proteins and fats; but not all the items that we normally consume are really beneficial. There are many that may provide the necessary calories to the body but at the same time they are harmful in some respects. A balanced diet should be made uo of “good” or healthy components and avoid or reduce the use of “bad” or unhealthy components.

A balanced diet will consist of carbohydrates from healthy sources to provide about 40 to 60 percent of the calorie requirement of the body. Vegetables, legumes, fruits and whole grains are good sources of carbohydrates; they provide fiber which is also for various functions of the body.

On the other hand other sources of carbohydrates such as white sugar, deserts, candy, frizzy drinks should be avoided or limited in consumption; they cause hormone imbalance, obesity, chronic inflammation issues.

Just as in case of carbohydrates, there are certain good proteins and certain bad proteins. Good proteins which provide all essential amino acids are contained in organic sources such as meat, fish, eggs, poultry; processed meats et should be avoided. About 10 to 30 percent of the body’s calorie requirement should be met from proteins.

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty essential acids stimulate immunity system of the body, fight inflammations, and are beneficial to heart and brain functioning. But these are not made by our body. Cold water fish, walnuts, etc can provide these to the body. Avoifd or limit use of unhealthy fats such as from processed foods and hydrogenated oils. Your body should get about 20 t0 30 percent of its calorie requirement from good fats as explained above.

Your diet should also include adequate amount of fiber or roughage. It does not provide nutrients but has an important role in helping bowel movements and also helping to lose weight.



Codigo