It is believed that if food is heated to over 116 deg. F enzymes which assist in digestion and absorption of the food are destroyed. Raw food diet is based on the use of uncooked and unprocessed plant food such as fresh vegetables, fruits, seed, sprouts, grains, nuts, dried fruits, etc.

To derive the full benefit of raw food diet our diet must comprise at least 75 % of the raw and living components.

Raw food is low on saturated fats and components of hydrogenated oils as compared to the conventional diet. It has low sodium content and is richer in magnesium, folate and potassium. It has higher fiber content and it contains phytochemicals which are health promoting plant chemicals. Raw food diet has less fat, less calories.

Raw food has many benefits. It improves digestion and improves skin appearance. It gives increased energy and it reduces risk of heart diseases, diabetes and cancer. It can lead to healthy weight loss.

What can you eat in Raw Food Diet

Use organic and unprocessed items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds, fruits. Grains, nuts, legumes, dried fruits, seaweed are permitted. Purified water and young cocoanut milk are also permitted.

What cooking techniques can be used

Food should not be heated to 116 deg. F; such high temperature heating destroys the enzymes and the beneficial properties of raw food. Sprouting of beans, seeds and grains make them easier on digestion at the same time providing their flavor and variety. Similarly you can soak nuts and dried fruits. Juicing of fruits and vegetables as well as blending with other items will add variety to diet. You can use dehydrated food also.

Precautions

Raw food diet is basically very healthy but some people who have been previously used to diets rich in meat, caffeine or sugar may have mild but harmless reactions when they start on raw food diet. They may experience nausea, headaches or cravings for a few days. Raw food diet is not suitable for pregnant or nursing women or children. It is not suitable for anemic persons and persons suffering from osteoporosis.

Raw food diet may be found to be deficient in proteins, calories, vitamins B12. It may be deficient in certain minerals such as calcium and iron. You may consult your physician for suitable supplements.

Criticism of Raw Food Diet

Apart fro nutritional deficiencies of raw food diet, critics are against the basic premise about the foot being unsuitable if heated to over 116 deg F because of destruction of enzymes. Critics argue our bodies do use their own enzymes and are not dependent on enzymes from the raw food.

It is also argued that raw food diet may not be suitable for people in colder climate.

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We all know that we can be ‘just a little bit diabetic’. The condition is technically called pre-diabetes, and it is characterized by persistent high blood sugar levels. Pre-diabetes is a serious condition, though its symptoms may be so subtle that you don’t notice them affecting your life. More importantly, it’s an indicator that there is something seriously wrong with your body. Left untreated, over 50% of those diagnosed with pre-diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes within ten years.

If your doctor has told you that you are one of the more than 16 million Americans who has pre-diabetes, the American Diabetes Association has some very good news for you. In March 2005, the ADA released the results of the multi-year Diabetes Prevention Project. In a study that followed thousands of patients across the nation who had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, the Diabetes Prevention Project found that patients who lost a ‘moderate’ amount of weight reduced their risk of developing full-blown diabetes by over 58%. Even more encouraging, many of those patients had managed to reverse their condition, and their blood sugar levels were well within normal ranges.

This was a result that the researchers had not expected. Diabetes (and pre-diabetes) is the result of changes to cells in the pancreas that reduce the amount of insulin that they can produce. Doctors have always believed that those changes are irreversible. Now however, the research seems to suggest that losing weight with a healthy balance of exercise and diet can actually heal those early damages caused by diabetes.

Here’s the even better news. Those results were achieved by people who lost ‘moderate’ amounts of weight - from 5-7% of their total body mass. In other words, if you weigh 200 pounds and have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, losing just 10-15 pounds can more than halve the risk of developing full-blown diabetes, and may reverse your condition entirely.

Here are healthy Diet tips for Diabetes from the American Diabetes Association:

1. Keep your diet balanced. Eat a variety of foods in all food groups, with an emphasis on grains, starches and fresh vegetables and fruit.

2. Learn to eyeball portions. Portion control is far more important than restricting what foods you eat. A ‘portion’ of raw vegetables may be considerably larger than a portion of the same vegetables cooked. There are some handy reference guides on their web site at www.diabetes.org

3. Add one half hour daily of moderate exercise to your daily routine five days a week. This one single lifestyle change seemed to be the key to both Diet and the beneficial effects derived from it. It was the single significant difference between the two groups in the study.

The results of the Diabetes Prevention Project only confirm what has been the best advice in dieting circles for years - losing weight with a balanced diet and exercise is the healthiest way there is. For more information on the diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association, visit their web site at www.diabetes.org

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Often when pregnancy is with us there are many friends and relations who offer advice and input as to what the best diet may be. One of them may be the Low Carb Diet for Pregnancy. This article attempts to inform you of things to consider before going down that particular road.

The Low Carb Diet For Pregnancy is a matter of controversy. While most nutrition specialists recommend a healthy and varied diet (carbohydrates are also included) for pregnant women, there is medical research that tries to prove that the Low Carb Diet For Pregnancy is actually beneficial for the offspring. You’re pregnant. In the past, you’ve had serious problems with your weight, but you’ve managed to solve them by adopting the low-carb style of eating. You notice that any diet recommended for pregnancy also contains foods that are high in carbohydrates, but you are afraid that if you go on such a diet your weight problems will be out-of control after birth. Besides this, you know that gaining too much weight during pregnancy might also be harmful for the baby’s health and lead to serious difficulties regarding the delivery and you are extremely worried about this. Would it be safe to follow a Low Carb Diet For Pregnancy?

Even nutritionists who highly recommend low carb diets for weight loss are against Low Carb Diets for Pregnancy. Carbohydrates combine with fat fragments in order to release the energy needed for all your daily activities. If you don’t consume sufficient carbohydrates, your body won’t be able to use the fat in a normal way and this leads to an incomplete breakdown of fat. This may lead to ketosis. This means that your liver has been depleted of the stored glycogen and switches to a chronic fasting mode. However, it has been proved that this condition can cause brain damage and mental retardation in the offspring.

Therefore, even if you follow a Low Crab Diet for Pregnancy, you must stay away from ketosis! You can do this and also avoid unnecessary weight gain by getting the minimum of carbs each day. Generally, 65 to 75 carbs per day helps you avoid ketosis. But considering the risks that ketosis involves for the infant, I would suggest you take regular urine tests that detect whether ketosis is taking place. You can use special urine test strips such as Ketostix.

Of course, if you choose this “light” form of Low Carb Diet For Pregnancy, that involves consuming at least 65-75 carbs per day, you must do this wisely. It’s irresponsible to eat fat and proteins all day and then splurge on some pastry or chocolate that contains all the minimum of carbs. Instead, you should eat many times throughout the day and spread the quantity of carbohydrates evenly through your meals. Try to get your carbs mainly from vegetables (about 60%), then from whole grains (25%) and from fruits that don’t contain much sugar (15%). For safer dieting, make sure you follow the other entire do’s list for pregnancy. This includes an adequate intake of water each day, taking supplements (calcium, magnesium, vitamins, etc.), staying active, etc.

There are new studies that point out some positive benefits for the adult offspring in case the mother followed a Low Carb Diet For Pregnancy. It appears that this improves triglycerides, fat metabolism in offspring. Maintenance of a low triglyceride levels and a good fat metabolism can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. This theory has only been tested on animals. But even if it’s the same for human beings, what would you prefer? Would you choose giving birth to a child with brain damage and mental retardation but with a lower risk of developing coronary artery disease?

Giving birth to a human being is a great responsibility. If you’re looking for answer or advises, you must know that you won’t find a clear answer about the safety of the Low Carb Diet For Pregnancy. This is because there is no generally accepted rule or any finite research study on this issue, and no one would take the responsibility of giving such a controversial medical advice. You must think of all the advantages and risks that are involved by using a Low Carb Diet for Pregnancy, or any other type of weight loss diets, and decide it by yourself. I’m sure you’ll make the right choice, as for any pregnant woman the first priority is her baby’s normal development and health.

by: Kitty Barker
Kitty Barker who often writes for and with Pregnancy Information where there is far more information, news and resources. She also writes for Pregnancy Weight Gain website : http://pregnancy-and-baby-tips.com

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How Long has Jenny Craig Diet Program Been Around?
The Jenny Craig Diet program has been around for more than 20 years, but it has had a surge in popularity thanks to celebrity spokesperson Kirstie Alley shedding nearly 100 pounds on the plan.

What is the Jenny Craig Diet Program Based On?
The Jenny Craig Diet Program is based on developing a healthier relationship with food — with an eye on good nutrition and reasonable portions — and it encourages a more active lifestyle.

Jenny Craig says the program is overseen by a team of dieticians and medical advisers and is based on standard dietary guidelines, including those set by the U.S. government.

What Will I Eat?
Jenny Craig sells its own brand of pre-packaged, single serving foods called “Jenny Cuisine.” Jenny Craig says the purpose of requiring these pre-made meals is to teach dieters about nutrition and to use portion control skills.

In addition to the pre-packaged meals and snacks or desserts, you will also be eating fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products that you purchase at your usual market.

How Long Will I Eat This Way?
Once someone following the Jenny Craig Diet Program is halfway to their pre-set goal weight, they can begin transitioning to eating regular foods again. After a four-week “transition period,” you will stop eating Jenny Cuisine entirely and you will be eating “meals on your own.”

Eventually, you will be able to eat virtually anything you want as long as you keep an eye on portions. For example, a transition meal can include French fries, a food that many traditional diets would forbid.

Will I Have to Exercise?
Yes; you should be wary of any weight-loss program that does not encourage exercise as part of its plan.

Jenny Craig encourages its clients to participate in physical activity five days a week (at least 30 minutes each of those days) and to generally be more active.

What Else does the Plan Offer?
Everyone on Jenny Craig is assigned their own “personal consultant.”

If you are near a Jenny Craig Center and signed up in-person, you will actually physically meet with yours one-on-one each week at your local Center. You will weigh in at this time.

You can also do the program at home with the Jenny Direct At-Home Program. You can receive your consultations via telephone as well. This is referred to as “Jenny Direct.”

If you’re near a local center, you will have access to both your personal consultant and telephone consultants.

The purpose of these consultations is to review each week’s successes and challenges. He will assess your previous week’s eating, exercise and mental/emotional progress and help you set goals and a menu plan for the following week.

What are their Qualifications?
Consultants themselves are not nutritionists or dieticians. JennyCraig.com actually lists the position title as “Consultants/Sales” (Customer service and sales skills are the main required qualifications.).

Some consultants are clients who have successfully lost and maintained weight loss on the program.

How Much Does Jenny Craig Diet Program’s Cost?
Membership fees can range between $20 to $50 a month, but this varies according to the amount of weight you need to lose or if you are in maintenance.

In addition to membership fees, the food itself will run around $14 a day. Some food discounts may apply.

Specials are also sometimes available as advertised online or on television commercials that offer such discounts as “Lose as much weight as you want for $20.” But the fine print will state that it’s for a certain number of months and that the food is an additional cost.

To learn more about Jenny Craig Diet Program, visit jennycraig.com or call 1-800-597-JENNY.

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Obstacles to Strength, Endurance and Weight Loss

Almost everyone reaches a weight loss plateau at some point in their fitness lives. The reason is that the human body works hard to keep energy intake and output in balance. In other words, your body does not like to lose weight (not a revelation, huh?). After your initial weight loss, your progress will slow down and eventually stop even though your exercise and food intake is consistent. The bottom line is that the very efforts you make to burn more calories may eventually slow it down.

Problem 1. Lowering your calories too much
Fact: It takes calories to burn calories. When you decrease your food intake, your body simply lowers its metabolic rate in response. This still allows the body to function properly, but ultimately your body requires fewer calories which creates hunger and prevents you from losing fat.

Solution:
Keep your calories slightly below your maintenance calories so that your energy and metabolism remain high. A deficit greater than 500-700 calories makes it much more difficult to maintain your lean body mass. To determine your approximate daily caloric needs, use this formula:

Men
kg (body weight) x 24 = kcal/day

Women
kg (body weight) x 23 = kcal/day

note: kg = pounds divided by 2.2 (i.e.: 180 lbs / 2.2 = 81.8 kg)

You can also calculate your Basal Metabolic Rate to determine how many calories you need to function, and then use a calorie calculator to add in calories you burn through out the day and with exercise.

Problem 2. Loss of lean body mass
Fact: Muscle burns fat and losing muscle means burning fewer calories. Lean body mass uses five times the calories as fat mass so, if you lose it, your metabolism drops and your weight loss stops.

Solution:
Make sure your exercise program is combined with a fully nourished body. You can accomplish this with a diet that creates a safe calorie deficit along with some type of multivitamin to help with any nutrient deficiencies.

Problem 3. Weight loss
What? But you thought that’s what you wanted! However, what you may have forgotten is that when you weigh less, it takes less calories to move your body. A loss of any amount of weight will lead to a reduced energy requirement.

Solution:
Make sure you start (or continue) a weight training program to help increase lean body mass, which can help compensate for the loss of calories.

Problem 4. The ‘Adaptation’ Phase Ends
When you start a new exercise program, your body responds because it is required to make numerous changes to adjust to different workloads. So, your muscles are rebuilding themselves and this consumes all kinds of calories. But, at some point your body will stop adapting to the new workload and, as a result, you burn less calories for the same activities.

Solution:
Don’t let your body get used to the exercise. Maintain your body’s adaptation period by changing the intensity, duration, frequency and/or the mode of exercise and include interval training if necessary.

Problem 5: Exercise Efficiency
The more you do something, the better you get at it. As your body becomes better at performing your exercises, it can actually use fewer calories during the exercise. Think of it this way: trained athletes often use fewer calories than untrained athletes with similar body types and workouts. So, if this describes where you are, consider yourself a trained athlete and read on!

Solution:
The solution to this is the same as for Problem 4; don’t get used to the exercise. Concentrate on more dramatic changes such as trying brand new activities. For example, if you use the treadmill for two weeks, switch to something different like the rowing machine or the bike. Don’t forget to make changes in your weight training routine as well!

Problem 6: Over-training
Just like not eating enough can lower the amount calories you burn, so can over-training. When you exercise too much, there is a point of diminishing returns when an increase in exercise energy expenditure is negated by an equal decrease in non-exercise energy expenditure. In other words, when you increase your exercise intensity, your body responds by decreasing the amount of calories you burn during the rest of your day.

Solution:
Take time to recover. If you reach exercise burnout, this is a great time to take a break for a few days, or try something gentle like yoga or a stretching routine. After you’ve rested, get back to exercise but lighten up your original routine and increase your intensity only as necessary.

7. Enhanced Physical Condition
As you get into better shape, your body is more efficient and it costs fewer calories to operate. Improved health means a lower resting metabolic rate and fewer calories are burned during normal daily activities. Part of this is because your cardio-pulmonary system is more efficient now and you have a lower resting heart rate.

Solution:
Congratulations! You’re officially in shape and healthy. Focus on that and feel good about yourself. Concentrate on changing your routine as described in Solution 5.

By Paige Waehner

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