HEART MATTERS

NUTRITION FOR YOUR BRAIN

2010-01-08T10:56:00.000+05:30

Our brains need proper nutrition in order to help us get the most out of life. A healthy body, mind and spirit is necessary for having a positive outlook and being succesful in everything we do. Whether you are a student, or a senior citizen,or any age in between, every activity requires the brain to function at optimum levels.
So, what foods can one consume on a regular basis to keep the brain well oiled?
Fruits, vegetables on a daily basis provide the much needed antioxidants. Including green leafy vegetables provide the iron. Eggs, lean fish, poultry and beans should be incorporated into the diet apart from keeping oneself well hydrated and exercising regularly. And never forget your beauty sleep.

Tips to Boost Your Brain Power

TIPS TO GET MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES IN YOUR DIET

2009-05-11T18:12:00.005+05:30

Nature's goodness is found aplenty in vegetables and fruits. The more brightly coloured are rich in antioxidants. Essential vitamins and minerals are provided to one's body when we include atleast cups of veggies and fruits in our daily diet. Always choose fresh vegetables that are in season. Make sure you use them in a variety of ways including salads,soups,and mix and match textures to add interest. Below are a few tips on how you can experiment with veggies and fruits in order to include them in your diet on a daily basis.
Suggested Reading: Healthy salads
Why You Should Eat More Vegetables And Fruits

LEAD IN YOUR LIPSTICK

2009-05-07T17:06:00.003+05:30

Women love their lipsticks and do not go anywhere without them.Some love reapplying right through the day to look and feel beautiful all day. How safe is it really? It is common knowledge that small amounts are ingested. Is this toxic? Detrimental to health?
The majority of lipsticks available in the market have a small percentage of lead that over time can show significant levels in one's bloodstream. Yes,even those that are manufactured by cosmetic giants such as L'Oreal,Dior Addict and Cover Girl to name a few. Studies show that since lead is a neuro toxin,i.e., it affects the nervous system,it can be the cause of infertility and miscarriage in pregnant women.Young children and young girls are more susceptible to this lead exposure.
Toxicologists also note that the redder one's lipstick, the more toxic it is because of the increased lead content.
Suggested Reading: The Dangers Of Using Red Lipstick

FUNCTIONAL FOODS

2009-04-28T12:42:00.001+05:30

Foods that are rich in certain substances that are more nutritionally beneficial than others are called functional foods. Nutritional value is provided by all foods but these functional foods may contain essential minerals,such as calcium or iron and vitamins such as A,E,B,C. An excellent example is that of the tomato which contains a substance called lycopene that is thought to prevent cancer and is necessary for improving prostate health. All colourful vegetables and fruits come under this category of functional foods as they contain antioxidants which are essential for the proper functioning of all body systems and preventing disease. Yoghurt contains probiotics and salmon contains omega 3 fatty acids.
The super market shelves are filled with processed foods that are fortified with certain vitamins or minerals that are also examples of functional foods. It certainly pays to choose your food wisely and get more nutrition into your daily diet.
Recommended Reading: Vitamin And Mineral Supplements
Is Knowing Nutrition Facts Helpful?

FAST FOODS-HEALTHIER OPTIONS

2009-04-27T12:10:00.003+05:30

Fast foods are tasty,addictive and make us obese because of their high calorie content. Yes,awareness programs have made people wiser,yet sometimes we have to make a choice concerning what to order when in a fast food joint. Most of the fast food restaurants give you the calorie content to their offerings on their websites.
Whether you are dining at KFC,Mac's,Macdonald's, or any other such giant chain of fast food restaurants,choose healthier options instead of just going for the regular items.

Go for the whole grain breads or buns
Opt for no cheese
Ask for the grilled meat rather than the fried
Give the French fries the go by
Order a salad without rich dressing
Choose plain water or a low calorie drink
Skip the dessert and last but most importantly,
Never Super size me!

Recommended Reading: 12 Food Additives To Be Subtracted From Your Diet
India's No.1 Junk Food Consumer
What Does A Bad Snack Do?
Indian Fast Foods
Sluggish After Lunch?

10 SUPER FOODS FOR HEALTHY HAIR

2009-04-25T11:23:00.004+05:30

Healthy hair is often the most coveted because of the various styles one can wear it and also gives a great frame to the face. It is often seen that those on a weight loss diet tend to lose hair as their low calorie diets do not provide the right nutrition and in the right amounts. It is therefore advisable to eat wisely in order to get optimum nutrition from commonly available foods rather than supplements. Washing and taking care of the hair is also as important,but when the care is from within the body, it is beneficial. Tresses are to be conditioned naturally by the oil glands while keeping the scalp healthy.
Researchers have come up with the list of foods that must be included in one's diet for healthy hair. The most important nutrients for healthy hair are omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron and vitamin A. A well-balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fatty fish like salmon and low-fat dairy are essential.

Salmon - rich source of omega 3 fatty acids,high quality protein,vitamin B 12 ,iron. If you are vegetarian, ground flaxseed (1-2 tbsp) can be included in the daily diet.
Dark green leafy vegetables - Spinach is known to have iron,calcium,vitamins A and C which are great for hair.
Beans - Kidney beans and lentils provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, and also ample iron, zinc, and biotin. 3 or more cups of beans every week is a must for great hair.
Nuts - Omega 3 fatty acids and zinc present in nuts such as walnuts and cashes are important.Selenium which is present in Brazil nuts is very beneficial.
Poultry - Chicken and turkey provide high quality protein and iron which is necessary for good hair. A deficiency of quality protein results in loss of hair colour.
Eggs - Biotin, vitamin B 12 and of course, proteins are made available to the body.
Whole Grains - Zinc, iron, and B vitamins found in whole grains are essential for hair beauty and restoration.
Oysters - The powerful antioxidant,zinc is found in oysters which is a known aphrodisiac and also great for hair growth. Oysters can be substituted with beef,lamb,whole grains and nuts.
Low Fat Dairy - Skim milk and yoghurt are excellent calcium sources that is necessary for hair growth. High quality protein is also provided.
Carrots - An excellent source of vitamin A that is good for a healthy scalp in addition to good vision.

WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCTS RECALLED

2009-04-24T10:51:00.002+05:30

Weight loss is what most people are wanting to achieve and they are willing to pay whatever it costs to sport the slim figure. They are easily taken in by the marketing tactics used by companies that manufacture weight loss products,without even verifying whether what it contains is approved by the FDA. Obese or not, the desire to appear thinner overnight has taken some people to do what they must not do,....take drugs or products that promise to help lose weight in no time,while continuing to eat what they normally do,or in some cases not eat certain foods.
Universal ABC Beauty Supply International Inc. of Brooklyn, N.Y., is recalling 34 of their weight loss products as they contain a substance called sibutramine which is an active ingredient in Meridia. And this is an appetite repress ant. FDA does not approve of the following 34 weight loss products manufactured by the said company as their labels do not show the presence of sibutramine. Sibutramine causes increase in hypertension,heart ailments,stroke in certain patients.
1. ProSlim Plus, 60 capsules, bottle in box
2. 3 DAYS fit, 60 capsules, bottle in box
3. EIGHT FACTOR DIET, 60 capsules, 3 pouches/box
4. 24hours Diet, 60 capsules
5. Slim 3in1 M-18 ROYAL DIET, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
6. 3X SLIMMING POWER, 60 capsules, bottle in box
7. Extrim Plus 24 Hours RE-BURN Formula, 60 capsules
8. Slim 3in1 EXTRA SLIM FORMULA, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
9. Slim 3in1 EXTRA SLIM WAIST FORMULA, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
10. SLIM EXPRESS 360º C
11. SLIM EXPRESS 4in1, 60 capsules, bottle in box
12. ROYAL SLIMMING FORMULA, 60 capsules, bottle/box
13. BODY CREATOR, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
14. Slim Waistline (labeling written in Chinese)
15. BODY SHAPING, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
16. PERFECT SLIM, 90 capsules, 3 pouches/box
17. Perfect Slim 100% Natural Herbal Essence
18. IMELDA Perfect Slim
19. Slim Waist Formula, 32 capsules, 2 pouches/box
20. Super Slimming, 60 capsules, bottle in box
21. 2 DAY DIET
22. Powerful Slim
23. BODY SHAPING
24. SUPER FAT BURNER, 60 capsules, bottle in box
25. SLIMMING FORMULA
26. SLIM FAST 2, 32 capsules, 2 pouches/box
27. SLIM FAST, 60 capsules, 3 pouches/box
28. Slim up, 120 capsules, bottle in box
29. 7 DAYS DIET, 60 capsules, 3 pouches/box
30. Perfect Slim Up, 60 capsules, bottle in box
31. JM Fat Reducer
32. SlimBurn
33. 21 Double SLIM
34. TRIM PLUS 2

There are several products available in the market which give tall claims of weight loss. So, which ones are good for you?
The best answer is to keep yourself fit and healthy by eating 3-4 small meals a day,packed with nutrition,do not snack in between,drink plenty of water,exercise atleast 45 minutes atleast 4 times a week,and have a positive outlook.

BRAIN DAMAGING HABITS

2009-01-29T23:12:00.003+05:30

1.No Breakfast
People who do not take breakfast are going to have a lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

2. Overeating
It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

3. Smoking
It causes multiple brain shrinkage and may lead to Alzheimer disease.

4. High Sugar consumption
Too much sugar will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with brain development.

5. Air Pollution
The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency.

6. Sleep Deprivation
Sleep allows our brain to rest. Long term deprivation from sleep will accelerate the death of brain cells.

7. Head covered while sleeping
Sleeping with the head covered increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and decrease concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

8. Working your brain during illness
Working hard or studying with sickness may lead to a decrease in effectiveness of the brain as well as damage the brain.

9. Lacking in stimulating thoughts
Thinking is the best way to train our brain, lacking in brain stimulation thoughts may cause brain shrinkage.

10.Talking Rarely
Intellectual conversations will promote the efficiency of the brain.

WOMEN WHO SURVIVE HEART ATTACKS

2009-01-14T19:03:00.000+05:30

A 31 year old new mom survives a heart attack and starts a

"heartwarming party"

to create awareness among women about heart attacks in women.Read about it below.

ABC News: Women Speak From Their Hearts to Save Lives

Recommended Reading: My hub entitled What You Should Know About Female Heart Attacks

HOW TO RECOGNISE SYMPTOMS OF A FEMALE HEART ATTACK

2009-01-13T19:23:00.004+05:30

How To Recognise the Symptoms?

Common Female heart attack symptoms include

shortness of breath
weakness
unusual fatigue.

Some women also had these symptoms

Nausea
Dizziness
Lower Chest discomfort
Upper abdominal pressure or discomfort similar to indigestion
Back pain

What To Do If You Experience Such Symptoms?

Do not waste time.Be aware that the first 7 minutes are crucial for a doctor to see you.Let someone around you know immediately.

Call the ambulance immediately.If your husband is with you,do not let him drive you to the hospital.The ambulance is better equipped with a paramedic in attendance.

Recommended Reading: My Hub entitled: What You Should Know About Female Heart Attacks

HEART ATTACK IN WOMEN

2009-01-12T18:19:00.003+05:30

Doctors have often found that the female heart attack is different.Women love their men and are so concerned with the men in their life and their health that they forget some warning signals that the body throws up.Men often complain of a chest pain and this is immediately construed as the onset of a heart attack.

But,What of the Female Heart Attack?

Many women who suffered a heart attack talk of experiencing some form of indigestion and complete exhaustion.Shortness of breath is usually noticed a few months before along with dizziness which is neglected as it is shortlived.They hesitate to call for an ambulance or tell anybody because they think it will go away with some indigestion or antiheart-burn pills.And they are embarrassed to tell of something so mild(or so they think).There is also in some women,a sensation of spasming upwards from behind the sternum that branches out at the jaws.Not all experience the same.

But,there is never a chest pain as in men.Which is why it is all the more difficult to pinpoint the symptoms leading to a female heart attack. Being young does not guarantee that you will not suffer a heart attack.

SIMPLE KNEE EXERCISES

2009-01-10T21:44:00.000+05:30

Knees support the upper part of the body and take a great strain if you happen to be obese.Some who neglect exercising for long periods get a whole bunch of ailments,which may be interrelated,but most stem from the fact that becoming overweight and later obese was the cause.Indoors or outdoors,exercising is a must.Simple yoga as shown in the video below can be beneficial for anybody.Therapeutic exercises for the knee relieves knee pain,releases joints and strengthens the muscles.

Top 20 Successful Tips On Dieting

2009-01-09T19:22:00.013+05:30

Get the figure you always craved for,and be the envy of all!!!The following guidelines are sure to be an eyeopener and serve as motivation for those looking for a healthy way to diet.No guilt!

Don't "Go On A Diet",but Change Your Diet This might surprise you,but this is particularly true.All the "fad diets" are not healthy.They either restrict you from eating certain foods or not eating at all,or they ask you to consume an unusual combination of foods.It simply means that when you stop eating normally,your metabolism slows down,and your body is starved of certain nutrients for a while, you tend to crave for those very foods that were restricted and your body goes into a binge mode.You begin to eat all the wrong foods in the bargain. RESULT? You put on all the weight lost and a bit more!
Think Positive And Think Healthy Visualize yourself as you want to be,a slimmer and healthier you!Perhaps you can hang out your favourite dress, that once used to fit you,where you can see it everyday and picture yourself wearing it again.Focus on what foods you can eat.Atleast three times a day,think of how you want to look permanently in future,a slimmer and healthier individual,and then think about what you will eat that day.
Fad Diets Only Work Short Term Quick fix diets often advise you to eat only one type of food,or to cut off a major food group completely from your diet.True,the results are immediate,and you find yourself leaner,but this certainly is not healthy and the solution is not permanent,as you cannot keep up that kind of diet permanently.
Keep A Food Diary It is rightly said,"You are what you eat,when you eat,and how you eat".So,for a week,write down what you ate, why you ate it, and when you ate it .This helps you understand your desires for food and your relationship with food.Maintaining such a diary will certainly help you understand what foods to avoid and when to avoid.
Educate Yourself Throw away the diet books!Read good articles on healthy living,and healthier eating.Several websites,such as the BBC's Healthy Living section concentrate on educating you on nutrition,ideal weight,dietary requirements,foods for prevention of diseases,and much more. And set up exercise routines for a healthier you.Desiringhealth is a blog which is my endeavour towards educating others on maintaining optimum health.
Change The Way You Shop Never shop when you are tired or hungry,because that's when you pick up all the wrong foods for losing weight(the so-called comfort foods).Avoid packaged and processed foods as they contain a high degree of salt,sugar,trans fats,and other additives.Pick up fresh fruits and vegetables,low fat diary products,lean meats and fish so that you can cook small,fresh meals at home.
Exercise-Get Moving! You do not have to go to the gym,simply get yourself some comfortable walking or jogging shoes,dress comfortably and head for the local park or beach.Walking is the easiest and most people enjoy making new friends along the way.You can begin with a10-minute walk initially,and slowly increase it every week.Ideally,one should build up a routine 30-45 minute walk twice a day.You will certainly feel more energetic and happy once you exercise regularly.Remember,the more you exercise,the more calories you burn.And if you burn more calories than you eat, you lose weight!
Never Skip A Meal-Especially Breakfast Eat 3-4 small meals at regular intervals.See that all food groups are present,and you have a balanced diet.Include atleast 5 servings of fruit,and vegetables a day.Breakfast,in particular,is never to be missed.Eat a wholesome breakfast that takes a long time to digest.People who miss breakfast often end up giving in to their cravings midmorning by having a sugar rich snack,that translates into weight gain and erratic energy levels."Breakfast like a king,lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper",holds good.
Take Time To Eat Sit down and enjoy what you are going to eat.Never rush through a meal.If you have prepared it,the creativity and enjoyment is enhanced.Your relationship with your food is enhanced as well and you do not crave for a fatty,sugary snack inbetween meals.Make sure atleast dinner is a family affair.
Drink 6-8 Large Glasses Of Water A Day Does drinking water help us to lose weight?Most often,we confuse hunger for thirst.Drink water everytime you think you are hungry,apart from meal times.And,watch the difference!When we don't drink enough water,fluid is retained in the body which constitutes bloating.The more water we drink,the less fluid we retain.
Eat 5 Portions Of Fruits And Vegetables A Day Veggies and fruits provide you with essential vitamins,minerals and fiber.Raw and cooked portions should be carefully selected and colourfully presented to enhance eye appeal and flavour.They fill you up and give you a feeling of satiety,since they are full of water.
Exercise Portion Control Smaller servings and helpings are recommended for a healthier you.You appreciate what you eat,rather than piling your plate with extra large helpings of everything,especially fried ,salty and sugary items.Your portions should be the size of your palm,fingers not included.There should be a good balance of carbohydrate,protein with a little fat.
You Can Eat Snacks On A Diet The key to losing weight is to keep your energy levels constant and you can only do that if you eat regularly. Midmorning and mid afternoon are times when we experience a drop in energy levels and reach for a snack.A fruit or a glass of skimmed milk,slices of raw carrot,cucumber,or a few nuts can be had as a snack.
Some Fats Are Good Fats are essential to a balanced diet – use those that are found naturally in unprocessed food, such as olive oil, sunflower oil, oily fish, nuts and seeds.Avoid red meats and organ meats.Avoid trans fats.Read labels before you buy packaged foods.Certain "Low Fat" packaged foods contain an excess of sugar or salt,or both.
Avoid Refined Sugar Sugar to be used sparingly.Blood sugar levels rise sharply giving you a feel-good and then slumps suddenly making you crave for more sugar.All excess sugar is converted to glucose and stored in the body as fat.
Cut Down On Alcohol Alcohol as you know is just empty calories,so limit yourself to a couple of glasses twice a week and eat some snack with it.Otherwise, an excess of alcohol converts to glucose quickly and gets stored as body fat.
Try Something New Each Week Cook differently,steam,bake,parboil,poach,grill.Try combinations of salads,raw and cooked,stewed.Use little or no oil.Avoid frying.Try new recipes.
Breaking Your Diet Is Normal Nobody is perfect!If you have to go for a special meal,or simply want to break your diet,by all means,do go and enjoy yourself,maybe once in 2 weeks,but don't feel guilty.Pride yourself in the fact that you have already made a lifelong commitment to healthy eating habits.
Small Is Beautiful Changes in your weight may vary,but as long as the weight loss is downward and you are healthy,it is fine.Medical experts agree that it is alright to lose 1 or 2 pounds a week,not more.To lose a pound a week,you need to create a deficit of 500 calories a day.Eat fewer calories and exercise regularly.Reach for a fruit,or low fat diary products at snacktime.
Reward Yourself Every loss in say, 5 pounds must be rewarded by doing something you most enjoy,and that should never be anything even remotely connected with food.

Good Luck!And let me know how it worked for you!Be warned, that if you already suffer from conditions of diabetes,or hypertension,or heart disease,you must first consult your doctor.

Suggested Reading:My hub on Hubpages: The Truth About Diets And Weight Loss From The Experts from which this post is an excerpt.

HOW TO MAKE THANKSGIVING TURKEY

2008-11-28T13:36:00.001+05:30

Thanksgiving is round the corner and turkey on the table is a must.Here is a great recipe if you do not want to bother about calories and stuff.

If you are going to wonder how to reduce your calories and you must still have the turkey dinner,here are a few pointers to trim your calories.

How To Have a Skinnier Thanksgiving Dinner
Uploaded by Howcast

OBESITY GUIDELINES FOR INDIANS

2008-11-27T12:02:00.003+05:30

The Health Ministry along with the Diabetics Foundation Of India,All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS),National Institute OF Nutrition(NIN),Indian Council Of Medical Research(ICMR) and 20 other Indian health organizations released the first India-specific guidelines for prevention and management of obesity and metabolic syndrome in New Delhi on November 25,2008.
The health consequences of obesity and metabolic syndrome range from increased risk of premature death and chronic illnesses.Indians have a different body composition which makes them more susceptible to hypertension and diabetes.Diet,exercise and early drug therapy should be used.The international guidelines for obesity and abdominal obesity needed to be reduced,say the health experts.This would significantly reduce problems associated with obesity for atleast 15-20%(5-6 crores) of the Indian population.
Obesity as we all know is mother of all diseases as it leads to the onset of type2 diabetes,hypertension,heart disease,and even some cancers.India has the highest diabetic population in the world and is expected to grow.Therefore the guidelines were urgent.And now, they need to be implemented.

Consensus Points arrived at the summit: (these are much lower than the international standards)

1.Diagnostic cutoffs for BMI:

(a) Overweight : 23
(b) Obese : 25
(c) For initiation of Drug therapy : 25
(d) For initiation of Bariatric surgery: 32.5

2.Diagnostic cutoffs for waist circumference for diagnosis of abdominal obesity

(a)Men > 90cm
(b)Women >80cm

Suggested Reading: How To Calculate Your BMI
Top 20 Tips For Effective Dieting

MEDICAL LIBRARY FOR YOU AND ME

2008-11-26T12:18:00.004+05:30

Medical conditions such as heart disease,diabetes,hypertension are common.For some others eating disorders such as bulimia,anorexia are troublesome.Several people today also contemplate going in for corrective surgeries of a different kind-obesity,cosmetic body contouring,botox,breast augmentation,lasik surgery,cosmetic dentistry.Some others may be battling with menopausal symptoms and still others may be plain depressed.Well,the list is endless!Whatever be the condition,some of us are obsessed with keeping fit,some come up with excuses for not exercising at all,or not giving up fast foods,tobacco or alcohol.
The following medical library gives one valuable insight into each health condition in both text and videos.Surgeries and therapies are also covered.Remember,medical facilities in every hospital is being commercialized and so, it is better to be armed with some knowledge before subjecting yourself to anything you would regret later.

Nutrient Density-Key To Good Health

2008-11-21T10:23:00.002+05:30

Nutrition for good health!But what are the foods rich in nutrients?The maximum nutrients that are found in any food substance makes it nutrient dense.This means that you can have a small portion of these foods and your daily nutrient requirement is met.You are healthy.

TOP 20 TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE DIETING

2008-10-21T12:34:00.002+05:30

"I'm on a strict diet!",says Pam.
"I have enrolled myself at the new gym!"claims Clara!
"What can I do to keep my extra pounds off?"asks Sam.

Whatever part of the globe you come from,the battle of the bulge is an ongoing struggle for many.Diet books and articles by non-nutritionists are devoured double quick and some fad diet followed for the get-thin-quick look only to be put back on later at lightening speed.

If you are reading this,you are one of the many who need to be clear about the following 4 questions.

Why do you want to lose weight?
How much do you want to lose per week?
What should my ideal body weight be?
What is BMI and how do I calculate mine?

Do you want to blindly follow your friend's advice on a diet that she follows or do you wish to follow a nutritionist's guide to healthy weight loss?
There are several resources on the internet that can confuse you since most are trying to push a certain product or service on you.Free resources are not always authenticated unless you follow practices from a gov.website.But,several good videos and articles on the HOW-TO of Dieting also exist only you have to discern them first.
Summing up the important tips on dieting for anyone is the following video.

Top Tips For Dieting:Best Tips For Dieting

Recommended Reading: Desire To Be Healthy
Burn 500 Calories Everyday Quickly
How To Lose Weight Effectively For Keeps
How To Lose And Keep Weight Off Effectively After 35
Diet Secrets For A Fitter And Leaner You

HOW TO LOSE AND KEEP WEIGHT OFF EFFECTIVELY AFTER 35

2008-10-20T12:04:00.002+05:30

Men and women begin accumulating extra kilos after 35.It is common knowledge that until that age,you look after yourself because you want to look good,feel good and dress good. But as you settle in to a comfortable lifestyle,one begins to find excuses for not making time to exercise,or eat at appropriate times.A recent study showed that women put on weight when they get comfortable with their spouses.

Top Tips For Dieting:How To Lose And Keep Weight Off After Age 35

HOW TO LOSE WEIGHT EFFECTIVELY FOR KEEPS

2008-10-15T09:54:00.003+05:30

Are you on a weight loss diet?Just what exactly are you supposed to eat?And what foods to avoid?Articles and books on the latest fad diets are being sold and money made on the double.But what is really healthy for you to follow?What do the expert nutritionists take on this?The following video gives us nutritional advice from an expert on the American misconceptions regarding diets and weight loss.But,the fact is that this information is an eyeopener for people all over the world.The ultimate conclusion is to have a balanced diet,exercising portion control and exercising regularly.

Ask The Nutritionist: Diets And Weight Loss

5 MINUTES TO A PERFECT FIGURE

2008-09-24T12:31:00.000+05:30

Who does not want a perfect figure?"Look good,feel good,perform better",is the mantra today.The "BEFORE" and "AFTER", pictures on the ads of many fairness creams,weight loss programs tend to make victims of quite a few people.Huge sums are invested by the obese and the not-so-obese, in chasing away the extra pounds of fat on their bodies.Still others want a sculpted self for their wedding or some important occasion.Some are continuously obsessed with trying to look skinny and starve themselves.
Magazine covers always have pictures of great looking models with perfectly sculpted bodies and even more perfect faces.So,are all Hollywood actresses and models as they appear on ads?Let us find out how we too can emulate a perfect and pleasing self within minutes using Photoshop.

BURN 500 CALORIES EVERYDAY QUICKLY

2008-09-23T12:13:00.002+05:30

Fitness expert,Stephen Cabral,in the following exercise video,gives tips on implementing the right workout to burn 500 calories fast and keep your metabolism up the whole day.

IS RED WINE GOOD FOR ME?

2008-09-22T11:59:00.003+05:30

Red wine is generally served with red meats and goes very well with it.Celebrations and parties are never complete without excellent wine.Some people swear by its benefits and some are not so sure.Moderation is the key to any alcohol or food,if it has to benefit our bodies.Overindulgence always brings on obesity and a host of diseases,such as hypertension and diabetes.A desire to be healthy and fit should be followed up with lifestyle modifications.

DESIRE TO BE HEALTHY

2008-09-06T12:39:00.003+05:30

You can be fit and healthy if you motivate yourself to a healthy lifestyle.Modifications in your lifestyle must be made.But the most important is a desire,an intense desire to put your knowledge to work in giving yourself a healthy and desirable personality.The ability to control oneself from overindulgence,for example,or for that matter,even fasting for all wrong reasons.
Every morning on waking,say out aloud what you see in the following video.Truly inspirational, and watch out for the results!

MICHAEL PHELPS-12000 CALORIES A DAY DIET

2008-08-23T14:08:00.005+05:30

Michael Phelps,the only Olympian to win 8 golds in the same Olympics is a US swimmer who is today a household name.Now,let us see the much talked about diet of this young man of 23.Michael Phelps is 6'4" tall and weighs 200 pounds.He needs to store up energy in his body.

Endurance is a must for his body and so,