Superfoods to enhance your life.

Lots has been said more recently about 'Superfoods' and their incredible health benefits. There are many more Superfoods than those listed below, such as kale, blueberries, beetroot, almonds, avocado, lemons and broccoli but, in the below article found at 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/8814538) written by Kent Ochiai (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kent_Ochiai) there are listed below the Top 5 for the reasons given. Enjoy the read!


In the past few years there has been a strong interest in natural foods and getting away from processed foods that are increasingly causing health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. But, what are superfoods? Superfoods are grown in the earth and have extraordinary nutrition and health benefits. They are nutrient rich natural foods that have a high content of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. All parts of the body from the brain to the immune system are nourished through consuming these plant based foods. Superfoods should be consumed in raw and organic form to retain their high level of enzymes, which are broken down when cooked. Let's take a closer look at the top five superfoods.

Goji Berries
Packed with nutrients and orange-red in color, the Chinese have been growing and harvesting the goji berries for nearly 5000 years. The Chinese believe that this extraordinary fruit can significantly extend your life. Goji berries are also available in the United States, and grown in the Southwest desert regions. Goji berries boost immune function, stamina, strength, longevity, and improve vision. Their main function is to boost the body's natural healing process through its potent variety of nutrients. If you're using warfarin, or other blood thinners, you may want to consult your doctor first before consuming goji berries. As we age, HGH (Human Growth Hormone) decreases, causing the metabolism to slow down, and increase the appearance of aging. Goji berries are also known to stimulate HGH production, which is essential to longevity. A handful of dried goji berries can be consumed daily as part of a healthy diet.

Cacao
If this superfood sounds familiar, it is. The cacao bean is the source of all chocolate products. Cacao is the seed, or bean, encased within a fruit grown in Central and South America. Cacao trees grow well in tropical environments slightly below the equator. The Mayans and Aztecs held cacao as extremely precious, and traded it instead of gold as currency. Cacao has the highest level of antioxidants of any food group available. Antioxidants can prevent cell damage, age related health conditions, and illnesses. Cacao contains anandamide, and is only found in the cacao plant. Anandamide is known as the "bliss chemical", according to David Wolfe, and is a natural endorphin released after exercise or strenuous activity. Consuming cacao makes you feel good longer. Cacao also cleanses the cardiovascular system, by keeping the white blood cells and blood vessel walls from becoming sticky. For you chocolate lovers, 60-70% cacao content dark chocolate will have the most health benefits, while avoiding the bitter taste of chocolate above 70% cacao content.

Maca
Maca has been grown in the Andes mountains of South America for over 2,000 years. It is grown for its radish like root, and can be yellow or purple in color. It is nicknamed "Peruvian Ginseng." When harvested, it is dried, powdered, or cooked. Research has shown maca to increase fertility in animals. Maca is known for its properties that enhance strength, stamina, and sex drive. It also increases oxygen in the blood, reducing stress levels. Thyroid problems can be reduced by regular intake of maca. Maca can be consumed by simply adding the powder to shakes, smoothies, or any beverage. A teaspoon daily is the recommended dose. Rotating by taking a few days on and off is recommended.

Bee Products
Honey, bee pollen, and royal jelly are all products produced by bees. Bees produce honey as a food source for times when food is scarce, honey provides them with much needed energy. Honey has healing properties and is very easy to digest. It is commonly used for its medicinal properties. It's also popular as an alternative to sugar. A barista at Starbucks told me that honey takes away the bitter, acidic taste of certain coffees, giving it a smoother, richer taste. Bee pollen contains vitamin B9, and amino acids, and is a great source of protein, providing an energy boost. It is also loaded with antioxidants that increase longevity. Bee pollen is also known to increase strength, stamina, and energy levels. Royal jelly is a thick, milky substance that is fed exclusively to larvae that are to become queen bees. It is known for its powerful, stimulating effects, similar to caffeine intake, but it has no negative side effects. Bee products have so many health benefits that a complete article can be written on these products alone.

Spirulina
Spirulina is a blue green algae that grow in fresh water lakes, rivers, and streams. It is a basic food source for all marine life. Spirulina has a tremendous amount of nutrients, protein, vitamins, and antioxidants. It contains 60% protein in dried form, making it the most concentrated form of protein of any food known. The extremely high content of protein builds muscle, strength, and enhances endurance. The United Nations for the last 40 years, has been endorsing the global production of spirulina as the perfect food source for the future. It should be consumed in raw form, and not cooked. Spirulina can be added to drinks, smoothies, shakes, soups, salad dressings, and directly on food.

And there you have it, the Top 5 superfoods that can keep you healthy, increase longevity and energy levels, and keep you feeling great!

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Healthy foods on a budget.

Eating healthily doesn't needed to cost you an arm and a leg, and can be done on a modest budget and as such may be more affordable than you think. With this in mind I came across this read at 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/8828443) that I thought would be of interest to all those claiming that healthy eating comes at a healthy price - well read here for more insight. Written by Blake Bowie (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Blake_Bowie) this short article may help dispel some myths about the subject.


If you are on a tight budget, finding healthy foods at the grocery store may seem like a challenge, but there are healthy and economical choices in every aisle of the store. As tempting as all that junk food out there may sound, it really can be cheaper to eat food prepared at home. And with a little imagination and experimenting with herbs and spices in the kitchen, it will taste better as well.

The first key to healthier eating is to have more healthy foods available to eat at home. So stop going to the drive-through and don't buy any more pre-packaged, over processed foods that you probably have in your kitchen now. Get yourself organised by creating a meal plan and a grocery list for the foods you need to prepare those meals. The next step is to go to your local grocery store and start buying whole foods that you can prepare at home with whatever kitchen resources you have there.

Increasing your consumption of whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables, will actually make your food selections in general much simpler. If the foods you are choosing contain more than 5 ingredients and include a lot of unfamiliar, unpronounceable items, you may want to reconsider buying them. Counting calories, carbs, or fat grams won't be as necessary when you select foods that are more a product of nature than a product of industry. Finding healthy foods to eat at the grocery store is pretty simple. They are found in the "fresh food" sections like the produce and refrigerated meat and fish departments. The frozen and dry aisles also contain good healthy foods, although there are many unhealthy distractions there as well.

Healthy foods you should have available at home to cook with include whole foods (food in its most natural state), fruits and vegetables, dairy products (low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese and eggs), seafood, lean cuts of pork, beef and chicken, naturally sweetened whole juices and lots of water.

The kind of foods to avoid include refined grains (white flour or white rice), refined white sugar, any form of corn syrup and anything out of a box that contains more than 5 ingredients.

Making the switch to eating healthy food does require a change in mindset, along with some imagination and preparation. It will help to make a weekly meal plan, and from that a good, organised grocery list to take to the store with you. This will help keep you focused and cut down on the number of trips you make to the grocery store.

-WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Eat your way to slim, trim & healthy.

Already we are about six weeks in to 2015 and for some you may be well on the road to your new years fitness & health resolution, and others may have ditched it already! I came across this article that of course is very relevant if you did start 2015 off with every good intention, or not, but want to know more anyway about slimming down, weight loss and how you can help accomplish this through improved eating habits. Found at 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/8864831) and written by Chritsine M. Esters (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_M_Esters) this is worth a quick read to ensure you are on track, or to get you back on it before the year runs away entirely.


This is the time of year where New Year's resolutions are on the tip of everyone's tongue. Of course, it is no secret that the number one New Year's resolution is to lose weight. Whether it is to drop 10 pounds, 20 pounds or 30 pounds, everyone seems to be upgrading their gym memberships, and ridding their kitchen of all their junk food. But, the truth is, no matter how much dieting and exercise you do, you still have to eat and stay healthy. So, how do you stick to your New Year's goals when your stomach is rumbling? Let me share a few tips with you that will leave your stomach full and your waist slim.

Detox - First things first, if you want to slim your middle, you need to cleanse and detox. Throughout 2014, and especially during the holidays, you probably accumulated a lot of toxins, heavy metals, and chemicals in your body that caused it to go out of whack. If you were feeling sluggish, tired, irritable or just not yourself, most likely your body was filled with toxins. So you want to cleanse your body and get rid of all those little culprits that cause you to have poor health and extra fat that you don't need.

Eat Healthier - I know this rule is simple. However, it can be hard to follow. If you are a busy gal on the go, it's very easy to grab that bag of potato chips and soda instead of reaching for celery and hummus. If you didn't raid your kitchen and rid it of all the junk food, now is the time to do so. You can replace your junk food with organic fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

Skip Deprivation - I know it may seem counter intuitive to tell you to eat a big chunk of chocolate cake, especially since it has a load of calories in sugar, but, the truth is, you can still enjoy all your favourite foods and treats without worry. The key word here is moderation. If you want a piece of chocolate cake, by all means have a bite or two without worry or guilt. However, you should worry if you eat the whole cake by yourself. Here's a quick tip. If you really want the chocolate cake or any other sweet treat, invite a couple of your friends over and split the cake amongst you all.

Chew your food slowly - It's no secret that many people are fast eaters. And for good reason, food is so tasty! However, eating fast can wreak havoc on your digestive system as well as cause you to over eat. On average, it should take you at least 30 - 35 seconds to chew one bite of food. Your stomach needs time to send messages to your brain to let it know that you are full. However, when you chew your food quickly, you don't have time to let your stomach digest the food properly. Not to mention, you won't enjoy every morsel that enters your mouth. If you take an extra 5 - 10 minutes at the dinner table to chew your food, you will feel fuller and eat less. This can ensure you stay slim and healthy in the New Year. Try using chopsticks.

Eat Often - I know there are a lot of critics out there saying you should only eat once or twice a day if you are trying to lose weight, but, the truth is, if you are trying to lose weight, you need energy and food is energy. Think about a car, if a car doesn't have fuel, it simply won't go. If it's low on gas, it won't function properly. Your body acts the same way when you don't give it the food and energy it needs to perform at optimal health. Now, when I say eat often, I don't mean have a big feast every time you sit down to eat. You can eat about every 2 - 3 hours to boost your metabolism and give you energy. Throughout the day, you can feast on nutritious snacks like cashew nuts, Greek yogurt, and fresh vegetables and fruit. Then have a nutritious breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you take the pressure off of losing weight, and focus on being healthy and happy, your waist will slim down in no time. However, follow these fun and simple health tips to stay healthy and slim in 2015 and beyond.

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Healthy foods that pack a punch!

The important thing to consider when planning your healthy meal regime is that your healthy diet still needs to be able to sustain you through your busy day, and not just the 9-5 day either. You day may start a long time before 9:00am and end well after 5:00pm, so it is important to fuel your body with enough energy, crabs, protein and other essential nutrients to pack a punch and see you through your whole day, every day. With this in mind I sourced this through 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/5073751) written by Shauna Arthurs (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shauna_Arthurs) - the founder of Breathing Prosperity.


Many people talk about miracle foods, from magazine writers to modern-thinking doctors. As more and more of us become aware that our diet truly affects our health - for better or for worse - we must find new way of incorporating the awareness into our daily lives. As we all know, there is a big difference between knowing something and implementing it, and that difference can mean a healthy, vibrant life or a one-day, regretful 'should have.'

With today's rushed lifestyles, it can be difficult to get the healthy foods we need, even when we know what they are and have the best of intentions. For instance, if you knew there were ten foods that, if eaten daily, could you easily incorporate them into your daily diet? The truth is we often eat too infrequently and/or grab food on the run, and this leaves us bereft in the vitamins and minerals department, let alone giving us enough time to really eat the healthy, whole foods we need.

Following are some helpful guidelines to including some of the most commonly cited healthy foods into your diet.

Breakfast: Whole fruits are some of the healthiest foods you can eat, and the latest wisdom is that they should be eaten alone. This being said, combining them with otherwise less healthy breakfast foods, such as cereals or meal replacement shakes, is a great way to add a few servings of fruit. Consuming fruits whole rather than drinking juices adds fibre and other goodness, upping the health quotient while also slowing down the entry of natural fruit sugars into your body. Tips include: wash fruit very carefully to remove pesticides, or better yet buy organic fruit; support local farms as well as your health by buying fruit in season instead of items shipped hundreds of miles, and freeze extra to throw in your shakes and baking during the off-season. Also, try replacing your coffee with green tea, which has been shown to reduce cancer rates and boost immunity.

Lunch: One great way to get in the veggies you should be eating for optimum health is to eat plenty of salads. With or without lettuce, you can toss together a wide variety of cooked or raw vegetables, add a little virgin olive oil, fresh squeezed garlic and lemon juice (or use half your normal dressing and add these to supplement), and you've got a power-packed lunch. Colourful veggies, garlic and olive oil, as well as lemon, are all on the top health food list. You can also add in such things as nuts, seeds, chick peas or other legumes, etc., for additional healthy filler.

Dinner: What better way to get more veggies, and perhaps some valuable fresh ginger, than with an easy-to-make stir fry dish? You can even get in some extra garlic, as well as varieties of onion and mushrooms - both with enormous health benefits - on top of all the healthy vegetable options such as greens, broccoli and cauliflower, peppers, etc.. Use a little sesame oil instead of a large amount of a cheaper oil; it is very strong in flavor and a touch goes a long way.

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Healthy meals for busy people.

In today's world we are all very busy people - at work, at rest, at play, with our families and with friends . . . and in keeping fit, exercised and healthy. We are time poor and having the inclination to plan your diet out, watch what you eat (and drink!) can sometimes put the skids under your best laid plans to do the right by your weight loss goals. With this in mind, I came across this article on 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/8866754) written by Morris Johnson (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morris_Johnson) that might provide the advice & guidance you need.



Many would agree that healthy meals for busy individuals appear difficult. While the majority of us know that consuming healthy is a must, many are not mindful as to how this can be attained. I understand it is easier said than done however the pointers mentioned below ought to help you eat healthy and still have time to beat those deadlines or make those sales.

1. Do not skip breakfast
Believe what your mama said. Breakfast is the most important dish of the day. If you are hurrying, a healthy option is the ever dependable instant oatmeal. You just put the sachet in the microwave for 90 seconds and you will certainly have a semi-heavy as well as fibre-rich breakfast. Other healthy breakfast options are yogurt, banana or apple. OK, you could do the popular Starbucks coffee breakfast, but ensure you get hold of some bread. Ideally, your breakfast should be heavy so as to sustain your hectic morning particularly if you are not preparing to have in between treats (and you wound up having a late lunch).

2. That elusive lunch
Ensure that your lunch includes an excellent amount of protein. Recommended lunch which is not just healthy but also makes you full are sandwiches (tuna, chicken and egg), vegetable soups, green salads and rough bread. Pair these with healthy fruit juices like apple, orange or pineapple. Stay away from sweets specifically soft drinks as these will certainly just make you crave for sugar all day long. For your sweet tooth, why not have those fruit salad in little cans? Avoid fatty food too. Sometimes you get these from gravy, additional cheese or sauce.

3. Make time for afternoon tea
There is a long space between lunch and supper so try to get an afternoon snack. You could have crackers with low-fat filling or nuts. Another alternative is your protein bar. You can get these from most grocery stores. Include a cup of tea to make it an extremely healthy snack. Ideally do not get too hungry prior to supper as this would simply tempt you to over consume. It is necessary that you handle your cravings to stay clear of overindulging specifically in the evening time when you are least active.

4. Supper - save the very best for last
Many would advise to skip dinner, however for busy and working individuals that is the saddest way to end a day. After the long hours, tension at work, meetings and errands, all you want to do is to take pleasure in a rewarding end of day meal. The good news is supper could still be healthy. The secret is to consume a light dinner-- grilled salmon/chicken/beef, vegetables and salads. Attempt to pick the leanest part of the meat as fat would just beat the purpose of having a light supper. It is also a smart idea to include fibre in your dinner so get some fruits and veggies which are rich in fibre.

Keep in mind that the above are simply suggestions which hopefully could help the busy everyday individual eat healthy. Awareness that something might be done is essential. Enjoy your healthy and satisfying dishes.

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

The benefits of eating healthy!

Carrying on with the healthy eating regime, there are of course a number of key factors in your life as to why you should eat healthily - weight control is the obvious one, but what about for combating illness, infection and disease, and then what about the benefits on your physical well being - skin, hair, eyes condition, and finally to give you the fuel to do all the things that make up your day . . . including keeping up with your exercise regime. In the below read, sourced through 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/8860883) and written by Josef Bichler (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josef_Bichler) there is some further advice on the reasons why.


Giving your body the right type of food is paramount to your overall health. Healthy eating is not about sticking to strict nutrition facts or depriving yourself totally from the food you love. Rather, it is about feeling mentally and physically great and having good energy levels, all of which be achieved by learning nutrition basics and making better food choices. The benefits of eating healthy by making some changes are exceptional. Apart from maintaining health and functioning organs in your body, healthy eating provides a wide array of benefits.

Less Illness and More Health!
As the saying goes: You are what you eat, and you become what you eat, whatever we eat reflects on our body. Unhealthy processed and fast foods affect the normal functioning of our body systems and can lead to obesity and illness. Eating healthy provides all the required nutrients for the body which help in proper functioning of our body organs. By improving body functions you are enhancing your immune system, which further helps in protecting against many chronic illnesses. Staying active and energetic is part of a good diet which is the key to a healthy body. Eating a well balanced diet provides good nutrition and energy to continue a healthy function of the body, and for supporting healthy growth and development. When the energy requirements of the body are right, you stay active and energetic throughout the day.

Weight Control Is Best Through Your Diet
It is no secret that exercise and a healthy diet are the keys to losing weight and maintaining it. Exercise and continuing with the wrong food will not bring your weight down, although exercise has many other health benefits and is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Recent study has shown that half an hour of exercise will improve the brains "Plasticity". Plasticity in the brain is important for learning, memory, and motor skill conditions. This also strengthens connections between other cells and as well different brain cells. Weight loss is all about making the right food choices which will help you in losing weight and calories. Optimal body weight keeps you fit and healthy, and prevents you from many obesity related diseases. Some exercise with the right diet, less carbohydrates, processed food, and smaller portions on your plate will immediately bring your weight down.

Look Good and Feel Good
In today's lifestyle, where people are overtly conscious of the appearance, excessive weight will affect the good looks. Hence, weight control is one of the most important benefits of eating a healthy diet. Overeating and eating junk food can not only pack on kilos, it also disturbs your sleeping patterns. On the other hand just the opposite will happen; healthy food reduces stress and helps getting a good night's sleep. A restful sleep keeps your mind as well as body active ti face the next day with a better attitude. The first and most important step to make smarter food choices is to educate yourself about what your body needs. Reading the food nutritional labels and ingredients of all the food you eat, knowing about the nutritional content of the food product can help you decide whether a food or beverage fits in your eating plan. You can compare different food products and get to understand and knowing which one is good for your health and which is not!

All about this is knowing what to do. Education has become an arguable effective way to gain knowledge and being able to take control of your health. Your chances of success in your health will increase dramatically by following a lesson plan and getting the right information.

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-

Super foods to help your weight loss.

Continuing the theme of healthy diet, I came across this titled 'super foods' to boost your weight loss. Lots is talked about when referring to 'super foods', and this one concerns foods that will can help you in your everyday diet, readily available and inexpensive. Sourced at 'ezinearticles' (http://EzineArticles.com/807364) and written by Sondra Smith (http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sondra_Smith) a personal trainer, and it a short read that might prompt you to change to make that change!


You can increase your body's natural fat burning process by eating/drinking moderate amounts of...

Green Tea has been called "the absolute miracle" for weight loss. Green tea has antioxidants called catechins that help to speed your metabolism. It also helps you to lower the bad LDL cholesterol.

Pears and Apples are great snacks. Both contain pectin fibre, which decreases blood-sugar levels. This helps portion control at meal time.

Apple Cider and Balsamic Vinegar helps to detoxify the liver which plays an important role in weight loss. Vinegar can also help control blood-sugar increase that occurs after you eat.

Grapefruit's phytochemicals reduce insulin levels, a process that may force your body to convert calories into energy rather than flab. Several studies has shown that grapefruit helps to lose weight.

Cinnamon has been proven to help control post-meal insulin spikes. Also, one USDA study showed that just a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon a day lowered the blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Oatmeal is high in fibre which makes a great meal for any time of the day, especially in the morning. Warm oatmeal with berries or fruit starts your "engine" in the morning. It increases your metabolism and has proven health benefits such as; lowers chances of heart disease and cancer, lowers bad LDL cholesterol. Also, oatmeal is a slow burning carbohydrate which gives you long lasting energy for work or working out. If you don't like oatmeal, high fibre cereal is a great alternative.

Add these super weight loss foods into your regular diet today!

WhyWeight - don't hesitate, participate, before it's too late!

-Steve, at WhyWeight-