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Weight Loss Exercise

Omega Fatty Acids – Which One is Best for Weight Loss?

Omega Fatty Acids are very popular for a lot of good reasons. First of all, let me tell you that not all fats are bad, and conversely, not all fats are good either. There are two types of fats found in today’s foods: omega-3 and omega-6. Now you maybe are wondering what these fats have got to do with weight loss. Hmm, well that is what this article is all about.

Omega Fatty Acids -Omega 3 Very Good for You

The first Omega Fatty Acids. omega-3 fat is usually found in fishes, flax seeds, a few types of nuts (the ubiquitous groundnut is a good example), and hemp seeds. On the other hand, omega-6 fats are found in fast foods, processed fruit juices, sugary foods, soft drinks, etc.

Most people today have forgotten all about the healthier omega-3 fats and focus on eating only foods that are rich in omega-6 fats. I don’t mean to say that in order to lose weight, you should be eating only those foods that are rich in omega-3 fats. The key here is not to prefer one type of fat over another, as it creates an imbalance.

Omega Fatty Acids – Problems with Omega 6 fats

Omega Fatty Acids   Which One is Best for Weight Loss?

omega fatty acids

Omega 6 is the next Omega Fatty Acids and there is a lot of reason to avoid this Omega Fatty Acids.

1. Omega-6 fats make your body unhealthy: Studies have pointed out that people who consume a high amount of omega-6 fats and low amount of omega-3 fats are likely to suffer from coronary diseases, high blood pressure, kidney and liver troubles, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. Premature death is also not a remote possibility.

2. Omega-6 fats make you stressed and hungry: A little known fact about junk foods is that they make stressed and depressed. A recent study on rats showed that when these rats were given junk and fatty foods to eat, they became stressed and tended to eat more and more junk foods.

However, when those same rats were served with foods rich in omega-3 fats, they were very little stressed didn’t eat more than what they were served because the omega-3 fats made them full just with the initial serving size.

Keep in mind that the foods served in both instances contained the same amount of calories. This study on rats debunked the myth that a calorie is a calorie, and proved that when it comes to weight gain/weight loss, the amount of calorie intake matters as much as the source of those calories.

3. Omega-6 fats make you overweight: Omega-6 fats are also responsible for obesity. This was the final conclusion drawn from the study on rats I mentioned above. As you know, at one time the rats were given junk foods to eat while at another time, they were served with foods rich in omega-3 fats; the foods served on both occasions contained the same amount of calories.

However, it was found out that when the rats ate the junk foods rich in omega-6 fats, they gained a lot of weight. It is only natural; as I told you earlier, omega-6 fats make the rats stressed out and increase their appetite.

In the end, I would suggest that you eat more of omega-3 fats and less of omega-6 fats. However, please don’t focus on eating only omega-3 or only omega-6 fats. Both Omega Fatty Acids need to be eaten in balance and as such, you should be eating a high amount of foods rich in omega-3 fats and a low amount of omega-6-rich junk foods.

While fish is rich in Omega Fatty Acids you shouldn’t eat too much fish because apart from omega-3 fat oils, they also contain the poisonous mercury and PCBs. If you wish to purchase a fish oil supplement, carefully check the package label to make sure that it has been completely detoxified of all these toxins and poisonous ingredients before being packed. I myself have been supplementing with Omega Fatty Acids for a few years now and think it is really worth it.


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Weight Loss Exercise

How to Handle Snack Attacks on the Paleo Diet

Snacks are part of life and on any healthy diet you are told to eat something every few hours. This is very true if you are following the Paleo Diet. The problem is finding out what to snack on. You need to have snacks that are quick and easy to prepare and that fit in with the principles of the Paleo diet.

One easy snack to prepare in advance is sliced vegetables. This can include celery sticks, carrot sticks, cucumbers, radishes and cherry tomatoes. Plus you can serve it with a low calorie dip or dressing. This type of snack is perfect for when you are at home on the weekend. Or it can be prepared ahead of time and packed for work or school.

Eggs are another suitable snack choice for anyone on the Paleo Diet. You can prepare them as hard boiled eggs, slices of frittata or as egg muffins.

Fruit is a quick and simple snack to prepare. Choose berries, slices of oranges, apples and grapefruit. These are easy to pack if you need to take your snack with you as well.

Small amounts of nuts and seeds can be packed into small containers and popped into your bag. They are easy to eat no matter where you are plus full of nutrients that help you get through a busy morning. As nuts are higher in calories it may be best to eat them as a mid morning snack. By eating nuts early in the day your body has lots of time to burn off the calories.

Leftover pieces of meat or seafood are wonderful snack choices. Just dice them up into chunks the night before and place them into a small container. By eating leftover meat you are adding protein to your diet which will provide you with energy during the day.

Chicken or turkey breast diced or sliced makes a good snack choice. So does canned tuna, peeled shrimp and slices of leftover meatloaf or meatballs.

When having vegetables or meat as a snack it is nice to eat them with a dipping sauce. Some good sauces to use that won’t affect your Paleo Diet are salsa, nut butters, pesto sauces and guacamole.

Once you get into the habit of making snacks that fall in line with the Paleo Diet principles you won’t be lost for what to eat. Instead you will have tons of choices which are healthy and taste wonderful.

Remember eating snacks is a good healthy choice and you should try not to go more than 4 hours without having some sort of snack. Now you won’t have to worry about what snack to make.

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Weight Loss Exercise

The Truth about Protein

If you have been researching low carb diets and the Paleo diet in particular you will have noticed that they all have one thing in common. They recommend that you increase your intake of protein. This may come across as strange especially if you are trying to lose weight. Doesn’t protein contain high amounts of fat and cholesterol and should be limited?

Well that is not exactly true. The truth about protein is that your body needs protein for energy and to build muscle. Yes most people could benefit from increasing their protein intake. But knowing which proteins to eat is important.

The Functions of Protein

Your body needs protein to build and maintain muscles, organs, connective tissues, skin, bones, teeth and blood. Protein provides your body with energy, eating more protein when sick will help your recover quickly. If you didn’t eat protein your body would feel weak and exercising would be almost impossible.

Almost all of your bodily functions require the use of enzymes such as digestion. Protein helps to form enzymes in your body. Antibodies are the protein which is found in your blood and helps fight bacteria and toxins. Hormones contain protein and are responsible for sending messages throughout your body.

If you consume too much protein your body will store the excess as fat. Good sources of protein are lean sources such as turkey, chicken and fish.

Truth about Protein

Because so many people choose meat as their protein source animals are now raised with manufacturers having one thing in mind. Making a profit from what they sell. This is why today’s animals are fed chemicals to help them grow and to keep them disease free. Unfortunately this makes eating meat not as healthy as it once was.

To combat this you can choose to purchase meat and poultry which has been raised as organic, free range or as natural choices. Many people on the Paleo diet prefer to shop for grass fed protein sources. This is in keeping with eating the way your ancestors did many years ago.

Your Best Sources of Protein

The Paleo diet suggests that you consume high amounts of protein each day, around the 35% mark. When choosing protein look for very lean sources such as rabbit, lean chicken and turkey, lean beef cuts and lamb.

The Truth about Protein

Truth about Protein

Fish is an excellent source of protein and low in fat. Salmon and mackerel have higher amounts of Omega 3 which is good for you and should be included in your diet.

You will want to consume protein at every meal so having eggs for breakfast is a good start to your day. Eggs can be combined with peppers and mushrooms and turned into scrambled eggs or even an omelette.

Protein choices for lunch can include a tuna, chicken or turkey salad. For dinner you could have grilled salmon or roasted lamb along with plenty of high fibre vegetables, broccoli and Swiss chard are good examples.

Once you get used to eating a little more protein at every meal your body will start to feel the benefits. You will notice that you probably have more energy and that your muscles feel less sore after exercising.

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