Collard Greens – Weight Loss Diet Solutions

Why Eating Alkaline Foods is Healthy

A few weeks ago I began starting my day by drinking a very large glass of water (more like 2 glasses) with the juice of a squeezed lemon. I started doing this after I heard a bit about the helaht benefits of starting the day by eating alkaline foods

Alkaline diets are promoted and marketed primarily by practitioners of alternative medicine, with the claim that such diets might prevent cancer, fatigue, obesity, allergies, osteoporosis, and a variety of other physical complaints and illnesses. Proponents of an alkaline diet include Robert O. Young, Edgar Cayce, D. C. Jarvis, and Herman Aihara. A similar diet, called the Hay diet, was developed by the American physician William Howard Hay in the 1920s. A related alternative medical system called nutripathy was derived by another American, Gary A. Martin, in the 1970s.

So how do you get started doing this? I am not interested right now in becoming a vegetarian but I think it is very important to be more alert in what I eat always and trying to eat alkaline foods at least sometimes will make a big difference in doing this.

In general, the alkaline diet involves eating certain fresh citrus and other low-sugar fruits, vegetables, tubers, nuts, and legumes. The diet recommends avoiding grains, dairy, meat, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and fungi. Proponents believe that such a diet maintains the balance of the slight alkalinity of blood without stressing the body’s acid-base homeostasis.

Here is a list of great Alkaline foods that you can try incorporating into your diet

vegetables are alkaline foods

Vegetables that are high alkaline foods

Alfalfa, Beet Greens, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chlorella, Collard Greens, Cucumber, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Beans, Green Peas, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Radishes, Rutabaga, Spinach, green, Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Watercress, Wheat Grass, Wild Greens

Fruits that are high alkaline foods

Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Banana, Berries, Blackberries, Cantaloupe, Sour Cherries, Coconut, Currants, Dried Dates, Dried Figs, Grapes, Grapefruit, Honeydew Melon, Lemon, Lime, Nectarine, Orange, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Raisins, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Tangerine, Tomato, Tropical Fruits, Watermelon

Protein Sources that are high alkaline foods

Almonds, Chestnuts, Tofu, Whey Protein Powder

Non Alkaline – High Acid Foods to Avoid

You can see by the list above that most fruits and vegetables are high alkaline foods and that at the same time meats and proteins are not included as they are high acid foods. Below I have included a list of some foods that are high acid and therefore not alkaline so you should try to minimize (remember though that I do eat meat and other non alkaline foods as well)

High Acid Vegeatables

Corn, Lentils, Olives, Winter Squash

High Acid Fruits

Blueberries, Canned or Glazed Fruits, Cranberries, Currants, Plums, Prunes

High Acid Nuts and Proteins

Cashews, Legumes, Peanut Butter, Peanuts, Pecans, Tahini, Walnuts

So try this out for yourself. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables is definitely good for you no matter what the science about alkaline foods. I personally have found a much better feeling and energy have been my results of eating alkaline foods.

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Foods to Include in a Simple Diet Plan for Weight Loss

If you want to lose weight, you need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. Making the right food choices is essential in any diet plan. A simple diet plan for weight loss should include wholesome, natural foods that will provide the nutrients your body needs and help boost your metabolism.

Best Food for Weight Loss

A diet plan for weight loss should be simple and easy to follow. Anything complicated that requires exotic, hard-to-find, or expensive foods is doomed to fail. Luckily, the best foods for weight loss are easily available and often affordable. The following foods can be included in a simple diet plan for weight loss:

1. Lean Proteins – The body needs protein to build and maintain muscle mass and boost metabolic functions. Proteins also help regulate the appetite. The best sources of protein are lean meats such as skinless chicken, fish, and pork with most of the fat trimmed off. Avoid fatty meats because they are high in saturated fats. Other excellent sources of lean protein are eggs, beans, nuts and seeds. Beans are high in protein and fiber but low in calories. Nuts such as almonds and walnuts provide healthy essential fats along with protein.

2. Fruits – The natural sugars in fruits help curb your craving for sweets and provide carbohydrates for energy. Fruits are also high in fiber which keeps you feeling full. Additionally, fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Include fruits in a simple diet plant for weight loss. You can add fruits to your meals or for a healthy snack.

3. Vegetables – Like fruits, vegetables are low in calories but high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. A diet plan for weight loss should include plenty of vegetables especially leafy greens, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes. Go easy on starchy vegetables such as potatoes and corn but have your fill of spinach, kale, broccoli, and collard greens.

4. Whole Grains – The body also needs carbohydrates from grains and cereals. Whole grains provide carbohydrates for energy as well as fiber, vitamins and minerals. They are nutrient-rich and help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Avoid highly processed and refined carbohydrate sources such as white bread and candies.

5. Low-Fat Dairy Products – Dairy products are excellent sources of calcium, protein and fat. Choose low-fat dairy over the full-fat versions to help reduce the total calories consumed. Non-fat or low-fat milk, yogurt and cottage cheese can help you lose weight.

Simple Weight Loss Diet Plan

When you are trying to lose weight it’s important to eat the right amount of food often enough so you don’t get hunger pangs. Start your day with a healthy breakfast consisting of 2 eggs scrambled in a non-stick pan. You can add chopped onion and green pepper to your scrambled eggs. Have a piece of whole-wheat toast and a small cup of berries or melon.

For your morning snack, eat an apple or a handful of nuts. Lunch can be a fresh salad with light Italian dressing, and grilled skinless chicken breast.

Your afternoon snack can be a banana or an orange. For dinner, you can have grilled fish, steamed vegetables, a salad with tomatoes and lettuce, and vinaigrette dressing.