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General Weight Loss Tips

Can Vegetarianism Help People Lose Weight?

The number of obese people in the United States (and around the world) has increased dramatically in the past few decades. And as just about all overweight people know it’s not too  easy to lose that excess fat once you’ve got it. Many frustrated people turn to drastic measures such as going on a crash diet or getting liposuction and a tummy tuck.

However, there is no need for one to do anything so drastic. A much better choice for most people is to go on a vegetarian diet as it’s one of the simplest and safest things that a person can do to lose weight. Below are explanations on how a vegetarian diet can help with weight loss:

Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber

The average adult needs between 25-30 grams of fiber per day. Most overweight people are only getting 10 or 11 grams. Fruits and vegetables are rich in this nutrient. That is why people who follow a vegetarian diet usually have no problem getting the recommended amount of fiber.

Fiber helps promote a feeling of fullness. Studies have shown that people who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables actually consume less food throughout the day. Additionally, fiber also helps prevent blood sugar spikes. Blood sugar spikes often lead to food cravings and overeating.

Fruits and vegetables are low in calories

The key to losing weight is to burn off more calories than one consumes. Studies have shown that vegetarians consume fewer calories than non-vegetarians. Animal-based foods are typically very high in fat and calories. Eliminating meat, eggs and dairy will help one reduce his caloric intake naturally.

A vegetarian diet is low in sugar

Sugar is one of the main culprits behind weight gain. Studies have shown that sugar causes the body to store more fat. Vegetarians consume less sugar than the general population.

A vegetarian diet can help raise your metabolism

Metabolism is the rate at which the body burns calories. People who have a high metabolism will not only have an easier time losing weight, but they will also be more likely to keep it off for the rest of their life. Fruits and vegetables have been shown to have a fat-burning effect.

A vegetarian diet does not cost thousands of dollars!

Tummy tucks can cost anywhere from $5000 to $14,000. However, people who follow a vegetarian diet will lose weight naturally and will not have to worry about having to spend thousands of dollars on such a procedure.

Additional benefits

There are also a number of other benefits that can be reaped from following a vegetarian diet. Below are some of those benefits:

Live longer – Excess red meat consumption has been linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Because vegetarians do not eat meat, they can greatly reduce their risk of developing those conditions. In fact, studies have shown that male vegetarians can reduce their risk of dying prematurely by up to 50 percent. The mortality rate is 30 percent lower in female vegetarians. Researchers have also found that vegetarians live about three to six years longer than meat eaters.

Have more energy – People who eat a diet that is filled with animal-based products often complain about feeling tired and sluggish. Those who follow a vegetarian diet will notice that their energy level has increased. Plant-based foods contain the vitamins and minerals that the body needs to sustain energy.

Healthier skin and hair – Feeding the body the right nutrients is one of the keys to healthy skin. Fruits and vegetables contain the antioxidants that the body needs to reduce free radical damage. Many people who have become vegetarians have noticed that their skin is clearer and healthier. Additionally, plant-based foods also contain the nutrients that help promote hair growth.

Talk to your doctor

People who are trying to lose weight should talk with their doctor about going on a vegetarian diet. Eliminating animal-based foods will allow a person to lose weight safely and naturally. A vegetarian diet will also help increase energy, promote healthier skin and hair as well as help a person live longer.

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Weight Loss Exercise

Migraines and Pregnancy

The link between migraines and pregnancy has been observed for quite some time now. Women without any prior history of migraines can suddenly find themselves experiencing splitting headaches. Migraines and pregnancy can be quite a difficult ailment to deal with. While pregnancy can contribute to migraines, typical headache cures can’t always be used due to the pregnancy.

Learning how migraines and pregnancy are linked can help in preventing these pains from occurring in the first place. If you do experience migraines while pregnant, you’ll also learn how to safely and effectively deal with them.

Linking Migraines and Pregnancy

Saying pregnancy is a drastic change can be quite the understatement. During this time, your body undergoes physical and chemical and hormonal changes. You can become quite sensitive to food or changes which didn’t give you migraines before. Your body will respond to changes differently now. While hormones can be a likely cause of this change, there are other several factors which contribute to migraines while pregnant.

Here are some common causes of migraines during pregnancy:

* Chocolate
* Dairy products (cheese, etc.)
* Coffee
* Dehydration
* Fatigue
* Stress
* Changes in weather

If you find yourself experiencing migraines during pregnancy, it can be helpful to keep track of when these episodes happened and what you were doing at that time. You can then make the connection between these occurrences and your migraines. Keep a diary or log to help you out with this. Check if the items above correspond with migraine attacks or headaches.

Remedies For Migraines And Pregnancy

For migraines and pregnancy, prevention of these headaches is always better than going for medication. Some of the best ways to avoid getting migraines are getting enough rest, eating right and regularly and drinking plenty of fluids. If you’ve kept a log of the likely culprits of migraines, you can also work to avoid these triggers or activities.

When these migraines occur, you should be ready as well to combat them. You can do this without taking medication. If you experience migraines, you should sit or lie down and rest. You may experience relief from applying cold packs to your head or affected areas such as the temples or the back of the neck.

Breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can also help. They can help circulate the blood better to lessen headaches and pains. Light exercise can be good for migraines as well. A soft and relaxing massage can also help, therapeutic or whole body massages however are not always advised.

Aspirin and other NSAID (not steroidal anti ?inflammatory drugs) may have side effects for pregnant women. Try to avoid these as much as possible. Acetaminophen, beta blockers and some anti-depressants are relatively low risk for pregnant women. All medication however should be doctor recommended during pregnancy.

Consult with your doctor for other remedies as well as ask about the therapies you are considering taking. Knowing more about migraines and pregnancy can help you have an easier and safer time during pregnancy.

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Weight Loss Exercise

High Fructose Corn Syrup and You

High Fructose Corn Syrup and You

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High Fructose Corn Syrup is a man-made ingredient that can be found in nearly every variety of processed or packaged foods. This syrup, which is made from cornstarch, has been treated with an enzyme that converts some of the glucose in the molecule to fructose, which is sweeter. Because of its ability to preserve and extend processed foods’ shelf life, and being a cheaper additive than sugar, it has become a very popular ingredient by food manufacturers. HFCS has been blamed as one of the culprits in the growing obesity epidemic.

High Fructose Corn Syrup Study

A 2008 study in humans analyzed the circulating levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, ghrelin, and triacylglycerol during a 24 hour period after consuming drinks containing HFCS or sucrose. The researchers concluded that the consumption of HFCS or sucrose did not yield differing metabolic effects.

In a 2007 study, rats were fed a diet high in fat and HFCS and kept relatively sedentary for 16 weeks in an attempt to emulate the diet and lifestyle of many Americans. The rats were not forced to eat, but were able to eat as much as they wanted; they consumed a large amount of food, and the researcher, Dr. Tetri, stated that there is evidence that fructose suppresses the sensation of fullness. Within four weeks, the rats showed early signs of fatty liver disease and type II diabetes. An equivalent diet using sucrose instead of HFCS was not tested.

Shapiro fed rats a high-fructose diet for six months and compared them to rats that had been fed a fructose-free diet. Although the rats that had consumed high levels of fructose showed no change in weight, when compared to the rats that had consumed a fructose-free diet, levels of leptin in the blood of rats fed a high-fructose diet indicated the development of leptin resistance. When the rats were switched to a high-fat diet, the leptin-resistant rats, those fed a high-fructose diet, gained more weight than those who had not developed the resistance and had been fed a fructose-free diet.

Problem of High Fructose Corn Syrup

The real problem with High Fructose Corn Syrup is that it is cheap to make and is a great filler and sweetner for manufacturers. I would bet that if you look right now in your cupboards and pantry you will find lots of products that contain High Fructose Corn syrup including:

  • Most Cereals
  • Most pop and sodas
  • Bread Products including Subway
  • Candy
  • Pop Tarts
  • Cold Medicine
  • Energy Drinks
  • Almost all sweetened mass produced products

In a 2004 commentary in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Popkin and two co-authors noted that the sharp rise in high fructose corn syrup consumption in the United States since 1970 mirrored the rise in the nation’s obesity rate.

“When we wrote the article six or seven years ago, we speculated high-fructose corn syrup might be worse” than sugar, Popkin said. “It was picked up by the blog world, and it became folklore that high fructose was poison.”

In the years since, research has shown that the body metabolizes high-fructose corn syrup differently from sugar. Some studies indicate that the syrup can have damaging effects on the kidney and liver. But strictly in terms of calories and, by extension, obesity, he said, the products are equally bad.

High Fructose Corn Syrup – Whats next?

The problem is that there has not really been a backlash like we saw a couple of years ago with the Trans Fats and the banning of them all over the place. I predict that High Fructose Corn Syrup as it becomes more of a news story will come back as a big issue for the public though.

Let’s hope the high fructose corn syrup in all of these products disappears soon.

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