Variety the spice of life & your key to a healthy diet!
Zaak OConan

It has been said that variety is the spice of life, and that is certainly true when trying to eat a healthy diet. No one likes to eat the same thing day after day, and boredom is the enemy of a healthy diet.

Fortunately for those trying to follow a healthy diet, there is plenty of variety to be had in healthy foods. In addition to the hundreds of varieties of fruits and vegetables available at the average grocery store, there is a wide variety of beans, lentils, nuts, meat, dairy products, fish and poultry. There is no need for boredom to set in when pursuing a healthier lifestyle.’

The key to enjoying a variety of foods while eating healthy is to plan meals carefully and be sure to use the many varieties of foods that are available. Using a combination of fresh fruit, vegetables, meats and whole grains, it is possible to create a fresh, exciting and healthful meal every day of the week.

Nutritionists often stress the importance of a varied diet, both for nutritional and psychological reasons. A varied diet is essential for good health, since different types of foods contain different types of nutrients. And following a varied diet is important to your psychological well being as well, since feeling deprived of your favorite foods can lead you to give up your healthy lifestyle.

It is much better to continue eating the foods you like, but to eat them in moderation. Instead of giving up that juicy bacon, for instance, have it as an occasional treat, perhaps pairing it with an egg white omelet instead of a plateful of scrambled eggs. As with everything else in life, good nutrition is a tradeoff.

It is important for everyone to eat foods from the five major food groups each and every day. The five food groups identified by the USDA include grains, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy and meat and beans. Each of these food groups contains specific nutrients, so it is important to eat a combination of these foods to ensure proper levels of nutrition.

Of course simply choosing foods from the five food groups is not enough. After all a meal from the five food groups could include cake, candied yams, avocados, ice cream and bacon. Although all five food groups are represented, no one would try to argue that this is a healthy day’s menu. Choosing the best foods from within each group, and eating the less healthy foods in moderation, is the best way to ensure a healthy and varied diet.

For instance, choosing healthy, lean meats is a great way to get the protein you need without consuming unnecessary fat and calories. And removing fat and skin from chicken is a great way to eliminate extra fat and calories.

When choosing breads and cereals, it is usually best to choose those that carry the whole grain designation. Whole grains, those that have not been overly refined, contain greater nutritional qualities and fewer sugars.

In addition, many grains and cereals are fortified with additional vitamins and minerals. While this vitamin fortification is important, it should be seen as a bonus, not as a substitute for a proper diet. Many foods are supplemented with important nutrients such as calcium (essential for strong bones and teeth) and folic acid (important in preventing birth defects).

Substituting healthier foods for less healthy ones is a cornerstone of a healthy diet. For instance, substituting lean cuts of meat for fattier ones, and substituting skinless chicken or turkey breast for less healthy drumsticks, is a great way to maximize nutrition without sacrificing good taste.

No matter what your reason for following a healthy diet, or what your ultimate fitness goals may be, you will find that a good understanding of nutrition will form the basis of your healthy diet. Understanding how the various food groups work together to form a healthy diet will go a long way toward helping you meet your ultimate fitness goals. Whether your goal is to run a marathon, lose ten pounds or just feel better, knowledge is power, and nutritional knowledge will power your diet for the rest of your life.
About the Author

Zaak O’Conan discovers and presents useful information on how to enhance and/or repair your life, body and relationships. You’ll find his other articles on eating better and other ways how to improve your life at http://your-health-center.com

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The Healthy Secret Behind a Rich Spinach Diet
Barbara Camie

Spinach is a rich source of Vitamin A and Vitamin E and has folic acid in plenty. It contains an abundance of antioxidants including carotenoids. Lets have a look at the healthy secrets that Spinach contains

Spinach is high in Vitamins C and K. It has lots of iron, niacin, zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, copper and manganese

It helps us fight cancer

It is a natural blood cleanser

It can keep your blood vessels healthy and slow down aging

Spinach contains little fat

Great greens and Spinach

Green salads are a must in your daily diet. If you can manage great greens in your meals, you can supplement most of the nutrients our body requires through it. Say no to health tabs and vitamin supplements. Your body will prefer a natural source of vitamins and nutrients for keeping you fit. Heres one healthy salad you can have a lifetime.

Sweet and Sour Leafy Green Salad

5 cups lightly packed torn romaine lettuce leaves

3 cups lightly packed spinach leaves

2 cups sliced mushrooms

2 oranges, peeled and sliced

1 cup pitted prunes, halved

1/2 cup sliced red onion

1/2 cup commercial nonfat honey-mustard dressing

1/4 to 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

Try adding fruits to your salads. Its tasty. It makes your salad colorful and you will get some vitamins, essential minerals and fiber. Pineapple chunks, raisins, melon balls, berries and grapes are nice compliments to any green salad.

Barbara Camie

Agriculture Organic Food Specialist

Phentermine Weight Loss Managment Group

About the Author

Barbara Camie

Agriculture Organic Food Specialist

Phentermine Weight Loss Managment Group

Tags: Agriculture Organic Food Specialist, Author, Barbara Camie, Black Pepper, Blood Cleanser, Camie, cancer;, Carotenoids, Essential Minerals, folic acid, Food Specialist, Green Salad, Green Salads, Health Tabs, Honey Mustard, Melon Balls, Natural Source, Niacin, Nice Compliments, Organic Food, Phentermine Weight Loss Managment Group, Pineapple Chunks, Prunes, Red Onion, Rich Source, Spinach, Vitamin A, Vitamin Supplements —

Plate Decoration Gone Healthy!
Lena Sanchez

Plate Decoration Gone Healthy!
By Lena Sanchez

It hasn’t gone healthy it’s always been healthy just
ignored by the modern world!

One of the oldest herbs in the world and is now grown all
over the world is also one of the greatest toxin removal
systems around as well as illness and disease preventor
PARSLEY

And you thought it was just to decorate your plate. Not so,
next time the restaurant puts a sprig of parsley on your
dinner plate, eat it! Parsley is a much maligned herb!

Parsley originated in the Eastern Mediterranean region but
is now grown throughout the world. For more than 2,000
years, it has been known as a medicinal herb. The ancient
Greeks valued the seeds and roots of the plant for their
soothing, diuretic effect on those with kidney and bladder
ailments.

Today parsley is still used primarily as a diuretic.
In addition, it strengthens the digestive system and
helps alleviate stomach and liver problems.

In folk medicine, parsley was recommended for women who
have irregular menstrual periods. As a diuretic it may
also ease the bloating that some women experience
before their periods. In addition, parsley leaves are a
good source of many vitamins and minerals – including
iron, which is important for the proper formation of
red blood cells, potassium and vitamin C.

The Medieval German herbalist St Hildegard of Bingen
prescribed parsley wine to improve blood circulation. It was
believed to help heart conditions. To make his parsley wine,
combine 10 – 12 large sprigs of parsley with 1 quart of red or
white wine and 2 teaspoons of white-wine vinegar. Boil for
10 minutes then add 9 ounces of honey. Strain the mixture
and pour into bottles. I have not tried this, but it is said to
work well, according to many Take 1 Tbsp. Three times
a day, is said to keep the blood circulating.

This herb supplies important vitamins and minerals, for
instance, just cup of fresh parsley provides a third of
your daily vitamin C requirement. It’s high vitamin C and
A content also help fight cancer. Parsley ranks higher than
most vegetable in bistidine an amino acid that inhibits
tumors. In addition, parsley is an excellent source of
potassium, which is important in lowering blood pressure.
Also supplies folic acid, which helps prevent cardiovascular
disease. It also contains calcium, manganese and iron.

Parsley for Osteoporosis; Sometimes high doses of calcium
are taken in supplemental form, however this impairs the
body’s absorption of manganese which help build bone. But
parsley enhances manganese absorption, particularly when
it is eaten with foods containing copper and zinc, such as
shellfish and whole grains.

Is it any wonder that a Mediterranean diet is one of the known
healthy diets? The average Mediterranean inhabitant eats
lots of parsley in a lot of different dishes!

Tips:
* Parsley contains essential oils; the most important one,
apiole, is a kidney stimulant. Because these essential
oils can stimulate uterine contractions, pregnant women
should avoid eating large quantities of it. BUT, after the
baby is born, parsley can help tone the uterus and promote
lactation.
* Don’t cook parsley, because heat destroys its valuable
vitamins and minerals. To retain parsley’s flavor, chop
the herb just before using and add it to hot foods at the
last minute.
* Avoid dried parsley, it is far less tasty and healthful
than the fresh herb.
* Try the flat leaf variety, also called Italian parsley, It has
more nutrients and a better flavor than curly parsley.
* Add parsley to compliment a dish, such as potatoes,
smoked salmon, trout, poultry, pasta and vegetables.
* Freeze fresh parsley to save preparation time in the
kitchen. Wash, zip seal plastic bag. You can then remove
the amount you need with each recipe.
* To keep parsley fresh, sprinkle it with water, wrapping
it in paper towels and refrigerating it in a plastic bag.
Or place parsley stems in a glass of water, like a bunch
or flowers, and refrigerate.

This Healthy Parsley spread is great on crackers, for dip or on
wheat bread as a sandwich spread.

2 bunches of parsley
2 shallots or green onions
cup Vanilla Soy Milk or Heavy Unpasteurized Cream
1 cup Tofu cream cheese
2 Tbsp. Lemon juice
Salt to taste
White pepper as desired
2 scallions
2 or 4 large tomatoes
Cayenne pepper to taste.

1) Wash the parsley in cold water and strip the leaves
from the stalks. Coarsely chop leaves. Peel and dice
the shallots.
2) Mix together the Soy Milk or heavy cream, tofu cream
cheese, lemon juice, parsley and diced shallots.
3) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4) Peel the scallions; cut into thin rings. Dice 2 tomatoes,
season with salt and cayenne pepper to taste; mix with
the scallions.

When using four tomatoes cut the remaining 2 tomatoes
into inch slices cover them with the parsley spread and
top with the scallion mixture or use as cracker spread or
sandwich filling. Will store covered for several days in
fridge!

*** Lena Sanchez Author of “Handbook Of Herbs
To Health & Other Secrets,” “Antibiotic Alternatives To
Preventing Mega Bacteria,” & “Dangers & Secrets Doctors
Refuse To Tell You.” Online at
http://www.antibiotic-alternatives.com and
Editor of “Natural Environmental Health Facts & Your
Home Business Coach” ezine subscribe at
http://www.envirodocs.com/newsletter.htm
—————————————-

About the Author

Author of “Handbook Of Herbs
To Health & Other Secrets,” “Antibiotic Alternatives To
Preventing Mega Bacteria,” & “Dangers & Secrets Doctors
Refuse To Tell You.” Online at
http://www.antibiotic-alternatives.com and
Editor of “Natural Environmental Health Facts & Your
Home Business Coach” ezine subscribe at
http://www.envirodocs.com/newsletter.htm

Tags: Ancient Greeks, Author, Blood Circulation, Dinner Plate, Diuretic Effect, Eastern Mediterranean Region, folic acid, Folk Medicine, Heart Conditions, Herbalist, Home Business Coach, Irregular Menstrual Periods, Lena Sanchez, Liver Problems, Medicinal Herb, Mediterranean, Parsley, Proper Formation, Red Blood Cells, Sprig, Sprigs, St Hildegard, Toxin Removal, Vitamins And Minerals, White Wine Vinegar, Will store —

Nuts To You… Just One Way to a Healthy Heart
Dr. John Rumberger

Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food. In addition to protein, carbohydrate, and fat, nuts contain many other important nutrients: fiber, vitamin E, folic acid, potassium, and magnesium. Although on some food charts you may see nuts listed in the same food category as diary products, eggs, and red meat because of the fat content, new information calls into question this designation.
While nuts do contain a high proportion of fat, tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazel nuts, Brazil nuts, and macadamia are actually low in saturated fat. Most of the fat comes in the form of monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered to be acceptable forms of fat that actually “reduce” the incidence of heart and vascular disease.
Several large studies have examined the relationship between the risk of heart disease and intake of omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources. In the Seventh Day Adventist Health Study researchers found that those who reported eating nuts more than four times per week had a 50% lower risk of heart disease than those who rarely ate nuts. The Nurses’ Health Study found that heart disease risk was reduced by 35% in those who ate nuts compared with those who rarely ate nuts. An addition study found that the risk of type 2 diabetes went down by nearly 1/3 in women who consumed 1/4 cup of nuts five times per week compared to those that did not eat nuts at all.
One recent study looked at almonds in particular. They examined the effects on LDL [“bad”] cholesterol values. Each person served as his own control and they were each on three different “diets”: almonds representing about 1/4 their entire daily calorie intake, OR a “handful” of almonds per day, OR a muffin [containing about the same number of calories as a “full dose” of almonds]. The LDL cholesterol went down about 10% when the subjects took a “full dose” of almonds, went down about 5% with intake of a “handful” of almonds, and did not go down at all with eating a muffin. In those with the higher “dose” of almonds, the “ratio” of bad to good cholesterol [LDL/HDL ratio] went down by 12%.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recognizes nuts [including almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, macadamia, and pistachios] may help to lower your blood cholesterol and may be a very healthy “snack”. However, they also warn that they are a source of calories and should not be used to great excess in those with calorie restricted diets and that you should avoid nuts with added oils or added salt. The AHA recommends eating an overall balanced diet that is high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and includes low-fat [or non-fat] diary products, fish and lean meats. If you add nuts to your diet, just be sure that you don’t inadvertently add considerable total calories – despite the benefits of nuts, maintaining an ideal body weight is more important. Weight is often a simple lesson in physics – what comes in either stays [as increased pounds] or is used up for energy and metabolism [which is increased by a regular exercise program].

Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.

About the Author

Dr. John Rumberger’s experince in the field is extensive, and includes achieving his doctorate in 1976 (Bio-Engineering/ Fluid Dynamics/ Applied Mathematics) from Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio, with a dissertation on, A Non-Linear Model of Coronary Artery Blood Flow. He has just completed his book The WAY Diet available on amazon.com or direct through the publisher at http://www.emptycanoe.com

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