How to Live a Sweet Life - Without Sugar

First, I would like you to understand that from a health perspective, you don't need sugar at all. It doesn't contain any nutrients and your body won't miss it. You are even going to be healthier if you eat less sugar. The problem is that our body first burns the sugar we eat for gaining energy, and only afterward it uses the fat. If we eat too much sugar, our body doesn't need to burn fat and stores it instead. So we pick up weight. Eating only little sugar, on the other hand, will force the body to burn fat, a big step on your way to solve your weight problem. But even if you are not overweight, it's always better to eat as healthy as possible. If you do that most of the time, then the few exceptions of eating something really sweet won't harm you at all.

Natural sweeteners

A good alternative to using sugar are natural sweeteners. They are not necessarily very nutritious but most of them definitely contain more vitamins and minerals than white sugar. Here are three that you should find quite easily. Any big supermarket should have them in stock:

* Fructose: A product derived from fruit sugar with still little nutritional value, but causing less blood sugar level disturbance as simple sugar. It's more concentrated, you need only about half the amount.
* Honey: Honey is much sweeter than white sugar, so half or a third of the amount of sugar will be enough. Buy unpasteurized honey without added sugar.
* Maple Syrup: It contains twice as much calcium as milk. Not all maple syrup is pure so best buy organic products.

Fruit

An even better option is adding fruit to your food. Many fruits like apples, bananas and pears, are naturally sweet so you won't need to add any more sugar. Besides fructose, fruits are packed with vitamins, fiber and other nutrients. So, if you use an apple and a banana to sweeten your oatmeal in the morning, you have transformed it into a healthy, highly nutritious breakfast - and it's still sweet, without any sugar. If you use dried fruit instead, just consider the fact that their fructose is much more concentrated than in fresh fruit, meaning you will need much less raisins than grapes to get the same effect of sweetness.

For more information on natural sweeteners, please visit http://elishas-quick-recipes.blogspot.com. You can also find low-sugar and sugar free dessert recipes on http://exciting-weight-loss-recipes.blogspot.com

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Easy Low Fat Vegetarian Recipes

Even if you're a vegetarian, you might find the number on the skill slowly creeping higher and higher. Part of the reason may be that while you've given up meat, you have managed to replace it with foods with a high fat content, like whole-milk cheeses, cream, a lot of olive oil, and fattening nuts. The best thing you can do to create your own low fat vegetarian recipes is to take your current favorite vegetarian recipes and replace some of the ingredients. Instead of mixing cream into soup, try using skim or evaporated milk. Instead of using whole-milk cheeses, try substituting with low-fat cheeses. In terms of olive oil and nuts, while you shouldn't remove these items from your diet, you should use them more selectively. However, if this isn't enough, there are a number of specific easy low fat vegetarian recipes out there that you can follow.

Red beans and rice is one very easy recipe that is incredibly low in fat. In fact, it only has around one gram of fat per serving. To make it, in a pot with a lid sauté some chopped onion, red pepper, and garlic in a tiny amount of canola oil until softened. Then, add salt, cayenne pepper, and thyme. Finish by adding rice and water. Bring the water to a boil, cover, and simmer for about twenty minutes. Then, add a can of kidney beans to the rice without stirring. Just cover the pot back up and let stand for another five minutes. Then, remove it from the heat, stir, and serve hot.

You can also make a penne with a homemade vegetable sauce that only has six grams of fat per serving. In a skillet, heat a tiny amount of extra virgin olive oil and sauté diced carrots and a thinly-sliced leek. Sprinkle a little bit of sugar over the vegetables to help them caramelize better. Then, stir in diced zucchini, frozen peas, green beans, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook until the vegetables are tender. Finally, stir in some chopped parsley and diced tomato, along with some additional salt and pepper to taste. While you're waiting for the vegetables to cook, boil some penne pasta. Once it's done, toss the pasta with the vegetable sauce and serve while hot.

A third possibility when you're looking for low fat vegetarian recipes is a Vegetable Bake that has less than four grams of fat per serving. Spray a skillet with some cooking spray, and sauté some chopped zucchini and onions until they start to soften. In another bowl, mix the sautéed vegetables with a chopped tomato and some parmesan cheese, and spread over the bottom of a greased pie plate. In another bowl, stir together some reduced fat baking mix from Bisquick®, skim milk, and some fat-free, cholesterol-free egg substitute, which you can find in your grocery store. Pour this mixture into the pie plate, and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pie comes out clean.

by
Werner Wichmann from http://www.easyrecipesvegetarian.com who looks for recipes that removes all the frustration out of Vegetarian and animal-free cooking.

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Quick to Make and Nutritious - Wanna Try!

I am glad to share some amazing recipes which are easy and quick to make and also have high protein content and are extremely nutritious.

Through my reading interests, I had come across an article which said in case you are keen on losing weight:

a) Eat at frequent intervals
a. So that it is easier for the intestine to work
b. So you can eat moderate quantity at one time
c. So at Lunch and Dinner you don't munch heavily
d. So that you don't develop acidity
b) Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day
c) Exercise or atleast practice brisk walking for 45 mins a day
d) Eat lotta protein coz proteins are fat soluble so for digestion they need fat which in turn works on the extra part which can be easily got rid off.

So now coming straight to the point:

a) Protein Uttapams:

Ingredients & Method:
• Soak 6 cups Mung (whole mung), 1 cup rice, 1 tbsp Udad dal overnight
• Next morning add Ginger, Garlic, Chillies, Coriander, Salt to taste
• Churn it in the mixture
• Add chopped Tomatoes and Onion to the paste
• Heat the non-stick pan and spread the above mixture in flat, thin circles
• When it leaves the side, Turn it upside down
• Use just one tsp of oil to get a nice crispy Uttampams - that's what its called
• Tastes really nice with Coconut Chutney

b) Coconut Chutney:

Ingredients & Method:
In a mixer grind 1 Coconut, salt to taste, 1 tsp sugar, 1 inch ginger, 6 garlic, bunch of coriander, 1 chilly and grind it. Awesome!!! Add ½ tsp lime juice.

c) Protein Dosas:

Ingredients & Method:
• Soak 2 cups Mung (whole mung) overnight
• Next morning grind mung with 1 inch ginger, 6 garlic, bunch of coriander, 1 chilly
• Heat the non-stick pan and spread the above mixture in flat, thin circles
• When it leaves the side, Turn it upside down
• Tastes really nice with Coconut Chutney

d) Mint refreshing Drink for Summers

Ingredients & Method:
• Churn it in the mixture a bunch of mint leaves, 2 tsp sugar, a pinch of salt, juice of one lemon and ice cubes say 3 -4 depends how cool you like it
• When it all turned green, pour the icy tempting mixture in a tall glass
• Pour a chilled lemonade and beat the heat
• Mint is said to refine blood impurities, fight against heat and is very refreshing
• Enjoy!!!

e) Panna - Raw mango refreshing Drink for Summers

Ingredients & Method:
• Boil 4 raw mangoes, pilling off their green skin
• Cool
• Churn it in the mixture the boiled pulp, take away the seeds, add 1 cup sugar (a little more perhaps as you like it coz mangoes are sour), salt a pinch, nutmeg powder 1 tsp and cardamom powder 2 tsp.
• Grind it really well till it forms a thick mixture
• Pour it into a tall glass, add chilled water and sip the loveliest drink of the world!!!! (My mouth's really watering even while sharing this)

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Namita_Vyavaharkar

Namita Vyavaharkar - EzineArticles Expert Author

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Learn to Create Healthy, Low Calorie Recipes on Your Own

When it comes to food, nobody can be in a better position than you to judge what is good for your family and what your family prefers to eat. If you want your family members to stay fit and healthy, you need to choose low calorie recipes, which are healthy and delicious as well. Thousands of websites and cooking books offer several low calorie recipes. At times, it becomes really difficult to choose a good recipe from so many options. Moreover, it is so irritating and time-consuming to keep experimenting in the kitchen and finally, end up with something that family does not like.

So, why not try to create your own healthy, low calorie recipe. Is it possible? Yes, it is. You just need to be a little more creative and follow some tips below that will help you create your own recipes according to what your family likes to have:

1) Make sure you use as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible in your recipe. This will help you include all the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins in the recipe. Moreover, the fruits and vegetables in the dish will look good and colorful. You can use green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and cabbage, or broccoli and sprouts. For including some red, orange, and yellow colors, you can try including carrots, beans, spinach, and squashes. Also, do not forget the nutritional value of root vegetables. Using peppers and other food seasonings will also add to the nutritional value of your recipe.

2) Keep your simple and ensure that you use only low fat, low calorie alternatives instead of high calorie ingredients. For instance, instead of using heavy cream, try including light yoghurt or crème fraiche. If you wish to use a sauce in your recipe, make sure the sauce you use is rich on herbs and vegetables and low on fat.

3) To complement your recipe, you can also prepare 'salsas', which are nothing but simple mixes of your favorite vegetables, boiled or sauté, and served warm or cold.

4) If you wish to prepare something non-vegetarian, prefer using fish. The White Fish, such as haddock and cod, are a low calorie food. But, bear in mind that dipping the fillets in batter, deep frying them, or shallow-frying in bread crumbs will nullify the low calorie benefits of these fish dishes. Therefore, always prefer baking or poaching the fish in a delicious stock.

Thus, creating your own low-calorie recipe is not very difficult. You just need to use your creativity and be a little more innovative.

If you would like to learn more Low Calorie Recipes and Healthy Cooking Ideas visit the online recipe guide at abcdrecipes.com - The Flavor of Indian Cooking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eshwarya_Patel

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Do You Want to Shed Some Extra Pounds? Try the Low Calorie Macaroni Soup

If you wish to shed some extra pounds and get slimmer, it is necessary to be on a health diet that includes all the best kinds of body-shaping, low calorie foods. Low calories foods need not always be tasteless. There are thousands of low calorie foods that are easy to prepare and are delicious as well. When it comes to a delicious health diet, the first things that come to mind are soups and salads.

For instance, try preparing the low calorie Macaroni soup. Following is an easy recipe for the same:

Number of serving: 1

Size of serving: 1 bowl

Ingredients:

Onion: 20 g
Garlic: half clove
Carrot: 20 g
Bay leaf: 1
Cabbage: 5 g
Spaghetti: 5 g
Tomato: 30 g
Salt: half teaspoon
Stock: 11 half cups
Pepper: a dash
Oil: 5 g

Procedure:

1) Chop the onion, shred the cabbage, and dice the carrots; Put all the cut vegetables in a bowl.

2) Add the onion and the carrot in a saucepan containing a little hot oil. Sauté well.

3) Add the stock and bring it to a boil. Next, add the macaroni, bay leaf, and chopped tomatoes.

4) Then add the cabbage and seasoning, and simmer gently for at most 20 minutes.

5) The soup should be cooked and boiled until the vegetables become soft.

6) The soup is ready. You can now garnish it with grated cheese, and have it hot.

One bowl of this delicious, healthy macaroni soup contains just 89 calories. With just 5.2 g of fat, 1.4 g protein, and 1.2 g fiber, this soup is a very healthy choice to make if you are really keen at losing some extra weight. If you love to have desserts, you can also try my recipe for a low calorie pineapple fruit salad, discussed in another article.

Alternatively, you can also try certain Indian and Asian dishes, which are not only delicious and healthy, but are also very cheap to prepare.

If you would like to learn more Low Calorie Budget Recipes, visit the online recipe guide at abcdrecipes.com - Explore The Flavor of Indian Cooking with over 700 recipes for Indian Dishes and Desserts

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eshwarya_Patel

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Home Meal Delivery Service - Instant Diet Healthy Meals

When it comes to eating, or basically just the presence of food, almost everybody who is busy or has little time on their hands stops and takes a break and takes time to enjoy their favorite snacks.

We get accustomed to fast food such as burgers and French fries because they are fast and instant. However, they are not necessarily healthy especially for kids. Because of our busy lifestyle today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to cook at home, let alone a healthy meal.

Do you still have the time to cook something even if you are in the middle of a very busy day? Not just this scenario, but what if you come home from a very busy day at work, would you still have time to really open the fridge, get some meat and vegetables, clean them and whisk them on to the skillet or oven just so you and your family will have a proper and decent meal?

I bet, just by thinking about cooking and what to cook is enough to tire you. Good thing that nowadays, there are a lot of home meal delivery services.

There are a lot of companies who offer such services online. You see them advertised on the television or on the Internet or even hear them on the radio. One example is Bistro MD diet meal delivery.

There is a world of a difference between the foods from restaurants and the foods from these kinds of establishments or services. They're not like the ones that you order for take out in a fast food restaurant or franchised stores.

Home diet meal deliveries give you food that are absolutely home cooked and are healthy. So, you don't need to worry whether your family and kids are taking the necessary minerals and nutrients for a balanced diet. All of that is taken care of by the dieticians at home food delivery companies.

Although the cost is slight more expensive than fast food restaurants, it is more healthy and beneficial to you and your family in the long run.

If you are looking for the best diet food home delivery service I recommend BistroMD. Check out my Bistro MD review for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_K_Lim

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Leading Energy Drinks - The Secret Behind Every Successful Athlete

Sugar

Definition

Oxford dictionary definition for sugar is a sweet crystalline substance obtained especially from sugar cane and sugar beet, while in biochemistry; sugar is any of the class of soluble crystalline sweet-tasting carbohydrates, including sucrose and glucose.

Effects

The more sugar one consumes, the greater saturated fat that is promoted, this can not only depress the immune system but can also create unusual heart diseases, obesity and diabetics. I remember walking out with an obese sometime ago in a gym room, where I watched him shed tears at every single exercise. This perhaps would have not been so if he was careful about the things he consumed at the earlier stage.

Fat

This can be defined as an oily substance in animal bodies, deposited under the skin or around certain organs.

Effects

The major factor that leads to heart disease is too much intake of fat which allows cholesterol the opportunity to build up in the arteries, while its high content of calories increases the chance of being obese. It is generally believed that with excess fat in the body many body tissues can be in great danger and this can plays a major role in the cause of diabetics.

Frequently asked questions

Question:

Is there any way one can stay away from excess fat and sugar?

Answer:

Yes, to be conscious of the kind of foods he/she consume and choosing always those food that contain zero or little fat and sugar can help him/her stay away from excess fat.

Question:

The level of sugar and/or fat in some of the prescription from my doctor is high; can I try to switch to something else?

Answer:

No, you should always go by the prescription of your doctor, because there is a reason that he chose to prescribe it to you.

Question:

A friend of mine once gave me few cans of energy drink called red bug and I love it, since then I have ordered it more that a dozen times because I can no longer do without it, but with my knowledge of the consequences of intake of sugar and/or fat, I think it is time to quit or try something else. Please what do you think I should do?

Answer:

In fact, there are very good energy drinks in the market today which most people have been unable to reach, some of which contain 0 cabs, 0 sugar, 0 fat and in most cases 0 caffeine, which is a stimulant that acts on the central nervous system to boost messages to the brain so that the individual in question feels more active. While most people like products with caffeine, others don't as they feels caffeine will make them behave abnormally.

Question:

I just got pregnant and feel so tired some times, is it ok to get some of your energy products so as to boost my strength?

Answer:

It is not unusual to feel tired when you get pregnant since your system is about to experience a change. Pregnant women would be creating problems for themselves should they take any kind of energy drinks since high amount of caffeine can cause miscarriage, or birth to premature.

Because we understand the need for human consumption our website offers these products so that viewers can make the right choice. Most of our energy drinks contain blackberries, blueberries, red grapes, b12 vitamins, and sweet cherries that add a delicious taste to the drinks and contain some amount of b vitamins to help boost mental and physical energy and the good news is that they are kosher certified.

Author Wilfred Oleribe Is An Independent Business Owner With a Great Knowledge Of Internet Marketing. He Runs Several Websites, One Of Which Features Healthy Food For Healthy Living. To See If These Products Are Right For You, visit my website at, http://www.getqualityproducts.com/

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Low Calorie Dining - How to Eat Healthy at a Chinese Restaurant?

The authentic Chinese delicacies are rich in vegetables and usually cooked with little or no oil, owing to which they can be made a part of a low-calorie diet. However, the food offered at the Chinese restaurants in the West is nothing but a 'Westernized' version of the traditional Chinese food. These American-Chinese and Canadian-Chinese cuisines are rich in fat and calories and hence, it is very necessary to make healthy choices from the Western-Chinese food menu if you are following a strict low-calorie diet.

Following are a few guidelines that will help to eat healthy at your favorite Chinese restaurant:

1) When it comes to placing an order for appetizers, you should avoid foods like egg rolls and spareribs. Instead, you can opt for egg drop or wonton soups. Any low calorie broth-based soups will best suit your diet plan.

2) Other main course dishes that you can order include Chinese delicacies, such as the Shrimp Chow Mien, Moo Goo Gai Pan, Steamed Spring Rolls, Teriyaki Chicken Skewer, and Chicken served with broccoli and Chop Suey.

3) Any dish that includes steamed or boiled chicken or shrimp, and steamed vegetables is a good choice.

4) Do not order dishes that are made with sweet and thick sauces. Also, avoid any food that is battered or floured and then deep-fried. A dish prepared with loads of vegetables and little oil is the best choice you can make. Instead of the deep-fried foods, you can opt for the stir-fried, roasted or broiled ones.

5) Although fried rice is one of the most popular Chinese foods, it should be strictly avoided if you are really keen on following your low-calorie diet plan. Fried rice, especially the one made with eggs, is rich in fats and cholesterol and is a big 'NO' when it comes to including Chinese foods in your diet plan. If you are fond of rice, you can try brown rice that is healthier than fried rice.

6) Think twice before placing an order for dished that are described as "crispy" or "battered" in the food menu. Also watch out for dishes that include noodles, chow mien, and marinades.

7) Other bad choices would include Kung Pao chicken, crispy duck, dishes laden with rich sauces like Hoi sin, dumplings, and lo mien.

To conclude, Chinese cuisine offers a lot of healthy choices that can be made a part of your health diet, but you need to be prepared before visiting your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Find more informative articles and tips on Cooking Low-Calorie Chinese Food to experience the flavor of the rich Chinese Cuisine. Use the unique Chinese Food Locator to find some of the best Chinese Restaurants in your city.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eshwarya_Patel

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Fish For Eating, Fish For Diet, Fish For Healthy Living - Part 5

Throughout the world, fats and heart disease appear to be inseparable companions. When investigators found one, they generally found the other, no matter in what countries they searched.

The low-fat diet will add immeasurably to your general health and well-being. Fish is natural low-fat and is a good quality protein, filled with vitamins like riboflavin, which aids the body in the metabolism of amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates and Vitamin D, which aids calcium absorption to help prevent osteoporosis.

Unlike meats, very little fats will be cooked out of the fish, so attempting to drain off fish fats in cooking is unnecessary.

Some fish such as perch, haddock, flounder, sturgeon, smelts, scallops are especially low in fat. Others like brook trout, porgy, cod, and croakers are somewhat higher in fat content, but are still quite low in fat content when compared with meats.

The eating of shellfish is often encouraged by dietitians, because they are outstandingly low in fat and cholesterol content. Lobster, shrimps, and crabs are ideal examples. oysters are a bit higher in fat content, but are still low in comparison with beef, lamb, or veal.

Tuna is an excellent source of protein and much lower in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than many other protein choices, it is considered a heart-healthy food. Wild Salmon is also much higher in heart and brain healthy Omega 3s over farmed salmon.

Nutritionists recommend you eat fish 2-3 times a week, as they are proven to offer multiple nutritional benefits. According to new research published: Fish is a good low calorie, high protein choice to assist in weight loss, and also is a good choice for people with diabetes.

Fish that are safe for children to eat up to 3 times a week include smaller species such as: Atlantic and Tasmanian salmon, barramundi, blue-eye cod also known as blue-eye trevalla, bream, flathead jewfish, hake, hoki, mackerel, mullet ocean and rainbow trout, redfish, sardines, snapper, and whiting.

Fish is truly the new 'meal in minutes', it is ridiculously quick and easy to prepare. Cook any large fish in salted water, adding one cupful of vinegar,and sliced onions, celery root, and parsley to season. fish also can be cooked under the grill, it just needs to be attended very closely and only takes a few minutes per side.

Fish is so delicate that it dries out quickly and is easy to overcook. It is done when the colour turns from translucent to opaque (white) or has reached 140 degrees F to 145 degrees F internal temperature.

By adding fish to your diet 1-2 times a week not only reduces your risk of coronary heart disease and will help you manage your weight, but what does a healthy diet consist of.

Haiyan Lai-Heskin has been a nurse for 17 years. She has been writing Health, Wellness and Fitness articles for many years. Her website Healthy Living Golden Rules has varieties of health related articles advocate people to have a healthy lifestyle. Try Acai Berry Weight Loss for Free Today! And you'll be automatically signed up to our Free lifetime membership of weight loss management system.

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Tips to Make Salads Nutritious

Salads are often a misleading meal. Restaurants will load them with fattening dressings and cheeses with little room for anything nutritious. So here are some tips to keeping your salads healthy, but delicious:

1. Nuts. Add a small handful of chopped nuts to salads. Mixing textures is always a welcome delight to your palate. Combining the leafy greens, a protein, and the saltiness and crunch of nuts will enhance the nutritional value of any salad. Plus, nuts are the healthy fat and good for your heart.
2. Craisins! These tart little nuggets will certainly add flavor to any bite and the antioxidants in cranberries make them one of the best fruits for a healthy diet.
3. Greek yogurt. With the consistency of sour cream but with high protein content, this can take the place of calorie-laden dressings. Just a couple of spoonfuls over spinach will kick your salads up a notch.
4. Vegetables. Don't want to just eat lettuce and dressing? Who does? So add a cup of raw vegetables for variety. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and peas with low calorie dressing are an easy way to get your recommended daily allowance of veggies.
5. Chef's salad light. Rather than adding high fat Ranch dressing and handfuls of cheese like a typical chef's salad, keep the mix of proteins. Chef's salads usually contain ham and turkey. So add a variety of proteins so the taste buds won't get bored.

Salads don't have to be bland ever again. Mix it up and you and your family will enjoy.

Jennifer Purdie is a health writer http://www.heartyourlife.com

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Jennifer Purdie - EzineArticles Expert Author

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