Obesity rates are constantly rising in our society today due largely to a culture of processed and fast foods, along with a growing sedentary lifestyle. These habits that are becoming more and more commonplace aren’t merely making people overweight, it is putting their very lives at risk. Getting in shape and beginning a healthy diet isn’t just great for losing weight, it could save your life. Take a look at some information that can help you navigate the minefield that is weight loss.

Achieving the fit and toned body you crave requires more than just a simple change in eating habits. It requires a change in lifestyle. Although it may seem a bit overwhelming, it is more than possible to accomplish your goal. With so many fads and gimmicks available, it is incredibly difficult to find a process that actually works. It is advisable that you speak with a qualified medical professional before beginning any type of major change in the way you eat.

One interesting idea that is quickly gaining popularity is the vegan, or vegetarian, diet. This method of eating focuses on eating less meat. In place of meat, vegetarians ingest a variety of green, leafy vegetables and fruits. There are many advantages to eating in this manner, including lowering your risk of diabetes, obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. These benefits are due largely to the fact that you would be ingesting fewer foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol.

Another very popular method of eating is the low carb approach. It has been shown to facilitate weight loss and reduce overall hunger. It can also help to stabilize blood glucose levels, which can lead to fewer appetite swings. Understand, however, that not all carbohydrates are bad for you. “Bad” carbs are often found in pasta and bread. There are ideal carbohydrates that should be consumed regularly, like those found in fruits and vegetables.

The low fat method is probably the most popular and most utilized type of dietary change that people try. There are many benefits to lowering the amount of fat that you consume in your meals. Not only will it help you lose weight and control weight fluctuation, but it can also lower your cholesterol and lessen your overall risk of stroke and heart disease. This benefit is due to the elimination of saturated fats and trans fats.

One of the most important things that you can do to facilitate weight loss and overall health is to begin eliminating processed foods from your meals. This can be extremely difficult, especially since the majority of the foods available in grocery stores are processed for various reasons, including longer shelf life. Try to replace canned and packaged foods will fresh, green vegetables and fruits. This difficult but important step will go a long way in helping you reach your goals.

One very small change that may seem trivial is altering your meal schedule. Research shows that the classic “three meals a day” approach to eating is not the ideal method, especially for weight loss. Instead, opt for 5 or 6 smaller meals approximately every 3 hours or so. This will help you maintain blood sugar levels, control food cravings, and will keep your metabolism active for the majority of the day. An active metabolism is key to burning fat, so take this important step seriously.

There are numerous types of diets that are available for you to explore. Remember, however, that there are both benefits and drawbacks to all of these changes. Also remember that these changes will effect different people in different ways. For these reasons, it is vital that you have your health examined by a doctor and receive a medically qualified recommendation regarding which weight-loss method is right for you.

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As our bodies age, our metabolism tends to slow as our activity levels reduce and it is not uncommon to get a bit of a tummy. Stomach acid and saliva production are reduced making it more difficult for the body to process food. As a result, we are less able to obtain the nutrition from the foods we eat. In particular, we can easily become deficient in vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid. As well, many enzymes and coenzymes that are essential building blocks of the body or digestive aids, are produced in far fewer numbers or in some cases are not produced at all. This can all sound a bit too scary, but don’t worry. There are some simple steps you can follow to keep you healthy and your body functioning at optimal level.

Firstly, if you want the stamina to live well, it is important to eat a good breakfast. Many people are fully aware of the importance of breakfast and have in the past made sure their families ate properly before they started their day. You may not do the same thing for yourself once the children have grown up and left home. Breakfast can be easy and healthy. The combination of fruit, oatmeal, toast and juice or a hot drink, can provide an excellent and balanced start to the day.

For a mid-morning snack, enjoy more fruit perhaps alongside some cheese. If you want to get creative you can create a kebab made of strawberries, cheese and grapes. As you get older, your digestion will thank you if you eat smaller meals more frequently. This not only increases metabolism and helps the absorption of nutrition, it also evens out blood sugar and stops you from getting hungry.

As well as a good breakfast and a healthy morning snack, a light lunch is important to keep you feeling well. Healthy wraps, salads and soups are good choices for your midday meal. However, it is a good idea to avoid creamed soups and other foods containing dairy. The body produces the enzyme lactase which is necessary to break down lactose or milk sugar. As you age, your body produces less lactase and consequently it becomes more difficult to digest milk products. Cheese which has been aged for more than sixty days contains a minimal amount of lactose and is usually fine.

As you age, if you begin to show signs of food allergies that you never had before, they may not be food allergies at all. If your body is not able to properly digest certain foods, the symptoms can mimic those of some allergies. For example, gluten intolerance can cause real health problems that can often go undetected unless a physician asks the right questions. Wheat and many grain products contain gluten.

To make sure your body is supplied with all the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to properly function, it is important to take a good quality daily supplement. Many companies sell combination of vitamins and minerals designed specifically for older people. Capsules are more easily absorbed than tablets. You can also purchase enzymes and coenzymes. CoQ10 is a coenzyme that is usually made by the human body and has been found to benefit people with damaged hearts, the onset of Alzheimer’s or taking cholesterol lowering medication.

As you get older, try to keep your intake of processed sugar to a minimum. This means sugar in tea or coffee, cakes, cookies, and sweets. Satisfy your craving for sweets with fruit and you will be rewarded with good health and improved fitness. If you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, you will have more energy and feel a great deal better. Exercise can be as simple as going for a walk or having a swim.

Finally, enjoy your life, be positive and stay active. If you feel you are in a rut, be willing to make a change, even if it is only a small one. Make healthy eating interesting and exciting. Learn to cook new meals and develop healthy yet tasty menus. The baby boomers changed the world, isn’t it time to change the way we age?

For nutritious recipes and other healthy food ideas, you can discover a wealth of material about nutritious food at LifeStyleHealthy.com

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Along with the shorter days and falling leaves come the colds and flu, however, not for everyone! Survival of the fittest ” the fittest immunity that is. We know to wash our hands frequently, dress warmly, get plenty of rest, and of course incorporate daily exercise into our routine, but can the foods we eat really make a difference in our efforts to fight off colds and the flu? In my experience, there is no question that a well-nourished individual is more immunologically competent and better able to cope with illness/infection challenges than those with nutrient-poor diets. So where to start?

Your Foundation Diet

This is what I characterize as your day-to-day intake of the essential nutrients. Its not what you eat Friday nights after hockey or for the occasional birthday gathering, its what your food choice tendency is day-to-day over months and years that really impacts your overall resilience to create a body of health, vitality and strength. Your immune system is what protects you from viral infections, and the foods you eat have a major impact on your immune systems ability to fight off colds and flu. Balance, variety and moderation are three key areas to keep in check.

Balance Balance your meals and snacks by including at least 3 out of 4 food groups in each meal and 2 out of 4 for snacks. In general aim for lean/low fat proteins, unprocessed carbohydrates and healthy fats.

Examples: 1. Breakfast (all four food groups!) a. Grains: choose whole grain cereals high in fiber and low in sugar b. Fruits … Vegetables: sweeten by topping with berries or a sliced banana c. Meat or Alternatives: chopped almonds or walnuts add good fats and protein to your cereal bowl d. Dairy or Soy: Low fat milk or soy milk ” a generous amount for a good blast of calcium and vitamin D.

2. Snack (two food groups) carrots sticks and a container of low-fat yogurt

Variety Escape routine and try new foods (plant derived) as often as possible. Phyto -(Greek for plant) chemicals are important nutrients found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and even chocolate and wine! Each plant derived food hosts its own profile of these powerful antioxidants ” the more variety you eat the more of these antioxidants your body can utilize to fight disease and boost immunity.

Moderation Limited or moderate intake of unhealthy food is important too. Stay away from excess sugar and unhealthy fats, such as saturated fat and especially trans fats, which have been shown to suppress immune function. Watch alcohol intake as well, which can impair your ability to fight off pathogens.

Adequate intakes of vitamins (A, B, C, D, E) and trace elements (Selenium, Zinc) are required for the immune system to function efficiently, however there is limited evidence of any benefits unless you are deficient (however in the case of vitamin D many of us might be). Taking a multivitamin/mineral a few times a week is a good safeguard for falling short, but supplements continue to prove their inferiority to a nutrient-rich diet. A variety of Fruits, Vegetables, Whole Grains, Nuts, Seeds, Lean Protein and Essential Fats are your key to optimal immune function.

Vitamin C Supplements

You need vitamin C for a healthy immune system, however you should get it from the fruits and vegetables you eat so that you also get other important nutrients, fiber and other phytochemicals and antioxidants that you won’t get from dietary supplements. There is no current scientific evidence to support the idea that taking large doses of vitamin C will prevent or reduce the symptoms of colds or flu, however you can take dietary supplements to assure that you get enough vitamin C on the days you don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. In addition, your immune system requires a constant influx of vitamin C when it’s working hard to fight invaders, so drinking 100% juice or eating oranges every 2-3 hours at the onset and during a cold may shorten its duration.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D has made news headlines numerous times over the past couple of years, and growing evidence suggest we need to at least triple our intakes, especially during winter months (unless you’re lucky enough to live in the tropics!). Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D, and foods that are fortified with vitamin D (fluid milk/soy) are often inadequate to satisfy an adult’s vitamin D requirement. Vitamin D deficiency, aside from poor bone health, has also been associated with increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, and infectious diseases. This is a supplement you may want to consider at 800-1000IU daily.

Zinc Supplements

Zinc is a mineral that is needed for a healthy immune system and is safe to take when ingested through food sources such as seafood, nuts and yogurt but more is not better although it’s often sold as an over-the-counter natural treatment for colds. Zinc is necessary for optimal health but most studies show little or no benefit when studying zinc supplements. Zinc sold in a nasal gel form has been shown by several studies to cause a loss of the sense of smell in some patients and should be used with caution. Zinc is often sold as ingredient in lozenges that may help to sooth a sore throat in some. But supplementing with higher doses of zinc, particularly long term, can be toxic.

Echinacea

This herb is available as a dietary supplement and is used to prevent or decrease the duration of the common cold. Most studies show mixed results, however a meta-analysis of several studies reports that taking echinacea supplements may actually be beneficial, and the most effective preparation seems to be the pressed juice of the Echinacea purpura species

Probiotics

These “friendly or good bacteria” help to keep your digestive tract healthy and appear to have some beneficial effect on your whole-body immune system. Probiotics may be found in dietary supplements or as a nutritional ingredient in yogurt (be sure “active” or “live” cultures is in the ingredient list), yogurt drinks (Bio-K) and other foods. Some research does support the use of probiotics for reducing the symptoms and duration of the common cold.

Food First — the foods listed here will give your immunity a boost, naturally!

For Vitamin C Citrus fruits and juices Apple juice Kiwi fruit Strawberries Broccoli Brussels sprouts Red/green/yellow Sweet potatoes Potatoes Tomatoes

For Vitamin E Vegetable oils Wheat germ Nuts Peanut butter Sunflower seeds Papayas Avocadoes Peppers

For Selenium Brazil nuts Grain products Wheat germ Wheat bran Oat bran Fish, shellfish Meat, poultry Eggs Beans

For Carotenoids Carrots Cantaloupe Sweet potatoes Pumpkin Broccoli Pink grapefruit Tomatoes/tomato products Dark green leafy Veggies

For Zinc Oysters and other seafood Red meat Poultry Fortified breakfast cereal Whole grains Beans Nuts

Chris … Steve Parker are the founding members of http://www.farparker.com your complete online recreational hockey resource destination. Find out more about your favorite hockey team in our forum section, we also have the best articles, blogs and games room on the net. If you like hockey, you will love FarParker “Life is Short, Park Wisely, Play Hard”

In today’s fast-paced society, Americans find little time to prepare and eat nutritious meals. That is why the line at the fast food drive through is so long at peak meal times. Consequently, Americans suffer from obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Having a tasty but unhealthy snack every now and then will not ruin your health, but if you consistently make poor food choices, your health will suffer. If you want to lose weight, just start eating better or if you want to lose fat and build muscle you must remove these foods from your diet.

Deep fried fats and oils: Fats and oils heated to a high temperature raise bad cholesterol levels and are linked to cancer.

White flour: Commercially processed wheat loses all of its nutrients when the vitamin and mineral-rich bran and germ is removed. What remains is a product that lacks substantive nutritional value. Food products made from refined white flour may also be linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

Sugar: Everyone knows that the calories in sugar will make you gain weight, but many people are unaware that the fructose component in refined sugar will also raise your cholesterol.

Canned soups: It is so easy to open a can of soup for a quick, satisfying meal, but beware: many canned soups contain high levels of sodium, fat and calories.

Donuts: A deep fried refined white flour glob rolled in sugar has no redeeming nutritional qualities. Just say no.

Energy drinks: You can count on getting an energy buzz from the popular energy drinks now available, but you can also count on getting tons of sugar, caffeine and carbohydrates.

French fries: The simple sugars in potatoes quickly convert to glucose and raise your insulin levels significantly. French fries are extremely high in trans fat, calories, sodium and the carcinogen acrylamide.

Granola Bars: Granola may have started out as a health food, but it has evolved into something much worse. The granola bars you find in the supermarket rival candy bars in respect to fat, calorie, and sugar content.

Dried Fruit: Just eat the real thing. Most dried fruit products are coated in sugar and contain a boatload of preservatives to prevent spoilage and to preserve color.

Margarine: Once though of as a healthy alternative to butter, the trans fat in margarine is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.

Sodas: The caffeine in colas and sodas act as a diuretic, which can eventually lead to dehydration. Quench your thirst with water instead and save yourself the added calories from sugar and jitters from caffeine.

Hot Dogs: There is nothing healthy about the hot dog. This summertime grill staple is loaded with preservatives, sodium and fat. Choose lean chicken or salmon for your next cookout.

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