Just be disciplined with your food and your exercise time. The weight can fall off, but it is not going fall off on its own. You still have some work to do! Now get to it, and know that you are on your way to meeting your post-pregnancy weight loss goal.

Weight Loss Foods - Know About What You Eat

How much do you know about food? To lose weight you will have to increase your knowledge about what to eat. You will only be able to shed pounds by educating yourself about the true nature of food and how it works with your body.

This why we’re tackling some basic information you have to know about food and weight loss.

First of all, you need to know about calories. Calories are the fundamental item in any weight loss program. The basic rule is that to lose a pound, you need to burn 3500 calories more than you eat. If you want to lose a pound a week, you need to burn 500 calories a day more than you take in.

Not all foods are created equal - even if they are of equal calories. While Twinkies are banned on every diet, some diets treat weight loss foods differently.

For instance, Atkins and the South Beach diets make you restrict your carbohydrate intake while allowing you to eat as much protein and fat as you want. The Mediterranean diet, on the other hand, encourages you to eat complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting red meat and most kinds of fats.

Both schools have their own set of believers though they espouse different weight loss foods. Research on how both work to find out which is better for your lifestyle and personal food preferences.

The next thing you need to know about is that the time of day that you eat is important. The old saying “eat like a King at breakfast, a prince at lunch and a pauper at dinner” is very true for people thinking about weight loss foods.

A big breakfast is a good way to start the day because it will keep you full through lunch. Having a moderate sized lunch and a light mid afternoon snack will keep you going through the afternoon. But how much energy do you really need in the evening?

Most people watch television, read, or surf the internet after dinner. That’s why a light dinner is all you need. Also, close the kitchen after dinner and don’t eat for the four hours preceding bedtime.

The kinds of foods you have can also be a factor in weight loss. Scrambled egg whites are a great breakfast. For lunch, you can even eat out if you know what to choose. Any of the foods on the Subway “under 6” menu are perfect. For dinner, try a broth based soup to start, followed by a salad with low fat dressing. Have a small serving of meat with a larger serving of vegetables.

Of course, you are going to want snacks, and that’s okay provided that you know what is good to eat. Haagen Dazs can even be on your diet, provided that it is their yummy sorbet. Chocolate Dream cookies can substitute for your favorite chocolate chip type. But otherwise, stick to fruit, pretzels, and vegetables.

Another issue to consider is how much sodium you have in your diet. Your body only needs about 500 grams of sodium, but most Americans have between 3000 to 6000 grams a day. All that extra salt leads to bloating and weight gain.

Drinking 8 or more glasses of water a day can help to mitigate this problem by flushing some of the sodium out of your system.

There’s no arguing the weight loss foods connection is real. I encourage you to try to learn as much as possible about what foods really have in them including their calorie, carbohydrate, fat, protein, and sodium contents.

You need knowledge to carry out a successful weight loss program. Before losing weight, you have to do the research.

Juice Recipes for Weight Loss

LA Weight Loss Recipes

LA Weight Loss recipes are part of one of the fastest growing weight loss programs currently being used by millions of people to lose weight - the safe and healthy way.  The prescribed recipes are based around typical everyday foods.

The program itself has some food products that are easily combined with these everyday foods. Simply put, it claims to be an all round complete and successful way to lose weight… the yummy way. 

Anyone on a diet or weight loss program has been conditioned to believe that diets are restrictive, and for want of a better word, boring. We all know that as well as being hungry, being bored is one of the classic reasons why many people fail their diet programs.  They find it difficult to sustain for the long term the required eating habits that they are supposed to follow. And really, when you look closely at many of the diets out there, who can blame them? The LA Weight Loss recipes are nothing like that.

Unlike many other diet programs, LA Weight Loss recipes are interesting, not at all bland or one dimensional.  Believe it or not, you get to eat strawberry shortcake on this program.    Yes, it might consist of some slightly different ingredients to what you would normally use, but strawberry shortcake it is nonetheless.

So here’s how you would go about making this lovely little dessert that’s also low calorie and healthy.  Get a handful of small strawberries , a rice cake, a tablespoon of lemon juice and one of the LA Weight Loss drink mixes.  The preparation to make this shortcake is pretty simple and straight forward.  Drop the rice cake in a bowl, wash and prepare the strawberries before placing them on the top of your rice cake and all you then do is pour the LA Drink over the strawberries and leave it to set.

Love sweet and sour chicken?  Well as LA Weight Loss Recipes go, the sweet and sour chicken is up there in taste with the most indulgent and exotic.  Consisting of one protein, two vegetables and a fruit group, this recipe is a pretty simple one to follow and prepare.  Simply get together about 8oz of boneless and skinned, pre-cooked chicken breast, a green or red pepper, 3 green onions, some red wine vinegar, cornstarch and some tomato ketchup.  Cube some fresh pineapple, add some chopped tomato and some chicken broth and some nonfat cooking spray.

The preparation is now all about making the food quick to cook using a wok and that means cutting the chicken and the vegetables into thin strips or pieces.  Using the cooking spray first the vegetables are stir-fried and then the chicken.  The next step is to add the other ingredients to the wok and to add the taste to this meal.

So as you can see, the recipes on this program are based on classics that we all know and love… and really that’s why this program is a hit.

Lose Weight Pills - Effects Of Various Supplements

There are many lose weight pills on the market. They claim numerous benefits and list a variety of ingredients that supposedly trigger weight loss. But are all these claims medically sound? We turned to the respected Mayo Medical Clinic to get the low-down behind all the hype.

One hot product right now among lose weight pills is Bitter Orange. It is marketed as a very effective weight loss supplement, but critics say it can cause some serious side effects similar to ephedra.

If you recall, ephedra-containing weight loss pills were pulled off the market for causing heart attacks and strokes. In the case of Bitter Orange - which is now being used as an ephedra substitute - the verdict is still out on its long term effects. Research is still lacking, so the experts say: be wary.

Chitosan is described as a relatively safe ingredient in supplements. The manufacturers often tout this as having the ability to block the absorption of fat into the body. Mayo says this is highly unlikely. Also, they caution that it may cause constipation and bloating. Again, the long term effects are unknown.

Chromium sellers claim this ingredient reduces body fat and builds muscle. Chromium is relatively safe, yes. But according to the experts at The Mayo Clinic, there is still no pill that exists to build muscle so it is unlikely to work.

Another ingredient, CLA can cause diarrhea and indigestion. Mayo says this one is also unlikely to reduce overall body weight.

Country Mallow is supposed to decrease appetite and increase the number of calories burned. But Country Mallow contains ephedra and has all of the associated risks.

Ephedra has been banned for medical or supplement use, but is still allowed to be sold as a tea. Despite this, many other supplements still contain ephedra. It can cause high blood pressure, heart rate irregularities, sleeplessness, seizures, heart attacks, strokes and even death. Obviously, products containing ephedra must be avoided at all costs.

Green tea extract is included in many lose weight pills sold in health stores. It is supposed to increase metabolism while decreasing appetite. There is limited evidence to support this claim, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can cause vomiting, bloating, indigestion and diarrhea. Also, it contains a high amount of caffeine, so if you are watching that, you may want to restrict supplements containing Green tea.

Guar Gum is another supplement that is harmless but unlikely to cause any real weight loss. Makers claim that it blocks the absorption of dietary fat and increases the feeling of fullness, which leads to decreased calorie intake. However, it is more likely to cause diarrhea, flatulence and other gastrointestinal problems

Finally, Hoodia is another ingredient found in many lose weight pills. It is supposed to decrease appetite. However, the Mayo Clinic says there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim.

Still some people have found success using these type of supplements. But they are expensive and there are no legitimate scientific studies that back up their claims. Your safer, surer and more cost-effective bet is the good-old healthy diet combined with exercise.

McDonalds Calorie Counter - Fast Food For Fast Weight Loss

When you think fast food, you don’t normally think weight loss - weight gain is more like it. But it doesn’t have to be that way thanks to the McDonalds Calorie Counter.

The Calorie Counter comes in the wake of the film ‘Supersize Me’. If you recall this documentary, the film’s subject experimented on eating nothing but McDonalds food for 30 days. The results took a toll on his health, including a whopping 25-pound weight gain.

But, as it turns out, it is actually possible to eat nothing but McDonalds or any other fast food and still lose weight. What you need to know is what you’re eating or what you can eat, which is where the McDonald’s Calorie Counter comes in. The counter calculates what foods in the McDonalds menu you can take in, and in what amounts.

And people have taken up the challenge of eating nothing but McDonalds’ food for a month without gaining weight - some had even lost weight in the process. The key is in choosing primarily salads and other healthier fare available in their menu. You’ll be surprised, you can even enjoy your choice of hamburger and McNuggets, even the occasional fries and milk shake. Portions and how often you can indulge will be specified by the calorie counter.

McDonalds, like many other fast food restaurants, has made their calorie counter freely available online and at most of their restaurants. Since the food is all standardized, you can pick one of them up and know that what you get is going to very close to what the guides say.

With the help of a McDonalds calorie counter, you need to select foods that fit into your diet plan. Basically, you need to make sure your daily calorie intake fits within a range that is going to let you lose weight. As long as you are within that range, you can eat whatever you like.

So go ahead and indulge in your favorite fast food. But make sure you stick to the calorie counter’s recommendations and you won’t risk gaining those unwanted extra pounds.

Quick Weight Loss on the 3-Day Heart Diet

The 3-Day Heart diet was supposedly designed for people that need to lose weight quickly before heart surgery. You have probably heard of them: The Mayo Clinic Diet, Cleveland Clinic Diet or the one ascribed to the American Heart Association. The purported rationale behind these 3-day diets is that they let heart patients lose, weight, bloat and water retention that could put extra stress on their body during and after surgery.

Do note that The American Heart Association and the clinics mentioned do not officially endorse these diets for everyone. In fact, they have all denied to have developed these quick weight loss plans. But these 3-Day diets remain popular because many people who have tried them can attest that they do result in rapid weight loss.

On average, you can lose up to six pounds over the course of the 3-day diet. Larger people can even lose up to ten pounds in three days. It seems the more weight you need to lose, the more you do lose in the course of those 3 days.

This kind of weight loss is possible because of the low calorie, low carb and high protein food combinations. You will lose a substantial amount of water weight, as well as clearing out any excess matter from your guts. Combined with a likely pound or two of actual fat loss, this accounts for most of the weight lost on the 3-Day Heart Diet.

There is a set type and amount of food for each meal while you are on the meal plan, and this changes from day to day. The variety makes it easier to follow, but keep in mind that this is a very low calorie plan with very limited food groups involved. For this reason, it is not advisable to extend the diet beyond the recommended three days.

Now here’s a sample menu for the 3-Day Heart Diet:

BREAKFAST

Day One

1/2 of a whole grapefruit or 4 ounces of grapefruit juice, unsweetened
1 slice of toast with a teaspoon of peanut butter
Tea or coffee, optional - no dairy or creamer

Day Two

1 hard-boiled egg
1 slice of toast
1/2 Banana
Tea or coffee, optional - no dairy or creamer

Day Three

1 hard-boiled egg
1 slice of toast
Tea or coffee, optional - no dairy or creamer

LUNCH

Day One

1/2 cup of water packed tuna
1 slice of toast

Day Two

1 cup of cottage cheese
5 saltine crackers

Day Three

1 slice of cheddar cheese
5 saltine crackers
1 small apple

DINNER

Day One

A quarter pound of any meat
1 cup of string beans
1 cup of carrots, cooked or raw
1 small apple
1 cup of vanilla ice cream

Day Two

2 hot dogs
1 cup of broccoli
1/2 cup of carrots, cooked or raw.
1/2 banana
1 cup of vanilla ice cream

Day Three

1 cup of water packed tuna
1 cup of beets
1 cup green beans
1 cup cantaloupe
1 cup of vanilla ice cream

On the 3 day heart diet, you are not to use any kind of spice or additive except for salt and pepper. Again, it is not advisable to stay on this meal plan longer than 3 days as it is very low calorie.

For best results, alternate the 3-Day Heart Diet with four days of higher calorie eating to avoid the possible long term effect of slowing down your metabolism. Once you obtain some quick weight loss, it is best to follow with a long term sensible eating plan that involves a bigger variety of healthy food.

3-Day Diet Menu - Eat Your Way To Thinness

Need to jump start your weight loss plan? Maybe just want to shed a few pounds quickly and that’s it. Or maybe you need to trim down significantly over a longer period of time, but just want a significant head start. Whichever the case may be, you are probably considering one of those 3-day diets. Read on for the low-down on which 3-day diet menu could work for you.

Some of the popular ones are: the Mayo Clinic Diet, The Cleveland Clinic Diet or the Tuna and Water Diet. Each one provides a different menu, but they work on the same basic principles of low calorie, low carbohydrate eating. The result is usually rapid weight loss, somewhere in the neighborhood of two pounds a day.

These popular 3-day diets supposedly originated from their medical clinic namesakes. They are said to be given to heart patients who need to loose weight quickly before surgery. The clinics have not officially endorsed these quick weight loss plans for the general public, but they are still widely used because they do get results.

Mayo Clinic Diet

Probably the most popular 3-day weight loss plan is the Mayo Clinic Diet, also known as the Grapefruit Diet. What sets this apart from the others is that it makes use of one specific food staple which is - surprise… grapefruit! On the Mayo Diet, you are required to eat this citrus fruit before every meal.

Grapefruit is known to contain enzymes that promote fat loss. But aside from its supposed fat-burning enzymes, what is more evident is that when you eat grapefruit before a meal you are likely to eat less.

Grapefruits are not only low in calories, they are high in water and bulk fiber. This means that when you eat them they take up a great deal of space in your stomach, making you feel full. This will result in you eating less of the following calorie-dense meal - but without feeling deprived.

3-Day Diet Variations

Of course, there are other kinds of 3-Day Diets out there. Generally they vary according to how much carbohydrate foods they allow. In some diets, you are allowed a bit of bread or toast, others ban carbohydrates and starches altogether.

Typically, breakfast on these diet programs will consist of one of two choices. On those that allow for a bit of carbs you could have toast with peanut butter for protein. On the lower carb or no carb programs you could have strictly proteins only like two eggs and some bacon.

Lunch would be similar. If the diet permits some carbs, you will have meat and a piece of bread or toast and maybe some fruit for dessert. Low carb regimens will just have you eating meat and a salad. Strictly no carbs here, but you’ll be allowed to indulge in some flavorful full-fat dressing.

During dinner time, carb to protein ratios ratios usually stay the same. But for some of the low carb diets you won’t be allowed any carbohydrates for your last meal of the day. Typical dinner is a good portion of meat and vegetables. You will be allowed bigger portions compared to lunch.

The higher carb 3-day diets actually have a tendency to be lower in calories to compensate for the extra carbohydrates allowed. On the other hand, lower carb or no carb diet programs are actually much less restrictive in the calorie count.

The key to successful quick weight loss, is to find which program is easiest for you to stick with and follow through.

Green Tea Health Benefits

Herbal Teas are gaining in popularity and variety these days. Green Tea is a favorite variety - especially for the health conscious. It is known to fight off cancer, diabetes, high cholesterol and other diseases. Numerous reviews have been written about green tea’s health benefits and the anecdotal evidence is mounting.

The Chinese have been drinking green tea for hundreds of years. All this time they have used this wonder drink for medicinal purposes. Green tea was used for headaches, food poisoning, indigestion and other ailments. Green tea’s health benefits have also been known in India for many years - popular among those who practice natural, holistic healing.

Recent studies indicate that Chinese men who drank green tea regularly over a number of years have a lower rate of cancer compared to those who don’t drink the beverage.

Green Tea the Super Anti-Oxidant

First cultivated in China, green tea comes from the leaves of a plant known as Camellia Sinesis. Studies have determined that this plant contains high levels of catechin polyphenols called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. EGCG is a potent anti-oxidant which can help inhibit cancer cell growth. The polyphenols also add to green tea health benefits because it lowers cholesterol and helps prevent blood clots.

Grenn Tea versus Black Tea

While other tea varieties are known to have medicinal value too, green tea health benefits appear to exceed the rest. One significant difference of green tea from other teas is in the preparation. Green tea is made from fresh leaves of the plant. Another famous herbal drink black tea is made from fermented leaves. Studies show the fermentation process lowers the EGCG content of black tea. Green tea trumps black tea in health benefits since it comes from fresh leaves and so it has more preserved anti-oxidants.

Green Tea for Weight Loss

Recent studies also show that green tea health benefits include weight loss. The anti-oxidants in green teas helps burn calories as well. Green tea promotes weight loss because it detoxifies our system - flushing out fats, while enhancing the proper absorption of nutrients.

Green Tea for Healthier Teeth

Did you know that green tea is also good for your teeth and general oral health? Green tea has antiseptic properties that are known to fight bacteria that cause cavities. The polyphenols found in green tea also strengthen teeth and prevent bad breath. Some people even gargle with green tea for a healthier mouth.

Green Tea for Vitamins and Over-all Health

Green tea is a good source of vitamin C which is why it boosts our immune system. It also has Vitamin B that helps burn carbohydrates and vitamin E for healthier and younger looking skin.

It is also recommended for patients suffering from rheumatism or arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Other health benefits of green tea: it is known to lower blood sugar, reduce stress and prevent high blood pressure.

So go ahead, indulge in this wonder drink. Hot or cold - it tastes great too!

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