| Healthy Hints | ||
 Anyone beginning a weight-loss or exercise program should consult his or her physician first. However, the following hints just use a little bit of common sense along with some new ideas that you can apply to your new healthy eating lifestyle!Drink lots of water. You should drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses daily. This helps flush out toxins and keeps you hydrated. Take in plenty of fiber. Fiber helps you feel “full.” It also helps keep blood sugar levels even and affects the re-absorption of fats in the intestines. Fiber also helps to cleanse the colon. Chew your food thoroughly. This helps the digestive process. Avoid hidden fats and calories. For example: whole milk in your cup of coffee or tea two times a day could add up to as much as 20,000 extra calories (almost 6 pounds of fat) per year. Don’t overload on carbohydrates. We’re not necessarily advocating cutting out carbs, however most eating plans that are lower in carbohydrates and concentrate on a higher protein ratio seem to produce the best results. Eat! There are plenty of healthy foods to snack on between meals without sacrificing your healthy diet. Don't starve yourself! This will only cause your metabolism to slow down and you will likely gain weight or stay exactly where you are. Eat more often. Eat several small, sensible meals throughout the day, instead of two or three large ones. Preferably 5 to 6 small meals are ideal for most adults. Bake, broil, grill or steam foods that need to be cooked. Avoid frying. If frying is a must, use light vegetable sprays or a touch of olive oil to stir-fry your food. Choose fresh foods. Fresh foods are best, as they contain the highest nutrient levels. Frozen foods are your next best choice. Avoid canned foods whenever possible due to the high sodium content. If you must eat canned foods, look for, “no salt added.” Do not grocery shop when you are hungry! Shopping while hungry causes “impulse buys” - purchasing more food than necessary and purchasing foods that are less nutritious. Consume low or no-calorie beverages. During your weight-loss program, try to reduce the amount of high-calorie beverages you drink. (The average person consumes a large quantity of liquids each day, not realizing that many of these liquids are high in calories. Most times, these are “empty calories” derived from sugar.) Read labels on fat-free products. There are low-fat and fat-free alternatives for many foods: Cookies, cake, ice cream, sour cream, cream cheese, pretzels, crackers, cheeses and frozen entrees. Enjoy your favorite dishes and cut the fat, too. Fat-free foods may have higher sodium content than their regular or low-fat counterparts. Read the labels. Sometimes, the low-fat choices turn out to be healthier than the fat-free alternative. Pay attention to the recommended serving size. Because a food is low fat or fat-free does NOT mean have at it! Take Vitamins that really work. Visit their website below. http://herbals-unlimited.com/ | ||
