Diet Plan For A Great Summer Body

September 1, 2010
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Get ready for the summer by following these 5 rules to eating right.  If you couple this with exercise, you will definitely get a great summer body.

* Consume foods totaling to 1,500 calories a day.  If you weigh more than 200 pounds, increase this number up to 1,700 calories by adding a single 200-calorie snack or two 100 calorie snacks.  You can also choose to increase your protein serving at lunch and dinner to 4 ounces.
* Eat every 4 hours.  If you wait longer than 4 hours before eating, your blood sugar and energy levels will decrease and it will leave you more vulnerable to making poor eating choices.  Eat…

Fried Tofu With Dashi Broth

July 28, 2010
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Tofu is healthy and is a good replacement for meats.  If you have friends who are not tofu eaters, try serving them this Japanese dish called agedashi dofu.  This dish consists of deep fried tofu with dashi broth and is perfect as an appetizer or you can serve them at parties.

Ingredients

2 cups store-bought dashi, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons mirin, One pack of firm or extra-firm silken-style tofu (cut into 3/4-inch cubes), 1/4 cup corn starch, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 quart peanut oil, salt, 2 finely sliced scallions, 2 ounces grated daikon radish, katsuobushi or dried, shaved bonito found in Asian markets

Procedure:

1.  Combine dashi, soy and…

National Nutritional Labeling: Part Of The Health Care Bill

July 25, 2010
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Not everyone may be completely happy with the health care reform bill that was passed but there are individual components that will be of benefit to significant portions of the American population. One of these is the provision for chain restaurants and in vending machines to add nutritional labels and calorie contents on their menus.

This provision will provide customers with a wide range of information regarding the food items to help them decide before purchasing.  Calorie information will also be placed on menus, menu boards and drive-thru boards.

Section 2572 of the landmark legislation requires that chain restaurants with 20 or more locations and owners of 20 or more vending machines…

How To Avoid Overeating When You’re In A Bad Mood

July 9, 2010
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Some people tend to overeat when they are stressed, anxious, frustrated and bored.  Emotions can make us eat that leads to overeating.  Overeating can lead to weight gain and other diseases.  Here are some tips on how you can avoid and stop eating too much.

* Change your beliefs and your way of thinking.  When you indulge by having 1 or 2 handfuls of potato chips, you’d probably say that you might as well eat the whole bag.  Other examples would be the way you blame yourself and your weight when something wrong happens like not getting promoted.  Stop doing this and begin to identify and change what you say to…

How To Avoid Overeating

June 21, 2010
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

Eating really fast could cause you to overeat and gain weight.  According to a study done by the University of Rhode Island, you can save 70 calories by eating slowly over about half an hour versus in under 10 minutes.  It takes about 20 minutes for your body to register fullness and if you eat slower at every meal, you could shed 2 pounds in a month.  Here are some other tips on how you can avoid eating too much.

* Use a smaller plate.  Put your food on smaller dishes and put your drink in smaller glasses to make you feel like you’re getting much food
* Start your meal with…

Chicken And Snow Pea Salad

June 8, 2010
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

This Chicken salad has a nice crunchy texture and sweet taste because of the snow peas.  Combine the 2 ingredients together by coating them with a creamy Asian dressing.

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed, 1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, 3 teaspoons toasted sesame oil(divided), 2 tablespoons tahini or cashew butter, 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 pound snow peas (trimmed and thinly slivered lengthwise), 2 tablespoons chopped cashews

Procedure:

1. Boil chicken with the broth in a medium skillet.  Cover and reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes until chicken is cooked through.  Transfer…

Steamed Lima Beans And Snap Peas With Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette

June 8, 2010
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

This refreshing salad takes only 15 minutes to prepare and is definitely low in calories because it only contains 137 calories.  Lemon and mint gives this salad a refreshing taste and the limas provide a creamy texture.  You can also try this salad using asparagus and green beans.

Ingredients:

1 small shallot (minced), 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, 1 pound sugar snap peas (trimmed), 10 ounces frozen baby lima beans, thawed

Procedure:

1.  In a large bowl, combine shallots, oil, lemon juice, mint, mustard green, sugar, salt and pepper.

2.  Bring…

How To Make Your Favorite Recipe Healthier

May 28, 2010
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

It is hard to stay away from your favorite dishes especially when you’re on a diet.  Here are a few tips on how to make your favorite dishes healthier while keeping the same great taste you love.

o Use healthy substitutions like reduced fat or fat free milk instead of whole milk; pick whole grains instead of refined ones, and food products with reduced sodium.
o If you love to bake, make the recipe healthier by replacing the fat source.  Replace the other half of butter, shortening or oil and replace it with unsweetened apple sauce, mashed banana, prune puree or other fruit based fat replacers.
o Use healthier oil like olive oil.
o…

DASH Diet Improves Brain Function

May 28, 2010
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

According to a recent study done by the Duke University, following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet doesn’t only help promote a healthy heart, it also boosts the brain’s function.

The researcher’s analyzed the effects of the DASH diet on blood pressure as well as its effects on cognitive function.  The study also has a significant implication for slowing down or reversing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

The research team followed 124 men and women who had mild to moderate high blood pressure who are not taking medication.  The subjects were divided into three groups.  One group followed the DASH diet alone; the other group followed the DASH diet with aerobic…

Foods That Reduces Stress

May 14, 2010
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ... Loading ...

A lot of people munch a lot of food when they’re having a bad day.  Instead of munching on random items, eat something that is scientifically proven to improve your mood and is healthy at the same time.

Choose fruits, vegetables, fish and other whole foods.  People who eat whole foods are less likely to feel depressed than those who eat a lot of desserts, fried foods, processed meats, refined grains and high-fat dairy.  Previous studies showed that the antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids in fish can help lower the risk of depression.  Also, folate that is found in dark green vegetables like spinach affects neurotransmitters that…