The best foods for hangovers
From Health magazine After a long night of partying, nothing looks more appetizing than a juicy burger or a plate full of eggs and bacon. Beware, though: Greasy comfort food may ease your throbbing temples, but it certainly won't do your waistline any favors.
You can satisfy morning-after cravings without doing damage to your diet. Try these lighter takes on your favorite hangover remedies.
Breakfast sandwich
If you crave…
A bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on a bagel (520 calories)
Try this instead: An open-faced egg sandwich made with 3 egg whites, one half-cup sautéed veggies, and 1 ounce feta cheese on a slice of whole-wheat toast (258 calories)
Burgers
If you crave…
A large cheeseburger and fries (1,110 calories)
Try this instead: A quarter-pound hamburger patty on lettuce, topped with onion, tomato, and pickles; and a handful of fries (460 calories)
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Can Chewing Gum Help You Drop Pounds?
Reaching for a stick of gum to curb your cravings may do more harm than good: Chewing minty gum before a meal can actually set you up to make less nutritious food choices, according to a new study in the journal Eating Behaviors.
Researchers from the University at Buffalo wanted to know if there was any truth to the commonly held conception that chewing gum can reduce hunger and help you lose weight. In their first experiment, 44 participants each went through three sessions: One where they chewed minty gum, one where they chewed fruity gum, and one where they didn’t chew any gum. After each session, they filled out a survey and played games that rewarded them with either healthy or unhealthy foods (they were free to choose which game to play). On average, participants reported a decrease in hunger after chewing gum. The problem: After chewing the minty gum, they ate smaller quantities of the healthy foods—but still ate the same amount of junk foods as they had after chewing the fruity gum or no gum at all. So that stick of spearmint might curb your hunger, but it’ll also make you pick a bag of chips over an orange.
In the second experiment, 54 participants were given food diaries to keep for three weeks. For two of those weeks, they were told to chew gum before every single snack, meal, and drink they had (except for calorie-free drinks, like water or black coffee). One week they chewed Eclipse mint gum, and the other week they chewed Nutratrim mint gum, which is marketed as a diet supplement. Surprisingly, people ate fewer snacks or meals but consumed more calories per meal during both gum-chewing weeks. They also took in much fewer nutrients during those weeks, since they weren’t snacking on fruits and veggies as much. Overall, the total calories for each week stayed about the same, which pretty much debunks the chewing gum myth—not to mention the claims attached to the weight-loss gum.
Researchers from the University at Buffalo wanted to know if there was any truth to the commonly held conception that chewing gum can reduce hunger and help you lose weight. In their first experiment, 44 participants each went through three sessions: One where they chewed minty gum, one where they chewed fruity gum, and one where they didn’t chew any gum. After each session, they filled out a survey and played games that rewarded them with either healthy or unhealthy foods (they were free to choose which game to play). On average, participants reported a decrease in hunger after chewing gum. The problem: After chewing the minty gum, they ate smaller quantities of the healthy foods—but still ate the same amount of junk foods as they had after chewing the fruity gum or no gum at all. So that stick of spearmint might curb your hunger, but it’ll also make you pick a bag of chips over an orange.
In the second experiment, 54 participants were given food diaries to keep for three weeks. For two of those weeks, they were told to chew gum before every single snack, meal, and drink they had (except for calorie-free drinks, like water or black coffee). One week they chewed Eclipse mint gum, and the other week they chewed Nutratrim mint gum, which is marketed as a diet supplement. Surprisingly, people ate fewer snacks or meals but consumed more calories per meal during both gum-chewing weeks. They also took in much fewer nutrients during those weeks, since they weren’t snacking on fruits and veggies as much. Overall, the total calories for each week stayed about the same, which pretty much debunks the chewing gum myth—not to mention the claims attached to the weight-loss gum.
HOW TO INCREASE BREAST SIZE NATURALLY BY EXERCISE AND EATING
Many women want larger breasts, but find it difficult to buy flattering clothes due to a flat chest. Estrogen is the main hormone responsible for breast growth and development. As a teen, a girl will start to grow breast tissue and usually require larger bra sizes each year. Some girls might hit a plateau during breast development. While the exact reason for underdeveloped breasts is unknown, some speculate that this is due to a decrease in estrogen in the female body and an increase in testosterone. Certain foods and exercises can help reverse these problems.
Exercise
Step 1
Hold a 5 lb. weight in each hand while sitting in a straight-back chair. Allow your arms to hang at your sides with your back straight. Lift the weights outward until your arms are aligned with your shoulder line. Hold for the count of five and release, returning to the starting position. Do three sets of five repetitions daily.
Step 2
Perform pushups regularly to help build muscle in your chest. Lying on your stomach, place your palms flat with your elbows bent at shoulder level. Straighten your legs behind you or rest your knees on the floor with your back straight. Lift yourself up with your palms and hold for the count of three. Lower your body back to starting position, repeating the process for two to three sets of five repetitions.
Step 3
Lie on your back on a bench or low table. Hold a 5 lb. weight in each hand with your arms outstretched beside you, parallel with your shoulders. Slowly lift your weights up above you until your arms meet, keeping them straight. Return your arms to starting position and repeat for three sets of 10 reps each.
Foods
Step 1
Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains to prevent overproduction of testosterone, which inhibits natural breast growth. It is mainly found in small increments in the female body. Women who overproduce testosterone soon develop male attributes such as minimal breast tissue.
Step 2
Consume plant estrogens such as soybeans, kidney beans and peas. These foods are rich in plant estrogens, which enhance your natural estrogen production. Estrogen is responsible for breast tissue growth. Plant estrogens are not the same as the synthetic estrogens used in hormone replacement therapies and have not been linked to breast cancer or other health concerns.
Step 3
Add fresh herbs to your daily diet through food or supplements. Fenugreek and wild yam have been touted as aids for breast growth by stimulating tissue growth. Saw palmetto helps increase digestion and distribute good fats from food to the breasts, while fennel increases milk production in young mothers, thus making the breasts appear larger.
Exercise
Step 1
Hold a 5 lb. weight in each hand while sitting in a straight-back chair. Allow your arms to hang at your sides with your back straight. Lift the weights outward until your arms are aligned with your shoulder line. Hold for the count of five and release, returning to the starting position. Do three sets of five repetitions daily.
Step 2
Perform pushups regularly to help build muscle in your chest. Lying on your stomach, place your palms flat with your elbows bent at shoulder level. Straighten your legs behind you or rest your knees on the floor with your back straight. Lift yourself up with your palms and hold for the count of three. Lower your body back to starting position, repeating the process for two to three sets of five repetitions.
Step 3
Lie on your back on a bench or low table. Hold a 5 lb. weight in each hand with your arms outstretched beside you, parallel with your shoulders. Slowly lift your weights up above you until your arms meet, keeping them straight. Return your arms to starting position and repeat for three sets of 10 reps each.
Foods
Step 1
Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains to prevent overproduction of testosterone, which inhibits natural breast growth. It is mainly found in small increments in the female body. Women who overproduce testosterone soon develop male attributes such as minimal breast tissue.
Step 2
Consume plant estrogens such as soybeans, kidney beans and peas. These foods are rich in plant estrogens, which enhance your natural estrogen production. Estrogen is responsible for breast tissue growth. Plant estrogens are not the same as the synthetic estrogens used in hormone replacement therapies and have not been linked to breast cancer or other health concerns.
Step 3
Add fresh herbs to your daily diet through food or supplements. Fenugreek and wild yam have been touted as aids for breast growth by stimulating tissue growth. Saw palmetto helps increase digestion and distribute good fats from food to the breasts, while fennel increases milk production in young mothers, thus making the breasts appear larger.
How to Burn Calories Without Exercise
Slim-Down Ideas
Splurging on a gym membership isn't the only way to weight loss. What you eat is obviously important, but how you eat can also help you reach your goal weight. Click through for nutrition tips that could help boost your metabolism. Try these pointers for yourself and you could drop 10 pounds—no sweat!
Rev Up Your Metabolism with...
Healthy Fats
Research has found that eating fat for breakfast turns on your fat-burning switch and helps your body use more calories all day long.
Try these foods in the A.M.:
2 eggs cooked in 1 Tbsp olive or canola oil
2 Tbsp peanut butter on whole-wheat toast
Sliced avocado on English muffin with 1 slice of cheese
Cold Water
One study showed that drinking two 8-oz glasses of water increased metabolism by 30%—and cold water boosted the burn a bit more.
Sip a glass of water (or unsweetened iced tea, which will also give you a shot of caffeine) with each meal. For added flavor—and vitamin C—drop sliced lemon into a pitcher of water and let it sit overnight in the fridge before drinking.
Whole Grains
Research shows that your body uses more calories digesting fresh foods, like whole grains, versus the processed stuff.
Transition to whole grains by following the "half" rule. In pasta dishes, start out by using half whole-grain and half white. Mix your regular cereal with ½ cup of the high-fiber variety (at least 3 g per serving).
Spices
Ginger and cinnamon raise your body temperature, so your metabolism speeds up slightly to cool it down.
Sprinkle 1 tsp grated ginger into oatmeal, smoothies and lemon-lime seltzer. Add a pinch of cinnamon to a bowl of butternut squash soup.
Splurging on a gym membership isn't the only way to weight loss. What you eat is obviously important, but how you eat can also help you reach your goal weight. Click through for nutrition tips that could help boost your metabolism. Try these pointers for yourself and you could drop 10 pounds—no sweat!
Rev Up Your Metabolism with...
Healthy Fats
Research has found that eating fat for breakfast turns on your fat-burning switch and helps your body use more calories all day long.
Try these foods in the A.M.:
2 eggs cooked in 1 Tbsp olive or canola oil
2 Tbsp peanut butter on whole-wheat toast
Sliced avocado on English muffin with 1 slice of cheese
Cold Water
One study showed that drinking two 8-oz glasses of water increased metabolism by 30%—and cold water boosted the burn a bit more.
Sip a glass of water (or unsweetened iced tea, which will also give you a shot of caffeine) with each meal. For added flavor—and vitamin C—drop sliced lemon into a pitcher of water and let it sit overnight in the fridge before drinking.
Whole Grains
Research shows that your body uses more calories digesting fresh foods, like whole grains, versus the processed stuff.
Transition to whole grains by following the "half" rule. In pasta dishes, start out by using half whole-grain and half white. Mix your regular cereal with ½ cup of the high-fiber variety (at least 3 g per serving).
Spices
Ginger and cinnamon raise your body temperature, so your metabolism speeds up slightly to cool it down.
Sprinkle 1 tsp grated ginger into oatmeal, smoothies and lemon-lime seltzer. Add a pinch of cinnamon to a bowl of butternut squash soup.
3 Common Detox Myths
Detox Myth 1: Certain liquid diets can push out toxins.
Nope. No fad diet can eliminate harmful invaders faster than your built-in clean-up crew (the liver, kidneys, and colon). "The best 'cleansing' strategy is a proper diet, regular exercise, and not smoking," says Stephen Dahmer, M.D.
Detox Myth 2: Drinking loads of water detoxes the body.
H2O hydrates the liver and kidneys and encourages toxins to leave the body via urination. However. . .guzzling excessively in the name of detoxing can be just plain dangerous. Symptoms of "water intoxication" include headache, fatigue, vomiting, and mental disorientation. "Drink nine eight-ounce glasses of water spaced throughout the day," says Connie Diekman, R.D.
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