Monthly Archives: November 2011

Digestive Systems – Healthy Foods



Our digestive systems are easily affected by certain things that we would otherwise think to be unrelated to it. These include eating bad food or eating badly. Instead of getting the problem solved, we end up aggravation the situation in our digestive systems. But healthy food is more available than we can imagine. All we have to do is inform ourselves on the best among them. These foods, alongside a healthy routine will greatly improve our digestive systems.

The following foods should be given priority over others. The Rationale is in that they either contain higher quantities of nutrients than ordinary foods or that their function, in keeping our systems working, supersedes that performed by other foods. An example is low glycaemic carbohydrates. While these are carbs, they are not ordinary carbs. They contain so little fats in them that they pose no risk to your weight-loss programme.

When it comes to the digestive system, it is basically the same principle. Some foods are more useful than others. Some of these are listed below.

Whole-grain cereals: these include rice and wheat, barley and oats based noodles. A sprinkling of bran on hot cereals can go a long way in supplementing your fibre needs.

Fresh vegetables: almost all fresh vegetables are great. Besides being fibrous and therefore good for your digestive system, they boost many functions in other parts of your body. These include the brain, the heart, eyes, lungs, bones and skin. Cucumbers, peppers, radishes, scallions, peas, spinach, beets, asparagus and broccoli are among the best vegetables in your fight against constipation.

Fruits: avocados, papaya and watermelons are respected colon cleaners. But so are many other fruits. If you live in an area where you can get them straight from the garden, whatever is in season is good. If you can get a mix of many fruits, the better. Like the birds of the air who survive on fruits, you can fly a long way in your life with a consistent intake of fruits.

Proteins and meat: the best meat is white. Eggs aren’t bad if taken in moderation. Lean meats too are great. When you are up to a heavy task, meats can last long in your system before they are fully digested which means you won’t have to take the odd bite. Just make sure you keep off fatty meat.

With an improved diet, you can achieve perfect digestion. Concerning eating behaviour, as much as possible, desist from eating lots of sugary things especially processed sugars. Processed foods mostly lack the crucial component called fibre.

Besides low fibre intake, our lifestyles are sometimes such that we neglect to keep specific mealtimes. This means that we are always surprising our digestive systems with unexpected and sometimes unnecessary food. A system is structured in such a way that it operaqted on an established order of processes. When there is a distraction, it is very likely that it will be registered in discomforts of the stomach.

Take much water, about 8 glasses daily. Colon trouble doesn’t have to trouble you till eternity, it can be sorted out.

Healthy Unhealthy Foods



Because of some of the new diet fads some healthy foods have gained a bad reputation. Some diets put all carbohydrates on the naughty list while others ban fruits that have any fat content. There are outdated studies that “proved” certain foods unhealthy while new studies show they are good for you. So what are some of these healthy foods that have gained an unhealthy reputation?

Canned Vegetables have been rumored to contain less nutrients than their frozen or fresh counterparts. Most nutrition experts agree that canned, frozen, and fresh vegetables contain just about the same amount of vitamins and minerals. Some canned vegetables can be high in sodium but there are more and more low sodium choices out there. You can also rinse your canned vegetables before serving or cooking to remove the extra sodium. This is a great alternative when you have not had the chance to visit the store to buy the fresh vegetables.

Avocados are another food that has earned a bad reputation. This is mostly because of its relatively high fat content. The fact is that this fruit contains a high amount of monounsaturated fat that is good for your heart. Two tablespoons contain 4.5 grams of fat, 4 of which are unsaturated. It contains just 50 calories making it a superb alternative to mayonnaise on your sandwich or can be added to your salad for a wonderful taste boost and reduce the amount of dressing needed.

Pizza can be healthy? Yes! Homemade pizza, done right, can be good and good for you. Use a whole wheat crust drizzled with olive oil, hummus or red sauce. Add some veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, and broccoli. Finish it off with a low fat mozzarella cheese and some of your favorite herbs. Voila! Yummy and healthy. This is a great source for protein rich dairy, whole grains, and vegetables.

Potatoes are another forbidden food because of its high carbohydrate levels. They can actually be a great source of nutrients including vitamins C, B-6 and fiber if you eat the skin. These should be eaten in moderation, after all, there are potatoes that are nearly the size of a football! These should be shared and not consumed by just one person.

A healthy french fry alternative would be to cut the potato lengthwise into 8ths. Place on a cookie sheet and sprinkle garlic or your favorite herb over the tops. Cook until middle is soft and outside is a light golden brown.

These are a few of the foods that can be good for you if you prepare them properly and consume in moderation. Remember to always check the nutrition label before deeming a food healthy or unhealthy. If you are unsure if a food is right for you, you should consult your primary care physician. Never start a new diet or exercise program with out first speaking with your doctor.

Proteins For Vegetarians – List Of Protein-rich Foods



In a conventional diet protein is obtained from meat, fish, eggs, milk and dairy products such as cheese. These all contain complete proteins that contain all the essential amino acids that are needed for the human body. A vegetarian diet must derive protein from other sources.

Protein is found in many vegetable sources. Some of these vegetable proteins are complete in that they contain all the essential amino acids just like animal protein. Others are incomplete and must be combined together to produce a complete protein that the body can use.

Most plant foods contain some protein. A vegetarian who eats a wide variety of foods will consume sufficient protein in the course of day.

Nuts and seeds are an under appreciated source of protein. They can be added to a wide range of sweet and savoury vegetarian dishes.

Soya beans are source of complete protein and for that reason soya products are an important part of a vegetarian diet. Commercially manufactured soya based meat substitutes are now widely available in supermarkets. They come in variety of forms and are often made into pies, burgers, sausages and other ready prepared products that offer the busy vegetarian a convenience food.

Soya milk can be found in most chiller cabinets next to the cows’ milk. You will also find soya yogurts and soya cheeses. A more traditional soya product is tofu which has long been used in Chinese cooking.

Another meat substitute is mycoprotein which is made from a variety of fungus. Like soya protein it is sold in various forms that can be used in a range of recipes. You will also find it in ready made products often sold under the brand name “Quorn.”

Beans, peas and lentils, known collectively as pulse, make up one of the major sources of protein for a vegetarian. They are incomplete proteins and must be combined with other incomplete proteins, such as grains, or complete proteins, such as eggs or milk, to make a complete protein food. Usually this is done in one dish such as beans and rice or beans on toast, but this is not always necessary as the body can store protein and combine it later.