Diet Diary - Diet Diary

Which Diet is Right For Me?

2010-02-12T09:06:00.001-08:00

There are so many diets and weight loss plans out there these days, how do you decide which one is best for you? The basic equation for weight loss is more calories out than calories in but there a variety of ways to get to that equation and not every method works perfectly for every person. Here we will discuss and explain the concepts behind a couple of popular diets in order to help you decide which weight loss method is best for you. A few tips to remember- the key to success on any weight loss program is choosing one you can stick to. Don't try to deprive yourself of any one food, especially one that you love to eat. At some point you will cave in and probably overindulge leaving you feeling guilty. Hopefully you will find the right program to help you reach your goals!

One of the most popular and longest followed weight loss plans is Weight Watchers. While exercise is encouraged, this plan is based primarily on the food you eat. Foods are assigned a point system and you are allotted a certain number of points per day, however by exercising you can earn more points. Weight Watchers encourages eating a balanced diet but leans towards low fat, low calorie, high-fiber foods which help to fill you up. Weight Watchers has been around for many years and its continued success is primarily due to the support system found in meeting groups and the leniency of dieters to have desserts and "bad" foods once in a while. Overall, this diet has good results in the long run because it does teach how to eat in the real world without depriving yourself.

Another diet that has found popularity over the last 7 years is the South Beach Diet. Created by Dr. Arthur Agatston, this diet is a three-phase plan with phase 1 lasting for two weeks, phase 2 until you reach your goal weight and phase 3 is lifetime maintenance plan. Dieters should incorporate light to moderate exercise such as walking and stretching several times throughout the week. During phase 1, dieters will cut out all processed carbohydrates, phase 2 will slowly add them back in and phase 3 will help you learn how to re-eat in moderation. This weight loss plan does allow for some flexibility in eating, which is important for a life changing plan.

The Biggest Loser Diet has gained quite a bit of popularity in the last few years due to the increasing number of show viewers. This diet focuses on a combination of calorie counting, varied foods and intense exercise. Dieters are asked to eat several small meals a day (within their calorie allotment) that follow the 4-3-2-1 pyramid-4 servings of fruits and veggies, 3 servings of lean protein, 2 servings of whole grain and 1 serving of healthy fats. This diet has been proven to work over and over on the show "The Biggest Loser" but it can be a stricter regiment to follow.

There are so many diets out there and all of them have worked for someone, somewhere at some point but you have to find the one that is right for you! If it's not a plan that you can see yourself sticking to in the long run the diet will fail so make sure you do your research before starting and you will find yourself to be a happier and healthier person in the long run. Happy weight loss!

The Intra-gastric Balloon: A Good Way to Combat Cholesterol

2010-02-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

With the obesity epidemic that grips us today, there is the need to find new solutions to this disease that has become a major public health concern.

One of the solutions that have been searched and which were publicized in the media is tummy fat reduction and actually reducing stomach capacity and thus to promote satiety. This is done with surgery for obesity, i.e an operation to remove part of the stomach. Another new option without surgery, is to place a balloon inside the stomach that produces a constant feeling of fullness, so that a person consumes less food and thus helps lose fat pounds quickly.

The deflated balloon is inserted through the mouth and guided through an endoscope into the stomach. Once there, the ball is filled with serum with a blue dye in an amount between 400 to 600 cc. that is trapped inside the balloon through a valve that prevents it being empty. The technique is performed as an outpatient procedure with mild sedation. The ball floats freely in the stomach and prevents the excessive intake of food. During the first weeks are very frequent nausea and vomiting because the patient does not adapt to adequate food to their new situation. It is recommended to be withdrawn within six months to prevent stomach acid weakens the walls of the ball and be able to deflate. The balloon is removed with tweezers by the same endoscopic procedure was placed.

Weight loss depends on the initial weight of the person, ranging from 10 to 20 kg on average at the end of 6 months. This sure beats fighting weight loss the hard way via solid exercise and strict diets to even manage to lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks. This is only effective if incorporated into a coordinated program of behavior modification, food and lifestyle. If the patient has not been able to understand these requirements, safely recover partially or totally lost kilos. In general, 30-50% of patients regain their lost weight within 6 months after removal of the ball. At the end of the day, if we are not an impediment to eat normally, it is usual that in the long term recover lost kilos. The difficulty of treating obesity is to lose weight in a few months, but the long-term maintenance. And in this, there is no guarantee that a treatment with a balloon for 6 months will do much long term. In any case, the indication of the placement of an intragastric balloon must be made by a qualified professional, an expert on obesity, which will evaluate the disease in its full context, the real prospects of success, attention to possible complications and subsequent follow-up after ball placement and withdrawal.

This technique is also not entirely free of complications, although uncommon, can be very serious, especially if the balloon is deflated and progresses into the intestine with the possibility of intestinal obstruction, which is a severe disease that requires urgent surgical intervention

Eat Right For Your Blood Type

2010-02-05T09:11:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder why that diet plan your friend swears by does nothing for you? Blame it on your genes! We are all characterized by the genes we carry, and the way we metabolize and utilize calories from different foods also differs from person to person. So how can you formulate a diet plan best suited to your body?

According to the blood type diet plan conceived by Dr Peter J D'Adamo, the simplest way to effective weight loss and better health is through your blood group. By eating food that is right for your blood group, you can ensure better health, more energy and less susceptibility to certain diseases.

Broadly, human beings have one of these blood groups - A, B, AB or O. The very same genes that determine your blood group also cause your digestive abilities to be different from those of other blood groups. The foods that you eat are essentially perceived as chemicals by your body. Depending on your blood type, your body may accept or reject the specific proteins in your food called lectins. If lectins that are incompatible with your blood type are consumed, they tend to aggregate in various organs of the body and cause damage to your digestion, immunity and ability to metabolize foods.

Type O stands for the 'oldest' blood group in the human lineage. Thus the digestive system of this blood group type bears the hallmarks and memories of ancient times. In terms of diet, people with O group blood need more proteins from poultry, lean meat and fish and fewer carbohydrates from cereals, breads and legumes. Iodine-rich foods from sea fish etc. are also good for O blood type. People with O blood group are more prone to insulin resistance and weight gain. This is often aggravated by the intake of corn and wheat. Legumes like kidney beans, lentils etc. can also hamper calorie utilization in this blood group and cause weight gain. Vigorous exercise is often good for people with this blood group.

Type A comes from our farmer ancestors. This group needs more of vegetables, soy protein, cereals and fruits like pineapples that improve the utilization of calories. This blood group is usually low in stomach acids. Foods that this group should avoid to prevent weight gain include meats and dairy foods and legumes like kidney beans. This group also needs mild regular exercise to stay in shape.

Type B individuals usually need a balanced diet that is low in fat and a mix of both animal and plant origin foods. They are more prone to insulin resistance and fluctuations of blood sugar levels. The type B group thrives best on dairy, lean meat, green vegetables, eggs, liver etc. Corn, wheat, lentils, peanuts or sesame seeds cause weight gain in this group. These carbohydrate rich foods can aggravate insulin resistance and worsen diabetes. Moderate exercise is often the best for the type B group.

Type AB is genetically the newest blood group. This group has good and bad effects of both A and B types. On one hand, they have lower levels of stomach acids, and on the other they have a tendency to secrete less insulin that causes lower blood sugar levels after a meal. Soy foods like tofu, green vegetables, fruits like pineapples and sea foods rich in iodine are good for this group. To lose weight, this group should avoid smoked and cured meat, wheat, kidney beans etc. Frequent and small meals are helpful for this group. Relaxing and calming exercises are also beneficial.

Although some scientists are skeptical about the blood type diet plan, Dr D' Adamo, physicians, naturopathic doctors and nutritionists staunchly stand by it - By eating right and sticking to a diet plan that suits your blood type, you will be able to steer clear of diseases and live longer, that too in good health!

The Nutritional Aspects of the Caveman Diet

2010-01-29T09:09:00.001-08:00

There is much written about how The Caveman Diet is a great way to lose weight. This is definitely true as it contains mostly low calorie food choices. The fewer calories you eat, the more weight you will drop. However, there are other benefits to The Caveman Diet that extend beyond the realm of losing weight. It can greatly improve your health.

No, such an assessment is not a stretch of the credibility of the diet. By following the food sources used by those that lived hundreds of thousands of years ago, you eliminate scores of problematic food choices that can seriously hinder your health and wellness. How so? Let's take a closer look.

Probably the most valuable component of The Caveman Diet is the fact that it completely excludes foods that are processed and contain scores of additives and foreign elements. These added items may have been developed with good intentions - namely, they improve the shelf life of the food items and improve the taste in some cases through flavorings and sweeteners, they also have the potential to pack on excess weight as well as tax the human body in a variety of ways. Do you really want extra stress placed on the kidneys and liver? More than likely, you do not. That is why The Caveman Diet is so helpful. It avoids a host of problems that processed foods can deliver.

Obesity is probably the most common reason behind a huge variety of adverse health conditions. Obesity leads to heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and many other problems that could be considered avoidable. Two of the most common food sources that lead to obesity are carbs and refined sugars. While all carbs are most definitely not eliminated in The Caveman Diet as fruits and vegetables are a staple of it, some of the fat producing carbs such as grains are removed from the equation. Grains include cereal, breads, and other items. Eliminating such foods reduced obesity potential significantly. And, of course, junk food containing refined sugars promoted obesity and spikes insulin levels. Removing them from the diet is most definitely advisable.

As much as we are loathe to admit it, a number of health problems people face in the modern era is a direct result of the diet we eat. In many instances, a number of serious health problems could be completely avoided provided with proper dietary choices. There is also a decided lack of nutrients to be found in the modern diet. With The Caveman Diet, there are many nutritional support components to the food choices. With these food choices, there is a tremendous source of omega-3 fatty acids which improve health in many ways. Then, the complete alphabet of vitamins is found in the food. Additionally, copper, iron, and zinc can be procured from these food sources as well. To say such items will aid in improving overall health would be an understatement. There really are no negative elements to this diet and it is completely health improving on a variety of ways.

Simple Diet Plan to Get Rid of Belly Fat

2010-01-22T09:06:00.000-08:00

There are plenty of diets out there that make food more complicated than it has to be. I'm all about keeping things simple, which is why I set out to find a diet that leaves me feeling full and still includes good food. What many people don't realize is that our diet plays a much larger role in weight loss than how much we exercise. It is a bit more complex than simply saying, eat less calories. Calories do have a lot to do with weight loss but just cutting back on them isn't enough to get rid of belly fat.

The reason we put on weight over the years is due to eating too much of the food that keeps us fat. This food includes items such as white bread, pasta, white rice, candy, baked goods, soda, refined sugar, and just about all processed foods. These items are what are often referred to as "bad carbs." The reason these carbohydrates cause weight gain is because when they are eaten in excess, whatever isn't burned is stored as fat in our bodies.

The problem is that these types of carbs are too easy to overeat. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are usually comprised of some type of carb whether it be bread, rice, or dessert. They are often served as side dishes or appetizers. People tend to gravitate to them because not only do they taste good, but they tend to be filling. This is why you may experience carb bloat after a meal or feel extremely sleepy.

A simple diet that makes weight loss relatively easy is the "clean eating diet" or "eating clean." Bodybuilders are well known for eating this way. They know eating processed foods can cause weight gain. Eating clean avoids all processed foods. Your diet would consist of lean meat, vegetables (fresh), fruit, nuts, and plenty of water. The common complaint about this method of eating is that it is too restrictive. However, I find it is only due to most people being so used to eating what they want. When those foods are cut out, any diet will seem restrictive.

Weight loss becomes fairly easy once you adopt this way of eating. Exercise is a plus and will help the shedding of extra weight much faster. Remember that how we eat determines about 80% of how much weight we lose. That is why it's important to get your eating habits down before you get too caught up in exercise.

A Smart Healthy Diet

2010-01-15T09:02:00.001-08:00

A smart, healthy diet is a diet that consists of eating a wide variety of foods. By eating a wide variety of foods, a person will have access to different vitamins and minerals needed by the body.

One important item of note is maintaining a healthy balance between calories taken in and calories expended.

The idea here is not to eat more food than what your body will actually use.

As always, the more active you are allows you to eat more and maintain a healthy balance of calories taken in and calories used.

There are some simple steps you can take towards a smart, healthy diet that does not mean giving up your favorite food. Keep your diet rich in fiber and nutrients, eat small portions, and limit the fast foods, high fats, high carbohydrates, sugar, and caffeine as these types have detrimental effects on the body.

However, there are just a few smart and basic guidelines to follow for a healthy diet:

· Eat plenty of fruits
· Eat plenty of vegetables
· Eat plenty of beans
· Eat plenty of whole grains
· Limit intake of sugary foods
· Cut down eating foods with animal fat
· Choose lean meats
· Choose poultry
· Use non-fat or low-fat dairy products
· Cut down trans fats (found in vegetable oils and processed foods)
· Eat more fish
· Eat more nuts
· Make sure you are getting enough calcium
· Make sure you get your minerals from foods over supplements (though occasionally you may need supplements since foods are highly processed and cooked and a loss of some vitamins and minerals occur which do not leave enough for the body to utilize)
· Maintain weight
· Drink alcohol in moderation
· Make sure to incorporate regular physical activity

The guideline is a gentle reminder for us all, that we can have a smart, healthy diet. Remember the key to a healthy mind, body and spirit, is living a lifestyle of nutrition, fitness and wellness.

Can a Vegetarian Go For a Diet Meal?

2010-01-08T08:51:00.000-08:00

As more people are becoming health conscious and setting better nutritional goals, some are choosing to become vegetarian. This may be a drastic change for some people and it can be very hard to go against the flow. Living a healthier life by being a vegetarian is not an option for many people, as they do not want to give up eating meat. Not everyone has the willpower to stay away from meat, especially if they have enjoyed eating it for several years. However, when a vegetarian decides to lose weight, they can do it even easier with a physician developed meal because this diet also caters to meatless diets.

Since vegetarians do not eat meat, they have to have another source of protein and amino acids. With a physician developed meal, the nutrients are already figured into the meal plan. They simply select their desired vegetarian meal plans. A complete list of vegetarian plans is readily available on the Internet. You do not need to look for another type of food, especially not junk food, to eat during a physician monitored diet plan. In addition, you never need to worry about trying to figure out what to eat since everything you need to be eating is in the foods your diet provides you. Stick with it and have fun dieting, even if you are a vegetarian.

With a physician-designed meal plan, vegetarians can substitute the meatless options for the protein portion as well as choosing from countless vegetables to eat. If you want to look at meatless options, the Internet provides lots of information about meatless protein alternatives in the form of a lean options list. Once you have skimmed through the food, you can write down which ones you would like to include in your diet. Afterwards, you can either buy the pre-made meals online or buy alternatives in the store so that you can start dieting. Change the meals every so often so that you do not get tired of eating the same thing repeatedly.

For the vegetarians who are conscious when it comes to eating carbohydrates, you can choose low carbohydrate vegetables in your physician developed diet. You can see this in the vegetable list in books or online. Vegetables are truly nature's gift to dieters because they help maintain the healthiness in each person. The more vegetables you eat, the better the chances for you to live a healthy life. However, you still have to consider eating vegetables in moderation so that a well-rounded diet is maintained. As they say, too much of anything can be bad.

As you can see, a physician controlled diet is not only for everyday people. It is also applicable to vegetarians. They too have the need to lose weight so this diet helps them reach their weight loss goals. There may not be too many changes in their lives since they are already not eating meat; still, they have to make sure that they follow the instructions of the meal plan. A little patience and determination is all you need to lose weight. Have faith and believe in yourself that you can finish this endeavor and prove to others that a vegetarian can accomplish the same weight loss achievements that meat-eaters can.

This may not be an easy road, but in the end you will be able to rejoice and reap the rewards of your sacrifice and hard work!

Liquid Diets - Do They Work?

2010-01-01T20:32:00.001-08:00

Liquid diets are easy, will work if adhered to, and cost no more than regular foods. That's the good news. The other side of the coin is that they stop working if you quit using the liquid supplements, you will still have cravings, and can be harmful if abused. The trick is to eliminate the bad side and focus on using the Liquid Diet to give you a jump-start in changing your eating habits.

Many manufacturers offer a diet supplement in liquid form that you can use to limit your calories and still get the nutrients and necessary vitamins and minerals. Used properly they can help you cut back on the number of calories you absorb from normal foods. If you include some portion control on meals you eat, add some basic calorie burning exercise, and slowly change your eating habits, Liquid Diets can be a great weight loss method.

Liquid Diets are often used in recovery from surgery or an illness that requires that the patient avoid normal food. These are usually temporary to allow the patient to slowly get back to normal foods and provide a short-term method to get the necessary nutrients while in recovery. Most if not all of these liquids are totally replacing normal foods rather than supplementing a normal diet.

And then there's the type of Liquid Diet that are designed to provide necessary nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are absent from foods consumed. You often see the commercials that compare these drinks to taking vitamins and minerals in tablet form. These are add on supplements and are not intended for meal replacement.

The key to finding the right supplemental drink is to consider two important factors. One is the contents, the other is how much normal food you eat in addition to the supplement. Many of the manufacturers have diet plans in addition to just their liquid supplements. These are the type of program that would be best for losing weight rather than the medical recovery or supplemental nutrient style products.

A good dietary replacement style liquid supplement will have fiber, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These ingredients should approximate a normal meal but with less calories. If you were on a 2100 calorie daily limit and you ate two normal meals of approximately 700 calories, you could have the liquid replacement that had 350 calories for the third meal and cut out 350 calories a day. Since it takes about 3500 calories to make a pound, you would lose about 2-3 pounds a month.

That's a good program for most people who want to lose 10-15 pounds in the next 5-6 months. The gotcha is that some liquid diets suggest a faster and more severe method, like skipping two meals and going for less than 1500 calories a day. This is too radical for most people and can cause some health issues. Most dietitians do not recommend going below 1800 calories a day for anyone on a regular basis.

Fasting for a limited time is fine for a healthy person as long as you don't over do it. If you are going to use a liquid supplement to aid in your fasting, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor. And if you take medication of any type, find out if this will impact the effectiveness or create issues if you fast. Before you start any weight loss program you need to be sure it will not have any health risks or side effects.

Liquid diets can be a great way to start losing weight but in the long run you will need to adjust your eating habits to keep from gaining any lost weight back. Don't get over ambitious, go for the long haul and use any supplement cautiously. Over doing it will only net you short term results and can even cause health problems.

Raw Vegetable Diet - What Are the Benefits?

2009-12-25T09:22:00.000-08:00

Doing an internet search of the word diet comes up with a remarkable two hundred and eighty five million different web pages. Obviously as humans we are concerned with not only how we look, but also our health and longevity. One diet that is making big headlines for its benefits is the raw vegetable diet.

The main health benefits to the diet are:

* Weight Loss - Since most foods consumed are low in calories you will experience a reduction in weight
* Lower Cholesterol - This helps in reducing your chance of getting heart disease, strokes and heart attacks
* Detoxification - Since most vegetables are high in fiber you will experience a detox because more of the garbage in your system will be pushed out.

You can take the raw vegetable diet two different ways. The extreme way is where you eat only fruits and vegetables. The other way is to cut out red meat and increase you consumption of both vegetables and fruit. As with starting any new eating program you should consult your doctor to make sure this is the right one for you. Some medications actually do not do good with this diet.

I recommend that if you are going to start this diet then you should start out slow. Add fruit and vegetables to your diet and slowly cut away the other stuff from your eating schedule. The longer it takes to add more vegetables and take away the other food, the easier it will be to transition to the raw vegetable diet.

Diet Paleolithic - The Caveman Diet

2009-12-24T09:24:00.000-08:00

The Paleolithic diet has become very popular in recent times as it takes a look at our great ancestors who maintained there strong physiques while staying healthy. The reason why the caveman diet works so well is that its so simple and there's only one thing to remember, Only eat foods that you can grow or kill , anything else is totally out and this means all processed foods, refined sugars are out ( you can always get your sugars from fruit)

The caveman in there day were very active and finding food was not always an easy task either by hunting wild animals or foraging for berries. The problem with todays lifestyle is that we are not active and we are no longer required to go out hunting for our foods and our food is brought to us in huge piles ready for our consumption.

The first step of Paleolithic diet plan is to avoid all man made food products and really step back to a simpler time when food actually tasted and looked like food. The next step is to maintain an active lifestyle this does not mean you have to spend hours on a cardio machine,

the best way is to get your heart pumping by doing 15-20 minutes of high intensity exercise 3-4 times a week. This will closely simulate the caveman lifestyle as a lot of time was spent tracking and then creeping up on prey followed by short spurts of high intensity exercise.

Another great way to enjoy the Paleolithic diet is to go around your local neighborhood and look for edible wild herbs and berries, always make sure you know what you are eating. I often find wild parsley around my neighborhood and I added to a lot of my caveman recipes.

Low Sodium Diet - Is it Just For People With High Blood Pressure?

2009-12-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

Most people would expect a low sodium diet would be for people with high blood pressure. Too much salt is a very bad thing for anyone no matter what your blood pressure. Salt is a necessary part of food, especially when it comes to taste.

A low sodium diet is just a way to limit the amount of salt you intake. You will lower your intake of salt to two grams of salt or less a day. That amounts to less than half of the typical person's diet. In my opinion this is an easy diet to follow because when cooking you have the ability to lower the amount of salt in most food. Just be mindful of what you are putting into the food.

Also you have to read labels when it comes to keeping your sodium low. Most Asian food is high in sodium so beware. If you want to lower your sodium there are many ways to do it. You can get rid of pre-cooked and fast foods. A lot of packaged or processed foods have a tremendous amount of salt. If you keep those foods out of your pantry you will be able to keep your sodium intake down.

Now even if you do not have problems now, consistent high sodium diets can lead to all sorts of problems. You can get high blood pressure, heart pressure, hypertension and even kidney stones. If you want to follow the low sodium diet all you have to do is be mindful of what you are consuming and you can follow the it.

Popular Quick Weight Loss Diets

2009-12-11T09:22:00.000-08:00

Research has proved that different kinds of foods are capable of changing the way the metabolism works within your body. We can easily manage our weight and control it by using different diets according to our needs. It has been never easy to understand why some foods should be eaten while some should be avoided. Now we can know all that by simply using different types of quick weight loss diets.

Today there are different types of diets one can choose from. Some of the more popular ones include eDiets, Medifast, Bistro M.D., Diet-to-go, Nutrisystem, Sonoma Diet, Glycemic Index Diets, Nutrisystem flex diets, Weight watchers, South Beach Diet, 5 Factor Diet, Sensa: The Sprinkle Diet, and the Diet Solution. Most of these quick weight loss diet packages can be easily procured online. They ship to you pre-packaged food that will act as a supplement to your diet intake and help you give your body the right kind of food for better results.

With the rise in craze for finding the right diet, there has been a surge in the options of such diets being available. Some have proven their point and have helped people to really shed pounds. These miracle diets are not hard to follow and with a little patience and perseverance, you are sure to find success. The basic point of all kinds of quick weight loss diets is detoxifying and cleansing your body to help you shed the unwanted fat away. Not only has such diets permitted people to lose their weight, it has also helped them to regain their lost health. With new vigor and beauty, such people are then able to win in life hands down!

The diet you choose to follow should be one that is permitted by your lifestyle and resources. Also some of such diet products might be costlier. Hence you should choose one that suits your budget. It is not the type of diet you choose that is important. Rather it is the way you follow rigorously the diet till the end. Things can get as hard and as simple as one chooses. There is no point in choosing quick weight loss diets if after all that effort you are going to have a ball and eat till merry. You need to carry on a healthy lifestyle even after the diet period is over.

Is HCG the Diet For You?

2009-12-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

It is sad but oh so true how society plays a high importance on the way we look and perceive ourselves. I think at one time or another we have all battled with weight issues and have often searched for the diet that really works. You can walk into your own health food store or pharmacy and purchase over the counter medications and they are considered to be relatively safe. People that are significantly overweight and have not been able to lose weight will often seek the medications that require a doctor's prescription. HCG is one of those medications in prescription form.

HCG stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin and is a hormone that is produced during pregnancy. It protects and nourishes the fetus by supplying calories to the placenta from obtaining the mother's stored fat reserves. HCG has been known to treat a medical condition known as hypogonadism which is very low testosterone levels in men and infertility in women. Essentially, HCG aids in removing stored fat and leaving lean muscle by forcing the body to get rid of fat through the body's natural elimination process.

Is this safe we ask ourselves and what are the chances that we will gain the weight back? Studies show that 95% of all dieters will regain their lost weight in 1-5 years.Wow, that's a high percentage! If I'm going to commit to a diet plan I want to know the all the facts and what are the chances of the weight returning.There are so many products on the market now for weight loss. How can we distinguish which one is right for us?Let's take a look at the pros and cons of the HCG diet and let you be the judge on a HCG weight loss diet!

Pros of the HCG Diet:

Rapid weight loss
Few hunger pains
Decreased appetite
Decreased sweet cravings
Increases metabolism
Redistributes fat
Burns fat & leaves muscle
Increased sex drive in men & women

Cons of the HCG Diet

Injected by needle(can get pill form)
Can only eat 500 calories per day
Food choices are limited
Restricted on types of soaps & shampoos you can use
Can be expensive
Pumping hormones into your body

There you have it, the pros and cons of the HCG Diet. After reading reviews and studies conducted I have not seen one in which a person has been on the diet and didn't have successful results. Every article I read the person had lost 20 + pounds and not one of them mentioned gaining the weight back. That's pretty incredible and unheard of in my humble opinion. So if you, like many people, are looking for that diet that really works, then this may be the one.

Does the Atkins Diet Really Work?

2009-11-27T20:07:00.000-08:00

Of all of the different diets that are out there, the Atkins diet is probably one that more people of heard of. There is one simple reason why they have heard of it, somebody that they know has probably been on it for a short period of time and has seen some amazing weight loss. Before you take your step into the Atkins world, however, it would be good for you to review why you are losing that weight in the first place.

The Atkins diet is a very restrictive way of eating, as it limits your carbohydrates to 20 grams or under per day in its initial phases. The body uses carbohydrates as fuel and whenever you restrict the supply of them, the body is going to look for fuel in other locations. The first place that it pulls it from is the fat stores that are in your body through a process that is known as ketosis. This is the same thing that diabetics go through, and that is often why they are so thin.

If you are looking for some short-term weight loss in order to look great for an upcoming event, the Atkins diet is ideal. You will generally lose about five pounds a week whenever you are in the most restrictive phase of the diet, and the majority of that weight loss will be fat. The problem is, however, that you are eventually going to go back to your old habits and gain the weight over again. So yes, the Atkins diet can help you lose weight but it is not something that should be considered long term.

Is a Raw Food Diet Good For You?

2009-11-20T20:07:00.000-08:00

There are a number of different reasons why people would eat a raw food diet. Some people go on a diet such as this in order to detoxify and to get rid of many of the poisons that are clogging up their system. It is also possible that you want to eat raw food in order to naturally cut back on the amount of calories that you are consuming. To be certain, it is an excellent thing to do. There may be another reason, however, why a raw food diet may be the best thing for you.

The body has an amazing ability to heal itself that is often seen whenever a severe injury or illness is overcome. Unfortunately, we often treat our body with such disrespect in the things that we eat and drink that we take away the natural ability of the body to do these things. By switching over to a raw food diet, you are actually giving your body the ability to take care of itself and many people that do this are amazed with the differences that they can feel and see.

The unfortunate thing is, it is difficult to eat a diet that is comprised 100% of raw fruits and vegetables. That is not any reason to throw in the towel, however, as a diet that is high in these type of items is also very beneficial for you. It is really the best of both worlds, giving you the opportunity to help your body to be the best it can be while at the same time, not being so strict on yourself that you give up out of frustration.

Hoodia Gordonii Plant - Treasure of African Bushmen of the San's Tribe

2009-11-13T20:07:00.000-08:00

There are just a few natural diet supplements out there and hoodia gordonii is one of them. Hoodia diet supplements attracted large numbers of consumers and dieters world-wide because of its promising results in reducing their weight.

For thousands of years the African Bushmen of the San Tribe used hoodia as a part of their daily lifestyle. Hoodia gordonii is a plant that grows in the Kalahari Desert, South Africa it is a succulent and leafless plant similar to a cactus. Bushmen eat a portion of the plant which stops their hunger during hunting trips or when they traverse long distances of lands in search for food or trade goods.

In the mid 90's the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) studied the plant and looked for any toxic chemicals present in it surprisingly they only found a non-toxic molecule called P57. This molecule is the one that have the abilities to naturally suppress you appetite with out any side effects. Hoodia gordonii belongs to a specie of plants and there are different varieties of it others are even toxic and it is the only one that contains P57.

The CSIR licensed the glycoside (molecule) to a pharmaceutical company name Phytopharm. Because loosing weight has always been a long and tiresome process (unless you go for a liposuction) these companies saw large amount profit within these plants. However the Bushmen of the San Tribe weren't given any credit. It was plain was piracy as some have said.

Thankfully, the Bushmen were able to receive a portion of the profit that both companies are making from hoodia gordonii. Not giving credit and compensation to the Bushmen for will lead to bio-piracy to avoid that Phytopharm is obliged to pay a certain amount of royalty to the Tribe and they are credited for their knowledge on the properties of the unique plant.

Dieters that want to shred their extra pounds away and are willing to be physically fit can now be at ease. With the help of hoodia diet supplements you can reach your weight loss goals in a shorter amount of time.

Free Hoodia Trial Offers - Getting Hoodia Supplements at No Cost Isn't a Real Thing

2009-11-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

The industry of hoodia is well known and with its growing popularity companies are competing with each other to come up with the best hoodia diet supplement around. To promote their products, they post their advertisements and make their own gimmicks, like giving out free samples of their products. But be cautious as these free schemes may not be true after all.

Trying out free products from these companies is also a good idea. Test out their product and see whether it works for you or not. In this way the company can be assured of future purchases from satisfied consumers however it is wise not to try these "Free Products" right away because they might not be free at the end.

Before taking their free product you must be sure that it contains pure and authentic hoodia gordonii because a majority of these kinds of products are fakes. Check the label of the product if there are any added ingredients like fillers or additives, if you are sensitive to one those then it is best to search for other products and don't forget to look for their C.I.T.E.S certificates and Independent Lab Test Results.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Certificates because this plant is scarce and endangered, companies need these documents to import and sell their hoodia products. To be assured that the products contain authentic hoodia gordonii random tests are being done by independent labs, they test for the products potency and authenticity if the company fails to present these tests then doesn't bother trying out their product.

Be careful if they offer free products but charge you if you accepted. They offer programs such as "autoship" where they automatically charge you with supplies of their products. This happens when you fail to cancel the membership during the trial period. Although this program is a good option if you want to have a steady amount of supply there have been reports that consumers have had their credit cards ruined because of it the either failed to cancel their membership or couldn't cancel it at all.

Be sure to read the company's 'terms and agreements' and make sure that the contacts that they provided are reachable, ask them questions on how to cancel your membership or if you will be automatically enrolled in it if you try the product. If they are unreachable and you were automatically enrolled in their program then charges will be placed on your card month after month and you can't even do anything about it or if they wont respond to your calls or emails then don't bother.

Every Other Day Diet Review - Does Every Other Day Diet Work?

2009-10-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

Does the Every Other Day Diet really work, and can it really help you lose weight successfully? This is exactly what Janis Hauser and Jon Benson, both formerly obese persons, have successfully managed to do without having to resort to surgery.

1. What is Every Other Day Diet?

They have documented their methods and meal plans into the EODD guide, which is retailed over the Internet as a fitness eBook. Both Janis and Jon have moved into the careers as fitness coaches and writers and their guide has definitely gained a lot more support over the past couple of months. It is mainly a nutritional plan that is meant to permanently burn fat forever.

2. How Does the Every Other Day Diet Work?

EODD takes care of the emotional aspects of weight and fat loss instead of only focusing on the exact foods consumed in a diet. It works on 3 different levels for users to lose levels of fats and weight from their body. The diet is generally simple to follow and gives the dieter to choose and customize their diet according to their own convenience. All the diet plans work successfully due to the similar nutritional content amongst each of them.

3. Can the Every Other Day Diet Really Help You?

Massive weight loss can only happen without continued dedication and effort, and definitely cannot happen overnight. There must also be a will to exercise and remain consistent, but most importantly patience is required because the body needs time to burn fat too. This PDF ebook guide is available for immediate usage, so users can start following the diet plans immediately after purchase and download.

Generally, EODD program utilizes caloric cycling to effectively stimulate fat loss. This constant caloric changing has been proven to be able to keep up body metabolism and keep the body burning fat more throughout the day.

Weight Loss Tea Diets

2009-10-23T20:07:00.000-07:00

Everyone and their mother knows that tea is good for you. Just think about when you were last ill. Did you say, "Hey honey, can you get me a cup of coffee?" No way! You said, "Hey honey, can you get me a cup of tea?" But only in the last ten years or so have scientists begun to turn their attention to the connection between drinking tea and losing weight. Turns out there are three incredible ingredients in tea that work synergistically to influence the metabolic and nervous systems to help take the weight off and keep it off.

Each one of these ingredients taken alone has a degree of efficiency in helping the body to shed pounds. But it's the combination - the mighty triumvirate I call "Tea3" - that gives tea its weight loss wallop. And remember, these three ingredients are found naturally in the Camellia sinensis plant, not manufactured in a chemical plant. Tea is truly a miracle of nature-what I consider to be the most perfect plant ever created. I can't help but get passionate when I speak about tea because I get so caught up in just how much nature can provide for us, if we only let it. And every day I get more and more excited about tea as one scientific study after another proves that my faith in Cami is justified, especially where tea and weight loss is concerned.

There is hard science behind the tea-weight loss connection that explains the synergy of the Tea powerful ingredients: caffeine, L-theanine, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The names may be tricky but the science isn't, and this chapter will explain what they are and how they work together to increase your metabolism, keep you feeling satiated, and give you more energy without setting your nerves on edge.

It's difficult to separate Tea's ingredients in terms of each one's influence on weight loss, since each has an effect on the other. But to help you understand how the overall process works, I'll give it a try in simple nonscientific terms, because I need things made simple for me to understand them and then incorporate them into my life. Let's start with caffeine.

Caffeine is a chemical found naturally in more than sixty species of plants, including coffee, tea, and cocoa. Mother Nature put caffeine in plants as a defense from insects consuming the leaves; caffeine is very bitter. Too much caffeine can be detrimental to your health, as you will find out in detail in chapter 10. However, caffeine is not all bad. It is a natural stimulant that has been shown to boost the process known as thermogenesis, or the generation of heat in the body. This process is at the center of weight loss; it is the way in which fat molecules are "burned." Thermal energy is divided into calories; the more energy that is expended, the more calories you will burn. Numerous studies have shown that caffeine increases energy expenditure.This is why you find caffeine in most of the over-the-counter diet supplements on supermarket and drugstore shelves today, many of which have extremely unhealthy side effects. In another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, this one in 1999, scientists studying the use of green tea extracts concluded that tea not only promoted thermogenesis, but that unlike caffeine alone, which arouses your nervous system and speeds up your heartbeat,the use of green tea extract was "not accompanied by an increase in heart rate."

To summarize these two studies, the consumption of tea will increase the burning of calories and promote weight loss without increasing your heart rate.

Having Difficulty With Portion Control? Switch to a Raw Diet and Lose Weight

2009-10-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

You might know that you eat too much food and still have a problem overeating. What is interesting is that generally people on raw diets lose so much weight due to the fact that they do not have this problem. We will dive deeper into the reasons below.

It Takes More Time to Eat Raw Food

Many people know that it takes around 20 minutes for the body to recognize that it is full. This is why most people who are trying to lose weight are reminded to slow down. Raw food can be very helpful for people who have a difficult time slowing down because it takes longer to eat and chew. This gives you time for your body to communicate that it has had enough.

The Lower Calorie Ratio in Raw Food

Raw foods generally have more water and fiber than its cooked counterpart since the cooking process can break down the fiber and remove water. This means that there is a higher ratio of calories in cooked food which in turn means if you eat raw food you feel fuller before over consuming calories.

Many high processed foods have much higher calorie to nutrient ratios. One theory is that eating calorie rich nutrient poor foods make you try to eat more, in order to get more nutrients.

Raw Foods Communicate Better with Your Body

Manufactured food is designed to push our evolutionary hot buttons when it comes to taste. The body is hardwired to crave sugary, salty and fatty foods. The processed food industry realizes this and bombards their foods with these tastes. Such signals can over ride the body's ability to sense fullness making you eat more.

By eating raw you can combat overeating by, having to slow down, taking in fewer calories and more nutrients, and being able to sense when your body is full. So go raw and naturally avoid overeating.

Working My Diet With Diets That Work

2009-10-09T20:06:00.000-07:00

While it's true that we live in a cynical world where vanity often supersedes personal responsibility, it's also true that our super-sized society is fighting a losing battle against obesity, diabetes, heart disease and fat. So where do we draw the line? We draw it from the inside out. Instead of focusing on the obvious "how we look," we focus on what we love; only this can allow us to remember exactly what it is that we have to live for. It is then that we devote ourselves to a healthy way of life using one of the diets that work. If all else has failed and even you are unsure at this point whether you can really lose the weight, don't worry, we're here for you. We will supply you with a minimum of ten diets that work, while you choose one and get ready to work it. We know that it's about so much more than talk, it's about change. It's about more than understanding that you are overweight, it's about knowing that you don't have to be. It's about committing to a change and no matter what...not giving up on your goal; not giving up on yourself. Most importantly, it's about believing that you're not alone and being able to find the support you need to get you through.

First let me say that I am of the general opinion that most diets actually do work...we just don't work them. However, since I am not an expert we chose to pose this question to someone who is and this is what we found. According to specialized personal trainer Keith Turner, who also offers training advice at LA Fitness in Universal City, CA, diets that work are those addressed as lifestyle changes and not fads. "I see so many people come into the gym, eager and ready but within 3 weeks they have lost all of the motivation," says Turner. Therefore in order to work your diet you must focus on diets that work by teaching you better habits that will last a lifetime.

Dieting can be boring. At first we are full steam ahead and then somewhere along the line (is anyone ever sure exactly where this point occurs) you feel cheated and lose sight of your mission. The main reason you feel cheated and dissatisfied is because you are. You have chosen a diet that only allows certain foods; ones you would not normally eat, nor ones you might enjoy for the rest of your life. You are just going along on a temporary ride that unfortunately will lead to a temporary fix. However, diets that work allow you to choose foods from an array of colors and origins making it impossible to not find foods you prefer. Studies have shown that this is important in a diet and crucial for long term success and weight loss.

This concept is what lies behind the success of Weight Watchers and the Sonoma diet, both proven time and again to make the "Diets That Work" list. By allowing a wide variety of foods, the individual doesn't feel dissatisfied and results have shown cheat times to be lessened on diets with this form of variety. Moreover, these individuals ultimately find healthy foods options which are then incorporated into their daily lives for long term success. So before you go off and get all "gung ho" on the latest fad diet, ask yourself if you really want to add another ten pounds to your physique once this diet fails you again. If you are ready for a new life and needing to make a change, start with our list of diets that work, choose one and we will help you work it

Health & Fitness - Diet For Burning Fat

2009-10-02T20:06:00.000-07:00

Following a diet plan which includes high protein and fiber helps a lot to burn the excess fat around your middle, because the body burns more calories in digesting protein than fat. Also cycling your diet between low carb and high carb is also of great help.

In this kind of diet one is allowed to have three meals in a day. Once in a week the dieter is allowed to eat whatever he likes but for one hour only. The concept of this diet is burn fat as the primary source of energy. Also altering between high carb and low carb helps in manipulating the glycogen metabolism and doesn't let the body to store fat.

Bad carbs causes fatigue and sleepiness after the meal, so it is suggested to include good carbs in our diet that include brown rice , corn, white and sweet potatoes, pasta, fruit, and whole white bread.
You should also include protein rich foods in your diet like eggs oat meal low fat dietary products, lean cuts meal.

Sample diet for high carb day
Breakfast: Whole grain toast with honey, yogurt and fruit salad
Lunch: Turkey breast along with sweet potato (baked), green salad along with low fat dressing
Dinner: Chicken breast, zucchini, whole grain pasta
Dessert: Fruits

Sample diet for low carb day
Breakfast: Omelet of egg white with salsa and cheddar cheese
Lunch: Avocado and tuna with raw and large vegetable salad
Dinner: stir or fry lean beef with peanut sauce and broccoli

Apart from following the above given sample diet plan people can consider the beneficial aspects of the following fat burning foods and can include them accordingly.

Eggs: Eggs are very high in protein and can burn that undesired belly fat. Eggs contain vitamin B12, a great supplement that breaks down fat cells. Eating too many eggs may increase the cholesterol level, so the best way is to omit the yolk and consume the protein rich egg white.

Beans: Beans are considered as very good source of protein, iron and fiber you have to be conscious selecting the type of beans in your diet. While kidney beans, white beans, lima beans and navy beans have nutritional value, baked or refried beans are totally discarded. Baked beans contain a lot of sugar and refried beans are loaded with saturated fat. While preparing beans, they are needed to be cooked thoroughly as some beans contain certain proteins that are not broken down by the digestive track.

Oatmeal: Oatmeal is not very good to taste but it has great nutritional qualities. It helps in lowering the blood cholesterol level. It contains soluble fibers which flushes out bad digestive acids from our system and helps lowering cholesterol level. It is better to eat the unsweetened and unflavored one, if needed honey can be added instead of sugar. It is also helpful n fighting heart disease and colon cancer.

Olive oil: olive oil is one of the good fats that burns fat and keep the cholesterol level down. It contains monounsaturated fat that is highly beneficial for our health.

Whole grains: One of the best ways to avoid the bad carb and give the necessary carbohydrates to the body is to consume whole grains, which are unprocessed and contains the necessary mineral and fiber for the body.

Tuna and salmon are also rich in protein and contains omega 3 fatty acid, the name fatty acid is deceptive and is actually is a good fat that the immune system.

Words I Never Want to Hear Again, Even If I Did Loose Ten Pounds in Ten Days

2009-09-25T20:06:00.000-07:00

I was hearing the doctor's words, but I couldn't believe she was speaking to me. There was no one else in the doctor's office, yet I still couldn't believe she was saying these words to me!

She was using words like, "living a low-carbohydrate life style," boarder line diabetes, exercising daily, no sugar, no pasta, no rice, no potatoes". Then she summarized what she had said by say, "Don't eat anything white! (meaning, nothing that turns to sugar)

Her last words were, "You are not overweight, you are boarder line and you can beat this."

As I walked slowly to my car, I was amazed at how "words" could change a person's life, within seconds. By the time I got to the car, I realized that I would not accept this illness. This illness would not be mine, and I would do whatever was necessary, to be health.

After researching the diet, (Google) I realized that the diet wasn't very popular in medical circles, I also realized that after 5 days on the diet, I was having, withdrawals from not having sugar, coffee and bread with butter (you know, the kind they bring you at the restaurant) in my diet.

I was a little weak at first, but I stayed on the diet and kept walking 30 to 60 minutes every day.

The thought of being addicted to sugar and coffee, upset me. I felt like I had the same problem as the drug addict, except my addiction was much easier to kick. It was horrible, headaches, craving for sugar, bread, and regular coffee, I couldn't believe how my body was acting.

After about the 6th or 7th day, I felt the rush of energy that was promised in the diet.

Only eating, meat, (mostly seafood) and salads, alone with a small amount of cheese, caused me to loose 10 pounds in 10 days.

The diet may be controversial, however, it woke me up to a whole new life. A life without refined sugar, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, and other foods that turn to sugar, once in the body. So to my doctor, I say thank you.

As for the controversy, I will make an effort to add certain items back to my diet, but never again those foods that could cause my doctor to use those "words" again.

Long-Term Diets For a Lifetime of Great Health

2009-09-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

Obesity increases the risk of a number of diseases, including cardiovascular disease; type 2 diabetes; osteoarthritis; postmenopausal breast cancer; and cancer of the uterus, colon, kidney,and esophagus. All of these often lead to premature disability and death. Fat is considered the new tobacco by The Heart and Stroke Foundation in Canada. They report that the number of overweight and obese people has risen by 60 percent since the 1970s and the number of deaths directly related to obesity has doubled in the last 15 years.

We have read statistics from other sources that say 30 percent of U.S. children are overweight, almost six times the number in the 1980s. Type 2 diabetes among children is at an all-time high.CNN doesn't remind us about the tragedy of approximately 2,000 people dying per day of heart disease, but we all hear about the latest shark attack. Something is wrong with this picture! Isn't it ironic that your chances of dying from heart disease are about one in two, and your chances of dying from a shark attack are about one in 300 million?

Most people attempt to get in shape for short-term, ego bound reasons. They want to lose weight so desperately they make statements like, "Even if it's gonna kill me!" And why? "Summer is four weeks away." "My fortieth birthday is coming up." "My best friend just lost 10 pounds." "I'm going on vacation." "It's my high school reunion this spring." "I just made a bet with my co-worker." "I just lost a bet with my co-worker."

Losing weight is still the number-one reason for most people to start a program and our "quick-fix" society is inundated by a plethora of products and supplements "guaranteed" to work fast. Sure, you might get some results, but statistics show that less than 5 percent of all dieters experience long-term success. Most of us know people who have thrown themselves into a Herculean workout and starvation diet to get into that small dress or suit.

Those intense efforts may bring immediate results-that's what makes them attractive-but they aren't maintainable.It's like cramming all night for the big exam. Sure, you might pass, but the knowledge is soon lost. Short-term, ego-driven goals do not lead to long-lasting habits or results. You need long-term, powerful reasons that will inspire a lifetime of great health.

The Secret to Hollywood's Hottest Diets

2009-09-11T20:05:00.000-07:00

Imagine having your body magnified 100 times on the silver screen with the camera adding another 10 pounds and you begin to understand the motivation behind why entertainers stay super slim. The truth is some celebrities do work really hard on keeping themselves slim. But some of the diets these celebrities use are not only weird, but also unhealthy. I will reveal to you the secrets behind hollywood's hottest diets.

Some of these diets require you to eat a cookie, drink lemon water with cayenne pepper (yuck!), or eat a fruity from South America. The common theme with them is: Rapid weight loss. Hollywood diets usually focus on foods high in protein and fat. There is usually a big promise of effortless weight loss but they fail to tell you the weight loss will be only water weight. You very well may lose weight, but you will probably end up starving yourself for weeks and before you know it, start eating the way you did before dieting and gain all that weight back plus some. In the long term these diets present all kinds of health problems.

You can look like or better than your favor celebrity through a well balanced diet program and exercise routine. You will be surprised how your body can transform from consistently staying on track with a diet program. This diet program will become a lifestyle change. Although exercise is a contributor to body change, your diet represents 80% of the transformation. By eating a well balanced diet you will lose actual fat as oppose to losing water weight from trying one of Hollywood's diets.