Friday, May 23, 2008

A Real Star Fruit

Great Taste, Good For Health
Nice to be eaten fresh, the Star Fruit is also delicious juiced or cooked. It can be added to salads or desserts and used as attractive garnishing.
Star Fruit is high in nutrients and has no adverse side effect even if consumed in large quantity. It is an excellent source of Vitamin C, which can help to ward off colds and flu. And with only 30 calories per fruit plus lots of fibre, Star Fruit is a great choice for anyone trying to lose weight. They are also very healthy - full of antioxidants as well as low fat and naturally cholesterol free.
Amount Per 100 gm Of Edible Portion.
Energy 24 Kcal
Water 92gm
Protein 0.70gm
Carbohydrates 5gm
Phosphorous 12mg
Iron 0.30mg
Sodium 6mg
Potassium 99mg
Carotenes 229µg
Retinol equivalents 50µg
Vitamin B1 0.07mg
Vitamin B2 0.07mg
Vitamin C 25.80mg
Niacin 1.10mg
Star Fruit can be eaten by anyone except chronic kidney patients undergoing dialysis process. The public does not have to worry about eating Star Fruit as its rich nutrients are good for the human body.
Safe To Eat
Reccent reports of a man who fell ill after eating a Star Fruit in China has caused adverse publicity and jeopardize the sales and export of Malaysian Star Fruit - although Malaysia has never exported its Star Fruit to China. Since Malaysia began exporting Star Fruit 45 years ago, with Europe being the biggest importer of the fruit, there has never been any report of health risks due to comsumption of Star Fruit. This is because although studies have shown the Star Fruit contains oxalate acid, it has no adverse effect unless the person eating it has a chronic kidney ailment.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Healthy Choices at Fast Food Restaurants

When you think of fast food, big chains such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut or Kentucky Fried Chicken usually come to mind. But healthy eating guidelines apply to a wide variety of eateries, including “fast casual” chains with full service, mall food courts, and buffet or cafeteria style restaurants. Whether you eat in or take out; choose your own food at a buffet or wait in line to order; you can learn to make healthy food choices. If you are eating out, fast food restaurants are often the cheapest option, but unfortunately, not usually a healthy one. Eating just one fast food meal can pack enough calories, sodium and fat for an entire day, but the quick-and-cheap temptation can be hard to resist.
The good news is that many chain restaurants are adding healthier menu options. Read on to learn how to make smart choices and maintain your healthy diet goals when eating out!
Top tips for healthy eating at fast food restaurants:
Following a few simple rules when you are eating out will make it possible to maintain your nutritious diet, even when you are away from home or on the road.
1. Look before you leap - Most fast food restaurants and restaurant chains post nutritional information about their food offerings on their web sites – check them out. If you decide what you can and should order before you arrive, it will make it easier to avoid the less nutritious, higher calorie options.
2. Eat mindfully - Mindful eating means paying attention to what you eat, savoring each bite, and choosing foods that are both nourishing and enjoyable. Being mindful about food also means eating until you are not quite full, but not one bite more—things that are hard to do if your attention is elsewhere. Mindful eating relaxes you so you digest better, slows down the pleasure and makes you feel more satisfied.
3. “Undress” your food - When choosing, be aware of highly caloric additions such as salad dressings, cheese, sour cream, etc. Sometimes, making your choice healthier is as simple as removing the condiments. For example, ask for a grilled chicken sandwich without the mayonnaise.
4. Avoid buffets – All-you-can-eat buffets – even seemingly healthy ones like salad bars -0promote overeating. If the temptation isn't in front of you, you are less likely to overindulge.
5. Make careful menu selections – Many restaurants indicate healthy choices on their menus; fast food restaurants now offer a wider range of healthy choices and most will provide nutritional information on all of their offerings by request.
6. Don't be afraid to special order – Most restaurants have plenty of things that are good for you, but they are served in heavy sauces. Ask for your vegetables and main dishes to be served without the sauces. Ask if things are fried or cooked in oil or butter – if they are, see if you can order them in a more healthy way.
7. Watch portion size – At a typical restaurant, a single serving provides enough calories for at least two meals. If you can't order a smaller portion, it is a good rule of thumb to leave at least one-third to one-half of the meal on your plate. Or, separate your meal before you start eating so that you create a distinction between what you are going to eat in the restaurant and what you want to take home. Ordering something that will reheat easily will provide you with a delicious lunch or dinner the next day. At fast food chains, avoid combo meals – they often have larger portions and extra calories.
8. Share – Sharing entrees, appetizers and desserts with dining partners is a great idea. It allows you to sample something that you really want to have while also helping you avoid the temptation to overindulge. It is still important to make good menu choices, but sharing might make dessert (or something else indulgent) more of an option.
9. Order sauce and dressing on the side – If you ask for sauces and dressings on the side, you can control the amount that you eat. Often you can use less than is normally used and still enjoy the same taste.
10. Remember the big picture – Think of eating out in the context of your whole diet. If it is a special occasion, or you know you want to order your favorite meal at a nice restaurant, cut back on your earlier meals that day. Moderation is always key, but planning ahead can help you relax and enjoy your dining out experience without sacrificing good nutrition or diet control.
Source: helpguide

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Calcium For Health

As we grow older, osteoporosis becomes a major concern. Having brittle and fragile bones mean that even a simple fall can potentially be fatal or lead to other complications. Sufficient calcium in your daily diet is important, as it helps prevent bones from becoming weaker and brittle later in life. Unless you are consciously including enough milk, which means three glasses or more, or other dairy products daily, you can never be sure that you have fulfilled your ideal daily calcium intake requirement. In fact, studies have pointed out that, generally, there is a lack of calcium intake among Malaysians' diet. One Way of fulfilling your daily calcium intake is through calcium supplements. When it comes to the question of whether tablet or liquid is better absorbed by the body, bear in mind that the human body needs to absorb and utilize the calcium that you ingest, either from food or supplements. In this case, liquid calcium supplements dissolve well, as these are broken down before reaching the stomach. This means that the calcium is more readily available when it reaches the small intestine for absorption. On the other hand, a hard solid tablet that does not disintegrate properly might possible pass the absorption site of the small intestine. This limits the absorption of the calcium. Calcium plays an important role in our health, particularly as we grow older. Therefore, it is prudent to start ensuring that you get enough calcium at a young age to avoid complications associated with weak and brittle bones.

Approximate calcium content in common food

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

How to Choose Healthy Food

Choosing healthy food is simple if you just remember a few guidelines. First, select fresh, unprocessed whole foods. This includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, raw nuts and seeds, and fresh sprouts. Raw, unprocessed foods are live foods. They contain the greatest amount of vitamins, minerals and enzymes and provide the body with the greatest amount of nutrition. Select animal foods-eggs, poultry and meat-that are free range, grass fed and hormone and antibiotic free. Choose fish with the lowest amount of mercury contamination.

Choose organic foods over commercially produced food if possible. Organic foods are the purest and healthiest foods. They are not contaminated with pesticides. They generally have a higher nutritional content. What's more, they are not irradiated or genetically engineered.

Organic foods are often referred to as natural foods, but "natural" does not mean it is organic. There is no official definition for "natural" food, so food producers and manufacturers may call anything natural, even if there is nothing natural about it.

When you buy packaged food, it is important to always read the label. Even though the package may say "healthy," "all natural," "low fat" or any other statements implying that the product is healthy, it may still be unhealthy and contain harmful ingredients. The only way you will know for sure is if you read the list of ingredients. The Nutrition Facts on the label tells you how much protein, carbohydrate, sugars, fats and calories are in the product. It doesn't tell you anything about the chemical additives in the product that cause serious illness or adverse reactions, such as aspartame, BHA, BHT, FD&C colors, MSG, BVO, nitrites and nitrates, Olean or Olestra, and sulfites to name just a few.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Water Therapy

DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH
It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:
Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.
METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours � ie you can drink straight after a meal (within the first 15 minutes) but not for 2 hours after that.
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day. 6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life. The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/ reduce main diseases: 1. High Blood Pressure - 30 days
2. Gastric - 10 days
3. Diabetes - 30 days
4. Constipation - 10 days
5. Cancer - 180 days6. TB - 90 days
7. Arthritic patients should follow the above treatment for only 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards - daily.
This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times. It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life. Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active. This makes sense … the Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals ..not cold water. maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain… For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this “sludge” reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal. A serious note about heart attacks: Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let’s be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive… A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to everyone they know, you can be sure that we’ll save at least one life. **Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about. I just did!!!**

Thursday, April 10, 2008

25 Reason’s to Drink Green Tea

25 Reasons to Start Drinking Green Tea Now !
Green tea has increasingly become a very popular drink worldwide because of its immensely powerful health benefits. It is extraordinarily amazing what green tea can do for your health. And if you’re not drinking 3 to 4 cups of green tea today, you’re definitely NOT doing your health a big favor.
Here Are The 25 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea Right Now:
1. Green Tea and Cancer Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant in green tea is 100 times more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E. This helps your body at protecting cells from damage believed to be linked to cancer.
2. Green Tea and Heart Disease Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering the level of cholesterol. Even after the heart attack, it prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.
3. Green Tea and Anti-Aging Green tea contains antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight against free radicals. What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.
4. Green Tea and Weight Loss Green tea helps with your body weight loss. Green tea burns fat and boosts your metabolism rate naturally. It can help you burn up to 70 calories in just one day. That translates to 7 pounds in one year.
5. Green Tea and Skin Antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, which cause wrinkling and skin aging. Green tea also helps fight against skin cancer.
6. Green Tea and Arthritis Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea has benefit for your health as it protects the cartilage by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.
7. Green Tea and Bones The very key to this is high fluoride content found in green tea. It helps keep your bones strong. If you drink green tea every day, this will help you preserve your bone density.
8. Green Tea and Cholesterol Green tea can help lower cholesterol level. It also improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, by reducing bad cholesterol level.
9. Green Tea and Obesity Green tea prevents obesity by stopping the movement of glucose in fat cells. If you are on a healthy diet, exercise regularly and drink green tea, it is unlikely you’ll be obese.
10. Green Tea and Diabetes Green tea improves lipid and glucose metabolisms, prevents sharp increases in blood sugar level, and balances your metabolism rate.
11. Green Tea and Alzheimer’s Green tea helps boost your memory. And although there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, it helps slow the process of reduced acetylcholine in the brain, which leads to Alzheimer’s.
12. Green Tea and Parkinson’s Antioxidants in green tea helps prevent against cell damage in the brain, which could cause Parkinson’s. People drinking green tea also are less likely to progress with Parkinson’s.
13. Green Tea and Liver Disease Green tea helps prevent transplant failure in people with liver failure. Researches showed that green tea destroys harmful free radicals in fatty livers.
14. Green Tea and High Blood Pressure Green tea helps prevent high blood pressure. Drinking green tea helps keep your blood pressure down by repressing angiotensin, which leads to high blood pressure.
15. Green Tea and Food Poisoning Catechin found in green tea can kill bacteria which causes food poisoning and kills the toxins produced by those bacteria.
16. Green Tea and Blood Sugar Blood sugar tends to increase with age, but polyphenols and polysaccharides in green tea help lower your blood sugar level.
17. Green Tea and Immunity Polyphenols and flavenoids found in green tea help boost your immune system, making your health stronger in fighting against infections.
18. Green Tea and Cold and Flu Green tea prevents you from getting a cold or flu. Vitamin C in green tea helps you treat the flu and the common cold.
19. Green Tea and Asthma Theophylline in green tea relaxes the muscles which support the bronchial tubes, reducing the severity of asthma.
20. Green Tea and Ear Infection Green tea helps with ear infection problem. For natural ear cleaning, soak a cutton ball in green tea and clean the infected ear.
21. Green Tea and Herpes Green tea increases the effectiveness of topical interferon treatment of herpes. First green tea compress is applied, and then let the skin dry before the interferon treatment.
22. Green Tea and Tooth Decay Green tea destroys bacteria and viruses that cause many dental diseases. It also slows the growth of bacteria which leads to bad breath.
23. Green Tea and Stress L-theanine, which is a kind of amino acids in green tea, can help relieve stress and anxiety
24. Green Tea and Allergies EGCG found in green tea relieves allergies. So, if you have allergies, you should really consider drinking green tea.
25. Green Tea and HIV Scientists in Japan have found that EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) in green tea can stop HIV from binding to healthy immune cells. What this means is that green tea can help stop the HIV virus from spreading. Now, your health is in your hands. You know you’re smart. So, start drinking three to four cups of green tea every day for a drug-free and healthier YOU!

Dried Plums (Prunes)

Dried Plums (prunes) - Perfect for Eating Healthy Nutritious Food Eating healthy nutritious food doesn't have to be inconvenient. Nature has made "fast food" easy for us all. Here's one option:(** nutritional info and write-up on the prune offered by http://www.whfoods.org/ **)PRUNESSweet with a deep taste and a sticky chewy texture, prunes are not only fun to eat but they are also highly nutritious. As with other dried fruits, they are available year round.Prunes are actually the dried version of European plums and recently had its name officially changed to dried plum.Prunes are a good source of potassium, providing 9.0% of the daily value for this mineral in a quarter-cup. Potassium is an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Since a quarter cup of prunes contains a whopping 316.6 mg of potassium and only 1.7 mg of sodium, those diced dried prunes on top of your breakfast cereal may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).Prunes are widely known as a good source of dietary fiber, a reputation that was confirmed in our ranking system in which prunes were found to supply 12.1% of the daily value for fiber in just a quarter-cup.Prunes' soluble fiber helps normalize blood sugar levels by slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach and by delaying the absorption of glucose (the form in which sugar is transported in the blood) following a meal. Soluble fiber also increases insulin sensitivity and can therefore play a helpful role in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. And, prunes' soluble fiber promotes a sense of satisfied fullness after a meal by slowing the rate at which food leaves the stomach, so prunes can also help prevent overeating and weight gain.Dried plums come in different flavors now...like "Cherry, Lemon, or Orange Essence". This makes them yummier to kids than the traditional prune.Give a prune a chance! And if you or your children are struggling to get your 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day (as are most of us), THE FEAST from Uri International provides the nutritional equivalent of 4 servings of fruits and veggies in one 4 oz drink. This whole food juice powder contains 30 different fruits and berries, and 30 different greens and veggies and has a natural mixed berry flavor.
Source: nutricious

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

10 Tips to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity For You

1) Start your day with breakfast.
Breakfast fills your "empty tank" to get you going after a long night without food. And it can help you do better in school. Easy to prepare breakfasts include cold cereal with fruit and low-fat milk, whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, yogurt with fruit, whole-grain waffles or even last night's pizza!
2) Get Moving!
It's easy to fit physical activities into your daily routine. Walk, bike or jog to see friends. Take a 10-minute activity break every hour while you read, do homework or watch TV. Climb stairs instead of taking an escalator or elevator. Try to do these things for a total of 30 minutes every day.
3) Snack Smart.
Snacks are a great way to refuel. Choose snacks from different food groups—a glass of low-fat milk and a few graham crackers, an apple or celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins, or some dry cereal. If you eat smart at other meals, cookies, chips and candy are OK for occasional snacking.
4) Work up a sweat.
Vigorous work-outs—when you're breathing hard and sweating—help your heart pump better, give you more energy and help you look and feel your best. Start with a warm-up that stretches your muscles. Include 20 minutes of aerobic activity, such as running, jogging or dancing. Follow-up with activities that help make you stronger such as push-ups or lifting weights. Then cool-down with more stretching and deep breathing.
5) Balance your food choices—don't eat too much of one thing.
You don't have to give up foods like hamburgers, french fries and ice cream to eat health fully. You just have to be smart about how often and how much of them you eat. Your body needs nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, fat and many different vitamins and minerals such as vitamins C and A, iron and calcium from a variety of foods. Balancing food choices from the Food Guide Pyramid and checking out the Nutrition Facts Panel on food labels will help you to get all these nutrients.
6) Get fit with friends or family.
Being active is much more fun with friends or family. Encourage others to join you and plan one special physical activity event, like a bike ride or hiking, with a group each week.
7) Eat more grains, fruits and vegetables.
These foods give you carbohydrates for energy, plus vitamins, minerals and fiber. Besides, they taste good! Try breads such as whole-wheat, bagels and pita. Spaghetti and oatmeal are also in the grain group. Bananas, strawberries and melons are some great tasting fruits. Try vegetables raw, on a sandwich or in a salad.
8) Join in physical activities at school.
Whether you take a physical education class or do other physical activities at school, such as intramural sports, structured activities are a sure way to feel good, look good and stay physically fit.
9) Foods aren't good or bad.
A healthy eating style is like a puzzle with many parts. Each part—or food—is different. Some foods may have more fat, sugar or salt while others may have more vitamins or fiber. There is a place for all these foods. What makes a diet good or bad is how foods fit together. Balancing your choices is important. Fit in a higher-fat food, like pepperoni pizza, at dinner by choosing lower-fat foods at other meals. And don't forget about moderation. If two pieces of pizza fill you up, don't eat a third.
10)Make healthy eating and physical activities fun!
Take advantage of physical activities you and your friends enjoy doing together and eat the foods you like. Be adventurous—try new sports, games and other activities as well as new foods. You'll grow stronger, play longer, and look and feel better! Set realistic goals—don't try changing too much at once.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

About bananas

A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression “going bananas” is from the effects of bananas on the brain. Never, put your banana in the refrigerator!!! This is interesting. After reading this, you’ll never look at a banana in the same way again. Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber.A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one f ruit with the world’s leading athletes.But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit.?It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet. Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and gene rally make you feel happier.?
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.? Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia. Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke. Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school (England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert. Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives. Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief. Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect ! bite cre am, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.? Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoo thness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach. Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):?Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan. Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal. Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to ! the brai n and regulates your body’s water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%! Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape. So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!” PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe…polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit?!!!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Eggs Are Great Source of Nutrients

Balancing nutritional needs with acceptable calorie levels can be challenging. For cancer patients, as nutritional requirements often are increased, maintaining adequate nutrient levels also can be difficult. Eating a variety of nutrient-dense food is excellent advice for everyone. Near the top of the nutrient-dense food list are whole eggs. Because eggs contain a balanced source of amino acids (building blocks of proteins), they are considered the gold standard by which all protein foods are measured. Food packs protein One large egg packs 6.25 grams of protein, 75 calories and 13 essential vitamins and minerals. Most of the protein is contained in the egg white, while vitamins, minerals, fats, carotenoids (orange/red/yellow pigments) and cholesterol are contained in the yolk. One large egg contains about 213 milligrams of cholesterol, but the American Heart Association no longer restricts the number of eggs a person can eat, as long as that person's total cholesterol is kept to 300 milligrams per day. Years of cholesterol feeding studies show that dietary cholesterol has only a minimal effect, if any, on blood cholesterol levels. Eggs are convenient to keep on hand: Enjoy a satisfying scrambled egg, omelet or frittata (an Italian omelet with diced vegetables and meats) in less than 15 minutes Mix eggs with other ingredients from all groups on the Food Guide Pyramid to make a versatile, complete meal Combine eggs with leftover vegetables, pasta or chicken for creative meals that are easy, inexpensive and nutritious Eliminate risk of food-borne illness: Wash hands before and after handling raw eggs Separate raw eggs from other foods, especially those that will not be further cooked Store eggs in the carton in the coldest part of the refrigerator Cook eggs and egg dishes thoroughly; recipes containing eggs should be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit Source : health.yahoo

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Nutritious Food

Fruits and vegetables contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy body. Whole fruits and veggies are less expensive and much more enjoyable than vitamin supplements and pills. Many people take vitamins to be healthier, but by eating the right foods (namely fruits and vegetables), vitamins become unnecessary. Doctors and researchers believe that anti-oxidants naturally found in fruits and vegetables can help prevent some types of cancer. By taking vitamins as opposed to eating produce, you miss out on fiber and phytochemicals that protect the body from disease.
Source : cdcg

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

7 Don’ts After a Meal

7 Don’ts After a Meal, * Don’t smoke- Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after a meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher). *Don’t eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause your stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruit 1-2 hrs after meals or 1 hr before meal. * Don’t drink tea - because tea leaves contain a high content of acid. This substance will cause the protein content in the food we consume to harden, thus difficult to digest. Coffee is OK though. * Don’t loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestines to be twisted & blocked. * Don’t bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & other extremities, thus the amount of blood around the stomach will decrease. This will weaken the digestive system. * Don’t walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will result in the digestive system being unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we take. * Don’t sleep immediately - The food we take will not bedigested properly. This will lead to gastric problems & infection in our intestines.