Archive for the ‘Weight Loss Diets’ Category
Apple Cider Vinegar Diet
Thursday, November 22nd, 2007 Most people think that the apple cider vinegar diet is a new diet, but it is old, just now returning to popularity.
Vinegar has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Apple Cider Vinegar has been used for many years as a health tonic.
Even Hippocrates had praised Apple Cider Vinegar diet for its unique medicinal values. For ages, it is being used as remedy for many diseases.
Apple Cider Vinegar( ACV ) is a tonic made by fermenting the juice of an apple. The apple is crushed, and the apple juice is squeezed out. The fermentation process occurs when yeast and sugar are added to the apple juice. A second process involves adding certain bacteria’s to the juice which will then form an acetic acid. This acetic acid along with apple pectin forms the core of the finished product- Apple Cider Vinegar.
The Apple Cider Vinegar diet does not prescribe a menu or meal plan. It is recommended that you should take three teaspoons of apple vinegar before each meal. You may face some difficulty to swallow three teaspoons down initially, but a practice of few days can make you habitual of it.
Vinegar helps to create a feeling of satiation. After ingestion of 2 tablespoons of vinegar followed by a carbohydrate-rich meal, the sense of fullness more than double.
It is a very safe supplement, with no known side effects.
The reason that Apple Cider Vinegar diet would work is that you are eat moderate portions, watch the nutritional composition of the food you eat, and get exercise. Just doing those alone is often enough to stimulate your body to maintain a healthy weight.
Because of it high potassium content, it is best to consult with a health care professional before taking Apple Cider Vinegar.
It is believed that inclusion of Apple Cider Vinegar in your diet can prevent numerous diseases and ill effects.
Apple Cider Vinegar is believed to help in conditions like, nasal congestion, chest congestion, sore throat, stiff joints, headaches, cataract, depression and more other
Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Diet:
- Cholesterol Control – Increased levels of cholesterol is considered as the main reason behind heart attacks. Apple Pectin present in the Apple Cider Vinegar is basically a water soluble dietary fiber which absorbs the fats and cholesterol and then excretes it outside thus helps reducing its level.
- Diabetes – Apple Pectin present in the Apple Cider Vinegar, the dietary fiber also helps in absorption of glucose, thus reducing extra amount of glucose.
- Diarrhea – Apple Cider Vinegar diet can offer a way for the body to get rid of harmful ingested compounds. The pectin in apple cider vinegar plays very important role to calm down the pain. As, the intestinal enzyme secretion transforms pectin into a kind of protective coating which pacifies the irritated inner lining of the colon.
- Metabolism – Apple Cider Vinegar is used in assisting liver to detoxify the toxins and in helping in the digestion of rich, fatty foods, and for proper metabolizing of proteins, fats and minerals into the required byproducts.
- Fatigue – Amino acids present in the apple cider vinegar interact with lactic acid and break them down. Moreover, potassium present in ACV helps to regain more energy and vitality.
Persons under the care of a physicians, pregnant and breast-feeding mothers, those suffering from high or low blood pressure, cardiac problems, diabetes, thyroid problems, children and the elderly, should contact their physician before starting this or any other weight-loss program.
Today apple cider vinegar tablets available on the market. There have been no clinical studies that have backed up that apple cider vinegar tablets or supplements will help to promote weight loss or the burning of fat.
Popularity: 9%
Liquid Diet
Thursday, November 22nd, 2007A liquid diet(Juice Fast) incorporates either partial meal replacement. Most liquid diets may not be suitable for long-term or excessive weight loss (generally only fluid is lost – not fat).
A liquid diet consists of juices replacing every meal. Nutritionally this will provide virtually no protein or fat, and few calories. Vegetable and fruit juices will be rich in vitamins and minerals.
A Juice Fast should not be used as a weight loss technique. It is better to eat the fruit and vegetables. It may be beneficial to include vegetable and fruit juices in your diet – but not as a complete replacement of solid food. Many people use a tonic or juice supplement in their diet to provide essential vitamins and minerals.
Meal Replacement Products are a general term describing products that have a full range of nutrients in them. Most of these are in powder form and when mixed with water or milk provide a liquid-based meal.
Most physicians do not recommend a liquid diet unless an individual is to undergo certain procedures: colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. A clear liquid diet serves many functions: It can flush the bowels while decreasing strain on the digestive system.
Coffee, tea, juices, sports drinks are allowed. Before beginning this type of liquid diet, a physician will provide a detailed fact sheet on how to proceed and for how long. Individuals who undergo may be required to follow a fluid-only diet for up to ten days following the procedure.
In some cases, extreme obesity is treated with an all-liquid diet. This can be successful initially, but must be monitored by a physician for any negative side-effects.
A liquid diet may not provide the needed nutrients to maintain adequate energy levels in most individuals and short-term weight loss can be achieved, but when liquids such as protein shakes are eventually eliminated from the diet, pounds tend to be regained. Those who embark on a juice fast may find it less than satisfactory.
The replacement of food with fluids, simply will not be practical in the long term for those who need to lose only a minimal amount of weight.
Some individuals believe that fluids will cleanse the system of impurities, including those that have built up in the liver. These beliefs are generally refuted, with the caveat that the elimination of most processed foods is always beneficial. Nutrition and resistance to disease will suffer in the effort to achieve a more defined physique. Incorporating a liquid meal replacement can be an acceptable way to reduce a limited amount of weight, but should be used in conjunction with regular meals.
Popularity: 5%
Medifast Diet
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007Medifast is a portion-controlled, low-calorie weight loss program that helps you lose weight faster using meal replacements and real food – in the region of 2-5 pounds per week. That diet is more effectively than traditional diets. Medifast 5 & 1 Plan helps your body burn fat and lose weight quickly.
Medifast 5 and 1 is for both men and women. The difference is that for men, the meals have a higher level of protein than for women. Medifast is one of the more successful and balanced low-calorie diets.
Medifast 5 and 1 Plan
This Diet plan is made up of 5 meal replacements per day, generally shakes, but there are also bars, soups, oatmeal, and puddings. You can customize your meal plan to include any combination but you should limit yourself to one bar per day. One meal per day is a “lean and green” meal – a small portion of lean meat, and 2 cups of salad or vegetables and can be eaten at any time throughout the day. You won’t get hungry because with this diet you eat every 2-3 hours, and must drink a minimum of 64oz of fluid (water) per day. This is an excellent addition to the daily routine.
Caloric intake is between 800-1000 calories per day.
The most popular items are the shakes – made up of differing proportions of protein. Medifast has optimized vitamins and minerals.
Medifast is a drastic diet that will put you into state of ketosis. Exercising while on the diet should be kept at a low intensity level, this is a necessary part of losing weight and it can also help prevent many chronic diseases. One of the easiest ways to incorporate exercise into your daily schedule is walking. Weight loss is rapid – from 2-5 pounds per week.
After you have reached your goal weight you begin transition back to ‘normal’ meals (foods such as fruits, low-fat dairy products, whole grains and higher-carbohydrate vegetables) over a period of about 16 days. Transition gradually adds calories back into your diet. Beyond this, Medifast recommend 1-3 packaged meals daily and a moderately intense exercise routine . This is essential to keep the weight off. This diet helped you develop healthful eating habits(portion-control and eating 6 times per day). You sustain your weight loss results by making healthy food choices and living an active lifestyle.
Sample Meal Plan and Foods
What Sort Of Foods Do They Have?
- Food Supplements: Homestyle Chili, Oatmeals: (Apple Cinnamon, French Vanilla Berry, Maple Brown Sugar), Hot Cocoa; Chicken Noodle Soup, Minestrone Soup, Peach Pro Tea, Chocolate Pudding.
- Creamy Soups: Cream of Broccoli, Cream of Chicken, Cream of Tomato
- Fast Soups and Snacks: Delicate Chicken, Robust Tomato, Savory Beef, Multi-Grain Crackers.
- Supplement Bars: Chocolate Divine, Crunchy Lemon, Oatmeal Raisin, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Mint, Double Berry.
What about the “Lean and Green” Meal?
- Lean Meat: Skinless chicken or turkey breast, Fish, including shellfish, tinned tuna or salmon. Lean cuts of beef, pork, or lamb. Grill, bake, or poach. Condiments allowed. For men there should be 6-7oz of lean meat, for women 4-5oz.
- Green Salad: 1-2 cups of salad greens, up to 1/4 cup raw vegetables.
- Cooked Vegetables: 1-1 1/2 cups of fibrous vegetables instead of salad.
Popularity: 6%
Body Mass Index
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007You can use the Body Mass Index to find out if you’re a healthy weight for your height.
These are the weight ranges, set by the World Health Organisation:
- If your BMI is less than 18.4 you are underweight for your height.
- If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9 you’re an ideal weight for your height.
- If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9 you’re over the ideal weight for your height.
- If your BMI is between 30 and 39.9 you’re obese.
- If your BMI is over 40 you’re very obese.
If your BMI is over 25 you do need to think about losing weight, otherwise you’re at risk of health problems. If its over 30 you need to make some big changes to your lifestyle to get your weight down.
- When you work out your BMI, remember to take into account your body frame and your build – your BMI may not be accurate if you are a weight-trainer or an athlete, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Your BMI may not be accurate if you are over the age of 60. This is because your bones may begin to weigh less as you get older.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness for people. BMI does not measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat. BMI can be considered an alternative for direct measures of body fat. Additionally, BMI is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform method of screening for weight categories that may lead to health problems. Calculating BMI is one of the best methods for population assessment of overweight and obesity. Because calculation requires only height and weight, it is inexpensive and easy to use for clinicians and for the general public. The use of BMI allows people to compare their own weight status to that of the general population. BMI is calculated the same way for both adults and children. The calculation is based on the following formulas:
| Measurement Units | Formula and Calculation |
|---|---|
|
Formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2
With the metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Since height is commonly measured in centimeters, divide height in centimeters by 100 to obtain height in meters. Example: Weight = 68 kg, Height = 165 cm (1.65 m) Calculation: 68 ч (1.65)2 = 24.98 |
|
Formula: weight (lb) / [height (in)]2 x 703
Calculate BMI by dividing weight in pounds (lbs) by height in inches (in) squared and multiplying by a conversion factor of 703. Example: Weight = 150 lbs, Height = 5’5” (65″) Calculation: [150 ч (65)2] x 703 = 24.96 |
The standard weight status categories:
| BMI | Weight Status |
|---|---|
| Below 18.5 | Underweight |
| 18.5 – 24.9 | Normal |
| 25.0 – 29.9 | Overweight |
| 30.0 and Above | Obese |
The correlation between the BMI number and body fatness is fairly strong and varies by sex, race, and age. For example:
- At the same BMI, women tend to have more body fat than men.
- At the same BMI, older people, on average, tend to have more body fat than younger adults.
- Highly trained athletes may have a high BMI because of increased muscularity rather than increased body fatness.
The BMI ranges are based on the relationship between body weight and disease and death. Overweight and obese individuals are at increased risk for many diseases and health conditions, including the following:
- Hypertension
- Dyslipidemia
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- Stroke
- Gallbladder disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea and respiratory problems
- Some cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon)
Popularity: 6%



