The 10 Commandments of Weight Loss

Archive for December, 2011

This question has been has been tormenting parents all over the world. Yet, there are no easy answers to it. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)says that “a diet based on the Food Guide Pyramid provides adequate amounts of all the vitamins a child needs.” But then, there are a lot of other factors that decide whether your child is getting adequate amounts of vitamins, such as the child’s eating habits, composition and quality of the diets, etc.

One important thing to note here is that the quality of most foods available now has declined. The only good ones available now are organically grown food. Just look at these figures: the amount of calcium in broccoli has fallen by a whopping 50 per cent, the iron content in watercress is down by a steep 88 per cent, the vitamin C in cauliflower has fallen by a huge 40 per cent… You may not be giving your child the usual fare of refined food spiked with sugar and fat and carbohydrates. Yet, there is no guarantee that he or she is getting her required daily dose of children’s vitamins.

Still experts disagree much on this subject of children’s vitamins. The AAP advises giving your child a vitamin supplement only if your pediatrician recommends it. That is because most of the daily foods are fortified. However, the AAP acknowledges that a daily dose of children’s vitamins won’t hurt your child unless it exceeds the recommended daily allowance for any vitamin or mineral. Also, such a daily dose of children’s vitamins help fill in any gaps in a child’s nutrition, and also helps children who are sensitive to certain foods. What is to be borne in mind here is that children’s vitamins cannot replace good food. They can only supplement your child’s food. If your child is not eating well, you should not only give him children’s vitamin supplements but also take steps to improve his eating habits and his diet.

Oh yes, there is one more reason why you should be giving your children a proper diet. Recent research says diet and behavior are interlinked. The Appleton Central Alternative High School replaced vending machines with water coolers and started offering fresh vegetables, fruits, whole-grain bread and a salad bar in place of the hamburgers and french fries. The result: No longer does a police officer patrol the school’s hallways, there is no vandalism, there is no litter.

Go for food-based children’s vitamins

Now comes the important question. What kind of children’s vitamin should you give your child? You should start with a food-based vitamin. No questions about that. Synthetic vitamins are out. Scientists and doctors now prefer to use natural vitamins. This is where glyconutritionals come in. They are foods and nutritional supplements that provide saccharides along with other glycoforms essential to the body. Glyconutritional blends are made from fruits and vegetables and contain the essential vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients, and provide support for the body’s immune system.

The saccharides in glyconutritionals are necessary for proper ‘cell-to-cell’ communication and helps keep the body’s glands and organs functioning well. They also help the immune system and the endocrine system in top order, and the body in optimal health.

Worried about how you will make your child swallow all those pills? Well, children’s vitamins and nutritional supplements now come as delicious, multicolored, flavored, chewable tablets. Your children will eat them up just as they eat up the junk foods and candies!

Fast food can be healthy food if you know where to look. And the easiest place to find healthy fast food is in your kitchen.

The new “Pillsbury GOOD FOR YOU!” cookbook can help families with the daily challenge of making fast, healthy and flavorful dinners despite today’s busy schedules. The book features 170 healthy, delicious recipes that contain less fat, sugar and salt than regular recipes. All can be prepared in 35 minutes or less, with more than half of the recipes taking 20 minutes or less. Here’s a tasty “Super Express” sample:

Spicy Chinese Chicken Tacos

Start to Finish: 20 Minutes

1 box (4.6 oz) taco shells (12 shells)

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (3/4 lb), cut into thin, bite-size strips

1 teaspoon grated gingerroot

1 small clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon honey

1 large green onion, sliced

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

11/2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce

1. If desired, heat taco shells as directed on box.

2. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, gingerroot and garlic; cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until lightly browned.

3. Stir in soy sauce, honey, onion and pepper flakes to coat. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center.

4. To serve, place scant 1/4 cup chicken mixture in each taco shell. Top each with lettuce. Serve immediately.

6 servings (2 tacos each)

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 180, Calories from Fat: 60% DV, Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 1g, Trans Fat 1.5g, Cholesterol 35mg, Sodium 260mg, Total Carbohydrate 18g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 4g, Protein 14g, Vitamin A 4%, Vitamin C 0%, Calcium 4%, Iron 6%, Exchanges: 1 Starch, 11/2 Very Lean Meat, 1 Fat; Carbohydrate Choices: 1

Besides delicious recipes, the cookbook also contains quick tips for better nutrition, on-the-go dinner ideas, easy-to-assemble fruit desserts and a pantry makeover. Look for it wherever books are sold.

Heart disease kills many people every year. One of the risk factors for heart disease is high cholesterol. If you are diagnosed with heart disease, your doctor will undoubtedly prescribe a cholesterol-lowering drug and request that you follow a diet low in cholesterol. Vitamin E naturally keeps cholesterol at a healthy level by limiting the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol that enters the bloodstream. While there are discrepancies in the reports, many studies indicate that it takes as much as 100 milligrams or more of vitamin E for people to experience the benefits. Eating foods, such as eggs, fish, and whole-grain cereals can contribute to the recommended amount. However, you will still need to supplement your diet with vitamins to reach the benefit amount. The good news about vitamin E and heart disease is that vitamin E is not only a preventive measure, but it also can benefit individuals who already have heart disease or who have had bypass surgery.

Including plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet is a good plan for good health. When you do this, you obtain a steady source of antioxidants, such as vitamins E and C. If you are concerned about heart disease, you may want to increase the amount you consume. Vitamin C is present in many foods; however, to obtain benefits related to heart disease, it is recommended that an individual take 500 milligrams each day. This is an extreme amount and is generally recommended for individuals who already have heart-related illnesses or who use cigarettes or other tobacco products on a regular basis.

Niacin (B3) has a twofold benefit when taken on a regular basis. It can lower your triglycerides, a risk factor for both diabetes and heart disease. Niacin also reduces the amount of LDL and increases the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the bloodstream. While consuming just 2 milligrams of niacin each day can provide protection for heart disease, it is very minute protection. Studies indicate that the best improvement in cardiovascular health by taking niacin is in at least 1000 milligrams. Consuming niacin in this amount can result in your face feeling flushed. This side effect can take place from a few minutes to an hour after taking niacin.

While vitamin supplementation in most cases is harmless, it is a good idea to check with your health care professional before starting to take any vitamins. This is especially important if you have been diagnosed with heart disease or any other health condition.

To check out the supplement we take daily and highly recommend, be sure to check out http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/what-we-use.html