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Follow Mediterranean Diet For A Healthy Living

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The Mediterranean diet is a nutritional diet inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of Spain, Italy and Greece. It is one of the best ways to prevent heart disease. It also helps prevent diseases and infections such as asthma and Parkinson. A Mediterranean diet contributes to a long life free of many chronic diseases.

A Mediterranean diet menu that follows the eating patterns of these three countries is based on olive oil, beans, cereals, fruits, vegetables, fish and moderate intake of wine. It is low in dairy products and saturated fats, the bad fats, and high in monounsaturated fats, the good ones. It is also high in dietary fiber. Foods rich in fiber slow down digestion, prevent wild swings in blood sugar, reduce insulin resistance and improve insulin sensitivity. The result: weight loss and prevention and control of diabetes. People who follow this diet have 70% more life expectancy

When we talk about healthy Mediterranean diet plan, many people think of a diet that involves depravation and giving up flavor: nothing further from the truth. In fact, it is just a healthy eating pattern-a way to eat tasty yet healthy. Mediterraneans eat this way day in and day out and they love tasty foods; take my word for it, since I was born and raised in Spain.

If you want to prevent diseases such as high blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol, best course of action is to start following a Mediterranean diet today. If you want to know more about this diet and you are looking forward to some great recipes, you must buy the book “Your Heart Needs the Mediterranean Diet”. This book is a must read if you want to know about the secrets of a healthy lifestyle.

Research shows that people who follow a Mediterranean diet, although they tend to consume a relatively high proportion of fats, have a low rate of cardiovascular diseases when compared to people in countries like United States.

Scientific studies are constantly being conducted on the food habits and lifestyle of Mediterraneans and they all show the benefits of a Mediterranean diet. A recent study states that the diet helps keep the brain healthy by reducing the frequency of mini strokes. It has also been observed that following such diet leads to a lower risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

If you want to live a happy and healthy life, start following a Mediterranean diet meal plan today. Read “Your Heart Needs the Mediterranean Diet” as it has a lot of useful information. Putting to practice the advice you will find in the book will translate into a large number of benefits to you. The book is interesting to read and easy to follow.

Eat healthy, stay healthy! You will feel the difference when your body is free from ailments and diseases. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by following a Mediterranean diet meal plan.

A Surprisingly Long List Of Cholesterol Busting Foods

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Butter, gravy, lard, bacon fat, nondairy creamers, cream sauce, hydrogenated margarine, shortening, cheese, egg yolks, whole milk, sour cream, whipping cream, coconut oil, palm oil, cottonseed oil, and palm-kernel oil.

The chances are pretty good that no matter where in the world you live you consume at least a couple of the foods above; and no they are not considered to be cholesterol busting foods. In fact, they are the opposite of cholesterol busting foods, and for cholesterol busting foods to deliver the intended health benefits our list mouth watering delights above must be held down to a bare minimum.

You will also need to try to decipher which culinary delights contain these artery clogging foods. For example that pumpkin pie you may have had for the holidays contained at least two of these and maybe even three.

Cholesterol busting foods

Now why dont we look at some foods that are considered to be cholesterol and heart friendly. They are: salmon, blueberries, diet grape juice, green soybeans (edamame), black beans, tuna, lake trout, sardines, anchovies, herring, hoki, olive oil, tofu, apples, avocados, walnuts, almonds, sweet potatoes, fruits with the pulp, barley, oatmeal, flaxseed, low fat/low sugar yogurt, foods infused with plant sterols, cherries, and most vegetables especially those of the green leafy variety such as kale and turnip greens.

But we should also throw fresh herbs into our mix of cholesterol busting foods because they can be used to replace many other high saturated fat seasonings used during the cooking process. This is especially true in Southern cuisine where high saturated fat drippings and/or butter are often used liberally to season food. Herbs such as sage, oregano, rosemary, basil, and thyme are high in antioxidants which seem to have some beneficial cholesterol busting properties.

Knowing your fats

Unsaturated fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated are considered to be much healthier choices than saturated fats and trans fats. Some unsaturated fats even lower cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Canola oil and avocado oil are a good source for monosaturated fats, as are many different varieties of nuts: walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, and pistachios.

Monosaturated fat choices are considered to be cholesterol busting foods because they lower levels of harmful LDL cholesterol while not negatively impacting beneficial HDL.

Polyunsaturated fats are found in corn, safflower, soybean, and sunflower oils.

But we have saved the best for last with our third type of unsaturated fat; omega 3 fatty acids. Most of the foods high in this type of heart healthy fat are listed above and by and large are fish which fall under the category of cold water fatty fish.

In summary, there are many delicious foods which stake a claim to the title of cholesterol busting foods. With a little imagination you can transform these foods into meals that not only taste good but will provide both short and long term cardiovascular health benefits for you and your family.

Additionally, studies show that fish oil supplementation consisting of between 700 and 1000 milligrams of the omega 3 fatty acids DHA/EPA daily is a powerful addition to a diet rich in cholesterol busting foods.

Almonds and Cholesterol – Are Almonds a Heart-Healthy Snack

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Almonds and Cholesterol: Are Almonds Really a Heart-Healthy Snack?

It seems that many people are experiencing confusion over almonds and if they should or shouldn’t be included as part of a heart healthy diet. On one hand, almonds are reported to lower bad LDL cholesterol. On the other hand, almonds are a calorie-dense food that’s also high in fat.

Numerous studies, including one by the British Journal of Medicine, has shown convincing evidence that regular almond consumption helps lower bad LDL cholesterol. And not just any LDL, but it’s been shown to reduce the small dense LDL particles that do the most damage to your arterial walls and puts you at a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

So what about the question of almonds being high in fat? Over 60% of the fat content in almonds is monounsaturated fats. (This is the same type of fat that is found in olive oil.) Monounsaturated fat is widely accepted to be a key ingredient to reducing the risk of heart disease and part of a heart-healthy diet.

But the health benefits of almonds doesn’t stop with having healthy natural fat and it’s ability to lower low-density lipoproteins. Almonds pack an antioxidant punch with it’s high levels of Vitamin E. And with over 60 mg of magnesium in a quarter-cup of almonds, that’s just more good news for your heart. You see, magnesium has been shown to help improve blood flow and make things ‘easy’ on your veins and arteries. (Translation: Less stress and work for your heart.)

Concerned about adding too many calories if you start eating almonds? Truth is, almonds have been shown to be beneficial at helping aid weight loss. But if you are just a little too ‘scared’ to add more calories, do this…

Substitute almonds for other foods vs. adding almonds to your existing diet. In fact, it’s been estimated by some researchers based on date from a Nurses Health Study that replacing carbohydrates with healthy nuts like almonds may low the risk of heart disease by as much as 30%. The risk may be lowered as much as 45% if you substitute nuts with saturated fats like those founds in meat and dairy.

Looking for some ways to add almonds to your diet? Try these…

– Add almonds to your salad instead of meat or croutons
– Add to your morning cereals (hot or cold)
– Add to yogurt for a tasty crunch
– Add sliced almonds to vegetable dish (great with green beans)
– Eat with a sandwich as a crunchy substitute for chips
– Two words: Almond butter!

And not surprising, eating almond as a “whole food” is optimal for maximum health benefits. The antioxidant punch mentioned previously is more than doubled when the skins are combined with the meat of the almond, compared to either one separately.

Plant Based Diet

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Get Health with a Plant Based Diet

What if one simple change could put you on a path to better health? And what if that change could even save you from obesity, heart disease and cancer? You have the power to transform your life by maintaining a plant based diet no ifs about it.

While many omnivores feel that a meal without meat just doesnt feel like a meal, the vegan and vegetarian plant based lifestyle is growing in popularity just the same and with good reason. A plant based diet moves away from animal-based foods like meat, eggs and milk, and incorporates more fruit, vegetables, legumes and grains. The less meat and dairy you eat the less fat you take in. This goes a long way when it comes to maintaining healthy weight and cholesterol levels.

If youre wondering whether you should try out a plant based diet, consider the top five benefits listed below. Keep in mind that you dont have to jump into a full-on vegan diet or vegetarian diet. Just limiting your intake of meat, poultry and dairy, and increasing vegetables, fruit and grains can do wonders for your health.

Top Five Benefits of a Plant Based Diet

1.) Lower Cholesterol
Going green can dramatically lower the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood the bad kind that can lead to heart disease and stroke. Avoid butter, cut out fatty meats and opt for plant-based foods. Dairy and animal products are loaded with fat and have no fiber. Plant based foods contain no cholesterol whatsoever. That means vegan nutrition is much better for your heart and your health. Its even been proven by a recent study out of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, which found that a low-fat plant based diet can lower LDL cholesterol by 28 percent.
2.) Lower Blood Pressure
When you eat fatty meats and dairy products, the viscosity of your blood increases, placing more pressure on the blood vessels. A plant based diet fills you up with veggies and fruit, which are high in potassium. Higher intake of potassium modulates blood viscosity. This is why vegetarians and vegans tend to have lower rates of hypertension, “the silent killer,” according to observational studies published in the Nutrition Review.
3.) Prevent Cancer
High-fat diets have been linked to higher rates of cancer. In fact the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicines Cancer Project showed vegetarians to be 40 percent less likely to develop cancer than meat-eaters. Meat tends to be high in saturated fat and low in fiber. Fiber plays a key role in keeping your digestive system clean and healthy, removing cancer-causing compounds before they can create harm. A vegetarian diet and vegan diet are high in fiber, low in saturated and trans-fats and typically include more fruit, vegetables and other cancer-preventing phytochemicals.
4.) Avoid Heart Disease
The American Heart Association says 83 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease, and many of the risk factors, such as obesity, are at all-time highs. But you reduce your risk. Research has found that a balanced, low-fat, plant based diet can help reduce cholesterol, contribute to weight loss and lower blood pressure. All of which lead to heart problems.

5.) Maintain Healthy Weight & Fitness
Those who follow a plant based, vegan or vegetarian diet generally consume fewer calories and have lower body weights than those who don’t, according to the Mayo Clinic. Still, a plant based diet doesn’t guarantee weight loss. Youll want to keep your intake of sweets and fatty foods low, choose whole grains, eat a variety of fruit and vegetables, and choose fat-free and low-fat dairy products. Also remember that cooking method counts. Steam, boil, grill or roast instead of frying. Your new diet will even give you renewed energy for physical exercise.

How to Transition to a Plant Based Diet
Aside from simply avoiding meat, there are ways to ease the transition to a primarily plant based diet. Increase the amount of grains, fruits and vegetables on your plate gradually until the meat is the smallest portion of your meal. An online vegan delivery service can make the process simple.

Top Three Diet Food for Quick and Effective Weight Loss

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Before we proceed to giving you three diet foods to help weight loss, here are some insights that would help you keep off the weight as well. Some people who find themselves emotionally disturbed often turn to food for comfort. When there are stressful events at home and at work, they may unconsciously resort to foodoften high calorie foods and sweets that end up being deposited as body fat.

Emotional problems are not the sole cause of increased food intake leading to weigh gain, of course. There are many others such as a persons metabolic rate, the level of physical activity and overall health. But there are many ways to lose weight, a person who is motivated would only have to choose which method suits him or her best. Here are three diet foods that are guaranteed to burn that excess fat.

#1: Green Tea Extract

Green tea is the processed leaves of Camellia sinensis and is originally from China, though many other countries produce it today. Western cultures have already embraced green tea because of its many virtues. And there are now a number of green tea varieties that have been used as ingredients in dietary supplements that help weight loss, various types of health food, as well as cosmetics.

When it comes to increasing metabolism and the rate of burning fat, green tea extract is one effective agent. The secret ingredient behind green teas weight loss virtues is essentially a chemical compound called catechins. The polyphenols and to some extent the caffeine in green tea extract increases oxidation of fat in humans. Studies show a significant decrease in the body mass index (BMI) of study participants and in addition to that, tests showed that they have low density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol as well.

Studies on the benefits of green tea reveal that it also improves overall health such that people have lower risk of heart conditions and cancer. Green tea extract is also believed to have anti-oxidant effect.

#2: Pears

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, pears have more fiber than previously thought and they even have more fiber content than apples. Any medium-sized pear contains approximately six grams of fiber. In addition, pears contain pectin which causes blood sugar levels to rise in between meals, making it unnecessary to take a snack in between the major meals of the day. In effect, if you eat more pears, you could lose more weight.

#3: Lean beef

Lean beef is rich in the amino acid “leucine” which in one study caused loss of weight in study subjects who ate 10 oz. of beef every day. The subjects were limited to a 1,700 calorie diet. The amino acid thats found in lean beef is also found in fish and dairy products. You maintain your muscle bulk while the excess fat is burned. It has also been shown that lean beef reduces the feeling of hunger among those who ate lean beef regularly.

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