Archive for the ‘Weight Loss Diets’ Category

Benefits of DASH Diet

Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension or DASH diet is a diet that is designed to control hypertension. The diet has been promoted by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute which is US government institute that promotes healthy living. People who follow DASH diet can eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, nuts, beans, fish but must avoid eating food that contain artificial sweeteners, red meat and foods that contain added fats. Following DASH diet not only helps in controlling blood pressure but is also a well-balanced diet. This diet plan is also recommended by USDA as the ideal diet plan for Americans.

This diet plan is based on the studies conducted by experts at NIH who examined the benefits and drawbacks of 3 diet plans. All the three diet plans were a combination of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. However, more emphasis was given to vegetables, beans, fruits, low fat dairy products and nuts. It also suggest alternative to processed foods and discourages people from eating junk food. NIH has published a book “Your Guide to Lowering your Blood Pressure with DASH” that gives nutrition details of some popular food items and also provides details of their healthy alternatives. The book also gives details of a sample meal plan and the health benefits of the sample plan.

DASH diet plan can help people reduce their blood pressure in just 2 weeks. This diet is ideal for people who suffer from hypertension and have moderately high blood pressure. People who suffer from hypertension can adopt DASH diet to improve the response of their medication and to lower their blood pressure. Other benefits of DASH diet includes insulin resistance, weight loss and lowering of cholesterol. Research has also proved that DASH diet can also help in reducing the risk of heart diseases, stroke and kidney stone. Even teens who suffer from hypertension has benefited from this diet plan.

What you must know about “The Kind Diet”

Most women envy Alicia Silverstone for great looks and figure. Women want to know the secret of her knockout figure can check out her book The Kind Diet. In the book, Alicia has given organic vegan diet credit for her looks and health. She says that people should have food that does not include white sugar, diary and meat.

Most people must be aware of the fact that Alicia Silverstone is an animal activist. Alicia is of the view that having a plant-based diet can not only help in saving animals but is also good for your health. People who eat plant-based diet require less water, fuel and other resources to diet the food.

Today, many people prefer vegan diet because of its health and ethical benefits. Many dietician and nutrition are advocating plant-based diet because of the health benefits they offer. Vegan diet is a plant-based diet that requires you to have grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, beans and soya products. People who opt for vegan diet must avoid eating animals and processed food. However, some nutritionists are of the view that eliminating animal products from your diet can cause iron, calcium and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Therefore it is important that people have low-fat animal products.

Alicia Silverstone argues that organic plant-based diet is not only tasty but also good for your health. In her book, she has included 100 mount watering recipes that are a proof that vegetarian diet can be tasty. Some of the foods that you should avoid when you adopt The Kind Diet include animal products, coffee, white sugar, artificial colors and sweeteners, alcohol and processed food.

If you opt for The Kind Diet, you can have a toast with tomatoes and avocado in breakfast. In lunch you have vegetarian burrito. You can garlic bread, steamed broccoli and rustic pasta with marinara sauce in dinner. If you feel hungry in-between you meals, you have fruits.

There are 3 different stages to The Kind Diet. The first stage is called the flirting stage where people are encouraged to replace non-vegetarian diet with plant-based diet. The next stage is called the vegan stage where all animal products are eliminated from the diet and people are allowed to eat only vegan diet. In the last stage, which is called the superhero stage, your diet is built on sea vegetables and grains.

Adopting Vegan Diet

If you dream of having a model-thin body then it is important you shift to a low-calorie diet. Most non-vegetarian food is known to contain high calories that can have an adverse impact on your health. Most dieticians suggest that you shift to low calorie vegan diet if you intend to have a model-thin body. In a recent study it was found that people who have given up fast foods, animal products and processed food and have adopted low-calorie vegan diet are happier and more energetic.

If you are planning to adopt vegan diet you must be ready to eat veggies, organic fruits, whole grain and natural food. Some of the items that you must not eat include eggs, fish, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, diet sodas and anything that have chemicals that can harm you. Apart from following a strict vegetarian diet, you must also exercise regularly. Most people suggest that you adopt yoga to lose weight and energize your body.

Some of the foods that you can eat when you adopt a vegan diet include:

  • Soya beans and products
  • Organic vegetables and fruits
  • Coconut oil, sesame oil and olive oil
  • Whole-grain breads, desserts made using cane juice, maple syrup and unrefined products
  • Organic chips, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, sweet potato, barley and other natural products
  • Green tea and organic red wine

When you adopt vegan diet most dietician suggest that have breakfast, lunch and dinner and have snacks only when needed.

An idea vegan meal will require you to have fruits like kiwi, banana and mango in breakfast. To help to maintain your energy level, you can have soy yogurt. In lunch you can have raw vegetables with organic salad. If you feel hungry in the evening, you can have small servings of snacks and exotic vegetable chips. In dinner, you can have vegetarian pad Thai.