Friday, May 29, 2009

Truth is Beauty: Beauty is Truth

"We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them." KAHLIL GIBRAN

Monday, May 25, 2009

Thomas Edison

The doctor of the future will give no medicines, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the causes of disease"

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Love it!!

Man is what he eats" is one view while an opposite view is that "it is not what one eats that kills him but, it is what eats him (negative thoughts) that kills him." Both have some wisdom in them.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Vegetarian Diet

Whether the reason involves personal, health or religious preferences, a vegetarian diet restricts the intake of meats and other animal flesh. When following a strict vegetarian diet, which is also known as a vegan diet, the dieter will only consume fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains also forgoing animal by-products such as dairy foods or leather. If you are interested in leading a vegetarian lifestyle, you should know that there are many different versions of this type of diet.


A lactovegetarian will add milk and other dairy products to the vegan diet, where an ovo-lactovegetarian eats both eggs and milk products. There are also partial or semivegetarians, who choose to include some animal foods into their diet, but will not consume red meats. When a dieter wishes to cut down on the amount of fat they consume, as well as increase fiber in their diet, a vegetarian diet is a good way to satisfy both desires. The vegetarian diet is also filled with healthy amounts of protein, calories, minerals and vitamins.

The amount of protein that a person needs to function is sometimes created by the body, while the rest must come from what you eat. Essential amino acids are found in food items, such as eggs, fish, cheese and milk, but all of these are not allowed when following a vegetarian diet. Fruits and vegetables can provide proteins to the body, but there is no one plant that contains all of the necessary amino acids. Therefore, a vegetarian diet calls for the eating of a variety of food items, including whole-grain cereals, fruits, beans, seeds, vegetables and nuts.

When preparing a meal for breakfast while following a vegetarian diet, you may want to start the day off with ½ cup of orange juice, 1 cup of oatmeal, as well as two slices of whole-wheat toast. For lunch, two slices of whole-wheat toast with 1 tablespoon of preserves, accompanied with a banana, fruit ice, celery sticks with two tablespoons of peanut butter. A dinner meal can consist of 1 cup of vegetarian chili, a medium baked potato, ½ cup of green beans, an apple, as well as a tossed salad with oil/vinegar dressing.


Tips for Following a Vegetarian Diet

1) The calories and energy that a body needs when following a vegetarian diet can be found when eating whole grains and legumes.

2) Whole grain cereals will add iron, riboflavin and vitamin B complex to a diet.

3) Consuming soybeans, soy bean milk and dark green leafy vegetables offer substantial amounts of calcium and iron.

4) Vitamin B-12 cannot be found within plants, so those following a vegetarian diet will have to find other ways to satisfy this requirement. There are sections within the grocery or health food store that offer prepared foods or meat substitutes that contain vitamin B-12. There are also supplements containing this vitamin that can be selected.

5) For protein, avocados provide a healthy dose of proteins, but the drawback is the amount of fats this option contains. When choosing an avocado, there are two different kinds, hailing from California and Florida. The larger avocado comes from Florida and contains half the calories and fat that the California version possesses.

6) When preparing a salad, dark green leafy vegetables are a better selection. For example, romaine lettuce offers more beta-carotene and vitamin C than iceberg lettuce.

7) When eating vegetables, it is good to include as many raw vegetables as possible. Numerous vegetables react differently. For example, when cooked, a carrot will yield 30% more beta carotene, but some vitamin C will be lost. Sometimes the higher amount of vitamin decrease in vegetables can be seen when boiling.



Advantages of a Vegetarian Diet

Vegetarians tend to have a lower occurence of hypertension than nonvegetarians. This effect appears to be independent of both body weight and sodium intake.

Type 2 diabetes is much less likely to be a cause of death in vegetarians than non-vegetarians, perhaps because of their higher intake of complex carbohydrates and lower body mass index.


All types of cancer occur less in vegetarians than their meat-eating counterparts.


Vegetarians are less likely to suffer from heart disease.


It is also suspected that meat-eaters are prime candidates for degenerative diseases, such as gout and arthritis. Meat is probably major cause of internal pollution. When an animal is slaughtered, uneliminated waste products remain in the tissue of the animal.Uric acid and adrenaline are toxins which are secreted into the bloodstream and muscles of animals about to be slaughtered. The fear and struggle to escape death stimulates the secretion of hormones like epinephrine, norepinephrine and steroids. No edible plant product has similar toxicity. The human body has to work many many times harder to get rid of that poison, some toxins will always remain and in turn toxicate all cells of a human's body.


Heavy cream, whole milk, fried eggs, bacon, pork rinds, beef, cheese, and butter -- all these contribute to long-term obesity, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, reproductive cancers, prostate enlargement, auto-immune diseases, and other diseases.



Losing Weight on a Vegetarian Diet

A person who becomes vegan will lose on average one pound a week. This is WITHOUT adding exercise or avoiding high carb foods such as spaghetti, rice or bread.
However, if you are not ready to convert to veganism, converting to Vegetarianism will not guarantee you will lose weight- as many new converts tend to eat more carbohydrates than in their pre-vegetarian days.

However do not let this put you off as the health benefits far outweigh this small setback- it is very possible to lose weight on a vegetarian diet, simply follow the tips for cutting out carbs below.



1). Add a protein powder to your diet. They are generally soy-based and can be added to many foods to make them more filling without piling on the carbs.

2). If you are in the US use Morning Star and Boca products. They can normally be found in the freezer section of your local supermarket, and are vegetarian friendly and low in carbs.

3). Stock up on tofu, tempeh, seitan and soya products from your local health shop or supermarket.

Abs Diet

The Abs Diet has been compared to another method of weight loss called the Body For Life program, which uses most of the same steps. The Abs Diet aims for fat loss by offering techniques that are easy-to-follow, as well as make sense to the dieter. The main idea of the diet is not new, but actually renewed for the evolving dieting habits of today. It is a diet that is based upon strength training, adhering to good nutrition practices, as well as exercise. When reading the book, you will also receive a wide-range of effective nutritional guidance.
Six Pack Abs are attractive for both men and women



The diet promotes the transformation of fat into muscle, as well as steps to sculpt the rest of the body, promising an improved sex life and increased energy throughout the day. By calling this approach, the Abs Diet, a new market of dieters and exercisers will be attracted, primarily the male gender, who in today’s society, associate a good body image with having abdominal muscles that are visible. The diet plan claims to achieve this goal by achieving a low level of fat, which is not an easy task to accomplish.

The Meal Plan

The meal plan associated with the Abs Diet consists of a 7-day plan, filled with what the author calls “power foods.” There are twelve power foods listed in his book, which are accompanied by recipes. The author even anticipates the occasional diet “fall-off-the-wagon” moment and includes one meal per week that is considered a “cheat” meal, where the dieter may eat anything they wish. The diet suggests that foods, such as fat-filled meats, processed and refined carbohydrates, as well as foods high in sugar, should be avoided.

The Power Foods

The foods below are referred to as the “Power 12,” and play an important role when following the Abs Diet.

1. Nuts: almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, etc. These should be eaten with the skin still in place. 2. Beans and other Legumes 3. Green Vegetables: spinach, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, etc. 4. Dairy: This includes fat-free milk, low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, as well as cottage cheese 5. Instant Oatmeal: When eating this food, no sweeteners should be added and it should also be unflavored. 6. Eggs 7. Turkey and other lean meats: This includes lean steak, chicken, as well as fish 8. Peanut Butter: This selection should be all natural and contain no sugar. 9. Olive Oil 10. Bread and Cereals: These items should consist of whole grains. 11. Extra Protein Whey Powder 12. Berries: raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, etc.

Exercise

As for exercise, followers of the Abs Diet will focus on strength and interval training. This is needed to build the muscle that is needed to increase the body’s metabolism. An increased metabolism will result in a higher amount of fat being burned. Also with the Abs Diet, you will implement a circuit-training workout, which is explained in the book. Numerous publications and Internet sites also offer such a workout.

Diet Sonoma

Considered one of the most balanced diets to hit the market, the Diet Sonoma created by Connie Guttersen does not focus on the restriction of food items or calorie counting. The meals that you will be consuming while on this diet deal with cuisine from the Mediterranean. The name of the diet comes from a region located in California, which is filled with vineyards. Connie has spent a lot of time studying wine and olive production and coupled with her knowledge on nutrition, she was able to write a book that focused on weight loss through a balanced and healthy eating plan.

Most diets require the counting of calories or restrict food items and food groups, but the Diet Sonoma allows participants to eat the foods that they enjoy. The diet presents the concept referred to as “Plate and Bowl,” where each meal is measured by a designated plate size. Directions on how to measure the contents of your meal are also included. This allows you to eat some of your favorite foods, while exercising portion control techniques.

The Diet Sonoma is broken down into three phases, also referred to as “waves.”


Wave 1 will last for 10 days, where the dieter will follow an approach that is supposed to lessen the desire for foods that you normally crave. Straying from most diets, this method does not restrict the intake of carbohydrates. A dieter will be allowed to eat whole grain cereals, as well as breads, but fruits are not allowed at this time because of its association with sugar. Various vegetables, lean meats, some dairy, seafood, black coffee, tea and a small amount of nuts will dominate the meal plan.


The main weight loss phase can be found within Wave 2. Dieters will add fruit, a wider variety of vegetable, fat-free yogurt, some sugar-free sweets, as well as the occasional treat, such as dark chocolate, honey or some wine. This phase is meant to last until the dieter has reached their desired weight. Wave 3 takes over once you have reached your ideal weight. This phase will take you into the maintenance part of the program, which should develop life-long healthy habits.


In the Diet Sonoma book, you will find 300 recipes that can be followed while on the diet. When using the online program, an additional 500 recipes can be added to your repertoire. Basically, the diet utilizes ten foods that are called “power foods.” These foods are: almonds, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, grapes, olive oil, spinach, strawberries, whole grains and tomatoes.


From the beginning of the program, you will be able to eat cereals and whole grain breads, which is usually not allowed in other weight loss plans. Some restricted foods on this diet plan are those that contain saturated fat, sugar, as well as refined white flour.


To get an idea of some of the meals you will be able to eat while following the Diet Sonoma, you may start off your day with a Broccoli-Pepper Frittata, Buckwheat and Pear Pancakes, Mushroom Omelet, as well as Scrambled Eggs with Feta and Dill. When looking for a lunch meal, you may choose to prepare a Greek Pizza, Chicken-Veggie Pita Sandwich, Chile-Mint Burgers or Tangy Black Bean Soup. Dinner ideas include Marinated Flank Steak, Roasted Vegetable Medley, Grilled Bass with Strawberry Salsa, as well as Bistro Chicken and Garlic. When you are interested in dessert, recipes for Peachy Berry Cobbler, Apple-Blueberry Tart and Tropical Fruit Pops.

Dash Diet

If you’ve ever wondered what the Dash diet is all about, you should know that it stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The diet consists of working towards increasing the amount of fruits, vegetables, as well as low-fat dairy products. A decrease in the consumption of meat, fish and poultry is also part of the Dash diet. Additional limitations that the diet presents include foods that are high in fat, sugar and sodium. These are all factors that can affect a dieter’s blood pressure.

Individuals considering the Dash diet should know that this approach strives to achieve a longer life, as well as sustain healthy eating patterns. Numerous health benefits can be enjoyed when following this dieting method.


How the Dash Diet Works
A dieter will increase their intake of fruits and vegetables by 8-10 servings per day, resulting in a higher concentration of phytochemicals and antioxidants within the body. For those who are not familiar with the term of phytochemical, it is a natural plant substance filled with nutrients and necessary dietary fiber. This helps to protect against an array of diseases that may plague the body. The nutrients that aid the body in blocking the toxins that can break down the body are called antioxidants.





Even though The Dash Diet was established to control blood pressure levels, this approach can be used to lose unwanted pounds. Some dieters enjoy this diet because they can eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, which naturally provide low doses of fat and calories. When using this diet to lose weight instead of controlling blood pressure, you may decrease serving sizes, as well as use salt if you wish.

When choosing the Dash diet, one should gradually ease into this new lifestyle change. First, the dieter must increase the amount of fruits and vegetables eaten to eight per day. Serving sizes for these food items include ½ cup of juice or ½ cup of cooked vegetables. Another diet change is the increase of more low-fat dairy products. A dieter should avoid processed foods because often, fat, sodium and cholesterol are hidden throughout the food item. When considering fats, the dieter’s intake should be cut in half. This affects butter, margarine, as well as condiments. The amount of meat that is eaten should be cut in half, as well. Finally, when one is craving dessert, they should turn to a piece of fruit to ease this urge.


For Dash diet menu ideas, you will find a few suggestions:


Breakfast

Whole Wheat Bagel
2 Tablespoons of Fat-Free Cream Cheese
8 Ounces of Skim Milk
½ Cup of Applesauce
8 Ounces of Lowfat Yogurt


Lunch
2 Ounces of Sliced Roast Beef
1 Ounce of Swiss Cheese
2 Slices of Whole Wheat Bread
1 Teaspoon of Mustard
½ Cup of Grape Tomatoes
1 Apple
6 Ounces of Grape Juice


Dinner
3 Ounces of Grilled Chicken
1 Cup of Pasta
2 Tablespoons of Parmesan Cheese
1 Cup of Steamed Asparagus
1 Cup of Green Salad with Tomatoes and Carrots
Reduced Fat Dressing of Choice
8 Ounces of Skim Milk


Snacks

4 Carrot Sticks or Celery Sticks, accompanied with 2 Tablespoons of Reduced Fat Ranch Dressing

Smoothie Consisting of Berries and Bananas

¼ Cup of Unsalted Nuts and Raisins

The Perricone Diet

While the term “diet” usually brings thoughts of weight loss to mind, the Perricone diet is one of the few marketed diet programs that does not concentrate on losing weight as the main goal. This diet, which was created by a dermatologist by the name of Nicholas Perricone, uses diet, supplements and lotions to achieve results in looking younger and living longer. Additional benefits that Perricone promotes includes: improved metabolism, better mood, deceased chances of heart disease and cancer, improved bone density, skin repair, stronger immune system, as well as possible weight loss.
Perricone has written several books dealing with weight maintenance and acquiring a more youthful appearance. In his book, The Perricone Prescription, which was published in 2002, a program was introduced centered on diet, exercise and skincare. The results were meant to improve the appearance of the dieter, as well as increase their energy level. He also claimed that major health concerns could be avoided when following this program, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.


In the Perricone Promise, published in 2004, the doctor focused on aging theories dealing with neuropeptides and offered diet tips concerning these beliefs. The diet aims to aid in weight loss, wrinkle reduction, mood improvement, as well as a slowing down of the aging process. Published in 2005, the Perricone Weight-Loss Diet introduced to the public a “face-lift diet” that focuses on weight loss and body tone. This newer diet promotes salmon consumption.


To follow the Perricone diets, one must be ready to pay for the costly products that accompany the program. For example, a serum containing neuropeptides will set you back close to $570 per bottle. This supply will only last you three months. Although this is one of the pricier products, many of the supplements and lotions are priced higher than most dieters are used to. The least expensive moisturizer can be found costing $50 for 2 ounces of product.


The Perricone diet uses techniques in blood sugar level regulation, such as eating foods that do not cause a rapid increase. For this reason, most breads and fruit juices are avoided on this program. It is also important to remember that if you are only interested in losing weight, then this diet may not be for you. The main focus of the Perricone diet is not to lose weight, but to create improved skin and increased protection against illness and disease.


The Perricone diet follows a program dealing with low-fat, low-carbohydrate and moderate protein food items and recipes. While on the diet, an individual should drink a minimum of eight glasses of water, which also promotes healthy skin. When it comes to the foods that are allowed on the diet, foods filled with antioxidants are recommended, such as fish, cantaloupe, as well as dark green leafy vegetables. Food choices, such as pasta and pancakes, as well as those containing sugar, should be avoided.


The diet focuses on eating a lot of wild salmon, as well as ten other food items that are referred to as being a “superfood.” A total of 1,450 calories should be consumed throughout the day. The Perricone diet also deals with the eating of whole foods, which contain a high amount of antioxidants. When choosing a fruit or vegetable to eat, the deeper the color, the more antioxidants it will contain. As for the “superfoods,” you will be consuming a lot of garlic, onions, barley, cereal grasses, buckwheat, hot peppers, nuts, sprouts, yogurt, as well as a tropical fruit called acai, which is usually available in the frozen food section of most health food stores.

Gout Diet

When you have been diagnosed with gout, it is important to make changes to your diet. The gout diet will ensure you lead a healthy and less painful life. Gout is a form of rheumatoid arthritis that causes painful inflammation when sharp crystallized pieces of uric acid gather between joints. Foods that contain purines are broken down into uric acid through a process within the body. Normally, this chemical is flushed out of the bloodstream by the kidneys. When the body has collected a high level of purines, gout arises. Foods, such as beans and vegetables possess a high level of purines. Proteins also deliver a high dose of the chemical.

Cherries or cherry juice taken on an empty stomach will go a long way to curing gout



Most of the foods that cause gout also contain a high amount of fat, such as dairy products and meat. When you are to follow a gout diet, certain kinds of fish should also be avoided. A dieter should refrain from consuming food items, such as mackerel, mussels, sardines, oysters, as well as scallops. Both red and white meat, such as pork and beef, can also cause a collection of uric acid. When suffering from gout, meats that come from organs should not be eaten. This includes kidneys, hearts and liver. A gout sufferer should also be sure to avoid food choices that may produce high levels of uric acid, including caviar, bouillon, as well as beef or chicken broth.

If suffering from gout, you should stay away from dairy products that are high in fat. Whole milk, ice cream, cheese and butter are items that should be crossed off of a grocery list. When dairy is needed, an individual should opt for low-fat options. Soy replacements are also acceptable. When shopping for vegetables, spinach, mushrooms, cauliflower, peas and asparagus possess a high concentration of purines. On a gout diet, you should avoid yeast and lentil beans, which has been proven to increase the effects of this condition. Gout flare-ups may also arise when drinking beer or alcohol because of the yeast and grains presented.

The symptoms of gout can be eased when adhering to a gout diet that a physician may recommend. Sometimes a diet filled with complex carbohydrates, including a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, can help. When deciding what foods are acceptable when following the gout diet, you should know that purines can be located within all foods considered a protein, but this does not mean that all proteins should be eliminated from the gout diet. There are some foods that contain a rather high purine concentration, which may not add to the effects of gout. These foods include: whole grain breads and cereals, chicken, duck, ham, turkey, kidney and lima beans.

Foods that should be eaten on the gout diet include fruit, such as bananas, fresh cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and other berries that are red or blue in color. Vegetables, such as celery, tomatoes, kale, cabbage, parsley, as well as other green-leafy vegetables are acceptable. Pineapple and other foods high in bromelain are good for someone on the gout diet. Foods that contain a high amount of vitamin C should be included, such as red cabbage, red bell peppers, tangerines, oranges and potatoes. Additional foods to consider while on the gout diet include chocolate, tuna, salmon, flaxseed, nuts and seeds. When you are looking for something to drink, you should turn to cocoa, coffee, tea and carbonated drinks, to satisfy your thirst.

The Smash Diet

For those who have never hear of the Smash Diet, here is a brief explanation. For the past couple of years, there has been an addicting show that dieters and celebrity fanatics can’t help but to tune into every once in awhile. On VH1, “Celebrity Fit Club” has taken celebrities, such as Kelly LaBrock, Chasity Bono, Gary Busey and Wendy Kaufman (the Snapple Lady) through an intense exercise and dieting program. If you ever wondered what diet the celebrities were following, it is called the Smash diet.

Dr. Ian Smith, who has served as a medical consultant for the nationally syndicated “The View” and a medical columnist for Men’s Health magazine, created the Smash diet. His Smash diet has gained acclaim as the way the celebrities have turned their eating habits into fat loss results. The Fat Smash Diet is the fourth book written by Dr. Smith. When you are interested in following this diet, you can order the book from the official website: http://www.fatsmashdiet.com/, which also provides testimonials from individuals who have experienced the diet program.



The Smash diet is not promoted for dieters with short-term goals. It is intended to aid dieters in achieving successful results through a few lifestyle changes. The Smash diet strives for permanent weight loss, which is broken into four different phases. With Phase 1, dieters begin with a natural detox, which is supposed to cleanse the body of impurities that may be clogging the body’s system. When following the diet, after the completion of Phase 1, a dieter may experience a 9-day weight loss result of 5-8 pounds.



After Phase 1, the other phases begin to take over where you combine everyday foods that are available at both the household and restaurants. The Smash diet takes into consideration the different eating habits of dieters, such as those who are vegan or vegetarian.



With the Smash diet, counting calories are a thing of the past because Dr. Smith has created a list of allowable foods so that the obsession with calories is transferred to a focus on healthy eating. Dieters who have been on the Smash diet have reported to feel as if they were not on a restrictive regimen because the diet allows you to eat smaller portions of normal foods. The book offers a variety of easy-to-follow recipes that make deciding what to eat on the diet even easier. The Smash diet is meant to take 90 days to complete, creating dieting habits that will change food interaction and the When following the Smash diet, below you will find a few sample recipes for when you have reached Phase 2 of the diet:



Chicken and Summer Vegetable Broth (171 Calories)
Serves 4



Ingredients

2 Quarts chicken stock

1/2 Eggplant, diced

1 Zucchini, diced

1 yellow squash, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup Roma tomatoes, diced

1/2 cup green beans

1/2 cup lentils

1 Bay leaf, whole

Salt and pepper to taste

1 TB fresh basil, chopped

1 TS fresh parsley, chopped

1 TS fresh thyme, chopped



Directions

1. Simmer lentils and bay leaf in chicken stock for 40 minutes.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients.

3. Simmer ingredients for 15 minutes.

4. Add herbs and serve at once.



Kidney Beans with Sautéed Shrimp and Asparagus (438 Calories)



Ingredients

3 cups Kidney Beans, cooked and drained

12 oz. Raw Shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 TB Olive Oil

2 TB White Wine

2 cups Asparagus, steamed and chopped

2 cups Vegetable Stock

1 TB each Fresh Basil and Thyme, chopped

To taste Salt and Pepper



Marinade for Shrimp

Ingredients

2 TB Fresh Lemon Juice

2 TS Fresh thyme, chopped

4 TB Basil

1 clove Garlic

1 TB Extra Virgin Olive Oil

To taste Salt and Pepper



Directions

1. Combine marinade ingredients.

2. Add shrimp and put into the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

3. Drain marinade.

4. Heat olive oil in a sauté pan over high heat.

5. Cook shrimp for 2 minutes on each side.

6. Add garlic and toss for a couple of minutes.

7. Add kidney beans ad white wine.

8. Cook for 1 minute over high heat.

9. Add stock and bring to a simmer, then add the asparagus.

10. Heat all of the ingredients until they are hot and the shrimp is white and clear in color.

11. Remove from the heat and add the fresh herbs.

12. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

The Metabolism Diet

This is another low calorie diet, which covers essential vitamins and gives your metabolism a serious boost. It is similar to The Scarsdale Diet. I found it easy to follow and lost about three pounds during the four days I followed it making it number ten of my Top Ten Fad Diets.

The Caveman Diet

The Caveman Diet, or Paleolithic Diet, as it is also known, is fast becoming one of the more popular fad diets. The diet suggests we return to the eating habits of the days when humans lived in caves and lived of the produce of the land. The days when there wasn't a MacDonalds in sight. The thinking behind this diet is obviously sound, and one can stick to the diet for longer periods of time without feeling too deprived. This makes it my seventh favorite diet on my Top Ten Fad Diets list.

The Mono Food Diet

The Mono Food Diet involves eating only one food at each meal. If we eat a starchy food, such as rice or potatoes, our stomach requires alkaline digestive juices in order to break the food down correctly. However, if we eat a high protein food such as fish or meat, acidic juices are needed.

To lose weight it is vital we digest our food correctly. Hence if we mix food types at the same meal, what happens? All hell breaks lose! The food is not broken down correctly, and a small host of other health problems may occur.

The Mono Diet requires we eat only one food type at any given meal time. Although this may sound dull, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Food is exceedingly easy to prepare, and apart from weight loss, you will experience an immediate sense of well being which earns it the number four position on My Top Ten Fad Diet list.

Click on the link above to learn more about The Mono Diet.

The Grape Diet

The grape Diet is a very strict regime that demands that you only eat grapes and drink water. It is not to be undertaken lightly, but if you have any other ailments it is an excellent diet, as it has been known to cure many illnesses including such diseases as cancer and diabeties. Although the diet is not easy to follow, I have made it number three in My Top Ten Fad Diet list, thanks to the added health benefits you will see if you follow it for a period of time.

The Negative Calorie Diet

Another winner in my book. The Negative Calorie Diet consists of eating foods that burn more calories to digest than you will consume. Although I do not believe any food has negative calories, one can achieve astounding results following this diet.

It is not unlike The Raw Food Diet, the foods are basically the same, but you will not attain the exceptional results you see with The Raw Food Diet, because the foods are mainly cooked, therefore destroying valuable nutrients and vitamins. However as a weight loss diet, the results are significant, I have high regard for this diet, providing you are planning on following it for a short period of time only.

I followed it for four days, and lost four pounds earning it the number two position in My Top Ten Fad Diet list.

The Raw Food Diet

The Raw Food Diet is now listed in the top seven most practised diets in the world. Although the raw food diet is NOT a fad diet, I have included it here as when I began it, I believed it was, and planned only to stick to the diet for one week. It is definately the most beneficial of all the diets I have tried, and therefore ranks as number one on my Top Ten Fad Diets list. It advocates only the use of raw or preferably 'live' foods.

Foods eaten on The Raw Food Diet should be eaten in their most natural state, the only processing that is permited is to juice or blend the vegetables or fruit.

When we cook food, we destroy approximately 50% of the vitamins and nutrients it contains. We also destroy valuable enzymes which are vital for good health and well being.

I rejected the raw food diet initially, it is completely vegan, and consists of eating only raw fruit, nuts and vegetables. I did not think I would be able to stick to this diet for any length of time. However when I did decide to try it, I wished I had not waited so long! I followed the diet for a week, and was amazed to find it was not anywhere near as restricting as I had imagined. There are numerous recipes to be found which contain only raw foods. At the end of the week my skin was clear, my eyes were bright, I was full of energy and looked five years younger! As an added bonus I lost 7lbs and it really showed. The compliments that I received after following this diet were fantastic.

The Cabbage Soup Diet

The Cabbage Soup Diet has become famous due to the fat burning properties of cabbage soup. It is rumoured to be used in hospitals for overweight patients who need to lose weight quickly for operations.

It is not the easiest diet to follow, however, if you can stick to it for a week, you should lose between 7 and 14 pounds. I followed the diet at the beginning of my weight loss and lost 6 pounds in 7 days, but I did cheat a little!

The 3 Day Detox Diet

There are many 3 day detox diets out there, the most obvious being the 3 day water fast. However if you are anything like me you would not last three minutes on a water fast, so that is out of the question.
I have listed below two far more simple options.

Easy Option



Day 1
Clear the system

On the first day of this 3 detox drink plenty of water or fresh fruit juice to substitute alcohol, and cut out tea and coffee. Eat a very light breakfast, have pasta with a veggie sauce for lunch and for dinner a light salad with tuna or other fish in the early evening.

Then, put on your trainers and go for a long brisk walk - for at least two hours.


Day 2

Rebuild your body

Cut out the fruit juice and have as much water as you can today - still no alcohol and no tea or coffee. Fresh fruit for breakfast, green salad for lunch with an oil-free dressing and steamed fish with vegetables for dinner.


Day 3

Back to full fitness

Nearly there! Just drink water and eat fruit all day - for that one last blitz. You may feel hungry so try not to do anything too energetic.

Not So Easy Option


If you can stick to it, you will be delighted at the results you can achieve with this 3 day detox. Simply drink water, and fruit or vegetable juice which should be freshly juiced just before you drink it, which excludes shop bought juice in cartons. If you can use organic fruit, even better.
I only managed two days on this detox, but I was not really hungry, just bored, so try to keep yourself busy!

The 3 Day Diet

WHAT It Is
Surprisingly surviving the test of time, the 3 Day Diet is another fad diet, dating back to 1985. Copies of the "3 Day Diet" continue to float around cyberspace, promising quick weight loss, cleansing, lower cholesterol, and increased energy. However, no diet book exists to substantiate the science behind the "unique metabolic reaction."

Often mistakenly called The Cleveland Clinic Diet, the 3 Day Diet is a regimented plan that must be followed exactly for three days at a time, followed by normal eating for four or five days before opting to resume the plan again.


Followers of the 3 Day Diet are promised up to a 10 pound weight loss in three days, although realistically, most of that weight is likely due to fluid loss and not the more desirable fat loss. To achieve the proposed loss, exercise is not mentioned in the plan.

What You Can Eat
The 3 Day Diet is a very specific food plan that must be followed precisely. Portions must be eaten exactly as specified and dieters are warned not to overeat -- otherwise the promised 10 pound weight loss may not be achieved. Likewise, dieters should not under-eat, even if they are not hungry. The detailed plan does not mention or recommend any exercise.

The 3 Day Diet meal plan:

Day 1

Breakfast

Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets Sweet & Low or Equal

1/2 grapefruit or juice

1 piece toast with 1 tablespoon peanut butter

Lunch

1/2 cup tuna

1 piece toast

Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets Sweet & Low or Equal

Dinner

3 ounces any lean meat or chicken

1 cup green beans

1 cup carrots

1 apple

1 cup regular vanilla ice cream

Day 2

Breakfast

Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets Sweet & Low or Equal

1 egg

1/2 banana

1 piece toast

Lunch

1 cup cottage cheese or tuna

8 regular saltine crackers

Dinner

2 beef franks

1 cup broccoli or cabbage

1/2 cup carrots

1/2 banana

1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream

Day 3

Breakfast

Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets Sweet & Low or Equal

5 regular saltine crackers

1 ounce cheddar cheese

1 apple

Lunch

Black coffee or tea, with 1-2 packets Sweet & Low or Equal

1 boiled egg

1 piece toast

Dinner

1 cup tuna

1 cup carrots

1 cup cauliflower

1 cup melon

1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream

In addition to its strict daily food prescription, dieters drink 4 cups of water or noncaloric drinks daily.

How It Works
By some unspecified magical force, the combination of the suggested foods included in this plan is supposed to create a unique metabolic reaction and boost fat burning.

Without an author or book, there is no documentation or explanation of how the 3 Day Diet food combinations burn fat, increase energy, cleanse the body, or lower cholesterol.

As the name suggests, the 3 Day Diet lasts only three days, though it's said that it can be repeated indefinitely, as long as you alternate with 4-5 days of undefined "normal eating." The purpose of returning to your usual eating style is to keep your metabolism from slowing, reverting to fat-storing, starvation mode.


What the Experts Say
Make no mistake: the 3 Day Diet is not associated with the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. "There is no such thing as a Cleveland Clinic diet," says Cindy Moore, director of nutrition therapy at The Cleveland Clinic. "It is an urban legend that is not nutritionally sound, and the only reason it causes weight loss is because it is so low in calories, not because of any food combinations or metabolic reactions."

Following a plan with fewer than 1,000 calories a day concerns Moore. "The plan yields about 1,000 calories a day which has the ability to lower metabolism so when you revert back to normal eating, you regain weight even quicker."

Moore adds that the diet "sets up a vicious cycle of being hungry during the restrictive three days and most likely overeating on the off days."

And the diet is so monotonous, dieters gladly return to their old eating habits. "What good is it to go back to the old habits that caused the weight gain, without resolving weight issues?" asks Moore. "Hands down, the 3 Day Diet is not conducive to changing habits or encouraging a healthier lifestyle, which are fundamental to weight control," she says.

Because the 3 Day Diet is so low in carbohydrates, it's likely the initial weight loss is primarily water weight, as carbohydrate encourages your body to retain water. As soon as the dieter goes back to consuming a normal amount of carbohydrate, the water weight comes back.

Food for Thought
Experts worry that when dieters can't follow restrictive plans like the 3 Day Diet, they blame themselves and think they've failed.

But "fad diets are not sustainable for any period of time, and it is the reason so many people throw in the towel, feeling frustrated that diets don't work, when in reality it is the diet, not the dieter," Moore says.

Weight loss is possible on the 3 Day Diet, but only because it is very low in calories. Going back to so-called normal eating does little to promote a healthier lifestyle, instead the pattern promotes undesirable yo-yo dieting or an on-again off-again approach to weight management that is not successful long term.

Bottom line: keep looking for a well-balanced weight loss plan that controls calories every day, includes exercise, and allows a wide variety of healthy foods. To lose weight, it is simply not enough to eat a prescribed diet for three days without addressing eating habits that cause weight gain.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

3 Day Diet

Day Diet Plan is used for 3 days at a time. This diet normally used by doctors and military. These diet uses all natural products, no pills or nasty shaky. If you follow the diet correctly you can lose up to 10 lbs. in 3 days and 40 pounds in a month. The 3 day diet focuses on mixing certain types of foods that create a reaction in your digestive system. The chemicals are supposed to boost your metabolism and help you burn fat at a higher rate than usual. After 3 days of dieting, resume eating normally for three to four days, do not overeat. You can start your 3 day diet back anytime if you like.

It is a calorie diet, your weight will be reduced fast as long as you eat the same amount of calories in any type of food. If you feel bored with the food, do replace them with the food with the same calorie value anytime you like. This is to ensure that 3 Days Diet will forever be interesting to us.

The Diet does not provide medical information and if you are at any medical risk in undertaking a diet such as this, please check with your doctor before undertaking it.

Instructions:
Drink 4 glasses of water or diet soda per day. For additional flavoring you can add herbs, soy sauce, lemon, salt and pepper, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and ketchup to your foods.

3 Day Diet Menu Plan
First Day of "3 Day Diet"

Breakfast

Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water
1 banana
1 slice toast with 1 Tbsp. Peanut Butter
Lunch

1/2 Cup of Tuna
1 slice toast
Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water
Dinner

2 beef franks or hot dogs
1/2 cup carrots
1 banana
1 cup broccoli or cabbage
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water




Second Day of "3DayDiet"

Breakfast

Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water
1 egg (any style)
1/2 Grapefruit or juice
1 slice of toast
Lunch

1 hard boiled egg
1 slice toast
Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water
Dinner

3 oz. any lean meat
1 cup green beans
1 cup carrots
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1 medium apple
Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water




Third Day of "3 Day Diet"

Breakfast

Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water
5 regular saltine crackers
1 oz. (slice) cheddar cheese
1 apple
Lunch

1 cup cottage cheese or tuna
5 saltine crackers
Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water
Dinner

1 cup tuna
1 cup carrots
1 cup cauliflower
1 cup melon
1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream
Black coffee or tea (Sweet & Low or Equal) or water


Expected Benefits derive from 3daysdiet plan:
1. Increased energy
2. Weight loss
3. Healthy skin
4. Enhanced sexual drive
5. Reduced allergies