Low Carb Diet Plan - The Science Behind The Low Carb Diet

March 11th, 2009 by admin

Low carb diet plans are excellent for losing weight, but as with all diets you need to take care and use some common sense when undertaking such a diet.

With a little direction and knowledge a low carb lifestyle
can help you maintain your weight loss.

In order to pick a low carb diet that’s right for you, you
first need to understand what carbohydrates are and the different types of carbs.

Carbs are made up of either single sugars (simple carbs) or bound strings of sugar (complex carbs).

Some examples of simple carbs include sucrose (table sugar),
fructose (fruit sugar) and lactose (dairy sugar). Examples
of complex carbs are wheat flour or potato starch.

Carbs are one of the main nutrient groups your body uses for
energy along with fat and protein. All three are converted
to glucose or blood sugar.

The difference is that carbs are converted quickly, causing
quick spikes in the body’s blood sugar levels. These spikes
in blood sugar levels cause the pancreas to create and
release the hormone insulin until the blood sugar level returns to normal.

Insulin lowers our blood’s glucose levels. It’s released
into the blood as soon as the body detects that blood sugar
levels have risen above its optimal level.

Insulin also runs the body’s fuel storage systems.

Eating too much of simple, refined carbohydrates leads to
over production of insulin, which leads to the storage of
too much fat in the body.

Excess sugar or fat in the blood signals the body to store
it in fat cells and tell these cells not to release it.
Thus their stored fat is unavailable for use by the body as
energy.

By preventing stored fat from being released for use as
energy, insulin prevents weight loss. With higher insulin
levels, fat cells are prevented from releasing their stores and it becomes harder to lose weight.

Basically, what it all boils down to is that carbohydrates,
especially simple carbs like sugar and starch, are quickly
released into the bloodstream, turned into glucose and
trigger the creation of large amounts of insulin.

By lowering your carb consumption, less insulin is
produced and fewer calories are stored as fat.
Less fat storage means less weight gain.

So the idea behind every low carb diet plan is that a body
that produces less insulin burns more fat because the body’s
not storing the excess glucose as fat.

Some plans encourage a period of extremely low carbohydrate
intake so that the body will enter a state of ketosis and
burn fat stores quicker.

Ketosis, the body’s survival mechanism during times of famine, is the process of burning stored fat for energy when glucose is not readily available.

When your body reaches ketosis, this is what’s referred to
as the “induction” phase.

The length of extreme carb control varies from seven days
to however long it takes you to reach your ideal weight.

After this period of extremely low carb dieting, maintenance
levels of carb consumption are followed to prevent weight
gain. The amount of carb you can safely eat will depend on
your unique body system and your level of activity. You’ll
probably have to experiment to find out what level of carb
intake is right for you.

The whole idea’s to cut out refined carbs such as white flour and white flour products, reduce sweets and
artificially sweetened foods and consume smaller amounts of
whole grains and raw fruits and veggies.

So as you can see, with a little common sense and a little
willpower, you can lose weight with the right low carb diet
plan.

Michael Harris lifts weights and excercises regularly and keeps fit by following a low carb, high protein diet. You can too by visiting http://www.lowcarbdietsecretsrevealed.com

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Farewell To The Atkins Low Carb Diet

March 10th, 2009 by admin

Atkins Nutritionals recently announced that they are filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. It seems that the “low carb craze” was nothing more than just a passing fad. Well my friends I have come to both praise and bury the Atkins Diet.

I first discovered low carb diets about 15 years ago — well before their recent popularity. My first introduction was by way of a book entitled “The Endocrine Control Diet.” Like the Atkins Diet and other low carb diets for that matter, it was based on a severely restricted carbohydrate intake — less than 50 grams of carbs per day. You put your body into a state of ketosis and force it to burn fat instead of glucose.

I was amazed at how quickly I was able to drop weight on the diet. If memory serves correctly, I dropped 15 lbs in little over a week. Sure, a portion of it was water and muscle weight, but I also dropped quite a bit of body fat. I could tell it was fat because my waistline shrunk substantially.

The “Endocrine Control Diet” was strict about keeping carbs low and remaining in a state of ketosis until you reached your weight loss goal. This was tracked on a daily basis by peeing on Keto Strips to make sure you were still in ketosis. I stayed on the diet for about 2 months before reverting back to my former diet. The interesting thing was that I was able to keep my weight down for another 3 months before getting back up to where I was before the diet.

I should mention that during the diet that I was lifting weights and doing cardio exercise on a regular basis. I sincerely believe that this factor was vital in retaining lean muscle mass while dropping as much body fat as possible while on a calorie restricted, low carb diet.

In the intervening years I tried other low carb diets that were all variations on the same theme. The one constant for me was keeping up with my weight training and cardio exercise. Each and every time I was able to drop 15 - 20 lbs in as little as 3 weeks and keep it off for at least 3 months after stopping the diet.

The biggest problem I have with low carb diets is that I’m personally unable to stay on them for more that 3 months at a time. It’s just too damn hard! Let’s face it I like my carbs. Being of Italian extraction I was raised on pasta and bread. I also love Chinese cuisine with extra rice and have a fondness for potatoes. All of these foods are taboo on a low carb diet!

In the end, a low carb diet is not very realistic or very sociable for that matter. I’ve never been too worried about the health effects though. I’ve had my cholesterol checked both on and off the low carb diets and there have been no variation in the readings even when I’ve consumed extra fat during some of the diets. My total cholesterol has always hovered around 200, which could be lower, but is the cutoff for a normal level.

Now that I know the power of a low carb diet to quickly take off weight, it will always be part of my fitness arsenal. The real secret is to combine the diet, and any diet for that matter, with a program of regular exercise that includes both weight training and cardiovascular exercise.

I think the best approach is to cycle your diet plan like professional bodybuilders do. Target a period for when you want to be at your leanest like the summer months at the beach or a high school reunion or wedding and start a low carb diet about 2-3 months out. You’ll hit your peak right when you’re ready to go back to your normal eating habits and you can count on staying lean for several weeks afterward.

The real secret is to always stay within 10-15 lbs of your “fighting weight” and know that you can get there in a hurry with a low carb diet.

Rich Rojas

Elliptical Trainer Reviews and Fitness Ideas

http://www.ellipticalhome.com

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20 Dieting Tips You Can Use Immediately To Start Losing Weight

March 9th, 2009 by admin

Dieting is not easy. If it were, we would probably all be
thin. Since we are not, here are some tips that successful
people use to lose weight so that others can benefit, too.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 1: DRINK 8-10 GLASSES OF WATER EACH DAY

Okay, for many people this is a big problem. Water doesn’t
taste all that great generally because water doesn’t really
“taste” like anything. Drinking water 8 to 10 times each
day gets easier the more you actually do it. It is simply a
matter of conditioning your taste buds, and yourself, so
that it becomes easier to do. Once you get started, you
will begin to crave water.

To begin with, you should drink a glass of water in the
morning first thing, before you eat. This is probably the
easiest glass you will drink all day and it will help you
remember to drink water all day long. Better yet, why not
drink two glasses?

If you really cannot bear the taste of water, try using a
water purifying pitcher or filter. You can also add a few
drops of lemon or lime to your water - but no sugar or
sweetener! Ice also helps.

Check out flavored waters on the market, too. Just keep an
eye out for additives.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 2: EAT BREAKFAST

Do not skip breakfast. If you need to go to bed a little
earlier so that you can get up 20 minutes earlier each
morning - do it! Breakfast is so important to your good
health and to weight control. According to Dr. Barbara
Rolls a professor of nutrition at Penn State University,
“Your metabolism slows while you sleep, and it doesn’t rev
back up until you eat again.”

Eating breakfast is not only good for overall weight loss,
it will help you stay on track with your diet the rest of
the day. You are more likely to binge on something sweet
and in the “bread” group if you skip breakfast.

You can always keep a couple of hard-boiled eggs in the
fridge or some high-fiber, low starch fruit around. If you
plan to eat fruit at all during the day, breakfast is the
perfect time to do it.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 3: EAT AT LEAST 3 MEALS AND 2 SNACKS EACH
DAY

This can be one of the hardest adjustments to make. After
all, you are busy! You already have a “full-plate”. When do
you have time to worry about filling your plate with more
frequent meals?

Just like eating breakfast will increase your metabolism,
so will eating more often. This will also help you curb
your bad-carb intake by making sure that your snacks are
planned and occur regularly throughout the day.

Really, it will just take a minimal investment of planning
time at the grocery store and at home each morning before
you head out for the day to make some healthy food choices
and prepare a few healthy snacks and meals.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 4: AVOID WHITE FOODS

This is one easy way to remember what not to eat. If it is
made from sugar, flour, potatoes, rice or corn - just say
no. Remembering this rule of thumb will make it easier to
recognize those rice cakes as an unhealthy high-carb snack.

Always look for colorful fruits and veggies to substitute
for the white ones. Buy broccoli, lettuce, bell peppers,
green beans and peas, brown rice in moderation, leafy
greens like kale and spinach, apples, melons, oranges and
grapes.

These foods are not only colorful they are also high in
fiber, nutrients and important antioxidants. Eating
colorful fruits and vegetables will give your diet variety
as well as give you added health benefits.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 5: EAT YOUR VEGGIES

It is so easy to use a low carb diet as an excuse for poor
nutrition. Resist this temptation. If the only vegetable
you have eaten in the last 5 years has been the potato, now
is a good time to begin experimenting with other
vegetables. This is important for your overall health and
to avoid some nasty side effects of not getting enough
fiber in your diet.

If you try hard enough, you will find vegetables that you
enjoy eating. Experiment with grilling veggies and cooking
with real butter to add flavor. You can also search for new
recipes on the Internet or in cookbooks.

Remember, if you are only eating 40 grams of carb a day or
less, two cups of plain salad greens contain only about 5
grams of carbohydrate. You have no excuse not to eat your
veggies.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 6: PREPARE YOUR OWN FOOD AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE

While more and more restaurants are offering low carb
friendly menu items, many of them are still not ideal
low carb fare. There are many recipes for quick and easy
meals that you can prepare yourself at home. Try to do this
as often as possible.

If you cook your own foods, you know exactly what the
contents are and you will be able to better control for
hidden sugar and otherwise processed foods.

Another benefit is the cost savings over the long run. Even
if you must go to the grocery store more often, you will
save a significant amount per meal as opposed to eating at
restaurants and fast food establishments.

It will also be easier to maintain your diet with your own
favorite fresh food selections on hand.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 7: INVEST IN A GOOD SET OF FOOD STORAGE
CONTAINERS

Having food storage containers of various sizes on hand
will make it so much easier for you to plan your meals and
snacks. When you buy nuts, fruits and vegetables in bulk
you can simply prepare, separate and store them for easy
use later.

For instance, you can pre-slice your apples and snack on
them over several days. Simply cut them, rinse them in
pineapple or lemon juice and store. This will make a quick
and easy snack for later.

Fix your lunch and take it with you to work. Better yet,
fix your lunch and 2 snacks for work.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 8: EAT SOME PROTIEN AT EACH MEAL & AS A
SNACK

In addition to everything that’s been discussed before,
eating protein helps you burn more calories. Jeff Hample,
Ph.D., R.D., a spokesman for the American Dietetic
Association says that, “Protein is made up mainly of amino
acids, which are harder for your body to breakdown, so you
burn more calories getting rid of them.”

Just think - eating a protein rich snack can help you lose
weight. How about a few slices of turkey or ham or some
string cheese?

Eating protein will also help you feel full so that you are
less likely to crave unhealthy snacks.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 9: DRINK A GLASS OF WATER AFTER EACH SNACK

This will help you get in your 8 to 10 glasses of water
each day but it can also have other benefits. Ever feel
hungry after eating a handful or standard serving of nuts?
Try drinking water afterwards. The water will help you feel
full and prevent overindulgence.

Drinking water after a snack will also help remove the
aftertaste from your mouth and can help curb your desire
for more.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 10: EAT SLOWLY & ENJOY YOUR FOOD

You will feel full and more satisfied if you take the time
to savor your food and chew it slower. Don’t get in the
habit of eating while standing or eating quickly. Sit down
and chew.

Eating slower will help you enjoy your food more, pay
attention to what it is you are actually eating and get a
better sense of when you are actually full.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 11: EAT YOUR LARGER MEALS EARLY AND SMALLER
MEALS LATER

You will feel better and lose weight quicker if you eat a
large breakfast and eat a smaller dinner. You may also want
to eat the majority of your carbs earlier in the day,
saving a salad and lean meat protein for dinner.

Eating larger meals during the part of the day when you are
most active will help you to feel satisfied throughout the
day and curb cravings for unhealthy snacks.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 12: CONSIDER EATING SALMON OR MACKREL FOR
BREAKFAST

Yes this may seem odd, but it is one way to work in Omega-3
fatty acids that are good for you and add some variety to
your daily diet. After a few months you may tire of eating
eggs and bacon for breakfast. Substituting fish will give
you the protein and healthy fish oils you need.

You can try canned salmon or mackerel in croquettes for a
healthier sausage substitute. Or you could simply eat cold
leftover salmon the next morning with dill sauce.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 13: USE LETTUCE LEAVES INSTEAD OF BREAD

This tip can seem a bit odd at first but if you try it you
will probably grow to love it. Instead of eating breads and
buns with your sandwiches and hamburgers, why not try
leaves of lettuce?

You can make a double cheeseburger with onions, pickles and
tomato wrapped in a whole lettuce leaf. Or you can make
tasty wrap sandwiches with lettuce instead of tortilla and
bread.

This will help increase your good carb and fiber intake
while giving you more variety in your diet.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 14: EAT A FRUIT DESSERT

Okay, we all want a little dessert sometime, but how do you
have your dessert and your low carb diet too? Why not try
cheese with fruit slices or berries? Better yet, why not
try cream with berries? You could even try sweet pineapples
or strawberries with cottage cheese?

Berries are sweet and high in fiber and nutrients and dairy
products are high in protein. If your low carb plan will
allow it, this is a sweet and tasty alternative to more
sugary desserts.

An added benefit is that the protein in the dairy products
and the fiber in the fresh fruit will make these desserts
more filling.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 15: GET YOUR FRUIT FRESH NOT SQUEEZED

Fruit juice can be very tempting as a replacement for soda,
but just how healthy is fruit juice? If you read the labels
you will soon realize that in many of the commercial juices
available at your local grocery store there is very little
actual fruit juice.

What you will find is lots of sugar water and other
ingredients. Why not skip the juice altogether and eat a
fresh piece of fruit? Not only does fresh fruit contain
less sugar than juice, fresh fruit has fiber that is good
for you and will help you feel fuller longer.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 16: GO EASY ON THE MEAL REPLACEMENTS

New meal replacement shakes and bars go on the market
almost every day. These shakes and bars may claim to be
healthy, but almost all of them, even the Zone Perfect
bars, contain hydrogenated oil and sweeteners.

So be careful. The bars especially may be only slightly
healthier than a Snickers candy bar. Occasionally, they may
not be that bad for you but as a rule you probably don’t
want to indulge in a meal replacement shake or bar every
day.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 17: IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT
PROBABLY IS

Low carb doughnuts and muffins? You can find these
prepackaged low carb labeled goods at your neighborhood
grocery store and at many low carb lifestyle specialty
shops. That does not mean that you should make a habit out
of eating them.

While low carb pastries may be tempting remember that they
still contain all of the usual carbohydrate suspects: sugar
or a sugar substitute and flour.

They may be healthier than your typical muffin as an
occasional treat, but remember to stick with the basics for
continued low carb success.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 18: AT THE GROCERY STORE - SHOP THE OUTER
AISLES

It will be easier to stick with your low carb lifestyle if
you learn the one common thread in all grocery store
designs: the healthy foods are on the perimeter aisles.

Think about it, when you go into the grocery all of the
healthy stuff, fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy
products are arranged around the stores walls. You only
rarely need to enter the center aisle areas in those few
stores that stock butter and cheese in the center near the
frozen foods. For the most part all of the foods that you
need for your low carb diet can be found on the perimeter
of the grocery store.

Train yourself to start on one end of the outer aisle and
work your way around. It will be much easier to avoid carb
cravings and fill your basket with healthy items if you do
so.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 19: INVEST IN GOOD COOKBOOKS

Can’t figure out what to eat? Need some variety in your
diet? Turn to a cookbook. Granted, not all recipes in a
cookbook are low carb fare, but you will be surprised at
the number of low carb and low carb friendly recipes you
can find in your standard Betty Crocker Cookbook.

Cookbooks are great reference tools that often contain
handy tips on purchasing cuts of meat and preparing meats,
fruits and vegetables in new and exciting ways.

Plus, new low carb cookbooks are hitting the shelves all
the time. So be sure to take advantage of these resources
to try something new, different and delicious.

SUCCESS TIP NO. 20: TAKE A GOOD MULTIVITAMIN

We can’t all do it right all of the time. Even the most
conscientious food combiner may miss some healthy vitamins,
minerals and trace elements in their diets. To help make
sure you get everything that you need, consider taking a
good multivitamin.

Check with your doctor first for recommendations and you
should be tested for anemia to see if you need a vitamin
with iron. However, the longer you eat low carb and the
more red meat you eat, the less anemia will be a problem
and you should be able to take vitamins with less iron.

Your success is totally up to you. Assuming that you are an
otherwise healthy individual, your body will do its part.
Just remember to adhere to the low carb diet plan that is
right for you and add some variety to your meals to help
you stay faithful to your health and weight loss goals.

If you’re interested in losing up to 20 pounds this month,
try following our 30-Day Low Carb Diet ‘Ketosis Plan’ which
also includes over 300 healthy low carb diet recipes you
can easily make at home. Visit
http://lowcarbdiet.your-health-guide.com

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