Fat Loss 4 Idiots Opinion

Friday, May 29, 2009

Living With A Food Allergy

By Jonathan Rigby

You may be hearing more and more about food allergies in recent years. That's no surprise considering an estimated 12 million Americans suffer from these types of allergies, and the number seems to be rising. Because of the prevalence and possible severity of this condition luckily awareness has increased as well.

Some people experience food intolerance instead of a food allergy which can cause confusion; they are different conditions that can cause different reactions.

Many people have an intolerance of certain foods or additives, but this is very different than having a food allergy. An allergy can show within minutes of eating the trigger food, while an intolerance will result in a belated reaction to the food. An allergy is an immune response while an intolerance is more related to improper digestion.

A food allergy is called an immune response because the allergy reaction is caused by a response from the immune system. The immune system is constantly working to take care of the body and shield it from harm. It views this allergen as a potentially damaging substance so it starts working to defend the body. To help the body defend itself the system releases specific protective chemicals, one of these being histamine which triggers the allergy symptoms.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include tingling in the mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or eyelids, labored breathing, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea or hives. In more severe cases it can include a drop in blood pressure, loosing consciousness, and in extreme cases sometimes death -- these symptoms are signs of anaphylactic shock.

A small number of foods are responsible for the vast majority of food allergies in the U.S. The eight foods that most commonly cause allergies are dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, shellfish, soy and wheat. Allergens can vary a bit from country to country, but these eight are typically the most common in all countries.

The best treatment for allergies is to avoid the allergen. This may sound simple enough with a food allergy (vs and airborne allergy), but unfortunately it isn't always that easy. Often times these allergens may be hidden in processed foods. To help with this the U.S. requires that food labels list the eight common allergens.

While this has been quite helpful it doesn't guarantee the foods are pure and completely safe for allergy sufferers. The other problem is the possibility of cross-contamination. This happens when a machine that processes a food that contains a common allergen is also used for foods that don't contain an allergen. Even though the machines are cleaned, traces of the allergen can remain.

Luckily most labels now have an allergy section where they list what other types of foods are processed in the same facility, but there are other things food allergy sufferers will need to look for as well. Ingredients that contain allergens can be listed under different names, for example casein and whey are forms of milk protein. Those with a dairy allergy will need to avoid these ingredients.

Anyone with allergies should know the signs of an allergy reaction so they can tell if they may have come in contact with the allergen. They should also know how to treat themselves; this usually includes using an epinephrine injector. - 17269

About the Author:

2 Easy Ways to Conquer Weight Loss Plateau

By Thong M. Dao

You were likely burning off pounds with ease for the first weeks when you followed a new dieting plan, just to get stuck at some stage later on. When people start a diet program they rapidly lose a few pounds, because most diet programs are created to offer you 'instant weight loss'. Unfortunately enough, this 'fast fat loss' is generally 'short-lived' fat loss.

You'll slim down really rapidly for the first couple of weeks however then, you'll find out that the scale isn't declining any longer! You're not shedding any more pounds than what you've lost already! You have hit a situation commonly known as weight loss plateau! In that position, the sole cure is a thorough overhaul of your life style habits.

You have probably done the same sets of exercises as well as ate the same types of foods over and over again during those first few weeks when you were losing weight. As an outcome your body became used to your dieting and workout routine. If that took place, your fat loss techniques failed to produce any sustainable outcomes!

If you want to go through this point, you need to change your diet and exercise regimen. Here are 2 things you have to adopt to break from the fat loss plateau.

1. Calorie-counting isn't the path to go: Once you calculate your energy, you essentially restrict the consumption of energy to an abnormally low degree. When you eat low calorie foods, there is no incentive for your body to increase your metabolic rate since it has to burn only a few calories. The consequence is that your metabolism all of the time stays at a really low degree. Once your metabolic process is down, you aren't capable to cut pounds!

So to burn off pounds and slim down with success, you have to ignore calorie calculating and consume enough therefore your body is affected to maintain your metabolism at a higher degree. Your body demands fuel to burn up weight, and it will acquire that fuel merely from food!

2. Work out to a greater extent: If you've been warding off physical exertion completely, or have been performing solely light workouts, and then you can't lose much fat. Weight loss is easier if you perform high intensity workouts regularly. Rather than being frightened of workouts, attempt to enjoy them. Workouts are even a different effective way of raising your metabolic process.

Adopt those 2 techniques and you'll shortly be capable to get the lean body you want! - 17269

About the Author:

How To Grow Taller And Lose Weight At The Same Time

By Shaun Davids

Are you desperate to figure out how to grow taller naturally? Then let me tell you that is easier than you think. All it requires you to do is to eat the right foods, do the right exercises and get enough rest in between. Today we will focus on 8 ways to increase your vitamin and mineral intake to help you increase height.

This article will explain some concepts behind nutrition, to not only promote well-being, but also to aid height growth.

Here are some tips for healthy nutrition together with your aim to grow taller:

1. Take note of your eating patterns. Your eating patterns may have to do with the regular hours when you take in food into your body. You have to follow that same pattern most of the time.

2. Never skip a meal. This put your body under unnecessary strain and decreases the nutrients responsible for growth.

3. Breakfast is very important. Your first meal of the day makes a big difference in how to grow taller - so never skip it. If you go to gym in the morning then either eat a light meal before you go, or straight afterward.

4. Stay away from the sweet stuff. This includes those sugary cereals, soda, and sweets. Eating more sugar does noy help you grow tall, it just helps you grow wide.

5. Eat low GI foods - these include vegetable, fruits, whole-grains, and wholewheat starches. Yes, your mother was right in telling you to finish your veggies as a way how to grow taller.

6. Take note that your body needs proteins. Proteins are composed of amino acids which are building blocks of cells in the body. Proteins are essential components of substances, hormones and elements inside the body which could help you in growing taller.

7. Get enough rest. This helps you to regain all the energy you lost during the day and helps rebuild your muscles after exercise. Without resting your body, you will never know how to grow taller.

8. Lastly, avoid engaging yourself with unhealthy habits, such as smoking and drinking, which may cause other complications aside from hindering you to grow taller.

So these are the 8 steps to preparing yourself for eating properly and improving your nutrition before you join a get taller program. Take them seriously and you will know to grow taller. - 17269

About the Author:

Facts About Cellulite

By El Bilson

It can be hard to tell facts about cellulite from cellulite myths. This is mostly because cellulite is not very well studied. However based on what we do know about cellulite, there are dermatologists and plastic surgeons can that agree on things such as the causes of cellulite and which treatments work best.

The first cellulite fact generally agreed on by doctors is that cellulite is not so much a fat problem as it is a skin problem. The reason for this is because cellulite is made up of fat that resides directly beneath the skin. The elasticity of your skin can have an effect on the appearance of cellulite.

Physicians also agree that cellulite is found mainly in women over 35 years of age. But age is not believed to be the primary factor in the development of cellulite. Women of all ages are affected by cellulite including girls in their teens.

Doctors also agree on the fact that there are a few key reasons why some people develop cellulite and others have perfect skin. The three key reasons for this are hormones, genetics and anatomy. The anatomy of the septa plays a role in the development of cellulite.

Septa are the fibrous bands of connective tissue that surround fat cells in the skin to help keep them in place. In men the septa run in a diagonal pattern while in women their pattern is vertical. A person's genetics play an important part in determining how many septa are found in the body. Septa are genetic, therefore cellulite is too. Doctors say the circulatory system that feeds our skin cells and lymph vessels are affected by hormonal changes or may become damaged over time, allowing cellulite to become more apparent.

While opinions of how well they work may vary, experts do agree on four basic treatments for cellulite. These treatments include creams and lotions, cellulite diet and supplements, light devices such as lasers, and high-tech massages techniques. While some of these treatments may work for some patients, for others there may be little to no results when using these treatments.

These treatments come with varying degrees of commitment. Changing the diet is a long term commitment to a lifestyle change. Creams and lotions require regular application and can take several weeks to notice results. The use of mechanical devices as in Endermologie or the use of light devices such as laser offer more lasting results but can be expensive. Patients may need to be made aware of the pros and cons of treatments.

One of the treatments that doctors can't seem to agree on is Mesotherapy. While many physicians are using this technique to treat cellulite, others express concern about it. Mesotherapy is among the most controversial of cellulite treatments. Developed in France in the 1950s, it combines a mixture of off-label FDA approved medicines to make an injectible solution. Patients often experience mixed results as well.

The types of medicines used in mesothearpy treatments can vary from patient to patient. The injection formula is based on what the doctor feels is appropriate for the patient. The injections are given rapidly over the course of 30 to 60 minutes. Some doctors and surgeons question the effectiveness of the ingredients of the cocktail. There is also questions as to how well the body is able to get rid of the toxins that mesotherapy releases - do these toxins just get stuck in the liver, or is the body able to process them?

These facts about cellulite are generally agreed upon by most physicians but you should always contact your own doctor before undergoing any treatments. Beware of doctors that seem to be just pushing products and treatments. If you're going to spend the money on cellulite treatments, make sure they are done by someone you trust! - 17269

About the Author:

Gout Food To Avoid - Stop Aggravating The Pain

By PJ Easton

Gout is known as being a painful type of arthritis. What causes gout? Having lots of uric acid in the body is known for causing it. We know just how painful gout is and we are here to help you. How are we going to help? We are going to help by giving you an article on gout food to avoid. Sure, it may sound a bit complicated to you, because avoiding certain types of food is hard to do, especially when it is your favorite food.

If you have gout right now, then you should make sure you do not have much foods in your diet that are high in protein. The foods you consume should be low in protein. That means you will need to avoid those big amounts of red or dark meat or seafood.

You will need to avoid seafood. We are sorry if seafood is your favorite food, but it is something you will need to avoid. Especially, sardines, herring, scallops, roe, mussels, haddock and trout. You should avoid those foods that have high concentrations of purine as this can make your gout worse.

First of all, this may not count as food, but it is something that you should stay away from as it will only make your gout symptoms even more painful. We are talking about the ever so popular drink: alcohol. You should especially stay away from beer as it is only going to hurt you. Besides, alcohol hurts you and those around you in more ways that one. We tell you to stay away from beer, because it contains yeast. Eating foods that are strong in yeast are known for making the symptoms of this problem worse.

You should also avoid those foods that are high in carbohydrates. This may be a bit frustrating, but there are a list of meats you should also stay away from. Stay away from beef, lamb, pork and veal. You should also stay away from animal organs, such as kidney, brains and heart.

The last thing you want is to go through a painful gout attack. There are a lot of foods that can higher your risk of getting gout. There are also other foods that can make your go through more pain and cause the attack to last longer. Now that we have told you a list of gout food to avoid, we believe you should look at a list of non-gout foods to eat. - 17269

About the Author:

Benefits of a Masticating Juicer

By Daniel Williams

When it comes to buying a juicer for your home you will soon discover there are many different models to choose from. But with each model they are designed to allow you to extract juice from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables that you can freshly consume. Not only will purchasing such juicers be beneficial to your health but will save you the money that you would normally spend on purchasing the ready prepared juice that isn't that beneficial at all to your health. There two types of juicers that people tend to purchase either the centrifugal juicer or the masticating juicer.

Below we look at what the benefits are to be had from owning a masticating juicer rather than some of the other juicers that are available. However, you first need to understand a bit about how these particular juicers operate. Whereas the centrifugal juicer will shred the pulp at high speed using the blades contained within it a masticating juicer actually uses the blades at slow speed to chew up the pulp of the fruit or vegetables.

These types of machines are fitted with either one or two cutters and the single blade versions tend to be the much cheaper ones. However, if you want a model that is able to extract the juice for hard fruits, vegetables or wheatgrass then you would better to go with those models that come with two cutters on them.

So what benefits can you gain from owning a masticating juicer rather than the centrifugal type ones?

1. Firstly as these juicers operate a low speeds they not only extract more juice but far less oxygen is produced as the process is carried out. Much less oxygen in the juice helps to extend its shelf life and so you can make up large batches at one time and then store in the fridge until you want to drink it.

2. You will discover that there are several different stages that this type of juicer uses in order to extract the juice from the fruit or vegetables place in to it. Because of this the juicer can more effectively break down the fiber contained within the food that is more beneficial to your health as more of the nutrients get into the juice that has been squeezed from the pulp.

3. As mentioned these means can cope with any hardness of fruit or vegetable and even placing wheatgrass into the masticating juicer is not a problem. So rather than spending considerable sums purchasing a wheatgrass juicer instead you can employ the services of a masticating juicer instead.

4. These machines are not only ideal for creating good amounts of fresh juice from fruit and vegetables but they have found to have other uses as well. Some mothers use theirs for producing healthy nutritional meals for their baby.

5. These machines not only make far less noise than other types of juicers but also they create a lot less mess. Plus another major benefit to be gained from having a masticating juicer over the other models available is that they are a lot easier to clean after they have been used.

So as you can see from above there are plenty of reasons why you should consider purchasing a masticating juicer over the more traditional centrifugal models. A quick search online and you will see there are plenty of different models to select from. The only decision you now have to make is how much you can afford on buying one. - 17269

About the Author:

Optimizing Your Nutrition Program - Tips and Strategies

By Marcus J. Dawson

The types of foods you eat and when you eat them are essential for bodybuilding success, but very few athletes really understand what it takes to maintain a healthy nutrition program. Bodybuilders involved in competition often resort to extreme weight loss that leaves them stressed, fatigued and incapable of increasing muscle size and strength later in their careers. You can avoid falling into the trap of a poor nutrition program by maintaining a log of your food and caloric intake, and making sure you follow the key nutritional guidelines for bodybuilders in training.

Catherine Jackson, author of the book "Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete"explains that following a very strict, high-protein diet often leads to irritability and decreased endurance. Avoid the pitfalls of a poor diet by eating enough calories and selecting the right foods. You can avoid the pitfalls of poor nutrition by making sure you're not experiencing any of the following throughout your training program:

Decreased strength - too little protein often results in decreased strength, which can make it very difficult to maintain a consistent workout program. Eating the right types of protein, and not relying solely on protein powders and protein bars to meet your daily requirements is essential for good health; eat lean proteins such as chicken, tofu and egg whites to make sure you're getting enough of this nutrient in your daily diet.

Being moody and irritable -A moody and irritable athlete won't be able to focus during training. Moodiness and Irritability is actually brought about by low blood sugar. This can be interpreted as a sign that you're not eating enough carbohydrates. If this is the case then you can stabilize your blood sugar level by eating small amounts of fruits, vegetables and whole grains throughout the day. Don't forget about protein as it also reduces your blood sugar absorption rate.

Increase in sickness - Being sick all the time is a sign that your immune system is weakened. Combat this by incorporating different food groups into your diet. Consume foods that are high in B vitamins and minerals such as milk, fish and soybeans.

Eat something before training - A lot of people starve themselves before training. This practice is actually counter productive since you'll mostly run out of energy in the middle of training. Eat just a small amount of carbohydrate 1 hour before training. This will give you the fuel you need especially if you are training for speed.

Eat right and rest - Lack of motivation is a sign of burnout. Give your body enough time for rest. Not eating right can also cause stress to your body. Experts suggest that we eat several small meals distributed over the day instead of a few heavy meals. Eating heavy will make your body work harder to digest all those food. This will also lead to an unstable energy level. Professional athletes are commonly known to eat mini-meals every 2 to 3 hours. This helps in maintaining a stable blood sugar level needed for training. - 17269

About the Author:

Optimizing Your Nutrition Program - Tips and Strategies

By Marcus J. Dawson

A solid nutrition program, backed with knowledge on nutrition, is necessary for any serious bodybuilder. Many uninformed bodybuilders go to great lengths on their training and are often met with disastrous results. Stressed and fatigued bodies are the only outcome of wrong nutritional beliefs and practices. All a bodybuilder has to do to avoid this is to arm himself with basic knowledge on nutrition and practice it. Following a good nutritional program designed for an individual is just a matter of recording his food and caloric intake and matching it up against his recommended nutritional needs.

The book "Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete" states that an exclusive high-protein diet negatively affects an athlete's training and career. Catherine Jackson, the book's author, explains that eating purely protein for a prolonged period often causes irritability and lowers stamina. This can be remedied by initially consuming adequate amounts of calories. Below are some warning signs indicating that you might have poor nutrition and some tips on how to get back on track.

Get enough protein from a variety of sources - Proteins are the building blocks of muscles and so a low level of it will lead to decreased strength. Make sure to get proper amounts of protein in your diet. It would be ideal if you were getting your supply of protein from a variety of sources. Foods rich in protein are meat, chicken, egg, milk and soya - based products.

Moodiness or irritability - irritability is often the result of low blood sugar which means you might not be getting enough carbohydrates in your diet. Maintain healthy blood sugar levels by eating whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the day, combined with protein to slow down blood sugar absorption. Not eating enough carbs can also affect your ability to concentrate and focus during your weight training routine, so eat healthy carbs at regular intervals throughout the day to optimize your results.

Increase in sickness - Being sick all the time is a sign that your immune system is weakened. Combat this by incorporating different food groups into your diet. Consume foods that are high in B vitamins and minerals such as milk, fish and soybeans.

Decreased speed - if you've been focused on increasing endurance but can't get past your usual times on the treadmill or during your sprint sessions, you may not be fueling up properly before your workout. Some athletes don't eat anything for 2-3 hours before their workout, but if you're looking for ways to increase energy for speed training, you'll need to eat some type of carbohydrate at least 1 hour before your training session.

Lack of motivation - losing interest in working out is a surefire sign that you're not eating enough and getting enough rest. Make sure you're eating small meals throughout the day to maintain a steady level of energy; successful athletes typically consume a small 'meal' every 2-3 hours to maintain healthy blood sugar levels and sustain themselves through a training program. - 17269

About the Author:

The Health Aid That Ionized Water Can Achieve

By Chris Channing

There has been an explosion of rumor and speculation of a new type of health products, in the form of water ionization machines. Water ionization has been able to give drinkers a plethora of health gains that current studies are standing behind. The process of water ionization has much to offer those of all ages.

For the same reason that you wouldn't drink rain water because of the acidity level, you would prefer ionized water over tap water. Ionized water is conditioned to be alkaline- which is to say it is as free of acid as possible. Alkaline water is achieved by manipulating ions, or what are electrically charged atoms. The process of water ionization obtains much more that just a less acidic solution, however.

Alkaline water is particularly helpful, since it is said to carry more oxygen than acidic water. Oxygen is required to prevent the buildup of acid in our cells as a result of cell aspiration. In allowing for more oxygen to be present, it is said that the hydration effects of the water are increased to a certain extent.

Health fanatics are well aware that antioxidants are required to get rid of harmful substances in our bodies. Antioxidants are found through many sources such as pomegrantes and other fruits, but also through ionized water. The excess of electrons in ionized water allows it to act as an antioxidant to the body, and for a much cheaper price than buying fruit instead.

Ionized water is achieved through a process called electrolysis. This method allows the breakdown of water particles to make a "wetter" water. It is also said that since the atoms in the water are more compacted, you can gain more hydration from less water. This could be of benefit to those who practice sports, but also in applications such as keeping hydrated for a speech or important meeting where faltering could be critical.

The process of creating ionized water has been perfected, but the science behind it has not just yet. There are many claims of benefit that ionized water was attested to, but some argue that the sciences behind water ionization have yet to be confirmed. As more studies are conducted in the meantime, it's helpful to read other stories of how water ionization has helped out the lives of thousands all over the world since its debut.

In Conclusion

Machines that control water ionization are complex, and won't exactly be something you can go to a simple convenience store and buy. The best method of obtaining a water ionization machine is to go online and find a health retailer that is hip on current trends in health innovations. - 17269

About the Author:

Home-Grown Strawberries For Your Hand Dipped Chocolate Desserts

By Roy Washington

Making chocolate covered strawberries can be a great way to use your creative intentions in the kitchen. It's also a great way for family members to join together in a fun activity.

Enjoying fresh strawberries is a great treat. Being able to have access to more than you can ever eat is a great plus. By growing your own, you can surely have plenty to make in chocolate covered desserts. And you can give many away to friends.

Strawberries are a delicious delicacy that go so well with sweets. It's certainly a better snack than coffee and donuts, for instance. Plus you have the opportunity to bring joy to people's lives and simply add some whimsy to the day by making good treats.

Buying a strawberry plant is a pretty easy task if you're anywhere near a gardening center or home store. Many have lots to choose from. From there, you need to have a raised bed of dirt, which is easy to assemble, or a large pot.

Having a good attitude about the process makes things always go more smoothly. Should your plant at first not produce the type or quantity of berries you were looking for, simply take some notes. Try with the next plant to see how you could improve. Was watering not enough or too much? Was amount of direct sun enough? Was the original plant healthy?

Enjoying the bliss of a freshly picked strawberry is a memory to treasure. If you've ever received a chocolate covered strawberry package as a gift, you know how much fun those are too. By doing this yourself, you'll gain appreciation of the fun process, and gain confidence in the ability you have to take the fruits of a plant that you've grown, from soil all the way to your table. - 17269

About the Author:

Does Oprah Really Believe in Acai?

By Megan Smith

Research has shown that this berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful anti-aging foods identified in the world! Harvested for centuries in the Brazilian rainforests, acai berries are jam packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids and amino acids. Oprah featured acai on her show at least two times with the known doctors, Dr. Perricone and Dr. Oz

The fatty acid content in acai berry resembles that found in grapeseed oil, canola oil, olive oil, and other health friendly oils. .By keeping the cell membrane soft and flexible, all insulin receptors , hormones, and neurotransmitter work better. Oleic acid, also present in acai, helps omega-3 rich oils permeate the cell membrane. Together these health boosters help make cell membranes more supple. This is particularly critical as high insulin levels create an inflammatory state which causes premature aging. This combo of anti-aging and acai interested Oprah.

Acai berries also contain healthy fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular health, digestive health, and immune health. Acai berries really are a super food. Acai contains a powerful concentration of antioxidants that help combat the effects of aging. These antioxidants keep skin relaxed and are reputed to actually reverse pre-existing wrinkles. Acai berries have also been proven to fight against the number one killer of adults in America, heart disease. These healthy berries also contain an essential amino acid complex which is critical to proper muscle functioning, both regeneration and contraction.

The facts establish that your health will be enhanced by the consumption of acai berry pulp, juice or supplements. So where is the scam? The internet is swamped with web sites promoting acai berry has seen on Oprah. These flashy sites contain all the reasons your diet should be supplemented with acai and include a picture of Oprah and aacai berry. The sites include testimonials and promises from people who have enjoyed increased health as a result of taking of acai. For the most part this is all true. The scam comes from the sites that offer a free trial of acai berry juice or supplement.

Thousands of people have complained that within a few days of ordering their free sample they received a big bill for a full month supply. Others are reporting that the effort to cancel an unwanted ongoing acai order is wildly difficult and requires lengthy periods of being on the telephone. Many customers are receiving bills for acai that they never wanted to order. That's the scam.

Go ahead and enjoy the health benefits of the acai berry. Oprah does. But whatever you do, buy the product from a reputable dealer. You won't notice the health benefits during a short trial period anyway. Reputable and honest dealers outline their cancelation policies clearly and don?t have to entice people with free offers. - 17269

About the Author:

Resveratrol Clinically Proven To Help You Lose Weight Quick

By Jake Lesous

In the media as well as the news, resveratrol has been making a huge splash.

Television shows like Oprah have even gone as far as to recommend viewers to take this amazing supplement because of its great proven benefits.

60 Minutes, the popular television program, first investigated red wine 17 years ago. They were particularly interested in why the French were so thin despite a diet high in such foods like cheese. Red wine, as we know now, is a drink that is full of resveratrol. We now know that resveratrol was very important to staying healthy.

Even clinical studies show the results of resveratrol. In one study, two mice were raised and given a high carb diet. However, one of the mice was also given a resveratrol supplement while the other one did not.

After a while, the weights of the two mice were taken and it was found that the mouse that had gotten the resveratrol supplement was 30% thinner than the other mouse despite having the same lifestyle and diet!

Interestingly, our bodies only absorb about 40-50% of the nutrients that are contained inside the foods that we eat on a daily basis. The excess components then remain in the body sometimes in fat tissues or other places for years or more at a time. These are considered toxic and can hurt our bodies given enough time.

Resveratrol is a very strong anti-oxidant and is able to go in and destroy these toxins so that they do not damage our bodies. Even if you only use resveratrol for a little bit, you can receive many benefits.

If you are interested in getting positive effects from resveratrol, you should consider a resveratrol supplement like Miracle ResV. At the time of this writing, Miracle ResV is even being offered as a free trial so you can give it a shot and see the results before having to spend a dime on it! - 17269

About the Author:

Get your children to eat healthy food

By Alex Hendricks

From toddlers to teens, we all want to spend more time with our kids. Here are some tips to encourage healthy eating for kids, and encourage them to eat smarter.

-Practice what you preach, and eat healthy so that your kids have a good example to follow. -Don't let your kids whine their way out of eating healthy. If you stand firm, they will get used to it. -If you let your kids help cook and shop for groceries, they are more likely to eat healthy if they chose the food.

These are great ways to incorporate healthy eating into family life, but it's not easy to do it when everyone is so busy and cheap fast food is so widely available. Here are some methods by which you can bring the above strategies into your daily routine.

Sitting down for a meal as a family can be the start of a wonderful tradition. Children thrive on structure, and knowing that there is a family meal coming up gives them something to look forward to. Parents can use the opportunity to catch up with their kids' lives. Kids who eat meals as a family have been found to be:

-more likely to eat healthy foods like veggies, fruits, and grains- and less likely to snack on "junk food" -much less likely to use illegal drugs or alcohol

Family meals give parents the chance to introduce new, healthy foods, and to act as role models in making smart food choices. If your teenager is like most others, they will cringe at the thought of sitting down with their parents to eat. However, teens still want their parents' advice, so you should use dinnertime as a chance to reconnect with your older kids. Try these tips:

-Let your older kids help cook, and they'll be more likely to eat it. -Mealtime isn't the time to start a fight or give a sermon. Use another opportunity for that.

Have a nutritious meal when everyone is home, even if you have to order in to do it. If your family has a busy schedule like most, you might have to adapt a little. It could be as simple as pushing dinner back by an hour or two, or maybe going for Chinese food on Tuesdays. - 17269

About the Author: