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A low-carb diet, also known as a low carbohydrate diet, is a diet program designed to promote weight loss while restricting the consumption of carbohydrates. The theory behind a low-carb diet is that carbohydrate’s consumption is linked to increased insulin levels and obesity. Some nutritionists have varying opinions regarding the validity and safety of a low-carb diet, but others refer to the strong evidence lending truth to the claim that a low-carb diet can actually promote weight loss.

A low-carb diet specifically consists of eliminating or reducing foods that contain sugar, grains, and starches. With each of these products being labeled as carbohydrates, they are replaced with other foods containing increased fat and protein. Many people enjoy vegetables as part of a healthy diet and while they too are classified as carbohydrates, they are believed to be much healthier than grains.

As with most diet programs, there are two sides to the story with individuals who oppose and those who agree with the approach. Specifically, some experts believe that low-carb diets carry their own risks and possible side effects, including headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and/or dehydration. By lowering or eliminating dietary fiber, many believe that constipation may also occur as a result of the fiber absence. In addition, some believe that the replacement of cholesterol and foods high in saturated fat may increase the risk of developing heart disease. There are also some concerns that kidney problems may ensue as a result of the organs becoming overworked, but there are no scientific studies to support this theory yet.

The acceptance of low-carb diet foods have had various impacts on some of the world’s largest food producers. Pasta makers, for example, suffered a reduction in the need for their products and believed that the loss was connected to low-carb diets. A popular doughnut manufacturer admitted that earnings were lower than usual and associated the reduction with low card diets, which reduced the demand for their product as well. Several companies, on the other hand, watched as their profits were on the rise as they promoted low-carb products in stores and restaurants.

This article is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or a nutritionist’s recommendation. Prior to beginning any dietary program, including a low-carb diet, individuals should consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or an appropriate path toward weight loss.

Even the Utah Beef Council admits, ‘Several epidemiological studies indicate that vegetarians have lower morbidity and mortality from chronic degenerative diseases.’ Today, vegetarians only make up about two percent of the population, but every day more and more people give up eating red meat or try their first bite of tofu. Aside from ethics, what are the main reasons people are turning away from meat? Health and the ecology.

Lower rates of disease amongst vegetarians

Hundreds of different studies concur, showing that vegetarians who eat balanced diets have lower rates of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity, and certain cancers. Registered Dietician Winston Craig says that meat-eating costs Americans somewhere between $30-$60 billion per year in medical expenses for hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, gallstones, obesity, and food-borne illnesses associated with meat. Craig says that a vegetarian diet is associated with lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and less obesity.

In 1997, the World Cancer Research Fund recommended a vegetarian diet for reducing the risk of cancer. Lifelong vegetarians have 24% less heart disease, while vegans have an astounding 57% less. A comprehensive study of a vegetarian religious group, the Seventh Day Adventists, found that they had half the rate of high blood pressure and diabetes, half the rate of colon cancer, and two-thirds the rate of arthritis and prostate cancer as other groups. Furthermore, Cornell University reported that eating less meat did more to reduce osteoporosis than supplementing your diet with calcium.

Do you have to be completely vegetarian to benefit?

In 1999, a meta-analysis of several vegetarian and vegan mortality studies was conducted. The results of these studies were compared together and re-analyzed. The researchers concluded that even reducing meat in your diet had a significant effect on lowering your rate of disease. People who ate meat just once a week had a 20% lower rate of dying from heart disease, and their over-all mortality rate was reduced by 10%.

Those who ate only fish saw as much as a 34% reduction in heart disease death, while their over-all mortality was lowered by 18%.

In the same sense, the more you reduce the consumption of animal products, the more you appear to benefit. Only 7% of the vegans studied died of cancer (lung, stomach, and colorectal). Alarmingly, 19% of over-all deaths in the US are from cancer.

Vegetarian diets are good for the planet

Every year, meat eaters contribute to the cattle farming industry. This industry uses farmlands that could be producing human food to make grain for cows. As most people know, cows produce large amounts of environmentally-toxic methane gas. Raising cows also uses precious water resources.

Vegetarianism and the rain forest

What you may not know though is that eating meat also contributes to the destruction of the rain forests. In an effort to make a cheaper Big Mac and Whopper, companies are growing cattle in Central America, where labor and other costs are lower. Eager Central Americans are slashing and burning their native rain forests to make room for the beef industry.

Vegetarianism and carbon dioxide emission

Estimates show that a vegetarian diet saves 1.5 tons of greenhouse gas per person per year. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that producing one calorie of animal protein requires ten times the fossil fuel as producing one calorie of plant protein. Wow! Furthermore, eating a vegan diet reduces more carbon dioxide emissions than driving a hybrid car, according to the New Scientist.

Vegetarianism and water reserves

What’s more disturbing is that every hamburger that originated from a rain forest cow required the destruction of roughly 55 square feet of rain forest. Furthermore, studies show that one pound of beef requires 2,500 gallons of water. The water used to produce one hamburger patty is enough for two-weeks worth of daily showers.

Nowadays there are zillions of free articles about weight loss programs and products. Most of the authors dont realize they are losing your time providing you free information, promoting commercial products. 

Considering this, it looks like you need to pay for a diet plan and pills, and losing weight will be a piece of cake.

But that’s not true. You can achieve your goal weight by cutting down on your food.

If you decrease your daily calorie intake by 30%, you can lose up to 4 lbs a week?

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Nowadays there are zillions of free articles, e-books, free reports, and publications about weight loss programs and products. Most of the authors dont even realize that they are only losing your time by providing you free information, promoting commercial products.

Considering this it looks like you need to pay for a diet plan and diet pills, and losing weight will be a piece of cake. Guaranteed!

But this is not true. You can achieve your goal weight simply by cutting down on your food.

Do you believe that if you decrease your daily calorie intake by 30%, you can lose up to 4 lbs a week? This can be easily done if you stop eating chocolate, cookies, and candies between meals, and limit your food to one normal portion 3 times a day.

I am not saying not to follow a personal customized daily meal plan, combined with natural weight loss supplements. It is always better to have a plan for whatever you do, but it is possible to lose weight if you simply reduce the amount of calories you take daily.

Think about that:

What Do All Commercial Weight Loss Programs Do?

They simply tell you to eat no more than 1200 -1500 calories daily and/or to throw away all high carbohydrates and fatty foods. And you get the calorie table and start counting

after a while you understand that you need to leave all your favorite meals, to eat only tasteless food and this will continue indefinitely. I dont know about you, but this will despair me.

At this time of desperation, the question is: “Are there any secrets for fast and easy weight loss?”

And you will find a lot of answers like: “Ultimate weight loss secrets revealed in this book!” or ” Fast weight loss secrets lose 20 lbs first-class for 2 weeks!”.

What are these secrets? Are these secrets protected by the US government? And do you believe, that if there are any secrets, they will stay secrets for a long time?

No, the only secret is to have the right motivation, permanency and to make the effort.

Why Choosing A Diet Plan Combined With Natural Supplements?

How do you prefer to go to your place – by a sports car or by bus?

I mean, following an effective diet plan, and combining it with natural supplements, is like driving a sports car on a first-class road – easier, faster, and costs you a lot of bucks out of your pocket.

It’s your decision!

Living in a stress-filled world can really rob you of the simple joys of life. Instead of looking on the brighter side of all aspects, all that would register in your periphery are misery and melancholy. You may have tried all possible stress relief methods from costly therapies to addicting medications and nothing seems to be effective? Don’t despair, there is always the sweet alternative chocolate.

The delectable sensation of chocolate and its delicious sweetness has been a part of the human diet. Outdoor camping wouldn’t be considered as satisfying without a sip on a handy mug filled with hot chocolate. Isn’t a box of chocolate enough to appease a person? Everybody is sure to enjoy it even once in a while. What better way to celebrate an important occasion but with chocolates in different forms desserts, cakes, and confectioneries. Regardless of color, race, or belief, chocolate has long been a part of our lives.

Chocolate, which is produced from tropical cacao seed has originated from South American countries. Mayan and Aztecs people use the harvested cacao seeds to make a beverage known as xocalati, or bitter water – the earliest primordial documented use of chocolate which dated 1100 BC. Cacao seeds must first be roasted, grounded, and fermented to produce cocoa powder removing the intense acrid taste.

Aside from its early ingredients, most chocolate being consumed these days is being added with fats like cocoa butter, sugar, and cocoa solids.

Chocolates also have significant physiological effects on the human body which promote relaxation and serenity acting as stress relief. Dark chocolates can cause a significant reduction in blood pressure which is considered to be a lethal body ailment.

Studies also prove that chocolate has organic compounds that excites the body and senses. Chocolates are said to trigger the release of serotonin, which helps combat sexual impotence – a concurrent issue to male sexuality. Chocolates are said to have aphrodisiac qualities that increase sexual libido and urge that lowers down the possibility of sexual impotence. Chocolates are also said to have Phenylethylamine, which, like serotonin, mood-enhancing agents which, after it is released through the nervous system, would induce pleasure feeling to the body. A study also cited eating chocolate increases vigor and passion, which was seen to a number of people who kissed longer after eating chocolate.

However, recent medical studies have revealed that some of these bodily activities, like the secretion of serotonin, are not necessarily an aftermath of eating chocolates or other aphrodisiacs. And medical experts pointed out that the direct effects of chocolate to sexual impotence needs to be further established.

Aphrodisiac or not, everybody could attest to the invigorating effect of eating chocolate. Its mouth-watering effect and enticing feeling induce in the body is irrefutable. As of its stress relief capability, people can see the effect it can do to the emotions bringing an incomparable state of tranquility.

Various relief and therapies come in a variety of forms and some of them need not be a burden. Lest be misconstrued, nothing can surpass what modern medicine can do. However, there are always alternatives we can dip our hands into. Not just any alternative, but such a sweet one.

What do these products; Dunkin’ Donuts, Mrs. Smith’s apple pie (frozen), Nabisco Chips Ahoy, Kellogg’s Low Fat Granola (without raisins)Pillsbury Buttermilk Waffles (frozen), Jell-O Pudding Snacks Chocolate Flavor, Frito-Lay Tostitos Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips* have in common aside from being such all-time American favorite goodies? All of them are guilty of having trans fat, as tested by the Consumers Union of the USA, an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to empower consumers to protect themselves, have conducted.

What is trans fat you may ask? Because you now know, the foods that have this often unlabeled but present ingredient. Trans fat results from hydrogenation. Hydrogenation is a cooking process wherein hydrogen is added to vegetable oil, from this a certain percentage of the unsaturated fat is then transformed into trans fat. Trans fat contains characteristics that make it useful for several reasons:

Increases the shelf life of packaged food.

Stabilizes the flavor of foods containing saturated fats, among others.

Solidifies other key ingredients like margarine and other baked goods.

Unfortunately, it acts like saturated fats in that it clogs the heart’s arteries. This is a serious concern as most Americans consume 4 to 5 times as much saturated fat as trans fat in their diets.

The alarm sounded over trans fat is due to the recommendation of the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, the body which advises the government on health policy. In July 2002, they issued their official position on trans fat: Trans fat worsens blood-cholesterol levels and almost surely increases the risk of heart disease.

Because of this, the FDA issued a ruling wherein food manufacturers have been given until Jan. 1, 2006, to list trans fat on their nutrition labels. The transition was effected to minimize the need for multiple labeling changes, to allow small businesses to use up current label inventories, and provide a measure of savings.

Take note too of the fact that health experts agree that it is not possible to entirely eliminate trans fat from your diet. However, you can take the following steps to ensure it stays at a minimum.

Most food manufacturers have made the move to list trans fat ahead of the deadline, so you can check for the listing of trans fat on the Nutrition Facts panel directly under the line for saturated fat.

When making a choice to choose foods low in saturated fats and cholesterol, use the general rule of thumb. That remembers, that 5 percent of the Daily Value or less is low and 20 percent or more is high.

You can also do trade-offs, you don’t have to permanently give up a favorite food to eat healthier. Try to pick a low-fat version of that favorite food, or when you eat food that is high in saturated fat, consume other foods that are lower in fat content, during the day.

You should also be aware that the energy bar you may be eating because it is healthier just might contain trans fat. Again, it is in your interest to check the nutrition panel. Due to the FDA’s new label requirement, dietary supplements contain 0.5 grams of trans fat r saturated fat, must be listed in the supplement facts panel.

This is why trans fat is called the stealth fat, it is found in a lot of dietary supplements and healthy foods. You may think you are making healthier eating choices when the reality is what you are doing is clogging your arteries with a new kind of bad fat!

Anyone who�s been on a low carb diet will tell you that the first week is the hardest. Some report actual physical symptoms of carb withdrawal, like irritability, headaches, and lack of energy. Others say it�s the emotional struggle to stay away from rice, bread, pasta, potatoes the staples that they�ve grown used to serving with every meal.

These carb cravings can easily tempt you into giving up on your diet altogether. Don�t. You have so much to gain (or in this case, lose): think 10 pounds in the first two weeks, as some diets claim, and a visible reduction of tummy handles. (Hey, you�ll be able to fit in a smaller size of jeans!) So how do you survive the battle against bread? Here are some tips:

Indulge in the right food

One of the advantages of low carb diets is that you don�t starve yourself. You can eat very well, just stay away from certain types of food. How does help beat the carb cravings? If you�re not ravenous, you�re less likely to raid the fridge in a mad fit of hunger. You can also replace a high-carb snack (like a chocolate bar) with an equally tasty bag of peanuts, and not feel deprived.

Veteran low carb dieters actually advise keeping stashes of low-carb diets in their desk drawers or by the television the places where most people get the desire to munch on something. Keep the portions small, just enough to make you feel that you�ve had a treat, without actually turning into a binge. You�ll need a lot of small plastic bags, or tiny plastic containers. Another tip: prepare

the individual servings beforehand, preferably after eating a meal so you�re not tempted to put more than you should.

Keep yourself busy

Most of us eat not out of hunger but habit. You�re bored, stressed, or you�re killing time before you take on the next item on your to-do list. Avoid temptation by keeping your mind on something you enjoy. Some dieters carry a book around, others start a hobby like scrapbooking which will let them pass long hours without even thinking about food. For those who work at the office, and need something to keep them away from the vendo machine, bookmark a website that you can browse until the snack attack passes.

Look for other forms of recreation

It�s become customary to make meals the center of any recreational activity: eating chips while watching a movie, going out to dinner with friends. While you�re still getting used to the low-carb regimen, pass up the invitation to have drinks after work and invite everyone to watch a play, hit the badminton courts, or attend a museum opening.

Get a diet buddy

Dieting becomes more fun when you have a diet partner to give encouragement, praise you for every lost pound, and even help you scout for the low-carb friendly restaurants in your area. Don�t know anyone? Go online and join a dieter�s forum. Exchange recipes, share thoughts, and hey, even make new friends. You�ll still feel the carb cravings, but somehow, saying no is a little easier.

There are a lot of weight loss companies in the business that try to push bogus fat loss methods in hopes of making money. These fad diets come with fat loss tips that are simply untrue and unhealthy. These different fat loss tips may actually keep people from reaching their weight loss goals.

Take a look at these five bogus tips that will keep you from your goals. If you understand why these goals are incorrect, you will be able to figure out the best way to approach your own weight loss goals to see health and success.

Stop Eating

One of the most bogus tips that people throw around for weight loss is to stop eating. This advice could easily be classified as an eating disorder. You should realize that it is never healthy to drastically cut your calorie count. If you are attempting to eat less than 1000 calories a day, you are easily harming your body as you attempt to reach your goals.

Eat Three Meals a Day

Some people claim that if you eat three small meals a day, you will lose weight. Unfortunately, this perpetuates the same bad habits found by those who stop eating.

While it is important to eat small meals, it is also important to get enough food in your system every day. Instead, eat 5-7 small meals of healthy foods. You need the calories to be able to function and stay healthy.

Drink Diet Pops

When people try to cut out pop or soda from their diet, they often turn to diet pop. While this does help to remove sugar from your diet, it can cause you to gain weight. Recent studies have shown that the sugar substitutes in diet pop actually increase the appetite of those who consume it. Diet pop can actually cause you to be hungry.

You Can Lose Weight Without Exercise

There are multiple diets that claim to be a no-exercise diet. It is possible to lose weight just by diet changes alone. If you want to reach your weight loss goals, however, you need to add exercise into your daily routine.

Weight Loss Pills are the Key to Success

Weight loss pills are not silver bullets to weight loss. While they may help people to lose weight, they are by no means necessary or needed. These pills can be dangerous and should be avoided if possible.

Many fail to realize that the bogus fat loss tips that they rely on could cause them to lose weight. Many of these weight loss tips are simple ways to attempt to get people to purchase a product.

Take the time to think about your weight loss approach. If these tips are in your approach, consider the right way to change your lifestyle to lose weight. If you can avoid all of these tips and replace them with healthy alternatives, you will be able to lose weight.

Do you want to lose pounds in a week? There are several fad diets that will allow you to take off 10 pounds in just 7 to 10 days. Be aware, however, that this weight loss does not translate to a long-term slimmer you as much of what you lose is water weight. However, if you have a big event coming up shortly, you may just want to lose pounds in a week.

Michelle had known that her 10th high school reunion was coming up for months. She had promised herself that she would get back down to her high school weight. But, as a busy mom and part-time office administrator, she never made it to the gym. With her reunion only 2 weeks away, she turned to the cabbage soup diet to lose pounds in a week.

The cabbage soup diet is a popular program where you eat as much of the special soup as you want for 7 days. Every day, you are given special foods that you can eat in addition to the soup. For instance, one day you get all the vegetables you want plus one large baked potato with butter. On another day, you can have up to 8 bananas and 8 glasses of skim milk.

The cabbage soup diet is an excellent way to lose pounds in a week, but it should not be used for more than 7 days as it is not nutritionally balanced. In addition, one of the reasons it works is because it is a very low-calorie semi-fast. On average, people on the diet eat only 800 calories a day.

Tawnie’s husband was coming home from Iraq after an 11-month deployment. During that time, she had often turned to food for comfort. She had put on about 15 pounds and didn’t want Jim to come home to a ‘fat wife.’ Tawnie turned to the grapefruit diet to lose pounds in a week.

On the grapefruit diet, she ate a half grapefruit or 8 ounces of grapefruit juice at each meal. But, the other foods she ate had extremely limited carbs. For instance, breakfast consisted of two eggs and two bacon strips in addition to the grapefruit. Lunch was salad greens with unlimited meat and olive oil-based salad dressing. Dinner was meat or fish, and red or green leafy vegetables in addition to the salad. She had the grapefruit at lunch and dinner as well. Right before bedtime, she drank an 8-ounce glass of water.

Like the Cabbage Soup Diet, the Grapefruit diet has very few calories. Most people eat about 1000 calories a day on the diet. There are no scientific studies that show that Grapefruit has any ‘magical’ effect on weight loss or fat burning. But this low-calorie low carb diet works for many, including Tawnie.

Tawnie was so excited to be able to meet Jim at the tarmac a slimmer person as a result of her effort to lose pounds in a week.