Bananas are extremely healthy and delicious.They contain several essential nutrients and provide benefits for digestion, heart health and weight loss. Aside from being very nutritious, they are also a highly convenient snack food.They provide a laundry list of health benefits that range from physical to mental in nature. These perks apply to the entire population, not just those people with health issues.
Here are just a few:
Muscle Regeneration
During a workout, your muscles use up their glycogen stores (the main storage form of glucose) for fuel, leaving them partially depleted. It is important to replenish lost carbs, sodium, and potassium so your muscles don’t break down and you don’t get fatigued.
When you sweat, you lose potassium, which is an electrolyte crucial for heart function and muscle contraction. Low levels of potassium can result in cramps and muscle soreness.
A banana can make a great post-workout snack because it contains potassium, magnesium, and carbohydrates.
These nutrients enhance recovery, restore glycogen stores and support muscle growth, according to a study published in June 2011 in the Journal of Physiology.
Fight Inflammation
Bananas contain natural flavonoids, which act as antioxidants to reduce swelling, irritation, and inflammation. Quercetin is the predominant flavonoid found in bananas and is one of the most abundant antioxidants in the human diet. It plays an important role in fighting free radical damage, which happens when antioxidant levels in the body are lower than those of free radicals, resulting in an overloaded immune system, according to a study published in August 2016 in the journal Frontiers in Plant Science.
Inflammation is at the root of several chronic illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, so bananas act as a preventative measure as well, noted a review published in July 2014 in the Journal of Clinical & Cellular Immunology.
Hangover Helpers
We’ve all heard of the saying “don’t break the seal” while drinking. Other than the constant, burdening trips to the bathroom, there is also hard science behind this saying. Alcohol makes you pee — a lot, which causes you to lose nutrients and electrolytes, including potassium.
Potassium deficiency results in cramping, soreness, and poor muscle function — which explains that feeling of having been hit by a truck after a night out.
Bananas are 74 percent water, which can help reverse the dehydration caused by excessive alcohol drinking.
Improve Your Sex Life
Studies suggest that potassium deficiency can cause a decrease in testicular testosterone. Increasing banana consumption and raising testosterone levels will improve libido and sexual endurance.
Bananas contain tryptophan, which is an amino acid that produces serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to less depression and improved sleep and memory, according to research published in January 2016 in the journal Nutrients. Eating bananas boosts serotonin levels in the brain that in turn regulates mood and boosts sex drive.
Last, bananas are a good source of carbohydrates, which give you energy and increase blood circulation throughout the body (including to your genitals).
Aids Digestion
The carbohydrates in bananas are easy to digest and are filled with nutrients that promote gut health.
Potassium in bananas can help restore normal bowel functions after diarrhoea by regulating fluids and restoring electrolytes. Eat less-ripe (green) bananas if you have diarrhoea because the resistant starch in them help to slow down bowel movements.
Bananas contain insoluble fibber, which adds to the bulk of your stool and helps to move food through your digestive system. This is why bananas are a good choice in helping to relieve constipation — just make sure that they’re nice and ripe.
Summary
Bananas are a popular fruit that contain essential nutrients that help keep a person healthy.
It is worth noting that while the nutrients in bananas can boost health and prevent diseases, eating bananas may not have the same impact on everyone.
However, a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables will provide a range of essential nutrients that can help keep a person well.
The coronavirus presents many uncertainties, and none of us can completely eliminate our risk of getting COVID-19. But one thing we can do is eat as healthily as possible.
If we do catch COVID-19, our immune system is responsible for fighting it. Research shows improving nutrition helps support optimal immune function. Having nutrient rich food daily will helps as improve our immune system naturally to fight COVID-19
Micronutrients essential to fight infection include vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, and the minerals iron, selenium, and zinc.
Here’s what we know about how these nutrients support our immune system and the foods we can eat to get them.
1. Vitamin A
Vitamin A maintains the structure of the cells in the skin, respiratory tract and gut. This forms a barrier and is your body’s first line of defence. If fighting infection was like a football game, vitamin A would be your forward line.
We also need vitamin A to help make antibodies which neutralise the pathogens that cause infection. This is like assigning more of your team to target an opposition player who has the ball, to prevent them scoring.
Vitamin A is found in oily fish, egg yolks, cheese, tofu, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes.
Further, vegetables contain beta-carotene, which your body can convert into vitamin A. Beta-carotene is found in leafy green vegetables and yellow and orange vegetables like pumpkin and carrots.
2. B vitamins
B vitamins, particularly B6, B9 and B12, contribute to your body’s first response once it has recognised a pathogen.
They do this by influencing the production and activity of “natural killer” cells. Natural killer cells work by causing infected cells to “implode”, a process called apoptosis.
At a football match, this role would be like security guards intercepting wayward spectators trying to run onto the field and disrupt play.
B6 is found in cereals, legumes, green leafy vegetables, fruit, nuts, fish, chicken and meat.
B9 (folate) is abundant in green leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds and is added to commercial bread-making flour.
B12 (cyanocobalamin) is found in animal products, including eggs, meat and dairy, and also in fortified soy milk (check the nutrition information panel).
3. Vitamins C and E
When your body is fighting an infection, it experiences what’s called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress leads to the production of free radicals which can pierce cell walls, causing the contents to leak into tissues and exacerbating inflammation.
Vitamin C and vitamin E help protect cells from oxidative stress. Vitamin C also helps clean up this cellular mess by producing specialised cells to mount an immune response, including neutrophils, lymphocytes and phagocytes.
So the role of vitamin C here is a bit like cleaning up the football ground after the game.
Good sources of vitamin C include oranges, lemons, limes, berries, kiwifruit, broccoli, tomatoes and capsicum.
Vitamin E is found in nuts, green leafy vegetables and vegetables oils.
4. Vitamin D
Some immune cells need vitamin D to help destroy pathogens that cause infection.
Although sun exposure allows the body to produce vitamin D, food sources including eggs, fish and some milks and margarine brands may be fortified with Vitamin D (meaning extra has been added).
Most people need just a few minutes outdoors most days.
People with vitamin D deficiency may need supplements. A review of 25 studies found vitamin D supplements can help protect against acute respiratory infections, particularly among people who are deficient.
5. Iron, zinc, selenium
We need iron, zinc and selenium for immune cell growth, among other functions.
Iron helps kill pathogens by increasing the number of free radicals that can destroy them. It also regulates enzyme reactions essential for immune cells to recognise and target pathogens.
Zinc helps maintain the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes. Zinc and selenium also act as an antioxidant, helping mop up some of the damage caused by oxidative stress.
Iron is found in meat, chicken and fish. Vegetarian sources include legumes, whole grains and iron-fortified breakfast cereals.
Zinc is found in oysters and other seafood, meat, chicken, dried beans and nuts.
Nuts (especially Brazil nuts), meat, cereals and mushrooms are good food sources of selenium.
Putting it all together
It’s true some supermarkets are out of certain products at the moment. But as much as possible, focus on eating a variety of foods within each of the basic food groups to boost your intake of vitamins and minerals.
While vitamin and mineral supplements are not recommended for the general population, there are some exceptions.
Pregnant women, some people with chronic health conditions, and people with conditions that mean they can’t eat properly or are on very restrictive diets, may need specific supplements. Talk to your doctor, Accredited Practising Dietitian or pharmacist.
And beyond diet, there are other measures you can take to stay as healthy as possible in the face of coronavirus.
Stop smoking to improve your lung’s ability to fight infection, perform moderate intensity exercise like brisk walking, get enough sleep, practise social distancing and wash your hands with soap regularly.
On weight loss, I believe there are only two ways to truly manage weight, through exercising and eating healthy. There simply is no magic shortcut, and while this may seem obvious to some people it is overlooked far, far, too often. Now you’re probably wondering, if diet and exercise are the only ways to lose weight, why did you write this list? Because there are still natural remedies and recipes that will help you reach your ultimate goal. If you use these in addition to eating better and getting some exercise, they can speed up the process. There are many different contributing factors to losing/gaining weight, so the below remedies cover a wide range
Before you go on you should have a simple understanding of the process your body goes through when dropping the pounds. Fat (along with protein and carbohydrates) is stored energy, plain and simple. Calories are the…
Organic food is known to be quite an effective way of getting your daily nutrition. Many people have started following a completely natural pathway. Certain people are eager to make baseless claims, but the reality is not apparent yet. Research takes place regularly to know if organic food can help reduce weight. A study conducted by environmental health perspectives tried to check the role of organic foods on pregnant women. The study concluded that overall organic food helped keep the mother healthy. The mothers who consumed organic food had babies with average weight.
Mothers who consumed nonorganic food had overweight babies. The lines are, however, still blurry. Pesticides can lead to irregular thyroid activity, which can cause obesity.
Mothers who consumed nonorganic food had overweight babies. The lines are, however, still blurry. Pesticides can lead to irregular thyroid activity, which can cause obesity.
Thus, Organic food connects to your weight loss. Overall, you need to stay careful of all the unnecessary harmful products you need. Food is only one aspect of the weight loss journey. Your diet accounts for a considerable part; hence you need to cut down on calories. Exercising and regular activeness also plays a role. You also need to take care of your sleep cycle.
Body Benefits From Organic Food:
Many people use organic food at home. It has become a staple in thousands of households. If you are considering making the switch, then it can be a great idea to look at the benefits. It is a better form of food consumption. Here are the advantages of Organic food.
1. Safer
Organic food is much safer to consume. Food growing practices are very well standardized. These will help to ensure that no harmful chemicals come on the menu. Regular farm produce can have traces of pesticides on them. These are quite harmful to the human body when consumed continuously over the years. Making the switch to organic food is the long-term solution for your health.
2. Nutrient-rich
The natural growth of organic food on domesticated soil makes them nutrient-rich. Many farmers make manure from leftover crops of previous seasons. These rejuvenate the soil with essential vitamins and minerals. Organic food tends to be more concentrated in nutrients than chemical fertilizer production.
3. Fresh
The freshness of organic food is not at par with anything else. People can buy them from nearby farms. They do not come full of preservatives.
4. GMO-free
Many consumers hate to have GMOs in their food. Organic food products are completely free of genetically modified organisms. These are genetically modified strains of food plants that are not naturally occurring. The main goal of organic food is to ensure the growth of food in natural form. They can be useful in some cases, but most people are afraid of trying out newer sciences.
Is organic food free of pesticides?
There is often a misconception that organic food is completely free of pesticides. The answer is indeed a little more complicated than that. The naturally grown food makes use of natural pesticides instead of chemical ones. These are quite less harmful to the human body in comparison to the artificial ones. Natural pesticides include tomato leaves, onions, garlic, Melia or neem, chili, marigold, etc. All of these sounds much less terrifying than DDT, toxaphene, among many others. Most chemical
pesticides act as a slow poison to humans.
How to know your food is organic?
Organic food generally cannot be found in regular supermarket stores. The best way to get organic food is from a local organic farmer. If you live close by a whole foods store, you can find the best organic fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, and eggs. The best way to know if your food is organic is by checking for a tag. The organic food tag is found only in naturally grown food items. One hundred percent of organic stickers are on homegrown items. Food, production with 70% organic content, can be labeled created using natural ingredients. Companies and people who do not abide by the policy can face up to $10000 in fines. The label also comes with a USDA organic authenticity sticker.
How to Lose Weight with Organic Food?
Organic food cannot be the only factor responsible for your weight loss journey. As mentioned above, sleep, exercise, and activeness also play a part. The best part about starting a weight loss campaign is to bring about a lifestyle change. It will help you feel better and stay more motivated. We recommend that you try getting more dietary fibbers instead of carbohydrates. It is also a good idea to avoid sweets and savoury fruits like mangoes, grapes with high sugar. These can force you to gain weight instead of losing. Eat food items that are rich in proteins, fibber’s, vitamins, and minerals. Overall, you can work by decreasing your appetite. Antioxidant-rich foods like spinach and kale are also a must.
Conclusion:
The organic food industry is still entirely new in the market. Many people might have doubts about trusting this new industry. In reality, it is the one that has our best interests in mind. We recommend that you try organic food at least once to see results. The price change is not significant, but the health change will be.
Definition of organic foods means prohibitions the use of chemical pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or chemical preservatives. Consequently, organic foods are increasingly gaining popularity because a greater portion of the population wants to know its benefits. The general public belief is that organic food is healthier compared to the conventional ones, and it’s the primary reason for its increased demand over the past decade. Organic food refers to food products that are produced without the use of any chemicals. Mounting evidence shows that organic foods provide great health benefits to human being, here are some its ultimate benefits that can be found on organic foods.
Offer longevity of life span.
Fact that organic food is not produced or processed by the use of chemical pesticides or chemical fertilizers, it does not contain any elements of toxic chemicals and may not affect human health in harmful ways means offer longevity life span for human. The use of natural techniques such as green manure to fertilize the lands and crop rotation in pest and disease control work absolutely well in producing safer, healthier, and smellier final food products. Those, healthy foodstuff simply means healthy people and better nourishment for a better living for both people and animals.
Antioxidant content.
The positive effects of antioxidants on overall health have been established in a number of scientific studies, especially those derived from organic foods. This is because organic foods are free of foreign chemicals that normally react with vitamins, organic compounds and minerals thus lowering the essential positive impacts of antioxidants in food products.
Latest studies as cited in Organic Trade Association (OTA) propose that the consumption of organic food can contribute to more intake of nutritionally advantageous antioxidants and limited exposure to heavy metals. The positive impacts of antioxidants obtained from organic foods include prevention of heart disease, cancer, vision problems, premature aging, and cognitive malfunction.
Boost immune system.
The traditional or industrial farming practices aim at enhancing production and farm output by all means necessary. For example, the notion of producing more cereals, more meat and bigger fruits through genetic modifications and use of growth hormones seems to solve some of the world’s food insecurity concerns. The effects are not yet visible, but in the long-term, the consequences are sensitivity to allergens and a major reduction in immune system strength.
By eating organic foods, the risks of decline in immune system strength are significantly reduced because organic foods are not altered at all. Furthermore, organic foods have quality and higher vitamin and mineral contents that help to strengthen the human immune system.
Reduce Risk of Heart diseases.
Exclusive grazing on natural grass increases the amounts of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) found in animal products. The suns energy is well taken in by natural grass through photosynthesis and is converted into the most desirable organic CLA by the herbivores that feed on it. CLA is a heart-healthy fatty acid with the potential of bolstering cardiovascular protection, and it is found in higher quantities in the meat and milk products of animals that have been pastured in free range.
Highly nutritious produce.
Fresh organic vegetables in wicker basket in the garden.
Organic food products such as organic meat, organic milk, organic fish, and organic poultry contain very high nutritional content because they do not contain modified ingredients compared to the conventional agricultural food products. Another factor that makes them highly nutritious is that they are given time to develop and are provided with the best natural conditions for growth. The vitamin and mineral contents of organic food products are always high as the soil life and health offers the most suitable mechanism for crops to access soil nutrients.
Ensure safe and Healthy environment for future generations.
Organic foods are locally grown and pose very minimal interference to the environmental resources that support healthy living. Since harmful chemicals are forbidden in organic farming, there is minimum water, air, and soil pollution therefore ensuring a healthier and safer environment. To be precise, organic farming lessens the long-term human health implications caused by air, water, and soil pollution.
Farmers market are I believe some of the happiest places on earth. Stepping into one is like taking a trip through time, back to when food was freshly picked and sold by neighbours to neighbours. It seems like the sun is always shining at the market, often illuminating cute couples holding hands as they palm apples for ripeness. Sometimes, babies are involved. It’s sheer bliss.
Farmers markets play an important role in our ability to access fresh, wholesome, and locallyproduced foods. Every year farmland is lost to urban sprawl as fields are bulldozed to make space for shopping malls, condos, and office buildings, making it incredibly important that we support farmers in our communities. One way that we can show our support is by shopping at the local farmers market.
Whatever it is that motivates you to visit the market, your carbon footprint, delicious strawberries or a potential encounter with your hot neighbour keep reading down of some tips to make the most of your visit.
HERE IS OUR ULTIMATE TIPS TO VISIT YOUR FARMER’S MARKET
AWERE WHAT IN SEASON
If you’re going to shop at the farmers market, then you’ll need to plan your meals around the fruits and vegetables that are in season — you won’t be able to get asparagusin March, for example. The benefit, however, is that by eating seasonal produce, you’ll get fruits and vegetables at the peak of ripeness (and deliciousness). Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with what’s in season; most farmers markets can provide you with a chart of what you can expect to be available each month.
THE RIGHT TIMING TO GO
There are two schools of thought when it comes to timing your visit to the farmers market. If you’re looking for the best selection of products, go early; many of the more popular items will sell out before the day is over. If, however, you’re looking for the bestdeal, then try visiting the farmers market late in the day; you’re more likely to find mark-downs.
BRING YOUR OWN BAG
Prepare to bring your own bag. Many farm stands don’t supply them to customers. Depending on what you’re planning to purchase, you’ll probably want to take a few large canvas bags, some smaller plastic or paper bags (for sorting items inside the large bags), and a cooleror insulated cooler bag.
BRING CASH
While you’re packing up the things, you’ll need for your trip to the farmers market, make sure you get some cash, too, preferably small bills. Keep the bills in a place where they’ll be easily accessible while you shop.
Tour Around First
When you arrive at the farmers market, avoid the temptation to buy the first beautiful pint of strawberriesyou lay eyes on; you may be able to get a better price two stalls down. Do a quick lap around the entire market without buying anything to compare prices. Then, on your second pass, start shopping.
ASK QUESTIONS
One of the best things about shopping at the local farmers market is that you can talk to the person who is growing or making your food. If you’re interested in a particular product but it’s not certified organic, ask the farmer why that is; you may be surprised to find that some farmers who forego certification are actually following all of the guidelines for producing food organically. Similarly, if you’re not sure how to wash, cook, or store a particular food item, your local farmer can probably help you with that as well.
BUY IN BULK
Oftentimes, you can get a better price by buying in bulk. When you’re planning your trip to the farmers market, think about a few items that you’d like to buy in bulk to freeze or can for future use; that way, you can cut costs over time.
BE SPONTANEOUS
Since you’re buying in season and directly from the grower, you may not always find what you’re looking for at your farmers market. That’s OK; use it as an opportunity to try something new! You may stumble upon foods you’ve never seen before, so why not give them a try? Budget fpr few unexpected purchases and don’t forget to look beyond produce for delicacies.
On weight loss, I believe there are only two ways to truly manage weight, through exercising and eating healthy. There simply is no magic shortcut, and while this may seem obvious to some people it is overlooked far, far, too often. Now you’re probably wondering, if diet and exercise are the only ways to lose weight, why did you write this list? Because there are still natural remedies and recipes that will help you reach your ultimate goal. If you use these in addition to eating better and getting some exercise, they can speed up the process. There are many different contributing factors to losing/gaining weight, so the below remedies cover a wide range
Before you go on you should have a simple understanding of the process your body goes through when dropping the pounds. Fat (along with protein and carbohydrates) is stored energy, plain and simple. Calories are the unit that is used to measure the potential energy in said fats, carbs, and proteins. Your body will convert fat to usable energy through a series of chemical processes, and any excess energy (calories) that you don’t need will be stored away. To lose weight, you must expend more energy (or calories) than you take in. When you are using more than you taking in, your body draws on stored fat to convert it to energy, which makes the fat cells shrink. It doesn’t disappear; it simply changes form, like water to steam. While this is the basic process, you also have to take into account genetic and environmental factors. How well the above process takes place does vary from person to person.
1. Cinnamon Tea
Blood sugar has a direct impact on your weight as it affects how hungry and how energetic you are (if you have energy, you’re much more likely to exercise!)
If your blood sugar is balanced you are less likely to have a disproportionally large appetite, and your body will be more apt to use fat (energy) rather than storing it.
While debate about its effectiveness drags on, more and more preliminary studies are coming out showing that cinnamon can help manage blood sugar levels, so why not whip up a spicy cinnamon tea?
You will need… -1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon -1 cinnamon stick -8 ounces of fresh water
Directions Place the cinnamon in a mug and cover with 8 ounces of boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes before straining. Drinking 1-2 times a day.
2. Green Tea & Ginger
Green tea has long been debated as a weight loss aid, and more research is needed to confirm or deny how well it works. While some studies have turned up nothing, others have identified three main components in green tea that could help manage weight-caffeine, catechins, and theanine. Caffeine is just an overall boost to your system, and speeds up a number of bodily processes, including metabolism related to weight (technically speaking, metabolism refers to any and all biological processes in a living organism needed to sustain life.)
Catechins are considered anti-oxidant flavonoids, and are superior in green tea rather than black tea due to a difference in processing (black tea is fermented.) While the mechanism is yet to be determined, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that catechins can help lower the absorption of lipids (fats) via the intestinal track. Theanine is an amino acid in green tea that can encourage the release of dopamine, the chemical that makes you “happy” and relaxed. If you tend to eat due to stress, this may be useful. It also counters the caffeine so you don’t get all jittery. The ginger added to green tea will help improve digestion and add a little flavour-no sugar or milk in this tea!
You will need… -1/2 inch of fresh ginger root, peeled and finely chopped OR ½ teaspoon ground ginger -1 teaspoon of green tea -8 ounces of fresh water -Raw, organic honey (optional)
Directions Place green tea and ginger in a strainer or sieve and cover with 8 ounces of boiling water. Steeping green tea for too long can leave it with a bitter taste, so don’t exceed 3-4 minutes. You can stir in a little raw honey if you really need to sweeten it, but avoid milk or sugar at all costs. Drink 1-2 cups daily on an empty stomach.
3. Rose Petal Water
The benefits of rose petal water are backed more by anecdotal evidence than anything, but that’s no reason to shrug off this mild yet refreshing drink. Rose petals act as a very gentle diuretic. Diuretics encourage your kidneys to put more sodium (salt) into your urine. This excess salt in turn draws water from your blood, decreasing the amount of water in your circulatory system. This is not “permanent” weight loss-just water weight-but the action encourages you to drink more and keep your system flushed clean and hydrated. Staying hydrated, believe it or not, can be hugely beneficial to losing weight.
You will need… -Handful of fresh or dried rose petals -Distilled water (roughly 1-2 cups) -A pot with a tightly fitting lid Note: Be sure, especially if using fresh rose petals, that they have not been treated with any sort of chemical (insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, etc.)
Directions Place the pot on the stove, put in the rose petals, and add just enough distilled water to completely cover them. If some float to the top it’s not a big deal. Cover the pot with a tightly fitting lid and simmer until the petals lose most of their color, about 15-20 minutes. Strain the liquid into a glass jar and keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. Drink about ½-1 cup every morning on an empty stomach.
4. Ginseng
Ginseng is any one of 11 perennial plants with fleshy roots belonging to the genus Panax. While there are different kinds of ginseng, the two that you should use –also the ones that have had the most controlled double-blind studies done on them-are American ginseng (Panax quinquefolia) and Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng.) While widely known as a stimulant to speed up a sluggish metabolism, that description doesn’t do it justice. Ginseng’s greatest quality is that it can help fight fatigue and boost energy as well as mental alertness (in a randomized double-blind study in 2010 290 cancer patients at the Mayo Clinic were given ginseng daily and it was found to fight even the crippling fatigue caused by chemotherapy.) This is huge when it comes to weight loss-without energy, it’s hard to exercise. Without exercise, it’s near impossible to lose weight-at least in a healthy way. In addition to boosting energy, there is tentative evidence that it can help manage blood sugar, which also affects energy levels as well as appetite.
You will need… -1 teaspoon of chopped American or Korean ginseng -8 ounces of fresh water -raw honey/lemon to taste (optional)
Directions Roughly chop the root and measure out 1 teaspoon per cup of water. Bring water to a boil and then pour over the ginseng, allowing it to steep for 5-9 minutes. Strain, add honey or lemon if you like, and drink 1-2 times daily.
5. Dandelion and Peppermint
Dandelion and peppermint tea is a fabulous drink that will help keep your liver healthy. The liver is an incredible organ. Not only is it the only way to truly detoxify your body, it is also playing a central role in many metabolic processes-a lots of which affect weight. In terms of fat metabolism, the liver is full of cells that break down fats and turn them into usable energy. These cells are also responsible for the flow of bile, which helps breakdown and absorb fats. In the metabolism of carbohydrates, the liver helps keep your blood sugar steady, therefore keeping energy levels up and regulating appetite. The list goes on, but the point is helping your liver helps your weight, as it plays a crucial role in managing fats and their absorption. Dandelion and peppermint both help your liver. Dandelion has hepatoprotection constituents, with hepatoprotection meaning an ability to prevent damage to the liver. Peppermint and dandelion both automatically stimulate the production of bile in the liver, helping with digestion and the absorption of nutrients. Mix these two together, and you have a powerful liver protecting tea!
You will need… -1 teaspoon of dried dandelion leaves -1 teaspoon dried peppermint leaves -8 ounces of boiling water -Lemon to taste (optional)
Directions Pour a cup of boiling water over the dandelion and peppermint and steep, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Strain, add lemon to taste if you like, and drink a cup twice daily. You can also make this with fresh dandelion leaves/roots and fresh peppermint, just use a rough handful of the fresh leaves for the amount. If you do use fresh, be absolutely certain that there have been no chemicals applied to them- this is especially important for dandelion. If you use dandelion on a regular basis, I suggest growing your own.
6. Sip on Sage
We live in a hectic world, and most of us are stressed about one thing or another on a daily basis. The thing is, our bodies weren’t made to handle constant stress, and it can have damaging effects on a wide variety of functions-including weight gain/loss. When under stress, the body releases cortisol, a steroid hormone that is part of the fight-or-flight response. Cortisol can affect blood sugar level (therefore appetite), and cause energy to be stored more readily as fat. Neuropeptide Y is a neurochemical that is also related to stress. When released, it causes growth of fat tissue (energy is stored easily as fat around the abdomen) as well as an increase in appetite. One way to fight this underlying stress can be to ingest more sage, which has calming effects on both the body and mind. Making a calming sage tea, or even just adding it in dishes you cook, is one way to help combat your stress levels.
You will need… -A handful of fresh sage OR 2 teaspoons of dried sage -8 ounces of boiling water -Lemon to taste (optional)
Directions Pour boiling water over sage and steep for 4-5 minutes. Strain, add lemon to taste if you like, and drink 1-2 times daily.
7. Black Pepper and Lemon Juice
This spicy little concoction contains black pepper and lemon juice to create a drink that can help you keep ahead on your weight loss battle. Black pepper contains a naturally occurring chemical compound called peperino, which is responsible for giving it its pungent flavour. Several new studies have shown that piperine can interfere with the genes that control the generation of fat cells, as well as reducing fat levels in the blood stream and enhancing the absorption of nutrients from our foods. Lemon juice can help aid in digestion and give your G.I. track a helping hand when it comes to breaking down foods.
You will need… -Several sprinkles of freshly ground black pepper -Juice of half a lemon -Fresh water
Directions Mix lemon juice with water and sprinkle in black pepper (about 3-4 turns of the pepper grinder.) Drink once daily after a meal.
8. Bottle Gourd Juice
Bottle gourds are old-world hard-shelled fruits that anecdotal evidence suggests can help you lose weight. People who swear by it find that, due to its high fiber content, it creates a sensation of fullness and curbs appetite. It also has high water content (always a good thing) and has a number of great nutrients. If you do decide to drink bottle gourd juice, do not do so in such a way that you use it to “starve” yourself (see below.) Your body needs all the (good) food and nutrients it needs to maintain a balanced diet, however, it’s a great way to help resist cravings and potential snacking sprees!
You will need… -1 cup of bottle gourd juice, chilled -A little lime juice
Directions When you feel the urge to snack, drink a glass of cold bottle gourd juice with a dash of lime juice added.
9. Apple Snacks
An apple a day keeps the weight at bay! While not overflowing with nutrients like other fruits or vegetables, apples still have a number of benefits that can contribute to weight loss. First, they are packed with fibber, which helps curb appetite, so eat one when you feel the urge to snack on some less-desirable foods. Second, they can help regulate blood sugar levels, and therefore help regulate your appetite and energy levels. Third, the pectin in apples can lower cholesterol, and serve as another way to help regulate blood sugar, by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates. Finally, apples are a naturally low-sodium food, which can help prevent excess water retention and water weight.
You will need… -1-2 fresh apples
Directions Rinse and slice an apple, and eat one to two daily. Leave the skin on, as that contains a good amount of fibber.
10. Eat More Asparagus
Pay attention to seasonal fruits and vegetables, and pounce on the asparagus when it comes along. Asparagus is nutrient dense and, like apples, contains a lot of fibber to help curb appetite. It also contains a host of vitamins that work together to metabolize blood glucose, therefore regulate blood sugar. If you find yourself feeling puffy or bloated, asparagus is a mild diuretic that can help reduce bloating and leave you feeling your best. Try eating asparagus steamed on the side of your favourite dishes-this vegetable doesn’t need much to make it taste good
You will need… -1 bunch of asparagus -some water
Directions Wash the asparagus and lightly peel the stems if they are thick. Place in a pan with ½-1 inch of water, and cover with a tightly fitting lid. Turn the heat to medium high and steam for 3 minutes, or until the asparagus is tender and can be pierced easily with a fork.
Just Add Water
Staying hydrated is an important aspect of weight loss that people often brush off-you don’t want to gain water weight and feel bloated right? Either that or you hear that you should drink ice cold water to burn more calories. Not exactly. The idea that ice cold water burns more calories because your body tries to “warm it up” first may technically be true, but the effect is miniscule (like 8 calories miniscule.) Rather, you need to be hydrated for your body to run smoothly, and that includes burning fat. It flushes bad stuff through your system, and also helps curb appetite. And don’t fret about water weight-if you are staying hydrated, your body is less likely to retain water since it simply doesn’t have the need to-similar to how eating more can make weight loss easier, within reason. I should also say-DO NOT BUY INTO SPECIALTY WATERS! Get your vitamins through your diet or supplements. Those waters are not better for you-in fact some are so loaded with flavouring and what not they rival soda.
You will need… -8 ounces of fresh water
Directions Drink at least 8 cups of fresh water every day.
Have a Routine (and stick to it)
Having a routine is, in my opinion, in the top three most important things you can do to lose weight, right up there with exercise and diet. If you don’t stick to a routine, you won’t see results, and you’ll be discouraged. Several years ago, I saw a personal trainer and, after paying a decent sum of money, I figured out that it was the routine of going to see her made the biggest difference. It’s probably the single hardest thing you’ll do when you try to lose weight, but once those habits become hardwired into your brain, things will only get easier.
Food Health and Lifestyle 