Dinner Time on Christmas - Are Your Favorites Good for YOU?

Christmas Dinner - The Nutritional Value

Foods that are commonly on the menu plan for Christmas have great nutritional value besides being very tasty.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Some of the most popular ingredients for your Christmas Feast have very beneficial qualities. Here is a list so you can easily see what you are eating.  Combining foods are a solution for a lot of people who have digestive issues and who need to lose weight. If you have trouble enjoying your feast because of excessive bloating and pain afterward, try eating just the meat with green vegetables like the green beans and the salad or enjoy all the side dishes but leave the meat for a snack later. Don't eat dessert with the meal. Wait three hours to let your big meal digest properly and then indulge but try to eat less than you normally would or share dessert with a friend.

Ham:
Ham contains a high level of some of the essential B vitamins, such as B1, B12, and niacin. It is also rich in other nutrients, such as phosphorous, zinc, potassium, iron and magnesium, which are important to our daily diet. Our bodies require a certain amount of protein daily and the body does not store protein so we need to replenish it each day. A 3-ounce portion of ham provides approximately 30% to 50% of our daily requirement for protein, depending on the type of ham.

Ham is high in sodium due to the curing process. It can contain half of the daily-recommended intake for sodium. When planning a menu that includes ham, you should add items that are low in sodium to try to keep your total sodium intake down.

Turkey:
Compared with other meats, turkey has fewer calories, less fat, less cholesterol, and very little sodium, but it is high in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Most of the fat in turkey is within the skin and most of the fat within the meat is in the dark meat. The white meat with the skin removed is a good food source for people on low-fat and/or low sodium diets. The meat fiber is easier to digest than other types of meat, which makes it a good choice for individuals that may have digestive problems. Turkey is an excellent source of several important vitamins and nutrients such as iron, niacin, zinc, potassium, and B vitamins.

Cranberries:
Contain excellent vitamin C, very good dietary fiber, manganese and vitamin K. Cranberries Combat Herpes Virus...
Laboratory studies published in the October 2004 issue of the Journal of Science, Food and Agriculture have shown that a phytonutrient isolated from cranberries is effective against the herpes simplex virus (HSV-2), the cause of genital herpes. In a manner similar to the way the tannins in cranberries protect against bladder infection by preventing bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall, cranberries' antiviral compound, proanthocyanidin A-1, inhibits the attachment and penetration of the herpes virus.

Pumpkin:
This fall favorite is very high in carotene content, just like its winter squash cousins, butternut and Hubbard. All are fiber rich too. Harvard researchers recently found that women who ate of fruits and vegetables high in carotene including beta carotene had a 39 percent lower risk of cataracts requiring surgery than women who had the lowest carotene intake. Winter squash was one of the strongest protectors.

Sweet Potatoes:
These pack almost twice as much fiber and significantly more beta carotene than white or red potatoes. In the Harvard Nurse's Health Study, women who took 15 to 20 milligrams of beta carotene a day (1/2 cup of mashed sweet potatoes has 13 milligrams) had a 39 percent lower risk for heart attack than women who consumed less than 6 milligrams of beta carotene a day.

Chocolate:
Yes, chocolate can be good for you, but it has to be the dark chocolate, not milk chocolate. Milk will bind to the antioxidants in the chocolate and make them unavailable to your body. For this same reason, you also do not want to drink milk when eating dark chocolate.  Chocolate contains procyanidins & epicatechins. These are flavonoids that are part of a group of antioxidants called polyphenols.

Dark chocolate can, in moderation, be an important part of a daily balanced diet.  Dark chocolate has been known as a brain enhancement and even a substitute for sex.  That not all bad.

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Food Combining Review--Cure Constipation and Lose Weight

Food Combining techniques have changed my life!

Using the simple techniques for combining foods has corrected my life-long struggle with chronic and very severe constipation.  Using the program for food combining is not difficult and in time will become second nature. 

I have been using these techniques for four months now and my life-long problems with debilitating constipation have been completely corrected.  Not only that but with a couple simple additions to the program I have been losing about two and a half pounds a week without exercise. 

The benefits I have found from personal experience by using the food combining principles:

• *Improved digestion(including acid reflux issues)
• *Life-long chronic constipation symptoms cured! (now completely normal every day for four months)
• *Weight loss--slow, safe and natural (because digestion is normal, food is assimilated naturally and hunger has diminished)
• *Improved general health (better digestion means nutrients of foods are absorbed into the body’s system)
• *Portion control (because nutrients are absorbed, hunger subsides and eating less is natural plus you eat more often but in smaller amounts that become natural)
• *Stabilized metabolism (because you eat more “little” meals your metabolism remains level which is essential for good health and weight loss)

Three food ingredients I added to my daily diet:

Be sure to make your water alkaline to keep your pH in balance for your body.  Simply add a little lemon juice to your drinking water.  If you pH is out of balance you will have difficulty losing weight.  Water is extremely important and you MUST drink at least 8 8-ounce glasses each day.  This is a MUST!!!  To lose weight faster, drink only alkaline water (not tap water).

1)  Extra Virgin Organic Coconut Oil - This oil breaks down in your system almost immediately unlike other oils and also contains many healthy nutrients your body needs.  Use two to three tablespoons per day in your oatmeal for breakfast or as a very tasty salad dressing are two good was to include the oil.

2)  Nuts - Nuts are extremely good for providing tons of fiber, nutrients, and keeping your appetite under control.  Eat gourmet nuts with no or low salt five times a week an ounce at a time.  Nuts will also lower your blood pressure. 

3)  Organic Apple Cider Vinegar - Take a tablespoon a day especially if you have insulin issues.  Vinegar will help with acid reflux and stabilize sugar in your blood stream. 

*If you have any infections in your body your weight loss will be at a stand-still.  Some medications will interfere with weight loss.  Ask your physician.

Digestive Health - Discover the Causes of Gas in Your System and the Foods to Avoid

Ever wonder why you have gas after eating your meals? Burping is actually a normal experience and is caused from undigested foods. The body releases certain amounts of gas several times a day which is a normal response. However, if there is excessive gas or if it becomes uncomfortable or painful then it is time to find the cause and make some changes.

What causes my episodes of burping?
There are several foods that can potentially be the cause of gas. Other factors like chewing gum, eating too quickly, adding extra fiber foods to your diet, and smoking can all cause bloating and burping. There are drugstore remedies to help with excessive gas issues but eliminating the main food culprits may also work just as well. Eating extra fiber in your diet is a healthy choice but when high fiber foods are added to your daily intake they will probably cause gas for a while until your body adjusts to digesting these foods. Other activities that you do like smoking and chewing gum can cause you to swallow air which means burping episodes.

Why does my body create gas?
A normal side effect of undigested foods is gas which is released from the body either as burping or belching. Soluble fiber and certain sugars like lactose, fructose, sorbitol and raffinose are all materials that cannot be processed by the stomach so they gravitate to the intestines where a bacterium there attempts to process them. This is why the release of gas occurs.

What foods create gas?
There is actually a long list of foods in all categories; fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and beverages that have the potential to create excessive gas in the system. Everyone has a little different digestive capability and the foods that will be a problem for you will probably not be a problem for someone else. In general terms any beverages that have fructose to sweeten them are potential problems like fruit juices and colas. Dairy products are notorious problem makers especially milk products or processed foods containing milk products. Artificial sweeteners are big culprits for creating gas. The digestive system always struggles to process 'non-food' substances especially chemicals like artificial flavorings and sweeteners. Processed foods are just trouble makers in general. Legumes like beans are responsible for many individuals having excessive gas as well as foods like pasta and potatoes that contain a lot of starch. Some individuals are allergic to oat bran and wheat with the result being excessive gas.

Do I need to stop eating foods that make me really gassy?
Eliminating foods from your diet that make you really gassy might be a good idea if it is causing you too much discomfort or pain. However, as you can see by checking out the complete list of foods that could be problematic, most of them are actually really healthy food choices full of essential nutrients. Before you decide to eliminate these valuable food sources try giving your body a little time to see if it can adjust to the foods and successfully process them without discomfort to you. You might consider trying an herbal product that aids digestion. If the things that are causing you the most problems are empty calorie type of foods or foods with preservatives and chemicals then eliminate them quickly.

Nutrition - Understanding Antioxidants and How to Add Them to Your Diet

Understanding Antioxidants
An antioxidant is composite of electrons that work in the body to stop the damage that free-radicals do to the cells. A free-radical is a composite of electrons that do not have a mate. These free-radicals are determined to find an electron to join and will steal from cells that are healthy to find an electron to join. Because they are without a mate so to speak, they are an unstable or unpredictable element in the body. If they manage to steal electrons from healthy cells, which make up organs and tissues, the healthy cells become compromised and subject to disease. When an electron is taken from the healthy cell it then becomes unstable and will then try to steal electrons from other healthy cells causing a grouping of unstable cells to form and the damage spreads. This is where disease and aging has its entrance and the result is problematic.

The Job of Antioxidants
The antioxidants enter the body and take on the task of halting the damage caused by the free-radicals. They are the warriors that fight against the damage that unpredictable electrons can cause to healthy cells. They can give electrons to the unstable free-radicals without causing problems to themselves or any other cells. The free-radicals become stabilized and damage to healthy cells is abated. We need these warriors.

Where are Antioxidants Found?
There are a number of foods that are loaded with antioxidants like apricots, broccoli, mango, spinach, germ, beans and lentils, and healing teas. Antioxidants can also be found in alpha-lipoic acid, flavonoids, selenium, carotenoids, and Vitamins E and C.

How to Get More Antioxidants into your Diet
Of course, eating more vegetables and more fruit is a good way. Most fruits and vegetables do contain antioxidant agents. Some like those listed here have larger quantities and should be first choices for your daily menu. You can also take supplements with antioxidants which are usually part of the multivitamins you take each day. The label on your vitamins should list antioxidants as part of the ingredients.

Flavonoids can be found in soy and green tea. Selenium is an enzyme that helps Vitamin E in the fight against free-radical cell damage. Alpha-lipoic acid is an agent that helps make antioxidants more powerful. Vitamin E is a potent agent working against the damage of free radicals and is considered a fat-soluble antioxidant.

Healthy Eating Tips
Every meal should include a serving of a fruit, vegetable or grain. Most of the calories in each meal should come from these foods. Including germ whenever possible will help to increase the amount of antioxidants in your diet. Germ is packed full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein, fiber and good fats and selenium.

Instead of adding a starchy side dish add a vegetable or a fruit. If you have digestive problems you will want to eat fruit by itself and give your body at least three hours to digest the fruit in any form. Drinking fruit juice from a can that is not freshly squeezed will mean added calories and not much else. Read your labels. Steam your vegetables when possible and try not to overcook your foods. The deeper the color of the vegetable or fruit the higher the amount of antioxidants it will contain.

When you snack, think vegetables or fruits. If you fill up on healthy foods you will be less likely to have any desire for foods that are just empty calories like sweets and chips. Pomegranate juice has amazing benefits and is a very refreshing change of pace from the sodas.

Weight Loss Superhero - Organic, Unrefined, Virgin Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is used in a number of ways to create a healthier body. It is used in soaps, lotions and for cooking. The benefits of coconut have been discussed and debated with the results being highly controversial. It is claimed to be a weight loss miracle, a cure for hypothyroidism which is a deficiency in the production of thyroid hormones or to put it even more simply, a slow metabolism. The experts all agree it does have definite benefits for the body when used as a food for consumption or as a skin curative. It really depends on how much you use and how you use it. To reap the full benefits of the coconut you need to ingest organic, unrefined, virgin coconut oil.

Why does the oil have to be organic, unrefined and virgin?
Here is the deal. When any food product is refined it loses its nutritional benefits to a large degree. Any food product that is grown with the use of pesticides and chemicals in the soil will contain some of these harmful agents because it draws these from the soil in which it is grown. When ingested these chemicals will end up in your body. Chemicals in your body make the food you ingest hard to digest and introduce toxins that are harmful and prevent your body from absorbing the food properly. Toxins prevent the body from being able to heal itself as it was intended.

Look for a high-grade Virgin Coconut Oil which is usually indicated by a Gold Label. The purer the food product, the longer its shelf life and the more antioxidants it will contain. Refined coconut oils lose their natural flavor and scent in the refining process. Virgin Coconut Oils are able to keep their coconut fresh taste and smell. Refined coconut oils are frequently labeled as having a coconut flavor but the flavor is not of coconut but more of a burned and bitter taste and not coconut as it is naturally.

What are the benefits of organic virgin coconut oil?
The benefits are actually a long list of truly outstanding claims both for disease prevention and curative and as a weight loss product. The experts all seem to agree to disagree but they all have to admit that coconuts have antibiotic properties, can easily be digested so that the oil is not stored as fat but burned off by the body and thereby help with metabolism and thyroid issues, and because of this is great for weight loss. Other claims are that it will help with mood swings, depression, cure constipation, correct circulation problems, decrease acid reflux and heartburn, lower high blood pressure if not normalize it completely, and attribute to quick weight loss. The weight loss claim is at least ten pounds lost in one month. Here is the list of potential benefits:

-High blood pressure can be corrected.
-Circulation problems vanished.
-Mood swings gone.
-Depression lifted.
-Arthritis pain either reduced or eliminated.
-Constipation cured.
-Cancer put into remission.
-Cholesterol normalized.
-Acid reflux and heartburn diminished or gone for life.
-Weight loss for the obese individual.
-Chronic Fatigue
-Facial and skin care, skin tonic and astringent
-Psoriasis
-Anti-fungal
-Antibacterial
-Emollient

Actually the list goes on. Virtually anything that has to do with the digestive system, the heart, disease prevention and curative qualities, skin care, weight loss, the immune system, dental issues, and more. Basically because the virgin oil breaks down so quickly in the system and digests so easily it is an extremely effective agent in promoting health because it allows the body to absorb all the wonderful nutrients that are contained in the foods you ingest.

How much organic virgin coconut oil should I ingest each day?
The recommendation from the experts is to take one tablespoonful the morning and then one in the late afternoon. Do this for a thirty day period and see how it impacts your overall health. Use the oil for cooking instead of other oils. Other recommendations are for three and a half tablespoons per day so it is up to you. Everyone's body is just a little different. Coconut oil can withstand a very high heat when used as cooking oil and is great for using on your steamed vegetables or wheat pasta dishes in place of butter. It also is a wonderful replacement for the shortening needed for baking.

Realistically what can I expect and will there be harmful side effects?
How much weight you lose or how quickly health issues are corrected will depend on the other foods and health habits that you have on a daily basis. No food will on its own cure all diseases and cause weight to fall off with no other efforts involved. Wellness is about balance and healthy attitudes. Organic Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil is very stable oil unlike other oils you may choose to use. Overuse of any substance or food product can cause problems because it is not in balance with the rest of your life. However, when you consider that it breaks down differently than other oils you might use and is not a medicine but a food it does not appear to have any real harmful side effects.

As far the benefits, it may be dependent on the lifestyle of the person using the oil. Some people may experience diarrhea and the way to counteract this is to take less of the oil per day to begin and then increase over time so your body can adjust. It is possible to have a food allergy but this is pretty rare as most allergic reactions to foods are connected to foods with protein or dairy products.