Low Carb Diet – what are Carbs?

November 2, 2011 By 2 Comments

Low-carb diets, bad carbs, good carbs are terms that are on every health and weight-loss magazine and low-carb recipes are very popular.

Bread High Carb Sugar Cravings

Bread High Carb Sugar Cravings not healthy

Definition of Carbohydrate

What are Carbohydrates?

1. Foods containing carbohydrates include sugars, starches, and cellulose. When eating candy or any sugary foods, carbohydrates are then broken down in order for them to become blood sugar.

2. Carbohydrates come in two forms: simple and complex.

Examples of Simple Carbs – Chocolate Bar, Doughnuts, cakes, cookies, whipped cream, candies, white bread, white sugar

Once eaten, and because they are processed much faster in your system, you develop a sugar high, right? But then after awhile, that high wears off and you seem to crave more food and more sugar. Stop sugar cravings, eat more high-quality protein and eat no Simple Carbs.

Examples of Complex Carbs – beans, fruits, whole grains, vegetables, yams

These are foods that are high in fiber and contain starch. Most of these Complex Carbohydrates are processed slower than the Simple Carbohydrates.

These complex carbohydrates are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Huge Advantage to anyone on a Weight Loss Diet

When you eat Complex Carbs, you never feel hungry afterwards, you don’t crave sugar, due to the fact these foods are more slowly absorbed than their counterpart.

Salmon Green Vegetables Complex Carbs Protein Healthy Whole Foods

Salmon Green Vegetables Complex Carbs Protein Healthy Whole Foods

Now, here is the key component in choosing either simple or complex carbohydrates. Once either of these carbs is consumed, one of two things can occur. Either you exercise, in which case the fat produced from the carbohydrates is dissipated, or you do nothing, which would then allow the fat to build up. Thus, the diets which have become so popular in reducing carbs play a significant role.

It all boils down to this: carbohydrates and sugars are synonymous. The trick is to discern which foods are digested slower than those which are not. If you are trying to decide whether or not to go on a low-carb diet; research the appropriate foods and exercise that will ensure the efficacy of this specific diet plan.

 

Filed Under: Cravings Weightloss Tagged With: , ,

Depression St Johns Wort

June 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Depression St John’s Wort  Natural Herbs can help.

Depession can be difficult to diagnose and treat.  You may have prescription medications provided by your doctor, but that may only cover the symptoms and can have severe side effects. It may be necessary in some cases, but it is worth your while to research what natural remedies are available for depression.

Serotonin plays a huge role in your brain functioning and in your emotions.

St. Johns Wort contains chemical components which, according to recent studies, might work by preventing nerve cells in the brain from absorbing the chemical serotonin, and reduce levels of protein in the body’s immune system.  St. John’s Wort is considered an effective natural remedy to treat mild to moderate depression.
Get More Info on MindSoothe for for Depression, Insomnia, OCD and Anxiety

However, it must be noted that St. Johns Wort is still undergoing studies to determine its efficacy in treating severe depression.  St. Johns Wort should not be taken with other drugs wherein the interaction between the drugs can cause harmful results.
Diana Walker, the Cravings Coach has utilized St. John’s Wort and highly recommends it for anyone with mild to moderate depression.

The statistics on depression reveal there are approximately 19 million Americans who suffer from the medical condition of Depression.

While there are many people who are taking anti-depressive drugs, there are those who prefer not to take medication at all.  There are a variety of remedies which one can use to alleviate depression, as long as it is mild to moderate in severity.

Breathing, Yoga, Meditation

Breathing exercises have an enormous therapeutic value in treating depression. So too, yoga and other forms of meditation can alleviate many of the symptoms associated with depression.

Omega 3, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Vitamin B6

Other natural remedies can be found in diets which contain omega-3 oils, folic acid, magnesium, and vitamin B6.

Stop drinking Alcohol and Caffeine and Reduce Sugar

Alcohol and Caffeine and Sugar also play a huge role in depression.  These all harm the body in various ways.  Therefore, stopping alcohol and caffeine as well as reducing the amount of sweets and sugar products you eat, can also reduce the effects of depression.

Exercise

Exercise is also a great way in which to minimize depression. Establish a routine such as walking 20 to 30 minutes daily. Utilize aerobic exercise which naturally increases chemicals in the brain known to enhance one’s mood and at the same time decrease the stress hormones.

 

 

Filed Under: Healthy Lifestyles Tagged With: , ,

Cinnamon Healthy Benefits Curb Cravings With Cinnamon

March 9, 2011 By 2 Comments

Cinnamon Healthy Benefits  Curb Cravings with Cinnamon

Do you enjoy cinnamon? Here is a spice that we can enjoy, and that is also healthy for us.

Cinnamon was one of the first commodities traded regularly between the Near East and Europe.  Surprisingly, cinnamon is a small evergreen tree. It is the bark that is processed which turns into the ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks (or quills) we are used to seeing. Its active and healthful components are cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol which are derived from the essential oils in the bark.

Ceylon and cassia are the two most popular varieties of cinnamon, even though there are hundred of varieties. Cassia, the stronger of the two and the less expensive, is more common in North America. Both cinnamons are an excellent source of trace mineral manganese and a good source of dietary fiber, iron and calcium.

Insulin Reduction

By just digesting a  teaspoon a day, patients with type 2 diabetes had lowered their blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Levels increased when they stopped adding cinnamon to their diet.

Cinnamon normalizes blood sugar levels. This helps to reduce cravings for sugar. This helps to control blood glucose levels by preventing insulin spikes after meals. It reduces serum glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol as well as total cholesterol.

Other Health Benefits

Cinnamon has anti-clotting properties; helps prevent the unwanted clotting of blood platelets, which places cinnamon in the category of an anti-inflammatory food. This anti-inflammatory benefit can help relieve arthritis as well as relieve pain and stiffness of muscles and joints.

Cinnamon also has anti-microbial actions, stopping the growth of bacteria as well as fungi and yeast Candida. It is so successful as an anti-microbial, that it has been used as a food preservative.

There are so many other helpful benefits of cinnamon, beside the affect it has on blood sugar and its anti-clotting and anti-microbial properties. Just a few benefits of cinnamon are listed below:

  • Curbs cravings
  • Supports digestive function
  • Relieves congestion
  • Constricts and tones tissues
  • Boosts brain function by boosting cognitive function and memory
  • Relieves menstrual discomfort
  • Improves circulation by thinning blood
  • Provides calcium and fiber protect against heart disease
  • Improves colon health, by removing bile salts from the body
  • Prevents urinary tract infections and irritable bowel syndrome
  • Helps address tooth decay and gum disease

How to add Cinnamon to Your Diet

Adding cinnamon to your diet can be easy as making toast. Just add a touch of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon to whole grain bread for an adult version of cinnamon toast. Sprinkle cinnamon onto your whole grain oatmeal or cereals or on yogurt, soups and sauces.

Simmer your favorite tea, coffee or soy milk with cinnamon sticks, creating the perfect breakfast drink or bedtime nightcap.

For an ethnic flair, add liberal amounts of cinnamon to beans or meat in your Mexican dishes. Or add to curries and chilis for a warm, spicy kick. You can also saute vegetables with cinnamon sticks for unique flavoring and healthful benefits. (Remove the cinnamon sticks before serving.) Let cinnamon add some spice to your life.

Diana Walker, Cravings Coach
Author  Craving Secrets Ebook
CEO, Diana Walker Healthy Lifestyles
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/dianawalkerhealthylifestyles

Filed Under: Cravings Weightloss Tagged With: ,
« Older Posts