6 Surprising Foods

Often the greatest mistake you can make when dieting is assuming certain foods are healthy and others are not.

Based on reputation, some foods are dismissed when they are actually healthy and other foods are not as healthy as you may think.

Here are 6 examples:

1. Although granola bars are revered as a healthy snack filled with nuts, whole oats and dried fruit, they are usually dipped in sugary syrup or contain chocolate chips. Even the granola bars that don’t contain a lot of sugar have little fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, putting them in a class with candy bars.

2. Bottled tea beverages, though promoted for their antioxidant abilities, actually contain a significant amount of sugar to rival soft drinks.

3. Frozen yogurt usually does not contain active cultures like the healthy, refrigerated kind. Additionally, frozen yogurt usually contains excessive amounts of sugar.

4. Beef has gotten a bad name but it is actually the cut and amount that matters. Having a 3-ounce serving of lean beef contains more than half the daily requirement for protein along with a myriad of other essential nutrients.

5. White potatoes have also gotten bad press, but it is actually adding butter, sour cream and frying them that makes them unhealthy. Eating plain white potatoes with the skin provides essential carbs, vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and potassium while making you feel full and satisfied.

6. Pizza contains a myriad of nutrients along with the four basic food groups. Eating pizza with whole wheat crust and veggie toppings is both nutritious and delicious.

So from now on, you can pass on those chewy granola bars and enjoy a tasty steak instead!

The Many Benefits of Probiotics

Everyone is talking about the benefits of probiotics and eating yogurt, but what does it all mean?

Live, beneficial bacteria are called probiotics, which literally means pro life.

These helpful bacteria are found in yogurt, probiotic milk beverages and kefir. Probiotics help reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in your digestive system.

Including probiotics in your daily diet benefits all the systems in your body as well as your digestive tract.

Other health benefits derived from probiotics include:

1. increased protection against infection
2. a boost to your immune system
3. better digestion and less diarrhea
4. increased genital and urinary health
5. lower cholesterol levels
6. minimizes the risk of developing certain cancers
7. soothes the symptoms of certain kinds of eczema for children.

Did you ever imagine that fermented milk could do so much good for your body? Probiotics are an easy, effective way to improve your digestion and your overall well-being.

Exercise and Water 101

Exercise and water are outstanding fitness companions.

Exercising takes a lot of water from our bodies and we need to replenish it while we exercise. In fact, the average person perspires one quart of water during an hour of vigorous exercising.

Before you exercise, drink a cup of water so your muscles do not get dehydrated. Your muscles depend on hydration for movement and they don’t work as well without water, minimizing the productivity of your fitness routine.

When you start your workout, drink water often. Try to have a cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes during your workout. Carry a water bottle or take a quick break to grab a cup of water but make sure you remain hydrated while you workout.

After you exercise, continue to replenish the water in your body by drinking another 2 cups in the next 2 hours.

Drinking more water before, during and after makes your fitness routine more productive and prevents muscle cramping. Water is also a natural antioxidant that flushes toxins out of your system to maximize your feeling of fitness.

Plastic Surgery and Unhealthy Habits

Plastic surgery procedures to get rid of excess fat, including gastric bypass surgery and liposuction, continue to grow in popularity.

When people realize they are carrying thirty, fifty or one hundred extra pounds, it can seem overwhelming to lose the weight.

While plastic surgery can improve your appearance and give you a major kick start if you are obese, there is no substitute for healthy eating and exercise.

In fact, once patients have healed from gastric bypass surgery or liposuction, cosmetic surgeons encourage them to eat a well-balanced diet and engage in regular exercise to maintain their new shape.

If a patient continue to overeat and fails to exercise, they will still gain weight and negate the effects of the plastic surgery procedure.

The key to looking and feeling your best is to eat plenty of healthy foods and exercise at least three times weekly.

A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, fish and dairy will give you more energy and endurance. Avoid fatty foods, sugary snacks and alcohol to stay trim. And work out regularly to relieve stress and look fit.

While plastic surgery may offer a partial solution for the obese, there is no replacement for healthy habits. Additionally, there are many risks involved with plastic surgery including infections and even death.

The bottom line is you need listen to the advice you got as a child from your parents and teachers — eat right and exercise for good health!

Is Eating An Emotional Experience?

Do you find eating is an emotional experience for you?

If you ever woke up on the sofa with an empty bag of chips next to you and no memory of how you wound up there, you’ve fallen victim to emotional eating.

According to leading nutritional experts, about 75 percent of overeating is caused by emotion. In other words, we are getting far too comfortable with comfort foods.

Most emotional eating starts with the desire to relieve stress. Instead of snacking, figure out the reasons for your anxiety and find new skills to combat your issues.

To overcome your emotions at the moment, you can:

1. Eliminate chips and chocolate from your cabinets and stock up on healthier snacks such as applesauce, bananas and whole wheat toast.
2. Exercising is one of the best ways to relieve stress and stay fit. Take a walk, shoot a few hoops, jog around the block or do calisthenics and cardio to get past your emotions.
3. Keep a journal tracking your progress, highlighting your achievements and reinforcing your goals.
4. Instead of eating to relieve stress, talk to someone you trust or visit online forums for advice.

When you take control of your emotions, you are also taking care of your overall fitness and well-being.