Best Superfoods - Diet Tips

4 Superfood Swaps to Switch Up Your Favorite Recipes

You probably already know that superfoods should take a starring role on your plate whenever possible. But eating the same thing over and over can get a little, well, dull. If you're looking to change up your healthy go-tos, try these simple swaps that our nutrition director, Jaclyn London, R.D., recommends.

If you like salmon, try arctic char. 

Key benefits: This eco-friendly fish is rich in vitamin D and brain-boosting omega-3's.

Make it: Brush four filets with one tablespoon each olive oil and lemon juice; top with 1/2 cup sliced almonds; bake at 425°F 12 to 15 minutes. Season to taste. Serves 4.

If you like kale, try mustard greens. 

Key benefits: This peppery veggie has phytonutrients and heart-healthy vitamin E.

Make it: Sauté one pound chopped greens, one tablespoon each olive oil and minced garlic, and two tablespoons water. Add 1/4 cup dried tart cherries; cook until fragrant. Serves 4.

If you like quinoa, try teff. 

Key benefits: A nutty, gluten-free Ethiopian grain, teff is chock-full of iron, fiber, protein, and calcium.

Make it: Toast in a dry skillet until fragrant; sprinkle on soups or salads. Or, replace wheat flour with teff flour in a pancake recipe.

If you like sweet potato, try pumpkin. 

Key benefits: Fresh or canned, pumpkin is a foolproof side this season. It's loaded with fiber and vitamin A. And it's also a surprising potassium source, which helps stabilize blood pressure.

Make it: In saucepan, cook one medium onion, grated, in two tablespoons olive oil on medium-high heat for three minutes, or until soft. Stir in one 29-ounce can pure pumpkin, four cups chicken broth, 1/2 cup cream, two tablespoons pumpkin pie spice, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to simmer, stirring every three minutes. Divide among bowls. Serves 4.

Source: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/nutrition/superfood-swaps

10 Nutrient-Packed Nut Butters

Branch out from your standard peanut butter spread and give one of these other nutrient- packed nut butters a try.

Peanut butter is one of America's great culinary contributions to the world (in our opinion). And America agrees: In the United States, we consume over 1.5 billion pounds of peanut butter and peanut products every year. That comes out to nearly $800 million in sales annually. Mr. Peanut is making it rain!

But the staple PB&J sandwiches so many of us grew up with are becoming almost retro. Rising rates of peanut allergies and salmonella scares have challenged peanut butter's dominance, making way for a slew of alternative nut butters. Leading the charge is almond butter, but also jockeying for position are cashew, sunflower seed, walnut, soy nut, and sesame seed butter, to name a few.

PICKING THE RIGHT NUT BUTTER FOR YOU

Despite its seriousness and the rising rates of peanut allergies, only about one percent of Americans suffer from one, and the chance of catching salmonella from a jar of Skippy is miniscule. There was some concern that peanuts were a host for aflatoxins, a certain type of carcinogen mold. But crops are tested regularly for aflatoxins, so those concerns were inflated.

Then why stray from tried-and-true peanut butter? There are plenty of reasons to branch out and explore the varied world of nut butters. To start, consider the nutritional benefits of the alternatives. Almond butter packs three more grams of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat per serving than peanut butter. And walnuts are one of the most omega-3 fatty-acid-rich foods that don't swim in the ocean. (Vegans and vegetarian, holla!) But another compelling reason is that all of these nut butters are delicious in their own right. Sure, they lack the nostalgia of good ol' peanut butter, but each brings something new to the table.

Now, before you decide to go cartwheeling down the nut butter aisle, keep a couple of things in mind. For starters, nut butters are just that: butters. They should be treated as such. No one would eat five or six pats of dairy butter as a "snack." Yet it's tempting to toss the lid off the nut butter jar like an old college Frisbee and idly nom down spoonful after spoonful. Yes, it's good fat, but there's a limit to how much your body needs before it turns into, well, body fat.

Another thing to remember: Always keep it pure. Look for nut butters with as few ingredients as possible. Ideally, the ingredient list on your almond butter reads, "Almonds." End of story. Maybe, "Almonds, salt." But if you see something more along the lines of "Almonds, sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oils, salt, mono and diglycerides, multisyllable-chemical-oil-slick," then put down the jar and look for a product that didn't require people in lab coats to produce it.

Ready to sample the full spectrum of nut butters? Let's take a look at some of the alternatives popping up in markets around the country.

Source: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/10-nutrient-packed-nut-butters.html

Full Meal Plan to Lose Weight

Alkaline diet

Slim down in just 3 days with this alkalising diet

Lacking in energy? Need a quick pick-me-up? This super-fast detox might be exactly what you're after! As well as giving a much-needed boost to energy levels, it'll kick-start your weight loss too. Did we mention that it only takes three days? Yep, really. And, as if that wasn't enough, you'll feel lighter, your skin will be clearer and you'll be much more focused. What are you waiting for?

Happy tum

An effective digestive system is the key to a slim and trim bod. But sometimes this vital system needs a bit of a nudge to boost its performance. If you can't shift the pounds, or you're feeling bloated or lacking energy, it's time to give your system a break. When you eat, your gut breaks down food, separating nutrients from waste and eliminating leftovers via your bowel. It sounds simple but this fine-tuned process is actually pretty complex. And there are a whole host of ways you could be preventing this system from working at its full capacity. Gulping down food quickly, making poor meal choices and overdoing the alcohol can put a strain on digestion, making it harder to supply your body with the goodies it needs.

But never fear! This is where our three-day alkalising juice detox can help, offering fabulous weight-loss gains safely in a short space of time. Results vary from person to person, of course, but you can expect to lose around three pounds on the diet. Skipping solids in favour of a short-term liquid diet can help to reduce the digestive burden, and boost your nutrient intake. Nutrients you get from juices and smoothies are great as they're already in a pre-digested form, so they can be shuttled directly into cells where they can do their work efficiently. Giving your hard-working gut a well-earned rest!

‘When you detox you free up digestive energy and allow the body the time to repair tissues and process toxins that are stored in the liver and the body’s fat cells,’ explains Geeta Sidhu-Robb, nutritionist and founder of Nosh Detox (noshdetox.com). Juicing is also a fabulous way to break any bad habits and get started on the path to inner and outer vitality. Try Geeta’s three-day alkalising detox here.

Early riser

Blitz the following ingredients:
3 freshly squeezed oranges
5 large strawberries
½ a banana
2tbsp linseeds
1tbsp oats
1 cup water

Clean and green smoothie

Blitz the following ingredients:
½ avocado
1 cup wilted kale (blanch in boiling water so that the leaves are tender)
1 large piece of broccoli
1 cup spinach
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1 orange
400ml water

Tropical beach

Blitz the following ingredients:
1 cup coconut water
1 handful pineapple chunks
1 handful mango chunks

Glowy you

Blitz the following ingredients:
Palm full of almonds
Handful of watercress
Handful of lettuce
Chunks of melon
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
Handful of strawberries

Green goddess

Blitz the following ingredients:
½ avocado
1 handful spinach
1 handful watercress
1 chunk cucumber
Pinch sea salt
Sprinkle cayenne pepper

Evening beauty

Blitz the following ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1tbsp chia seeds
2 handfuls of raspberries
½ apple (peeled)
½ avocado
½ cup water

The detox plan
Day 1

On rising: Warm water with lemon
Breakfast: Early Riser
Morning: Green and Clean
Lunch: Glowy You
Afternoon: Cup of miso soup
Dinner: Evening beauty

Day 2

On rising: Warm water with lemon
Breakfast: Early Riser
Morning: Green Goddess
Lunch: Tropical Beach
Afternoon: Cup of miso soup
Dinner: Evening Beauty

Day 3

On rising: Warm water with lemon
Breakfast: Early Riser
Morning: Green & Clean
Lunch: Glowy You
Afternoon: Cup of miso soup
Dinner: Evening Beauty

Source: http://www.womensfitness.co.uk/diet-plans/802/alkaline-diet

Eating and exercise: 5 tips to maximize your workouts

Knowing when and what to eat can make a difference in your workouts. Understand the connection between eating and exercise.

Eating and exercise go hand in hand. When and what you eat can be important to how you feel when you exercise, whether it's a casual workout or training for a competition. Consider these eating and exercise tips.

1. Eat a healthy breakfast

If you exercise in the morning, get up early enough to finish breakfast at least one hour before your workout. Most of the energy you got from dinner the previous night is used up by morning, and your blood sugar might be low. If you don't eat, you might feel sluggish or lightheaded when you exercise.

If you plan to exercise within an hour after breakfast, eat a light breakfast or drink something to raise your blood sugar, such as a sports drink. Emphasize carbohydrates for maximum energy.

Good breakfast options include:

• Whole-grain cereals or bread
• Low-fat milk
• Juice
• Bananas
• Yogurt
• A waffle or pancake

And remember, if you normally have coffee in the mornings, a cup before your workout is probably OK. Also know that anytime you try a food or drink for the first time before a workout, you risk an upset stomach.

2. Size matters

Be careful not to overdo it when it comes to how much you eat before exercise. The general guideline:

• Large meals. Eat these at least three to four hours before exercising.
• Small meals. Eat these two to three hours before exercising.
• Small snacks. Eat these an hour before exercising.

Eating too much before you exercise can leave you feeling sluggish. Eating too little might not give you the energy to keep you feeling strong throughout your workout.

3. Snack well

Most people can eat small snacks right before and during exercise. The key is how you feel. Do what works best for you. Snacks eaten soon before exercise probably won't give you added energy, but they can help keep up your blood sugar and prevent distracting hunger pangs. Good snack options include:

• Energy bars
• Bananas or other fresh fruit
• Yogurt
• Fruit smoothies
• Whole-grain bagel or crackers
• Low-fat granola bars
• Peanut butter sandwiches

A healthy snack is especially important if you plan a workout several hours after a meal.

4. Eat after you exercise

To help your muscles recover and to replace their glycogen stores, eat a meal that contains both protein and carbohydrates within two hours of your exercise session if possible. Good post-workout food choices include:

• Yogurt and fruit
• Peanut butter sandwich
• Low-fat chocolate milk and pretzels
• Pasta with meatballs
• Chicken with brown rice

5. Drink up

Don't forget to drink fluids. You need adequate fluids before, during and after exercise to help prevent dehydration.

To stay well-hydrated for exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends that you:

• Drink roughly 2 to 3 cups (473 to 710 milliliters) of water during the two to three hours before your workout.
• Drink about 1/2 to 1 cup (118 to 237 milliliters) of water every 15 to 20 minutes during your workout. Adjust amounts related to your body size and the weather.
• Drink roughly 2 to 3 cups (473 to 710 milliliters) of water after your workout for every pound (0.5 kilogram) of weight you lose during the workout.
• Water is generally the best way to replace lost fluids. But if you're exercising for more than 60 minutes, use a sports drink. Sports drinks can help maintain your body's electrolyte balance and give you a bit more energy because they contain carbohydrates.

Let experience be your guide

Keep in mind that the duration and intensity of your activity will dictate how often and what you should eat and drink. For example, you'll need more energy from food to run a marathon than to walk around the block.

When it comes to eating and exercise, everyone is different. So pay attention to how you feel during your workout and to your overall performance. Let your experience guide you on which pre- and post-exercise eating habits work best for you. Consider keeping a journal to monitor how your body reacts to meals and snacks so that you can tweak your diet for optimal performance.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20045506

Best Weight Loss Diet - What is the Best Weight Loss Diet For Me?

What exactly is the best weight loss diet for you? Is there even such a thing at all? The answer to that question is an emphatic YES, and you will know the answer to that question and how to answer many more by following the simply step-by-step process below.

Step 1 - Know Your Current Diet

Everyone is on a diet of some sort. If you decide to eat cheeseburgers for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it could be said that you are on a cheeseburger diet. Probably not the most healthy choice but I hope you get the point I am trying to make. You may not have paid any special attention to the foods you are currently putting into your body, so it is now time to become aware. Take some time out of your day to reflect upon your past and current dietary habits.

For example, how frequently do you eat? Do you eat three big meals per day or many smaller meals? Do the foods you eat contain more carbohydrates, fats or proteins? Try to come up with the best model for your current diet, Monday-Sunday. If you are trying to lose weight it is likely that you are not currently eating a healthy or balanced diet at all. You are probably eating way too much of one type of nutrient, and not enough of another. Most people tend to lean towards one kind of nutrient, and eat foods that contain that nutrient in greater quantities. You may not even be aware of this personal preference!

Spend some time (a week will be more than enough) to record what you are currently eating, and when you eat it. Please do not skip this step. Yes, it will take some commitment on your part to do this, and you will have to be brutally honest with yourself, but it is so important that you understand your current dietary habits before you can begin to understand what might be the best weight loss diet for you.

Once you have meticulously recorded this information for at least a week, it is time for the next step.

Step 2 - Understand What You Want

The very fact that you are here reading this article shows that you have some sort of idea what you wish to accomplish. You obviously want to lose weight and to do that, you are looking for the best weight loss diet to accomplish your personal goals. The point of this step is to come to terms with what it is you really want. You need to get specific in this step. This may seem like a really easy step to accomplish, but do it anyway.

So many people who start to work this step realize that they don't have a firm grasp on what they want or even why they want it. Just wanting to lose weight is not enough of a goal. You need to decide how much to lose, how fast you want to do it, and then you need to find out the healthiest way to accomplish your chosen goals.

For example, hopefully one of your goals is to keep the weight off forever once you do lose it. If this is a goal of yours write it down and make note of it. You need to know these things to design the best weight loss diet for you.

Once you have written out your personal weight loss goals, and have a record of your current dietary habits, you will be armed with the information and knowledge you need to start building the best weight loss diet that will be completely personal to you and what you want. You will know where you have been and what possible dietary habits could be contributing to your current weight issues, and you will know what you want to achieve, and why.

Once you have all of this information you are ready to take it all into step 3.

Step 3 - Talk To A Professional

The best weight loss diet for you will be a diet that focuses on your personal weight loss goals, the kinds of foods you like and dislike, and will take into account all factors surrounding your current dietary choices and your current state of health. For instance, the best weight loss diet for a diabetic is going to be a bit different from the diet of someone who wants to run 5 miles per day. The best thing you can do for yourself at this point, is to seriously discuss these things with your doctor. Your doctor can help you decide the best weight loss diet for you, while taking into account all important factors to maintain your health.

Since you have recorded your current dietary habits down, as well as your personal weight loss goals, you will have a great amount of information to share with your doctor. Your doctor is the perfect person to help you come to sound and reasonable conclusions about your current diet and what you can do to change it and meet your personal goals. You will feel better not having to go this alone, and you will be able to avoid all of the pseudo-science and diet garbage that poses as sound advice today.

Conclusion

I hope it is obvious by now that the best weight loss diet for you, is the one you personally design. Although all of the best weight loss diets will involve some form of calorie control, you still need to come to terms with what kind of control you will need to use in your personal diet. Your optimal or "maintenance weight" will not be the same as someone else. The most effective way to do this is to follow the three steps above. Do things right the first time and you will enjoy your new body for years to come.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2167728