by MN Nikk

Men and women who are doing their best to stick to a diet and lose weight often look for what has come to be known as healthy food, food labelled as “low fat”, “fat free” or “diet”. Since people don’t always read the labels and since the producers do their best to conceal the effect of such foods, it’s no wonder that some people fail to lose as much weight as possible on a particular diet. Trying really hard to stay away from sweets and sodas is useless when the supposedly healthy food makes it harder to lose pounds.

The biggest problem is the fact that a lot of healthy foods contain ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oil and plain sugar. This is the trick that producers use to sell food labelled healthy, despite it not being so. The words “fat free” is printed in attractive letters on the label, but nowhere does it say that the lack of fat is more than compensated for by the sugar content. While producers have to meet a certain standard in order to be able to call their foods “low fat” or “fat free”, there are no regulations for the word “diet”.

Be careful when buying yogurt and all sorts of yogurt-based desserts because the dairy companies really like to brag about their support of healthier lifestyles. Since people who like yogurt worry about the quantity of fat found in such products, the dairy companies have rushed to launch low fat and fat free versions of their best selling brands. What they are not very eager to tell the world is that desserts need sugar and that “low fat” doesn’t mean “no sugar”. In fact, customers may be very surprised to find that the low fat yogurt may be the equivalent of a candy bar, in terms of sugar.

Energy bars are another problem. People like them because the drastic cut in calories, which is one of the basic features of every diet, puts energy reserves under severe strain. It’s hard to get through the day and does all the things one’s used to do during the first couple of weeks of dieting, when the body is still adjusting to the lower intake of food. Energy bars sound like a great way of getting through the day without eating, but it’s not that simple. The main source of energy for the body contained in energy bars is, of course, sugar.

And let’s not forget fruit juices. A lot of people like to drink their daily helping of fruits instead of eating it, but fresh fruits and fruit juices are not the same thing. Producers need to add various substances to juices in order to keep them from spoiling. They also add sugar to juices, because some fruits are not naturally sweet enough to suit the tastes of customers. It is useless to say that all that extra sugar is not good for people trying to lose weight. The best thing to do is to skip juices and eat fresh fruits.

About the author

Find out more about how to reach your healthier lifestyle targets and weight loss goals.

by Muna wa Wanjiru

Although some people would like to go organic and lead a healthier lifestyle, they find themselves stopped by a few things. Among these little stumbling blocks in their paths to going organic, are things like the cost of organic foods, the ready unavailability of organic foods, as well as the little fact that they will also need to find organic food recipes to go with their new lifestyle.

This is in fact a major stumbling block for many people who balk at the thought of not only changing their eating and dietary lifestyles, but of also having to change a lifetime’s worth of cooking experience to accommodate their new healthy lifestyle.

The fact of the matter is that people will go to the trouble of finding organic food suppliers, and of buying their costlier organic meats, dairy and produce, but when they have to actually sit down and find organic food recipes to go along with everything they’ve done thus far, their enthusiasm starts to wane.

This is where people actually tend to go wrong and miss the point. There is no such thing as special organic food recipes just as there is no special method of preparing the foods you buy which are organic.

The whole point is not to have to slog away looking for organic food recipes, replacing the ones you already have and know how to cook well, but to make your entire lifestyle healthier, of which the use of the use of organic foods in your cooking endeavors being a large part.

The trick then to going organic and finding yourself cooking organic food recipes, is to use the same old recipes which you’ve been using thus far and transform them into something other than artery clogging, waistline expanding, sugar level increasing foods.

In other words, now that you’ve gone organic and are using organic foods in your life, you also need to make your cooking style a healthier one as well. This means that if you’re using what amounts to a gallon of fat or oil per day, you might want to cut down on it to almost nothing!

Of course any dietary changes that you make, if they are going to be extensive should be discussed with your physician as you will then be able to get a better picture of what proper changes you need to make. The same advice applies if you have an underlying medical condition which requires you to have a special diet.

Replacing your normal foods with organic foods is fine, but you will need to make sure that when you turn your normal everyday recipes into organic food recipes, that you don’t change your dietary habits in such a radical manner as to be harmful to you. If you’re careful and follow a sensible dietary plan, you won’t really have to make too many food-sacrifices if at all to offset your newly acquired organic food habits.
About the author

Muna wa Wanjiru is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on Organic Foods for Years. For More Information on Organic Food Recipes, Visit His Site at Organic Food Recipes

by Karina Jacobsen

Eating a raw food diet has been around for many years, but only recently has it started to come into popular practice. There are many raw food recipe books on the market now, as well as raw food restaurants. Much information can be found online in the form of support groups, forums, and newsletters.

Many people are drawn to the raw food diet initially as a means of losing weight, since there are many testimonials to be found of amazing weight loss stories using the raw food diet. Others discover the raw food movement while searching for alternative cures for chronic or fatal diseases such as cancer. There are also many testimonies to be found claiming the raw food diet cured various illnesses.

In any case, one soon discovers that this is not a new fad diet. Eating raw food has been practiced since ancient times and in fact was probably man’s initial diet. The raw food diet is more of a lifestyle change to a healthier more natural way of eating that supports the body.

The raw food diet is based on eating raw vegan food. This includes such foods as raw fruits and raw vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Raw foodists believe that the more raw food in the diet, the healthier it is, so some eat a 100% raw diet.

It can be extremely difficult for most people to stick to a 100% raw diet so various types of raw foodism have developed. The living foodists eat foods that are alive and full of enzymes such as sprouted seeds and sprouted nuts. Juicarians take their raw food in the form of fresh raw juices.

A small minority of raw foodists go as far as to eat raw meat and raw milk. This practice can be dangerous in today’s world however due to contamination concerns. And another small offshoot of raw foodists will not eat food that has come into contact with a machine at all including juicers, dehydrators, or blenders. Instead they choose their raw food in its natural state.

The underlying principle of raw foodism is the practice of eating living foods instead of dead processed food. Living foods are full of enzymes and thought to have more life force and be better for the body.

by Meg Greenly

Do you care what you and your family eat?

I’m sure you do. But, in today’s fast paced life, most of us often just grab something quick – - – Fast Foods / Processed Foods – - – We are getting empty calories filled with ingredients that increase our appetites and cause cravings for more junk food. No wonder “weight loss products” are such a big business. Then, those of us who really do care and want to nourish our bodies with the necessary ingredients turn to supplements.

What Gives You the Most Real Nutrition?

According to researchers at Cornell University . . . . Eating one small apple is more beneficial than taking a mega dose of vitamin-C. An apple does contain vitamin-C, but it also contains many other healthy naturally-occurring substances such as antioxidants. . . You can get more calcium, from one pint of fresh carrot juice then, you can from 25 pounds of calcium tablets.

The Truth is, there are literally thousands of naturally-occurring nutrients in fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and sprouts that you simply can’t get from synthetic or isolated vitamin and mineral supplements. The Facts are – - – Live Whole Foods are a better source of nutrients for our bodies then Supplements.

But, What has happened to our healthy food supply? Why aren’t we getting the same nutritious foods our Grandfathers or even our Fathers did?

1. Years of farming – trying to get the maximum yield from each field – has depleted the soil. Hence the chemical fertilizer industry was born. These chemicals have tainted our foods and water supply.

2. We are often eating produce that has been sprayed with bug poison.

3. We are eating produce that has been treated with radiation. Yes, treated with radioactive gamma rays so they will appear fresher by the time they reach our grocery stores.

4. In many cases, even foods advertised as natural foods are not really what we think they are. Because, of the time-distance from the fields to your grocery store, many fruits and vegetables are prematurely picked, before nature and sunshine can do it’s best work. Many prematurely picked tomatoes are artificially ripened with unnatural hormones. What is the Toxic and Potential Risk from these foods?

5. Research shows that Hormones, Steroids and, Antibiotics, found in animal products can be absorbed by fruits and vegetables grown in soil treated with manure from animals fed these products.

How Safe are Genetically Engineered foods?

What is the genetically altering of seeds doing to our food supply? What are the hidden Health Risks of Genetically Modified foods?

Genes from, bacteria, viruses, plants, and animals are inserted into seeds, creating plants that are more drought and pest-resistant. If, we can get more yield from our fields, it could help the world hunger challenge. But at what risk? Over 70% of processed foods in our grocery stores contain genetically modified ingredients? The chief offenders are corn, soy, cottonseed and canola. High fructose corn syrup converts to fat more than any other sugar. This is usually made with genetically modified corn and genetically modified enzymes.

Author Jeffrey Smith, in his book “Seeds of Deception” reveals that between 1994 and 2001 when genetically modified foods hit the market — Food related illnesses Doubled.

What do you think is happening to our Honey Bees? How will the disappearance of bees affect crop yields?

Do you get Your Five to Nine Servings of Fruits and Vegetables Daily?

Eating the Five to Nine Serving of Fruits and Vegetable every day as recommended, by the U.S. Government disease control in Atlanta, is not that easy. Most of us only get a fraction of that, especially in the winter months. If, we try to eat only organic, it gets really expensive and even more difficult.

So, What Can We Do?

Some of us can grow some of our own foods, whether it be a farm, a small garden plot, or even patio containers. This though, is only a seasonal solution, and for some it is impossible. Local farmers markets, Health and Whole Foods Stores if available, can be an option.

Ask questions, find out where and how your produce is grown. Read labels. When buying supplements, be sure they are all natural. Isolated vitamins and minerals may not be the best way, but better then not getting any.

What Do you Want?

The key is to be aware of what you really do want for you and your family. By knowing what would be ideal for you, you are more apt to achieve the goal of good Nutrition.

If you are like me, – - – - You want more Real, Whole. Food based Nutrition. That has all the natural vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that we need. Guaranteed to be of the highest quality, certified organic, naturally grown fruits and vegetables of ideal quantity and variety. Tastes good and be affordable. Is convenient and quick enough to fit into my busy life style.

I recommend, you actually write down, what you feel would be an ideal diet to best nourish your body. And, how would you feel if your body was getting the proper Nutrition? Good Nutrition can change your life!

About the author

Meg Greenly grew up on a ranch in Wyoming. She has been a student of Nutrition, Natural Health and Wellness for over 35 years. Also, she is very concerned about Global Warming & the state of our environment To Learn more, click the link below to visit her website. http://www.helpstop-globalwarming.com

by Vic Errington

Are you wondering what all the hype is about organic food? Do you actually know what it is? If you are interested in going organic, or just plain curious then read on…

The organic food industry has seen tremendous growth within recent years. Increased demand has led to increased production, creating a need for general standards and a legal definition of organic food.

Most countries have adopted their own laws and standards for uniformity within organic production and processing. This eliminates confusion while protecting consumers and manufacturers.

Organic Food Definition

Under most circumstances, organic foods are those grown without the use of synthetic (and often toxic) chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers and other inputs. Livestock intended for domestic consumption is not given hormone injections (artificial growth), and is not given antibiotics as routine. Processing is also a chemical-free procedure.

Organic foods are produced and processed using techniques that benefit the whole environment; soil, water, air, animals and humans.

The Origin of Organic

The organic food market was around long before a legal definition of organic existed. Natural, chemical-free cultivation has been common practice for centuries among small farms. Before the recent increase in demand for organic products, local farms and markets were the only source for fresh organic food.

Today organic standards and certification laws regulate the market, ensuring consumers a product that is truly organic, but there are still many small farms that use strictly organic growing methods without certification. Not all organic farms can afford the costs of certification, meaning their foods will not bear the organic label although produced to the same standards.

What Foods are Organic?

When you think of organic food, fruits and vegetables are the items that typically come to mind. Now, there is much greater variety in the organic market. There are organic options for almost everything today! Organic meats; organic dairy products; organic grains for pasta and cereal; you can even find organic desserts, chocolate, beers and wines.

What is Certified Organic?

In most countries, foods grown and processed according to the set standards and regulations can apply for organic certification. The application process is quite costly and time-consuming. Certified organic farms must present reports regarding the land use for both the past and the future. Stringent records must be kept and annual on-site inspections are carried out to ensure quality and authenticity.

The organic label can only be displayed by manufacturers or growers that have passed government certification. This protects consumers as well as producers by creating expectations for any product considered organic.

The main certification body in the UK is the Soil Association. In the US it is the USDA.

What is Organic Farming and Production?

Organic standards and regulations govern all aspects of organic production, including both crops and livestock. The key to successful organic production is to use as few non-renewable resources as possible whilst promoting healthful practices for wildlife, soil, water, and air.

Organic farming involves synthetic chemical-free growing techniques using organic seeds. Crops are farmed without irradiation or the use of genetic modification. Organic foods enjoy chemical-free processing as well, without artificial (synthetic) additives, preservatives, or other ingredients.

In addition to freedom from the use of hormones and antibiotics mentioned above, animals reared for organic food production enjoy open spaces, spacious shelter and an organic diet. Consequently meat and dairy are free of synthetic chemical residues.

Organic food is a new term for natural products that have been around for centuries. Recent advancements in the organic market have brought global attention to the benefits of an organic diet, proven by research, and the laws put in place by most governments ensure consumers are getting a true organic product.

About the author

Vic Errington has been researching organic food for many years. He and his wife, Alison, eat only organic and grow their own fruit and vegetables. Visit their website at Organic Food For Everyone for organic food information, recipes, organic gardening guide, where to buy, and much more.