Nutrition

Whey Protein Powder and You

Posted in Nutrition on February 16th, 2011 by Jim – Comments Off

What’s all the fuss about this whey protein powder? What is the difference between whey protein powder andisolate? Why should I buy it? If you have all these questions on your mind then we can answer them.

If you have ever tried making cheese or watched someone making it you will have noticed the water substance left over. This is the whey. The solid left over is the curds. These were once discarded but in recent years they are known to be beneficial and are now products you will see everywhere. They whey is dried and then becomes what is known as whey protein powder. If this goes through another process, in which the lactose and fat are removed, it is then known as whey protein isolate. Both are excellent sources of protein but the isolate is considered a superior choice, although more expensive.

We all need protein in our bodies for strong bones and muscles, brain function, supporting the immune system and more. Once we were told that protein was best found in meats. Although it is true that protein is in meats, it is not easily digested. When the whey is mixed in with liquid, it is digested quickly by the body. This is important for athletes. After a strenuous workout their body needs protein to repair muscles and aid in growth.

Perhaps you want to lose weight but seem to feel hungry every time you try to cut down on calories. Adding whey protein isolate as a snack will decrease hunger pains because it keeps you full longer. You will also not have to worry if you are getting enough protein or not. You can rest assured having one or two of these drinks a day will give you enough protein. Some of the supplements give you up to 21 g of protein per serving. This powder has been found to be more effective in weight loss than fat burning herbal supplements.

Check out some sources online or in your local supermarket. You can be happy knowing you are giving your body what it requires to be strong and healthy.

Sodium in Celery Juice

Posted in Nutrition on February 14th, 2011 by Jim – Comments Off

Salt is some people’s worse nightmare. They read labels and dread the spike that table salt’s sodium level will bring to their blood pressure. They also make the common mistake of believing that all salt and sodium is the same and will have the same affects on their body. This is untrue! The sodium levels in celery juice are healthy, and actually an essential part of the human body. Iodized table salt is inorganic with chemical additives to cause blood pressure elevation while hardening arteries and promoting the appearance of varicose veins. Celery juice works to reverse the damage done by traditional table salt and set a natural equilibrium within a person’s body.

The salt and sodium levels found in celery juice are absolutely necessary for the production of digestive fluids. Celery juice works by oxygenating blood for freer flow, providing access to toxins and salt deposits hidden within someones blood and body. The celery juice then distributes enzymes specifically designed to weed out and purge toxic matter in a bodily detoxification. Surprisingly enough for some people, bodily organs rely on a naturally produced saline solution and when the salt within someones digestive system is lacking, dehydration can occur. Celery juice ensures a person’s internal system is bathed in positive nutrients, such as electrolytes, and that they’re properly hydrated. It’s easy to make celery juice in the best juicer which is the Angel Juicer, closely followed by the Green Star and Omega – either juice maker will make vital and healthful tonics for your body.

Celery juice has a host of beneficial vitamins available upon consumption, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium for strong bones, and vitamin a for clearer complexion. To reap full benefits from celery juice, consumption is recommended three times a day at one cup per serving. It makes an enhanced impact when combined with routine exercise, nutritious diet while maintaining regular doctor visits. Any allergic reactions or spike in blood pressure after ingestion of celery juice should be examined by a physician immediately.

Hearty, Delicious and Healthy Soups and Sides

Posted in Nutrition on January 25th, 2011 by Jim – Comments Off

In the Northern Hemisphere, it’s still wintertime…cold and gray days in lots of places, and the urge to eat comfort food conflicting with the urge to get in shape for spring and summertime.  It’s possible to satisfy both urges, for comfort and health, at the same time.  There are many soups and side dishes that can be made without a lot of saturated fats and with healthy, flavorful ingredients that provide lots of vitamins and phytochemicals so essential to our health.

Vegetable soups made without milk, cream or butter can taste rich, thick and creamy with some rice and olive oil, if they are pureed after cooking so that the rice acts as a thickener.  If you season your soup well, your tastebuds won’t really be able to tell the difference.  A big bowl of deep orange soup, with a salad alongside, will warm you up without making you feel sluggish and ready to hibernate some more.   There are some great butternut squash soup recipe resources on the internet.

Good ideas for side dishes include bean or grain salads, which are full of fiber and can be seasoned however you prefer.  Rice cooker recipes for whole grains such as barley or quinoa can give you some new ideas for how to incorporate different grains into your meals and enjoy the taste and health benefits they offer.  Quinoa is an especially versatile grain which can be used in hot or cold, sweet or savory dishes.  Try cooking one cup of quinoa according to the package directions and then making a light vinaigrette with olive oil and whatever kind of vinegar you prefer.  Then add a can of cooked beans, some chopped herbs and chopped fresh vegetables, and maybe a handful of chopped almonds or walnuts if you like, then chill for two hours.  This simple salad packs a lot of nutrition and is pretty filling.  Or add chopped dried fruit and a touch of maple syrup to hot quinoa for a refreshing change of pace from oatmeal in the morning.

Trade the potatoes, butter and cheese for some vegetables and whole grains, and you’ll be ready for spring when it finally arrives.  Enjoy!

The Five Best Ways To Add Acai To Your Diet

Posted in Nutrition on October 27th, 2010 by admin – Comments Off

With all of the health benefits of the Acai Berry it is no wonder that more and more people are looking to add it to their daily diet. However, many people run into a few problems when trying to add it to their diet because they are not very familiar with the product. Acai comes in a variety of forms including Acai berry juice and Acai berry powder.

Knowing about the product is important when trying to introduce it to your daily diet because it will affect how easily you can incorporate it into your meals or snacks.

Here is a look at the five best ways to introduce Acai to your daily diet.

Number One: Acai Berry Juice

Acai berry juice is the easiest method that you can use to add Acai to your daily diet. However, finding pure Acai juice can be a bit more difficult than it sounds. With the Acai berry juice you can drink a glass of juice each day or you can use it to make a tasty acai smoothie. Other people mix the Acai berry juice with a variety of other fruits and vegetables to create their own juice, which also gives them a complete serving or two of their daily requirement.

Number Two: Berries

If you think that the Acai Berry juice was hard to find wait until you start looking for the actual berries. However, they are probably the best way to add Acai to your diet. With the berries, you can look up recipes on the Internet as a way to get started. For example, you can use Acai berries in smoothies or you can just eat them plain. The best thing about simply eating the berries is that you know exactly you are getting, Acai in its purest form.

Number Three: Pills

Numerous suppliers are selling pills and multivitamins that claim they are the best form of Acai. While swallowing a pill or two each day is a great way to introduce Acai into your diet, there are potential problems with taking it in a pill form. The biggest problem is that depending on how the pill suppliers are processing the acai it can greatly affect the nutrients received from the supplement. For example, no heat should be used during the process, this can cause nutrient lose. In the end, what this means is that you may only be receiving a very low percentage of the benefits of Acai when ingesting pills if you do not purchase a reputable and quality product.

Number Four: Powders

The powder has the same issue that the pill does in terms of suppliers, so you want to make sure that you are using a reputable supplier. As long as you are using properly processed real Acai powder, you will receive all of the benefits that the berries and Acai juice can provide. The powder is also very easy to use, all you have to do is stir it into your drinks or add a scoop to some of your favorite recipes.

Number Five: Combination

In order to ensure that you are getting the recommended amount of Acai in your daily diet you will want to combine a few of the methods above. For example, you can use Acai Berry Juice and Acai Berries to make a fruit smoothie. You can also use the berries and the powder in a variety of recipes, in addition to taking a supplement every morning.

How Can Acai Help You Stay Healthy?

Posted in Nutrition on October 9th, 2010 by admin – Comments Off

By now you have probably heard all about the Acai berry benefits, but hearing about it doesn’t mean that you know all about how the Acai berry helps you stay healthy. One of the best things about the Acai berry is its antioxidant properties. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has done various studies on antioxidants and the aging process and has found that foods that contain high-ORAC levels might be able to slow down the aging process. The Acai berry is one of those foods that contain high levels of ORAC; so many people claim that it has been proven to help slow down the aging process.

One of the reasons that the Acai berry has so many health benefits is because of its nutritional makeup. If you look at all of the nutrients that are found inside the Acai berry, you will be amazed at how healthy the fruit is. In fact, the Acai berry is one of the healthiest foods that you can eat based on the nutrients found inside the berry. These nutrients are responsible for helping your body stay healthy.

One of the ways that the Acai berry helps you to stay healthy is it provides you with the nutrients that are needed for your body to function properly. In order for your body to function, the organs need to be in good working order, if your organs are not working properly, your body is not going to be able to flush the waste from your system. The buildup of toxins can lead to some serious health problems, such as kidney infections. The best way to ensure that your organs are functioning properly is to get the proper amount of nutrients, which eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables is a great way to start.

The acai berry also helps you stay healthy because it is supposed to support your immune system. People who have a weakened immune system, for whatever reason, tend to get sick more often. By providing the nutrients needed to boost your immune system your immune system is better able to fight off any infection. The stronger your immune system is the better because it decreases your chances of getting sick when exposed to various germs.

The other Acai berry benefits that help you stay healthy are the increased energy and stamina. The more energy you have the more active you will be, which can help out immensely when exercising. The Acai berry also helps improve your blood circulation, which can help lower your cholesterol levels, but can also make your heart stronger. The Acai berry is also reported to help promote better sleep. Getting enough sleep is important to staying healthy because it is while you are sleeping that your body heals itself, whether from infections or from physical injury.

In hearing about all of these Acai berry benefits, many people often assume that the Acai berry is a miracle food. People often think that the Acai berry can cure just about anything, but this is not true. Adding the Acai berry to your diet is a good idea because of its outstanding nutritional makeup. These nutrients can help you stay healthy, but you must also eat healthy and exercise, the berry cannot do it alone.

Acai – Not Just a Juice in the Amazon