Organic and Natural Pet Food Is the Raw Food Diet Right for Your Pet

Organic and Natural Pet Food Is the Raw Food Diet Right for Your Pet
By Dan Buchman

Dogs are natural hunters and carnivores. Dogs have evolved from the wolf and its digestive system is virtually the same despite thousands of years of evolution. Dogs have very short intestinal tracts which allows for the consumption and digestion of raw foods. Dogs are considered omnivores as they eat a variety of grasses, vegetables and berries in addition to meats. The question is - Should you feed your dog a raw food diet?

A raw food diet is just that - raw food. It can consist of foods such as raw chicken (bones included), raw beef bones, juiced vegetables and canned fish. The main idea is to feed your dog the food raw (uncooked). Raw bones are easily digested and the minerals and enzymes are naturally absorbed by your dog's system. It is important to transition your dog to a raw food diet slowly. Your dog may experience diarrhea or constipation at first so go slowly and monitor any significant changes in your dog's health. A recommended transition method is to combine the raw food diet with your dog's dry kibble at first. Also consider rotating the raw food used as well. If organ meat is not being used regularly then add organ meat once or twice a week. The main point is to be careful and make sure you understand the methods and process behind a raw food diet.

The benefits of a raw food diet can help your dog battle common issues and aliments such as: allergies, hot spots, flea infestations, continual shedding, poor dental and gum health, immune disorders, and degenerative diseases. The benefits of a raw food diet are abundant but there are risks and pet owners should be fully aware of these risks before jumping in too quickly.

Pet owners need to be very careful when introducing a raw food diet to their pet. Do your research first and learn the proper methods and precautions of a raw food diet. Learning the facts about the proper preparation is important. Information such as: what is the proper or best method for thawing raw meat?; should a microwave oven be used for thawing?; is raw pork safe, should I avoid raw pork?; do I need to be concerned about bacteria? Before converting your dog to a raw food diet, first be an educated and informed pet owner. If you are interested in converting your dog to a raw food diet and are not sure or you have many questions then consult with your veterinarian first.

Many higher-end pet stores now carry a raw food diet product line that has taken much of the risk and mystery out of the raw food diet concept. This allows you to safely take advantage of the raw food diet benefits without exposing your dog to some of the potential risks associated with the improper usage of a raw food diet. These higher-end pet stores (most are available on-line through their websites) also offer a wide range of commercial frozen and dehydrated raw foods consisting of raw meats, grains and fresh vegetables. All the proper food handling is taken care of as well as the proper food proportions for your pet. This is a great way to introduce your pet to a raw food diet without all the risks. These higher-end pet stores also specialize in a complete line of organic and natural pet food and supplements. The link provided below has several website reviews, start your research there.

About the Author

Dan is an Internet Marketer as well as a dog enthusiast. Given the recent issues with the dog food recalls, Dan is using his Internet Marketing interests to heighten the awareness of this issue and help with relevant research. Dan has researched and identified multiple product/supplier sources that offer natural and organic alternatives for your pet's nutrition to maintain a healthy lifestyle.Additional product/supplier resources will continue to be added to his site as well as important and relevant articles - http://www.organic-dogfood.com - please check back often.

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How to Safely Feed Your Dog A Homemade Diet

How to Safely Feed Your Dog A Homemade Diet
By Kathy Coffey

With the pet food recall mounting, many pet owners are turning to their kitchen to try to keep their pet safe. There are many great books out there containing recipes for homemade dog foods. Just remember to keep a few basic facts in mind when choosing the ones that are right for your dog.

First, a well balanced diet for a dog consists of 40% meat. 30% vegetables, and 30% protein. These are their needs over time, it does not mean that every recipe that you select contain these proportions.

Remember to always cook your pets meat. Many people believe that since dogs killed their prey for thousands of years and ate the meat raw that they should continue to eat their meat raw. What you need to keep in mind when making this decision is that the dog is no longer killing their prey. We are. And as we are processing it, sometimes it comes into contact with salmonella and other forms of bacteria. So although raw meat sounds like a good idea, there are other things to consider.

Some foods are toxic to dogs.
Alcoholic Beverages can cause intoxication, coma and sometimes death
Bones from Fish and Poultry can obstruct or lacerate the digestive system,
Coffee, Tea or any other form of Caffeine can be toxic and cause problems with the heart and nervous system
Citrus Oil Extracts can cause vomiting
Grapes and Raisins can cause damage to the kidneys
Large Amounts of Liver can cause vitamin A toxicity (affects muscles and bones)
Macadamia Nuts contain unknown toxin which affects the digestive and nervous system.
Mushrooms can contain toxins which can cause shock and result in death
Onions and Garlic can cause anemia (many homemade recipes contain small amounts of garlic which is widely thought to be acceptable for dogs - poisonous for cats however)
Raw eggs can lead to skin and coat problems
Raw fish if fed regularly can lead to loss of appetite, seizures and sometimes death

Work your homemade dog food recipes around these basic facts.

Wendy and Jack Volhald, well known and respected dog trainers, have been making their own homemade dog foods for over 30 years. In their book, Dog Food Secrets, they share some of their recipes for homemade dog foods that have enabled their dogs to live longer and longer with each generation. According to a National Survey done by the Newfoudland Club of America, the normal lifespan of a Newfoundland in 1998 was 6.2-6.7 years. Using the recipes for homemade dog foods found in their book, Dog Food Secrets, their dogs live to be up to 15 years of age.

We all love our pets and want only the best for them. You may feel as though you cant make your own recipes for homemade dog foods, there are many books out there to help. Just remember, we have been successfully feeding our children well balanced diets for years and with a little knowledge you can feed your best friend too. At least youll know what they are eating.

For more information on the pet food recall:

http://petfoodrecall-dogs.blogspot.com/

For more information and ebooks:

http://pipelinebooks.com/

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Artichokes and the Mediterranean Diet

Artichokes and the Mediterranean Diet
By Nuria Roig

Artichokes are a winter vegetable of the Mediterranean diet with a reputation for being healthy. However, here we are more interested in their culinary virtues, in their slight-bitter nutty-like flavor that makes them delicious and special.

Their physical appearance is also special, and at first, artichokes may puzzle inexperienced non-Mediterranean home cooks.

To tell you the truth, I remember once feeling put off by the artichokes I saw in a Ghent food store. They looked completely inedible to me. They were huge and had a brownish-green color, the leaves were all open and hollow to the touch, and as dry as if they had been exposed to the desert sun for weeks. Now you know how an artichoke shouldn't be when you buy it.

You could hardly call those Belgian artichokes flowers. Indeed, the flowers are what we eat. They are the edible part of the artichoke plant, or more accurately, the unopened flower head of this enigmatic thistle plant.

Let's clarify things. When buying artichokes, choose compact and tightly packed ones. The leaves should be closed, or they are too old and useless for cooking any decent Mediterranean dish based on artichokes. A little darkening in the outer leaves is no big deal, but accept only a little. Artichokes shouldn't feel too light in your hands either; this is another sign that they were harvested too long ago.

Artichokes in the Mediterranean landscape

Artichokes are native to the Mediterranean basin, and every spring they shoot up their deep blue and purple colors in the Mediterranean fields. Together with wild asparagus and mushrooms, green and purple artichokes are used in a variety of dishes that connect us to a Mediterranean cuisine understood as the landscape in a pan, a Catalan cuisine motto and the motto of my web site, as my readers know.

In my homeland of Mediterranean Catalonia, we are very fond of those three plant foods, and have many traditional dishes that use them. I don't know about wild mushrooms, but artichokes and asparagus are considered an aphrodisiac, which makes artichokes even more appealing.

Now you can find acceptable artichokes all winter, but it is in the spring when they are at their best. In the northern part of the Mediterranean, artichokes are harvested from February to March. In the southern Mediterranean, the harvest lasts longer, beginning in December or even November.

Some meal ideas with artichokes

Simply boiling them in water with a pinch of salt and a dash of vinegar is the quickest and easiest method. In this case, do not use an aluminum or iron pot, because they turn an ugly dark color.

You can saute them, stuff them with rice or shrimps, grill them, and roast them in the oven. For those who love eating raw vegetables, the heart leaves certain varieties of small purple artichokes can be eaten raw in a salad.

One recipe I find particularly delicious is rice with artichokes. Their slight bitter flavor and the sweetness of the rice make for a surprising contrast. An artichoke omelet is another great culinary idea, and in some coastal and champagne producing regions south of Barcelona, it often accompanies a superb traditional salad dish called xato.

Combined with chicken or rabbit, artichokes are also extraordinary. If you like to blacken the rice of your paella, add some artichokes and fava beans to it. But grilling artichokes in the open air is unsurpassable in its simplicity. It's an open air celebration, another excuse to go grilling with your friends, as they say in the Catalan region surrounding the Ebre (Ebro) River, about 125 miles (200 km) south of Barcelona.

Season the whole artichokes generously with extra virgin olive oil and some salt, and put them on the grill. Traditionally, while you are busy eating the barbecued meat, the artichokes are grilling. Once they are done, pull off the outer burned leaves, and eat the tender ones and the delicious heart, where the olive oil has concentrated.

Here's another simple dish with artichokes suitable for preparing outdoors: Do your best to get small heirloom purple artichokes, pull off a few outer leaves, cut the artichokes in half lengthwise, drizzle some extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle some salt, and grill them. Toast two slices of country-style bread, and put the grilled artichokes in between. You will not believe how delicious it is until you try it.

The drawback of artichokes

Sommeliers find artichokes very frustrating. The taste of artichokes is so persistent, and it lasts for so long in the mouth that they don't find any wine that is right for them.

I admit that whenever I eat grilled artichokes I commit a sin. I pair them with a strong red wine like Priorat or an unpretentious house red wine, although I know that it breaks the laws of wine connoisseurs. But that's what people did before sommeliers had their say, so... no drawbacks with artichokes after all.

Here's a very little known recipe for artichokes you eat with knife and fork, not using your fingers: Artichoke recipe from the Mediterranean Catalan Roussillon

Nria helps you explore delicious Mediterranean diet recipes, undiscovered Catalan cuisine, and hidden wine countries from the inside. Visit www.mediterranean-food-recipes.com to keep up to date on the fascinating world of the Mediterranean cuisine, and experience the joy of cooking.

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7 Ways to Make Alkaline Diet Benefit You

7 Ways to Make Alkaline Diet Benefit You
By Beverly Taylor

The premise of an alkaline diet is that the nutrients found in supplements, alkalizing foods, and water can bring the body back to balance. These vitamins, minerals, and herbs infuse the body with new energy, vitality, and better health.

Alkaline foods and water must be consumed in order to provide nutrients the body needs to neutralize acids and toxins in the blood, lymph, tissues, and cells.

When pH balance inside the body is out of balance the body tries to correct that sensitive pH balance. That process shows up as uncomfortable symptoms, including colds, flues, allergies, diseases, viruses, and bacteria.

When the pH level in our body is unbalanced, almost any area of the body can be affected. For example when the nervous system is effected as the result of unbalanced pH balance it shows up in the form of the depression. When cardiovascular system is effected we could have heart disease or experience other heart-related problems, including thickening and hardening of the arteries, coronary heard disease, pain or discomfort in the chest, stroke, high blood pressure, and heart failure. When muscles are effected we often feel fatigue and lack of energy. When skin is effected by improper pH balance we age quicker than normal.

When the bodys pH level is in balance, the body reaches ideal weight and corrects negative health challenges naturally.

Transition to a more alkaline healthy diet requires a shift in attitude towards food. The important point to remember is that small changes go a long way. Add more alkaline foods to your diet gradually.

7 Sure-fire ways to make alkaline diet benefit you:

1) Reduce the consumption of sugar and products made from sugar, including soda pop, pies, ice cream, jello, jams & jellies, artificial juices, puddings, doughnuts, corn syrups, chewing gum, sweetened drinks, cookies, breakfast cereals, liqueurs, mixed drinks.

2) Avoid processed foods and condiments including ketchup, salad dressings, pickles, luncheon meats, canned fruits, breads, relish, cheese dips, peanut butter, prepared seafood, frozen vegetables, crackers, canned soups, hot dogs, sausages, sweetened yogurt.

3) Avoid cooking and heating foods and drinks in microwave.

4) Avoid dairy, meats, fried foods and fast foods.

5) Increase your consumption of raw vegetables and raw fresh fruits (without sugar). You should include raw vegetables in every meal. If your breakfast is so small that you only eat toast or cereal, stop eating toast and take fresh fruits or vegetable juices instead. If your lunches are usually consist of sandwiches try to substitute it with a raw salad or a vegetable juice. Have a large salad before you eat a heavy entree at dinner. This way, you will be sure to eat all of the salad instead of finding yourself too full to finish it.

6) Grains form the base of a balanced diet and are important in maintaining the alkaline balance in the body. Grains are great source of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients, including folic acid, fiber, carbohydrates antioxidants and phytoestrogens. The Department of Food and Science and Nutrition at University of MInnesota determined that consumption of whole grains reduces the risk of chronic diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. By eating grains you can eat less but feel full. Grains should comprise about 20% of your diet.

7) Don't forget to hydrate. Drink at least half of your body weight in ounces of good quality of water each day. Add liquid minerals to increase the quality of water.

If you follow these easy 7 steps it will allow you to create the proper alkaline balance within your body.

Creating the proper alkaline balance within your body will bring you increased quality of life. You'll start seeing immediate improvements in your health. Your energy will increase, your concentration will be stronger. You'll build strength, stamina, and resistance to diseases. Your entire body will function more efficiently just like it was meant to do.

Get free e-course that shows you step-by-step how to reverse acidic condition and create proper alkaline balance within your body. Visit this link for details: http://www.pH-health.com

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Training Diet And Preparation For Kickboxing Tournaments

Training, Diet And Preparation For Kickboxing Tournaments
By Yoshi Kundagawa

The true origins of kickboxing date back over 2,000 years but although classed as a martial art, Kickboxing Tournaments are relatively new and the sport of kickboxing was started in the US in the early 1970s. Many American Karate practitioners were sick of the strict controls placed on all traditional forms of martial arts tournaments and formed a break away group and thus kick boxing came into being with full contact kicks and punches that were formally banned in martial arts competitions At that time many people were worried by the chance of high injury rates so protective clothing was added and safety rules were put into place. The kickboxing tournaments we see today vary in style and are closely related to their traditional martial art style.

People take kickboxing classes for a number of reasons and learning kickboxing techniques is a great way of protecting yourself. Kickboxing classes are becoming extremely popular for fitness and many personal trainers are adopting forms of kickboxing for their clients. Most importantly are those individuals to whom kickboxing is their sport and indeed to some that are totally committed, kickboxing becomes a way of life and entering kickboxing tournaments a personal challenge.

Preparing for these tournaments is heard work as fitness levels must be high. Not only does the artist have to deliver powerful kicks and punches but has to be fit enough to avoid their opponent and or recover from the impact themselves. It is necessary to build up muscle strength and tone the entire body with weight training, increase endurance with cardiovascular work such as running, skipping and jumping etc. Flexibility is all important not only when competing in kick boxing tournaments but to limber up and relax before hand to eliminate stress and strain and help avoid serious injury and also to cool down afterwards to avoid muscle stiffness.

Diet needs to be strictly adhered to. Low in fats, high in protein and the necessary amount of carbohydrates as fuel. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables round off the diet. It is necessary for all of us to drink enough water and it is recommended that the average person needs about 8 glasses a day and those in high exercise groups such as the kick boxer training for and entering kickboxing tournaments will require much more. The martial artist must stay hydrated at all times for peak performance. If not the artist will suffer from muscle soreness, fatigue and will not recover as quickly. Junk food, alcohol and caffeine are a no go. As with all martial arts the power of the mind is all important. Controlling our emotions and concentrating on our movements can make the difference to winning or loosing. Keeping tempers under control and relaxing into our moves makes for stronger and more accurate kicks and punches.

Preparation for kickboxing tournaments depends a lot on the level of fitness and the determination of the martial artist and can take a considerable amount of training and indeed time.

Yoshi E Kundagawa is a freelance journalist. He covers themixed martial arts industry. For a free report on Kickboxing Tournaments visit his blog.

Yoshi Kundagawa is a freelance journalist coveringthe martial arts world. Too much time at his computereating donuts reduced him to couch potato status.He's on a quest to recapture his youth and fitness.You can read his blog at http://www.martialarts3000.com

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Your Ironman Diet and Coconut Oil

Your Ironman Diet and Coconut Oil
By Ray Fauteux

Over the years I've always been on the look-out for a diet or diet supplement that would enhance my training and improve my race times.

It was almost by chance that I happened upon coconut oil and its use as a diet supplement. I was cruising the net one day and came across an article on the subject and like many other intriguing diet ideas I've stumbled upon in the past, decided to give it a try.

I've always believed that I had no business writing about any diet unless I had tried it myself. To my way of thinking that's the only way to pass on relevant, honest information to readers. As a result I've tried a variety of different diets and supplements over the years and coconut oil is one of them.

To be quite honest, I was just blown away by the results I experienced when I incorporated coconut oil into my training diet.

First a bit of science behind the coconut diet:

Coconut oil is comprised of fatty acids called medium chain triglycerides or MCT'S. In nature, coconut oil has the largest concentration of these MCT'S outside of human breast milk. Vegetable oils, on the other hand, are made up primarily of long chain fatty acids or LCT'S.

For quite some time now scientific literature has claimed that LCT'S tend to produce fat in the body, while MCT'S promote what is called hermogenesis. Thermogenesis increases the body's metabolism, producing energy.

This has been common knowledge in the animal feed business for years. It you feed animals vegetable oil, they gain weight and produce more fatty meat. If you feed them coconut oil, they will be very lean.

Tests on rats published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that MCT rats gained 15% less weight than rats fed LCT'S. The conclusion:

MCT diets result in decreased body fat related to increased metabolic rate and thermogenesis.

Similar tests were conducted on humans at Vanderbilt University in 1989 with the same basic results.

Regardless of scientific study result, I prefer to try these things on my own and see the results first hand.

Over twenty years of competition and numerous diets, the LEAST I ever weighed was 150-151 pounds. This was my competition weight. If I were to weigh myself on any given race morning, my weight would be in this range, give or take a pound. That all changed when I included coconut oil in my diet.

I weighed myself on the first day of the diet as I always did when I tried something new, and wouldn't step on a scale again for one month. I live by this rule when trying something different in my diet. My start weight was as usual, 151 lbs.

I added 5 tablespoons of coconut oil per day to my meals. Usually when you buy coconut oil it will be solidified. I just leave mine at room temperature and in few days the whole container is liquified. I don't store it in the fridge because it will solidify again. If it is solid, its easy enough to melt down into liquid form if you're in a hurry.

I added it to my oatmeal in the morning, to my pasta, and used it in smoothies. I always use olive oil in my salads and started adding 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to every salad. It's an amazingly versatile product. You can easily come up with your own cooking uses for it.

When you use it in food its not an unpleasant taste and most of the time you won't even know its there. Combine it with your food anyway you like, but aim for at least 5 tablespoons a day and stick with it. Like any diet, there's really not much point even starting unless you're committed to it.

Well, I did this for exactly one month. Then I stepped back on the scale. WOW! 142 pounds!

I was 10 pounds lower than I had been over the past 20 years! I could not believe it. Remember that for the month I used coconut oil, I was in full Ironman training. Any diet you ever try should be done in conjunction with a fitness regimen. So I believe this is an ideal addition to any Ironman's diet. Or ANY athlete's diet for that matter.

A few things I noticed:

Along with losing weight, my energy level increased.

Even though I lost 10 pounds, I seemed to have the same amount of over-all strength. This is crucial to an athlete. What makes some athletes so amazing is their strength to weight ratio. In other words, you can be a 120 pound woman, but be very strong for that weight. Take it a step further and imagine the consequences if you become 110 lbs and don't lose any strength and have increased energy.

Imagine yourself running a marathon carrying a 10 pound bag of potatoes on your back. Now imagine running the same marathon without the bag of potatoes and more energy.

A perfect example of what I mean by strength to weight ratio is Lance Armstrong.

When he was fighting cancer he lost tons of weight of course, but when he won that battle and became healthy, he never did gain back all of the weight that he originally had. Yet, he became stronger. In other words, his strength to weight ratio changed big time. It seems that his body chemistry changed for the better.

When I watch him climb those endless mountain passes in the Tour, I'm just amazed at how lean he is and how strong he is and how high his energy level is.

Of course we can't all be the exceptional athlete Lance is, but I truly believe that incorporating coconut oil into ones diet can have a profound effect on any athletes training and racing results.

My name is Ray and I've been an endurance athlete for over 25 years. I've competed in over 30 marathons, 2 --- 50 mile races, 14 Ironman triathlons and countless shorter races.

I've created a website called Ironstruck. The main purpose is to provide training and racing tips for the beginner triathlete and novice Ironman.

come for a visit......

http://triathlon-ironman-myfirstironman-ironstruck.com

also..Ironstruck the book, has been published online and can be viewed here....

http://www.lulu.com/content/543252

It is available in paperback or download and may well be the most valuable Ironman Triathlon guide you might ever purchase.

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Dieters Need More Calcium

Dieters Need More Calcium
By Marilyn Pokorney

Women on diets need more calcium than normal to avoid boneloss, say Rutgers University researchers.

Studies showed a weight loss diet of 1.5 pounds a week for 6weeks cuts absorption of calcium. In 57 postmenopausaldieters it was discovered that those women who took 1,800 mgof calcium a day absorbed 78 percent more calcium than thosewho took only 1,000 mg a day. To prevent bone loss, womendieting after menopause should get 1,700 mg of calcium aday, the experts say.

For people on low-fat, high fiber diets calcium requirementsare also higher. Studies show that 19 percent less calciumis absorbed. It is theorized that the healthier diet movesfood faster through the gastrointestinal tract.

While it is common knowledge that calcium is necessary forbone-growth research shows that calcium also fights fatabsorption. Studies reveal that calcium blocks fat storagein fat cells. A minimum of 1,000 mg. of calcium dailyimproves total cholesterol and good HDL, but lowers bad LDL.

Despite the publicity of the importance of calcium forhealthy bones research shows that consumption has gone downover the past 30 years.

Experts recommend 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitaminD daily for people under 50, and 1,500 mg of calcium and 800IU of vitamin D for those over 50. The safe upper limit forcalcium intake has been set at 2,500 mg a day. Experts thinkgoing above that on a daily basis may invite kidney stoneformation.

Once started, never stop taking calcium/vitamin Dsupplements daily. USDA researchers found that after a 3-year study over one-third of participants stopped taking thesupplements. Within one year women lost all bone-densitygains and men lost their gains in two years.

For those who are lactose intolerant calcium and vitamin Dsupplementation is even more important because it will bedifficult to get the daily requirement through diet alone.

For those allergic to cow's milk. Drink enough soy milk togive you 500 mg of calcium per glass as compared to 300 mgin cows milk. Studies at Creighton University in Omaha,NE, showed that 25 percent less calcium is absorbed from soymilk as cows milk.

For more information on calcium and coral calcium: http://www.apluswriting.net/diettips/evitaminscalcium.htm

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Author: Marilyn Pokorney - Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and theenvironment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading.Website: http://www.apluswriting.net

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The G. I Diet and benefits for Losing Weight

The G. I Diet and benefits for Losing Weight
By Wayne Mcgregor

The glycemic index diet or G.I. diet is gaining a reputation as a healthy way to lose weight. Although more of a way of eating rather than a diet, more and more people following the G. I way achieve their weight loss goals. Many health experts agree that the Glycemic Index diet, if followed correctly, can be a great way to weight loss success, especially for those who struggle with conventional low calorie diets or dieters who have trouble controlling their appetite.

The G.I diet is similar to the low carb diet but it is not as strict and targets the types of carbs rather than the quantity of carbs for each meal. There is also a focus on the correct timing of the two basic types of meals a carb or protein meal. The science behind the timing and types of meal makes G.I dieting a potent way to help lose fat stores, safely and relatively quickly.

The G.I diet is all about Insulin and controlling blood sugar levels.

Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate our blood sugar; actually it lowers blood sugar levels by stimulating cells to absorb any excess sugar from the blood. The problem with Insulin is it also causes fat cells to take up excess fatty acids from the blood. Often we ingest a meal which includes both sugar and fats so if any meal includes foods which have a high Glycemic Index then the fat from that meal can be easily stored on the hips.

There is an established theory that if one can control insulin levels then one can control how much fat the body will store from each and EVERY meal. Fat can only be stored when Insulin is present, and Insulin is only released when blood sugar levels become elevated.

What raises blood sugar?

Carbohydrate in foods will raise blood sugar if it is absorbed too rapidly. The types of foods which cause rapid absorption of sugar are all those with a high G.I index rating.

The basics of the G.I index

The Glycemic Index ranks carbohydrate foods by assigning them a number ranging from 0 to 100. The number indicates the rate at which the food raises blood glucose levels during its absorption. The higher the value the quicker the sugar is absorbed.

A high Glycemic index food has a value of 70 and above. A G.I value of 56-69 is considered medium and any foods lower than 55 are considered a low Glycemic index food. Foods with a low G.I are best as they digest more naturally and help provide a steady supply of energy over the course of several hours, it also makes us feel fuller for longer.

Is the G.I Diet simple?

The diet sounds simple because foods are generally chosen from the low G.I food list, but it gets complicated when you create a meal made up of many different food items, each with a unique G.I value. The idea is to make sure most items which make up every meal have a low Glycemic index, thus the overall G.I of the meal stays within the low to medium range.

Gaining complete nutrition

There are some foods which have a high G.I rating but are considered a healthy nutritious food. In these cases healthy high G.I foods can be combined with low G.I foods to maintain low-medium G.I value, plus help create a complete nutritional intake. An example is baked potato (high G.I) topped with baked beans (low G.I). There are also low G.I foods which should be limited. Fresh meat and poultry contains no sugar so the G.I. will be very low, however, they do contain lots of fat and protein so the energy content will be high. Remember calories do still count!

One positive point about the G.I meal plan is its possible for dieters to enjoy the odd treat item once or twice each week, maybe an occasional dessert after a light dinner. As long as these bad items are NOT eaten alone it should not ruin the diet plan.

Benefits of G.I. way of eating:

1. Enjoy tasty foods but limit storage of fat
2. Enjoy some favourite foods AND still lose fat
3. Increased energy level and wellbeing
4. Control of blood sugar
5. Less hunger feelings
6. Less craving for sugary foods
7. Less bloating feeling after meals
8. Ability to eat more food if desired
9. Less risk from diabetes and other diseases
10. No strict calorie reductions

Wayne Mcgregor has written hundreds of articles on effective ways to lose weight. His website provides tons of free weight loss information and help, including lists of G.I foods.http://www.weightlossforall.com/glyemic-list-breadcereals.htm

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Fraud Diet Fraud

Fraud - Diet Fraud
By Michael Russell

In this article we're going to cover a little known type of fraud, though becoming more and more common and a bigger problem each year, this is diet fraud.

The fact is, a great number of people in the world and especially in the United States are overweight. It is one of the largest growing health concerns in this country and getting worse every year. Because of this problem, diet programs are everywhere. Many of them like Weight Watchers have been around for a very long time and are reputable companies. Unfortunately, there are a great number of diet plans out there that are flat out fraudulent in that they promote a weight loss program that doesn't work or is just plain dangerous.

So, how does one recognize these fraudulent diet programs? Unfortunately it is not easy to do. Many of the criminals who commit this fraud do so in such a manner that their diet plan or meal looks legit. Add to this the fact that they are preying on poor people who are at the end of their ropes when it comes to losing weight and it becomes very easy to get these people sucked into the fraudulent program. Having said that, there are some things to look out for that may alert you to a possible fraud.

Many of the latest diet programs can be seen on infomercials on television. One thing to watch out for is information that seems too good to be true, such as losing inches from your waistline in a matter of days. Even if a program like this were to work, which is doubtful, it is dangerous to lose weight that quickly. For a truly healthy diet and exercise routine you shouldn't lose more than a pound or two each week. If a program says you will lose some crazy amount like 10 pounds in 10 days then most likely the program is either fraudulent or very dangerous.

Another thing to look out for when it comes to diet programs is the testimonials. Take a look at the people on these commercials. In most cases they are far from having need of a diet. Many look like fashion models or paid actors and actresses. Be wary of before and after photos as with today's technology it is very easy to doctor a photo.

Another thing to watch out for is any plan that says you can lose weight without any exercise or that you can lose weight by just putting on their special heat treated tummy trimmer or whatever nonsense they call it. There is no way to lose weight in a healthy manner without proper diet and exercise. Anyone who says differently is not to be trusted.

Mostly, use your common sense. If you see a weight loss plan that looks too good to be true then most likely it is and all it is going to make you lose is the money that you spent on the plan itself.

Good common sense will pick out a diet scam with no trouble at all.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Fraud
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Diet For Healthy Prostate Why Soy Is Not Just For Women

Diet For Healthy Prostate - Why Soy Is Not Just For Women
By Rebecca Prescott

Researchers from Canada have found that having a diet of red meat, organ meats, soft drink and bottled water increased the risk of getting prostate cancer. They compared the diets of 80 men with prostate cancer, and 334 healthy men, and the diet just described more than doubled the risk of developing prostate cancer.

So what prostate diet can reduce the risk of prostate cancer? Swedish researchers examined the diet of 1499 men with prostate cancer and 1130 men who were healthy, and they published their findings in the Cancer Causes and Control journal. They found that eating foods rich in phytoestrogens decreased the risk of prostate cancer.

Phytoestrogens are plant molecules that have a weak estrogenic effect. They are made converted in the intestines from plant precursors by bacteria as they digest food. They are taken up by the same parts of the body that process the hormone estrogen.

Interestingly, one of the treatments for prostate cancer by doctors involves using estrogens to reduce the level of testosterone in men with advanced prostate cancer. It does this indirectly, through its effect on the hypothalamus, as less luteinizing hormone releasing hormone is produced by the hypothalamus. This means not as much luteinizing hormone is released by the body, which suppresses the production of testosterone.

High doses of estrogens for men can lead to cardiovascular complications. But phytoestrogens obtained from diet, in less quantities than a drug, and with a milder effect to start with, should not pose a problem. And researchers don't yet know what exactly causes phytoestrogens to have such a protective effect, whether it is similar to that of the estrogen treatment for advanced prostate cancers. And they don't know which phytoestrogens are the most active.

So what phytoestrogen foods could you include in a diet for a healthy prostate? Soy beans and nuts are a good source. Soy and nuts contain a type of phytoestrogen called isoflavones, whilst berries and seeds contain lignans. Foods could include peanuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and berries.

The only possible concerns with soy is that a study in mice found that male mice that had a type of heart disease that people also have, suffered heart failure when fed a soy based diet. Whether this extrapolates to the human population is yet to be established. But it may be wise for those me who have this particular genetic heart condition, dilated cardiomyopathy, to be cautious about soy products in their diet.

But for other men, soy products could be good news. A meta analysis, which is a study of related studies, published in the International Journal of Cancer, found that diets high in soy lowered men's risk of prostate cancer by 30%.

Another important mineral to consider for men is zinc. Zinc is used by men's bodies to make some of the male hormones, and for general prostate health. A deficiency in zinc can lead to problems with the testicles, the prostate, and the health of the sperm. Foods that are great sources of zinc include seeds like pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower; nuts like almonds, brazil, cashews and walnuts; and foods like lettuce, oats and onions. Raw onion is particularly suggested by Paul Bedson, a natural therapist. He also suggests vegetable juice made of equal parts of beetroot, carrot, and cucumber in cases where the prostate gland is enlarged. Cranberry juice, a cup drunk three times a day, is also recommended in this case.

References:

1. phoenix5.org/Infolink/advanced/estrogen.html
2. Australian Healthy Food, March 2006
3. Australian Healthy Food, November, 2005
4. Paul Bedson, The Complete Family Guide To Natural Healing
5. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=65785&m=1NIE213&c=qgtqmovbyiaxdub

If you're interested in a health prostate supplement that promotes healthy prostate, bladder and kidney functions, click here. Rebecca Prescott runs this site which presents comprehensive reviews of vitamins and supplements.

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7 Things to Know About a Diabetic Diet

7 Things to Know About a Diabetic Diet
By John Mancini

If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you are probably experiencing many emotions all at once. You have a lot of questions that need answers, one of which is how well can you control your disease with a diabetic diet. The diet that you follow will play a large roll helping you control your diabetes instead of your diabetes controlling you.

1- There are no sets of guidelines that have been written in stone for the control of diabetes for every person. However, there are certain things suggestions for all diabetes patients, in fact, for all Americans, that should be followed to maintain a healthy life style. These suggestions are based on US dietary guidelines for healthier eating.

2- These guidelines suggest limiting fat intake, limiting dietary cholesterol, a diet rich in fiber, eat fresh fruits in moderation, limit the amount of protein that is eaten and reduce your salt intake. The goal for everyone, especially those with diabetes, is to set a goal of five servings of fruit and vegetables, six daily servings of whole grain foods and two servings a week of fatty fish.

3- When buying the food that are needed for a diabetic diet, it is important to read the labels, it is especially important since most food labels show daily values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. This is higher than most diabetic diets allow for. Therefore, the values given will need to be recalculated into grams and calories and adjust that into their own diet plans.

4- When measuring foods for your diabetic diet, it is important to weigh the food also to get the right amount of daily caloric intake. Every diabetic should have a food scale that can measure down to the gram (equal to about 1/28 ounce), in addition to normal measuring spoons and cups. The food should be measured after it is cooked to ensure the right amount is being served.

5- The timing of meals is also important on a diabetic diet. No meal should be skipped, the reason for this is simple, especially for those individuals who are insulin dependent. If you skip meals, you run the risk of upsetting the delicate stability that exists between the insulin and the food consumption. For a lot of diabetes patient the administration of insulin is calculated to correlate closely with the timing of meals

6- Eating between meals is also discouraged for diabetic patients. This is because if too much food is eaten at the wrong times, it can lead to weight gain and mess with the work that the insulin injections are doing to control the disease. It is very important to follow the diabetic diet that is set up for you by your doctor.

7- If there are any questions regarding your diet or your diabetes in general, do not try to answer them yourself. Call your doctor, the office staff will be more than willing to set up an appointment for you to discuss any of the concerns you may have with your physician.

John Mancini has been writing about Diabetes online and offline for a long time. Visit http://diabetics-home.info or http://diabetics-home.com to read more about matters like diabetes and diabetes supply.

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