Green tea has been used for centuries and still remains one of the most popular teas in China and contains powerful antioxidants which may help fight against heart disease, cancers and other diseases. More recently studies have shown that green tea is also beneficial to weight loss.
One of the most recent studies which appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed people who drank a bottle of green tea extract everyday for three months lost more body fat than the participants who drank regular tea.
It is thought the chemical epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) found in green tea raises the metabolism while also releasing the hormone noradrenaline which is an appetite suppressant.
The study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition also indicated the consumption of catechins in green tea lead to both reduced body fat and LDL cholesterol levels.
Now that you know the many benefits of green tea, just how do you need to drink to lose weight?
Based on the recent research you would need to consume at least 4 cups of green tea daily to see any results. There are now also green tea supplements on the market which provide higher concentrated doses of green tea in a capsule form. The quality of the supplements will vary so it’s best to do your research.
But you don’t really need to take supplements to receive all the benefits of green tea. Try replacing your daily cups of coffee or regular tea with green tea. It’s also a good drink in between meals which may help satisfy your hunger pangs while providing your body with a good dose of antioxidants.
There are so many benefits to drinking green tea that weight loss is really just the icing on the cake. This is one great way to stay healthy while shedding a few excess pounds.
Filed under Health Talk, Weight Loss by on Dec 14th, 2006. 
This diet plan was comprised by three physicians and a CEO of a fortune 500 company. The basis of the plan is on reducing your sugar intake to promote weight loss.
You are to eliminate sugar and high starch carbohydrates. Instead each meal should comprise of a lean protein, whole grain carbohydrates and low start vegetables and fruit along with a little healthy fat.
This plan is not too dissimilar to other low GI diet plans out there. You are to eliminate all processed and starchy carbohydrates this includes vegetables like potatoes, corn and carrots. Certain fruits like bananas are also high in starch.
The idea is that by reducing your sugar intake (sugar is also found in high starch vegetables and fruits) you will balance your insulin levels and feel better while losing weight.
You are advised to eat moderate portions and although there is not emphasis on calorie counting you must exercise portion control in order to lose weight.
The diet is a natural healthy way of eating but may be difficult to follow in the long run. The idea is that you stay sugar free for life to achieve maximum health but this may be a difficult goal for many people.
Filed under Diet Reviews, Health Talk by on Dec 14th, 2006.
One of the biggest industries around today is the weight loss industry. Everyone is selling machines and pills that will melt off pounds like lightning. The truth is: healthy weight loss requires time and dedication. If you’re committed to losing weight the right way, here are a few tips to help you out.
The biggest part of a healthy lifestyle is setting healthy goals. While focusing on how much weight you’ve lost may seem like a good idea, it may discourage you if you don’t lose weight even though the diet is working. Retaining water, muscle gain, and other factors can all make you heavier even if you’re healthier. Set goals related to getting enough exercise and eating right, not weight loss. You may not notice a weight loss, but if you feel better and have more energy, something’s going right.
Try to stay away from fad diets, and diets that cut out entire food groups. They may very well work, but many times they are very hard to stay on. A semi-healthy diet you stay on is more beneficial than an extremely healthy diet you don’t. If you want to go on a more drastic diet, ease yourself into it. The best diet changes are made slowly.
Don’t forget to exercise. Getting your heart rate up at least 20 minutes a day is important to keep your heart and yourself healthy, not just losing weight. If you can’t dedicate this much time to exercise, try splitting it up into 10 minute intervals. It may be hard in the beginning, but if you keep at it you’ll find yourself more energized and feeling great.
An important factor many people neglect in their weight loss program is building muscle. Muscle burns more calories than fat. If you build muscle while you lose weight, you’ll start losing faster and be more likely to keep the weight off. Normally, diet causes you to lose muscle mass along with the fat; this is why many people gain the weight back when they’re done dieting. If you’re not really active, you don’t have to do much to build muscle mass, just lift small free weights or do use machines that require more force, like rowing machines.
These are just a few tips for getting started on your weight loss journey. Good luck!
Filed under Health Talk, Weight Loss by on Dec 16th, 2006.
Grilled Herb Chicken and Baked Sweet Potatoes
4 sweet potatoes
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 tablespoons of dried mixed herbs (you can use a ready mixture or mix oregano, parsley, cilantro, etc.)
1 garlic clove
2 teaspoons clear honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons light cream cheese
Pepper
Wash the sweet potatoes and place on a baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 350F for approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours or until tender.
Cut three slashes on each chicken breast (making sure not to cut all the way through). Place the herbs, garlic, honey, mustard and olive oil in a blender or food processor and mix until smooth. Rub this mixture over the chicken. Cover and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 20 to 30 minutes. If possible leave a little longer so the flavors can really sink in.
Heat a non stick frying pay lightly greased with a little olive oil or non stick spray and cool chicken for approximately 5 minutes on each side or until gold and cooked through.
Cut the sweet potatoes open (just as you would a baked potato) and spoon in a little cream cheese and pepper onto each potato, serve with chicken.
*Low GI
Filed under Main Dish, Recipes by on Dec 16th, 2006.
The basis of the Atkins diet involves cutting out all carbohydrates from your diet. You are allowed a small amount of carbohydrates which consist of the natural carbs found in vegetables.
The diet has been around since the 1970s and The Atkins Diet books have become best sellers. The Atkins diet has also sparked a lot of controversy and debate amongst health care professionals. Here’s a little more information on the Atkins Diet.
The Atkins Diet is broken into four phases:
Atkins Diet Induction Phase:
This is the first phase and the most difficult to stick with. It last for 14 days and is designed to throw your body into a state of “ketosis”. This means your body starts producing ketones from fat which is used as a fuel source instead of carbohydrates. This allows you to lose weight very quickly since your body is burning away through your stored carbohydrate reserves.
You are allowed 20 grams of carbs a day consisting of certain types of vegetables. You are allowed to eat many types of meat, eggs, oil, butter, cheese and cream.
Atkins Diet Ongoing Weight Loss Phase:
In this phase you are allowed to add a few more carbs to your diet, about 40 grams per day. You are told to monitor your weight loss and adjust your carb intake accordingly. You are also only allowed to eat certain types of carbs and a full list is included in The Atkins Diet Book.
Atkins Diet Pre-Maintenance Diet Phase:
You go into this phase when you are almost at your weightloss goal (about 10 pounds away from target). You are allowed to slightly increase your carb intake a little further according to the Atkins diet guidelines.
Atkins Diet Phase Maintenance Diet Phase:
This is the phase you start once you hit your target weight. You are told to remain at this phase for lifetime to maintain your weight.
Your carb intake is increased slightly further and you are allowed a little more variety.
Filed under Diet Reviews by on Dec 16th, 2006.