African Mango: Is it a healthy fruit extract or a harmful diet pill?

Have you heard of the African Mango. It is one of the latest in a line of over hyped super fruits. It first appeared, like many of these super fruits, on the Dr. Oz show, Oprah’s favorite doctor, where he recommends it as step 6 in his Just 10 Weight Loss Challenge.  Dr. Oz claims a 300mg African Mango Supplement, official name Irvingia Gabonensis, acts as a potent dietary fiber relieving the body of fat and cholesterol. These weight loss claims sound great, but can you really trust television and all the junk they advertise.  Don’t be mistaken, I’m a huge proponent of fruit for natural weight loss; however, “Dr. Oz’ African Mango Supplement” is the nice way of saying Dr. Oz’ African Mango Diet Pill; according to LiveStrong there are serious negative side effects from diet pills. African Mango Extract diet pills aside; there actually are health and weight loss benefits to be gained from eating a real, pure African mango; however, don’t rush to buy African mango  because eating African mangoes alone does not guarantee you weight loss. African Mango plus a healthy lifestyle does.

What is the African Mango?

The African Mango comes from the Irvingia Gabonensis tree native to West Africa. Interestingly the fruit is not actually a mango, it is only similar to the Mango most of the world recognizes. Most mangoes found in the United States range from yellow to orange in color while the african mango is pure green as pictured on the left.  The name it has been given implies it is only found in Africa; however, it is also found in multiple countries in southeast Asia where it is known by the name wild mango or bush mango.  This fruit is a drupe which means a fleshy fibrous outer part surrounds the core or pit which contains the seed.  Surprisingly the African mango seed contains as many nutrients as the flesh.

African Mango Weight Loss and Health Benefits

What I don’t appreciate about the super fruits fad is the lack of education diet guru’s like Dr. Oz provide their followers.  Gurus know once they mention one of these super fruits numerous supplement companies will create a diet pill and aggressively market it using Gurus’ names, corporate logo’s, fake African mango reviews, and respectable news station’s credibility to deceive consumers into buying African mango. These diet pill pushers provide no actual facts to their consumers. If Dr. Oz cares about his followers he needs to provide better information and recommend where to buy African mango extract. Aside from the misinformation, African mango diet pills are risky because they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This is why I advise only eating real African mangoes.

African Mango is not one of few, but one of many fruits that has health benefits.  All fruits contain water, this may seem basic but most people underestimate the benefit of proper water intake each day.  Second all fruit contains large amounts of natural fiber which helps with stomach cramps, relieves constipation, and regulates bowel movements.  This is your bodies natural way of removing toxins. Toxins bind to fat so the lesser the toxins in your body the healthier you will feel and the more weight you will lose.  A major claim to fame for these super fruits like African Mango is they will lower your cholesterol levels, preventing strokes and heart disease; in fact, all fruits lower your cholesterol.  Actually, oatmeal is the best food for lowering bad cholesterol. My favorite breakfast is oatmeal with fruit mixed in because of the tremendous health benefits it provides. This simple breakfast has far greater benefits than supplementing your diet with African Mango.

I’m not saying there is an African Mango Scam taking place, the only scam is the lack of information and education available from companies, health gurus, and marketers who sell African mango extract and other related supplements.  Fortunately, I dug deep and uncovered the correct facts about this African mango.  In a double blind scientific study on Irvingia Gabonensis (African Mango) researches found answers.  The group of people in Cameroon who took African mango extract three times per day did lose a statistically significant amount of weight. In one month the group who took the African mango lost 5.6% +/- 2.7% of there body weight and realized a significant decrease in weight size.  Surprisingly neither group lost a significant amount of body fat. In addition to the weight loss blood pressure (SBP) was reduced, bad cholesterol (LDL) was lowered, and good cholesterol (HDL) was raised.

The study shows there are health and weight loss benefits to eating African mango, but don’t go rush out and buy African mango; there is more to the study. Unlike most fruits, you must eat the African mango seeds to lose weight and eat a lot of them. Each of the subjects were given 1050mg ten times per day for a month only to lose a few pounds. That is over three times the Dr. Oz recommended amount of 300mg per day; more bad information. This small study on Irvingia Gabonensis performed on obese subjects in Cameroon Africa are the only facts. Please do not fork out the money and go through the trouble to buy African mango. Don’t trust unregulated internet supplement companies who provide shady diet pills with unknown side effects. There are more effective, healthier, lower cost, natural paths to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, decreased weight size, and weight loss.

 

 

African Mango Side Effects

  • Users of African mango have Experienced Flatulence
  • Headaches have been reported by people taking Irvingia Gabonensis
  • Worst of all African mango extract has caused sleep problems.
  • It is best to avoid taking African mango supplements during pregnancy or breast feeding
  • Make sure the components of African mango do not cause allergic reactions or hypersensitivity
  • Patients in clinical studies on Irvingia Gabonensis experienced dry mouth and flu-like symptoms.

Additional Information:

Yahoo Answers

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Summer Time Smoothies

Do you enjoy the occasional frozen smoothie or shake? Doesn’t it seem as if there is a grand opening of a smoothie shop on every corner and everywhere you go?

Well it’s completely understandable why there’s been a smoothie shop epidemic, and why they’ve been so popular.

Smoothies are delicious and can be healthy too! Smoothies can be so soothing and invigorating. You can get them on the go on the way to work and they serve as a great meal replacement.

Smoothies are filling so you don’t need to eat anything else. They are simply made and portable for people on the go. They make life just a little easier.

They’re also filled with fruits and vegetables so they make a terrific meal or even a snack. Plus, they refresh and energize your nutrition craving body.

But did you know that smoothies can be utilized as a method to weight loss?

How long have you been dieting? Does it seem like you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work? You are now desperately searching for an alternative to weight loss?

1. Drink this weight-Loss smoothie every morning as soon as you wake up. The earlier you drink, the earlier your metabolism will work hard and the faster you lose weight.

2. Include in your smoothie the key ingredients like whey protein, fruits, yogurt, juice, fiber powder or any preferred substitute with similar nutritional value.

3. Consume your weight-loss smoothie immediately after blending it. Do not let it stand for too long as it will lose its flavor.

4. Follow this succession in blending your homemade weight loss smoothie: First, put in 2 bananas, then half a cup of yogurt, one spoonful of fiber powder, one cup of juice (any preferred flavor will do) and finally, put in the ice cubes.

5. If you prefer a thicker smoothie, increase the proportion of fruits. You can add a little sugar or maple syrup to add taste. Smoothies are easy on the stomach and they aid in digestion. Have fun losing weight!

The ingredients in these weight loss smoothies are some of the most powerful fat fighting agents that you can consume. And when they are combined together in the right mixture they can accelerate the weight loss process immensely! They are very filling which will make you feel satiated & prevent you from snacking between meals. In fact, they are so nutrient-dense and full filling that they can easily replace whole meals entirely! So pull out your blender from the back of pantry, dust it off and place it right on your counter top. Because with these weight loss shake recipes you will getting a lot of use out of it.

African Mango Supplement Videos

These Videos provide excellent information on Weight Loss Supplements such as the African Mango Extract.  Here are some more links on this site with useful information.

  1. African Mango Extract
  2. Taking Supplements to Lose Weight
  3. Fruits high in fiber for weight loss
  4. Miraculous Fat Burning Fruit

Well known weight loss supplements

Men are as conscious about loosing weight as women are and there are supplements on the market today that are targeting men. The best men’s weight loss supplements should be ones that contain powerful fat burners, energy increasers, testosterone boosters, and muscle building ingredients. Men want to lose weight but not at the expense of their fabulous muscles. Some supplements for men are a little costly but the health of the body outweighs expense.

Vitamin B is one ingredient that men should look for in a supplement because this vitamin will help me to increase stamina and muscle strength. Men have much more muscle then women do and they want a supplement that will help them to strengthen and increase the muscle mass that they have. Some men have chosen to go the all natural route and use all natural supplements. These supplements can contain non stimulant natural ingredients, water soluble dietary fibers, carbohydrate blockers, tea leaves, fruit extracts, ginseng, marac root, guarana seed oil, herbs and biological forms of chromium.

We all know the easiest and safest way to live a slim and healthy life is to: consume healthy foods in a balanced diet regime, exercise and stay physically active, and get a sufficient amount of rest each day. Well, weight loss pills may offer a short cut, it might not always be the best route to take. If we make a decision to take weight loss pills, it is always important to understand how they work. It should be in you best interest to know what you are inserting in your body.
Weight loss supplements are designed to help individuals lose weight. They work by either helping burn fat or suppressing hunger. Reports revealed that one out of seven Americans use non-prescribed weight loss supplements. Majority of users are women.

1. Orlistat more known as Xenical supplements can help reduce at least 25 percent of the excess weight on obese patients. They can also show efficiency on long term maintenance in sustaining body weight. It has also the capabilities to reduce the body’s absorption of cholesterol from foods.

2. Sibrutamine or Meredia is used to keep brain chemicals such as norepinephrine and serotonin in balance. Thus, increasing your body metabolism and keeping your body stay active and alive. Medical studies have proven that sibutramine helps effectively in losing weight and maintaining the body weight.

3. Sympathomimetics supplements are usually known to be stress releasing agents. They are non addictive and are proven to be safer compared to amphetamines that make your blood pressure rise. They can assure weight loss quickly. Other known Sympathomimetics supplements are phentermine, phendimetrazine, mazindol, and diethylpropion.

4. Amphetamines are more common in the past years. Today, they are no longer prescribed for weight loss. They have side effects to elevate behavioral tendencies and may cause serious addiction and insomnia.

5. Accomplia is one of the latest diet supplement drug just released recently. It can help an individual to quit smoking and reduce fat by prohibiting the circuitry of the brain that enables an individual to crave for food and other unhealthy habits.

6. The weight loss supplement Naltrexone or Trexan can block the euphoria of drug dependent users. It is also being experimented for those people who binge most of the time. The effects are really promising and it has no side effects for people who do not binge. It is only available through injection.

African mango pill is supplement which reduces your appetite making you less hungry throughout the day but don’t worry this wont effect your health since the pills has a lot of vitamins and various types of energy boosters to keep you healthy and working. With the help of these pills you will eat less but with the same stamina or even more in some cases.

African mango pills do not even reduces your weight but also acts as an energy booster for you. Some people consider having energy drinks while they have a lot of work to do but those people who are using these pills do not need any sort of energy drink as these pills act as an energy booster as well along with being a weight reducing pill.

Fruit Smoothies for Weight Loss

Fruit Smoothies for Weight Loss usually consist of yogurt , ice, and fruit. There recipes can be made with yogurt, skim milk or soy milk, based on your personal nutrition goals. They are also popular alternatives to elaborate coffee-based drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos. They are much fresher, taste better and contain whole fruits, not just the juice. They are frozen, blended concoctions of fruits, juices, and other healthy additives such as bee pollen and vitamins.

Smoothies are delicious and are healthy enough to aid in weight loss. Smoothies can be so soothing and invigorating. You can get them on the go on the way to work and they serve as a great meal replacement.Smoothies are filling so you don’t need to eat anything else. They are simply made and portable for people on the go. They make life just a little easier.They’re also filled with fruits and vegetables so they make a terrific meal or even a snack. Plus, they refresh and energize your nutrition craving body.

If you want something that really works, drink smoothies to lose weight. Dieting with smoothies is completely different. You don’t feel hungry or like you are starving yourself like with other diets. Actually, because smoothies are so filling you will never feel hungry. When preparing your smoothie there is a few tricks you should learn that you can add to help you in losing weight.

A study conducted in New York Obesity Research Centers reveals that people who drink soy-based drinks lost three times more weight than those who consumed the same amount of calories eating regular food. In a 90-day trial, subjects who were given a certain smoothie as a meal replacement lost weight five times faster compared to those who were given the traditional low-calorie meal. In a similar study, the Journal of American Dietetic Association showed that twice as much weight is lost by those replaced a meal with smoothies than those who were given the traditional diet with the same amount of calories. This study was done in span of twelve weeks.

Smoothies are a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, plus they’re so simple to make. They are a quick, tasty snack that are packed with healthy nutrients. They are also perfect ways to sneak in some ground flaxseed or wheat germ too. They are not all sinfully costly. Smoothies are in great demand on the beverage market.

Smoothies are a great way to eat healthier and incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet. They are a quick and easy way to add more fruit to your diet. They are not only a great way to get your kids to eat more fruit. They can help you increase your daily fruit intake and they make terrific on-the-go breakfasts. Smoothies are popular as a healthy breakfast or dessert.

My Favorite Smoothie Recipes

More Smoothie Recipes…

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The Banana Blast Smoothie

Ingredients

2 bananas
1 cup milk
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
8 cubes ice

Directions

>>In a blender combine bananas and milk. Pulse until bananas are chopped<<
>>Pour in water and brown sugar and blend until smooth<<
>>Toss in the Ice cubes and blend until smooth<<
>>Pour into 4 glasses and serve immediately<<

 

Enjoy…

This smoothie is perfect for that warm tropical summer day. Sip on it in while you lounge by the pool or bring it on a nature hike. This is quite a healthy drink. One alternative to increase the health benefits would be to remove the milk and brown sugar from the recipe. Although if made during the winter months they are a very nice addition, and create a smooth holiday blend. Also to increase fruitiness I’ll remove the ice and freeze my bananas prior to making the smoothie. What I like to do to add variation is add strawberries to make a Strawberry Banana Smoothie.

Leave a comment letting me know what variations you made to the smoothie let me know your favorite fruits for my next smoothie recipe.

That’s Bananas: Simple Weight Loss Eating Bananas

Bananas come in their own perfect package, so there’s no mess, no fuss — they’re the perfect take-along snack. No wonder they’re one of the most popular fruits in the United States. Admittedly higher in calories than most other fruits, their calories are nearly fat-free calories.

Bananas are ideal for people looking to lose or maintain weight through sound nutrition, while also giving the body sustenance for daily strength and fitness. Bananas offer the body carbohydrates — its main source of energy — and provide a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and fiber. Bananas offer an amazing fat-free package of natural energy, minerals, vitamins, and fiber.

Bananas are loaded with potassium, and researchers state that adding potassium may play a stronger role in the control of high blood pressure than restricting salt. Bananas also have a lot of magnesium, a mineral that helps keep blood pressure levels in check.

Six Benefits of Eating Bananas

1. Bananas are good for your heart and nerves

2. Bananas are good for your kidneys and bones

3. Bananas can act as mood enhancers or mild sedatives:

4. Bananas are good for your blood

5. Bananas are good for kids

6. Bananas are good source of dietary fiber

The good: This food is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium and Manganese, and a very good source of Vitamin B6.

The bad: A large portion of the calories in this food come from sugars.

The Mourning Banana Diet

The Morning Banana Diet is a super simple plan. For breakfast, you have only bananas and room-temperature water. Then, you can eat whatever you like for lunch, dinner, and snacks, as long as you don’t eat after 8 p.m. The only restrictions: No ice cream, dairy products, alcohol, or dessert after dinner, and the only beverage you may have with meals is room-temperature water. One sweet snack is allowed midafternoon.

Banana Pancake Recipes

 

Dieters need to get the biggest bang for the buck by eating foods that are full of nutrients but not high in calories. As a nutrient-dense and fat-free food, bananas are a perfect choice for dieters.

Bananas provide both energy and nutrition without fat, making them a great weight-loss food.

Stay Healthy by Eating Right

A healthy diet is a balanced diet. The six basic things are carbs, protein, fats, minerals, vitamins and water.  In order to remain healthy you should aim to improve your overall eating habits. By all means try a juice diet for a couple of days to kick-start your weight loss. But developing a healthy lifestyle involves more than buying a juicer. You need to become more active to get those pounds shifted. Because health and nutrition is more than a one time diet I’ve presented 10 tips for Eating Right and Staying Healthy everyday.

1. What to eat – No magic food causes weight loss and no food is inherently fattening. Eat a variety of foods from meat, legumes, dairy, grains, fruits, vegetables and small amount of fat daily. Vegetables and fruits are a great source of vitamins and minerals. Carbohydrates in fruits, milk, grains and legumes will give you quick energy for the first 2 hours while protein in milk, meat and legumes will keep you satisfied for 4 hours. The fat in meat and milk as well as fat added to foods will keep you satisfied for 6 hours.

2. Where to eat – Eliminate eating in the car, bus, train, walking, standing or on the phone. Make time to eat healthy meals and healthy dried fruit snacks by sitting down at a table. Read about the dangers of driving and eating.

3. When to eat – Eat breakfast and two other meals each day. People who eat breakfast are less likely to snack in the evening. Eat at least every 4 to 6 hours when awake rather than waiting until your stomach starts growling.

4. How much to eat – Calories count. Choose smaller portion sizes. Forget those super sizes as they are expensive to your waistline.

5. Shopping & eating out – If you don’t buy it or make it, food has a hard time finding its way into your mouth. Shop from a grocery list and after a meal when you are not hungry to limit impulse buying. In restaurants, if you aren’t sure how a food is prepared ask. When your food is served, divide off what you are going to eat and take the rest home for the next meal. Just because food is presented to you at a buffet doesn’t mean you have to eat or sample everything just because it is included in the price of a meal. Make food and portion sizes before you start eating.

6. Record your eating – Keep a written record of what you eat or drink, when and where to see what triggers your eating. Do you eat when you are tired, bored or upset?

7. Weigh in – Weigh yourself daily and record it. It helps keep track of your weight so that when your weight varies by more than 5 pounds you can make small eating and exercise changes before 5 pounds turns into 10 or more.

8. Pay attention & slow down – Don’t get distracted by multitasking while eating. Activities like watching TV or reading takes your focus off how much you are eating and your sense of fullness. Stop when you pause while eating or sense that you are full no matter how much food is left on your plate. Eat slower and drink water with a meal. Food takes 20 minutes for a message to get from your stomach to your brain that you are full so meals should take at least 20 minutes and preferably longer. Chew each mouthful thoroughly. If you eat food that isn’t on your plan, don’t get down on yourself. Get immediately back on your plan rather than waiting for the next day or New Years to start again.

9. Get moving – Take a look at your daily schedule and figure out how you can walk, bike or run more. Get 30 – 60 minutes of exercise each day and wear a pedometer to keep track. Aim for 10,000 steps a day.

10. Drink water – Drink enough water so that your urine is colorless and odorless during the day. People who drink sufficient water are more likely lose weight.

Favorite Weight Loss Smoothie Recipes

Homemade fruit smoothies are packed with ingredients proven to keep you full for hours: fiber from whole fruits, soy or whey protein, essential fats, wholesome yogurt, etc.

Abs Diet Ultimate Power Smoothie

Serves 2

1 cup 1% milk
2 tablespoons low-fat vanilla yogurt
3/4cup instant oatmeal, nuked in water
2 teaspoons peanut butter
2 teaspoons chocolate whey powder
6 ice cubes, crushed

Nutritional Information:

Calories – 220
Carbs – 29g
Protein – 12g
Fat – 4g
Saturated Fat – 1.5g
Sodium – 118mg
Fiber – 3g

This smoothie would be best taken as a breakfast replacement.The oatmeal will provide you with long lasting complex-carbs along with the peanut butter which has proteins & healthy fats will keep you full well into the day & help you avoid mid day snacking. But the best part about this smoothie is that it is naturally sweet and delightfully delicious, so if you’re the type that has a sweet tooth craving every now and then, you’ll love this recipe. Filled with protein & healthy complex-carbs it is indeed powerhouse of the weight loss shake recipes.

Mocha Smoothie:

8 ounces non-fat milk or soy milk

2 Tablespoons Herbalife Vanilla Formula 1 Soy Protein Smoothie Mix

½ teaspoon Decaffeinated Instant Coffee

4 – 6 ice cubes (optional)

Stir or blend in blender

Smoothies are a popular way to fix a quick and easy nutritious meal. Smoothies can be made in a blender or simply stirred into a glass of juice or into a cup of yogurt for a healthy snack or meal. Smoothies could be called ‘fast food for intelligent people’. Smoothies can also be an easy nutritious meal for a weight loss diet.

At home you can keep a supply of juices, milk or soy milk, or rice milk on hand to quickly and simply make a smoothie using Herbalife soy protein and/or whey protein powder. Yogurt is also great to just stir in the smoothie mix and eat. It helps to keep a supply of juices, yogurts, and milks on hand because you then have a way to easily stay on your health or weight loss plan without grabbing tempting foods that will take you off your healthy eating plan.

If you have a refrigerator where you work, you can keep a cup full of yogurt or simply the yogurt in the container you bought it in to make a quick weight loss meal. If you buy yogurt in the popular small containers, you can quickly make a nutritious smoothie with soy or whey protein in that cup. Simply eat one bite of yogurt plain to make room in that cup to add and stir in 2 Tablespoons of soy protein or whey protein powder.

More Smoothie Post:

  1. Smoothies for Weight Loss
  2. Summer Time Smoothies
  3. Add Bananas to lose weight quick
  4. The Banana Blast

Adding Juice to Your Diet

The juice diet is a type of detoxification diet. Also known as juice fasting, it restricts the diet to fruit and vegetable juices. This juice diet plan is somewhat similar to the dietary habits practiced ages before the invention of fire. There are various reasons why people choose a juice diet. Some use this juice diet to purge their body of toxins, while others for some spiritual reasons. Normally, juice diet fasting is done for three to seven days, but some people follow a juice diet biannually for a period of a few weeks to months.

A juice diet is packed full of healthy vitamins which leave you feeling on top of the world, but beware juices especially fruit juices contain a lot of sugar and we all know what sugar means, yes you got it calories. So don’t over do the amount of juice you drink during the day. Jordans juice diet worked because she followed the plan, and helped the process along by exercising.

Types of Juice Diets:

Syrup Juice Diet: What is the point of the juice diet syrup that you are making? The goal of this type of mixture is not to limit you. The juice diet, cranberry or other The combination of these, plus other types of ingredients works to aid the body in removing stored toxins. This detox, as it is called, is used as often as needed. Once you have all of the ingredients for the lemon drink, you need to drink it regularly. It is required that you drink between six and twelve glasses of the mixture each day. This program should then be continued for the next ten days. While drinking this lemon drink, it is also important to drink plain water throughout the day. Anytime you are thirsty, drink plain water.

Maple Juice Diet: You may have heard that the maple syrup lemon juice Diet combination is what works to help clean you out. The combination of these, plus other types of ingredients works to aid the body in removing stored toxins. This detox, as it is called, is used as often as needed. Once you have all of the ingredients for the lemon drink, you need to drink it regularly. It is required that you drink between six and twelve glasses of the mixture each day. This program should then be continued for the next ten days. While drinking this lemon drink, it is also important to drink plain water throughout the day. Anytime you are thirsty, drink plain water. Lemon juice diet is a combination of lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Fresh lemon juice contains Vitamin C, potassium, Citric acid. Maple syrup contains unprocessed sugar with natural nutrients. Presence of vitamins and minerals in unprocessed sugar make the digestive system to perform the function in a better way. Cayenne pepper, a hot red pepper helps loosen and break up mucus in the body. It acts as a cleanser for the digestive, respiratory and circulatory system.

Apple Juice Diet: The apple juice diet does not afford long term weight loss. As a matter of fact, the consumption of large amounts of natural, unsweetened apple juice is misleading and may be harmful to the body. During the three day fast, one to two gallons of apple juice are often consumed each day. One gallon of apple juice contains 128 fluid ounces. With one fluid ounce of apple juice containing 4 grams of carbohydrates , the total carbohydrates consumed are 512 grams per gallon. The total number of calories for every 512 grams of carbohydrates is 2048 calories of pure natural sugars. For the dieter who consumes 2 gallons, these numbers will double.

Grapefruit Juice Diet: Another similar type is the Grapefruit Juice Diet. Grapefruit is a natural food and therefore is never a problem to consume. But, when used in this type of juice diet, you may find it to add even better detox abilities. For those considering the juice diet, the original celebrity detox as it is often called, it is best to concentrate on fasting and eating healthy meals both before and after the diet. The juice diet, cayenne pepper, lemon and other ingredients all add to the functioning of your body’s system. Therefore, you should be encouraged by a diet that only includes all natural, all organic foods in it, rather than any product that is unnatural.

Juice diet fasting should not be done by people who have diabetes, low blood pressure, impaired immune system, liver and kidney diseases, and cancer. Pregnant females, lactating mothers, and children should stay away from a juice diet. After the juice diet fasting is over, one can go back on a healthy diet and get into good eating habits. A healthy diet includes all important components of a balanced diet—carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
In conclusion, a juice diet will be beneficial for your intestinal track, it will improve your energy and it will help you to lose weight.

5 Fruits That Will Fill You Up

Fibers are important nutrients for us because of the following several reasons:

- Fiber controls overeating
- It neutralizes blood-sugar level
- It control fat absorption in the body
- It reduces cholesterol
- It reduces chances of cancer

Fruits are one of the rich sources of fiber. High fiber fruits are essential for people who want to burn fat or lose weight. Here we’ll be discussing top five fruits having maximum fiber content. Apple, fig, blackberries, pear and banana are top five fruits rich in fiber.

Apple: Apple is a rich source fiber. An apple with skin contains 3 to 5 grams of fiber depending upon the size. An average size apple contains 4grams of fiber.

Figs: One fresh fig contains 2 to 4 grams of fiber.

Blackberries: half cup of raw blackberries contains 4 to 5 grams of fiber.

Pear: Pear is a high fiber fruit. A large pear with skin contains 5 to 6 grams of fiber.

Banana: One banana contains 2 to 4 grams of fiber

Mango: A medium mango contains approximately 4.5 grams of fiber.

There are also several other fruits, which are rich in fiber, viz. Guava, orange, coconut, grapefruit, apricot etc.

The skins of fruits are generally rich sources of fiber. So don’t peel fruits like apples & pears. And instead of fruit juice opt for raw fruit. Let’s explain this citing an example. An apple contains 3 to 5 grams of fiber depending on its size. To make one glass (250 ml size) of apple juice say three apples are needed. So in making one glass of juice we are wasting 12gm of fiber (assuming one contains 4gm of fiber). So high fiber fruits like apple & pears, having edible skins, should be taken as raw not as juice. Also while making juice of fruit, like orange we throw the pulp, which is a rich source of fiber.

Intake of lots of high fiber fruits makes one’s body immune to several diseases along with burning fats.

Eat Fruit, Fight Fat

When you were young, your mom probably told you to eat fruit. Although she might have been more interested in keeping you healthy—fruit has zero cholesterol, serves as a good source of heart-healthy fiber and contains phytochemicals that reduce blood pressure and the risk of cancer and type 2 diabetes—boosting your fruit intake may also help you lose weight. Add strawberries and grapefruit to your watermelon, and watch the scale inch to the left.

Eating to lose

Research shows that following positive weight-loss messages or diets that promote eating more of a certain food provides better results than following negative messages or diets that promote eating less of a certain food.

Everybody wants a weight-loss plan that lets them eat as much as they want while satisfying hunger and reducing calorie intake. The trick is to choose foods with a lower energy density, or fewer calories per gram weight of the food. The more water and fiber in a food, the lower its energy density, and the more it helps you stay full while you reduce your calorie intake and lose weight.

One of the best ways to fill up on foods with low energy density is to eat more fruit. But not just any fruit will do. Canned fruit packed in heavy syrup has twice the energy density of canned fruit packed in light syrup. Dried fruit has four times the energy density of fresh fruit, because almost all the water has been removed. The best choice is fresh, whole fruit for the least amount of calories and the highest amount of fullness and satisfaction. The top fruits for weight loss include grapefruit, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew), berries (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries), papaya, African mango, and peach.

10 easy tricks to boost your fruit intake

According to mypyramid.gov, women should aim for at least two cups of fruit per day; more if they’re physically active. Here are some suggestions to help you boost your fruit intake to healthier levels—and you might just lose a few pounds along the way.

We know you’d rather order the cheesecake, but we’ve come up with a fair compromise. Many restaurants serve fruit dishes with a tasty indulgence—like a sugar cookie, a scoop of sorbet or a selection of cheeses—on the side.

Feast away on apple slices throughout the day, and you’ll be less tempted to hit up the vending machine to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Are late-night ice cream cravings your diet downfall? Snack on frozen grapes instead. They’re sweet, crunchy and cold—and they’ll make you forget about the pint of Ben & Jerry’s in your freezer.

When eating at fast-food chains, order a fruit cup instead of fries.

Doughnuts and bagels may be the usual morning snack at work, but wow your colleagues with a parfait of frozen berries, yogurt and low-fat granola.

If you usually eat chips with your lunchtime sandwich, try eating grapefruit instead. Peel and section a grapefruit in the morning before you go to work, and toss it in a plastic zipper bag.

Jazz up your breakfast by tossing a handful of berries on cold cereal or adding sliced peaches to oatmeal.

Need to whip up a tasty dinner party dish? Try making a fruity dessert. Slice strawberries and mix with raspberries and blueberries. Top with a quick syrup: Simmer 1/2 cup water with 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon amaretto until reduced to 1/4 cup. Cool and pour over the fruit for an out-of-this-world dessert dish.

Appetizers can be a dieter’s downfall, packed with calories and loaded with fat. Amaze your friends with a delicious, colorful and low-calorie fruit kabob appetizer. Cut a variety of fruit to skewer on a bamboo stick, including red and green grapes, pineapple chunks, strawberries, sliced bananas, cubed pears—the sky is the limit! If preparing in advance, drizzle the fruit with lemon juice to prevent the bananas and pears from turning brown.

Keep a bowl of fresh fruit on your kitchen counter. You’re more likely to grab an apple, tangerine or peach if it’s in sight.

The Raw Food Trucker!

What Fruits Should a Diabetic Eat?

Fruits for diabetics can aid in the general wellness of the patient with diabetes. However, there are certain steps to make sure that the fruits to be consumed would not raise the general blood sugar level of the person with diabetes. The following are easy means to determine whether the fruit to be eaten would be beneficial or neutral or harmful to a diabetic patient.

In the drive to lower blood sugar, there are several methods that may be employed, though not all of them are in the vast realm of diet. Your blood sugar range is directly dependent on the ways and means that you employ to control it; and controlling it is of utmost importance, because you can even go blind if your glucose levels spike.

Diabetes bad food includes those that have high glycemic indexes for glucose- which includes those foods that are high in saturated fats and uncontrollably high amounts of sugar in any of its forms- from milk sugar to fruit sugar. Which brings us back to our main concern- what kinds of fruits can a diabetic eat?

Fruits for diabetics are usually those fruits that have high fiber content and have low sugar content. If we take these criteria and apply it, the first fruit that would come to mind would be the high and mighty avocado. But beware; this fruit has a lot of calories in it- so if you want to quaff a particularly large avocado, make sure that you would be able to regulate your calorie intake the rest of the day.

Mangos, currants and apples are also good sources of nutritional fiber- and their sugar index is from low to mid-high. Do not be afraid of eating apples, oranges and bananas. Now more than ever do you need a strong immune system? lowering blood sugar can be achieved by having more fiber in your body and through exercise.

Diet for high blood sugar should consist not only of fruits that have been mentioned above but also plenty of bitter and dark green vegetables- these are chock full of the necessary nutritive elements that would help regulate your blood sugar as your medication also does its job. Our aim here is not only to use fruits to lower blood sugar but also to obtain over all health.

What we can recommend for the long run, alongside a fixed diet with lots of good fruits in it is for a diabetic low carb diet that will help ease the burden off stressed body systems. Fruits for diabetics can only achieve so much- what is needed is a comprehensive approach that would be able to safeguard all possible routes of relapse and infection. These are two of the worst enemies of diabetics worldwide, and it is only through conscious effort can they be defeated by the lone diabetes warrior

 

 

She Lost 40 lbs and Looks Amazing!

Fruits are Best in Season and Fresh

Fruits

Fruit

Peak Season

Look For

Apples September – May Good color for variety; firm to touch. Avoid those that are soft and mealy.
Apricots June – July Golden yellow; plump; firm. Avoid pale yellow or green, very hard or soft, shriveled and wilted ones.
Avacodos All year Yield to gentle pressure; vary in size shape and color from green to black. Brown markings on skin do not lower quality.
Bananas All year Firm; bruise free; yellow touched with green. If needed, ripen at room temperature.
Blueberries June – August Firm; plump; full-colored; bright, clean, fresh appearance. Only strawberries should have hull (stem cap) attached when mature.
Cranberries September – December March- July Fresh appearance; firm; good size for type of cherry.
Coconuts September – March Good weight for the size; milk inside still fluid. If no milk, coconuts are spoiled. Avoid ones with moldy or wet-looking eyes.
Figs July – September Fairly soft to touch. Use at once, spoils quickly. Sour odor indicates overripe fruit.
Grapefruit October – June Firm; well-rounded; heavy for the size; smooth textured. Avoid coarse, puffy rough-skinned fruit.
Grapes June – December Fairly soft; tender; plump. Well-formed clusters with gree, pliable stems. Darker varieties are free of green tinge; green grapes have a slight amber blush.
Kiwi June – August Soft to touch, like avacado. Sometimes called Chinese gooseberries.
Lemons All year Fairly firm; smooth and glossy-skinned; heavy for size.
Limes May – October Heavy for size. Green variety more acidic than yellow.
Mangoes April – August Solid and not too soft to touch. Can vary in size from a plum to an apple and in color from yellow to red. Smooth skin often speckled with black. green mangoes are sometimes used in cooking.
Melons

Cantaloupes

May – September Color and aroma best guides. Delicate aroma; thick netting that stands out; yellow-tinged skin under the netting. No evidence of stem at blossom end.

Casabas

July – October Buttery-yellow, wrinkled rinds, lengthwise furrows.

Crenshaws

July – October Thick webbing; gray-green to brown skin under webbing.

Watermelons

May – August Dull surfaces with cream-colored under-sides; symmetrical shape.
Nectarines and Peaches June – September Plump; fairly firm depending on type. Skin color white or yellow with a red blush.
Oranges November – June Heavy for size; firm; skins not too rough.
Papayas All year Greenish yellow to full yellow in color; flesh gives slightly when fruit pressed in palm of hand.
Pears August – May Yield to gentle pressure at stem end. Color ranges from creamy yellow to russet. Ripen at room temperature.
Persimmons October – January Firm; shapely; plump; orange-red color; attached stem cap. Handle gently. Looks like a large red tomato in shape and firmness.
Pineapples February – August Piney” aroma; golden yellow; slightly soft. Ripe when leaf is easily removed.
Green fruit may not ripen properly.
Over-mature fruit may show soft watery
darker spots on the base or sides.
Plums June – September Plump; full-covered, soft enough to yield to slight pressure. Softening at tip is usually a sign that fruit is mature. Avoid shriveled and hard plums.
Pomegranates Septmeber – November Thin skinned; bright puprle-red; looks fresh.
Tangerines and Tangelos November – January January – Octover Deep orange or yellow; glossy skin. Loose skin. Overripe fruit has puffy dry skin.

 

 

Vegetables

Vegetables

Peak Season

Look For

Artichokes March – May Heavy, compact, plump globes. Large tightly closed, fleshy leaf scales. Good green color. Heavy for the size.
Asparagus March – June Tightly Closed buds. Straight, tender rich green stalks. Open tips and angular or ridged spears are signs of over maturity.
Beans

Grean or Wax

April – October Crisp, long straight, blemis-free pods.

Limas

April – August Bright color for the variety. Crisp, dark-green, well-filled pods.
Beets June – October Firm, round, smooth, deep red-colored roots. Fresh-looking tops. Avoid those with long roots and rough, scaly areas on surface, because they are tough, fibrous and strong flavored.
Belgian Endive October – May Firm without bruises. Color should be white with greenish cast.
Broccoli October – May Firm, closed, dark-green florets. Firm, tender stalks. Yellowing green-colored heads of broccoli are over mature.
Brussel Sprouts October – November Minature, compact, bright green heads.
Cabbage All year Well-trimmed, solid heads. Heavy for size.
Carrots All year Firm; bright-colored; smooth; clean; well-shaped. Avoid rough, cracked or green-tinged roots.
Cauliflower September – November Bright-green leaves enclosing firm, closely packed creamy-white curd or florets. Avoid bruised or open florets.
Celery All year Fresh, crisp branches. Light green to green color. Should not have wilted, rough look or puffy feel to the stalk.
Corn May – Septmeber Fresh-leaved, green husks. Plump, milky kernels. Avoid cobs with small or large, dented or shrunken kernels.
Cucumbers May – August Bright, shiny green; firm; well-shaped.
Eggplant August – September Firm; heavy; smooth; even dark purple. Free of bruises or cuts.
Lettuce All year Fresh green leaves with no wilted or bruised areas. Heading varietes of lettuce should be medium weight for size.
Mushrooms November – April Dry, firm caps and stems. Small brown spots or open caps are still good in flavor.
Okra May – September Tender, bright-green, bruise-free pods, less than 4-1/2 inches long. Pale faded, hard pods are tough and fibrous.
Onions All year Well-shaped; hard; small necks. Dry, papery skins. Free of green spots or green-depressed leathery areas. Crisp green tops. Two to 3-inch bleached-white roots.
Parsnips October – April Small to medium size; smooth-skinned; firm. Decay and bruise free.
Peas, green April – July Well-filled; bright green. Swollen, light-colored or gray-flecked pods contain tough, starchy peas.
Peppers All year Good shape; firm exterior; thick flesh and bright, glossy skin.
Potatoes

White

All year Fairly smooth; well-shaped; firm. Free of most blemishes. Avoid bruised, sprouting, shriveled or green-tinged.

Sweet

September – December Thick, chunky, medium-sized with no bruises or decay. Should taper at the end.
Radishes May – July Medium-sized (3/4 to 1-inch diameter); good red color; plump; round; firm; crisp. Bright-green tops.
Spinach March – May Large, bright, blemish-free leaves with good green color. Yellowing indicates the start of decay. Avoid leaves with coarse stems.
Squash

Summer

June – August Bright color; smooth, glossy skin. Heavy for the size; firm; well shaped.

Winter

September – November Heavy for the size. Hard, good-colored, unblemished rind.
Tomatoes May – August Well-formed; blemish-free; plump. Over all rich red color and slight softness.
Turips and Rutabagas September – March Small to medium size; smooth; firm; heavy. Few leaf scars at top and few fibrous roots at base. Purple-tinged white ones are turnips. Yellow-skinned, larger roots are rutabagas.

 

 

 

 

Checklist for Buying Fruit

Eating fruits is one of the best ways to cool off during summer. Fruits can be eaten raw, mixed with other food or turned into a fruit shake. Kids absolutely love fruits, whatever the preparation is. Supermarkets have fruits in abundance, especially during summer. Buying them can be quite a task if you are unsure how to check for freshness.

Here are some things to remember when hitting the fruits aisle:

Buy local. Buying fruits that came from nearby farms ensures you get freshly picked fruits. When imported fruits arrive in your local supermarket, vitamins are depleted and sometimes the flesh is damaged from too much handling. There’s no reason to buy fruits from the other side of the country if it is available locally anyway.

Buy fruits in season. The best tasting fruits come from the ones harvested in season. If they don’t come from far away, fruits that are picked out of season either lack flavor or are not ripe enough. Summertime fruits include watermelons, blueberries, peaches, melons, mangoes and strawberries.

Check the date. When buying bundled fruits – cling wrapped or bagged – find out if it has a packing date. This gives you an idea of how long the fruits have been in the bin. Additionally, check the items in the bundle for any ‘bad apple’.

Buy whole. You might be tempted to buy pre-cut and packed fruits for convenience. Remind yourself to buy fruits in whole instead, to be sure of its quality inside and out.

Scrutinize with your senses. Fresh fruits like strawberries should be firm to the touch. Fleshy fruits like mangoes and watermelons should be heavy when picked up. Kiwi skin should be fuzzy, while a watermelon skin should be dull. Aside from good appearance, a fresh fruit also has good smell – sweet and ripe.

Check for signs of rot. Keep away from fruits are have signs of mold. Berry type fruits are prone to molds. Wrinkled fruit skin and dark spots are also signs of rotting. Sour or pungent smelling fruit should be put back into the bin.

Know what to look for. When selecting ripe fruits, find out what characteristics buyers seek. For example, the bottom of a garden-ripened watermelon will have a discolored – usually white to yellow – bottom; brown and slightly dried up grape stems indicate ripeness; and, green strawberry top leaves signify a recent harvest.

Make use of the summer bounty while the season lasts. These fresh fruit buying tips should guide you in selecting the best from the crop.

 

Consumer Guide to Fresh Fruit

How To Buy Fresh Fruit is a guide put together by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). It’s a 28 page guide on what to look for and what to avoid when buying fresh fruit. Read through it or use it as a reference next time your at the market picking out fresh fruit.

Avoid Vending Machines!

Online Weight Loss Communities

When you are going through the process of losing weight, it can be beneficial to join an online weight loss community. Talking with like minded people can be a great motivator. There are many communities out there from which to choose. Some are better than others. You want to make sure you join a community that has the features you are looking for.

The following are reasons why I think you will want to become a part of a quality community.

1. There is a lot of useful information on these sites. There are many articles ranging from general to specific weight loss plans as well as exercise and fitness. I enjoy good articles that are informative and spend a lot of time on these sites just reading through the information that is posted.

2. Members are permitted to build their own blogs. You can also read and get motivation from others who have posted blogs. This interaction can be a very good accountability tool for you.

3. There is a forum with many different topics. You can develop a community relationship with other dieters and interact by sharing tips and experiences.

4. There is live chat, instant messaging, or a shout box. These are fun tools that make it even more interactive and allow members to find accountability partners to help keep them on track with their diets or to get the latest information on workout routines. The ability for interactivity and best practices sharing make the community a friendly place for all members to congregate and share information.

5. In addition to being able to build their own blogs, members can upload pictures, videos and articles that they find helpful to the community. The information posted is available for all members to access. There are a number of interactive components in the community that allow the members to share information in a one on one basis as well.

6. There are often entire sections devoted to the many diet plans that are available online. Each diet type has a separate area for members to share their experiences and results. If you are on the Adkins diet, for example, you can hang out with others who are also on the Adkins diet. You can share your experiences and results and get motivations from others who are doing the same thing.

7. The fitness area focuses on sharing routines and programs that are working for the members. There are also places for members to post pictures and videos to track their progress.

8. Members can create and participate in polls and there is also a section for posting classified ads.

9. These community sites are very user friendly. They are easy to access and maintain your content.

10. Most are free to join! Many sites out there charge a fee to be a member, but most allow free members access to basic features.

Becoming part of an online community can be a great asset for you. Interacting with, and making friends with other people who have similar goals can have a great impact. Many people are taking advantage of this every day. There are many good sites out there, so make sure you do your homework before joining.

 

Eat Unlimited Amounts of Fruit

Questions Answered About Fresh Produce

Q What is “organic produce”?

A Organic produce is grown without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.Before a product can be labeled “organic,” a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer meets the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it reaches the supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too. 

Q What is ethylene gas – and how does it affect produce?

A Some fruits and vegetables – like bananas – naturally produce ethylene gas when they ripen. Oftentimes, such fruits and vegetables are harvested in the unripened state to preserve firmness and for long shelf life; they are later exposed to ethylene gas to induce ripening.

Q What does the “use-by” date mean on a package of fresh produce?

A “Best-If-Used-By- (or Before)” date is the last date recommended for peak quality as determined by the manufacturer of the product.

Q Why are wax coatings used on fruits and vegetables?

A Many vegetables and fruits make their own natural waxy coating. After harvest, fresh produce may be washed to clean off dirt and soil – but such washing also removes the natural wax. Therefore, waxes are applied to some produce to replace the natural waxes that are lost.Wax coatings help retain moisture to maintain quality from farm to table including: 

  • when produce is shipped from farm to market
  • while it is in the stores and restaurants
  • once it is in the home

Waxes also help inhibit mold growth, protect produce from bruising, prevent other physical damage and disease, and enhance appearance.

Q How are waxes applied?

A Waxes are used only in tiny amounts to provide a microscopic coating surrounding the entire product. Each piece of waxed produce has only a drop or two of wax.Coatings used on fruits and vegetables must meet FDA food additive regulations for safety. Produce shippers and supermarkets in the United States are required by federal law to label fresh fruits and vegetables that have been waxed so you will know whether the produce you buy is coated. Watch for signs that say: “Coated with food-grade vegetable-, petroleum-, beeswax-, or shellac- based wax or resin, to maintain freshness.”