Atkins’ diet menu

The Atkins diet is a high protein low carb diet which was introduced in the 1960’s by Dr. Robert Atkins. Atkins diet system claims weight loss and has noted several success stories. Dr Atkin resolved his own overweight condition and successfully treated thousands of patients on his diet plan. He popularized his diet in a book series called Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution in 1972. Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, is his revised copy with updated ideas but basic concepts remained same.

The majority will sequentially pass through this as they successfully shed their excess weight.
Supplementary diets are provided for those who cannot follow the majority route, like those with a high metabolic resistance and those with food intolerances.

Atkins’ diet menu - What can you eat on the Atkins’ diet

The Atkins’ diet menu lets you eat foods that many dieters only dream about. The Atkins’ diet plan is said to work even if other diets have left you feeling depressed and deprived.

About Dr. Atkins diet:

• Atkins diet menu sets few limits on the amount of food you eat. Instead, it severely restricts the kinds of food permitted on your plate: no processed and refined sugar, milk, white bread, starchy vegetables, white rice and white flour. This includes cereals and pasta made from white flour.
• The Atkins diet lets you eat foods traditionally regarded as "rich": meat, eggs, cheese, and more.
• Atkins diet plan claims to cut down your appetite in the process.
• On Dr Atkins’ diet, you eat almost pure protein and fat.
  
  You can liberally eat nutrient-rich unprocessed foods like animal flesh (meat, fish and poultry). You can have red meat, fish (including shellfish), fowl, and regular cheese (not "diet" cheese, cheese spreads, or whey cheeses). You can also cook with butter, have mayo with your tuna, and add olive oil on your salads.

Then again, carbs are restricted (about 20 grams of net carbs per day, meaning total carbs minus fiber) in the first two weeks. That translates to three cups of loosely packed salad or two cups of salad with two-thirds cup of certain cooked vegetables each day.

The Atkins’ diet menu does allow for adding fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain foods after the two-week induction period.

How Atkins’ diet works?

Dr. Atkins diet is predominantly based on the theory that overweight people eat too many carbohydrates. Our bodies tend to burn both fat and carbohydrates for energy, but carbs are used first. However, our bodies naturally lose weight by burning stored body fat more efficiently by drastically reducing carbs and eating more protein and fat.

Researchers claim that, fewer the carbohydrates present in a diet, the more sustained the blood sugar level remains throughout the day. This is because sugar is always metabolized first. Craving is caused by blood sugar fluctuations aggravated by carbohydrate consumption. However, by cutting down carbohydrates, a person’s blood sugar can retain a more even level throughout the day. As a result, he or she will have no cravings and refrain from in-between meal snacks.

Also, diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates tend to increase the body’s production of insulin. When insulin levels are high, the food is more quickly turned into body fat in the form of triglycerides. High triglyceride levels appear to be one of the greatest risk factors for heart disease. You are able to cleanse the burned stored fat out of their cells, by using the fat cells for energy thus causing the dramatic drop in weight.

Atkins diet – Pros and Cons: What the experts say?

Critics of Dr. Atkins diet say that meat-heavy; high-protein eating patterns could be linked to osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, and renal disease. The great majority of experts and nutritionists maintain that Dr. Atkins’ theories still remain unproven. They are concerned that a high-protein, high-fat diet could cause a lot of problems, especially for the large segment of the population that is at risk for heart disease. Further, the. Atkins diet plan does not include a high intake of fruits and vegetables, recommended by most nutrition experts because of the numerous documented health benefits from these foods.

Dr Atkins diet pros and cons

No one can deny that the Atkins Diet is probably the most successful diet of the last few years. There are many pros and cons that could be linked to this diet.

Advantages of Atkins diet

Experts say that only benefit of the Atkins’ diet may be quick weight loss and possibly eating as much foods as desired to some people. Rapid weight loss is what motivates people at first. However since so many foods are off-limit, a high rate of the followers just drop out before reaching the fourth, maintenance level.

Disadvantages of Atkins diet

Many health experts disagree with the Atkins philosophy. They call it an unhealthy way of losing weight.

They point out that one negative allowance the Atkins diet offers is eating as much protein as one possibly can. High protein foods are also high in fats; and high levels of fats increase the levels of the “bad” cholesterol. The general fat allowance is only 30% of a person’s daily calorie intake. Dr. Atkins diet menu promotes eating as much fat as desired.

Atkin’s diet can also be taxing on the kidneys. Such high protein consumption increases the renal load on the kidneys and can be detrimental to kidney function in the long run.

However, by far the biggest disadvantage of the Atkins diet is that although the pounds may be shedding quickly, the weight levels off (returns back) over six months to one year.

If you are looking for a worthy diet plan then you can try atkins or even take the advantage of free atkins diet plan.

Dukan Diet Menu

This diet plan has 4 different phases you need to go through. Some of them help you to lose weight while the others simply help to maintain it. On each phase, your food options are different so we’ll break down your menu according to each phase:

Attack Phase – This is an all protein phase that lasts 3 to 10 days, according to how much you have to lose. As all you can eat on this phase are high protein foods some of your options include:

• Eggs
• Meat such as beef, veal, and ham.
• Fish
• Seafood
• Poultry (remove the skin and avoid duck). Chicken is excellent.
• Fat free dairy products.

You need to cook these foods with no oil or as little of it as you can. You can drink water, tea, and coffee as well as other no sugar beverages.

As you can imagine, this is the hardest phase of the diet. It will be good to do it with a weight loss buddy and to increase your consumption of liquids to reduce hunger and sense of deprivation.

Cruise phase – This is the second phase you follow to lose weight after the initial attack phase. This phase will result in a more gradual weight loss and you should follow it until you reach your target weight.

On the cruise phase, you can add vegetables to your diet but you must avoid starchy ones such as potatoes, peas, and beans. Basically, you alternate between all protein days and protein and vegetables days, so this is sort of a half-attack phase. Being able to add salads to your diet makes it a lot easier.

However, this can still be a challenging few weeks as it can take a while for you to reach your target weight. For more on this phase read the following Dukan Diet review.

Consolidation Phase – On this phase you begin to go back to a normal diet, introducing bread, fruit and more carb rich foods to your diet.

You still need to eat lots of protein so the menu builds up on that of the previous phases. There are so many ways you can now eat and combine fruit, bread, and the pasta you’re now allowed so this is a phase with lots of freedom. In addition, you have two free-meals each week. You can eat what you like on them. I won’t give you any ideas about what you can eat but I’m sure that you’ll be able to come up with something.

Stabilization phase - On this final phase, you just need to have an all protein day once a week. Other than that, you have practically complete freedom to choose what you like and enjoy it. I wouldn’t start stuffing myself with candy and chocolate, but you can definitely enjoy yourself more. The theory is that the one all protein day will be enough to maintain your weight for years to come.

This is how the Dukan Diet menu is arranged phase after phase.

Dukan Diet Tips

1. Make sure to drink lots of water each and every day.
2. Don’t overdo the attack phase. It is somewhat extreme.
3. You should make sure to stock your kitchen with phase correct foods and nothing else.
4. You can and should eat a spoonful of bran oats each day.
5. Do try to enjoy yourself on the free meals.
6. After the attack phase, workout on a regular basis. Do both strength training and cardio exercises.

I hope you found this short additional article on the Dukan Diet helpful. I wish you luck in trying to lose weight.

1000 Calorie Diet Sample Menu

Drinks throughout the day can include water, black tea and/or coffee without sugar and negligible calorie carbonated drinks such as Diet Coke.

This menu provides 1000 calories, 60g protein, 145g carbohydrate, 21g fat.

Breakfast

• Banana sandwich made with 2 small slices of wholemeal bread and a small banana.
• 200ml glass of orange juice

Morning Snack

• 100g pot of low fat fruit yoghurt

Lunch

• 1 wholemeal roll (45g) filled with 70g tuna (canned in brine) and 10g reduced calorie mayonnaise
• Mixed salad of 50g lettuce, 50g red or yellow sweet peppers, 10g spring onions.

Afternoon Snack

• 28g bag of lower fat crisps (eg. Walkers Lites)

Dinner

• 70g Roast Chicken breast (without skin)
• 80g Potatoes, mashed with 30ml semi-skimmed milk
• 60g Broccoli, steamed or boiled
• 50g Carrots, boiled
• 100ml Gravy (made from granules)

Evening

• 1 serving of low calorie Hot Chocolate Drink made with powder and water (eg. Cadbury's Highlights)

Women will lose 2-4 lbs in a week, men 3-5 lbs in a week, depending on start weight and activity level. It is not recommended that calories be so restricted for more than one week - for most people this level of calories is too low to obtain enough nutrition, and may have the effect of slowing metabolism.

Find Hair Loss Help through Homeopathy, Aromatherapy and Folk Remedies

(NaturalNews) Natural cures for hair loss have been around for centuries and are generally very effective. Conventional treatments for alopecia include topical steroids and synthetic substances which have damaging side effects. Try age-old natural treatments instead to prevent thinning and to stimulate hair growth.

Chinese Herbal Remedies

Hair loss is attributed to liver and kidney problems. Specific herbs to rectify this problem include wolfberry (goji berry), mulberry and fleece flower root.

Ginkgo biloba, fo-ti and dong quai are Chinese herbs said to be useful in the treatment of hair loss.

Traditional Home Folk Remedies for Hair Loss

Sage tea, drunk and applied externally, stimulates hair growth. Nettle tea cleanses the system and encourages re-growth. Since hair loss is often the result of poor nutrition, try this healthy and nourishing nettle soup recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups of young nettle tops
2 potatoes, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 small onion

Method: Boil vegetables until the potatoes are soft. Blend and season to taste.

Aromatherapy for Hair Loss

Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from the flowers, leaves, bark and roots of various plants. Blend a few drops of rosemary, lavender, grapefruit, cedarwood, lemon or ylang ylang into a carrier oil, such as grapeseed or jojoba oil. Massage into the scalp and leave for at least 5 minutes before rinsing out.

For sensitive skin, use only a few drops of lemon or grapefruit oil, as these oils may be slightly irritating.

Homeopathy for Hair Loss

Visit a qualified homeopath for a professional consultation, as each case varies considerably.

Selenium is often used by homeopaths to treat a painful scalp and loss of hair.

A homeopath may prescribe lycopodium in the case of hair loss after childbirth, and sepia for hair loss related to the menopause or childbirth.

Other treatments a homeopath may prescribe include aurum (for hair loss and boils on the scalp), phosphoric acid (for hair loss relating to grief and/or exhaustion) and arnica (for hair loss after an injury).

Good Nutrition

Cut down on alcohol, fast foods, a nutritionally deficient junk food diet, sugar and caffeine. A natural, healthy diet that includes good fats, protein, whole grains, vitamins and minerals can help to prevent hair loss, thinning hair and balding.

http://wwwsupremehealth.com/the-inc...

http://www.stophairlossnow.co.uk/Ar...

Naturally Prevent and Remove Dangerous Arterial Plaque

(NaturalNews) The arteries are major blood vessels that the heart uses to pump blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Over time, arterial walls can become congested with a fatty substance known as plaque. When this happens to a severe point, the arteries may begin to harden and the blood flow can become compromised and ultimately result in a heart attack. Mainstream medicine's approach for treating plaque is to use drugs or surgery. However, there are natural ways to prevent and remove plaque.

As is the case when addressing many health concerns, exercise and diet can play major roles in avoiding and reducing plaque. Exercise is already known for many benefits to the body such as reducing risk factors for disease, better mental function, and weight control. Exercise can also improve your circulation which can help reduce plaque. According to the Mayo Clinic, you can do this by getting 30 to 60 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.

When it comes to diet, what you avoid is equally important as what you eat. Many foods that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol can cause plaque to build up. Some examples include deep fried foods, foods that are high in trans fats, refined foods, and processed foods. Alcohol should also be avoided and red meat should be eaten in small portions.

Foods that are nutrient dense, high in fiber, low in sodium and low in saturated fat help avoid and reduce arterial plaque. Fiber helps block the intestinal absorption of cholesterol. It also makes you feel full longer which can result in less overall calorie consumption. Some examples of fiber-rich foods include whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that the body cannot make on its own. They can be found in supplements and also in foods like cold water fish, walnuts, flax seeds and healthy oils such as olive oil. Fish oil supplements can lower blood pressure and reduce arterial plaque and they also lower triglycerides.

Niacin raises HDL, which is known as "good cholesterol". HDL cholesterol removes bad LDL cholesterol and arterial plaque. According to the FDA, "Niacin is the best agent known to raise blood levels of HDL, which helps remove cholesterol deposits from the artery walls." Naturally the FDA removed this quote from their website.

Vitamin C is crucial in repair and healing of the endothelial layer of cells inside of coronary and carotid arteries. When this layer is not maintained properly by the body, it can become the site for lesions that begin the process of atherosclerosis.

Coenzyme Q10 strengthens arteries and veins and cleans out accumulated plaque.

Digestive enzymes help break down the food our body does not digest. When taken on an empty stomach, they enter the bloodstream intact. As they circulate, they remove toxins and break down the fats responsible for plaque formation. Digestive enzymes in supplements and raw foods help prevent heart disease.

Serrapeptase is a particularly potent digestive enzyme when it comes to dissolving arterial plaque. It has the unique ability to digest non-living tissue that is a by-product of the healing response without harming living tissue. Serrapeptase is used to dissolve non-living tissues to include: scar tissue, fibrosis, blood clots, cysts and arterial plaque.

Some herbal remedies can also help fight plaque by improving circulation, reducing blood clots, lowering cholesterol and reducing stress. The herb hawthorn helps remove plaque blockages by widening blood vessels. Horsetail is rich in silica and can aid removal of plaque by strengthening artery walls.

Other helpful herbs include ashwagandha, ginger, garlic and guggul.

Sources included:

http://www.tbyil.com/High_Cholester...
http://www.actualcures.com/heart-di...
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1928315
http://www.ehow.com/about_5402943_h...
http://www.tbyil.com/Heart_Disease.htm
http://www.ehow.com/way_5692286_nat...

Three Homeopathic Treatments Help Acid Reflux Symptoms and GERD

(NaturalNews) Acid reflux is characterized by pain and burning in the esophagus as a result of food and stomach acids backing up in to the esophagus damaging its lining. Homeopathic medicines work to relieve gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD symptoms by initiating the body's innate response to a stimulus or to an irritation allowing the body to heal itself. Homeopathy offers a selection of remedies to relieve symptoms of acid reflux and GERD.

Nux Vomica: The Penultimate Acid Reflux Treatment

According to acclaimed homeopath William Boericke, in his "Materia Medica and Repertory", Nux Vomica helps relieve acid reflux symptoms when there are stomach pains of all types, including burning, bloating, flatulence, constipation, nausea and belching from overeating or eating hot and spicy foods. There may be body aches of all kinds and feelings of weakness. The person needing Nux Vomica is generally perceived as a workaholic or one who indulges his or her appetite for excesses in all things. The patient tends to be dictatorial, bossy, impatient and aggressive.

Arsenicum Album: GERD Symptoms Caused by Spoiled Food or Food Poisoning

Boericke points out if the person has severe burning pains from acid in the stomach with food backing up into the esophagus accompanied by burning pain all the way up to the throat, arsenicum will help. There may be severe, watery, burning, yellow diarrhea with terrible burning in the rectum and anus. Most pains are better after drinking hot drinks like tea or applying warm applications to the painful abdomen. The person needing arsenicum may be thirsty for continual sips of cool water, restless, anxious and fearful. Arsenicum is often the ideal remedy for treating acid reflux symptoms and other abdominal pain due to ingesting spoiled food resulting in food poisoning.

Pulsatilla: Relief from Reflux Symptoms and GERD with Weeping

Pulsatilla relieves acid reflux pains that feel like digestive acid is burning a hole in the lining of the stomach. The patient may experience much flatulence at the same time from putrefaction emitting gasses. Pulsatilla helps relieve acid reflux symptoms when the person feels over-stuffed after eating and wants to loosen the belt for relief after a meal. Pulsatilla is indicated for GERD symptoms when the patient is weepy, desires company and abhors being left alone. It is prescribed more commonly for women than men. The person is not thirsty, often feels warm and prefers open, cool air or going outside.

Additional homeopathic remedies are available that relieve a variety of GERD symptoms or prevent the causes of acid reflux. The three mentioned here are the most common and are effective in a majority of cases. Consult with a qualified homeopath for additional recommendations if needed to relieve reflux symptoms. Following an acid reflux diet may help prevent the majority of symptoms associated with GERD.

Sources:

"Materia Medica and Repertory", William Boericke, 1987 Indian edition

"Synoptic Materia Medica", Frans Vermeulen, 1992

"Desktop Guide", Roger Morrison, M.D., 1992

"Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines", Stephen Cummings, F.N.P. and Dana Ullman, M.P.H. 1984

"How to Plan an Acid Reflux Diet Menu"
http://common-patient-ailments.suit...

LifeSource whole-house water filtration systems are a top pick in water purification

(NaturalNews) Most people in industrialized countries today live in urban or suburban areas that are served by municipal water systems. These systems, which are questionable in purification quality to begin with, add chemical carcinogens like chlorine and fluoride to water that are harmful to health. People absorb these chemicals every day when they wash their hands, take a shower, wash their clothes and drink municipal tap water. LifeSource, a unique whole-house water filtration system, addresses the problems of tap water with an effective, efficient and inexpensive technology that is unmatched in its class.

There are all kinds of water filters on the market, from simple, plastic drinking-water pitchers to industrial entry-point systems for use in homes and businesses. They range in quality and effectiveness and many fail to effectively remove harmful contaminants, especially from the entire house. The good ones are usually pricey and require frequent filter replacements, turning some people off to the idea of going through all the hassle.

Those who have decided to take the plunge and purchase a whole-house water filter usually choose either a water softener or a reverse osmosis system. With a water softener, harsh chemical additives are added to water to give it a soft feel, but what many people do not realize is that the slick feeling of softened water is actually not moisturizing or natural, and can dry out skin in the same way that chlorinated tap water does. Water softeners also require frequent salt replacement as well as an additional system, like reverse osmosis, to purify the softened water and making drinking water. Together, these systems require a hefty investment, not to mention the fact that the chemicals used in water softeners are known for corroding pipes. Some communities have outright banned water softeners because of the harm they cause!

Reverse osmosis systems, while highly effective at completely purifying water, are expensive and remove all the good elements of water, like calcium, potassium and magnesium, along with the bad elements. People who use reverse osmosis systems and are aware of this fact will sometimes add additional filters that "remineralize" the water, adding to the already steep cost of reverse osmosis systems. Reverse osmosis technology also wastes a lot of water in the process of making its finished product, in some cases using up to 10 gallons of water to make one gallon of purified water.

LifeSource technology, on the other hand, is a fraction of the cost of these other filtration systems and I believe it is superior to both. Not only is LifeSource water naturally purified and gently softened through its natural activated carbon filter, but the beneficial elements present in the water are maintained. It is the best of both worlds!

The amazing filter inside the standard LifeSource unit can last up to 25 years without having to be replaced, and it does not contaminate water, corrode pipes or waste excess amounts of water during filtration. And unlike water softeners, the backwash water that is produced by LifeSource units is safe and can actually be used to water a lawn or garden. The unit uses no chemicals, salts or magnets – just a simple, granular activated carbon filter to deliver delicious, nutrient-rich, purified water.

In addition to removing a whole host of chemicals like chlorine, activated carbon will even eliminate roughly 40 percent of fluoride from water. Besides reverse osmosis, few water filter technologies are capable of removing fluoride. And if 40 percent is not enough, LifeSource also makes an additional unit to go with its primary one that will remove all fluoride from water.

LifeSource water is delicious, pure and very affordable. The annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena actually uses LifeSource water for its float roses to help them live longer. It effectively helps them to live about twice as long as they otherwise would on contaminated tap water!

LifeSource is arguably the single best whole-house water filtration system on the market in terms of water quality, affordability and durability. Its heavy-duty, industrial steel tanks can be easily installed either indoors or outdoors and they come in various sizes for different applications. A tank can also be moved fairly easily to a new house in the event of a move, so you do not need to worry about making the investment only to have to leave it behind.

If you are concerned about the quality and safety of the water coming into your home and are in the market for a whole-house water filtration system, I would definitely recommend LifeSource.

For more information about LifeSource, please visit www.lifesourcewater.com.