Friday, December 20, 2013

The high calorie foods you should never eat before going to bed

We all know that going to bed on a full stomach is a big no. After a hard day at work or school, our body needs a break from performing the functions it performs on a daily basis, and your digestive system should be no exception to this. Also eating fatty meals before bed can trigger heartburn.

However, if you really need to eat do your best and eat something light, and eat at lest two to three hours before you go to bed.


1. Pasta
Pasta is one of the fattest foods you need to avoid before going to bed. It may sound like an easy fix if you are hungry, especially since there are many pasta recipes that take less than 30 minutes to prepare, but keep in mind that pasta is a very rich source of carbohydrates that will eventually turn into fat when you hit the bed. Keep in mind the classic pasta toppings full of cheese and oils as well as the high glycemic index of this meal, this is you should steer clear from this fatty food before bedtime!


2. Pizza
Who does not like a big, juicy, delicious pizza? However, this is far from being a light meal and your digestive system would have a hard time processing it during the day: try to imagine how difficult it would be for your digestive organs to do that during the evening, when they should rest. Pizza is very greasy and it has ingredients that contain high levels of acidity, thus increasing the risk for heartburn.


3. Candy
You are what you eat, but did you know that you also dream what you eat? Not necessarily literally, but it is a known fact that fatty foods and sugary products (especially candy) have an impact on your brain waves and they can trigger nightmares. If you want a peaceful and relaxing night, then avoid junk food and opt for substitutes like oatmeal, which are lighter and contain less calories.


4. Red Meat
Although you should not avoid red meat overall given the fact that this is a good and nutritious source of proteins and iron, a big juicy stake will prevent you from achieving that deep, relaxing and refreshing sleep we all need after a long and stressful day. For that deep-state sleep to occur, your body systems all need to be at peace: this is exactly what won’t happen if you eat red meat before bedtime.


5. Chocolate
Dark chocolate is very good for your brain and for your memory, but at the same time it is bad for your waistline: especially if you plan to eat it at night, when all the calories will be stored as fat given the fact that your body is at rest. A small piece of chocolate would serve as a great dessert, but the problem is that most people end up binging on chocolate rather than sticking to just one piece.
One of the reasons why you should avoid chocolate before bedtime (especially dark chocolate) is because it is very rich in caffeine and other stimulants that will put your heart at work and keep your mind focused, rather than allowing it to relax and simply disconnect.


6. Vegetables
Veggies are delicious, nutrient-filled diet foods, but they are certainly not a great choice if you plan to go to bed soon, and for a very simple reason: vegetables such as onions, broccoli or cabbage contain high amounts of insoluble fiber which will make you feel full for a longer period of time. This would be fine if you were on a diet during the day, but during the night the fiber moves very slowly in your digestive system, not to mention that they cause excessive flatulence as well.


7. Alcohol Of Any Kind
Alcohol is definitely a sleep killer, given the fact that it can cause night sweats and cause you to wake up repeatedly during the night. Alcohol (especially wine) not only diminished the quality of the sleep, but it also reduces the nightly sleep time and it is very high in calories as well.


8. Cheeseburgers
Just like any other type of fatty, high-calorie foods, cheeseburgers should also be avoided before you go to bed because they stimulate the natural production of acid in the stomach and cause heartburn during the night, just like some of the other foods mentioned above.


9. Chilly Sauce
Chilly is certainly very healthy and beneficial when mixed with specific ingredients, but chilly sauce is a big no if you plan to go to bed soon. This is a high-calorie food that is filled with proteins and slow-burning carbohydrates.


10. Snacks And Chips
Processed snack foods should be avoided at all times, not just before you go to bed, given the fact that they contain high amounts of monosodium glutamate that is known to be linked to a variety of sleep disorders.


Saturday, December 14, 2013

Home remedies for mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers are common open sores which are white in common and surrounded by red border. It will be present in inside cheeks or lips or mouth floor mostly.  There are several factors like constipation, excess acidity and food triggers.

Normal mouth ulcers will be healed in a week, and major type of ulcers will take some more time to heal.


Coriander Seeds
  • It is an best ayurvedic remedy which will bring an instant relief and reduce total inflammation
  • Boil  tea spoon of coriander seeds in a cup of water, now strain it and allow it to cool
  • Now swish around the mouth for sometime
  • Do this twice or thrice a Day


Coconut Milk
  • It will treat the ulcer quickly and soothens your pain
  • Mix 1 table spoon of coconut milk with little honey
  • Gently massage this mixture on the affected part
  • Do this twice a day to yield better results 


Aloe Vera
  • Aloe Vera has antifungal, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties
  • It will works an natural antiseptic
  • Apply the aloe vera juice or gel on affected area will heal your ulcer



 Salt and Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Take 2 oz of Hydrogen Peroxide and water and 1 tea spoon of salt and baking soda 
  • Make them as a solution, rinse with them 
  • Do not swallow, it quickly heals mouth ulcer



Vinegar
  • It also heals the ulcer quickly and naturally
  • Mix half table spoon of salt in the warm vinegar
  • Daily gargle this solution in the mouth for 30 seconds
  • It is painful, but it will heal your ulcer quickly



Tuesday, December 3, 2013

The ways to avoid overeating after workout

It is not uncommon amongst athletes to experience increased hunger and craving for sweets after they workout, given the fact that an intense exercise routine will deplete your body of energy, therefore you will feel the need to compensate. Nonetheless, it is very important to avoid overeating after you finish your workout, otherwise all your efforts will be in vain.

Here are several useful tips and hints that will help you feel full throughout the entire day, and avoid overeating at the same time:


1. Know Your Limit In The Gym
A very common mistake many people tend to do is that they over train, hoping to get a ripped body quicker and with less effort. This is not going to happen, as weight loss and muscle growth will occur over an extended period of time, not over the night. This is why it is important to limit your training on an empty stomach, otherwise you will feel the need to binge on food immediately after you get home. At the same time, counting your daily calorie intake will also help you, but in order to do that you must firstly use a calculator that will help you identify your BMI, or Body Mass Index.



2. Always Eat Before You Workout
In a nutshell, you have two options: you can either eat a small regular meal that will deliver you all the carbs and proteins you need before you train (honey, toast, yogurt or some ham), or you can opt for a specially formulated pre-workout meal that is low in calories and will boost your energy levels. Regardless of your choice, it is essential to eat something before you hit the gym, otherwise you will be unable to complete your training. Pre-workout meals prevent muscle breakdown, they will speed up the muscle recovery process (your muscles are damaged during the workout) and they will also prevent you from feeling hungry when you get home.


3. Stay Hydrated
While it is true that your body filters water very quickly and water alone will not make you feel full for too long, it is essential to drink at least 64 ounces of water on a daily basis. This way, you will keep your body well-hydrated and it will function properly. At the same time, make sure to drink water in-between your workouts, as it will boost your energy and will fill you up. Focus on cold water, as your body will burn extra calories to heat it up during the workout!



4. Increase Your Intake Of Whole Foods And Foods Rich In Fiber
As mentioned above, it is important to focus on low-calorie foods that have high fiber contents, as these foods will make you feel full throughout the entire day. It often happens that we tend to eat in the evening not necessarily because we are hungry, but because we are bored – this is often referred to as “comfort eating” and it can ruin your diet. Having said that, focus more on whole foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains that have a low glycemic index as well as lean proteins: these foods will deliver you the nutrients your body needs.



5. Eat Less, But More Often
This is one of the golden rules of weight loss, as it is a known fact that if you eat only one or two very consistent meals a day, you will get fat. If you workout, then you must never skip breakfast as this will kick-start your metabolism. Eat something light yet nutritious for lunch, along with a small meal right before the workout. After you finish working out, you can eat fruits or boiled veggies, but do not overdo it.

Also, it is essential to eat a bit every three to four hours: this way, you will give your body a constant supply of calories and you will prevent blood sugar spikes, which are responsible for that intense feeling of hunger. However, don’t forget to count your calories and never exceed 2,000 a day, if you are an active person and you plan to lose weight!



Monday, December 2, 2013

For long-term weight loss, fill your plate with these fat-busting foods

Dairy
This food group not only builds strong bones, it can help in the battle of the bulge. Those who consumed a high-protein high-dairy diet (meaning six to seven servings of dairy per day, representing 15 percent of daily calories, with total protein making up 30 percent of daily calories) lost twice as much abdominal fat as those who followed a lower-protein low-dairy diet. Dairy's high levels of whey protein might prompt the release of appetite-suppressing hormones. In addition, dairy is rich in vitamin D and calcium, which play important roles in fat metabolism, encouraging the body to burn more fat as a fuel source.
                                
Put more dairy in your diet: Opt for 2 percent Greek yogurt (20 grams of protein; 150 calories)




                                
'Good' Fats
Eating the right kind of fat can help you shrink your belly. Oils and other foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) boost the body's production of fat-fighting hormones. Consuming some fat helps satiety, too. Plus, there's a link between a diet rich in PUFAs and lower rates of belly fat and disease. Such fats lower "bad" (LDL) cholesterol while elevating "good" HDL, and they help maintain insulin levels.
                                
Put more good fats in your diet: Opt for olive oil (119 calories per 1 Tbsp.), canola oil (124 calories per 1 Tbsp.), chopped walnuts (191 calories per 1/4 cup), sliced avocado (117 calories per 1/2 cup) and ground flaxsweed (75 calories per 2 Tbsp.)


  

                             
Tea
Green tea might be a fat fighter. Those who exercised and drank two or more cups per day lost about six times more belly fat than those who drank none. Catechins, compounds found in high amounts in green tea, might boost your ability to burn fat, researchers theorize.
                                
Put more tea in your diet: Opt for unsweetened green tea, either iced or hot




                               
Fiber
Soluble fiber, found in oats, apples, citrus fruits and other produce, can be effective in beating belly fat. A high-fiber diet that includes both soluble and insoluble fibers (like those in nuts, beans, veggies and whole grains) helps maintain stable blood-sugar levels—which keeps your appetite in check. Are you 50 or younger? Aim for at least 25 grams of fiber daily.
                                
Put more fiber in your diet: Opt for whole fruits (with the peel), vegetables, beans, nuts, oatmeal, popcorn, brown rice, whole-wheat bread and pasta