Wednesday, April 25, 2012

4 Healthy Foods to Eat to Lose Weight While You Sleep



Want a weight loss secret that is an easy way to lose belly fat while you sleep? If you make your body more efficient, it will store less fat. And you don't have to get on a calorie counting diet to make that happen. Instead, you'll just need to get a better understanding of your body's hunger cycles and sleep rhythms. Once you tap into those you'll begin burning more fat and your energy levels will start ramping up!

Research has shown our inner clocks associated with eating and sleeping cycles can be thrown out of sync with eating the wrong foods. What results is constant cues of hunger that make cravings almost impossible to resist! When you understand the natural eating and sleeping schedules of your body, you can actually lose weight and have way more energy as a result. The secret is in melatonin! You can get it naturally from foods or supplements and it will help you get a much higher quality sleep at night. Here are 4 healthy foods to eat to lose weight that will help you sleep better, and get rid of belly fat:

1. Fish

Omega-3 is really important for the production melatonin. And when you're deficient in omega-3, your melatonin levels can get really out of whack. Studies show that when we don't get enough omega-3 insomnia sets in. Not only that, omega-3 also is rich in protein. And, protein gives you the 'full' feeling. And, our body burns extra calories when its digesting protein, so you're actually burning more calories just by eating. Most fish have lots of Omega-3! You can get it naturally from sardines, salmon, and halibut. But you might also consider taking a fish oil supplement.

2. NUTS

There are tons of reasons you should be eating nuts. But here's a big one: they are a great source of magnesium. Magnesium is also integral to melatonin production. Lots of magnesium is what tells animals to hibernate. For us, when we don't get enough it can result in seasonal affective disorder. Magnesium is very important!

For example: the USDA did a study back in 2010 that found that giving magnesium supplements to folks who had a hard time sleeping were able to rest peacefully all night. Get your magnesium from nuts, lentils, soy and black beans as well.

3. MILK

Calcium is still considered important for weight loss. The amount is debatable by nutritionists. But milk really does do a body good when it comes to shedding pounds. Just like magnesium, calcium helps you sleep. They work together for absorption. If you tend to wake up with cramps or muscle soreness it may be a deficiency in calcium you're looking for. It helps to relax your muscles fibers and nerves. So drink your milk! Some other sources are sardines, fortified orange juice, dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale, and tofu.

4. CHERRIES

Cherries are one of the best fruits that help you lose weight. Just before bed,eat a few cherries. Make sure they're the tart kind though. They are the plant with the highest source of melatonin. Bananas and corn have some as well. But, not the high amount that tart cherries do. If you don't like cherries, drink the juice. Mix it with juices you do enjoy! A recent study showed that folks who drank 8 ounces of cherry juice (the tart variety) twice a day for 2 weeks actually slept more soundly.


Friday, April 13, 2012

Types of Healty Pasta - The Healthiest Type of Pasta Noodles

Pasta has become a family tradition for many generations now. Whether it's a simple weekend family dinner to special occasions among family and friends, its presence can never be ignored. Lots of pasta recipes have been invented, introduced and tested, making them versatile enough to use. Though basically made from flour and water, healthy pasta is the main concern here. It's the kind of flour that is used that makes the big difference. There are healthy pasta that can be incorporated in our diet if we want to go healthy and maintain a healthy lifestyle without giving up on it. They contain lots of fiber and are delectable too.

Types of healthy pasta:

Whole wheat pasta - made from whole wheat flour, high in fiber with different texture and flavor than the conventional white pasta. Contains more fiber and proteins than semolina (white pasta). The bleaching process on white pasta takes away most of the nutrients and vitamins and since whole wheat pasta doesn't undergo this process, nutrients and vitamins are retained. A real healthy option that is readily available in the supermarkets. They come in different shapes and sizes. The most common of which is the whole wheat spaghetti. Products from Japan like the Udon noodles and Ramen noodles, are all made from wheat. They are heavier so they can make one easily full for longer time.

Buckwheat Pasta - this comes from a fruit called achene and looks like a sunflower seed. The white, starchy endosperm is what is turned into buckwheat flour. The green or tan coating of the seed makes it dark in color. They are very good for soups, as in Soba noodles and very popular in Japan and Korea and northern part of Italy. They are great for creamy pasta, very tasty, high in fiber and rich in protein. People with coeliac disease can be safe with buckwheat pasta because it is gluten-free.

Spelt Pasta - a distant relative o wheat it contains carbohydrates, fiber, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals and has nutty flavor. Unlike buckwheat pasta, it contains gluten so it is not recommended for people with coeliac disease. It is readily available in health food stores and specialty shops but can be home-made too with the use of spelt flour. A very healthy alternative to white pasta.

Brown Rice Pasta - may have an unusual texture but tastes so much like rice. This is free of cholesterol, gluten and wheat. It is rich in fiber, high in protein, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidant. It also can go very well with some vegetables like beans and tomatoes and it is very filling and tastes real good.

There are still several grains that can be turned into a healthy pasta just like quinoa, couscous, and other vegetables like moringa, spinach, squash, carrot, soy beans and zucchini that can be mixed with them to have the healthiest pasta product, the vegetable noodles. It's just a matter of experimenting and being creative so one can satisfy his health requirements to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the rest of his life.