If you talk to the average person about dieting, they’ll usually assume it’s about deprivation and misery. It may be difficult to reign in some of your nasty habits at first, but it doesn’t have to be a miserable experience in the long run. And you certainly don’t have to deprive yourself of good tasting, satisfying foods. It’s just a matter of a few simple substitutions, and you will be well on your way to weighing less.
The following are 10 food substitutions that will save you thousands of calories over the course of a year, and not be bland or boring in the process.
1. Instead of chocolate, try carob. Chocolate is first on the list because it’s first on most people’s list of guilty pleasures. I’m not here to tell you to do away with anything forever. Moderation is key to lasting health.
In fact, dark chocolate has gotten good press in recent years for having potent antioxidants that fight free radicals, destructive molecules that are connected to heart disease and other ailments. But if you like to do more than dabble in chocolate’s decadent sweetness, try to substitute the little known carob, a Mediterranean tree that produces pea-like pods that produce the sweet concoction.
It’s not that carob is superior nutritiously, but it has a couple things going for it: Carob has 51 calories per ounce to cocoa powders
98. But even more significant is that carob is naturally sweeter than (or, perhaps more accurately, not as bitter as) chocolate, so you don’t have to use as much sugar with it in recipes.
2. Instead of white bread, switch to whole wheat. I grew up on white bread, but have spent most of my adult life exclusively buying whole wheat. Once you go whole wheat, you wonder how Wonder Bread ever tasted like bread to you. Since it’s whole grain it has more nuanced and substantive taste. White bread is bleached flour (does that even sound close to healthy?) and is enriched with things like high fructose corn syrup. Whole wheat bread is unprocessed, so your body has to spend energy (calories) digesting it.
Be a wary shopper, because not all wheat breads are created equal.
Manufactures will try to trick you with fancy word plays on wheat. Make sure that the first ingredient is a “whole” grain.
3. Instead of a salad dressing, try vinegar. Salad dressings are a great way to kill a perfectly healthy salad with hundreds of useless calories. Use a balsamic vinegar and it will add nary a calorie to your salad.
4. Drop the dip and use salsa. Tomatoes, cilantro, onions, maybe garlic… have you heard anything that sounds unhealthy? Then I think you know why salsa is a much better choice than most chip dips. Chips aren’t exactly a healthy snack, but if you’re going to indulge now and again, the least you can do is cut out the fatty processed creamy dips.
5. of those aforementioned chips, you should try more air-popped popcorn. Do you know anyone who doesn’t like popcorn? Either do I. You’ll also like that a cup of popcorn has about 30 calories compared to 140 calories in an ounce of tortilla chips. And we all know an ounce of chips isn’t going to be where you stop.
6. Bacon… any way you slice it, turkey is better than pork. Bacon is probably the single biggest reason many of us can’t be vegetarians.
It’s a fatty vice that’s hard to quit. Purdue turkey bacon has about 50 calories in 2 slices and 1 gram of saturated fat, where some regular pork versions can have 14 times the saturated fat and more than twice the calories.
7. Turkey burger instead of beef. Turkey shows up again on our list, this time in place of your usual beef burgers. Since there’s less fat, some people may miss the flavor it adds. But even the most stubborn of beef backers can grow to love the lower fat turkey version. Once you put on all your favorite toppings (lettuce, pickle, tomato) the difference is really negligible.
Don’t assume that all ground turkey is leaner than beef. Some are packaged with dark meat and even fat-laden skin. As always, be a smart consumer and read the nutrition labels.
8. Instead of a full-fat creamer, go nonfat. It won’t take long for you to get acclimated to the non-fat version, and if you have a couple coffees a day those calories can really add up.
9. Sack the soda and try sparkling water. I know, you’re thinking… water? But if you spike it with a few twists of lemon or lime it becomes a flavorful drink. Besides saving calories, you also avoid some of the other soda ingredients (sugar, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate) that may cause long-term health issues.
10. Instead of salt, spice food with herbs. The preference for salt is a learned behavior. Which means you can unlearn it. If you are adventurous in the kitchen, try using garlic, oregano, pepper, sage, tarragon, turmeric, cinnamon, and other herbs and spices. If you want the easy way out, Mrs. Dash comes in all kinds of no-sodium, no-calorie combinations.
Using these tips you can limit the amount of diets and your time spent on diet reviews. Don’t forget to check out the diets in review diet blog for more healthy tips!
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So many diet supplements make lofty claims of dramatic weight loss yet carry potentially dangerous risks. In fact, the term “diet pill” itself can carry negative connotations in the minds of dieters looking for help. Unfortunately, many overweight people simply cannot lose weight on their own. Finding time to exercise or plan nutritious meals can be impossible in this hectic day and age. It is essential for some dieters to add a supplement to their diet plan.
One new and safer choice of diet supplements on the market is Hydrox-Slim. Hydrox-Slim fully discloses its ingredients, which are all natural and healthy. Hydrox-Slim contains a blend of essential vitamins and plant extracts. Green Tea, one of Hydrox-Slim’s ingredients, has been hailed by many for its healing powers as well as its weight loss benefits.
Many weight loss pills with risky side effects contain the stimulant Ephedrine or contain Ephedrine-substitutes. Some of the many health dangers of Ephedrine include cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Hydrox-Slim does not contain Ephedrine. In fact, the only stimulant Hydrox-Slim contains is caffeine, which occurs naturally in Green Tea. Hydrox-Slim is not only a safer alternative for dieters, but it also combats fat and calories in several ways, making it more effective than dieting pills that only have one purpose, for example, to suppress hunger.
Hydrox-Slim’s special blend of natural elements causes a natural physiological response of the body called thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is the process by which the human body creates heat. Substances that cause this effect are called thermogenics and are commonly used in products for losing weight. When a dieter takes Hydrox-Slim, his or her body produces heat by increasing the rate of metabolism. Metabolism is the body’s processes which break down food and create energy. When your metabolism increases above its normal rate, you burn fat and calories faster.
In addition to burning fat faster, the ingredients in Hydrox-Slim help suppress your appetite. Not only does the diet pill make you feel hungry less often, but you will feel full sooner. Many overweight individuals actually overeat, which makes losing weight difficult. With Hydrox-Slim’s hunger suppressing power, you can limit your eating to normal, healthy amounts.
Hydrox-Slim’s natural ingredients also have the added benefits of reducing water retention and even lower blood pressure. Slimming down and losing weight also has many other health benefits, which include boosting energy, enhancing your appearance, and reducing the risk of obesity-related health risks such as diabetes and heart problems.
While Hydrox-Slim seems safer and more healthy than other dieting products, it is also less expensive than other brands. That is not to suggest that Hydrox-Slim is of lower quality, only that other diet pills are over-priced. Hydrox-Slim costs as little as $20 per bottle.
It is simple to incorporate Hydrox-Slim into your daily routine. You can take between two and four pills a day, and you must take it thirty minutes before eating or work outs to see maximum results. Hydrox-Slim is not for women who are pregnant or nursing, and if you are sensitive to caffeine, you should avoid this diet product.
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As well as being one of the most realistic and safest ways to lose weight, the Mediterranean diet can also help prevent serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
In fact, the American Heart Association refers to the Mediterranean Diet as the ‘gold standard’ in heart disease prevention and if followed could greatly reduce the numbers of cardiovascular disease sufferers which currently runs at over 72 million in America alone. Heart disease also causes almost 50 per cent of deaths in Europe, and is reported to cost the EU economy an estimated $200 billion each year.
Obesity is now recognised as a serious problem affecting many populations around the world. In fact, the governments in Great Britain, Europe and the US have put it, and its associated conditions such as ‘type 2 diabetes’, at the top of their public health agendas. The news that obesity-related procedures have quadrupled since 2000 as well as recent stories such as the 34 stone teenage girl from Scotland who under-went radical stomach surgery have highlighted the gravity of the situation.
The seriousness of this problem could be easily be lessened however if the public were to make a big effort to change their diets to a Mediterranean style of eating. It would not take long to start seeing noticeable differences.
If fully incorporated into our diets, the following five foods would make a staggering improvement to the health of our nation:
1. Olive oil.
Ample medical research has shown that the benefits of olive oil may go way beyond its wonderful taste. A study by Greek scientists at the University of Athens found that this monounsaturated oil, which is rich in antioxidants, may be the key to the healthy Mediterranean diet meaning a lower risk of heart attacks, diabetes and colon cancers.
2. Garlic.
Used for centuries to ward off everything from vampires to evil spirits, garlic is high in vitamins C and B6 and it contains powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral agents that help fight common colds and flu. Regular consumption of garlic is also believed to protect against cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
3. Oily fish
Oily fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to be responsible for a range of health benefits, including protection against heart disease, stroke, arthritis and psoriasis. Studies have shown that fish is one of the world’s healthiest foods. Fatty fish such as salmon is packed with protein, niacin and Omega-3, an essential fatty acid that promotes healthy cardiovascular activity. Omega-3 may also protect against a host of health concerns from obesity to sunburns. A 2005 study published by the Archives of Neurology claims that eating fish once a week may even slow the rate of cognitive decline
4. Tomatoes.
Fiber-rich tomatoes are low in calories and high in vitamin C, vitamin A, and cancer-preventing lycopene. Like olive oil, tomatoes are an important part of the Mediterranean diet. Several studies have found tomatoes are also beneficial in fighting various forms of cancer. Fact: although often classified as vegetables, tomatoes are, technically, fruit.
5. Oats.
A steaming bowl of fresh cooked oatmeal is the perfect way to start off your day, especially if you are trying to prevent or are currently dealing with heart disease or diabetes. Oats, oat bran, and oatmeal contain a specific type of fiber known as beta-glucan. Since 1963, study after study has proven the beneficial effects of this special fiber on cholesterol levels. Studies show that in individuals with high cholesterol (above 220 mg/dl), consuming just 3 grams of soluble oat fiber per day (an amount found in one bowl of oatmeal) typically lowers total cholesterol by 8-23%
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A colleague asked me to contribute to a project she is doing for her job. She works on a web site for people who are going through illnesses or caring for their loved ones who are ill. She designed a place for people to share their experiences with others, and to get (and give) support and encouragement.
As a nutritionist, her suggestion was that I discuss how to make comfort foods more nutritious. We talked about our own comfort foods, and for me, this included a specific brand of vanilla, mashed potatoes and tuna fish on toast with french fries (for some reason, all my comfort foods are what I call “white foods”-except chocolate, of course). Macaroni and cheese seemed to be a popular item, and she suggested that I come up with a way to modify it to make it more nutritious.
After my colleague finished telling me about this idea, I found myself immediately saying ?I would never touch anyone?s comfort food.? And I wouldn?t. I can?t imagine telling someone, going through a difficult time in their lives, to change the food that brings them comfort. There are many types of nourishment; emotional and psychological may be more important at this time in your life than physical nourishment.
If you changed your macaroni and cheese to whole-wheat macaroni and low fat cheese, it would be an entirely new food. I would never tell a person who loves brand name vanilla ice to switch to fat free frozen yogurt-not at this time in their lives. Using plain yogurt and fat free butter with mashed potatoes? When you are trying to lose weight, this is, possibly, an appropriate choice, particularly if you like it. But changing one?s comfort food creates an entirely new food with entirely new associations. And one of those might on a subconscious level say, ?you weren?t doing this right, you should have done it this way.? Where is the comfort in that?
The entire concept of comfort foods is to be nourished by a happy memory, a safe time, a place when you were being taken care of. And now you are making it to take care of yourself. You are not eating the food for any particular nutritious reason, but rather an emotional, psychological reason. It takes you to a time when you felt safe and secure, and for a small time during this particularly chaotic period in your life; you absolutely must have (and deserve) your small island of comfort.
So I told my colleague I?d be happy to write for her, but not on the subject of changing recipes for comfort foods. My advice in this area? Perhaps you don?t need to eat the whole bowl of mashed potatoes, or the entire box of macaroni and cheese. But during illness, stress, it is not time to worry about the “right” foods, the low calorie versions, the low fat cheesecake. While this may not be the most nutritious advice, my primary concern is to help you take care of yourself. And taking care of yourself doesn?t involve making changes to anything (including food) that has worked for you in the past.
I can be your nutritionist another time.
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Fad diets come and go and sometime reappear again. They will always be around to tempt us to try losing weight fast. The advertising ***** us in to believe their diet claims. Sometimes celebrities endorse their diet, ******* us in further.
The problem with fad dieting is you do not really lose any weight. You lose a few pounds of water weight. You will regain the water weight quickly when you resume your regular diet. It is very disappointing for people and they should avoid fad diets all together. There are better and healthier ways to lose weight.
You can spot a fad diet, they all have common traits. The fad diet advertiser makes promises of losing weight fast. They advertise outrageous claims for losing weight fast.
Fad diets all restrict your caloric intake, sometimes drastically. Some of them use tactics of good food and ‘bad food.’ That is food you are allowed to eat and foods you cannot eat. They will sometimes choose one food group over another, use replacement meal shakes and use diet pills and supplements.
These are some of the things to look out for in a fad diet. Losing weight fast like this can cause unpleasant side effects and be dangerous to your health.
There are psychological and physiological side effects to losing weight fast. The physiological side effects
of fad diets can include nutritional deficiencies, too much or too little protein, not enough carbohydrates and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Fatigue, dehydration, constipation, weakness and electrolyte imbalance are all side effects of fad dieting.
The psychological affects can be quite distressing. Someone may feel bad about themselves because of their weight. They may try one fad diet after another never losing weight. This could lead to low self esteem and depession for some people.
There are healthy diet programs out there. There are also dieticians to help you how to learn how to lose weight safely. The emotional support is out there too if you join a group.
Just remember that any diet under 1200 calories is not safe. Most people can lose weight on 1500 calories a day with an exercise plan. You will not feel deprived at 1500 calories and you will feel great eating a well balanced diet.
Some people find that sticking to an exercise plan is difficult, they are too busy. You have to take some time for yourself and exercise to lose weight and for your health. Get a friend to start walking with you or join a club with you. Many big franchise exercise clubs have baby sitting right on sight.
Remember to avoid the losing weight fast diets. You have lost the weight and feel great. You
have made a major lifestyle change. Eat well and exercise for your health.
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It is important to detoxify our organism now and then, to get rid of the toxins accumulated due to bad food habits. A lack of healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables will make our body sluggish and the skin won’t look to good either, not to mention the slowly but sure accumulation of pounds. The best way to detoxify the organism is by following a raw food detox diet.
At the beginning of every season we can find in the market the fruits and vegetables that our organism needs, according with climate changes. One of the most adequate time to follow a raw food detox diet will be in spring time, after the winter months when our diet is richer and sometimes excessive.
Raw Food Detox Diet List
1- Apricots
Stimulates the kidneys, reducing the risk of urinary infections. It has a mild laxative effect, helps with digestion. Is high in iron which is good for anemia. Is effective for skin problems such as eczema, sunburn, itching skin…
2- Grapes
Good source of antioxidants which help to fight several diseases and aging skin. Grapes are very detoxifying, ideal to eliminate toxins and for blood circulation problems. Rich in vitamin B and potassium. Good for boosting energy.
3- Lemons
With great antioxidant power, this food detox is rich in vitamin C and known to improve ” blood’s quality”, making it more fluid and keeping the organism free of toxins. Strengthen the immune system. Good for reducing cold symptoms and ear infections.
4- Celery
Improves blood circulation and has a great cleansing effect. Excellent source of vitamin C , good for reducing cold symptoms. Celery is very low in calories, ideal for those watching their weight. Provides fiber, folacin and potassium.
5- Parsley
This food detox is good for improving digestion, to reduce inflammation, as a diuretic and to get rid of toxins. Is rich in vitamins and minerals such as A, C, beta carotene, folic acid…all very effective to help to prevent several diseases such as heart problems, strokes, rheumatoid arthritis…
6- Artichoke
Is one of the best cleansing foods around. It has diuretic properties, increase liver function, helps with abdominal pain, relieves constipation, lowers bad cholesterol. Is rich in minerals and trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, manganese, magnesium, calcium.
7- Asparagus
This detox food is very effective in cleansing the organism. Is has a diuretic, laxative and tonic effect. Great source of antioxidants. Rich in vitamin C, E, folic acid, zinc, vitamin B, potassium and a good source of fiber.
8- Onions
Improves liver function, helps with the elimination of liquids and has a cleansing effect. Relieves cold symptoms, effective in combating PMS, certain cancers and heart disease. Good source of antioxidants such as quercetin, flavonoids and chromium. Onions are natural prebiotics, which restore the balance of bacteria in the digestive track.
9- Watercress
Excellent source of vitamins C, B and E, beta carotenoids and minerals such as calcium, iron and folic acid. With only twenty two calories per hundred grams, ideal for diet. This raw food detox is used in medicine to treat kidney problems. It full of antioxidants and has anticancer properties.
10- Yogurt
Good source of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, vitamin B, riboflavin…Due to the live and active cultures, improves the immune and digestive systems. Helps to decrease yeast infection, can reduce the risk of cancer, helps to improve lactose absorption.
Apart from incorporate this raw food detox diet to your daily menu, there are of course other foods not mention here that will help to cleanse the body and boost your energy levels. Try to incorporate them little by little and if you are in any doubt, please consult your doctor or nutritionist.
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More and more individuals are starting to take control of their lives by taking control of their diet.
Whether you are looking to lose a few pounds or simply lead a healthier life, you should take time to carefully reevaluate your diet and make changes where you see fit.
Also know that maintaining a proper diet means eating healthy all week long, not just for a couple of meals.
Although the dinner you ate may have been packed with vitamins and nutrients, gobbling up a tremendous banana split can quickly undo your good deeds.
Although you may find that eating healthy all week is more difficult than simply binging and indulging yourself to high fat, high sugar, high carbohydrate treats around every corner, your body will thank you at the end of the day if you strive to turn around poor eating habits.
The first step to eating healthy all week is to plan a meal menu.
In addition to ensuring you stick to your goal of healthy eating, planning your meals in advance can save you money on your grocery bill.
At the grocery store, check the nutritional information on items are try to avoid purchasing of prepackaged foods.
Although boxed foods may save you time in the kitchen, they are packed with preservatives and extra calories.
While planning your meals, also be sure to think about your lunches and meals consumed outside of the home.
Consider packing a lunch or visit healthier alternatives fast food places instead of binging on greasy fast foods.
Many individuals find limiting their meals outside their home will allow them to maintain a proper diet.
In addition to adding excess calories and fat to dishes, the portions of restaurants are increasing in size, and patrons are responding by eating more.
Consider splitting a meal with a dining partner or ordering healthier alternatives like soups and salads.
However, some restaurants are striving to provide healthier, more nutritional alternatives to the health-conscious crowd.
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For low carb diet foods to make you happy, they need to be the right kinds of low carb foods and drinks. If you’re reading this and thinking about things like ice cream, cookies or sweet rolls as foods that make you feel good, that is not where we’re going with this. Also, we’re not talking about low carb snack foods that are usually lacking in any real nutrition. To understand precisely what we’re discussing, let’s take a look at how certain nutrients affect the brain, the nervous system and your overall mood.
Let’s say you’ve got an important business presentation and your nervous about standing up in front of a group of your peers. Which of these would you choose to calm your anxiety?
A. A diet soda
B. A glass of milk
C. A handful of Gummy Bears
D. A low carb food formula in a health drink
Believe it or not, C is a correct answer if you want a quick fix that’s not really very good for you in the long run. In some people, sugar from candy acts as a short energy boost followed by a quick drop while some people go straight to the crash. However, D, a low carb food formula in a health drink is the best choice. This is because liquids are digested more rapidly and absorbed right away. Assuming that your low carb diet food health drink is made with natural ingredients, including whole foods with complex carbohydrates, then you will gain the most calming effect.
If you thought a glass of milk was the best choice for relaxing, you should know that mixing protein with carbohydrates reduces the carb’s calming properties. So, next time you are eating a high carb cereal, don’t put milk on it if you want to feel less anxious as you get ready to face the day.
Drinking a diet soda with artificial sweeteners is the worst choice you could make. Low carb diet foods and drinks that contain aspartame and saccharin do anything but calm the brain and nervous system. Avoiding these chemical ingredients in low carb foods or drinks is always a good idea, but especially if you are trying to relax. Look for natural low carb drinks without artificial stuff.
The bottom line is that when you want to calm down, you can eat high carb foods, like potatoes, pasta, breads and other starches, or you can drink a naturally formulated low carb food mixture that will give you more benefits. Not only will your brain and nervous system get quick anxiety reduction, your body will get complex carbohydrates it can use for long lasting energy.
An ancient Chinese proverb states, “In times of stress, sweeten the tea”. Our ancestors commonly consumed a spoonful of honey before bed to induce restful sleep. This may run contrary to the popular opinion that sugar gives you quick energy. Instead, recent research suggests that, “all carbohydrates, including sugar and starches have the opposite effect on most ordinary people” (Food-Your Miracle Medicine by Jean Carper-Harper Collins Publishers-1993). There are numerous experiments that show carbohydrates to be more like mild tranquilizers than pick-me-ups.
How some high carb foods act as sedatives, according to experts, could be due to complicated biochemical reactions. One theory is that carbs clear the way for the brain to receive more tryptophan, an amino acid that gets converted into serotonin. Now, researchers are learning more about the ability of serotonin to act as a calming chemical in the brain and nervous system. That’s why you hear about people with low serotonin levels developing greater stress. If you are eating low carb foods on a regular basis and feeling some nervousness or overly revved up energy, make sure you are getting tryptophan and serotonin by eating the right low carb diet foods.
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Fat Loss 4 Idiots (also known as Diet 4 Idiots) is an online diet program that claims to help you lose 9 lbs in 11 days. But does it actually work? There are so much information that we have on the web that its difficult to decide which one is reliable and which data is placed there just to generate revenue. That is why I decided to present a Diet 4 Idiots review that will try to present both sides of the story.
In a nutshell, the program sets your 4 meals for 11 days based on the food items you enjoy. After which, you are said to lose 9 lbs.
The Good: a Diet 4 Idiots Review
The first good thing you will notice is that the site itself. It uses loud colors and a very conversational language that is really enticing. Thumbs up also for the lay out and the easy to follow information.
The product gives you free rein on what you eat and how you eat, beating the other weight loss diets that make you eat expensive, specially prepared food that taste like cardboard, whose price is enough to make your wallet cringe and cry. And since these are food items that you normally buy in a supermarket, no need to have to cross town to buy that special herb or ask your relative in some remote part in Asia to bring you the leg of this animal, saving time and effort in preparing meals.
Another good aspect of this product is that if your set menu for today has, lets say, chicken breast, you get to choose the way you are going to cook it. You can boil it, broil it or grill it, depending on your mood right that moment. This beats the monotony and allows room for change and spontaneity.
Each meal is 2 1/2 hours apart so you will never in a day feel hungry. Your stomach constantly has food being digested in it which is very helpful when you are working to beat a deadline for some big shot client and you need all the energy you can get.
The Bad: a Diet 4 Idiots Review
After a while, even if you are eating your favorite foods, you end up getting tired of them. Especially if you are that type of person who lies new flavors as often as possible.
Also, if you try to look for a customer service number to call in case the need to refund arise (as there is a money back guarantee policy), however, there is no such number or email. You can’t even call an information line to have someone discuss to you the benefits of the diet.
The End: a Diet 4 Idiots Review
In the end, it is really up to the consumer to decide. Even if this Diet 4 Idiots Review presented an unbiased view on the product – stating what is good or not, you as the potential consumer (or non consumer) would still have to ask the most important source of data. Yourself. Does the good outweigh the bad or does the con overshadow the pro?
You decide.
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So, if you suffer from IBS (or irritable bowel), one of the biggest questions you always face is – What can you eat? What diet will not flare up your symptoms? And what foods will actually help & heal your stomach?
There are many theories and diet programs that have been proposed for Irritable Bowel. In this article I’ll examine the main ones I’ve tried, and then share what has worked for me in my 5 years of first hand research with this condition.
There are no Right or Wrong Foods
The first biggest myth I have to debunk right now, is that of “right foods”. The truth is that there is no right or wrong food.
And every digestive system is unique. And every condition is unique. So, what may have worked for others may not work for you. On the other hand, what works for you may not work for others.
In this article, and the book you may choose to buy, I’ll share some of the common foods and recipes that have been known to work. But the key thing in looking for the right diet with Irritable Bowel is to do this with a sense of experimentation. Track your diet and see what works for you, under what condition.
The other thing is that the food is sometimes related to the problem you’re facing at the moment. For example, if you’re experiencing gassiness at the moment – it’s obviously best to avoid foods that would aggravate that.
Do Soluble Fibers Help Digestion?
You may have read in several books that foods rich in soluble fibers taken in small quantities over time can help IBS patients stabilize their digestive systems. Since it’s one of the most popular theories out there, I gave it a good, hearty shot.
In my case, soluble fibers didn’t help too much – although they didn’t hurt either. I’ve read of several case studies where long term use of soluble fibers has helped improve the strength of the digestive system. In my case, they may have helped slightly – but a huge difference.
My advice to you is to try out soluble fibers – if it hurts, stop within the week. If it helps (or is neutral), then continue this as a lifestyle habit. Make soluble fibers part of 1 or 2 meals each day. So, it may be a safe bet to eat these foods when in doubt:
* Oat/Oat bran
* Dried beans and peas
* Nuts
* Barley
* Flax seed
* Fruits such as oranges and apples
* Vegetables such as carrots
* Psyllium husk
The acid-alkaline balance
Our body has a sensitive balance of acid and acidic content. This is known as the pH balance (you probably remember it from 9th grade chemistry). Usually when we lose this balance we end up getting acidity .
The problem is that almost everything we eat is acidic! Most meat, breads, coffee, soft drinks, and even fruits are acidic … So, how can regain your alkaline balance?
The easiest way is to drink lots of water. Yes, 2-3 liters of water each day will dilute the acidic effect and keep your pH balance normal. If you want to go one step further, drink alkaline drinks. This includes green tea, barley, wheat grass, lemon water, mango/watermelon/apple/guava juice and herb teas.
In the Goodbye IBS! book & bonuses, you’ll find a handy cheat sheet of alkaline foods you can print and stick around the house. This will remind you to fill your diet with alkaline foods that constantly balance your pH. (you can find a mini-version of that bonus report at this URL – http://goodbyeibs.com/diet )
Fresh, Vegetarian Food Is The Easiest To Digest
Have you every left cooked meat outside, in the eat for 72 hours? You know what happens to it … it starts, attracts acterial growth and you generally throw it away, right?
Well, did you know it takes red meat 60-72 hours to pass through your digestive system? And your stomach is hotter and more humid than any environment outside … just imagine what your digestive system has to put through to absorb and process red meat.
White meat takes 40-48 hours to pass through. A little better, but can you still imagine leaving your grilled chicken out in the son for two days?
Cooked vegetables take 24-30 hours to pass.
Uncooked vegetables take 10-15 hours to pass through your intestines.
And finally, fresh fruits take 2-3 hours to go through your system & get absorbed.
What does this mean for you? Should you give up all kinds of meat? Should you become vegetarian?
I don’t know, and I won’t tell you how to live your life. But I will tell you that if you increase your quantities of fresh foods – your stomach will have a considerably easier time working … and your body will have an easier time healing.
I’ve shifted to having about 50% of my diet as fresh or very lightly steamed/cooked food. And I heavily choose fruits & vegetables over meat. If you do have to choose meat, fish is the easiest food to digest. All other meat is much harder for the stomach to digest (if you must, chicken comes first and red meat later).
Research has found that by comparing the digestive systems of humans with herbivores and carnivores … we have almost everything identical with a herbivore. The acidic content in our stomach, the length of the digestive intestine and role of suliva.
You don’t have to blindly shift to a vegetarian diet – but just try adding some fresh fruits & vegetables to your diet. Replace your breakfast with fresh fruits and notice the immediate difference it brings to your digestion and overall energy. After you’ve experienced that lightness & energy, you won’t need any more convincing.
Avoid Common Trigger Foods
If you must blindly follow one instruction from my book, let it be this – avoid these categories of food at all cost. These are proven triggers for IBS symptoms and you should stay away:
* Coffee, tea and other caffeine drinks (For your morning jolt, try replacing coffee with some light exercise or fresh fruits)
* Spicy, oily and fried food (It’s a hard one, but you have to stay off KFC & McDonald’s for a few weeks)
* Dairy foods (cheese, butter, sour cream, cream cheese, milk, cream, half-and half, ice cream, whipped cream, yogurt, frozen yogurt).
* High-fat foods, High-protein foods & red meat (Your body is unable to create the enzymes required to break down fats)
*Gassy Foods (beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions, brussel sprouts, and garlic)
How you eat is more important than what you eat
There are some common guidelines that are the basis of healthy digestion. And chances are you’re probably ignoring these right now. Follow these pieces of advice and you’ll see an immediate way in which food is processed inside you.
First, remember that almost half the digestion happens in your mouth. Saliva is an extremely powerful digestive enzyme. So, when you don’t chew (and just gobble your food down), you’re doubling the work for your intestine. And your sick intestine won’t stick up for that. So, chew each bite for at least 30 seconds and eat in peace … anxiety worsens IBS.
Second, eat only two to three meals a day. If you’re eating natural healthy food, you don’t need more than three small meals in a day. It takes a lot of energy from your body to digest food – so if you keep eating, you’ll spend all your energy in digestion and have no time to actually enjoy that energy for real work. It’s okay to have snacks in between – they help keep the meals small and keep the digestive system on a low-intensity workout all day long.
Third, small meals only. You have to understand the difference between eating for the stomach and eating for the tongue. The body doesn’t need that much to keep going and stay energetic. If you overburden it with three to five large meals in a day, of course the engine will break down. Eat two to three small, regular meals and watch the difference it makes. Planning Your Meals Makes It Easier To Stick To The Right Diet
Here’s something I learnt after several years of stumbling around. When I started planning my meals the night before … I found that I was able to decide what to eat early enough to actually do it.
Plus, very soon I had sheets of information about what I ate, how I responded to it … and my very own cheat sheet for what to eat and what not. If you buy the Goodbye IBS! book, you’ll find your own daily diet tracking sheet to use and a 12 week program to help you easily learn how to use it. (If you’re interested, you can learn more at www.GoodbyeIBS.com/diet )
Why You Should Should Follow This Simple Advice
Now that you’ve read this gigantic article, let me introduce myself. My name is Rachit Dayal and I suffered from IBS for five long years. In that meantime, I got a chance to do a lot of diet experiments on myself.
Initially, my goal was just to figure out what foods won’t trigger my symptoms.But in time, I discovered that there were some foods that actually *helped* my condition. And along with several other treatments I tried over the years, I finally got rid of IBS from my symptom and figure out a diet that allowed me to live my life to the fullest without worrying about a funny tummy.
I wrote a book called “Goodbye IBS!” (you can read more about it at www.goodbyeibs.com/book ), and I’m taking parts of that book and publishing them all over the Internet as articles. My hope is that someone who really needs good IBS advice will be able to read this article and see an improvement in their symptoms within hours.
In the last one year, I’ve sold hundreds of copies of my book and gotten a fantastic response from people who apply these simple principles in their life. Almost everyone who makes an effort notices that their digestion is easier, their symptoms have reduced and their health improves.
These principles are proven. In fact, they’re common sense that seems to be forgotten. If you suffer from the painful conditions of Irritable Bowel, then give yourself a chance and heal.
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