secretcelebritydiets.com
  • Healthy Lifestyles
  • January11th

    No Comments

    Food combining is a nutritional approach that aims to help the user eat the right combination of food in order to aid in food absorption and digestion. Proponents believe that this can be achieved by timing the consumption of different types of food correctly. The main goal is to eliminate miscombined meals, and consequently, undigested food. This is turn leads to a cleaner colon and more energy after meals.

    One of the more important rules in food combining is to refrain from mixing food rich in carbohydrates with food rich in protein. For example, the popular breakfast milk and cereal should be avoided due to the protein-rich milk and the carbohydrate-rich cereal. Instead, cereal can be consumed without the milk.

    Another important concept deals with fruit. This type of food does not require gastric juices for digestion, hence it is digested more easily. If eaten with other types of food, they will remain for a longer period of time. Undigested food will rot, leading to the release of toxic gases that are harmful to the body.

    Dessert is another major offender. Since they require little to no digestion, capping off a heavy meal with dessert causes fermentation. The bacteria creates acetic acids and vinegars, which are not ideal for the body.

    A helpful tip to remember is to eat fewer varieties of food in a meal. This is one of the easiest ways to ensure proper digestion. Another one is to eat smaller portions, and this has the added benefit of aiding in your weight loss efforts.

  • December22nd

    No Comments

    There are many obstacles to getting some exercise, one of which is the belief that exercising is both difficult and time-consuming. It turns out that doing moderate exercise can have great benefits for your health.

    A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that participants who walked (as a form of moderate exercise) for three hours per week exhibited minor weight loss and improved cardiovascular functioning.

    The 46 participants lost an average of nine pounds in six months. Of note is that even if the moderate exercise was discontinued, they still retained the benefits of a healthier heart.

    There are plenty of opportunities in your everyday life to do some form of exercise. Walking a few blocks to a store, or using stairs instead of elevators are some examples. So the next time you think exercise doesn’t matter, think again. Just a little bit can do wonders for your health.

  • November17th

    No Comments

    Since the dawn of time, humans have coexisted with other humans. Our primeval ancestors traveled and lived in tribes, sharing their energy and resources towards a tranquil existence. Together they were able to brave innumerable obstacles – the elements, wild animals, and many others.

    It is very difficult to live a solitary existence, relying solely on one’s self without any meaning interaction with others. We are wired to seek social interaction. That is why tribes, guilids, and socities are fixtures throughout the course of human history. It is part of what makes us human.

    When it comes to weight loss, you may think that you are alone. The reality is that many others share the same trials and tribulations when it comes to weight loss. Some just want to lose a few pounds, while others aim to renovate their lifestyle after struggling with obesity.

    The beauty of the Internet is that it has become easier to connect with others around you. There are many groups available, ranging from support groups to weight watchers anonymous. By teaming up with other people who share the same goals as you, it creates a sense of unison in everyone. It makes it easier to shed those unwanted pounds when everyone else is attuned to that goal.

    Don’t be afraid to seek active discussion with other likeminded individuals. They can offer their own tips and tricks to aid in your weight loss goals. This is also an opporunity for you to reach out and help others in the same boat as you. Together, you can make a difference.

  • November3rd

    No Comments

    All of us has experienced it: the urge to satisfy our craving for ice cream or chocolate. We might not even be particularly hungry at the time, but when you want something so bad, you have no other option but to cave in.

    A study at the Monell Chemical Senses Center (located in Philadelphia) shows that, in some ways, food can be similary addicting as cocaine or alcohol. It is obviously not to the same degree, but the effect is nonetheless the same. Scientists showed pictures of delicious foods to test subjects, and brain scans show that the parts of their brain that get excitied are the same ones that were activated in drug addicts.

    Researchers believe that this is caused by the hormone dopamine, which serves to trigger motivation and pleasure for humans. The prevailing theory is that the less dopamine receptors you have, the more food you need to create the reaction caused by dopamine.

    In response to this, diet pills are being developed in order to regulate cravings. These pills are projected to reduce appetites and boost metabolisms, both of which are key factors in weight control. Two of these drugs are vigabatrin and tesofensine. Vigabatrin has been tested on obese lab rats, and scientists report that the rats lost a significant amount of weight after 40 days of use. Tesofensine has been tested on humans, and the results are similar: patients reduced their weight by an average of 13.5 kilograms.

    However, expectations are tempered by similar pills in the past. Taranabant and Acomplia are two such drugs that produce similar results, but both came wide side effects such as mood swings and depression. Government regulation must be a priority in order to minimize the risks of taking such diet pills.

    It is clear that more natural methods are in order. In most cases, cravings arise from the need to cope. Whenever we are faced with a stressful or depressing situation, a common reaction is to eat comfort foods. This can be classified under “emotional eating”. In this case, it is very easy to change this habit. Simply find a different coping strategy rather than eating. Viable alternatives are going for a walk or taking a hot bath. Once you become accustomed to that new strategy, then it becomes much easier to stick with it.

    Always be mindful that being strong mentally can help you avoid cravings. Mental health and physical health usually go hand-in-hand with each other.

  • November2nd

    No Comments

    People make plenty of dietary decisions everyday. What to eat? When to eat? Where to eat? How you decide determines how healthy and balanced a diet you will have. It can also help in controlling your weight.

    There are many healthy meal plans available to you. One such plan is the 40-30-30 macro-nutrient principle. The concept behind this is to have a meal of 40% carbohydrates, 30% proteins, and 30% fats. It is very important to have a balanced diet, as each of the compounds are necessary for our bodies to function optimally. Carbohydrates provide energy, proteins build muscles, and fats create energy during times when there is no energy source.

    Also popular are low-carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins Diet. The principle behind this diet is to avoid refined carbohydrates, in particular sugar, flour, and corn syrups. The body’s metabolism is then improved to a level where more calories are burned and excess calories are removed.

    No matter what diet you choose, it is equally important to regulate the amount of food you eat. You can have a diet composed of healthy foods, but if your servings and portions are in excess, then the problem of excess weight gain remains.

    Digestion is an important bodily function that we must consider. Taking the time to chew your food is a must. The faster paced lifestlyes in the modern world translates to a tendency to rush our meals as we move on to more important work. You must remember that enjoying a meal and reaping the health benefits that arise from proper nutrition more than compensates for the time spent on it.

    The mantra of three-square meals a day has been ingrained in our minds. But it is better to eat smaller meals more often in order to aid digestion. Binge eating is something that you must generally avoid. Another good tip to remember is to avoid eating 2-3 before going to sleep. The food eaten at that time will not be burned off and will be stored by the body.

    Finally, when faced with the decision of where to eat, you have the option of eating at home or eating out. Fast food is an attractive option for those who have busier schedules. It is also less healthy as you don’t have full control over the food that you eat. Fast food typically has foods high in sugar and fats. Sodas are typically bundled with value meals, and these drinks contain a high amount of sugar.

    There are times when we can’t eat at home due to time constraints, but the least we can do is to be selective when it comes to eating out.

  • October30th

    No Comments

    How do you encourage kids to exercise? Easy, by getting them to enjoy exercising.

    The increasing popularity of videogames and television has in part caused a growing concern over the physical health of children all over the world. The addicting nature of watching television or playing videogames is a cause for concern, as children do not get the requisite exercise needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

    The Wii Fit video game is perfect for kids who enjoy videogames and need exercise. Developed by Nintendo, the Wii console is unique in its motion-controlled gameplay that has proven to be a hit across people of all ages. The interactive nature of the controller makes it perfect for sports games and exercise games, with Wii Fit being one of them. Wii Fit is so popular that it has become the third best selling video game within a year of its release.

    The game makes use of the peripheral Wii Balance Board. Think of it as an exercise tool that can calculate Body Mass Index (BMI), record physical tests, and guides you as you perform various exercises. There are a wide variety of exercises available – Strength-training, resistance-training, aerobic, and anaerobic. The gamer can then caluculate his or her “Wii Fit Age”, a calculation based on age, weight, and test performance.

    Potential additions in the future include an ability to connect online and speak to a fitness trainer to help you with your exercise regimen. Should this happen, then it becomes that much easier to exercise regularly, as there is no more excuse of being too lazy to go the gym after a hard day’s work.

    If you enjoyed this post, subscribe today to get free updates by email or RSS.

  • October29th

    No Comments

    In the movie Year One, Jack Black and Michael Cera play two prehistoric men, who, through the course of history, stumble their way to fame and fortune. This got me thinking, not about the movie itself but the casting of Jack Black, “Has prehistoric man ever been depicted as being a little on the heavy side?”

    Watch most every other prehistoric movie, or read history and anthropology textbooks, and you will find that it is very rare to see any of them overweight. This is in large part due to the scarcity of food available to them, but their lifestyles also played a huge part.

    Prehistoric man sought food through hunting and gathering. Both of these activities required plenty of physical activity. They also didn’t have any means of transportation, leading them to walk wherever they wished to go. The elements or the depletion of resources meant that they had to look for new places to live, both of which are causes of their nomadic nature.

    In the modern world today, many of us have sedentary lifestyles. We drive to work everyday, take the elevator to our office, and sometimes have food delivered to us. Children are watching more television and using computers more frequently. It’s no wonder many of us gain weight easily.

    Following prehistoric man’s lead can greatly help us improve our lifestyles. Instead of making short drives to the supermarket or bookstore, walking there can be very beneficial. Taking the stairs at work is also helpful, but not if you’re at the 40th floor. There’s no need to overdo it. Incorporating exercise into our daily routines leads to a healthier and happier you.

  • October28th

    No Comments

    Celebrities today are regarded as more than just famous people. To some, they have become role models and spokespersons for change. Famous luxury brands, such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada, regularly court celebrities to be the face of their brands. A celebrity’s opinion is instantly deified simple because of their status.

    The current United States President, Barack Obama, can be thought of as a “celebrity president”, a fitting role given the increased scope and importance of celebrity culture in our society. We not only read and hear about Obama’s stance on political issues, but newspapers and tabloids regularly print news articles about Obama’s predictions on sporting events such as the Super Bowl.

    This trend is in part due to the growing reach of media. The massive growth of the Internet has given rise to celebrity bloggers, giving us insider scoops on the lives of celebrities. Social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, have given celebrities easy avenues with which they can interact with fans.

    The deluge of information available to us means that we should be more selective of what we choose to believe. Not everything that we hear or see from celebrities is true. Some celebrities espouse their secret remedies for weight loss. An article from The Hollywood Gossip cites The Hills star Audrina Patridge’s weight loss tip of wearing high heels while doing household chores. Other celebrities swear by sniffing grapefruit oil or drinking vinegar as a means to lose weight.

    These methods are not only strange, but also ineffective ways of losing weight. Traditional methods of losing weight, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, are far more reliable. Instead of seeking magical remedies for our weight loss concerns, you should be strong of mind and trust your judgement to lead the way.

  • October23rd

    No Comments

    Most of us take obesity for granted believing that it is simple a matter of genetics or not even thinking about it at all. However, Science has shown that we should be paying a lot more attention to obesity than we are now. A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health revealed being overweight or obese as the number three cause of preventable deaths.

    Preventable is the key word here. Over 216,000 deaths are attributed annually to obesity. There are other dietary and lifestyle factors in the list, namely – Lack of exercise, high blood sugar, high LDL cholesterol, high dietary salt, high trans fatty acids, low intake of fruits and vegetables, and low poly-unsaturated fatty acids. A simple change in our eating and exercise habits can do wonders for increasing our lifespans.

    The study reinforces the notion that exercise and a healthy diet are very important to leading a healthy lifestyle. Not everyone struggles with obesity. There are people who want to lose weight just to improve their appearance or fitness. But perhaps the most important reason of all is prolonging and improving our lives. We can learn a lot from the study and alter our lifestyles accordingly to reduce our risk of premature or preventable deaths.

    One of the authors of the study belives the government should do more in regulating food products and health information in order to prevent a large portion of the problems listed in the study. Instead of waiting for something to happen, we should take it upon ourselves and seize the initiative. Most of the changes are very simple – we should eat more fruits and vegetables, cut down on salt and sugar, and exercise regularly.

    We have access to a lot of information in this day and age, and we should take advantage of that by educating ourselves on what the best possible course of action for us should be.