Archive for the ‘Nutrition’ Category
Chinese Food Nutrition
The phrase is a testament to the popularity of Chinese food around the world. Food is an important part of daily life for Chinese people. Chinese not only enjoy eating but believe eating good food can bring harmony and closeness to the family and relationships.
Shopping daily for fresh food is essential for all Chinese cooking. Unlike the fast food society of the U.S., the Chinese select live seafood, fresh meats and seasonal fruits and vegetables from the local market to ensure freshness. This means swimming fish, snappy crabs, and squawking chickens. Even prepared foods such as dim sum or BBQ duck for to go orders must gleam, glisten, and steam as if just taken out of the oven. Chinese people in general are not as concerned about nutrition as Western culture.
They are more concerned with the food’s texture, flavor, color, and aroma. These are the crucial points for good Chinese cooking.
Chinese daily meals consist of four food groups: grains, vegetables, fruit, and meat. Because of lactose intolerance, Chinese do not consume large amounts of dairy products. Instead, Chinese substitute these with soymilk and tofu, which also contain large amounts of protein and calcium. Vegetables, fruits, and meats are usually fresh. Some exceptions include preserved vegetables such as snow cabbage or mustard greens, preserved eggs, aka “thousand year old eggs” or salted and dried fish. Other exceptions include snack items such as beef jerky, cuttlefish jerky, sweet and sour preserved plums, or dehydrated mango slices.
Canned or frozen foods are seldom eaten. Western desserts such as cookies, cakes, pies, and ice cream are eaten only on special occasions such as birthdays and weddings. After dinner, families usually eat seasonal fruit as dessert. Chinese desserts such as red bean soup, sweet white lotus’s seed soup, or steam papaya soup are served every so often as a special treat on a hot summer’s night. Ethnic Chinese cooking does not involve a lot of deep fried cooking. The reason most of the Chinese restaurants in America have deep-fried dishes such as sweet and sour pork, almond fried Chicken, and deep-fried shrimp is to promote business and to please western tastes. This clearly reflects why there are more overweight and high blood pressure concerns in Western culture than there are in Chinese culture. ”Yi xing bu xing” .
Chinese hardly waste any section of the animal and have found ways to cook nearly every part. Chinese culture believes that “yi xing bu xing,” which means by using any shape or part of the animal the same part of the human body can be replenished and strengthened. For example, shark fin soup and bird nest soup (bird’s saliva) is served to replenish strength and increase appetite, crocodile meat strengthens the bronchia, dehydrated tiger testicle increases stamina for men, while monkey brains add wisdom. These foods are considered to be delicacies and tonics. Shark fin soup or bird nest soup is often served at special occasions such as at a Chinese banquet dinner. Other items are rarely prepared.
Nutritional Supplements ? A Synopsis
You may have a great urge to hit your neighborhood gym and do those grueling work outs, but unless your body is enriched with proper nutritional supplements it will become exceedingly difficult to maintain that body and be in great shape. Our body is just like a machine, it will not move unless the proper amount of fuel is put into its tank. Similar is the case with our bodies. It will not work and function properly if it is not being enriched with proper food. This is necessary and should be taken into consideration in a more serious way. There are several types of foods that are good for our health. Eggs, milk, apple, banana, oats, corn, cheese, orange, etc. are some of the examples. However, often we find ourselves in such sort of situation that demands us to work more and more and eat less.
Why such thing happens? It is because those corporate work pressures that make us deal with such sort of intense work pressures. As a result, we come back home much late with mind and body being in the most exhaustive stage. During such sort of time, it becomes too much difficult to prepare the food and consume it. That will be difficult as well time consuming. Therefore, it will become much better if you can prepare those powdered nutritional supplements to enrich yourself.
There are several natural health supplements available in the market that are helpful and does not have any sort of adverse effects on the body. As a result, if they are consumed in proper portion, then your body will not get deficient from daily necessary nutrients. The body will remain enriched and will stay energized as well healthy and free from diseases.
Know the Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements are important for people of many age groups and at various times. Although the important thing to take into account is these really should not be consumed from top of your head rather, as outlined by a valid prescription.
As kids, you might have to provide nutritional supplements to kids to make certain their growth rate is supported. As adults, you might have to consume nutritional supplements if a deficiency is observed. For e.g. most teenagers are afflicted by melting gums. Therefore, nutritional supplements for instance vitamin A and C are given to support these functions.
When kids enter puberty, some of them may possibly show signs of vitamin deficiencies for instance iron, potassium and calcium. At these junctures, medical practitioners will prescribe and recommend employing nutritional supplements.
Although nutritional supplements may possibly be advised you must be ascertain regarding the brands which you’ll be able to use unquestionably. Its not all calcium or iron nutritional supplements in the marketplace are great for your son or daughter.
Other widespread nutritional supplements incorporate those that are prescribed for pregnant women. These can vary greatly according to the growth rate in the foetus along with the general health and well-being in the mother. Generally, multi-vitamins and calcium supplements in addition to folate pills are one of the most common most nutritional supplements prescribed for mothers.
Whenever a new born concerns this world, a physician may well not specifically desire to dose them off with nutritional supplements right away. If the child is facing extreme deficiencies that may not be constructed for by breast milk, doctors may possibly have a tendency to recommend extra nutritional supplements which are in milk powders.
In caring for the aged, nutritional supplements becomes along the same lines of these life soon after having a certain age. In case you take into account the American population about seventy to eighty per cent in the adults falling to the age category of late adulthood are dose off on nutritional supplements, with or without having medical prescriptions.
At other times, injuries for instance slipped discs and condition for women for instance endometriosis may possibly trigger the call to be on nutritional supplements for instance calcium. Some adults take nutritional supplements (mostly multi-vitamins) on a daily basis practically as section of a habit. Whilst the positives of consuming medically-approved nutritional supplements generate more excellent than harm, it generally is easier to possess a physician prescribe these items for you due to the fact obviously, they would know much better about nutritional supplements also as.
The Truth About Nutrition
One of the most important considerations in a nutritional protocol is the body’s hydration levels. Our bodies are mainly made up of water with our brain being comprised of 75% water, our blood being 92% water and our muscles being 75% water. Most people are chronically dehydrated and this affects every process in the body including the ability to digest food Research has shown that around 75% of our hunger pangs are signals of thirst with mild dehydration slowing your metabolism by as much as 3%. I highly recommend that you drink at least eight glasses of pure water every day. Drink a glass of water within 30 minutes of waking up, since you become slightly dehydrated through the night. Avoid drinking too much water while eating as this can dilute stomach acid and impair digestion and absorption of foods. Water is also needed to detoxify the body so when you are dehydrated your ability to eliminate toxins will be reduced and as a consequence this can lead to you holding on to excessive body fat.
Another great investment on the nutrition front is to convert to organic foods.
It may seem a little expensive at first but in return for your health and we11 being it is a small price to pay. Not only is organic food free from chemical pesticides, preservatives, hormones and antibiotics it also has a much higher levels of nutrients than commercially farmed foods. The body needs easily accessible high quality nutrients every day to run itself. These nutrients are much more available in organic foods and also in much greater amounts.
It is also very important with regards to nutrients to not only get good quality foods but also to eat a diverse range of foods. This variety of food selection increases your chances of receiving the correct nutrients for your body to operate.
If you only eat a restricted number of foods then your body only receives the nutrients available from those foods. Most people only eat about 15 different foods on a weekly basis and only get a limited amount of nutrients from these foods. By increasing your selection of foods you receive a wider variety of nutrients. Variety in food selection is also important in preventing food intolerances. Food intolerances develop when the body is exposed to the same foods so often that the immune system responds as if there is an invader present such as a bacteria or a virus. When this happens constantly it will deplete your immune system leaving you susceptible to further infections and can also be responsible for symptoms as varied as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and chronic headaches. A common problem among people today is wheat or gluten intolerance. The proteins in wheat and other grain products upset the gut lining and provoke an immune response which can lead to degenerative processes. As wheat products are so prevalent in the Western diet, complete or even temporary abstinence from it can provide promising results. Safe alternatives to these grains include corn, rice, buckwheat and millet.
Processed foods are always best to be avoided. Most of the vital nutrients are lost in the processing and have to be synthetically added back in. Anything that is fortified or has vitamins added in means everything of any use was destroyed in the processing. Processed fats and sugars cause particular problems in the body. Hydrogenated fats found in ready meals, margarines, fat replacement products and many sauces have been artificially altered to preserve their shelf life, a process that makes them harmful to your cells. They resemble healthy fats making it difficult for your cells to distinguish the two apart. They cannot perform the desired function within the cell and open the door to significant health problems. Refined sugars found in most foods tax the body because they convert to glucose very quickly in the blood causing the body to produce insulin. As well as lowering blood sugar, insulin promotes fat storage which is why a diet high in refined sugars and processed foods makes you fat. It is also the main cause of Adult Onset Diabetes where the pancreas, the organ that produces insulin, gets so exhausted that it eventually has to make poor quality insulin which is ineffective and leads to diabetes and weight gain. It is vitally important to control blood sugar levels for this reason throughout the day. I strongly suggest you eat before you become hungry and have sensible snacks during the day to stop your blood sugar levels from dropping too much.
With regard to the correct balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates at each meal every single person is different. While one ratio may be correct for one person, it may have no effect on another and be downright dangerous for a third. We are all as different internally as we are externally and this needs to be reflected in our food weightings. Each meal should contain a balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates at every sitting with the exact ratios being individually specific. Listening to your body is an easy way to see if you have the balance right. If after an hour of eating a meal you feel energetic, bright and mentally alert chances are that you are close to your individual ratio. If, however, you feel hungry, lethargic and mentally tired then the food balance was inappropriate for you. Most people live on a diet that is high in refined sugars (or carbohydrates), high in processed fats, which are of no use anyway, and low in good quality proteins. By reducing carbohydrate intake through cutting down on refined sugars and processed foods and eating good quality proteins and fats most people will feel significantly better. Sensible sources of fats and proteins include oily fish, lean meats, nuts, seed and organic dairy produce. Great sources of non refined carbohydrates are fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. By experimenting to find your personal fuel mix you will feel nutritional fulfilment, sustained energy and glowing health.
It is vitally important, particularly if you are trying to lose weight, to not cut calorie consumption. When you do the body thinks it is starving and stores fat as a self protective mechanism. This is backed up by the statistics that show that around 90% of all people who go on a calorie restricted diet gain all the weight back within a year and most gain more. This is because as humans we are self protecting organisms and during famine, which is what calorie restriction is, we produce fat storing enzymes. On these protocols initial weight loss comes through loss of body t1uid and muscle mass. Eventually the body breaks down its own tissue to survive and you sacrifice your health in that you become malnourished or you return to your normal eating habits with an increased number of fat storing enzymes and gain even more weight. It is important when trying to lose weight to eat enough calories so your body doesn’t produce these fat storing enzymes. With regular exercise you will create a negative calorific balance and weight loss will begin. Your exact number of calories will depend on your size, your metabolic rate and your activity levels. Without overeating, again experiment to find the right amount of food for your body to run it’s everyday processes. If you feel hungry, lethargic or irritable then chances are you’re starving yourself so up your calorie intake until you feel it is correct.
By taking all these points on board you will work towards losing any excess weight in the form of body fat, promote lean muscle tissue development and dramatically improve your health status. You will enjoy increased physical energy and mental clarity and greatly increase your chances of avoiding disease and degeneration.
Chris Hines CSCS
Fat Loss Specialist
Disability Concerns and Nutrition
We all want to stay healthy and active for as long as possible so we all try to eat a well balanced diet and exercise regularly and go for doctor’s check ups when we need to, so that we can maintain good health throughout our lives. When we get older though staying active and eating the right foods becomes even more important. If we have a disability due to age or even an accident the need to eat right increases. This is why it’s even more important for those of us with disabilities to make sure we are getting the proper nutrition for our loved ones as well as for ourselves.
It is important to eat plenty of foods with vitamin E, C, and A to help avoid any deficiencies and any future problems or conditions. Foods high in vitamin A may include: butter, cheese, eggs, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and more. Foods high in vitamin E include: cereals, nuts, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, peppers, pie crust, fish and even more.
Foods high in vitamin C include: citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, kale, and much more.
It is also important to get plenty of vitamin D because this helps the body to absorb calcium which we need for strong bones. Foods rich in this vitamin may include: fish, liver oil, milk, eggs, and cheese. If it is hard for someone you love with a disability or you yourself to get those foods, it is important to consider a supplement so you do not develop other problems later on. It is also important if you have a disability to get plenty of sunlight and to stay active. This helps fight deficiencies with nutrition as well as eating the right foods.
Having a disability can be quite a challenge, but having to handle that plus a possible nutrition deficiency can be even more of a challenge.
If you are worried that you are not getting the right amount of nutrition and have a disability you may want to try supplements and consult a doctor. This way even you can stay as active and healthy for as long as possible with fewer worries and more time spent enjoying life.
Nutritional Myths Exposed
Myths and truths in nutrition.
The confusing subject of nutrition has produced many myths that not only make a lot of people wrong but will actually be causing them harm when they are trying to be healthy. I have picked a few of the most common and put them straight.
Myth: Heart disease is caused by consumption of cholesterol and saturated fat from animal products. Truth: From around 1920-1960 there was a rapid increase in heart disease, also around this time the consumption of animal fats declined but the consumption of hydrogenated and industrially processed vegetable fats increased dramatically. This completely goes against the idea that animal products actually cause heart disease.
Myth: Brown grain products are whole grain products. Truth: It is often thought that purchasing brown bread from the supermarket is better for you as it is a whole grain product.
However brown dyes and additives can give foods the deceiving appearance of whole grain.
Myth: Eating eggs will raise your cholesterol. Truth: Eggs are one of the best foods you can eat. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, high quality protein, natural fats and yes they have cholesterol in them but you will learn by reading further on that cholesterol is not our enemy.
Myth: Alcohol is good for us. Truth: We were not designed to drink alcohol. Anyone who says alcoholic beverages of any kind are good for you is seriously misinformed. If there were any benefit from drinking alcoholic beverages it would not be the alcohol but the grapes or source material it was made from and nothing else. Red wine contains a very powerful antioxidant called reservatrol which means that in moderation red wine can give ‘some’ benefits.
There was some nutrition in beer fifty years ago but today even the best beer hops are grown on the poorest soils assuring minimal nutrition al value. Plus there are many chemical agents added.
Myth: Vegetarianism is healthy. Truth: The annul all cause death rate of vegetarian men is slightly more than that of non vegetarian men (.93% vs .89%); the annual death rate of vegetarian women is significantly more than that of non vegetarian women (.86% vs .54%). These figures taken from Wise Traditions 2000 1:4:16-17 and clearly show that people who live on a meat eating diet are more likely to live longer.
Myth: Children benefit from a low fat diet. Truth: The common diet that most of our children are on which is a low fat diets often suffer from growth problems, failure to thrive and learning disabilities. When comparing this to the children who eat ample fats and fat soluble vitamins in their diet there is a clear difference between their ability to learn and thrive.
Myth: The modern diet does not have enough essential fatty acids in (omega 3 and omega 6). Truth: The modern diet has far too much of the omega 6 essential fatty acids mostly found in vegetable oils but not enough omega 3 essential fatty acids found in fish, fish oils, eggs from properly fed chickens, dark green vegetables, walnuts, flax seeds etc. The ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 should be around 1;1 or 1:4 max. Modern diets are closer to 1:20+!
Myth: Saturated fat clogs arteries. Truth: The fatty acids found in artery clogs are mostly unsaturated (74%) of which 41% are polyunsaturated. This clogging often occurs in most people due to diets that are far too high in sugar or vegetable fats that oxidize and then the artery walls becoming inflamed which causes the fats and cholesterol to become stuck in the wall.
Myth: Skimmed milk is better for us and will help fat loss Truth: Skimmed milk has oxidized cholesterol in which causes heart disease. It also has less fat soluble vitamins and has been shown to make people put on more fat than whole milk. The best and probably the only kind of milk you should drink is unpasteurized, un-homogenized milk from pasture fed cows.
Myth: Fruit juice is good for you. Truth: Fruit juice is just sugar water and will make you put on fat and promote a number of illnesses.
Myth: Eating fats makes you fat. Truth: If you don’t eat any fat then you die! If you eat very little fats then your body holds on to the fats you do eat as storage. Also you will not be getting your fat soluble vitamins which allow you to digest protein, minerals and water soluble vitamins.