FAT BUSTING FOODS

There are so many ways to kill a rat. Hit it, burn it, shoot it, or pour a basin of hot water, whichever way you choose, the most important thing is killing the rat. Fat loss can be achieved through different ways too; you can burn them through dieting, exercise or with foods that burn fat. I will call this a shortcut to losing weight. Edible amphetamines are foods that act like speed for the fat-melting motor known as our metabolism. 

Every time you eat, your body burns calories when processing that food. The irony of dieting is that reducing calories can reduce your metabolic rate, causing you to burn fewer calories. Eat less and the body's calorie burning capacity often drops. The solution is feeding on the fat burning foods. You are guaranteed to burn more calories when you eat these foods.

So grab a fork, it’s time to add fuel to the fire.

FOOD	SECRET INGREDIENTS	HOW THEY WORK
Milk, Whole Grain Cereal, Oats,	Calcium, complex carbohydrates, and fiber	Complex carbohydrates and fiber increases metabolism by keeping insulin levels low after you eat. That is very good, because raise in the production of insulin send a signal to the body that it's time to start storing fat. And in order to accumulate fat, your body has to slow down your metabolism, causing you to burn fewer calories. The calcium in milk is a metabolic trigger as well.
Green Tea, Coffee	Caffeine and a chemical in the tea called EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate)	Caffeine helps speed up your heart rate. The faster your heart beats the more calories you burn. EGCG works in a similar way, it causes your brain and nervous system to run more quickly thereby helping you burn more calories.
Red Peppers-Jalapenos, Habaneros, Cayennes	Capsaicin—the chemical in peppers that gives them their bite	By speeding up the heart rate. They burn calories by triggering a thermodynamic burn that lasts hours after eating A study from the late 80s found that eating a single spicy meal can boost your metabolism by up to 25 percent, with the increase in calorie burning lasting for up to 3 hours after you finish eating.
Lean Beef, Pork, Chicken, Turkey, Eggs, Beans	Protein	It takes more energy for your body to digest the protein in meat than it does for it to digest carbohydrates or fat; this means that the more protein you eat, the harder your body has to work to digest it, and the more calories you will burn in the process.
Soybeans	Lecithin	Lecithin shields the cells from accumulating fat. It also breaks down fatty deposits in the body.
Salmon, Tuna, Sardines	Omega-3 fatty acids	Omega- 3 fatty acids alter levels of a hormone called leptin in the body. Several recent studies suggest that leptin directly influences your metabolism, determining whether you burn calories or store them as fat. Metabolism is higher when leptin levels are low. Eating Fish is the best way to lower your leptin. If you do not like fish, fish oil supplements may work also.
Carrots.	Carotene	Carotene is a form of Vitamin A that literally flushes the body of fat and waste quickly. Carotene is transformed into Vitamin A in the intestines and help to speed up metabolism. Remember that the faster your metabolism, the faster your body burns fat.
Citrus fruits- Oranges, Grapefruit, Tangerines, Lemons and Limes	High concentrations of vitamin C	Vitamin C reduces the effectiveness of fat. It reduces its content and can liquefy or dilute fat. By diluting the fat, it makes it less effective, and easier to flush out of your system. Vitamin C also works on cholesterol deposits. Vitamin C can help burn out the cholesterol, hence, making it difficult for cholesterol deposits to form in blood vessels.
Apples, Berries, Fresh Fruit.	Pectin	You've always heard the saying "An apple a day will keep the doctor away". Well now you can add the saying "An apple a day will keep the fat away". Studies suggest that pectin contained in apples limits how much fat your cells can absorb. Pectin, once in your system, has a water binding property, it absorbs watery substances, and these watery substances in turn bombard the cells and make it release fat deposits.
Banana	Potassium	Bananas have approximately 450 mg of potassium, a naturally occurring chemical that boosts metabolism and regulates the body’s water balance.
Olive Oil	Monounsaturated fat	Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat, a type of fat that researchers are finding provide outstanding health benefits. Certain fats are good for you and your body needs them. Olive oil is one of those "good fats". In fact, it's so good that it helps you burn fat and keeps your cholesterol down
Garlic	Mustard oils, and thermogenic ability	Garlic has mustard oils and these oils create a cleansing action in the body. They promote a vigorous action of peristalsis, which is muscular contraction, and this will loosen fat and help wash out fats. Garlic is a natural antibiotic, a blood sugar regulator, and also works like a thermogenic in the body. It boosts metabolism and keeps insulin levels low to maximize fat burning
Tomato	Vitamin C, Citricmalic-oxalic acids	Tomatoes have high Vitamin C and Citricmalic-oxalic acids. The acid will accelerate the metabolic process. It also helps the kidneys to release more water and helps to wash away fat.

These foods are fat burning Granted!  You can not just eat an apple or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper then lazy around all day. Combine these foods with daily dose of exercise and you will be able to shed that extra weight.

 

BON APPETTI!

WHEN YOUR CHILD IS OBESE

According to the Center for Disease Control, Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years, with the prevalence among children aged 6 to 11 increasing from 6.5 percent to 19.6 percent. Among teenagers, the prevalence of obesity has increased from 5 to 18.1 percent. Globally, there are over 20 million children under age 5, who are overweight or obese.

I found this statistics very depressing and worry about what the state of health of our future generations will be. Weight control is becoming a family affair. Not only are adults struggling to make healthy food choices, children are also caught up in a battle against overweight and health problems that come with it.

Being a child is supposed to be fun, but the battle faced by an obese child takes all the fun away. Being fat gives children low self-esteem and makes them a target for bullying. The battle against obesity is not a battle to be lost by any child. According to CDC, Obese children are at higher risk than those at a healthy weight for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and bone and joint problems

 If you are worried about your child’s weight, the first step is to establish a healthy lifestyle for the entire family. Consult a Nutritionist who will help you develop a healthy eating plan that is easy to follow. Secondly, model the good behavior that you want to see in the child. To get your child to eat vegetables, you need to eat them too. Be aware that young children model their behaviors on yours, always lead them by making healthy choices at all times.

Here are some simple tips to help you:

1.      Schedule meal times and make regular meal times a priority. Keeping a schedule helps to discover individual hunger cues.

2.      Make meal times an opportunity for the family to connect. Let your good eating habit be displayed for the children to emulate.

3.      Never eat in front of the television. This makes it difficult to pay attention to the quality of food and to know when to stop eating.

4.      Don’t let your child establish the dangerous habit of taking carbonated drinks. Remove such drinks from the house and prohibit buying them at school. Reduce your juice purchases because most varieties are loaded with sugar. Encourage your children eat whole fruits and drink a lot of milk and water. Introducing varies like freshly squeezed fruit juices and fruit blends will replace their craving for sugary juices.

5.      Share out everyone’s food in a plate, and leave the extras in the kitchen, this helps to avoid mindless eating. Any one that needs an extra may think twice about whether they are really still hungry before taking a trip to the kitchen.

6.      Avoid forcing the child to finish his or her food when they have eaten to their satisfaction. This will discourage paying attention to hunger cues.

7.      Satisfy the sweet tooth with fruits, smoothies and low fat yogurt to deliver a nice dose of bone building calcium.

8.      Make healthy snack choices. Place bowl of fresh and already washed fruit in a designated drawer in the refrigerator where they can be easily accessed.

9.      Make regular physical activity part of the family schedule. This can be taking walks, playing hide and seek etc. Experiment with different activities until you find something your family loves and looks forward to doing together. Move television and video games out of children’s bedroom and set time limits when to use electronics daily and stick to it.

In summary, the first step to helping your obese child starts with you modeling the positive behaviour. GOOD LUCK!

HOT TIP OF THE WEEK: Drink Lemon Water in the Morning

Here comes a hot tip that you should not underrate. It is simple but has a massive effect. 

Squeeze the juice of lemon into a glass of water. Drink this first thing in the morning, or about 30 minutes before taking breakfast.

Here are the benefits you will get from this drink.

• Stimulation of hydrochloric acid production. This will help you to digest your food better and relive symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching. 

• Increase in metabolism.  This sets your body up for better digestion for the rest of the day. Many have testified of the weight loss property of lemon juice due to its ability to increase metabolism.

•  Detoxification. This is the body's natural, ongoing process of neutralizing or eliminating toxins from the body. Toxins (anything that can potentially harm body tissue) are transformed chemically to less harmful compounds and excreted through stools or urine. Lemon is a diuretic and hence lemon water helps to flush our bacteria and toxins out of the body. The bitter taste of lemon helps with liver function and detoxification. A functional liver produces a clearer skin texture and a more energetic individual.

• Strong immunity. Lemons are rich in vitamin C. This vitamin is an important antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals in the body, both protecting cells from damage and repairing damaged cells.

• Good elimination. This drink can cure constipation by aiding the bowels to eliminate waste more efficiently.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU DRINK?

In case you are in good health and weigh 70kg or less, it is advisable for you to have juice of one-half of lemon squeezed into one glass of water. However, if you weigh more than 70kg, juice one whole lemon in a glass of water. For maximum benefit, this mixture should be taken two times a day, though you may dilute more lemon juice according to your taste if you wish. Due to its strong cleansing effect on the liver, it is possible that you may start to feel worse for a couple days before you feel better. As the body begins eliminating toxins, it is common to experience what is commonly referred to as a ‘healing crisis’. Not everyone will go through this, but just be aware that it is natural and a necessary part of regaining good health.

Other health benefits of lemon include:

High blood pressure control- Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem owing to it high potassium content. It controls dizziness as well as provides relaxation to mind and body, and reduces mental stress and depression.

Skin care- Being a natural antiseptic, lemon can cure skin problems. Its vitamin C richness enhances beauty by rejuvenating the skin from within and thus bringing glow to the face. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Due to its cooling effect, it can be used to reduce burning sensation on the skin.

Cancer fighting- Lemons contain a flavonol called limonin, which has been shown to fight cancer of the skin, lung, mouth, stomach and colon. A scientific study conducted by the U.S. Agricultural Research Service (a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture) showed that the human body is able to easily absorb limonin from citrus fruits such as lemons.

Cure for Throat infections- Due to its antibacterial property, lemon is excellent in fighting throat infections like sore throat and tonsillitis. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with half cup of water and gargle frequently.

Dental care- Applying fresh lemon juice on areas of toothache can help in getting rid of the pain. Lemon juice can stop gum bleeding and give relief from bad smell.

Do not just remain oblivious of the gifts of nature such as this, always try and make the most of them. So, make it a part of your daily routine to drink a glass of warm lemon water in the morning and then open your gateway to enjoy its health benefits.

STAY LEMON HAPPY!

Foods to feed your face younger

The first item I singled out at the shop was a moisturizer lotion, which moisturizes or highlights the skin, creating a healthy glow. It will leave skin with a light golden shimmer and helps even out skin tone leaving skin looking less blotchy and more radiant. I stared at the pricey cost and wondered why some people tend to look younger than they actually are while some look prematurely old due to skin wrinkles (Wrinkles can be caused by different factors including sun damage, stress, poor health, unhealthy lifestyle, drinking and smoking).

Window shopping commonly creep into my schedule just like many women, so I didn’t buy the pricey lotion but left the shop thinking about a dietary solution for a younger look being so certain that it is the food that we put in our mouth, not the creams we put on our skin that will be our best weapon in the war against premature aging. 

Good news! I found some tips. They are some top wrinkle preventing foods.

 Blueberries- Researchers at Tufts University analyzed 60 fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability. Blueberries came out on top, rating highest in their capacity to destroy those skin-wrinkling free radicals.   They also contain anthocyanins, substances which have been shown to be highly effective at strengthening the collagen in the skin preventing it from sagging. 

 

Avocado- Studies show that substances in the pulp of avocados can actually trigger DNA to produce more embryonal collagen, the type we start our lives with, and which produces smooth and wrinkle free skin.

Cabbage - Cabbage, along with other members of the cruciferous family of vegetables such as broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, radish and watercress are all packed full of age-preventing phytonutrients.  Eat at least one serving of these vegetables every day cooked as lightly as possible to preserve their goodness.

  

Watermelon- Both the flesh and seeds of the watermelon are nutritious so try blending them together in a food processor and drinking as a juice. The flesh contains vitamins A and C, both vitamins are essential for healthy, glowing skin.  The seeds also contain selenium, essential fats, zinc and vitamin E, all of which help against the free radical damage that causes premature ageing and heart disease.

Mackerel- Mackerel and other oily fish such as trout, salmon, fresh tuna and sardines are a great source of both protein and essential fatty acids (two of the most important building blocks for the healthy renewal of skin cells). Eat one or two portions of oily fish a week.

Liver- Liver is an excellent source of both iron and vitamin A.  Vitamin A enables the body to produce more keratin, a substance that helps to protect the skin from the elements.  Iron assists the circulatory system to carry beneficial nutrients to all cells and take potentially aging waste products away.

Soya milk- Soya milk is a great wrinkle preventer as it contains lecithin, which is a good source of the rejuvenating vitamin E.  It also contains choline and inositol which has been shown to be effective in slowing down the ageing process of the skin.

Wholegrain- Brown rice, oats, whole wheat cereals and wholegrain breads are rich in fiber which help to prevent premature ageing by ensuring your body can process the nutrients from your food as efficiently as possible  - and when your digestive system is working well, your whole body will radiate health and vitality.  The fiber in whole grains also helps to stabilize blood sugars, stop cravings and prevent over-eating.

Nuts and seeds- Nuts and seeds are a great source of zinc which helps to prevent premature sagging and wrinkling of skin by keeping its support structure, collagen, strong.  They are also packed full of selenium, essential fats and vitamin E, all of which help against the free radical damage that causes premature ageing of body tissues.

Oranges- Oranges are part of the citrus family which are all jam-packed with vitamin C - one of the best nutrients you can take to help repair and heal damaged skin tissue.   In fact, citrus fruits are so full of anti-ageing properties that according to a recent study carried out at the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago even the very smell of them can help us appear younger!  Researchers asked 37 men and women to estimate the age of a series of models in photographs while wearing masks that were infused with the various aromas and found that the smell of grapefruit or other citrus aromas resulted in the men perceiving the women to be six years younger than they really were!  

Very interesting, don’t you think so?

A natural way to curb appetite discovered

A naturally-occurring appetite suppressant has been discovered by UK scientists, who say it could pave the way for a diet drug without side effects. It may also have the potential to treat aspects of alcohol and drug abuse.

Hemopressin is a small bit of protein which works by affecting the reward centers of the brain associated with pleasurable experiences such as eating, sex and drug highs.
It has long been known that the rewarding aspects of feeding behaviour influence our appetite, so that sometimes we eat for pleasure rather than hunger.

"By reducing hedonistic feeding, it is possible to help people lose weight by quenching the desire to eat,” said study co-author Dr Garron Dodd, from the Faculty of Life Science at the University of Manchester.
The scientists gave hemopressin to mice and monitored their feeding and other behaviours. They found that while the amount they ate decreased, their behaviour patterns remained the same.


Six years ago, a synthetic anti-obesity product - Rimonabant - was developed which also acted on the brain to suppress appetite as well as reducing fat deposition. However, it was later withdrawn from the market due to side effects such as depression and increased suicidal thoughts.
But Dr Dodd believes that the naturally-occurring hemopressin may not cause such side effects.

“This is a newly discovered peptide and we do not know yet exactly where it is expressed in the brain," he said.
This discovery does however offer new insights into how the brain controls appetite, and opens new avenues by which to manipulate this brain circuitry and aid the development of anti-obesity treatments.
Dr Dodds said his team now plan to carry out further research to find out if hemopressin has a long lasting effect. They also need to establish whether their findings can be confirmed in people.

At this point, I 'll just wait for Dr Dodds next discovery. What are you going to do?