Daily Diet Blog

May 27, 2007

Low Calorie Cocktail Drinks

Filed under: Low Cal Ideas — EatingToLive @ 11:12 am

OK, I’ll admit, I like to drink cocktails and refreshing, fruity drinks in the summer, probably more so than I would ever indulge in alcoholic drinks in the fall and winter.  Why?  I don’t know, I guess there’s something infinitely “summery” about imbibing a nice, cold fruity tasting drink in the summer, especially after a long day of working in the hot sun on the lawn or in a garden!

So, what’s wrong with this function?  Well, for starters, too much alcohol, we know, is not a good thing, and some argue that even moderate alcohol consumption can be detrimental to health and weight loss.  Others think that drinking in moderation is ok.  I am of the second belief. 

I have crafted quite a few low calorie alcoholic drinks over the past few years, and I have to say, they’re not bad!  For example, like Cosmopolitans, but don’t dig all the sugar?  Try making it with a reduced sugar cranberry juice and also a light version of a fruited or citrus vodka.  The lime juice that you add a dash of is already fairly lo-cal, so no need to worry about that.  Also, lime and lemon juice have been thought to be a good digestive aid to drink with foods, so there may be an added benefit there you didn’t think about!

How about a nice cold margarita?  Did you know that a regular margarita can have as much as 400 calories in it because the majority of the flavor comes from sugar?  Well, try the Zilch low carb, low calorie margarita mixer powder.  I love this stuff, because it has no calories, and I add some lime juice to mine.  It tastes really good, and you don’t feel like you’ve just been sugar bombed by drinking it!

There are also tons of low sugar, low carb drink mixes out now too.  I’ve found some of them in Target stores, and also in various liquor stores that carry specialty drink mixers.  You can also hunt online for the latest in sugar free drink mixes, so that this summer, when you feel like kicking back and enjoying a drink, you don’t have to worry about packing all those calories in!

May 24, 2007

Lifting Weights Helps with Cellulite?

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 11:17 am

I had heard this theory before, and I for one, really do believe that, when used with good cellulite reduction products, a good weight lifting regimen that helps build sleek muscle mass, which in turn helps to burn more fat and burn calories more efficiently, you can definitley get a stronghold over your cellulite and help to smooth it out dramatically. Not only that, a good tan helps to camouflage cellulite, so I like to use a good self tanner in the summer if I’m getting in my bikini and will be seen by people!

A solid exercise and weight training routine can definitely help to improve the appearance of the nasty, dimply cottage cheese looking cellulite, usually in as little as a few weeks, but also in as much as a few months. Weight training helps to tone muscle, which tones the underlying basis for how your skin appears on the outside.

When you don’t have enough muscle tone, the basis, or the foundation for your fattier areas on your body such as your rear end, thighs and belly, do not have adequate support, and the weakness of the bands that are attaching the fat deposits is compromised even more so (women typically are more prone to this weakness than men, which is why you see infinitely more cellulite on women than on men) you will see a visibly larger amount of what has been dubbed “cellulite” in these areas where muscle tone is lacking.

I for one like to stick to a regimen of weight training for my thighs and buttocks which includes lifting my legs to the side with weights on top of them, which helps to sculpt my thighs more and my hips, and also doing the same thing with my buttocks, which helps to tone the buttocks muscles, and helps me to conquer the cellulite there as well by toning up the “foundation” first and then helping the smoothing out process by making the bonds between the fat deposits, the collagen bands, even out and make it so that the puckered appearance is not nearly as noticeable since the balance is kept in check.

Weight training and strength training, combined with cardio training can significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite in and of itself, but I also recommend a good cellulite reduction product that is rubbed in to the skin and helps to externally smooth out the collagen bands and even out the skin from the outside as well. I also notice that when I do not work out as much, or go easy on the weight training, or only do yoga exclusively for a few weeks, my cellulite does tend to look worse, so I believe cellulite reduction is a combined effort between cardio, weight training, diet and products used.

May 21, 2007

Detox Diets Not So Healthy?

Filed under: Diet Reviews — EatingToLive @ 10:55 am

I know you’ve all probably read about the exhaltations of detox diets that are so extreme they would have you only consuming liquid foods and pureed fruits and juices (if that) for days on end, as well as taking some sort of herbal laxatives, to help purify the body or, as the diet is named for “detoxify” the body of impurities, excess waste buildup and chemicals.

Basically, these types of diets claim that they will help your complexion, your elimination process, and help to restore health and a healthy weight in no time by starving the body essentially, and cleansing it of any leftovers in the mean time through colon cleansing therapy. Problem is, some specialists are saying that detox diets that are extreme, such as the Master Cleanse, which claims to help detox the body by drinking a lemon and maple syrup/cayenne pepper concoction only for ten days, and also drinking a laxative tea, can actually do more harm than good on some people.

A host of problems may result from these dramatic detox diets, such as bowel irregularities, blood sugar issues, and metabolism tampering. The diets have been given much publicity especially after being linked to skinny celebrities, and also after being touted as a great health restorer. Doctors say that the health benefits claimed are not actually scientifically proven, and that most people will put the weight right back on after a cleansing, because most of the weight lost is water weight, and we all know how easily that stuff comes right back on!

I know someone who has tried the Master Cleanse, and she swears by it. She said the first few days are rough, because you are not allowed any caffeine and she is used to drinking coffee, and also because you are hungry, but after those first few humps, she said that she did not feel hunger at all, and in fact felt more clear headed and creative than ever because her energy was not focused on food or eating whatsoever. If you feel like you’d like to try it, but could never not eat for days, you may want to look into hypnotherpy for weight loss.

She also says she feels the experience is somewhat of a cathartic one, because you are very introspective during this time, and it gives you a chance to really think about things that you normally don’t get a chance to think about. I have tried a detox diet once and it was only for one day, which I feel is perfectly fine because it really can’t mess with your system too much if only for one day. Proactol is a supplement that supposedly binds fat and also helps burn excess fat, and that may be an option too if you’re looking for something to cleanse the body of fat as well as lose weight by helping to speed up metabolism.

I have to say, I felt more energy than I ever had. I had to drink a juice concoction all day made primarily with cranberry juice and ginger and other hot spices, and it tasted good, and I wasn’t hungry after the first part of the day had passed. I’d say if you can perform a detox diet under extreme care and use common sense, than it might be the thing for you to try at least once in your life.

May 18, 2007

Ally Fat Absorber FDA Approved, Hitting Shelves

Filed under: Fat Reduction — EatingToLive @ 6:14 am

The diet product that claims to be a supplement for fat loss, called “Ally” is making headlines again, it’s the prescription version of Xenical and it is supposed to actually trap fat and reduce the amount of fat that is absorbed by your body. What it does is cling into the intestines and grabs that fat before it can even be absorbed and stored as fat on your thighs and midsection.

We talked about Ally a while ago, and what it is meant for is people who want to lose twenty or ten pounds, nothing too much, and this drug is targeting that market because it is not for a high amount of weight loss, nor is it a very quick weight loss, but it cuts the fat out of the diet. It does advise you that it can absorb vitamins out of your body too, and it also can cause loose stool, which clients claim is embarrassing and a nuisance, so it is not clear at this point how popular this now OTC drug for weight loss is going to be.

I predict it will come and go, and not make too much of a fuss, just because of the horrible side effect. I’d much rather just cut some dietary fat out of my eating rather than bear with diarrhea and gas all the time personally. Here’s a staggering fact too. Americans spend over $23 billion annually, it is estimated, on diet products and products to help them lose weight.

Wow, and we still have an overwhelming obesity problem, something just doesn’t add up! It may be worth your while to check out hypnotherapy for weight loss if you’re thinking of alternative ways to lose weight and actually change your eating habits. I’ve tried it, and it’s amazingly effective at changing your eating habits on a subconscious level.

May 15, 2007

Young Girls More Prone to Being Overweight?

Filed under: Diet and Weightloss News — EatingToLive @ 8:24 pm

Apparently the female sex has more to worry about when it comes to the sex more naturally prone to weight gain in their youth. The baffling find came after Swedish researchers discovered that an anomalie has shown up in the weight gain of their youngsters, in that young girls were about six times more likely to be overweight than little boys, a significant jump from the previous twenty years in this data, and also a statistical find that they can’t figure out what the connection may be.

They are trying to figure out if it’s a dietary difference, or some other kind of uncontrollable environmental factor, but most experts are left wondering what the change in lifestyle could be, as it has to be some sort of change in lifestyle since the change is so recent and so dramatic.

Americans are not the only ones that are getting rounder and rounder as time goes on, which is not a good thing. Even the typically svelte and thinner Chinese and Japanese culture is getting fatter, and the reasons may be because much of the world seems to be adopting a “western diet” that is rich in meat, cheese and starches, and above all, artery clogging, pound adding, fat-inducing fats and greases. Oh, and might I add, not enough veggies and fruits to help cleanse the colon either.

May 13, 2007

Anatrim : The Diet Product Spammer

Filed under: Diet Reviews — EatingToLive @ 3:27 pm

My gosh, if I get one more spammy email from the makers of this Anatrim diet pill, I feel like smashing my computer! Every day, or at least every other day, it seems I’m getting spam emails from this supposedly new and great diet product that will make “your fat friends envy you” or is “endorsed by celebrities”, so I decided to go and do a little research on what the heck Anatrim is, and why it seems to be infiltrating my inbox every day with emails.

I found out that a lot of people are getting spammed with Anatrim emails, but I looked further to see what Anatrim is, and if it looks like a worthy diet product - I have my doubts, because what reputable diet product would condone such rampant spamming?

Apparently Anatrim is a hoodia gordonii derived diet pill that promotes weight loss by, you guessed it, reducing your appetite and helping to speed up the metabolism with no stimulants. But doesn’t this sound pretty cookie cutter to you?

If you’re interested in hoodia diet pills, then you should check out only high quality ones that contain real hoodia gordonii, which is a succulent cactus we’re all probably too familiar with at this point which possesses a molecule in it that helps reduce our appetite by curbing the control center in the brain which directly affects and controls the level of food and sugars we crave naturally every day.

If you want reviews on real hoodia products, I suggest you check this out instead of getting spam emails that you’re not even sure who the maker of the product is! It’s about a gum breakthrough that contains the hoodia molecule, and is released over a more steady amount of time, releasing a more targeted, time released amount of hoodia to control the appetite on a steady basis instead of just being digested and eliminated and starting over with a pill : Hoodia Gum breakthrough

May 9, 2007

Natural Sugar Substitutes

Filed under: Dietary Supplements, Low Cal Ideas — EatingToLive @ 1:12 pm

I have written before that I like to use natural sugar substitutes in my coffee, drinks, and other things that I might typically use sugar as a sweetener. In actuality, sugar is not necessarily a high calorie food, with a teaspoon not amounting to much, it’s just the effects of that little teaspoon on my blood sugar glucose levels and its subsequent effects on my appetite later in the day that I’m trying to avoid.

I had previously used Splenda, and before that, I used the “pink stuff”, Sweet ‘n Low, and although I did think they were a great tasting alternative to sugar, I read bad things about their side effects, and was concerned that by trying to save a few calories and my blood sugar level, I was actually doing more harm than good.

In fact, some studies on phony sugar substitutes clearly come to the conclusion that the phony sugar substitutes actually are more detrimental to your blood sugar and actually make you crave more sweets in the end, more so than even regular sugar, so that was the end of that for me!

So, I found Stevia, a truly all natural sweetener with absolutely no side effects that is only made from the natural stevia plant. I use the little green packets you find at the natural foods store.

Because I wanted to branch out and try others, I tried another brand also recently that I was not impressed with at all. it’s in a yellow packet and it’s called Zero Sugar, and is made also from an all natural ingredient, but it seemed like I had to put five packets in to get any sweetness out of it at all. So, for now I’m sticking with the stevia.

You may want to look into it. You just have to be careful, because using too much stevia can make your drink bitter, but as soon as you get the trick of it down, you will be pleasantly surprised at how your taste adapts to this all natural sugar alternative.

May 5, 2007

Word Is Out, Diet Gurus Give Out Expert Weight Loss Advice

Filed under: Weight Loss, Health & Fitness Tips — EatingToLive @ 10:49 pm

Diet or calorie and fitness gurus have recently dished the dirt on what they personally think are the top ways for you to both shave weight off your waiste, buttocks, thighs and tummy, but also to maintain a healthy weight throughout your life span.

Some of the ways in which you can cut calories may surprise you, and they’re really subconscious methods of retraining your mind and body to eat only what is needed, nothing more, and certainly nothing that’s deep fried (except, of course on occasion, who could go without McDonald’s fries for a lifetime, except maybe Ms. Victoria Beckham, but I digress:).

Here are just some of the ways that top fitness, health and diet gurus are saying you can tweak your lifestyle to get that six pack abs, or heck, just to drop and keep off those extra five pounds that you know darn well you look and feel a hundred percent better without!

1.) First, make sure you start off the meal with either a veggie-heavy salad or a broth-based (not cream guys, don’t get excited, these aren’t miracles, just good old fashioned sensible tips mind you) soup. Why? Because, soup is very filling because it’s hot water, and hot water makes us feel full faster. Case in point. Tonight I was feeling kind of under the weather. The only meal that would do for dinner was good ol’ Campbell’s Vegetarian vegetable soup. I felt full after just one bowl! And it was only a mere 150 calories! Crazy….

2.) Hang with people that don’t hang out around the food table all the time at social functions. And guess what? You might actually enjoy a great conversation a little more instead of wolfing down those pint sized appetizers that pack a mean caloric punch and add pounds to your frame in an instant!

3.) Eat a healthy fatted food about one hour before dinner and meal time. Avocados, and certain types of nuts are the perfect “healthy fat” snack to accomplish this one. The reason? Because healthy fats release a certain bodily chemical that makes our brains think it’s fuller faster. It’s all classic Zone Diet stuff baby! OK, I’m starting to feel a little like Dick Vitale, so I’m gonna wrap it up for the night!

Until next time….

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