One of my all time favorite alternatives to butter, which happens to be a highly fattening food that I absolutely love, and one of my biggest weaknesses, is the butter spray by I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. While I’m not a fan of the actual I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter stick or spread products, I think their buttery spray with very few calories is the best one on the market right now. I’ve tried others, but they still seem to have the corner on the market when it comes to good tasting low to no fat alternative butter sprays.
The reason I use “few calories” in my description of the ICBINB spray while it’s packaging says it has zero, is because this is oftentimes misleading. Many times companies will say their product has very low or no calories, because the serving size is no infinitesimal that of course there would be no calories “per serving”. That said, the ICBINB spray still has very few calories and no fat, so it’s still a great alternative and if you’re working on fat and cellulite reduction, you don’t want to eat foods that are high in fat, which butter has in spades unfortunately.
One catch though. For those watching their sodium intake, they should probably watch their servings of butter alternative products, as much of their flavor comes from sodium since they cannot use fat to give it flavor. Still, if you use it as indicated and don’t douse your food in it, you’ll be ok with the sodium content. Those who are watching it though may want to ask their doctor what is a suitable butter alternative that is low in fat and has no saturated fat for their condition.
I like using the butter spray on everything - bagels, english muffins, vegetables, and even on my toast sometimes. Once you’ve aquired the taste for it, you cannot tell a huge difference between it and real butter. Of course, real butter always tastes great, but you should try to reserve real butter for “special occasions” since it is high in fat and really is not so good for you. Another tip, if buying real butter try to get organic. Toxins are stored in fat, and the same goes for animals, since butter is all animal dairy fat, it may contain high amounts of toxins unless you buy organic.
December 10th, 2007
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EatingToLive |
Low Cal Ideas |
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I just added my review of this product because it contains a very impressive blend of one of my favorite natural ingredients to not only support weight loss and also promote abundant energy, but also to help make you feel an even sort of energy, without a huge crash when it wears off, so you don’t find yourself suddenly losing all control when the pill wears off. It’s the yerba mate diet pill, and I’ve reviewed it here so you can figure out if yerba mate, in diet pill form, is the right natural way for you to add a little more incentive into your weight loss by feeling great and energetic - ready to lose that weight!
December 9th, 2007
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EatingToLive |
Diet Reviews |
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Ever notice how it is almost everyone’s year end resolution to begin the new year with a new lease on their weight control and weight loss life? It seems that everybody thinks they have a little excess baggage when it comes to weight, even those conventionally considered skinny may make new resolutions to eat better, work out more, be more active or simply eat more veggies and fruits instead of easy convenience snacks that are salty or sweet.
It’s no surprise that weight loss hypnotherapy CD’s and systems where one essentially hypnotizes themselves by going into a deep state of relaxation via listening to a CD, is extremely popular during this time of year. Especially since most of us have pigged out on sweets, potatoes, starches, and fatty foods that seem to be within reach every day from Thanksgiving until Christmas. People essentially make the decision that they want to lose weight at that time of year, and we see a lot of interest in products that can help them regain that willpower to lose the weight via self hypnosis for weight loss.
I’ve actually shared with you my experience with hypnosis and weight loss, and the power that I think subliminal or suggestive thinking has over your natural appetite suppressants that are in your mind and your chemical makeup. I do believe that hypnosis is quite a powerful way to get back in control and basically whip your body back in shape by inhibiting cravings for bad foods as well as increasing cravings for good foods like water, fruits and vegetables. You almost can’t help but crave foods that are good when you go through an effective hypnotherapy program for weight loss, and that is why these CD’s have become so popular.
December 8th, 2007
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EatingToLive |
Hypnosis Weight Loss |
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OK, so as promised, I had run out of time when I was about to spill my Master Cleanser diet review. As I had previously states in my last post, I didn’t finish the ten day regime that the Master Cleanser diet by Stanley Borroughs recommended, but it was not because I don’t believe in the cleansing and detoxifying powers of the diet, it was because it takes willpower and perseverence, and I couldn’t finish because of too many personal issues right now. I do intend to do the entire ten days after Christmas though.
Well, I started my first day of the diet by making my freshly “brewed” double batch of the master cleanser lemonade. The idea behind the lemonade is sort of two fold. One, it contains enough nutrients and adequate blood sugar boosters in the maple syrup to keep your blood sugar from totally bottoming out as long as you sip it when you feel extremely hungry, and two, the lemon juice helps to alkalize the body, which means to neutralize acid, and also helps to loosen plaque and mucus from the bowels and intestines so they may be flushed out, and then the cayenne also acts as a stimulant to rid the debris from the colon, as well as satiates the appetite a bit and perhaps even causes a mild metabolism boost.
For the ten days, all you are supposed to drink is the lemonade and your herbal laxative tea. You are supposed to drink the laxative tea every night and morning, or you have the option of doing the saltwater internal bath in the morning instead of the tea. Let me tell you, I only did the saltwater bath once in the morning, and it was not pleasant getting a quart (which is a whole 32 ounces) of saltwater down.
I almost gagged every time I took a gulp. You are supposed to drink it as much at once as you can, and you are supposed to have several bowel movement in the next half hour to hour after you drink this disgusting concoction. I had several bowel movements about a half hour after I drank the saltwater.
I did not get any cramps, rather I was just ready to go all the sudden when the movements occurred. I have to say, there were some questionable items in my eliminations, and that makes me think that the cleanse really does remove debris that you probably don’t even remember consuming! I can see why this diet says that it accelerates fat loss, because it is purging you of debris and toxins that most likely may also cause excess fat storage.
I did end up feeling sick both mornings I woke up, and I had a heavy coating of something on my tongue both mornings as well. I assume this was the act of my body detoxing, which even though it felt gross, was somehow oddly pleasing since I knew it was working. After I felt sick and weak in the morning, I felt good and energetic.
It was very hard to ignore the smells and sights of foods though, and that really does take an iron will the first few days of the diet when you are still experiencing cravings due to your inherent “addiction” to food. It is almost like an alcoholic who goes through alcohol detox. You want it and crave it, even though you know your detoxing is doing wonders, your body does rebel against you when you first begin.
My skin, in the whole two and a half days I was on the diet, did seem to clear up nicely, which was another nice side benefit. When I try this diet again after the holidays, I plan on keeping a daily or bi-daily journal on this blog of my experience and review of the Master Cleanse diet, so stay tuned!
December 6th, 2007
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EatingToLive |
Health News, Diet Reviews |
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I was fed up of eating all the junk I was consuming and couldn’t seem to stop consuming, and I hated the way I felt after I just got back from my trip to Costa Rica (I pigged out a little my last few days there, although the junk food was scarce, I still ate too much, even of “good” food), so I decided to take a somewhat drastic measure and try the diet that has earned quite a reputation these last few years, sometimes good and sometimes bad called the “Master Cleanser”.
Many people have probably heard of it. It was sort of made famous when several celebrities shared their experiences on the Master Cleanse diet, including Robin Quivers of the Howard Stern show who had quite an embarrassing tale of how she didn’t make it to the bathroom on time, and also Beyonce Knowles, who used the diet as a fast way to shed twenty pounds or so for her role in Dream Girls.
The Master Cleanse is often called extreme, because it is, well, extreme. You don’t eat any solid food for ten days (or more) straight, and you take herbal laxative teas twice a day or you can also instead do a saltwater internal bath if you choose to not take the herbal laxative tea in the morning. The Master Cleanse diet is supposed to act not only as a colon cleanser (see our Bowtrol review for a recommended colon cleanser), but also is supposed to detoxify your body from years of toxic buildup from both the environment and the foods we eat that sort of “clog up” our systems”.
Before I tell you about my experience, let me first say I only made it two and a half days on the diet, but I do intend to follow through with the entire ten day regimen soon after the holidays are over. I did not quit the diet after two days because I didn’t believe in it. I quit it because I have enormous stressors in my life right now and it just wasn’t the right time for me to try this challenging diet, as it takes perseverence and willpower, and can make you feel tired, weak and hungry for the first few days of adjustment, as well as sick. I will tell you about my experience in the next post - I’m out of time now! Thanks for your patience…….
December 5th, 2007
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EatingToLive |
Dieting Trends |
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We all know that the holiday season tends to make us forget that we’d like to maintain our (hopefully) svelte figure, but unless you’re a super model who’s life literally depends on her staying slim, you’re likely to buck the system and throw caution to the wind and eat to the excess at least a couple of the days during the holiday season when people seem to forget their portion sizes as well as caloric and nutritional restrictions that they tend to impose on themselves any other old time of the year. I’m just as guilty as the next person of this!
So, how can we help to combat the holiday season food overload and make ourselves a little more full of willpower and common sense when that cookie tray is sitting in the fax station at work, or when those chocolates are handed out to everyone at work? For additional willpower against this, appetite control and additional fat burning benefit, see our Proactol review, it is a supplement that assists in assimilation, riddance and flushing of fat, and assists in appetite control as well. Well of course it doesn’t hurt to indulge a little around the holidays but the problem is we tend to take that “allowance” that we have in our heads and just make it a nonstop buffet of sugar, fat and calories with no stopping.
Try making sure you don’t consume too many alcoholic beverages. Some of the alcoholic beverages that tend to be popular around the holidays are sugar laden and chock full of empty calories. They also tend to be creamy - like eggnog and coffee and latte flavored alcholol drinks such as drinks made with coffee liquer and Bailey’s liquer. If you must, sip on a glass of red wine. Instead of excess calories from grain alcohol, which is essentially stored by the body since it is not easily metabolized, you will be getting a great dose of antioxidants from red wine, and the body metabolizes it more easily.
As far as snacking, you may want to resort to a natural appetite suppressant supplement during this time of the year. Think of it as “paid will power) or something like that (wink, wink). Also, drink plenty of water which is calorie free as well as cleansing to the body. Try to not over do it on the starches, but instead you might want to reach for the veggie or cheese tray. Mashed potatoes, crackers, and other items like this are just pure starch and will be stored as fat in the body. Also white bread products are the same.
December 2nd, 2007
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EatingToLive |
Dieting Trends |
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So much is written about weight loss and different diets and diet pills. A common sense approach is less expensive and easier to follow. There are certain easy steps you can take to achieve the goal of weight loss without a lot of expense and bother. Start to keep a journal of all of the foods that you consume each day. You might be surprised at how many times you eat unnecessary calories that offer no nutritional value and don’t fill you up.
The purpose of writing all of your daily consumption down is to make you aware of your calorie intake and your nutritional status. Don’t skip meals as this will lead to overeating at the next meal. The most important meal to include and never omit is breakfast. Skipping breakfast will only leave you hungry, fatigued and more likely to grab a donut and give up on your dietary attempt sooner.
Skipping meals can work against weight loss also by slowing your metabolism and causing wild shifts in your blood glucose levels. You can exclude completely the liquid calories that have no nutritional value from your dietary intake. This would include the sugary pop and alcoholic beverages. You may be surprised at how many calories this will save you. If you are keeping a food journal, you can see how fast this adds up.
Eat slowly and chew your food completely. Not only is this mode of eating better for your digestive health, but it also gives you time for your brain and body to realize when you are full. The result will be you will eat less and feel fuller. Avoid the trigger foods that lead you to binge eating. Trigger foods will vary from person to person. For some people these foods may be the salty foods like potato chips while others may find sweets are their weakness.
Portion control is a necessity for weight loss. Start to look at the size of your servings and measure what you are putting on your plate if necessary. Often, people don’t realize what is a normal healthy portion. You should include servings of milk on a healthy balanced long term dietary plan. Instead of whole milk, switch to skim only. For sandwiches, switch to open face sandwiches with one slice of bread. Salad dressings should be the light low calorie type only and don’t use too much. These few steps toward calorie cutting should make quite a difference.
Along with these calorie saving measures, incorporate a healthy realistic exercise program to speed weight loss and improve muscle tone and general energy and health.
Try on some clothes that you haven’t been able to wiggle into once your weight loss is underway. This should encourage you to keep up the good work and continue with your efforts.
December 1st, 2007
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EatingToLive |
Diet Reviews |
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