How Does the Atkins Diet Work and Why

May 28, 2009 · Filed Under Health, Weight Loss · Comment 

There is a large controversy about whether the effects of the Atkins diet are positive or negative. There seem to be effects that lean towards being positive or negative in different experiences, and in some cases, a person will have positive and negative effects that both affect them equally. People will have positive effects such as weight gain and being able to eat smaller amounts without cravings, but may also have negative effects such as muscular problems or making a person feel very faint or extremely weak.

The reason for both the negative and positive experiences is the same, the way that Atkins diet works. The main point of an Atkins diet is to remove carbohydrates, which is sugar in its simplest form, so that the body will be forced to use another energy source. The next energy source that your body turns to is your fat, which in turn causes you to lose weight. This can cause you to lose lean muscle, which can not only make you feel weaker, but can also make you physically weaker.

Many people feel that their weight is more important then their health, this can be very hard on them and can mean that they, without realizing it, could hurt their body. Dr. Robert Atkins created this diet for himself so that he would be able to lose weight, and this diet was so successful for himself that he let others try, and in turn, it was successful for them in many cases. There have not been a lot of research conducted that had to do with the long-term effects of the Atkins diet, but some individuals have proven that for them, it was a very hard diet and left them with negative effects that outnumbered the positive gain.

There are many advances in diets and research every year, meaning, that these side effects could be a worry that is in vain or could also simply be eliminated in the future by small differences in diet. Currently, there are still many positive sides to the Atkins diet, such as the recipes that are offered. With the Atkins diet, you are completely carbohydrate free for a period of week, then you have to gradually find your way back to eating in a balanced manner so that any side effects can hopefully be reversed while you still get to keep the figure that you worked so hard to acquire.

The recipes that are offered are very appealing to many people, and after being carbohydrate free, the return trip to a healthy, balanced diet can be very enjoyable. Steadily but in steps, carbohydrates are added back into your meals. This can help to reverse negative effects, if such is possible, but is mostly used to make sure that you can then stay constant without further damaging your muscles. Many people have found this diet to be successful for themselves and others who they may have suggested it to.

Benefits of the South Beach Diet Phase 1

May 26, 2009 · Filed Under Health, Weight Loss · Comment 

Have you been hearing about the south beach diet phase 1? If you are known to frequent health forums or are a member of a dieting or health organization, then you have likely heard of this before. The basic idea of the south beach diet is too maintain a healthy diet of average food staples while using a progressive form of phases to help phase out the cravings that your body experiences from an unhealthy diet.

This has proven to be very successful in getting people to shed weight and keep it off. The following guide will walk you through some of the benefits of the south beach diet and more specifically the first phase of the diet.

The benefits of the south beach diet phase 1 are extraordinary. The best part of this phase is that it trains your body without you even realizing it. How it works is by almost tricking your body into having cravings, for healthy foods, that are good for you and at the same time gets rid of some of the cravings that are commonly associated with an unhealthy diet. This is the key to long term weight loss success. The south beach diet and specifically phase 1 of the diet have proven to be very successful in doing this.

Phase #1: The part of the phase is of course the food. The good thing about this diet opposed to others is that it is very easy for most people to make the transition from their old diets. This is because the foods that are recommended during the south beach diet phase 1 are foods that most people already enjoy.

Some of these foods that you should consume during the first phase include chicken, beef, fish, turkey, nuts, eggs, cheese, and vegetables. If is also recommended to eat garden salad with only 100% olive oil as a dressing. The diet recommends that during this phase you should consume three meals a day and completely stop eating sugary foods or any other foods other than the recommendations set out by the first phase of the diet.

Perhaps the most important part of this diet is the fact that you are slowly beginning to teach your body to stop having craving for sugary foods and other unhealthy foods. Other diets commonly only cause you to lose weight by depriving the body of food. With the south beach diet phase 1 you are actually doing quite the opposite. During phase 1 you will consume three meals a day as well as a snack in between meals. This is crucial to the success of the diet. You can also drink coffee and tea during this phase.

The big changes that you will be making during this phase is cutting out foods such as potatoes, bread, rice, fruit, baked goods, candy, cookies, ice cream, and other foods that contain a high concentration of sugar. As long as you make sure that you follow the south beach diet phase 1 you are guaranteed to be on the path to success and reach all of your weight loss goals.

Fantastic Tasting Diet Shake Recipes Will Help You Lose Weight

May 26, 2009 · Filed Under Health, Weight Loss · Comment 

Nothing can be quite as delicious and satisfying as a great diet shake, especially in the hot weather months that we are now “enjoying.”  Whether you choose to go to the mall and visit a nutritional supplement shop so you can add supplements to your diet shake recipes, or whether you prefer your diet shake recipes to contain just what you can get at the farm stand or grocery store, there are a million diet shake recipes out there.  It can also be quite fun to experiment with your diet shake recipes and add your own personal touches to your delicious creations.

One of my favorite ingredients to add to any smoothie or diet shake recipes is low-fat yogurt.  No matter whether you are making a water-based (ice) shake or a dairy-based (2 % milk) diet shake recipe, a little container of yogurt can add a lot.  Yogurt adds a nice creamy consistency to your diet shake recipes, and I wholeheartedly recommend that you try it in your favorite smoothie recipe the first chance you get.

Here are five tried-and-true diet shake recipes.  Give them a whirl in your blender:

Strawberry-Orange-Banana Diet Shake Recipes
•    Some orange juice – about 2 cups or so
•    Some sliced bananas – 1 or 2
•    Some strawberries — a cup or so
•    Some ice – about a cup
•    A container of strawberry-banana low fat yogurt

Mandarin-Mango Diet Shake Recipes
•    Some mandarin orange pieces – 2 cans or so
•    Some cut up mangoes – 2 mangos is about right
•    Some ice – about a cup
•    Protein supplements from the nutrition store—follow the label directions
•    A container of mango-flavored low fat yogurt

Berry Berry Special Diet Shake Recipes
•    Some cranberry juice – about ½ a cup
•    Some apple juice — about ½ a cup
•    Some strawberries
•    Some blueberries
•    Some raspberries
•    A banana
•    A container of strawberry or blueberry low fat yogurt

Banana-Chocolate-Vanilla Diet Shake Recipes
•    A cut up frozen banana
•    A teaspoon of vanilla
•    A cup of skim milk
•    A teaspoonful of Splenda
•    A teaspoonful of cocoa powder
•    A container of low fat yogurt—plain or vanilla

Coffee-Mocha Diet Shake Recipes
•    One teaspoon instant coffee
•    One teaspoon cocoa powder
•    One teaspoon of Splenda
•    Ice
•    A container of vanilla or plain low fat yogurt
•    A powder protein supplement if you like

Regardless of which of the diet shake recipes you are making, the procedure is the same.  Just pop all the ingredients into your blender and turn it on.  Run the blender until the shake is the desired consistency, pour into a beautiful glass, and enjoy your homemade, healthy, nutrient-dense, diet shake recipes. Not only will it help with your weight loss, it taste delicious.

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