Benefits of Vegan Diet to Women

I read of some people converting to vegetarian lifestyle for different reasons. For women who are going through menopausal stage, perhaps considering the vegan diet would be helpful. A diet full of phytoestrogens in soy foods, beans, and flaxseed helps reduce hot flashes and lowers the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. It has been shown also in a lot of studies that women who eat lots of fruits and vegetables have a 54% lower risk of stroke than women who do not. And research also has shown that vegan diets with no animal products at all, including milk and eggs, help postmenopausal women lose weight and improve their sensitivity to insulin, which is important for preventing diabetes.

But vegetarians who eat no meat or dairy products need to be certain they get enough vitamin B12, calcium, and iron in their diets. Most breakfast cereals are fortified with adequate amounts of B12, and iron, and soy milk and many brands of orange juice are fortified with calcium. (Source - RD Food Cures)

Start Your Day With an Egg

Do you know that an egg has 1 ounce of high-quality protein and 14 essential nutrients such as zinc, iron and vitamins A, D, E, and B12? So since eggs have high protein content, it makes sense that they keep you full. And best of all, it contains only 85 calories. Even if you have high cholesterol, experts say you can safely eat 3 or 4 egg yolks per week and all egg whites you want. Dozens of studies have found that it's saturated fat, not cholesterol, that has the greatest effect on blood cholesterol. (Source-RD Food Cures)

Fried Tofu with Peppery Bean Sauce

I hope you're not tired of Tofu dishes yet, because here's another one worth sharing. You can say that it's Tofu week in our household, hb was so in the mood to cook. So while he's watching his diet closely because of gout (you can read the story here), I also benefit in the process health-wise. Not to mention, I don't cook much like I used to anymore ;-).

FRIED TOFU WITH PEPPERY BEAN SAUCE

INGREDIENTS
14 ounces firm Tofu, drained

1 small leek
1 ounce smoked ham
cooking oil for deep frying
2 eggs, lightly beaten
cornstarch
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons black bean garlic sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved on 2 teaspoons water

SEASONING:
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 1/2 Tablespoons dark soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut the tofu into 1/2 x 2 x 2 inches pieces. Combine the seasoning ingredients in a bowl.
2. Cut the leek in half lengthwise, then into 1/2 inch slices. Cut the harm into 1 x 1 x 1/8 slices.
3. In a wok, heat the oil for deep frying to 375 degrees F. Dip the tofu in the eggs, drain briefly, then coat with cornstarch. Deep-fry the tofu, a batch at a time, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.

4. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of oil from the wok. Place over high heat until hot. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add jalapenos, black beans, leek and ham and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the seasonings and bring to a boil. Add the cornstarch mixture and cook, stirring, until the sauce boils and thickens. Add the tofu and toss to coat.

Makes 4 servings

A Total Change of Eating Habit

Since hb's diagnosis of gout, he's been watching his diet really closely. He doesn't like to go through pain and discomforts again, just like how he felt before he knew he had gout. Back then the uric acid in his system was on its highest level.

In the morning he eats variety of fruits like blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, watermelon, raspberries and blackberries. He eats them with cottage cheese, or mixes them with cereals. Sometimes he blends them into smoothie using only fat-free milk and plain yogurt. He eats mostly chicken and tofu and a lot of salad. His diet was a total turn around from the way he used to eat. So you can just imagine how he is losing some weight like he's been taking diet pill. I guess the gout has an upside to it, it served as a wake-up call for my hb to change his eating habit.

Fat Burning Foods

I have an issue with bulges around my tummy area. If only complaining about it is equivalent to exercise already, I could have lost it a long time ago, lol. I know that if we eat more calories that our body can burn we gain weight, but it is hard usually to turn away from the 'good food'. Anyway, in my quest to lose weight naturally, here are some fat burners or fat burning foods that I saw online that I'd like to share with those who are also battling the bulges like I do. These are just 7 foods but the rule of thumb to lose fat is by eating food rich in fibers, low calories and food that gives your stomach a feeling of being full.

Fat Burning Food #1: Apples:

Do you remember the old saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Well not only the doctor but the extra pounds as well. Apples contain the highest percentage of pectin, this is soluble fiber. There was an interesting study in Brazil about weight loss and apples .Two groups of dieters were getting exactly the same amount of calories but with one exception. One group was getting an apple before each meal. And this group lost 33% more in weight.

Fat burning food #2: Garlic:

Garlic is one of the most effective fat burning foods. It contains the compound allicin which has anti bacterial effects and helps reduce cholesterol and unhealthy fats.

Fat burning food #3 Tomatoes:

Tomatoes is very effective to add on your diet. Not only are they good in your battle against overweight but they are also an excellent prevention against cancers and high blood pressure.

Fat burning food #4 Carrots:

Adding a carrot to the beginning of every meal is a very effective way to lose weight. Why do you ask? The carrot leaves no room in the stomach for the dessert. When using this trick you should have been able to lose about a pound in one week.

Fat burning food # 5: Oranges:

Oranges are rich in Vitamin C and they have fat burning properties. Compared with exercises they are an effective way to lose fat.

Fat burning food # 6: Mangoes:

Mangoes are full packed with fiber and are low in calories.

Fat burning food #7: Spinach:

Popeye gets his strength by eating spinach and yes they are very healthy. Spinach contains a lot of iron; it is an exceptional nutrition food and is a good prevention against cancer.

(Source - ezinearticles.com)

Mesothelioma Cancer Diet

Whenever I learn that I have a certain health condition, my first question is always 'what kind of food should I eat or avoid?' Don't you wish that just by eating the right food, illnesses will go away for good? A balanced diet is important for proper nutrition and health, but for victims of diseases like cancer, proper eating can make the difference between life and death. But unfortunately, the kind of treatment and drugs used to treat cancer also destroy the appetite and drain the body of vital nutrients so that it can no longer fight the drugs. Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and even loss of smell and taste can interfere with the desire to eat a balanced diet and ensure health.

Here are the diet and foods for people with mesothelioma:

• Fats should also form an essential part of the mesothelioma cancer diet as fats provide and generate the necessary energy the body it needs while undergoing treatment. Mesothelioma cancer patient’s age, stage of cancer and weight should decide the amount of fats that he/she needs to take to strike the right balance that indirectly helps to build a strong immune system. Again as per National Cancer Institute foods like sugar, butter, cheese, milk, honey and dried fruits are high on fats and therefore should be included while making a diet chart.

• Similarly a mesothelioma cancer patient should go high on protein in the diet. Protein should form an important part of his routine diet. Protein helps repair tissues that get damaged due to surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Apart from it Protein helps to maintain strong and healthy immune system. A healthy immune system is good news as it reduces the risk of catching infections that cancer patient is likely to fact after the treatments and therapies. Even the National Cancer Institute recommends including and increasing protein in the diet of mesothelioma cancer patient. Foods that is high on protein and act as healers include yogurt, cheese, milk, ice cream, eggs, nuts, fish meat and peanut butter.

• Encourage cancer patient to drink water as much as possible or as prescribed by the doctor. Water is an essential part of the cancer diet. Without a substantial intake of water, the body is likely to start drying or experience dehydration. It is of immense importance that anyone undergoing cancer treatment receives enough water to keep his or her bodies hydrated, energized and replenished.

Cancer diet charts for each patient are different. Even different stages of cancer in the same patient call for a changed diet plan. If a person is showing improvement after treatment the diet will change and similarly if the case is adverse, diet chart will undergo a change. One should never get into making a diet plan for him as dietitian’s approval in making a cancer diet plan plays a very important role.

(Source - Healthoma.com)

Healthy Smoothie

I love to make smoothies out of my frozen fruits. I make them by itself or mix them with other fruits. These smoothies are power boosters that help to keep me going during the day. I want to share a very simple and quick way of making strawberry smoothie. This is my take to a refreshing and healthy smoothie.

STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 of a banana

1/2 cup whole milk*
1/2 cup whole milk plain yogurt*
1 tbsp honey*
(*For a healthier twist - use low fat or non-fat milk and reduce honey to a tsp)

DIRECTION:
1. Just mix everything together in a blender until smooth. Add more milk if you want it thinner. For my son who also loves to have some for breakfast, I use whole milk and a little bit more for thinner texture.

Power Booster

I am very fond of eating fresh fruits anytime during the day. I mix my strawberries with cereals for breakfast, munch on blueberries at snack time and pack some grapes when I'm on the go. I buy fruits in bulk at Costco, not only because its cheaper by the bulk but also it saves me the trip of going there often. I just leave some in the fridge to snack on and put away the rest in the freezer for later. I usually buy blueberries, strawberries, bananas , oranges and grapes and any fruits in season.

Berries have more protective plant anti-oxidant than almost any other food, while grapes are rich in vitamins and minerals that are vital for our health. Bananas not only give an instant and sustained boost of energy but can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, so it is a must to add bananas to our daily diet. Oranges are a great source of iron and calcium, and they help keep our cholesterol low. These are just a few of the many benefits that these favorite fruits can give us.

Food Friday - Edamame

I always buy a pack of organic edamame for snack. It is fully cooked and ready to eat. I just microwave it for a couple of minutes before serving. My little tot also loves eating it. Eating is fun when I let him squeeze the soybeans into his mouth with his fingers. And sometimes I just squeeze the soybeans out of the pod in his bowl and he picks them.

Edamame is a green vegetable more commonly known as a soybean, harvested at the peak of ripening right before it reaches the "hardening" time. The word Edamame means "Beans on Branches," and it grows in clusters on bushy branches. To retain the freshness and its natural flavor, it is parboiled and quick-frozen. In East Asia, the soybean has been used for over two thousand years as a major source of protein. Edamame is consumed as a snack, a vegetable dish, used in soups or processed into sweets. As a snack, the pods are lightly boiled in salted water, and then the seeds are squeezed directly from the pods into the mouth with the fingers.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
(per 100 gms of Edible Portion)
CALORIES - 125.0
PROTEIN - 12.1
CARBOHYDRATES - 13.1
FAT - 3.6
ASH - 1.7
CALCIUM - 9.3
PHOSPHORUS - 180.0
IRON - 2.7
SODIUM - 5.0
VITAMIN A - 130.0
VITAMIN U1 - 0.31
VITAMIN C - 40.0

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An Intelligent Diet

Boost your brainpower by feeding your brain 'brain foods'. Here are 4 tips for an intelligent diet:

1. Balance your glucose - it provides fuel for your brain. Try to eat carbohydrate foods in the evening as it promotes relaxation and sleep.

2. Eat essential fats - ensure your diet is rich in omega-3 fats found in oily fish.

3. Include plenty of protein rich foods in your diet. Proteins are essential to make neurotransmitters which are vital for the thinking process. Try to eat a protein based lunch to optimise your mental performance and alertness throughout the day.

4. Eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals to 'fine tune' your mind.

5. Drink 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day to keep your brain well hydrated.

6. Oxygenate your brain by exercising and eating little and often. Eat your main meal before 7pm.