Top 10 Health Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep

In the past, sleep was often ignored by doctors and surrounded by myths, but now we are beginning to understand the importance of sleep to overall health and well-being. In fact, when people get less than 6 or 7 hours of sleep each night, their risk for developing diseases begins to increase.

1. Keeps Your Heart Healthy

Heart attacks and strokes are more common during the early morning hours. This fact may be explained by the way sleep interacts with the blood vessels. Lack of sleep has been associated with worsening of blood pressure and cholesterol, all risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Your heart will be healthier if you get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night.

2. May Prevent Cancer

People working the late shift have a higher risk for breast and colon cancer. Researchers believe this link is caused by differing levels of melatonin in people who are exposed to light at night. Light exposure reduces the level of melatonin, a hormone that both makes us sleepy and is thought to protect against cancer. Melatonin appears to suppress the growth of tumors. Be sure that your bedroom is dark to help your body produce the melatonin it needs.

3. Reduces Stress

When your body is sleep deficient, it goes into a state of stress. The body's functions are put on high alert which causes an increase in blood pressure and a production of stress hormones. Higher blood pressure increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes. The stress hormones also, unfortunately, make it harder for you to sleep.

4. Reduces Inflammation

The increase in stress hormones raises the level of inflammation in your body, also creating more risk for heart-related conditions, as well as cancer and diabetes. Inflammation is thought to one of the causes of the deterioration of your body as you age.

5. Makes You More Alert

Of course, a good night's sleep makes you feel energized and alert the next day. Being engaged and active not only feels great, it increases your chances for another good night's sleep. When you wake up feeling refreshed, use that energy to get out into the daylight, do active things, and be engaged in your world. You'll sleep better the next night and increase your daily energy level.

6. Bolsters Your Memory

Researchers do not fully understand why we sleep and dream, but a process called memory consolidation occurs during sleep. While your body may be resting, your brain is busy processing your day, making connections between events, sensory input, feelings and memories. Your dreams and deep sleep are an important time for your brain to make memories and links. Getting more quality sleep will help you remember and process things better.

7. May Help You Lose Weight

Researchers have also found that people who sleep less than seven hours per night are more likely to be overweight or obese. It is thought that the lack of sleep impacts the balance of hormones in the body that affect appetite. The hormones ghrelin and leptin, important for the regulation of appetite, have been found to be disrupted by lack of sleep. So if you are interested in controlling or losing weight, don't forget to pay attention to getting a good night's sleep.

8. Naps Make You Smarter

Napping during the day is not only an effective and refreshing alternative to caffeine, it can also protect your health and make you more productive. A study of 24,000 Greek adults showed that people who napped several times a week had a lower risk for dying from heart disease. People who nap at work have much lower levels of stress. Napping also improves memory, cognitive function and mood.

9. Reduce Your Risk for Depression

Sleep impacts many of the chemicals in your body, including serotonin. People with a deficiency in serotonin are more likely to suffer from depression. You can help to prevent depression by making sure you are getting the right amount of sleep, between 7 and 9 hours each night.

10. Helps the Body Make Repairs

Sleep is a time for your body to repair damage caused by stress, ultraviolet rays and other harmful exposures. Your cells produce more protein while you are sleeping. These protein molecules form the building blocks for cells, allowing them to repair damage.

Source: About.com by By Mark Stibich, Ph.D.

Top 10 Sleep Myths

We sleep about one-third of the day, but we know very little about sleep. Understanding these 10 sleep myths will help you clear up misunderstandings and get more and better sleep each night.

1. Sleep is Just Rest

Sleep is more than simply a period of rest; it is an essential time for your body to perform routine maintenance, creating long-term memories and repair damage from your day. Sleep brings many health benefits. Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night assures that your body and mind will function well the next day. Make sleep a priority for your health and energy.

2. Losing an Hour of Sleep is No Big Deal

If you get less sleep than you need, your ability to do certain cognitive and physical tasks is decreased. If that sleep loss builds over time, it can interfere with the hormones that monitor appetite, changing your mood and increasing your risk of some chronic illnesses. Get 7 to 9 hours every night for good health.

3. You Adjust to Sleep Changes Easily

Your body gets on schedule based on your activity and exposure to daylight. When you travel across many time zones or work night shifts, you confuse body's sense of time, making sleep difficult and inhibiting some necessary sleep functions. For every one- to two-hour time change, it takes your body 1 day to adjust. That means it could take your body 6 to 12 days to adjust to a trip from New York to China.

4. Older People Need Less Sleep

Older people need the same amount of sleep as everyone else, 7 to 9 hours per night. There is a cultural belief that as you age, you need less sleep. Unfortunately, because of this myth, many older people do not seek help for their sleep problems. Often, older people sleep less than they need to because of illness. Many of the medications older people may be using interfere with sleep. Talk to your doctor to find out more.

5. Extra Sleep Helps Fatigue

Some people assume that if they feel tired during the day, then they should sleep longer at night. This is not necessarily true. If a person is getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, then he or she should seek another source for their fatigue. Some sleep disorders decrease sleep quality, even though the person is getting enough sleep. Many medical conditions can cause fatigue. If you are sleeping long enough but are still tired, try some exercise and daylight exposure during the day. If that doesn't help, see your doctor.

6. You Can 'Catch Up'

During the WeekendMany people sleep late on Saturday, hoping to compensate for sleep lost during the week. While sleeping late helps catch up on your sleep debt, it alters your sleep schedule. You sleep late one or two days and then wake up early again on Monday. Your body must adjust to these changes. During this adjustment, your quality of sleep is poor. It is much better to have a consistent daily sleep schedule that gives you 7 to 9 hours each night.

7. Naps are Wasteful

Naps can be a great way to catch up on lost sleep. After taking naps, people function better and do certain cognitive tasks quicker. Napping can also help you train yourself to fall asleep quicker. However, napping longer than an hour or after 3 p.m. may make it more difficult for you to fall asleep at night.

8. Snoring is Normal

While snoring is common during sleep, frequent snoring can indicate serious sleep disorders like sleep apnea. If you are a frequent, loud snorer, see your doctor about being assessed for sleep apnea. Treatments are available and you (and your partner) will have more energy during the day.

9. Children With a Sleep Deficit Will be Tired

Children are different from adults. When children are overtired, their adrenaline kicks in and they seem energetic, even hyper. Children with sleep deficits may have behavior and attention problems. So don't use daytime energy levels to assess your child's sleep; use the clock. Children need an incredible amount of sleep. Find out how much sleep your child needs and troubleshoot your family's schedule to make sure this happens.

10. Insomnia is Caused by Worry

While worry and stress can interfere temporarily with sleep, insomnia is often caused by other factors. Medications and medical conditions can keep a person from falling asleep. These conditions include depression, anxiety, asthma, arthritis and other conditions which worsen at night.

Source: National Institutes of Health; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Your Guide to Healthy Sleep. NIH Publication No. 06-5271.

Tips for a Healthy and Balanced Physical Body

Your body is the only vehicle you have been given for this ride called "Life." Taking good care of your body will ensure a longer, happier ride. The following tips integrate your Body, Mind, and Spirit, which are all required to maintain a healthy, happy body!

1. Healthy diet and nutrition

Health care practitioners will tell you that you have to provide your physical body with high quality fuel if you want it to run properly. Eat a healthy, chemical-free diet high in vital nutrients. Take the herbal and vitamin supplements that will support you in your good health.

2. Get adequate rest

Get the appropriate amount of uninterrupted sleep you need to engage your REM patterns. REM sleep is your nervous system’s way of healing and refueling your body. Also, if you’re feeling overly sluggish, take a short nap or sit and rest. Chronic sleep and sluggishness problems should be reported to your health care provider.

3. Stay focused in the present moment

Feelings of regret or worry about a past event, or worry and anxiety about an upcoming future event are not only a waste of your precious life time. They also add stress to the body, which makes you more susceptible to disease. Stay present and focused on the beauty and gifts this moment is offering you!

4. Just do it! Exercise

Exercise is known to help you live a longer and healthier life. The body needs to stay in action and movement. Move it, or lose it!

5. Mental exercise and stimulation

A healthy physical body includes a sound and sharp mind. Keep challenging your mind to expand, grow, learn, experience, decipher, and explore. Use it, or lose it!

6. Meditate

Not only is meditation simple and fun, it also has been known to reduce your heart rate, reduce your stress level, help you become present in this moment, increase your feelings of peace, serenity, joy, and spiritual faith. This all does the body good!

7. Surround yourself with a great support system - family, friends

Keep yourself surrounded from every side with positive-minded, healthy people who are on YOUR team - People who will care for, support, love, respect, and appreciate you.

8. Laugh often

Recent studies are showing the significance of how laughter, fun, and mirth help keep people healthy, as well as heal sick bodies. Everyone really is a unique, hilarious person. Look for the hilarity in every situation and keep laughing.

9. Keep your thoughts positive

What you put out does come back. So if you want to feel and look great, monitor your thoughts closely to ensure that you are thinking only positive, forwarding thoughts. If you catch yourself thinking a negative thought, simply turn it around into a positive thought.

10. Deal with your emotions

Do not stifle them.If you are avoiding dealing with any emotions that have cropped up in your life, what do you think you are doing to your poor body? It has to store this emotional energy somewhere. Face your feelings, express them healthfully, and whatever you do, stop stuffing them down in to an oozing, black hole of ill health!

Source: About.com by Ronya Banks

Yoga VS Pilates

Yoga vs Pilates - Which is better?

It seems that these days you can hardly turn on a television without hearing someone mention Pilates or Yoga. Articles on Pilates and Yoga fill numerous magazines and it seems “everyone who is anyone” is doing one or the other. Why all the excitement? What is so special about these techniques? What are the similarities and differences between Pilates and Yoga?

Yoga, as we all know it, is aimed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yogis view that the mind and the body are one, and that if it is given the right tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even in the midst of a stress stricken environment. This is one of the foremost reasons why people want to start practicing Yoga - to feel more fit, to be more energetic, be happier and peaceful. The Yoga movements are performed, mostly, in a group setting on a special Yoga mat with an aid of a Yoga instructor. The body's own weight is used for resistance and a great deal of focus is accorded to the flow from one posture into the other. There are many different Yoga styles and they differ in their emphasis. No one style is better than the other. The Style you use is a matter of personal preference or a matter of need.

Yoga Styles and Poses

Vinyasa Yoga, for example, makes use of modified yoga poses that are designed to meet the specific needs of an individual and to enhance healing, flexibility and strength of joints. The poses also intend to promote the feeling of well-being and strength. Practices may also include meditation, reflection, study and other classic elements, but the emphasis of this branch of Yoga practice is on coordinating breath and movement. As you can imagine, given the scope of practice, the inherent therapeutic applications and the heritage of the lineage, the training requirements for teacher certification are extensive.Pilates seek to reach much the same goals, also via a series of controlled movements. The major difference is that the Pilates technique not only has a full complement of matwork, but it incorporates work on the Pilates machines. The emphasis of the exercises is to strengthen the abdominals, improve posture, stabilize and lengthen the spine, improve balance and overall strength. Pilates gives you a longer, leaner, dancer-like line.

Pilates Works the Whole Body

Unlike many other training programs, Pilates works the whole body, emphasizing control, precision and concentration in both the mind and the body. Movements are not performed rapidly or repeated excessively instead, the focus is on quality not quantity. The abdominal muscles, lower back and buttocks ("powerhouse") serve as the center of all movement, allowing the rest of the body to move freely. This focus on core stabilization makes one stronger from the inside out and is critical for the advancement of the client. The low impact nature of Pilates makes it ideal for injury prevention and rehabilitation. Its six principles-concentration, control, centering, breathing, flow and precision-train the body to move efficiently with minimal impact on the body. The balance between strength and flexibility creates a healthy, vigorous and symmetrical workout for all muscle groups resulting in a leaner, more balanced, and stronger body.

Working With Yoga and Pilates in Conjunction

If after reading about both techniques you are still left with a question of which of these two fitness techniques is right for you then here is the answer: Do them both in conjunction! The nature of the techniques makes it easy for them to complement each other. Get the stretch from Yoga and keep it from Pilates. Strengthen your abdominals on the reformer and watch your poses improve. Join the breathing techniques of Pilates and meditative aspect of Yoga into your daily routine and see the stress of your everyday life, begin to dissipate. Both techniques are time-proven, established, and with the help of an experienced instructor, you will surely reach the goals you set up for yourself!

Source: About.com by Phylameana lila Desy

What is cheewajit? (alternative concept for good health)

Cheewajit is the concept of Holistic health which combines “cheewa” that means body with “jit” or mind. These two parts of life depend on each other which can not be separated. When mind is affected, body is also affected. Man can be happy when body and mind work well together as the wholeness.

Living simply along with the natural is the core concept of cheewajit comprising of having the healthy food getting from the natural or less processed food including any healthy products to make the life come out of the materialism society which is the cause of many new sickness in present.

Along with treating the body, it is needed to treat the mind. The goal of practicing the mind is the peace and be able to view the real truth of the earth and life. In contrast with complicated living, living follow cheewajit is as simply as possible, be fresh and consistent with the natural to balance the health and activate immune system inside the body to work efficiently in protection the health.

It may be said that when keeping the health to be fit following cheewajit concept, immune system, the first protection from all the sickness, will work efficiently but whenever there is emergency sickness attacking the body the healing way following cheewajit still hold the view of holistic way which combines many knowledge and various ways as following:
1.using the natural as the medicine
2.using the food as the medicine
3.using the combined medical approach
-Conventional , Orthodox , Allopathic
-Wholistic (Holistic)
-Macrobiotics
-Chinese way and acupuncture
-Ayurveda and yoga
-Thai massage
etc.
4.exercising
-Yoga
-Stretching
-Chiropractic
-Long stick exercise

Before seeing the doctor or treating any alternative medical approach, the best way in taking care the health following cheewajit concept is protecting the health in early time by putting the good habits in daily life in either choosing the cheewajit food, stimulate the physical body to be fresh, curing the exhaustion by drinking R.C. (Rejuvenating Concoction) water which comprises of glucose, DNA/RNA, natural vitamin and mineral, or drinking the fresh fruit or vegetable juice to nourish all the system of health. Another important thing is detoxification, which eradicates the toxin caused from the disease or pollution, resulting in increasing the immune system and at the same time it is required to control the accumulation of new toxin.

Lastly, cheewajit concept is not the complicated living but it is all about the thinking way on the five rules that are living by holding on the nature as the main path, living as simply, living for the better health and mind, living for sharing to others, living for creating the good and equality society. Following this is all the real concept of cheewajit.

Source from Cheewajit.com

Digestive System: Nutrient Absorption

Digested molecules of food, as well as water and minerals from the diet, are absorbed from the cavity of the upper small intestine. The absorbed materials cross the mucosa into the blood, mainly, and are carried off in the bloodstream to other parts of the body for storage or further chemical change. This part of the process varies with different types of nutrients.

Carbohydrates:

An average American adult eats about half a pound of carbohydrate each day. Some of our most common foods contain mostly carbohydrates. Examples are bread, potatoes, pastries, candy, rice, spaghetti, fruits, and vegetables. Many of these foods contain both starch, which can be digested, and fiber, which the body cannot digest.

The digestible carbohydrates are broken into simpler molecules by enzymes in the saliva, in juice produced by the pancreas, and in the lining of the small intestine. Starch is digested in two steps: First, an enzyme in the saliva and pancreatic juice breaks the starch into molecules called maltose; then an enzyme in the lining of the small intestine (maltase) splits the maltose into glucose molecules that can be absorbed into the blood. Glucose is carried through the bloodstream to the liver, where it is stored or used to provide energy for the work of the body.

Table sugar is another carbohydrate that must be digested to be useful. An enzyme in the lining of the small intestine digests table sugar into glucose and fructose, each of which can be absorbed from the intestinal cavity into the blood. Milk contains yet another type of sugar, lactose, which is changed into absorbable molecules by an enzyme called lactase, also found in the intestinal lining.

Protein:

Foods such as meat, eggs, and beans consist of giant molecules of protein that must be digested by enzymes before they can be used to build and repair body tissues. An enzyme in the juice of the stomach starts the digestion of swallowed protein. Further digestion of the protein is completed in the small intestine. Here, several enzymes from the pancreatic juice and the lining of the intestine carry out the breakdown of huge protein molecules into small molecules called amino acids. These small molecules can be absorbed from the hollow of the small intestine into the blood and then be carried to all parts of the body to build the walls and other parts of cells.

Fats:

Fat molecules are a rich source of energy for the body. The first step in digestion of a fat such as butter is to dissolve it into the watery content of the intestinal cavity. The bile acids produced by the liver act as natural detergents to dissolve fat in water and allow the enzymes to break the large fat molecules into smaller molecules, some of which are fatty acids and cholesterol.The bile acids combine with the fatty acids and cholesterol and help these molecules to move into the cells of the mucosa. In these cells the small molecules are formed back into large molecules, most of which pass into vessels (called lymphatics) near the intestine. These small vessels carry the reformed fat to the veins of the chest, and the blood carries the fat to storage depots in different parts of the body.

Vitamins:

The large, hollow organs of the digestive system contain muscle that enables their walls to move. The movement of organ walls can propel food and liquid and also can mix the contents within each organ. Typical movement of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine is called peristalsis. The action of peristalsis looks like an ocean wave moving through the muscle. The muscle of the organ produces a narrowing and then propels the narrowed portion slowly down the length of the organ. These waves of narrowing push the food and fluid in front of them through each hollow organ.

Water and Salt:

Most of the material absorbed from the cavity of the small intestine is water in which salt is dissolved. The salt and water come from the food and liquid we swallow and the juices secreted by the many digestive glands. In a healthy adult, more than a gallon of water containing over an ounce of salt is absorbed from the intestine every 24 hours.

Source: The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Nutrient Density

What Is Nutrient Density?

How do you decide which foods you want to eat? Flavor? Texture? Convenience? Comfort? Many people choose the foods they eat based on immediate gratification, without much thought about the long-term effects of their selections. That often results in choosing foods that taste good, but are not good for you.
What about the nutritional value of the foods you eat? When you choose your foods, be sure to consider the nutrient density of the foods. Nutrient density refers to the amount of nutrients for the given volume of food. Nutrient-dense foods have lots of nutrients, generally with fewer calories. Energy-dense foods have more calories for the volume of food and generally fewer nutrients.

How Nutrient Density Works?
You are hungry and it is a few hours until dinner so you decide you want a snack. You can choose either an apple or a glazed donut. They are roughly the same size and either food works as a quick snack so you can get back to work. Which one do you choose?
Hopefully you chose the apple. Why? The apple has around 80 calories and lots of vitamins, fiber and phytochemicals that will keep you healthy. The fiber and water in the apple will fill your stomach and keep you satisfied until dinner.

The donut has calories. Lots of calories. In fact, the donut has more than 200 calories but it doesn't have many nutrients. There is only about one gram of fiber so it won't keep you feeling full either, so eating that glazed donut will frequently lead to eating a second one. The donut also has lots of unhealthy saturated fat and plenty of sugar. Sure it tastes good, but your body might pay quite a price for the immediate gratification.

You can also compare nutrient density using the amount of calories in the food rather than volume or portion size. Let's compare a cup of carrot slices to four saltine crackers. Both snacks have about 50 calories, but the carrots have many more nutrients for the same number of calories. The carrots are nutrient dense; the crackers are energy dense. This is important for people on weight-loss diets. Foods that are low in calories, but high in fiber and other vitamins, will keep you satisfied and healthy while you lose weight.

Foods That Are Nutrient Dense

You can probably already see from the examples that brightly colored fruits and vegetables are big winners in nutrient density. That's good, because you know that any time you choose fruits or vegetables you are making a great food choice, no matter what diet you are on.

Other nutrient dense foods include dark green vegetables, low-fat meat, fish, low-fat dairy and even fortified foods. Energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods include things that are high in sugar and fat such as refined white breads, pasta, pastries, processed lunch meats and cheeses, ice cream, candy, soda, potato chips and corn chips. In other words, junk food.

Choosing nutrient-dense foods at the grocery store is pretty easy if you stay along the edges of the store, where the produce, fresh meats, low-fat dairy and bakery goods are found. These fresh foods may be more expensive than the energy-dense packaged foods, but you buy more nutrition for that price. Of course, most shoppers choose some packaged foods for convenience, but you can still make smart choices with those products -- just read the labels.

You can easily find the nutrient facts labels on the backs or sides of the packages. Look at the serving sizes, note the number of calories per serving and look at the amount of fiber, vitamins, calcium and iron. The packaged food that has the better combination of lower calories, higher nutrients and less sodium is the winner.

Nutrient-Dense Meals

You can prepare nutrient-dense meals by choosing nutrient-dense foods and ingredients for your dishes. A nutrient-dense meal should have one serving of a healthy protein source such as legumes, fish, poultry or low-fat meat. One serving is typically about the size of a pack of playing cards. The rest of the meal should be made up of healthy side dishes. Vegetables are always good, even with a little bit of cheese or sauce. Whole-grain pastas, brown rice and wild rice are good choices as well. A green salad with lots of vegetables can make a nice nutrient-dense side dish or can be a great meal on its own. Clear soups with lots of vegetables are nutrient dense compared to cream soups which have more calories and are more energy dense.

Would I Ever Choose Foods That Are Energy Dense?People who are underweight need some energy-dense foods to make sure they are getting enough calories to gain weight. Healthy energy dense foods include peanut butter, dried fruits, starchy vegetables and cheese.
Why Should I Think About Nutrient Density?Eating nutrient-dense food will ensure you are getting all the nutrition you need. A nutrient-dense diet won't leave you feeling hungry so maintaining your weight is much easier. Choosing nutrient dense foods can become second nature. Once you understand which foods are more nutrient dense, the rest is easy. Just remember that the foods you eat can affect your health in a big way. To be healthy or unhealthy? The choice is yours.

Sources:
Darmon N, Darmon, M, Maillot M, Drewnowski A. "A nutrient density standard for vegetables and fruits: nutrients per calorie and nutrients per unit cost." J Am Diet Assoc. 2005 Dec;105(12):1881-7.
Ledikwe JH, Blanck HM, Khan LK, Serdula MK, Seymour JD, Tohill BC, Rolls BJ. "Low-energy-density diets are associated with high diet quality in adults in the United States." J Am Diet Assoc. 2006 Aug;106(8):1172-80.
Drewnowski A. "Concept of a nutritious food: toward a nutrient density score." Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Oct;82(4):721-32.

What Foods Are Great For a Natural Body Detox

When you are thinking about a body detox plan, there is a good chance that you are suffering from all the signs of having too many toxins your system; you are lethargic, tired all the time, and probably fighting depression on top of it. When you are looking for ways towards a full body detox, you'll find that you are often told to eat better, but what does that mean? The fact is, there are many foods that you can eat that will have an excellent whole body detox effect on you, so make sure that you stock up the next time that you are at the grocery store!
1.Broccoli Spears: You'll find that broccoli has some very powerful antioxidants at work in it, and they are also hard at work when it comes to be an enzyme stimulator. Many people balk from eating this vegetable, but try it again as an adult, even if you hated it as a little kid; this is surprisingly tasty when steamed and it is used in many a body detox recipe.
2.Lemons Not only do lemons provide you with a good dose of Vitamin C, you'll find that it can be a great way to keep your body regulated as well. Mix up some fresh-squeezed lemonade and make sure that you drink it down; lemons contain some powerful antioxidants in form that is very easy to absorb into your system during a body detox plan.
3.Leafy greens In a word, salads! Leafy green vegetables can be integrated into any body detox recipe and you'll find that the chlorophyll in them helps you sweep out toxins that include heavy metals and pesticides. Leafy greens are excellent for the liver. Make sure that you choose the heftier types of lettuces, though; iceberg lettuce doesn't have very much when it comes to nutrients, but romaine and spinach are excellent.
4.Garlic Lets hope you like Asian food or Italian food, because one of the best detox foods for you out there is garlic. When you are sick, the sulfur in garlic can help kill of the germs, and you'll find that it is quite powerful when it comes to helping protect your heart and your liver. You'll find that eating garlic is one of the healthiest things that you can do on a body detox diet
5.Fish When you are looking to do a home body detox, you should typically stay away from meats, but fish for the most part is significantly better for you than any sort of red meats. Not only will you get a good complement of the good kind of oils, you will also see that eating salmon and halibut can help your body cleanse itself of cravings for heavier meats.
6.Just about any kind of fruit Fruits are great because they can help you beat a craving for refined sugars when you are easing into a body detox diet. Take some time and figure out what fruits you like. Many nutritionists are saying that red fruits are great for helping you detox, so pile on the cranberries and strawberries. You'll find that fruit can be a great way to kill hunger pangs and to have some really wonderfully tasty treats at any point in the day.
This is the beginning of great foods to eat when you are looking forward to a body detox plan, so don't stop here! Look for more ways that you can do some spring cleaning on your body!
John Khu is a health enthusiast and author of a new eBook titled "Body Detox Tips". He is devoted to educate others on the benefit of body detoxification. He is also the owner of the website called http://www.bodydetoxtips.com/ - which provides complete and up-to-date information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Bj_Khu

Foods to Avoid to Be Healthy and Fit

There are a number of foods that you will want to avoid if you are trying to get healthy and lose weight. These are animal based products, white flour, refined sugar, stimulants, and any foods made with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats (trans- fats). All of these can be very harmful on your health and exercise program.
Animal based foods consist of meat, milk-based products, bouillon, eggs, and also fish and shellfish. These food products have been correlated with many chronic diseases. These protein based products have a tendency to contaminate the body, are not used efficiently for energy, and do not maintain healthy biochemical activities. These foods also contain a lot of cholesterol, which the body already manufactures by itself.
White flour forms a sticky substance in the intestines, and increases GI deregulation and constipation. Refined white sugar is found almost everywhere, and is also classified as a stimulant. Consuming refined white sugar will cause your body to crave even more refined sugar, an effect not observed with natural sugars. Check the "Nutrition Facts" label on all products. Stimulants can quickly change a mental and/or physical well being. Stimulants can temporarily make us feel good, but only for a short time, and then you will crash! Make a good effort to steer clear of stimulants like refined white sugar coffee, alcohol, spices, and red meats. By all means, for your health and safety, don't smoke or use stimulating drugs!
Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils (trans- fats) are utilized to extend a food's shelf-life. Their consumption has been shown to have disastrous health consequences. On food labels, these fats are also described as margarine and shortening. Stay away from fast food restaurants, as they use a lot of these oils and fats. Go to restaurants that are more likely to prepare their foods from scratch, and don't use foods that contain these oils. So, be careful about what you put into your body. A list of foods that contain these oils can be found in the second reference of this article.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Owens