Friday, February 2, 2007

Plan The Shop & Lose Weight!

Flaxseed, called linseed in some countries, is a good source of
dietary fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans. Flax seed oils
is the form in which the oil was extracted from the seed.
Omega-3 fatty acids which contain the majority of flax seed
health benefits are very susceptible to heat.

You can either buy the seeds just like that, or you can buy the
flax supplements in pill form. Whatever you fell more
comfortable with.

Another study has found that omega-3 fatty acids, and by
extension, flaxseed, can reduce the risk of macular
degeneration, which is an eye disease that destroys vision by
damaging nerve cells in the eye. In one study men with prostate
cancer who ate an ounce of ground flaxseeds (almost three
tablespoons) a day as part of a very-low-fat diet were able to
slow the progress of their cancers between the time they were
diagnosed and the time of surgery.

Empower Your Shopping Experience

Healthy living begins with healthy eating and healthy eating
begins with healthy shopping...

Regardless of what nutritional program you are following -
whether it is low fat, no-sugar, low carbohydrate, or based on
some other method - there are always healthier choices that can
be made when you are shopping. Support your nutritional program
week-by-week and day-by-day by ensuring that you stock up on
the wholesome foods you need for your meals and snacks. Having
the right food on hand helps you avoid eating the wrong things
such as food, which are too high in fat, calories, sodium, and
sugar. Additionally, shopping wisely helps you eat more of the
good things like fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Use the suggestions below to avoid supermarket "traps" and help
stay on track...

Plan The Shop & Shop The Plan

Put on your 'thinking cap' and make a list of the foods you
need before you shop and stick closely to it. Plan your
shopping around your favourite meals and recipes & don't be
tempted by those wayward specials that may fall outside of the
foods best for your program. HALT! Don't Shop When You're
Hungry-Angry-Lonely-Tired

Heed this word and make sure to eat before you shop to avoid
impulse buying or stocking up on items you may regret later.

Begin With Colours Fill up your shopping cart first in the
produce section with lots of vitamin-rich vegetables and
fruits. Select a variety of colours, flavours and textures to
add interest and variety to your meals. Be adventurous and go
for exotic fruits or vegetables that you may not usually
choose.

Choose Individual Servings

When buying chicken, fish or meat, get single meal-size
servings that you can freeze and use as needed. That way you'll
always have good-quality fresh protein on hand and won't be
tempted to eat more than your body wants. Likewise, buy fresh
vegetables like mini carrots in small packages too. They'll
stay fresh and make convenient "on-the-go" snacks.

Read Labels

Like the omega-3s found in fish, it appears to reduce the risk
of heart disease and numerous other ailments. The primary
sources of omega-6 are corn, soy, canola, safflower and
sunflower oil; these oils are overabundant in the typical diet,
which explains our excess omega-6 levels.

Diets high in lignans can lead to a lower chance of getting
colon, prostate, and breast cancer. Flax is 100 times richer in
lignan than most whole grains. The lignan constituents of
flaxseed (not flaxseed oil) possesses in vitro anti-oxidant and
possible estrogen receptor agonist/antagonist properties,
prompting theories of efficacy for the treatment of breast
cancer.

Flax seeds contain vitamin E and B. The seeds are also rich in
zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, nickel, calcium and many other
essential minerals.

Supermarket aisles are avenues to greater nutritional knowledge
as the food label offers more complete, useful and accurate
nutrition information than ever before. Become a fervent 'label
reader' and scrutinize packaged foods, dressings and sauces
before purchasing.

Avoid The "Aisle Of Weakness"

In all honesty, everyone has their "aisle of weakness"-be it
the ice cream, cakes or sweet section. Do yourself a favour and
avoid mouth watering temptation by steering completely clear of
the entire area. And this "aisle" (or "aisles") is usually
found in the centre! So, shop the perimeter of the store first,
which is where you find the healthier foods.

Tantalize & Excite Your Taste Buds

Stimulate your palate and your recipes with the inspiration of
fresh herbs like basil, ginger, lemongrass and cilantro. In
addition, stock up on spices that can literally transform an
ordinary meal into an exotic dish. Actively pursue variety.
Expand your range of choices and explore new tastes, within and
among food groups. Eating a wide variety of foods not only
promotes optimal nutrition but also provides us with the
'pleasure factor'.

Don't Feel Deprived

Even though there are certain foods you'll want to avoid on
your nutritional program, the supermarket is packed with a
great variety of health-friendly food items. By choosing a
variety of the foods you enjoy, and watching your portions, you
need never feel deprived -no matter what foods you choose. Make
moderation your goal, you decide how much and how often.
Healthy eating doesn't mean feeling deprived or guilty.

Final Check

Before you check out, ask yourself (honestly!) if there is any
item in your shopping cart that you could remove to better
support your program. Put yourself and your optimal nutritional
program before all else.

When you shop healthily, it is a great contributor to the 'feel
good factor'!! Additionally, consider clearing your cupboards
and fridge of any foods that don't support your program. With
only great-tasting nutritious foods around you can cook up a
healthy storm and enjoy your meals & snacks to the fullest -and
enjoy the pleasurable aspects of eating and... living!

The truth is that although the odds of surviving bypass surgery
have improved since the operation was introduced, bypass surgery
kills anywhere from 2% to 4% of the patients on the operating
table, and more within a few months. Why is Flaxseed called the
miracle food? Find out at http://www.flaxseedfitness.com Avoid
or limit these oils. Omega-3, meanwhile, is typically found in
flaxseed oil, walnut oil, and fish. However, flax seed oil is
the best oil where Omega-3 and Omega-6 are balanced.

Essential fatty acids are further metabolized into hormone-like
substances in the cell known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins
are involved in the regulation of many important physiological
functions.

Let me first address the issue of fat. Fat seems to receive a
lot of reprimand but the fact is we all need fat; fat helps
nutrient absorption, nerve transmission, maintaining cell
membrane integrity etc. However, when consumed in excess
amount, fat contributes to weight gain, heart disease and
certain types of cancer.

Does Omega 3 Lowers Cholesterol? Does Flaxseed Oil Prevent
Cancer too? Most of the nutrients are contains in the flax
seed. So from a nutritional standpoint, flax seeds are the way
to go. BUT, the flax seed oil gives you a concentrated source
of the "good" fats we are looking for. Which would give the oil
an edge!

About The Author: Why is Flaxseed called the miracle food? Find
out at http://www.flaxseedfitness.com

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