Facts About Junk Food Addiction

Cocaine, Heroin, Hershey's, Fritos-what do all of these substances have in common? Recent studies suggest that junk food has some of same addictive properties as hard drugs like cocaine and heroin as they stimulate the brain in a similar fashion in terms of satisfaction and the need for another 'fix'.

Sugar, salt, and fat seem to be the dangerous ingredients finding their way to the brain's pleasure centre, hitting what's known as the bliss point causing the brain to feel rewarded, but only for a short period of time before requiring a secondary dose of the source, and as this cycle progresses the need for the substance becomes greater, more frequent, and in higher doses to get the same pleasurable feeling. This drives craving and addictive behaviour, and in turn, increased consumption of these junk foods. The corporations responsible for the production of these foods have it down to a science-neuroscience. They have manipulated the levels of sugar, salt, and fats in such a way to cause that 'high' that consumers have come to expect when enjoying their favourite snacks.

Why sugar? As mentioned, sugar drives the brain to reach its bliss point, resulting in the euphoric spike and quick decline of satisfaction working the craving/response cycle.

The fat? The pleasure derived from the fat is known in the industry as the 'mouth feel'. The tactile sensation of something crispy or gooey for example that triggers a similar response to sugar in the pleasure centre.

And the Salt? Salt is mostly about flavour and increased shelf life. It's about that overwhelming burst of satisfying salty flavour that drives the brain to crave more. We have all heard the saying from the popular chip brand Lay's that state "Bet you can't eat just one". Lay's and other similar companies bank on this bet and have used just the right combination of the sugar, salt, fat, and other natural and artificial flavour enhancers to ensure repeat customers.

While the brain is manipulated internally, we are also sold on these products before they even entre our bodies. Mass marketing has been done to ensure our subconscious is continually blasted with media such as print ads and commercials, jingles, and slogans that keep them top of mind when reaching for our next movie snack or work break fix. Their packaging is also done to appeal to the eye with bright colours and wording that gets them from the shelves to our carts without even really wanting them!

First world countries, while have both the knowledge on why these products are unhealthy and the access to whole foods and healthy alternatives, continue to select over-processed, engineered, high-calorie, low-nutritional value foods. Why? Because it's become an addiction. The conglomerates have used the above methods to get us hooked on these foods much like the cigarette companies have continued to keep millions smoking when the risks have been presented to the buyer right on the packaging! Just saying 'No' may no longer be the issue, nor a lack of will power either.

Junk Food Addiction has led to some morbid obesity in the US & Canada and it's time for a change. Challenge yourself to spend 90% of your family food budget on whole foods and only 10% on processed, packaged foods. This simple change can alter your diet and health tenfold! Shake excess weight not only with diet, but add exercise, and increase hydration to see best results. Help fight against junk food addiction and tell corporations such as Lay's that "Yes we can eat just one, only we choose to eat none".

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1. Junk Food
2. Facts about junk food addiction

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Elements of The Best Workout For Women

There are a few things that have been proven true in regards to health and fitness. One is eating well is an absolute must, and the second is that if you work out often, you will lose weight. The two go hand in hand very well and the results that you want are waiting for you if you simply adhere to the two sided coin mentioned here. When it comes to finding the best workout for women, you'll need to explore certain elements. There are some familiar elements that are true about the best options, and if they aren't found in the routine that you want to get into, than you might miss out on something grand. It's for that reason that the following notes on the matter are so important. Remember, to keep the following in mind when looking for the best fit for your needs.

Natural Progression

When you first start on any exercise plan, you don't want to be at an expert level. For instance, if you were a runner, you wouldn't begin your runs with marathons. You would start with walking, then jogging, and eventually a bit more, and more until you're ready to take on longer options. The same can be said about workouts that are being marketed for women's health. Make sure that there's a natural progression and that you're not just doing the same thing over and over again, without changes. The body is a machine and often times when it knows routine, it will stop showcasing results. Changing things up from time to time is crucial, and that should be evident in what you're subscribing to for daily life.

Resistance Training

This is often times met with disdain, but it's absolutely a good thing for women of all body types. Resistance training does not mean that you're going to be a body builder, but rather that you will be utilizing weight lifting in a way that will help the body become leaner and more sculpted. Often time's women think that the idea of "weight gain" means fat cells and deposits. That's not true, sometimes it is a matter of fat weighing less than muscle, so the scale may say 120 pounds, but if you're lean and muscular, the numbers won't matter, will they?

Proven Results

The #1 thing to look for when trying to subscribe to the best workout for women, is simple, does it work? Look online and ask around to see if there are proven results and reviews about anything that you want to do. Whether you want to work on endurance, core training, or just about any type of exercise today, make certain that the results speak for themselves. If there is no review or any opinion written about it, you may find that it's not worth your time.

The above tips are to help you decide what the right path of weight loss is for you. There are a lot of ways to get there, which is why the aforementioned is crucial in your search. Not only will it narrow down the field, it will help in the long term as well.

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Weight Loss Smoothie Fast: A Guide for Beginners

A smoothie fast is both a convenient way to eat healthy and an efficient method to supply your body with essential vitamins, minerals and other much-needed nutrients. It also offers a variety of health benefits like weight loss, detox and energy boost - no wonder why thousands of people are crazy about green smoothies. So think about this: if you already started with going raw for a weight loss diet consuming just fresh fruits and vegetables, just throw the produce into a good blender and you've got yourself a delicious, healthy glass of smoothie. Easy, right?

Here are a few beginner tips for going through your first smoothie fast:

Preparation

Whether you're going through a smoothie fast for weight loss or for detox, one important thing to remember is to ease into it. Your body needs to prepare and adjust to a new diet before it can respond to it. Start by drinking a glass or two of green smoothies per day along with your regular meals. Then lessen your intake of solid foods by replacing one meal a day with smoothies until you can replace all three meals with just smoothies.

Duration

There isn't actually a number of days set in stone for beginners, but most smoothie fast first-timers go for 3 days. The first 72 hours will help you get a grasp of the diet and find out how it affects your body so you can better prepare and adjust for your next one. According to online dietician and nutrition consultant Priya Kathpal, anyone who is trying to lose weight and has no serious medical conditions can follow the diet, provided they do it with caution.

Some people do a smoothie fast between 3 days to 1 week, 4 times a year (per season) for maintenance. Others do longer smoothie fasts. You can do longer than 3 days once you and your body have adjusted to the all-liquid diet to avoid heath problems. It is also highly important that you seek the advice of your doctor before going through a smoothie fast.

Fruits and Vegetables

As much as possible, use organic fruits and vegetables to get the most out of them. Produce that have been grown traditionally have more toxins in them because of pesticide use. Start with simple, basic recipes with produce that are easily available on the market.

So the next time you go the grocery store or market, head straight to the fruits and vegetable section and start making green smoothies for a healthier body.

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weight loss programs that work

Weight Loss Programs that Work

In my experience the only weight loss programs that work, are the ones that combine a proper diet, with diet supplements and of course exercise. Unfortunately there is no magic pill that actually strips your body of those excess pounds and flabby areas around your midsection. So if you are looking for weight loss programs that work, you are going to have to increase your level of physical activity. The magic number is a minimum of 30 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week, however I feel that number should be a minimum of 45 minutes to an hour, 3-5 times a week. A good routine can include walking, running, group fitness classes, sports or even working out in a gym.

***** NOTE ****** If you are going to use a gym spend a little money and have a personal trainer set you up with a program and monitor and track your progress. It will be well worth it.

Weight loss programs that work also include a dietary factor, where depending on your goals or what your objective is you can create a diet that will help you reach that goal. For example a high protein and low carbohydrate diet if you are looking to lose weight and gain muscle. Diets are not my area of expertise however there is an unlimited number of sources of information on this subject on the internet and there are thousands of books on this subject. Weight loss programs have to include a diet of some sort or else we would all have beach bodies while super sizing our fast food meals!!!

*****NOTE**** Consult a nutrition specialist for help with your diet, and always consult your physician before starting an exercise program.

Finally, weight loss programs must also include some sort of supplement that will help speed up the process. I personally like to use natural products like: Raspberry Ketones, Green Coffee Bean Extract, Garcinia Cambogia and African Mango Extract. The market is literally flooded with such products, so do your due diligence before purchasing. Make sure the product you are choosing is the right one for your desired effect. I personally like to get the most bang for my buck, therefore I pay extra attention the strength (aka amount of supplement per capsule) and the number of capsules per container.

Weight loss programs that work are out there and I wish you luck in your search. Hard work and determination combined with a weight loss program will help you reach your goals.

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Easy Ways Anyone Can Lose That Weight

Don't skip meals. Skipping meals is one of the biggest mistakes anyone trying to lose weight can make. Skipping meals not only deprives your body of precious energy it could be using to workout, it also messes with your metabolism. Instead of skipping meals, plan healthy ones full of nutrients.

Eliminating, or at least reducing, your red meat consumption can be a fantastic way to start losing weight. Red meats are extremely high in cholesterol and saturated fats, both of which are terrible for your heart. Instead of red meat, opt for leaner meats such as tuna, turkey, chicken or other fish.

To lose weight, most people simply must eat less and move more. Eating fewer calories is very helpful when losing weight, but burning more calories by increasing the level of activity works in combination with the reduction in calories to help people shed weight. People are encouraged to continue the regimen once they see that this method is successful.

Start reading labels to help in your weight loss goal. Reading labels will assure you know what you are putting in your body, otherwise, you really have no idea. Knowing what you're putting in your body will give you a better idea of the reason your weight loss is successful or not successful.

When you decide to get fit, do not be tempted by the bewildering array of home exercise equipment offered for sale. None of these products are really necessary for the beginning of a modest fitness regimen. As you progress towards overall fitness and start looking for more intense workout options, you will realize that joining a gym is a more economical and effective alternative to buying home exercise gizmos.

Simply turning down the temperature on your thermostat can have a big impact on your overall weight loss. Studies have shown that people who go to sleep in a cooler environment (not exceeding 70 degrees) burn an extra 100 to 200 calories per day. This is due to a process called non-shivering thermogenesis.

Splitting your restaurant meal in half, reserving a portion to eat and a portion to take home with you, can help you stay on track with your weight loss plan. Remove all temptation to overeat by requesting that the waiter put half of your meal in a to-go container before he even serves you the meal.

Take your time when you sit down to eat. Not only will you eat less because you are eating deliberately, but you will also take in less air, resulting in less gas, overall. Eating slowly can also make eating a more enjoyable experience, since you have more time to taste your meal.

Plan out your meals throughout the day so you won't be tempted to cheat. You want to make sure that you know what you are going to eat and the nutritional facts of your food before you eat them. This is why it's good to plan out your meals beforehand so you know how much you are eating. You don't want to get caught up in a rush to eat and settle for fast food because it's your only option available. Make sure you only consume what's good for you and your body in it's weight loss efforts.

As you can see, weight loss is something that anyone can do with a simple plan and determination. There's no better time than the present to apply your new knowledge and start working off your weight to reveal a healthier, more attractive version of yourself hiding beneath the fat!

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Weight Loss Diet Food

Diet plays a major role in a person's overall weight loss journey. Without proper diet even if he keeps on going to the gym, he will not achieve the figure that he's aspiring for. Most people when they hear the word 'diet', they immediately think of eating less and even force their body to hunger which could pose serious health problems later on. What the word proper diet really means is eating the right food at the right amount. Losing weight through proper diet doesn't mean that you have to enroll in a diet program or coax together a concoction that will force you to vomit and feel so weak.

Like I said, proper diet is about eating the right kind of food at the right amount. Here are some of them.

1. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein and other essential nutrients. They make great substitute for other meat products. The great thing about them is that they won't harm your body as well. Make it a point to have an egg for breakfast every single day. Omelets and scrambled eggs would be an awesome idea.

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are great antioxidants. They help you prevent health problems such as hypertension and diabetes by removing free radicals in your body. Aside from that, they could also help you slow down the aging process.

3. Bananas

Bananas can greatly decrease water retention especially for women. Most people think that bananas are not a good weight loss food but actually it is. It can also help your skin become a lot firmer and have more energy for your body.

4. Oats

A lot of people who are serious with trimming down their food intake usually eat oats especially for dinner. The great thing about oats is that they can make you feel full so you don't need to worry about food cravings even in between meals.

These are just some food that only a few people know that could greatly help them cut down their intake and eventually help them lose weight. Always remember that it when it comes to proper dieting, you have to do your research first and determine whether a certain food can help you lose weight or not.

It is also important that you ask your physician first before adding a new type of food into your diet regimen. It would also be wise to ask a nutritionist as well.

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How to Lose Weight Without The Hunger Pains

With fifty percent of all adults throughout the world struggling with weight problems, diets are always in high demand. The problem with many diets is that the dieter is left hungry between meals, this leads to binge eating or giving up on the diet completely.

The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to adopt a healthy eating plan. Healthy eating plans can be easily incorporated into a busy lifestyle and changes the way the person eats for the rest of their lives. This means they not only lose the weight, but they keep it off.

When choosing a quick weight loss diet, dieters are left starved, their energy levels are reduced and when they stop the diet, they load the pounds back on. It's not the ideal solution.

With healthy eating, such as a gluten free diet plan, dieters are able to stick to the diet for extended periods and incorporate it into their lifestyles moving forward. So they lose weight and maintain the weight loss with ease.

A healthy diet helps dieters lose weight at a steady rate, rather than an overnight weight loss which leaves you hungry until the next meal. A healthy diet incorporates fruit and vegetables and cutting your meals into six to eight smaller meals can assist with metabolism.

The gluten free diet plan is a great way to maintain a healthy and well balanced diet. Gluten is found in many wheat's and grains, the diet is usually used by those with celiac disease. In recent years the gluten free diet plan has proved successful when it comes to weight loss by cutting out the refined carbohydrates which you get with flour based foods.

As with any diet water is an essential part of the dieting process. Everyone should carry a bottle of water with them wherever they go, constantly sipping on it throughout the day. Water doesn't contain any calories, so is a better choice than fruit juices and other drinks.

Water also plays an important role in weight loss, it fills you up and it helps with the metabolism of stored fats. Six to eight glasses of water a day is desired to offer weight loss results while enjoying a healthy and well balanced eating plan.

In order to lose weight and not feel hungry all the time, it's advisable to stay away from the quick diet fads on offer. Quick diets which guarantee fast weight loss are hard to maintain for any period of time. In most cases you are left starved from morning to night as you drastically reduce your calorie intake. This can also leave you with reduced energy levels and a general "unwell" feeling.

Rather choose a healthy eating plan, such as a gluten free diet plan, which is easy to follow and maintain for the rest of your life, increasing your energy levels and helping you lose weight at a pace that can be maintained for years to come.

With millions of adults being overweight or obese around the world, the main reason for weight loss isn't looks, but rather health related. A healthy and balanced diet can reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and much more. A gluten free diet plan can offer a host of health benefits to ensure you are living a healthier lifestyle moving forward.

Any diet you choose is one you should be able to follow for the long term. A healthy eating plan, such as the gluten free diet plan, is easy to follow and can be maintained for years to come, helping you lose the weight and keep it off.

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Food Habits When You Go to Gym

GYM AND FOOD HABITS
The days when you perform workouts in gym, you must eat and sleep well. It is necessary to consume nutrient rich food during these days. If the diet did not have enough nutrients it may cause negative impacts on health. There are chances for the muscles to deteriorate if enough food is not taken during gym activities. It is necessary to take in all kinds of food rich in proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals before and after work outs. However it is not possible to eat all types of food rich in variety of nutrients prescribed here but you can choose your favorites based on nutrients, from important food items, which are mandatory when you perform workouts in gym.
BANANAS AND MIXED VEGETABLES
The bananas comprise of lot of potassium content in it. Thus, consuming slices of banana before work out will help you when you sweat. You can consume all kinds of raw vegetables in the form of slices or eat bread sandwich. The vegetables include cucumber, carrot, and even cabbage. The potassium rich food items help you in giving stamina during the work outs.
MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS
The fat rich foods can be taken which will take a long time to digest. Thus, it will provide energy during the entire work out. Especially when you are planning for workout for a long time, then yogurt in empty stomach can be very helpful as it contains a lot of fat. You can eat chocolates and other sweets which provide instant energy to the body.
CARBOHYDRATE RICH FOODS (Only the days you go to workouts)
An important point to note is that only when you go to gym and perform a lot of workouts, it is advisable to have a lot of carbohydrate rich food in your diet or else it may cause obesity or other problems. When you stop going to workouts, then reduce considerable quantity of carbohydrates in your diet as well. You can boil potatoes and peel the skin and eat it before the work out. Increasing the rice content in regular diet will help you during gym work outs. Cakes comprise of large amount of carbohydrates. You can have one piece either before or after the workout. Once a week, you can have pizzas in your diet which is also rich in carbohydrates.
PROTEIN RICH FOODS
It is very important that you take protein rich foods in your daily routine when you perform workouts in gym. The proteins help you build muscles and also helps in growth of damaged muscles. Proteins is good from non-vegetarian foods like chicken, meat and fish. Egg is very important food item that you must add in your diet especially during workouts. If you are a vegetarian, and do not eat egg, then a lot of care must be taken to consume enough proteins. Workout without enough food will lead to damage of muscles. The quantity of nuts, milk, green leafy vegetables etc. must be doubled during workouts.
HYDRATION IS COMPULSORY
The days you are working out in a gym it is very important that you hydrate yourself very well. It is not advisable to drink water while you are literally working out, however you can have a maximum of one tumbler in breaks. It is necessary to have a lot of juices as it helps to maintain good blood circulation. You can have fruit juices or glucose or any other energy drink as it provides instant energy to the body. Thus with proper care for your foods and performing workouts in right manner, you can be physically healthy and fit.

Osagu, Joseph Chinalu is a freelance writer. He resides in Nigeria and writes on a variety of subjects.

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healthy fish recipes

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Fish is one of the healthiest meats that you can eat, but most people have no idea how to cook these healthy fish recipes. I am not talking about the frozen fish fillets that can be full of sodium or have other non-healthy breading on them;healthy fish recipes, I am talking about fish such as salmon, tune, or mackerel healthy fish recipes.

Because of the great amount of omega-3 fatty acids these fish contain the American Heath Association recommends that you eat this sort of fish twice a week. healthy fish recipes These fish can be cooked in an array of ways that will bring a healthy but tasty fish dish to your table.healthy fish recipes.

One great healthy fish recipe is Baked Salmon. This dish is easy to prepare and is sure to please even the meticulous of people at your dinner table.healthy fish recipes.

For this recipe you will need: 

1 ounce can of salmon,
8 ounces of tomato sauce,
½ teaspoon of hot sauce,
3 tablespoons of Miracle Whip,
1 sliced tomato,
1 ounce of grated low fat cheddar cheese,
3 tablespoons of cream or milnot,
1 teaspoon of garlic powder,
salt and pepper to taste.
Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Flake the salmon and place it into a medium sized oven pan.healthy fish recipes In a bowl, mix the tomato sauce, cream, salt, and garlic powder. Pour over the salmon. Place the tomato slices on top in a decorative manner and then scatter the cheese on top.healthy fish recipes Bake until cheese is melted.

You can try this recipe with either tuna or mackerel as well. healthy fish recipes Either type of fish will bring a delightful taste to your palate that is sure to become a family favorite. Along with your healthy fish recipe, you can prepare other green vegetables such as fresh green beans, broccoli, or Brussel sprouts. However, if want something quick,healthy fish recipes just fix a green salad.

No matter which type of fish you choose, your healthy fish recipe will be enjoyed time and time again. You may wish to try adding other vegetables such as onion, green pepper, or even zucchini for a unique and tasty treat.

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healthy fish recipes healthy fish recipe, healthy baked fish recipes, healthy fish recipes for dinner, healthy tuna fish recipes, heart healthy fish recipes, healthy white fish recipes, fish recipes healthy, ish recipes,

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Honey and Weight Loss

Honey and weight loss are often associated. Why is honey a smarter choice than table sugar if you are watching your weight and what you eat?

Refined dietary sugars lack minerals and vitamins and are often called empty calories. They draw upon the body's nutrients to be metabolized into the system, and when these nutrients are depleted, metabolizing of cholesterol and fatty acid is impeded, contributing to higher cholesterol and promoting obesity due to higher fatty acid on the organs and tissues. The good news is that honey, a natural sweetener, on the other hand, contains 22 amino acids and a variety of minerals essential for its metabolism and hence is helpful in preventing obesity. It is believed that drinking lemon juice with a little honey the first thing in the morning is an effective anti cellulite treatment as it helps to increase body metabolism. If you are determined to shed weight and speed up your sluggish metabolism, try this honey and lemon diet tip. If you like, another very popular recipe associated with honey and weight loss is a drink that uses honey and cinnamon as ingredients. Many people have found this home remedy very effective in losing pounds. The steps are easy: Dissolve half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder (or ground cinnamon) in a cup of boiling water. Stir the mixture and cover for half an hour. Filter away any big particles and add a teaspoon of honey. Take it in the morning with an empty stomach about half an hour before breakfast.

For people who tend to overeat or feel discomfort in the stomach after meals, honey can be taken for better digestion. Honey is a simple carbohydrate that one safely take during fasting because it contains easily digested sugars. Foods that are rich in sugars or complexes of sugars are carbohydrates. How the sugars are arranged will determine whether we call a food a source of simple or complex carbohydrates. When sugars are bound into rows, as they are in starches such as whole grains and legumes, they are called complex carbohydrates. It takes the body much longer to digest the sugar from a complex carbohydrate.

The latest theory based on the hibernation diet also builds a link between fructose-rich honey and weight loss. It suggests taking a generous spoonful or two of honey at night, either as a warm drink or straight from the jar, and promises to help us sleep and lose weight at the same time by fuelling the liver, speeding up fat-burning metabolism and easing stress hormones.

And if you are considering artificial sugar or sweetener like Aspartame to help you lose weight, you are putting yourself completely on the wrong track. It might get you off from a few calories but it gives you a bunch of other serious health problems. Read about this sweet poison in The Silent, Sweet Killer -- Aspartame

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