New Food Pyramid Guide - How Is It Different From The Old One

The food pyramid gives us an idea of the foods our body needs and the portions we should eat. Health officials have recently begun to rethink the food pyramid resulting in a new food pyramid.

The Food Pyramid tells you the amounts of food you should eat each day to stay healthy and maintain a proper weight. It divides food into five main food groups bread and cereals, fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy.

Different foods fit into each of these categories. For example, under the protein category there are all meats and poultry as well as eggs, beans and nuts. This food guide has recommended portions of food for men, women and children. Fats, oils and sweets do not make up a separate category because the body only needs smaller amounts of them.

Many people now believe that the food guide pyramid was developed on less than accurate research information. A new food pyramid is being developed that have not changed the number of portions that people need to have in their daily diet. They have added different foods that should be part of a healthy diet. These are:

* Whole grains these are the best foods to supply the body with the carbohydrates it needs. Oatmeal, whole wheat bread and bran are excellent sources. The body has more difficulty digesting whole grains, so this is very helpful in treating and preventing diabetes.

* Plant Oils the original food guide pyramid frowned on the use of oils as being unhealthy. Good sources of healthy unsaturated fats are olive, canola, soy, corn sunflower and peanut oils. They help to lower cholesterol levels in the body.
Vegetables a diet rich in vegetables helps to prevent heart attacks.

* Fish, Poultry and Eggs a main source of protein rather than animal meats.
Dairy or Calcium Supplement This comes from milk and cheese.

* Red meat and butter the new food guide pyramid advises to eat these foods sparingly.

* Vitamin Supplements this new food pyramid recognizes that we do not get all the essentials the body needs from our food and that we should take dietary supplements to ensure all the organs have what they need.

Check out www.1-stop-fitness.com for articles on yoga exercise mats and exercise equipment rowing machine.

Raw Food Health Solutions For Asthma

How can Raw Foods Benefit my Asthma?

Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the world, affecting millions of people. Asthma affects the tubes which aerate the lungs. The disease causes the walls of the airways to become swollen and in the process, they contract, thus reducing the path for the air, and thus less oxygen is allowed into the body. This usually happens when the airways are inflamed as a result of an allergic reaction. And the disease manifests mostly in the morning or at night and is accompanied by wheezing, where someone makes a whistling sound whilst breathing, as well as feeling tight in the chest cavity.

More than 20 million people in America are currently suffering from the disease that has no known cure yet. Worldwide, an estimated 300 million also have asthma. But even with lack of cure, asthma can be managed and many people who have it show little or no symptoms. Yet, asthma attacks may vary from a person to a person as well as from time to time. And the symptoms may be present for a few minutes or up to several days. Severe asthma attacks are rare and even less are fatal, but some may require emergency treatment if there is little oxygen reaching the vital body parts.

What Causes Asthma?

What exactly causes asthma is still a matter of conjecture. Studies suggest that there is a hereditary element involving antibodies associated with allergic reactions. In addition, contacts with environmental allergens may precipitate an asthmatic attack or symptoms. Droppings of dustmites, cockroaches, pollens, some proteins, enzymes, feathers and hair are examples of environmental allergens.

Other elements that may cause or worsen asthma include vapors, tobacco smoke and fumes. Certain types of drugs may also precipitate asthma symptoms, especially beta-blockers that are used to treat hypertension, heart disease, glaucoma and the like. A significant percentage of adults have been known to exhibit asthma-like symptoms after being treated with Aspirin and ibuprofen. Most food preservatives contain sulfites and these chemicals are known to trigger asthma attacks in some people. Other factors that may contribute to appearance of asthma symptoms may include pregnancy, menstruation, mild exercises and cold air.

How can I Prevent Asthma?

Controlling environmental factors that lead to exacerbation of asthma symptoms may be a good place to start. The environmental factors were discussed before. Controlling these factors might include any of the following:

1. Removing stuffed animals and pets from the bedroom.

2. Washing pillowcases and beddings with water having temperatures of about 130 F.

3. Avoid sitting on upholstered furniture or in a dusty place like the floor.

4. Keep the washrooms clean and remove any moulds.

5. Stop smoking.

What Raw Foods Can I Eat to Prevent and Reduce the Effects of Asthma?

There are several things that you can do to reduce the effects of asthma, including these raw foods:

* Soaked Nuts

* Garlic- you can use this on a salad

* Raw onions

* Most fruits and vegetables have powerful healing agents

Each of these raw foods can help your digestive system as well as then contain powerful enzymes that help reduce the effects of asthma on your body. In addition, drink plenty of water as a deficiency can exacerbate the effects of asthma on your body.

There is ample evidence linking the consumption of raw food to lessen the prevalence of asthma, supporting the need to add these and many other powerful raw foods into your diet.

To your health,

Omid

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Our mission is clear and straightforward. We want to bring the most accurate, high-quality and well-researched information about Raw and Living Food and Sustainable Living. Achieving good health should be easy and accessible for everyone and we want to make it easier for you to have access to it. The more we know, the more we can take charge of our life and take steps towards a healthier one!

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Acai Health Food - Does it Help You Lose Weight?

Who doesn't like to eat? We all like to eat, but it is very hard to eat everything that we want and loose the pounds! So, how can we eat great food and still loose weight? Acai food will let you do just that. By eating good nutritional foods everyday, we help our bodies from being vulnerable to illnesses and diseases. It is hard to chose those health foods because the market today is so bloated with "the right health food" for you.

So, you keep looking and spending lots of time and money, then come to find out that you wasted time and money on so-called health food that doesn't actually work. Acai helps you to drop the pounds and also prevents certain heart health problems and immune diseases. Some other health benefits in having acai health food is that it give you energy and helps to fight off certain cancers. It is a great thing to have if you have a family history of cancer. What other food can do that?

To give you a background of the acai berry... Acai ballooned into the nutritional world after it was on Oprah. A Dr. had stated that is was probably the most health beneficial food you could get your hands on. It contains powerful antioxidants, omega 3 oils, and lots of fiber and proteins. A clinical study was performed at the University of Florida on the acai berry and they found a relationship with leukemia patients who were in remission with the acai berry. What more proof do you need?

The acai health food is extremely popular among celebrities. You have probably seen stories about that in the paper or on T.V. Millions have benefited from this little berry that is native to the Amazon.

Acai Ripped Review will give you the reasons why acai health food can help you lose weight fast and effectively.

ParaSlim Force is another weight loss supplement that can give you the six pack you've always wanted in a short amount of time.

The Truth About Health Food Franchise Opportunities

Today people are getting concerned about their health. They are now being affected by bad choices in their lifestyle so they are more focused on exercise and eating right. This is the reason why the sale of health food, diet aids and other stuff are becoming more popular than ever. Entrepreneurs are slowly taking advantage of the success of seeking health food franchise opportunities. Although a good business sense can surely make the whole endeavor successful, it would surely help if the owner believes on the product that he or she is selling. An ideal candidate for these kinds of opportunities is often those who have the interest in pursuing alternative medicine, natural treatment and special diet food.

If you are planning to purchase a health food franchise business, you need to be aware of pesticides and other environmental issues. This can help you in convincing others that you believe in the products that you sell. You would also need to encourage people to go for healthy and natural ingredients because of the fact that this your ultimate campaign. If you have a background in nutrition or diet, this could be useful in a way and you can actually use this in practice.

Remember that when you manage a franchise store, this could be a demanding job. One should be motivated enough and willing to put a lot of hours in order to keep the business running successful. If you are planning to select from different franchise opportunity, you need to consider the location of the store before making a decision. See to it that there is high demand for the health franchise that you select. Check out also the competition in the area so you can be aware the things that you need to do in order to stay ahead of the race.

Extensive research should be carried out so the people in this business attract the right consumers. The most popular healthy franchise opportunity is health stores. You can also add other services aside from the product that you are selling. As a business owner, it is important that you decide which opportunity that you want to pursue. This would help you in targeting the audience that you wish to serve. In going for franchise, you are getting a business that is established already. With this, you will not have problems in marketing and advertising. You would also have an establish customer base.

Want to learn more about starting a business then check out Starting a business and find out more about Health Franchise Opportunities

Todays Health Food Stores: There May Be Nothing There For You Anymore

Health food stores are emerging at a rapid rate across the country. They are expanding their numbers increasingly. Many health food stores are worker owned cooperatives and consumers' cooperatives due in part to their growth of popularity during the counter culture movement of the 1960s and 1970s and the ability of cooperative buying power to bring lower costs to the consumer.

Products

Regulators need to consider regulations to better protect vulnerable patients from incurring significant costs due to their purchasing of natural health food products lacking evidence of benefit and of questionable safety. GNC has its own line of homeopathic products as well as natural herbs. The recent boom in health food stores has provided an enormous variety of high quality products that are heads above the processed junk loaded with preservatives currently sold in today's super markets. In addition to the wider array of health food products, health food stores are often a good source of milk substitutes, cruelty-free cosmetics, bulk grains, nuts and seeds, organic fruits and vegetables, non-toxic cookware, vegetarian meat substitutes, non-dairy cheese alternatives, fat-free natural pastries, and fast-food delis.

Organic

Don't assume that chickens or eggs in health food stores are raised on pasture or are fed organic feed. It is more labor intensive on pasture and organic feed costs twice as much. Therefore, many suppliers use wording that gives the impression of pasture or organic to increase their sales and selling price.

Supplements

A health food store is a type of grocery store that primarily sells organic foods, local produce, and often nutritional supplements. The employees in health food stores differ widely in how much they know about supplements and what they can do. A health food store might also sell herbal supplements, dietary aids, body care items and many more products that might help you lead a healthier lifestyle.

Sugar

Most health-food store owners would steadfastly refuse to carry coffee, regular tea and chocolate because of the caffeine and would not sell baked goods made with sugar or white flour. But Herb Ferleger, who owns "Food for Thought" as well as "Capitol Health Foods" on New York Avenue in Huntington, has a different attitude. The health-food pastry's greatest claim to superiority is that it is, according to the label, ''sweetened with fruit juice,'' as if that were better than sugar, corn syrup or honey. They don't taste very good, especially if you've come off of a standard Western diet high in refined sugars, refined carbohydrates, white flour, and so on. "The main thing you want to look out for in juices is that you are getting a lot of true juice and not a lot of sugar. Some things disguised as juice can have quite a lot of sugar," Anderson warns. Health food stores are notorious for disguising sugar with many fancy-sounding names like cane juice and cane syrup and honey -- these are all sweeteners and are no better than sugar.

Research

Researchers posing as typical consumers found employees of these stores readily giving information and product recommendations. The researchers found that, health food stores are recommending a variety of products. Early research suggested that antioxidants could be helpful in preventing heart disease, but newer research has called that theory into question. He emphasized patients should also take responsibility for researching how other remedies could affect their treatment.

Vegetarian

Health food stores often offer foods that attract people with special diets, such as people with wheat and gluten allergies, diabetics, vegans, vegetarians, and raw foodists. In addition to the wider array of health food products, health food stores are often a good source of milk substitutes, cruelty-free cosmetics, bulk grains, nuts and seeds, organic fruits and vegetables, non-toxic cookware, vegetarian meat substitutes, non-dairy cheese alternatives, fat-free natural pastries, and fast-food delis. A lot of health food stores have special products for individuals on special diets, such as gluten-free diets as well as vegan and vegetarian food. "Being vegetarian is not necessary, but if you choose that lifestyle you can get a lot of benefits.

This article was written by Jim Swank. For more information on health and nutrition, go to Jim`s website at: http://www.healthandbizguru.com

Jim Swank has been in the health care field for a number of years. His particular area of expertise is Health and Nutrition. He has a special interest in sharing how nutrition can help those with learning disabilities. For more information on health, fitness and nutrition, go to his website at: http://www.healthandbizguru.com

8 Tips For The Healthy Selection And Preparation Of Food For Optimum Health

Optimum health begins with a healthy diet. A healthy diet, on the other hand, starts with the healthy selection of food to give your body what it needs to serve you for years to come. Additionally, the healthiest components in a meal can quickly become unhealthy if the ingredients in your meal are prepared in an unhealthy manner. Here, then, are 8 tips for the healthy preparation and selection of foods to help you on your way to good nutrition and vital health.

Food Preparation

When Preparing Fresh Fruits And Vegetables Keep Them Whole.

When preparing your fruits and vegetables for consumption, keep them whole or cut them into large pieces. Keeping your fruits and vegetables whole during preparation and cooking helps to maintain their nutrients and flavor. Many vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cucumber, cauliflower and celery are more beneficial when they remain whole. Served whole, they are full of natural vitamin C, vitamin A, Calcium and other nutrients.

Stir-Fry Your Vegetables Instead Of Boiling Them.

Often, in many dishes, stir-frying your vegetables instead of frying or boiling them is a much better option in cooking. By stir-frying your vegetables in a minimal amount of oil, broth, water, or soy sauce, you can eliminate much of the fat in your food. And, of course, less fat in your food is less fat on your hips! Additionally, this method of preparation not only helps to seal in the flavor of the food, but it also preserves the nutrients, as well.

Bake Meat At A Low Temperature.

When baking meat or poultry in an oven, cook them at low to medium temperatures instead of high temperatures. This helps to preserve their tenderness and flavor. Additionally, slower methods of cooking also help to preserve the nutrients in the food.

Roast Meats And Poultry On A Rack.

Whenever you roast meat in the oven, roast it on a rack rather than in a pan. Roasting meats on a rack allows the fat to drain off the meat which ensures less fat in your food.

Stew, Steam Or Simmer Your Food Instead Of Frying.

The process of frying your food causes the fat content to increase. Instead of frying your food, try stir-frying in a wok instead. Alternatively, food can also be cooked in a small amount of broth, soy sauce, or bouillon. Poultry, meat and fish can be prepared by stewing, steaming or simmering in vegetable juices until tender. Not only do these methods maintain the flavor of the food but they also preserve the vitamins and the nutrients as well.

Food Selection

Whenever Possible Buy Range-Fed Meats And Poultry.

Often, before chickens or other animals are slaughtered and brought to the supermarkets, they are kept in extremely inhumane conditions. Additionally, these animals are sometimes given large doses of antibiotics and hormones to fatten them up quickly. In contrast, range-fed animals and poultry are allowed to roam freely and have a much healthier life. Furthermore, they also have a normal diet without chemicals and antibiotics. This translates into meat that is much healthier for human consumption and more flavorful and tender meat.

Buy Seeds And Nuts In Their Shell.

Although nuts and seed are available pre-shelled in the markets, it's preferable to buy them in their shells. The reason for this is that many seeds and nuts are very sensitive to light and oxygen and turn rancid rather quickly without us knowing it. The good old fashion way is the best way to eat nuts and seeds, cracking them open yourself and eating them fresh. This preserves their freshness and their nutrients.

Buy Produce In Their Season.

Buying produce in their season assures you of a wider selection of foods to choose from, since they will be available in greater abundance. Additionally, produce which is purchased in season will usually be fresher, more tender and more flavorful than produce that has been shipped in from other locations.

Patricia is a health focused content author. For more detailed health information please visit her site that discusses the importance of adding Nutritional Supplements to your diet.

Ocular Nutrition and Eye Health Food

Understanding ocular nutrition and eye health can be one of the ways to support your vision. As early as in our 30's, our eyes and vision can begin to deteriorate. Wind, dust, chlorine fumes, automobile fumes, smoking, freezing temperatures and physical injury are examples of threats to healthy eyes and good vision. Long hours spent at a computer screen and the vibration from driving have a cumulative negative impact on eye health over time.

Healthy vision is related to the health of the individual parts of the eye - the cornea, iris, macula, lens, optic nerve, pupil, retina and the vitreous humor. And making good ocular nutrition and eye health food choices are one of the ways that good vision can be supported. Information provided by the U.S. National Eye Institute and the results of other ocular nutrition and eye health studies have shown that using nutrition to improve and support eye health definitely happens.

Here are foods that are known to support and improve eye health:

Collard greens, kale and spinach - studies on ocular nutrition and eye health show that eating foods rich in carotenoids is associated with reduced risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. Foods rich in carotenoids are leafy green vegetables such as spinach, collard greens and kale. Macular eye nutrition becomes increasingly important as we get older.

Green vegetables and corn - another study on ocular nutrition and eye health has shown a reduced risk of developing cataracts for persons having diets higher in lutein and zeaxanthin. Foods high in these two carotenoids include broccoli, collard greens, corn, green peas, kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, turnip greens and zucchini. Lutein is also found in egg yolks. Persons with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin were also less likely to need cataract surgery. In another study done on persons ages 40-59, those with diets high in lutein and zeaxanthin experienced a reduced risk of developing adult macular degeneration.

Apricots, bilberries and blueberries - apricots are rich in beta carotene and lycopene that help promote good vision. Beta carotene is converted by the body to vitamin A as needed, an important antioxidant that resists oxidative stress damage to cells and tissues including the eye lenses. Continued oxidative stress may result in the development of cataracts or damage the blood supply to the eyes and lead to macular degeneration. Eating blueberries has been associated with the reduction of eye fatigue.

Blueberries are related to cranberries, and both also help the body resist urinary tract infections. Bilberries are a form of wild blueberry that grow on small bushes. Bilberries were used by British pilots to improve their night vision during World War 2. Fresh bilberries and bilberry jams would be sources of this ocular nutrition and eye health food. Bilberry seems to improve eye health by increasing the blood supply to the eyes.

Our eyes are considered to be the most important of the senses. By knowing which ocular nutrition and eye health food choices support the eyes, you can include more of these foods in daily meal planning.

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing.

Olinda Rola is President of Infosearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com a website of natural solutions for a variety of health problems. Visit Ocular Nutrition to read more on additional ways to obtain essential nutrients for eye health and vision support.

What Commercial Food Pollution is Doing to Your Health

Chemical adulterants in foods have an inhibiting effect on the workings of your internal body processes.
Here is a list of risks to you health because of food pollution:

1. Improper cooking methods will destroy vitamins.

2. Many drugs in foods, such as arsenic, mercury, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, bismuth tend to displace and upset the function of enzymes (digesters) and great increase the wasteful disposal of needed vitamins for your body's health.

3. Astringents, solvents and emulsifiers drain out vitamins and minerals from the bloodstream and tissues of the body. Premature aging is often traced to a depletion of needed vitamins.

4. Preservatives, analgesics such as nicotine, alcohol, and aspirin cancel out the beneficial functions of nutrients you so carefully select for your body.

5. Antibiotics kill vitamin-producing organisms within the large intestine creating havoc in the entire glandular and hormonal system which serves to shape a person's character and personality.

6. Bleaching agents used in white flour products destroy delicate nutrients and create faulty digestive problems.

7. Sulphuring of foods for preservation and use of sulphides to "freshen" the appearance of foods are destructive to body tissues. They also create internal mucus and toxic waste that accumulate and build internal toxemia.

8. Insecticides and disinfectants are often absorbed and retained in foods and create internal pollution.

9. Alkalin phosphatases, essential to your body to metabolize sugars and starches, are destroyed or inhibited by chemicals in foods.

10. Artificial colors and sweeteners are similar to coal tar dyes, inks, paints, injections, and sprays. If combustion from such chemicals is polluting our air, then you can imagine what is happening to foods that are entering your system, when such foods have been subjected to the same chemicalization as gasoline and floor varnish.

Sandy is an advocate in natural health as well as healthy diet. She enjoys sharing her thoughts and experience on health tips and recipes.

She maintain her site at: http://www.health-guide-recipes.com
Read her blog at: http://www.health-guide-recipes.com/blog

Feeding Your Dog the Right Dog Food Along With Supplements Can Help Maintain Good Health

Many pet owners believe that dog foods are created equal and provide all the nutrients their pet's needs to be healthy. Unfortunately this is not true and selecting the wrong dog food can have a big impact on your pet's health. Most dog foods don't provide all of your dog's nutritional needs. Many that are advertised as high quality have a very small amount of the nutrients necessary for good health. The easiest way to tell if a dog food is truly high quality is to determine what nutrients your dog needs and then compare the ingredients of various dog foods to find the one that will be best for them.

Commercial dog foods often contain countless by-products that can actually be poisonous and contribute to health problems such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and other serious health conditions. These by-products are added to dog food as a way for companies to maximize their profits and in turn are harming your pet friend. Some dog foods boast they are high in protein and fiber, but are normally full of substances that are not even digestible. These substances raise the readings of protein and fiber in the food. Fillers such as corn and wheat provide little nutritional significance and do nothing for your pet.

Dogs nutritional needs vary based on age, size, physical activity, and certain medical conditions. Puppies have different nutritional needs than senior dogs. Most puppy food is designed to promote growth and reproduction by containing larger levels of protein and amino acids. Since adult dogs need to maintain their weight, their foods are lower in fat and protein. Foods marketed for senior dogs are normally loaded with fillers and will not provide the nutrients they need. When a dog has been spayed or neutered, their physical activity decreases and they require a food with a less fat and protein. Larger dogs need calcium and protein for maintenance whereas smaller pet's do better with more carbohydrates that help with their high energy levels. Of course your budget determines your decision as well. Use these factors to initially determine how much protein, fat, carbohydrates, and amino acids your dog needs to get the proper nutrition.

A good dog food should be made from real meat such as chicken or beef and not mostly of meat by-products. The food should be made from whole grain instead of fillers such as corn meal. Food processing strips vitamins and minerals from the food. Look for a food that has been fortified with vitamins. Dog vitamins such as a multivitamin may even be necessary to make up for the loss of nutrients in dog food.

Even after you have found the right dog food, there are other things your dog requires to promote good health. These include plenty of exercise, rest, and love. Dog supplements can prevent your dog from developing health conditions such as heart disease, joint problems, and intestinal track infections. Giving your dog the proper nutrition will keep them around for a long time and provide you with a very happy companion.

Choosing the proper food for your pet is very important. Some lack the ingredients and dog vitamins your dog needs to be healthy. You should check the labels of the food to ensure they are not full of by-products and fillers that could be harmful to their health. Dog supplements are also very beneficial to your pet's diet and should be used in conjunction with a good food to ensure your family friend is happy and living the best life possible. For more information on proper dog nutrition and the best in dog training supplies, visit ProudDogHealth.com and PremierDogSupplies.com. Thank you.