Monday, September 6, 2010

AN EASY WEIGHT LOSS TIP!


…A pint before the meal keeps the portions down

In clinical trials scientists found that drinking two half pint glasses of water before a meal leads to weight loss.
Lead author Brenda Davy said: "We found in earlier studies that middle aged and older people who drank two cups of water right before eating a meal ate between 75 and 90 fewer calories during that meal. In this recent study, we found that over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before meals, three times per day, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake."
"People should drink more water and less sugary, high-calorie drinks. It's a simple way to facilitate weight management," she added.
While drinking water to lose weight is very much common sense, Dr Davy said that there has been little scientific information on this topic. Previous studies did suggest that drinking water before meals reduces calorie intake, but according to Dr Davy this was the first randomized controlled intervention trial demonstrating that increased water consumption is an effective weight loss strategy.
The study followed 48 adults aged 55 to 75, divided into two groups. One group drank 2 cups of water prior to meals and the other did not. All of the subjects ate a low-calorie diet during the study. Over the course of 12 weeks, water drinkers lost about 15.5 pounds, while the non-water drinkers lost about 11 pounds.
Dr Davy said water may be so effective simply because it fills up the stomach and has no calories. People feel full, and eat less during the meal.

GO GREEN WITH VEGETABLES


Guest blogger Chimdimma Okpara: The rainy season is at its peak again. In spite of the benefits that the rains bring, the heavy uncontrollable downpours get the environment damp, wet and soggy. This of course could put everyone off as many activities on the To-do-list are hampered on a rainy day.
Regardless of the waterlogged and dully attitude associated with the season, let’s also look at the blessings that abounds therein:
 It is indeed the season of the greens. Abundance of food and natural greenly supplies for health, beauty and wellness. In the season of the greens, essential vitamins for daily nutritional needs are easily sourced around and quite affordable too.
Mrs. Durotola at her niece’s engagement ceremony last weekend was handed the microphone for her piece of advice to the couple. She practically went nutrition lane with a mind-blowing caption which she repeated over and over again: “eat with the season”. Having not only urged Enyiola to be home maker, she also pointed out that the secret to happiness is first wellness and wellness comes from the preventive and restrictive approach to health watch and disease control. Going green and natural at all times is the gateway to health, wellness and a sound mind.
What a lecture it was. I couldn’t help but scribble an interesting illustration she gave using “the okras”
The Okra also called the lady’s fingers or gumbo is a powerhouse of nutrients and has long been used as an herbal treatment for numerous ailments like low virility and high cholesterol. And now there has been talk of it being helpful in reducing diabetes too. The medicinal value of okra is undoubted as it is rich in fiber and low in unwanted calories, facts that will impress diabetics.
It is low in calories, a good source of dietary fiber and it is fat-free which makes it a vital part of weight-watchers menu. The okra is best with its numerous nutrients when not over cooked.


The okra is:
  • Low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium
  • High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Manganese, Protein, Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron, Zinc and Copper
The nutritional value and health benefits of okra makes it ideal for:
  • Maintaining optimum health
  • Weight loss
Avoid including okra in your diet if you're interested in:
  • Weight gain
Nutritional facts:

Half cup of cooked okra contains
Calories: 25
Dietary Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 1.52 g
Carbohydrates: 5.8 g
Vitamin A http://kona.kontera.com/javascript/lib/imgs/grey_loader.gif
: 460 IU
Vitamin C: 13 mg
Folic acid: 36.5 micrograms
Calcium: 50.4 mg
Iron: 0.4 mg
Potassium: 256.6 mg
Magnesium: 46 mg
It is a green revolution,
G0 green with the glut of greens around us says Mrs. Durotola.