Diet and Fitness | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Feb 24, 2012

The Pros and Cons of Detox Diets

February 24, 2012 By Carleenp 2 Comments

If you really want to kick-start your weight management routine, then there is perhaps no better way than with a detox diet. What's a detox diet? Well, it is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: it is a diet that cleanses (detoxes) your system. And detox diets make a lot of huge claims, both physically and mentally. So, should you go on a detox diet? Well, before you make that decision, you should first consider the pros and cons.

Pros:

Energy. It is a well-established fact that detoxifying your system can greatly increase your energy. Weight Loss. Unlike most other diets, detox diets are not necessarily aimed at the sole purpose of losing weight. However, weight loss is a natural byproduct of the detox process - and the weight generally comes off rather quickly.

Detoxification. One of the most dramatic and long-lasting effects of a detox diet is the detoxification of the body. When you cleanse your body of harmful chemicals that tend to be stored in the fat, your body is all-around healthier and less prone to illness.

Better eating habits. Because detox diets often focus on taking in only fruits and vegetables, and completely cutting out fatty and processed foods, going on a detox diet can be a jump start to establishing healthy eating habits that will last long after the diet is over.

Cons:

Detox methods. Although there are many different types of detox diets, most every one of them involves putting yourself through some uncomfortable processes. Examples of detox methods that can be difficult to withstand include fasting (sometimes for days) and colonics (similar to enemas).

Side effects. You can expect to experience some unpleasant side effects throughout the detox process, such as headaches, fatigue, emotional instability, difficulty sleeping, and more.

Malnutrition. Some doctors report that they see many patients who suffer from problems associated with malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies because of detox diets. That's understandable, considering detox diets are so strictly regimented when it comes to food - some even requiring you to eat little to nothing for extended periods of time - and any time you completely cut any one of the food groups out (even fat), you risk throwing your system off balance.

As you can see, there are many things to consider - both good and bad - before you embark on a detox diet. Also, remember that there are many different types of detox diets out there, so you should do your research to find the one best suited for you. And, as always, consult with your doctor first.

About the Author: Leonore Cuello is an EKG technician who works in a nutrition office that specializes in working with patients who have had bariatric surgery. Make sure you speak to a qualified nutritionist before trying any type of diet or detox to ensure your personal safety.

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Feb 15, 2012

Fitness and Nutrition Tips from Dancers

February 15, 2012 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

In popular TV shows and music videos, hip-hop and b-boy dancers can be seen popping, locking, flipping and grooving. In theater, there are ballet dancers who do arabesques, lifts and plies. There are also jazz dancers who do splits and leaps.

Their hectic routines require strength, athleticism, flexibility and cardio-respiratory endurance, which are all the elements of physical fitness. The added pep and enjoyment of what they do gives them the edge over anyone else who is trying to lose weight and keep fit. Whether it is free style or choreographed, their performances are work outs that are fun and creative. So what do they do for nutrition and fitness?

First, one must choose a dance that he or she enjoys. This usually depends on a person’s musical tastes and preferences. Is it rock n’ roll? Or Latin music? Perhaps grooving to an R and B song at a club seems more appealing.

Apart from music, one must also think about which aspect of his or her health to improve one. Each dance has its focus and strengths. Ballroom dancing helps people with back problems as it strengthens their spinal posture and stance. Dances like Swing and Boogie increase one’s flexibility. Belly dancing originated in the Middle East and improves on a person’s abdominal and core muscles. Hip hop dances and its variations focus on one’s limbs and how they can be isolated or used to lift the whole body for tosses and flips.

Medical experts and personal trainers recommend that people exercise at least thirty minutes a day. A song usually lasts three to five minutes. In this sense, a busy person can divide his or her exercise into three mini dance sessions of two songs a day.

Two things dancers always do are warm up and cool down. Before doing their routines, they will stretch and flex to prepare their bodies. And after, they relax by lying or sitting down. Some of them even bath in ice to ease their muscle pains. These two things help them avoid injuries while dancing. Another thing dancers do to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to take routines slowly. Aiming to get stunts and choreography right all of a sudden is close to impossible. And missteps and falls are often the main causes of injuries.

The same principle can be applied to weight loss and starting one’s own fitness boot camp. Start light and slow and increase your pace and intensity as the days and weeks go along.

On their off days, dancers relax their muscles by doing pilates or yoga. These two exercises focus on muscle control and breathing.
When it comes to snacking, dancers need sugars, vitamins and carbohydrates for energy. They get these from fruits, vegetables and wheat foods like bread and cereals. To develop their muscles, they eat proteins like fish and chicken. They also get proteins from nuts and beans, which are good to nibble on. They also drink lots of water to refresh them after sweating through their performances.

FitFarms, the longest established fitness and weight loss camp in UK have been awarded No. 1 Weight Loss Camp by Virgin.

Filed Under: Diet and Fitness Tagged With: Dance, Diet, Fitness

Feb 14, 2012

Top 10 Healthiest Fruits

February 14, 2012 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

Although it is common knowledge the world over that fruits are super healthy, it is surprising to know that people still are to a large extent ignorant to the health benefits they offer. Considered here are the top ten healthiest fruits, judged by virtue of their vitamin C and anti-oxidant capacity:

Apples - it appears the old age saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is very much true, but in today’s world should be expanded to “a top ten fruit a day keeps the doctor away”. Apples are extremely nutritious and healthy, from the skin all the way down to the core. The skin is rich in pectin, a healthy dose of fiber in addition to a high amount of bioflavonoids and anti-oxidants. In addition the fiber content in apples has been shown to provide a modest improvement in cholesterol levels, as well as keeping constipation at bay and reducing risk of heart attacks. In addition to these numerous health benefits apples may suppress appetite, while being very calorie light. Feeling to have one? Go ahead, do yourself a favor!
Apricots - another super-fruit is the apricot, which provides a whopping dose of vitamins A, C and E, in addition to iron and carotenoids (compounds similar to Vit A) which may aid in warding off heart disease. They are also rich in lycopene, a compound that prevents growth of the prostate in the susceptible male population. They are also very low calorie, one fruit being only about 20 calories.
Bananas - these fruits are extremely rich in potassium, a mineral important in regulating muscular contractility and also possessing a role in control of blood pressure. They are rich in carbohydrates and soluble fiber, making them as sweet as they are healthy for you. The only slight drawback to this fruit is that they are calorie dense; so portion control is a must.
Various berries - berries offer a super dense source of anti-oxidants, Vitamin C and the important phytonutrient class of compounds. They are touted as being able to ward off cancer, heart disease and a host of other ailments. Among the berry family are blueberries; referred to as the big boy of the group, said to be able to delay onset/ prevent Alzheimer’s disease and reducing high blood pressure. Other notable mentions go out to strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Blueberries are used to treat night blindness.
Cantaloupe fruit - rich in potassium, carotenoids and Vitamin C, they boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and may prevent certain types of cancer. They are rich in fiber, but be wary; they are also rich in calories.
Cherries - rich in vitamins C, E, Iron, folic acid and flavonoids, they are effective in reducing inflammation, improving bad LDL levels and may offer you enhanced cardio protective effects (heart protecting).
Citrus - most renowned for their Vitamin C content, these are probably also the best tasting fruits out there. Also, similar to other fruits, they provide a decent amount of fiber and may delay/ prevent certain types of cancer. The most commonly consumed citrus fruits are oranges, tangerines, lemons, pink grapefruits and limes. Citrus fruits are often used in alternative medicine.
Kiwi - a comparison conducted based on weight shows these fruits are more than 200% more vitamin c dense that oranges. The bioflavonoids contained in kiwis also have demonstrated a role in prevention of asthma attacks in pediatric patients. They also deliver an excellent amount of Vitamin E, magnesium and potassium.
Paw-paw (papaya) - rich in vitamins C, E carotenoids and a rare group of compounds; digestive enzymes, which help promote complete absorption of proteins and carbohydrates from the diet. They are very tasty and yield modest calories per serving size.
Grapes - while all grapes offer health benefits, red grapes offer the most profound benefits. They are rich in iron, potassium, fiber and abundant anti-oxidants. Red grapes also contain one of the most highly publicized anti-oxidants; resveratrol proven to decrease incidence of heart disease and cancer.