Healthy Eating

Food for thought: Think healthy eating is all about dieting and sacrifice? Think again. Eating well is a lifestyle that embraces colorful food, creativity in the kitchen, and eating with friends.

For seniors, the benefits of healthy eating include increased mental acuteness, resistance to illness and disease, higher energy levels, a more robust immune system, faster recuperation times, and better management of chronic health problems. As we age, eating well can also be the key to a positive outlook and staying emotionally balanced.

You are the boss when it comes to food choices. Read on for tips on how to supercharge your life with the right food.

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Nutrition for Women

Eating well is one of the best ways you can take care of yourself and those who depend on you. What you eat makes a big difference in the way you look and feel. A healthy diet gives you energy to get through your busy day, supports your mood, helps you maintain your weight, and keeps you looking your best.

What you eat can also be a huge support as you go through different stages in your life. Your food choices can help reduce PMS, boost fertility, combat stress, make pregnancy easier, and ease the symptoms of menopause. Whatever your age, committing to a healthy diet will help you look and feel your best so that you stay on top of your commitments and enjoy life.

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Healthy Fast Food

Fast food is cheap, convenient, filling, and to many of us it tastes good.  If you are eating out, a fast food restaurant is often the cheapest option, but unfortunately not a healthy one.  Eating just one fast food meal can pack enough calories, sodium and fat for an entire day or more. Eating fast food on a regular basis can lead to a host of different health problems, both physical and psychological.

Still, in a bad economy the quick-and-cheap temptation can often be hard to resist. As an informed customer, though, you can make healthier choices and still enjoy the price and convenience of fast food restaurants.

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Better Health, And How to Get it on a Gradient

Our health is drastically impacted by nutrition. You'll find that almost all health issues are more easily controlled or handled by adding or eliminating certain foods, and by taking the proper supplements which are missing from our diet. . We also know that fast food does not give you the nutrients that your body requires and that processed foods create their own problems..

The purpose of McVitamins is to help you find out what vitamins you need to take due to a "fast food" lifestyle and how to increase your health.

There are certain things that you can do without drastically changing your lifestyle, that will get you on the road to good health.

Things are better taken on a gradient. Have you ever tried to totally change you health by getting plenty of exercise and by eating only healthy "fruits and vegetables"? It was too steep a gradient and you probably gave it up pretty quickly. Have you ever suddenly stop drinking or eating certain substances and got a headache and/or started to feel really badly?  It was too steep a gradient.

We would like to propose that you start on a gradient.  By following the Health Tips we've outlined below, you can add just one step and know that you are making a difference in your health.   And, of course, by taking the vitamins that we've outlined in our other links which help your body compensate for the missing or destroyed vitamins and minerals that occur when eating a "normal" fast food diet or eating processed and refined foods.   And supplements that will help your reverse a health problem. This is were to start.

1. Drink Plenty of Water - How much and why?

2. Don't breathe polluted air. Yeah, right. Maybe if you live out in the country somewhere. And of course, there are some cities that are worse than others. Well, I know it isn't reasonable for everyone to "head for the hills", so what do we do? We take antioxidants and other supplements that will combat the problems created by the air we breathe. Want to understand why? Well here is our article on Pollution  and what to take to combat its bad effects.

3. Exercise - Yes, I know what you're going to say. It is usually acknowledged that good health depends on exercise. I'll bet your going to say - yes, but, I work long hours, I go to school, I have these kids, etc. etc. etc. I just don't have the energy. I know I should but…

Why exercise? Only during exercise are nutrients needed for maximum energy production carried to every body cell.

Well, one of the reasons that you don't have that energy and don't feel like exercising is nutritional deficiencies created by eating at fast food restaurants, having a essential fatty acid deficiency from eating the latest fad of "low fat" foods, going on low calorie diets, etc. etc.  Its a dwindling spiral.

A spontaneous urge to exercise cannot be expected until the correct nutrients are obtained. Dietary improvement quickly increases metabolism, or internal exercise. How do you get this handled?

And then there are ways to get exercise in.  Remember exercise builds a healthy body and helps you to sleep.  Hints on how to get exercise into your life;.

4.  Sleep: Sleep is as important. Can you get this into your schedule?
Find out why you need sleep  Find out what to do if you can't sleep at
Sleeplessness

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Good Health to Drink Plenty of Water

Most people don't drink enough water. Keeping your body hydrated is important for good health, so be sure to drink plenty of clean water daily. If you don't like plain water, try adding a little fresh squeezed lemon juice.

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Add Calcium for Strong Bones

Calcium is one of the key nutrients that your body needs in order to stay strong and healthy. It is an essential building block for lifelong bone health in both men and women, among many other important functions.

You and your bones will benefit from eating plenty of calcium-rich foods, limiting foods that deplete your body’s calcium stores, and getting your daily dose of magnesium and vitamins D and K—nutrients that help calcium do its job.

Recommended calcium levels are 1000 mg per day, 1200 mg if you are over 50 years old. Take a vitamin D and calcium supplement if you don’t get enough of these nutrients from your diet.

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Put Healthy Protein in Perspective

Protein gives us the energy to get up and go—and keep going. Protein in food is broken down into the 20 amino acids that are the body’s basic building blocks for growth and energy, and essential for maintaining cells, tissues, and organs. A lack of protein in our diet can slow growth, reduce muscle mass, lower immunity, and weaken the heart and respiratory system. Protein is particularly important for children, whose bodies are growing and changing daily.

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Eat More Healthy Carbs and Whole Rrains

Choose healthy carbohydrates and fiber sources, especially whole grains, for long lasting energy. In addition to being delicious and satisfying, whole grains are rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants, which help to protect against coronary heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. Studies have shown people who eat more whole grains tend to have a healthier heart.

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Eat Healthy Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet—they are low in calories and nutrient dense, which means they are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. 
Fruits and vegetables should be part of every meal and your first choice for a snack—aim for a minimum of five portions each day. The antioxidants and other nutrients in fruits and vegetables help protect against certain types of cancer and other diseases.

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Healthy Eating

Healthy eating is not about strict nutrition philosophies, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, and keeping yourself as healthy as possible– all of which can be achieved by learning some nutrition basics and using them in a way that works for you.

Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”—it’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Your food choices can reduce your risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as defend against depression. Additionally, learning the habits of healthy eating can boost your energy, sharpen your memory and stabilize your mood. You can expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create and maintain a satisfying, healthy diet.

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Healthy Teeth Tips

Healthy teeth always results in a bright and beautiful smile but the same may not be the case if you don't maintain it. Teeth health is not always hampered due to food and bacteria but also due to some of your habits. These habits leads to decay of your tooth. Here are some habits which can lead to harm healthy teeth - 

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Healthy benefits for Mango

Mango, also called "The King of Fruit," are one of the most nutritious, not to mention delicious, fruits we have at our disposal. Mango are chocked full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. As such, there are a great many health benefits of eating mango. Eating mango is one of the healthiest decisions you can make for your body, while enjoying one of the sweetest fruit in the world.
Vitamins & Minerals
Some of the health benefits of eating mango can be found in the nutrients in this wonderful fruit. To start, mango are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Mango have vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin E, and Selenium which can help to guard against heart disease and other illnesses, such as colon and cervical cancer. The vitamins A and C in mango are also a great source of potassium, which helps to regulate blood pressure, muscle contraction, and keep your bodily processes working correctly. Mango high Iron content is beneficial to people with anemia and pregnant women, if eaten regularly. Mango also contains Vitamin E, which can help the hormonal system perform more efficiently, consequently boosting the sex drive.

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Health Almonds

Fortunately, the delicately flavored and versatile almond is available throughout the year to make a healthy and tasty addition to both sweet and savory dishes. Although packaged almonds are available year round, they are the freshest in mid-summer, which is when they are at the height of their season.
The almond that we think of as a nut is technically the seed of the fruit of the almond tree, a medium-size tree that bears fragrant pink and white flowers. Like its cousins, the peach, cherry and apricot trees, the almond tree bears fruits with stone-like seeds (or pits) within. The seed of the almond fruit is what we refer to as the almond nut. 

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Health Benefits of Grapes

Its sweet and sour taste, tempting shape and color makes grapes favored by many people. Grapes are even considered as a luxury fruit which has a special flavor.

Behind its interesting shape, there are many health benefits which can be gained from this beautiful fruit. Grape is a source of instant energy and can make you look younger. (more…)

Tags: benefits of grapes, grape benefits, grape health benefits, health benefits of grapes

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Eating Carrots is Good for Your Skin

Eat carrots have been known to be good for the eye. But that’s not the only benefit of carrots, a recent research shows that eating carrots can make the skin healthy and glows, which makes people more attractive.

Researchers at St Andrews and University of Bristol shows that women and men who diligently eats  strong colored vegetables and fruits like carrots and pulm, can have a luminous yellow skin that are considered very attractive and healthy.

Vegetables and fruits which typically contain strong colored pigments are calledcarotenoids. This substance is found in fruits and certain vegetables and plays an important role in giving the skin a glow.

“The relationship between yellow skin glow and carotenoid opens new strategies to encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetables,” says Ian Stephen, one of the scientists involved in the project, according to AFP .

Stephen said it only takes two months of regularly eating carrots to be able to see the results on the skin.

“Telling people to eat vegetables and fruit with a reason for not having a heart attack at age 40 years may seem harder than to say that vegetables and fruits can make a person more attractive in recent months,” Stephen continued.

The results of this study will be published in the Evolution and Human Behavior journal March 2011 edition of the The Grocer magazine.

Daucus carota or carrots are vegetable plants grown throughout the year. In addition to eye and skin health, the vegetables contain lots of beta-carotene, vitamin A, protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus and iron which can also serve to lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels and clean pinworms.

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10 Foods for a Healthy Heart

The heart is a vital organ. For that reason, an effort is necessary to keep it healthy and able to function properly. Well, here are 10 foods that can make your heart stay healthy, according to the Huffingtonpost. 

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Tags: foods for a healthy heart, foods for heart health, foods good for heart, Healthy Heart,heart

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Five Healthy Foods For Modern Women

Women today are very concerned with a healthy lifestyle. Eating a healthy diet, adequate rest, and never forgeting to exercise, no matter how busy their activity at work and at home.

Do you want to know the healthy foods commonly consumed by modern women? Well, here are fivenutritious meals that are always included in the diet program, according to Times Of India. Bon appetite! 

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Tags: Healthy Diet, Healthy Foods, modern women healthy diet, modern women healthy 

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Seasonal Diet For Better Health

Controlling weight and caring body health should be continuous process in all aspects. Hence body caring must be in full swing in all seasons of the year irrespective of rain winter or summer. If only this can be carried out carefully, better health can be maintained. In order to achieve this successfully people must rely on seasonal healthy foods in addition to regular exercises and walking. These techniques will enable people to gain health skin as well as healthy body. Fruits and vegetables are the various food items available with respect to various seasons. If we can consume these fruits and vegetables with respect to their availability then we will be in sound health through out. Since fruits and vegetables contain minerals and vitamins in abundance, they can be considered as the better alternative for ideal balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables which are available seasonally are capable to keep man in good health all the time. More over, they can be refreshed and rejuvenated all time by taking these foods regularly.

In additional to these seasonal foods if people can take milk and eggs also, nothing extra is needed to maintain better health. Fruits and vegetables are very good supplementary food for eyes, skin, hair, bone, teeth and hemoglobin found in blood. The diet we usually consume are suitable to apply externally also. In this regard certain fruits, vegetables, vegetable juice and fruit juices are recommended to use in our body and face. Fruit juices and vegetables have certain tendencies to reduce our body heat. Hence they are highly recommended for using during summer seasons. No vegetarian foods and dishes are not suitable to develop cool in human body. Hence they are not ideal especially during summer season. In addition to these nutritive foods, people must drink enough water every day. Since water is the main constituent of human body tissues drinking enough water will enable tissues to perform better metabolic activities. Thus seasonal diet and water consumption have key roles to develop better health.

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Health Tips & Advice

Health Tip – Health Tips & Advice

Welcome to Healthtipadvice.com – Our goal is to provide you with the best health tips, exercise tips, and much more so you can keep happy and healthy.

Basic health tips are logical. Eat healthy and in moderation, exercise as much as possible, and get your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes per day, and ensure that you get lots of those essential foods such as fruits and vegetables, while also allowing for other nutritious foods when your diet permits.

Often, the basic health tips are not enough, so please check in often as we plan to add many articles related to health tips and advice in the near future.

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Health Benefits of Apricot

LONDON: The apricot fruit has fiber and beta-carotene, an antioxidant that fights against macular degeneration, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.

Because it is high in beta-carotene, apricots have the ingredients to protect eyes from macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of vision loss among adults). Eating three piece of apricot fruits provides 12 % of the recommended Daily Value of fiber, which also helps lower cholesterol, control blood sugar, and aid in weight loss.

Apricot has high mineral content, that makes it beneficial in cases of anemia, tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis, and toxemia. It is high in vitamin A, that is why it is very helpful in the removal of skin pimples and other skin disorder.

Apricot contain lycopene, this substance can help prevent cancer and help to protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, which may help prevent heart disease.

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How To Eat Healthy After A Hangover

You could also eat bananas to recover the lost potassium levels or if you can arrange for some natural coconut water, then that could be even better since it has more potassium levels than bananas. Do not try to eat or drink anything new, but instead stick to foods that your body is already adapted to, if you do not want any complications. Also, ensure that you drink adequate water and juice throughout the day. If the prospect of a heavy breakfast is unappealing, then try to have a banana smoothie along with some pieces of toast made of whole wheat bread. This could be light on your stomach and you could have another heavy breakfast of bacon, beans or eggs after a couple of hours.

It is better to ignore advice to drink wine or any other alcoholic drink as a cure, since even though it might offer temporary relief by keeping you in a state of suspended high, ultimately your body will pay a higher price, since it will only result in increased dehydration. You will only end up delaying your hangover, instead of eliminating it. Try to stay away from tea and coffee, since caffeine again will only give you temporary mental relief, but will actually dehydrate your body further. A shower will also help you to get fresh.

A little bit of care before, during and after an enjoyable drinking night can thus negate most of the harmful effects of a hangover. Eating and drinking the above-mentioned foods, fruits and drinks is thus a healthy and quick way to bounce back on your feet and can also help to clear your mind to face the coming day.

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Healthy Eating For Infants

As a parent, you must take a number of precautions about your infant’s diet. The best food for an infant is mother’s milk. Normally, an infant is considered as baby of age 0 – 1 year old. People even consider preschoolers as infants. Let us categorize infants in different age groups and discuss their diet and precautions taken.

0-4 months: From the day of birth until the infant is 4 months, there is no better food for the child than the mother’s milk. Mother’s milk contains all the essentials that a child needs in balanced amounts. The temperature, thinness of milk, germ fighting and immunity enhancers, and many other factors ideal for the infant are present in mother’s milk. At this time, an infant is not ready to digest solid or semi-solid foods; therefore, continue breast-feeding until 4-5 months. Even if the baby gets diarrhea, continue breast-feeding. It is best to continue breast-feeding the child up to the age of one year, but in this age, it is not possible.

5-6 months: You can now introduce your child to semi-solid food. At this age, the baby is not completely ready to ingest semi-solid food, but is partially all right. Try to feed the baby with cereals like wheat, maize or mashed fruits like apples. Make sure you dilute the food with either mother’s milk or water. Feed the infant porridges. Feed the infant small amounts to a time, until it no longer is hungry. Does not force feed your infant, as it might initially not eat and might throw up? This happens because the infant is used only to sucking. The infant’s food intake will gradually increase. Do not stop breast-feeding. When your infant opens his/her mouth while feeding or the eyes follow the spoon means, your baby is now ready to taste and eat new food. Always feed your baby on your lap, this gives them the feeling of security.

7-9 months: After the baby gives positive response to the semi-solid food, you can now bring in mild solid food. Extremely small and fine pieces of fruits and vegetables, soft cheese, thin pieces of chicken should be the child’s meal. Initially the child might not be very happy biting the 26 food and might not eat. Therefore it is advised not to stop breast-feeding. If your baby is hungry every 2-4 hours and wets the diapers 4-6 times a day, it means, your baby is getting food and fluids in right quantity. Other indication could be baby’s weight increase.

10-12 months: The food in this period is not so different, but a little variation in the food is required. Bigger chopped piece of meat, fish, vegetables and fruits could be given. Cereals, mother’s milk and fruit juices diluted with water are recommended as liquids. Always introduce new foods after every 2 weeks. This helps you spot the food types that cause allergies or illness to your child. Maintain a high level of hygiene. Always boil water; always feed lukewarm food.

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Healthy Eating For Teenagers

Growing children need plenty of energy to perform their daily activities. An average teenager is involved in high intensity activities compared to an office goer. Activities can be low, medium, and high intensity. Study, play, exams, camps, trips, big games, tours, etc., are some of the many activities that form part of a teenager’s life through the day. He/she needs both, mental and physical strength to keep up with this routine, to remain fit and healthy.

A teenager’s diet should contain carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and all the essentials that their bodies need. A teenager should have more food as compared to a 45 year old. This is because teenagers have high metabolism rates. Five or six medium meals justify an average teenager’s diet pattern. A little bit of fatty food is again not a problem because the fats in the body disappear the moment they start engaging themselves in different games, trips or any other activities. In fact, teenagers should eat heavy meals, as this is their only time to build strong bodies.

The essential and healthy food items for a teenager are:

Milk - provides calcium for healthy teeth and bones. Water content in the milk keeps you hydrated.

Fruit juices - gives the teenager that little boost in stamina required while they play.

Water - an average teenager must consume at least 8-10 liters of water per day.

Meat and eggs - provides proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates. Very essential to increase weight and muscle mass. Fish helps in increasing concentration and alertness.

Fruits and vegetables - are more essential than non-vegetarian food. It is important because the minerals and vitamins are needed for the body and keeps the body hydrated. Fruits also help in learning and remembering. Dieticians recommend plenty of fruits and vegetables for growing teens. Fruits and vegetables are great to gain weight and remain fit.

All the above food items help teens in their studies and physical activities. The food cycle of an average teenager should be heavy breakfast at about seven, a fruit around 10, good lunch at about one, a fruit at about 3, and a small meal at around 5 with a fruit juice and dinner at 8. A growing teen must not eat oily or fattening foods, as this might make him/her lazy, lethargic or even build excess body fats, which are the initial stages of obesity.

If your teenager is not engaged in sports or exercises, absolutely do not follow the abovementioned foods, since with healthy eating; there should always be good exercise. Teens with low metabolism rate often put on more weight, even if they eat less. This is not correct. The idea is to eat healthy and exercise more to increase the metabolism rate and reduce the unwanted fats in the body.

Teens that are always attached to the computer or are at home should reduce the intake of meat, energy drinks, and milk, as it is not necessary for them and they might put on fats in their bodies.

To conclude, teens should stop eating junk food from outside and stick to home cooked food to stay healthy and fit.

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Healthy Eating For People Over Sixty

Generally, people in over sixty have altered food tastes. Foods do not taste the same. They lose appetite and even their favorite foods do not fascinate them anymore. They tend to put on weight even if they barely eat. Metabolism rates decrease with age and people tend to put on fats. Increasing weight in sixties is a bad sign, as it can cause many health related hazards. A person in his/her sixties must follow a proper diet plan. Here are some tips on how you can maintain your weight and diet accordingly.

People usually do not work very hard in their sixties and therefore need less energy, but just enough to perform daily chores. Your diet must contain adequate amount of protein, calcium, carbohydrates and vitamins. Eat different varieties of food everyday, so that it does not get monotonous and you have different taste everyday. As you grow old, your bones tend to become weak and feeble. Your calcium level decreases and you are likely to suffer from osteoporosis. To avoid these sufferings, you should drink enough low-fat milk and eat fat free dairy products like cheese and butter. Make sure you do not gain fat.

Fruits and vegetables are a very important source of nutrition for persons of this age group, as they provide a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals. Most fruits contain vitamins B and C. Vitamins and calcium prevent memory loss, and shivering. Protein in your diet must only be about 15-18%, and mostly got from non-vegetarian foods like fish, eggs, and meat.

Always keep your body hydrated with water and juices. Water helps in cleansing the body from its impurities. Eat fiber rich food like vegetables that provide proteins, too. More of fiber in the body means less of toxins. Fibre can be found in pulses and baked beans, prunes and apricots. Do not eat a lot of sweet or sugar based food because the empty calories present in them do not exactly provide energy, but increases weight. Consumption of excess salt may raise high blood pressure, therefore, control intakes of salt and sugar.

Since senior people do not exactly engage themselves in physical activity, regular exercise and a proper diet is a must. One has to increase metabolism rate, in order to remain fit and not put on excess weight. Old people often eat very less and cannot have three big meals. They must have small meals after regular intervals, which helps to increase their metabolism rate. Do not take any protein supplements or fats loss pills because they need vigorous workouts and are basically meant for people below 60.

Avoid canned or packed food items, as they contain preservatives, which are not healthy for persons of that age group. Some packaged food also contains hydrogenated fats that may cause a problem in your cardio-vascular system. Eat controlled amounts of food, but ensure they are nutrient rich, so that you live a long, healthy life.

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