Diet Plan 1-2-3 » dieting

What Everybody Should Know About the Quickest Way to Lose Weight

GuestPoster — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:41:14 +0000

When thinking of dieting, most people are after a quick fix and that’s what the magazines and the websites are offering. Fast weight loss is possible with a short low calorie diet. Going on a diet like that means being extremely hungry for three-four-five days depending on the diet plan, but you will lose up to 10 pounds if you stick with the diet carefully.

But there is a catch. If you go back to your original eating habits after going off the short diet, you will soon notice that the pounds you lost during the diet have crept back up and you are back in the weight you started with or even heavier! This is the only result you will get, no matter which short diet plan you try. Just like a short period of overeating (let’s take the holiday period as an example) doesn’t make you gain weight for good, a short low calorie diet will not help you lose weight permanently. Instead of yoyo-dieting, you need to take a look at your daily eating habits. They are what made you gain weight in the first place and what matter the most when trying to control your weight.

How to lose weight fast AND keep it off? Start with observing what you eat. A calorie counter or a food diary are of great help here. Write down everything you consume and be honest about it! After a week you can try to find the biggest problems in your diet. Look for foods high in sugar and carbohydrates, because they are the foods behind fat accumulation. Another common problem is alcohol, especially beer. Once you have identified the problem, replace that food with something healthier. Make only one or max two changes at a time and stick to your decision!

As a conclusion, a short low calorie diet is the quickest way to lose weight but it is not always the best one unless you use it to get a longer weight loss project going. For permanent weight loss you must make permanent changes.

How do I Know What Diet Plan is Right?

Diet Plan — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:22:57 +0000

A good diet plan accomplishes several things; it teaches you how to set proper attainable goals, it teaches you which foods to eat to both lose weight and maintain your weight loss, and it teaches you about your own eating triggers, those things that cause you to overeat or eat the wrong foods.

There are a lot of diets out there and they all have one thing in common, they all work if you follow them correctly. The problem is that what works well for one person will not necessarily work well for another person. You need to look for a diet that works well considering your own lifestyle.

Often people will say negative things about some diets, but you need to consider what the goals are. Some diets are meant as short term fixes, this would be diets such as the Cabbage Soup Diet or my own Carbohydrate Counting diet. They are meant for maximum weight loss in minimum time. And they work for that.

If you chose to use these diets you also need a secondary diet to move to once you have your quick start weight loss. This would be almost all of the conventional diets such as Atkins, Sonoma, South Beach, Jillian Michaels and many others.

You need these types of diets for longer term results because they teach you how to approach your diet as a new lifestyle. They also provide motivation and support when you’re having a rough time. And they provide plenty of information to help you transition to a new way of eating.

According to experts if you come to your diet plan with an attitude of health and longevity you are more likely to succeed. Online diet plans will help you to cultivate this attitude while giving you the tools and support that you need to succeed.

For a small fee you will get access to message boards and blogs of others going through the same struggle as you. Many sites will give you expert advice from nutritionists, diet experts and fitness trainers as well. Recipes, diet tips, fitness tips and online tools are all included in many of the online weight loss diet plans.

The specialists will have a closer look at your personal situation, needs, requirements and current eating habits and suggest how to change them. They will also suggest the food preparation methods and recipes to enable healthier living.
Suggestions for a successful diet plan:

Reducing the amount of fat in food recipes
Reducing the amount of calories
Reduce the amount of sugar and fat intake
Avoid food such as cakes, cookies, puddings, custards, muffins and treats.
Before buying check the labels, packaging and nutritional information on packaged goods.
Use herbs, lime or fruit, garlic as salt free seasonings
Change recipes for health
Avoid refined carbohydrates
Avoid overeating of wrong foods as these are huge culprits of weight gain
Include healthy fats and oils in your diet fitness plan, but only small quantities.
Include five to six smaller meals throughout the day instead of three larger meals

You have so many options once you decide to choose a diet plan. Don’t feel like only this diet or that diet will work. All of them work, but how well depends on you. Research the various diet plans and choose one that you feel fits your personality best. Take it slow, remember you did not gain the weight in just one or two months so don’t expect to lose it so fast either.

With the proper diet plan and motivation it is really very easy to lose weight and can even be fun. It will give you such a great feeling of accomplishment and power when you see the scale start to move downward. Just remember that it takes time and soon you’ll find yourself right at your goal weight and you’ll wonder why you waited so long to get started.

Zone Chefs Diet Review

Diet Plan — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:28:42 +0000

Zone Chefs is billed as the only 5 star diet in America. It is based on the Dr. Sears Zone diet and was founded on the belief that a diet plan should always be healthy, delicious and convenient. The Zone Chefs delivered food is not like diet food at all. Zone Chefs meals and snacks are delicious and healthy promoting high energy levels, lean body mass and weight loss. You won’t find diet food anywhere that tastes this good.

Zone Chefs Diet Program Details

Cost – Zone Chefs is not inexpensive, it is gourmet meals at gourmet prices. Meal plans start at $700.00 a month, this includes 56 FREE gourmet snack bars if you purchase a 28 day plan.

Meals – Here is an example of one days frozen delivered menu:
Breakfast:
Spanish Omelet with Pineapple Salsa
Lunch:
Chicken Breast Picatta with Tuscany Orzo
Dinner:
Tender Beef Cubes & Broccoli Florets with Spicy Ginger-Garlic Glaze and Asian Rice & Bell Pepper Toss

Exercise – Zone Chefs does not require any exercise as part of their diet program.

Diet Duration – The Zone Chefs diet is meant to be a lifestyle change. You should continue eating this way for the rest of your life. The Zone diet prescribes a 40% carbohydrate, 30% protein and 30% fat diet. Zone Chefs delivers that and saves you the time and energy of cooking and planning yourself.

Time Commitment – Since all of the meals are prepared and require only heating the time commitment for Zone Chefs is minimal. It is likely less time consuming than cooking yourself.

Strict/Flexible – Zone Chefs and the Zone diet are fairly flexible allowing for meals eaten out and alcohol as part of the diet. You should exercise some discipline when eating out such as choosing lower fat entrees and declining dessert.

Shipping Policy -
At this time, daily delivery service is available in the New York Tri-State area, parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, as well as Southern California.

WEEKLY delivery service is available nationwide to 48 states.

DAILY Delivery Programs are shipped by our ZoneChefs professional Delivery Team. Each day’s meals are packed into a discrete, black, insulated cooler bag and left at your front door by 5 AM each day.

WEEKLY Delivery Programs are shipped in a Styrofoam cooler via FedEx. Shipments usually go out on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays for two day arrival on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.

Return Policy – DAILY Delivery: We require two (2) business days notice for any and all cancellations to be processed. Vegetarian, Flexetarian and Kosher programs requires three (3) business days notice for any and all cancellations to be processed. We will then refund your card for the remaining days not utilized.

Cancellations may be tendered by e-mail to info@ZoneChefs.com, or by fax to (718) 444-2599, or by registered mail @ 590 Madison Ave , 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022 or by telephone @ (800) 939-0663. You are advised to maintain a copy of your e-mail, fax confirmation or registered mail receipt to document your request. Should you desire to cancel by phone, you must receive a cancellation confirmation number from a ZoneChefs® Representative.

WEEKLY FRESH Delivery: Since shipments are done on a weekly basis, we must be notified of cancellation requests the Friday PRIOR to your delivery date. If dissatisfied, please understand that you MUST cancel your service by 1 pm EST that prior Friday. Cancellations may be tendered by telephone at 800-366-9197 ext. 2.

WEEKLY FROZEN Delivery: The Frozen cancellation policy is the Thursday 1 week prior to your next week shipment by 6pm EST.

Upon receipt of your cancellation notice as referenced above, the resulting refund credit issued will be for the unused portion of your plan (i.e. the days in which food was not delivered). You will receive a refund within 5 to 10 business days for any days in which deliveries were not sent.

Any and all days in which meals were delivered will be pro-rated to our current suggested retail price per day plus the applicable state sales tax.

Contact Information – 1-800-906-5927

Additional Information -

10 Ways to Transform Your Diet

Diet Plan — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:43:31 +0000

While dieting is tied to scientific study it is by no means an exact science. What works for one person will not work for all people. That being said, there are some things that all of us can do to make our chosen diet plans more successful. These are common diet hacks that many have used to lose weight, transform your diet and live a healthier life.

The 10 diet hacks presented here may not be enough by themselves to get you all the way to your goal weight, but they are a great start to a new slimmer, more confident and healthier you. Follow suggestion #3 and phase them in gradually. By adding one of these hacks every few days you can slowly transition to a better way of eating and of viewing food. By the end of just one month you’ll be seeing real results.

1. No to fruit juice. Most of you might think that fruit juice is good for you, but think again. Juice is fruit with the fiber removed and in addition it is often loaded with sugar. If you want fruit then have the real thing.

2. Stick to water. By drinking water and unsweetened tea (preferably green tea) you can take hundreds of calories a day out of your diet and really start to see some results immediately. Just 500 calories a day is equivalent to 1 pound a week and you can get that in just a few sodas or fruit juices. Plus water helps to flush your system. Remember that our bodies are 90% water and drinking enough helps every part of you. Water has many benefits making it well worth it to make water your beverage of choice.

3. Create a new good habit each day. Many of us eat the same things day in and day out, not because they are nourishing, but because it has become a habit. Change those bad habits into good habits. For example, I switched from a snickers bar in the middle of the afternoon to a piece of fruit. Even if you make just one small change daily they will add up over time and you’ll be much healthier.

4. Change your lifestyle. Your diet is not a one time event, it is the way you feed your body day in and day out. We often say that we are “on a diet”, but this is a misnomer because you are always on a diet. It’s just that some diets are more healthy for us than others. Change your lifestyle so that you think of your diet as something positive that you do for yourself.

5. Get plenty of sleep. Researchers have found that lack of sleep can contribute to weight gain. Proper sleep is a necessary part of any weight loss plan. Make sure you get 7 hours a night or more to be at your best.

6. Eat 5-6 small meals per day. Yes, it may seem strange to eat 5-6 meals a day when you’re trying to lose weight, but this is the secret to getting to the next level in your fitness goals.

Eating 5-6 small meals per day is the key to a fast metabolism. Every time you eat a meal, your body’s metabolism starts up a new spin cycle caused by the thermic effect of food.

In fact, a portion of the calories you consume are burned through the simple act of digestion. This thermic effect can range from 3% to 30%. Lean protein causes a thermic effect of up to 30%. This means you burn 30% of the calories you eat from chicken breast, fish, and egg whites. Vegetables have a thermic effect of around 20%. However, fats and refined carbohydrates have a very low thermic effect of only 3%. This is one of the reasons it’s so easy to gain weight when you are eating lots of carbohydrates and sugars.

When you’re eating 5-6 smaller meals that are centered around high protein and fibrous vegetables, your body will burn through the calories.

A higher metabolism creates a fat-burning machine. The longer you practice this meal plan, the more muscle you’ll develop. The more muscle you develop, the faster your metabolism will become. It’s a win-win situation.

Unfortunately, it’s something that way too few people are taking advantage of. Most people try to starve themselves and in the process they kill their metabolism. In doing that, they also kill their fat-burning potential.

Five or six small meals a day accelerates your body’s natural rate of calorie burning.

Best of all, frequent meals also prevents binges and controls cravings. When you’re eating every three hours, your body stays satisfied and your energy levels stay high.

7. Don’t avoid all fats. It may sound strange and counter intuitive, but it is actually a good thing to eat some fats when trying to lose weight. The fats you want to eat are the “good” fats that will help keep your immune system working and will actually help keep your metabolism higher.

They’re called essential fatty acids. You may have heard of them. They go by the name of Omega 3, Omega 6, and Omega 9 and they are essential to a healthy diet.

8. Add variety to your meals. Don’t get stuck in a rut with your diet. Eating a variety of meats, fruits and vegetables and experimenting with different herbs and spices will keep you more interested in your new diet.

9. Get your Fiber. Fiber provides several benefits to you. It makes you feel fuller so you eat less and it slows down the digestion of fats and carbohydrates so you feel full longer.

10. Eat more slowly. Americans eat their food way too fast. If you want to lose a few pounds then slow down when you eat. It can take 20 minutes after your full for the message to get from your stomach to your brain. If your stuffing food into your mouth for that 20 minutes imagine the excess calories you’re taking in. Slow down and take the time to enjoy your food. On the other hand some experts feel that the speed of your eating has no relationship to weight loss, rather it is how the food tastes that counts.

Everyone has their own diet hacks that have helped them lose weight, get motivated or keep weight off. Leave a comment and let’s hear yours!

Get Motivated – 10 Ways to Change Your Diet Habits

Diet Plan — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:59:24 +0000

If you’re going to lose weight then the very first thing you want to do is to decide to make it happen. This is where people have the biggest problem. Most people know that to lose weight; they should exercise more and eat less. It’s not what to do that’s the issue, but how they can do it. HOW do you eat less and exercise more? How do you change your diet habits?

The following ten steps will give you the motivation and the tools necessary to make a positive impact on your lifestyle and help you lose weight easily and effectively.

1. Plan Ahead: You need to plan so you know what to do now and what you’re going to do going forward. Without a plan even the best diet and exercise program can get derailed when you run into adversity. You should know what kind of diet you are going to use to lose weight. Low carb, low fat and low calorie diets all work well, which path will you be following? Each of us will lose weight differently on different diets. This may be the time to seek the help of the professionals with a diet plan to determine what will work best for your goals and personality.

2. Learn how to Grocery Shop: Grocery shopping goes hand in hand with planning ahead. You need to know what choices you are going to make BEFORE you get to the grocery store. If you don’t know what you’re looking for then the marketers will surely sabotage your diet efforts once you get in the store. Learn what to buy and how to make a list and you’ll be one step ahead in your diet planning. Most good diet programs will teach you how to grocery shop and more importantly how to avoid the bad grocery store choices.

3. Understand there is no magic bullet: Some people will get discouraged and lose their initial enthusiasm when they begin an exercise or diet program because they expect overnight success or a ‘magic bullet’. It’s important to understand that no exercise program or diet book can cure a lifetime of bad eating habits. Nothing will happen overnight, but small daily changes and successes will add up in the long run. If you continually encourage yourself and work towards improving your habits on a daily basis you will make improvements and create a healthier you.

4. Understand Motivation: You should know why you want to lose weight. General reasons like ‘looking better’ or ‘becoming more healthy’ are not enough to keep you motivated and keep that fire burning for the long haul. If you want to change your behavior and keep your motivation high you’ll need specific reasons to lose weight that are goal oriented. I want to lose 20 pounds in the next 3 months is a specific and measurable goal. Weight loss sounds good until Friday at 5 PM rolls around and it’s time for you and your friends or co-workers to go out and “kick back” after a long, hard week. Remember, you need to find the fire within, the motivation to drive you daily, to reach your goals.

5. Self-Monitor: One of the most valuable things you can do is to self-monitor your own behaviors. Self-monitoring is the observation and recording of a specific behavior. This can be as simple as placing a check mark on a calendar when you achieve a certain behavior or as detailed as writing down everything about a behavior (i.e. time, date, location, specific details, emotions). Often people are not aware of their own behaviors and self-monitoring can increase awareness. This is especially true for your diet. I would be willing to bet most of us have no idea how many calories we eat in a day or where they come from. The simple exercise of writing down or tracking what you eat for a week can be very enlightening. Try tracking your food for a week with FitDay and I think you’ll be surprised. Often just tracking your eating like this is enough to help you stay motivated and lose weight.

6. Problem-Solve: Studies have shown that those who used behavior change and problem-solving strategies when losing weight did better at maintaining weight loss than those who merely used behavior change strategies. Problem solving means you find the real problem that is keeping you from reaching your goals. Once you’ve found the problem you can then create possible solutions to overcome the problem taking into consideration your lifestyle, personality and the likelihood of success. Choose one of the strategies and evaluate how successful it is in helping you solve the problem. If necessary change to a different strategy, but make sure you are working on overcoming the problem daily.

It is important to recognize that not all strategies will be successful. Various strategies can be created to ultimately identify and correct a problem. Also remember that just because something works for one problem, does not mean it will work for every problem. Seek out the best solution for each problem you face. Long hours at work, social settings, traveling for business, etc.; each present different challenges to your weight loss efforts, and will require unique strategies. Be creative.

7. Work with a friend(s) or your spouse: It’s been proven that social support improves weight loss and the ability to keep the weight off. You can use this to your advantage by getting a group of friends and/or family members together on a plan and working towards a goal. You are much more likely to exercise regularly if you know there will be friends there to meet you. It helps to keep you more accountable and can also help because of the peer pressure or competitive nature of people. And the support of friends and family can be just the little extra you need when trying to break through a barrier or plateau to the next level.

8. Train like you mean it: Don’t simply go through the motions when you’re in the gym. Make this time count! By training hard you’ll not only burn more calories right now, but you’ll also boost your metabolism to burn more calories later. You want to keep your rest between sets to 60 seconds or less and you shouldn’t be spending more than 60 minutes in the gym. Train hard and get out! Remember your goal is weight loss and you won’t get that by socializing or slacking off.

Additionally you want to plan for your training just like you plan for your nutrition in step 1. Get a spiral notebook and keep track of exercises, weights, rest time and sets so you’re not going forward blindly. The best way to see your progress is by writing it down and I can tell you it is VERY motivating if you can look back one month and see the progress you’ve made. This applies to both weight training and aerobic based training like running, biking or swimming.

9. Learn to Read Food Labels: This goes hand in hand with rule #2, learning to grocery shop. You would think this would be easy, but it does take some degree of understanding. For example, the nutrition information shows the nutrients based on each serving. There may be 2 or 4 or even 10 servings per package so you need to know that and how to determine your proper portions and the quality of the foods. It also helps in finding the proper proportions of macro nutrients which is very important in most diet plans.

10. Eat Breakfast: I’m sure you’ve heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and if you haven’t then I’m telling you now. Don’t skip breakfast. Not only has research shown that those who eat breakfast regularly consume higher levels of many nutrients, but it has also shown time and time again that those who eat breakfast daily have lower body fat levels and body weights. Breakfast gets your body started, gives you energy and charges up your metabolism. It is also the best time of the day to eat carbohydrates when you’re on a low carb diet because the carbs will provide your body with energy throughout the day. It’s not good to skip any meal, but breakfast is the worst meal of all to skip.

No matter when you decide to start losing weight or what diet plan you use there will always be difficult situations and barriers to changing your eating and exercise habits. As with any area of your life significant changes take desire, willpower, motivation and a change in your mindset. It’s easy to fall back into your comfortable patterns and skip the gym or stop for a pizza for dinner instead of taking 20 minutes to prepare a healthy meal. It’s up to you, but realize that if you don’t make the change now then when will you? The time to change is right now!

Body Fat Loss Is the Goal

Diet Plan — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:50:35 +0000

Body fat loss is something that is sought after by the millions of overweight and obese people across the globe. Weight issues are something that can be witnessed in almost every culture under the sun nowadays. Fortunately there are many who have chosen to take matters into their hands and make a change.

An absence of information on this subject is definitely not the case. An internet query of the words “weight loss” will return boat loads of results. Finding the right program for your needs may be a little more challenging.

Being completely lost is a common condition when it comes to all the gee whiz nifty diet products on the market today. Even a third grader probably has an opinion on the best way to lose weight. So much information and much of it completely contradicts itself.

Some body fat loss methods work for some people and not for others, why? The biggest reason is that those who can stick with it long term win the prize. With that said, it is very important for you to find a program that you can stick with long term.

Although some foods are more helpful with helping you lose weight than some other foods it is important to understand that calorie restriction is the key to weight loss. That’s the part no body wants to hear but scientifically speaking, the proof is in the pudding (or maybe the yogurt). The formula is a simple one…burn more calories than you take in.

A method that has been working quietly behind the scenes for many years is one that only requires you to cut calories once or twice a week. You are allowed to eat normally for the rest of the week. No carrying around your “rabbit food” in Tupperware bowls.

This method for weight loss focuses on cutting calories from a weekly point of view, not a daily one. Now you can go ahead and get the calorie cutting business out of the way in one or two days and be finished with your “dieting” for that week. No need to be a calorie obsessed freak seven days a week.

The method of body fat loss being referred to here is called short term intermittent fasting. This technique utilizes one to two 24 hour fasting periods a week to create a calorie reduction that leads to permanent weight loss. Not only does this program help you lose weight, it also has some amazing health benefits, such as anti aging effects, that you may want to check into further.

Success With Weight Loss And A Low Carbohydrate Diet!

Diet Plan — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:18:47 +0000

Low carb dieting has become fashionable in recent years especially with the publication of the Atkins diet. Losing weight is a goal for so many people and everybody is looking for the quick and easy way to lose weight. Some people do not need to lose weight at all but still get stressed over a couple of pounds. Others need to lose for medical reasons and may have one hundred pounds or more that they want to shed.

Ninety percent of the population in North America would like to lose weight. Most are on the search for the quickest and easiest way to trim that excess weight. Some many only want to lose 5 pounds, others want to lose 20, 50, 100, 200 pounds and even more. Low carb diets seem to be becoming the “fashionable” way to lose weight in recent years. Many are getting stressed over losing their excess weight which in turn is making it harder and harder to achieve their weight loss goals. Other have medical reasons to lose excess fat, and sometimes end up using dangerous methods such as diet pills, medical procedures, and restricting food intake.

Dieting is an industry in itself. There are many diets out there, including the low carb diet. This diet works, but so do all diets, if followed the way it was meant to be followed. Sometimes we stray we may have a function to attend and the food that you are to eat is not available. Sometimes life gets in the way, the most important thing to remember when this happens there is the next day. Don’t allow one mistake undo all the work you achieved prior to that one event. Wake up and continue like the night before never happened. Don’t be upset with yourself. Always remember it isn’t the once in a while episode that brought you where you are today, it is a life long change recognize, realize and let it go. Once we have come to that realization that is when are road to permanent weight loss will be achieved.

To be successful with this diet, you need to understand food groups, which ones to eat and which ones to avoid. Carbohydrates come in many forms, breads, rice, pasta, potatoes, flour, sugar the list goes on. Fruit is often not allowed due to the sugar content. Meal planning is simple with the low carb diets. There are protein shakes and bars on the market that can be purchased as meal replacements, just need to make sure the protein content is high and the carb content is low.

Like most restrictive fad diets some people who do a low carb diet do it for so long then fall off the wagon. Because of the high fat calorie content from meat this form of dieting has come under fire due to the fact some people have lost weight, but cholesterol has become elevated. Since the nature of this diet is high protein high fat it is recommended to seek medical advise prior to starting this plan. Also because of the restrictions on this plan people do well at the beginning then tend to trail off and chose foods not part of the plan.

To some people eliminating all those carb’s or comfort foods is difficult at first. No toast in the morning for breakfast, that beer after work, but now there is available low carb beer. Low carb dieting doesn’t have to be difficult. Most people create their own difficulties. Bottom line, know what you can have on the plan and stick to it. Best advise research options and plan what your goals are Low carb dieting isn’t for everyone, but it sure works once you give it a try. The nice thing to, by sticking to no carb’s one loses cravings for sugar, and other sweet treats.

Body cleansing along side a low carb diet will put your weight loss. If you do a good body cleanse at least once a month ( weekly is ideal ) will definitely help in losing excess fat and keeping it off.

Acai – Does It Really Work?

Diet Plan — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:41:44 +0000

Acai berry – a super food has its origin from the rainforests of Amazon in Brazil. Many theories have come up regarding the benefits of acai berry. Scientists and medical researchers are claiming that these berries are made with antioxidants, nutrients, minerals and vitamins. But one might think whether this exotic fruit is exactly what it is claimed to be. This can be answered if a person has been usually consuming acai. So does acai really work?

Yes – the bottom line is that acai does work!

As already said the acai berries are beneficial for health in many ways. They are considered to be very beneficial in weight loss as they contain appetite suppressants. They limit the hunger pangs for fatty and sweet foods. According to studies conducted by health care professionals the acai berry is actually helpful in reducing weight in comparison to other drugs.

While the subjects taking the drugs lost just 3-4 pounds, the subjects taking the acai pills lost 12-15 pounds! This was in support to strict diet and balanced exercise in both the cases. The acai extract is also known to boost the metabolism rate which supports in burning calories. The fiber content of these berries is helpful in digestion and overall health of a person. Acai oil is also used in various cosmetic products.

The bottom line here is that acai does work, but the important thing that must be looked into is that you get pure acai. The freeze-dried powder form is the one that has been chosen to be the purest. Many acai products have other juices and sugar as the ingredients besides acai, but these dilute the effectiveness of acai.

If acai berries are to be used for advancement of overall health, then products with high concentration should be wanted so as to get maximum benefit. Acai is not a magic that will cure diseases, but it does slows and prevents the onset of many diseases and is in every way beneficial for the body.

Impact Of Acai On Ageing

Diet Plan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:05:35 +0000

Acai berry has become very common recently because of its numerous health benefits. This super drug is seen in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil. The acai berry fruit grows on the top of palm trees. It is deep purple in color and is full with all the eminent nutrients needed for a good maintenance of our overall health.

Acai berry plays an essential role in maintaining our health and also supports in protecting us from many diseases including heart-related ailments and cancer. The list of diseases from which it forms a shield in our body is quite long. According to many anti-aging experts, acai berry is a nutritious fruit and should form a major part of everyone’s daily diet.

Besides protecting from diseases, it can also resist the aging process as it contains a high content of antioxidants and concentrated anthocyanins. Since it contains both of these chief elements, it is considered good for the anti-aging process. Till now, this benefit was derived only from red wine. However, acai berry is said to have 20 to 30 times more anthocyanins as compared to red wine.

Acai berry also helps fight the free radicals in our body which are primarily responsible for the aging process, since they destroy different sections of the body in the long run. Amino acids and trace minerals are required by the muscles for contraction and regeneration. Both of these are present in acai berry and hence, it helps to preserve the skin as lack of contraction and regeneration of muscles makes the skin look aged.

The fatty acids present in acai berry consists a huge quantity of monounsaturated oleic acid. This, joined with omega 3 fish oil, makes the cells suppler when they enter the cell membranes. They also aid the proper working of hormones, insulin receptors, and neurotransmitters, thereby reducing inflation in the process.

Acai Berry Nutritional Content

Diet Plan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:04:43 +0000

Acai berry is one of the species of the palm tree cultivated mostly in the Amazon River Basin of Brazil for its excellent features. Since acai berry is famous for its many nutritional contents, it is consumed by the Brazilian people as one of their chief food items. In recent years especially, acai berry has got global popularity and is being cultivated throughout the world for the same purpose.

Till now, research on acai berry nutritional content revolves around on a specific powder called the Opti-acai (freeze-dried form of acai berry skin and pulp). Per hundred grams of this powder contains 52.2 g crbohydrates (with 44.2 g of fiber), 533.9 calories, 32.5 g fat, and 8.1 g protein.

The quantity of vitamin C is almost negligible, calcium is 260 mg, iron is 4.4 mg, and vitamin A 1002U is in per hundred gram of this powder. It also contains glutamic acid and aspartic acid, and the content of amino acid was found to be 7.59% per hundred grams as per the studies.

Acai berry also contains 78-91% beta-sitosterol of the total sterols. The fat content in acai berry contains 56.2% oleic acid, 12.5% linoleic acid, and 24.1% palmitic acid of the total fats. There are polyphenols like vanillic acid and procyanidin acid are also available in the oils of the acai berry fruit. Some of the acids which degrade considerably after exposure to heat or during storage such as syringic acid, protocatechuic acid, ferulic acid, and hydroxybenzoic acid are also found in acai berry’s different products like juices, mixed juices, and powder.

Since there are a number of species of acai berry, various species are grown in many regions. Some eight species are grown in the marshy lands and floodplain areas of South and Central America, Peru, Brazil, and Belize. These slender, tall acai palm trees may grow up to 20-30 meters and have pinnate leaves, which are 3 meters long.