South Beach Diet And Alcohol Combination

Apr 7th, 2011 Posted in Diet Guide | No Comments »

The South Beach Diet continues to create its own name in many parts of the world. Along with its rapid widespread, many issues surrounding the relationship between the South Beach Diet and alcohol came to surface. With this fact, the number of studies concerning the South Beach Diet and alcohol increases and as such, still many unanswered questions are left.

Speaking about the issue on the South Beach Diet and alcohol, it is commonly noted that the relationship between the South Beach Diet and alcohol is best explained when referring to natural principle behind the South Beach Diet and alcohol. This simply means by looking to every detail mentioned in the South Beach Diet principles and relate it to the function of the alcohol in the diet.

The South Beach Diet in the first place is an eating plan that bears the principle for right carbohydrates and right fats for a healthy life. As such, the South Beach Diet is generally divided into three different phases. With this division, the existence of the somewhat bond between the South Beach Diet and alcohol becomes evident.

According to many studied, the relationship between the South Beach Diet and alcohol is best explained when knowing that the South Beach Diet does not really favor the intake of alcohol in the diet. This explanation between the South Beach Diet and alcohol is in fact shown that during the first two weeks of the South Beach Diet, alcohol is not allowed along with other cookies and goodies. But many people that were given such explanation between the South Beach Diet and alcohol often question the real reason for such restriction. Well, the real reason for such restriction for alcohol in the diet holds that alcohol cause swings in blood sugar that make the South Beach Dieters hungry. This is in fact the purpose of the first two weeks of the diet to eliminate the dieters cravings for food.

Along with such explanation for the relationship of the South Beach Diet and alcohol, another support is given that the alcohol is eliminated in the diet knowing that it has a high level of sugar will hinder the goal of losing weight for about eight to thirteen pounds.

Numerous studies conducted for the relationship between the South Beach Diet and alcohol however shows that a moderate alcohol intake is not that really bad. It is for the reason that it help in slow stomach emptying, and therefore slows the rise and fall of blood sugar, which is the main goal in the South Beach Diet. However, in the relationship between the South Beach Diet and alcohol, it is noted that an excess in alcohol intake doe turn into sugar and can be a diet buster.

So if you absolutely have to have one, it is then necessary to go for a low-carbohydrate version. Another study that shows the relationship between the South Beach Diet and alcohol have shown that hard alcohols have less potential to raise the blood sugar, though they certainly are not that virtuous. But still it is commonly noted to best stay away from it for better health.

Smart Dieting with Soy

Mar 31st, 2011 Posted in Diet Guide | No Comments »

Soy protein has been proven to provide health benefits to humans. The protein can help in the prevention and treatment of heart disease, bone disease (osteoporosis), kidney disease, and several types of cancer, including breast cancer. Soy can also be used to aid the weight loss of many individuals. Incorporating soy into a diet can prove beneficial in aiding the weight loss process, as well as giving healthy benefits to the dieter. The protein can help dieters maintain a healthier diet, and may speed up weight loss. Dieting with soy can prove to be the smartest decision for many dieters.

Soy is a smart choice for a diet, because it contains more protein than milk, and does not contain saturated fat or cholesterol. The Soya beans are considered to be the only vegetable that is complete; the beans contain all of the nine essential amino acids. The beans are the only vegetable that contains more protein than carbs. Soy can be incorporated into any weight loss program, due to its high fiber content, and soy foods should be an addition to daily diets. The protein contains high levels of Tyrosine, which helps humans maintain their alertness and mental energy without needing excess calories. Tyrosine is highly beneficial in when used in weight control. Soy is also a low-glycemic index food that helps regulate blood sugar and insulin fluctuations. Regulating blood sugar and insulin fluctuations can cause a person to feel more satisfied and less hungry until their next meal. This can help an individual maintain their weight and control their weight, during and after weight loss.

Insulin causes the body to store extra sugar in the bloodstream as body fat. Soy protein can be used to help maintain normal sugar and insulin health, which mean fewer hunger cravings and fewer calories being stored as fat. The protein helps regulate hunger, which reduces the urge to snack between meals, and at night. Eating between meals and snacking late at night are major contributors to weight gain and dietary failures. Foods containing soy can be used to stimulate metabolisms, thus contributing to more weight loss. Soy-based foods can help dieters lose more weight, and may successfully reduce serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels during weight loss. When implemented into a weight loss program, soy intake can significantly reduce serum glucose values. Soy is a low fat-source of protein that can help build lean muscle mass, and provides a good source of energy.

It has been recommended that obese individuals on weight programs should consume 20-30 percent protein rather than 10-20 percent, which is currently recommended. Soy protein is the healthiest form of protein, but of the 65 grams currently consumed on average by adult women 22 grams are from beef, poultry, and pork; fourteen grams are from dairy; twelve grams are from grains, and 12 grams are from eggs, and only five grams are from beans. Dairy consumption could be increased by than 10 grams to 24 grams(amount of protein found in three servings of dairy milk), but an additional 20 grams of protein would be required to double the overall protein intake. Soybeans are the best solution to increase the bodys protein needs.

Soy protein is a valuable tool in maintaining the overall health of humans. The protein may also be the most effective in lowering cholesterol, and slowing down the development of diabetes. Incorporating soy into a diet can provide the dieter with a healthy solution to any protein problem, and can help obese individuals maintain a healthier way of eating. Soy is essential in daily eating routines as well as dieting routines, and vegetables such as soybeans provide humans with the greatest amount of protein.

Shopping tips for the pH miracle diet

Mar 24th, 2011 Posted in Diet Guide | No Comments »

If youve read about the pH miracle diet and youve decided to give it a try, you have a few tasks ahead of you. Depending on how committed you are the program you may begin with clearing out your pantry and your refrigerator of all highly acidic foods. If you live with others who wont be on the diet with you, you may just want to remove the high acid treats that you find irresistible. Either way, whether you do a kitchen purge or just remove a few items from your shelves, youll need to go grocery shopping.

Shopping for the pH miracle diet can be done at any grocery store, but occasionally people find it easier to get specialty items at health foods stores or natural food chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joes. However, if you live in an area where there is no access to these types of stores, you can still easily purchase the items you need at a standard grocery store.

Before you make your shopping trip, youll need to start a list of items. You dont want to walk into the grocery store blind and try to remember what you need to buy. Some people like to work from the alkaline food lists in the book. This is a good approach if you have a lot of money to spend and just want to fill your kitchen with these foods. However, a better and more organized approach is to first make out a menu list for the following week. When you shop from a planned menu and the recipes that go with those meal choices, youll only buy what you need. Additionally, many of the foods on the alkaline list are fresh vegetables. Youll want to make sure that you actually need them before you buy them so you wont risk wasting money.

Remember, when you first start, your diet doesnt have to be 100% alkaline. In fact, even on strict versions of the pH miracle diet a balance between acid and alkaline is recommended. So when you make your menu and your grocery lists, keep that in mind. Foods that are slightly and moderately acidic include bananas, whole grain pasta, dried beans, eggs, milk, nuts and wheat bread. There are many others and you can consult different resources on the levels of acidity in foods. Strive to have balance in your daily diet of 70% alkaline to 30% acid.

When you arrive at the grocery store, with your list in hand, youll notice that you will be staying along the outer rim of the grocery store. Generally, the foods along the walls are fresher and more natural than the foods within the aisles. If you think about it, all of the foods in the center of the store are processed and packaged. The outer edges consist of the produce section, the dairy section and the deli and/or meat counter.

Produce, especially vegetables, is going to be the primary focus on your pH miracle diet shopping trip. Buy organic produce if you have the means to. However, the real importance is that you buy the vegetables and use them in your cooking. If you have to use conventionally grown produce or frozen produce that is better than using no produce at all.

The only word of caution is to avoid canned fruits and vegetables. The canning process has negative effects on the alkaline state of these foods. There is also a lot of sodium in canned fruits and vegetables. If you cannot buy fresh, look for frozen. Many stores that do not carry organic fresh produce will have organic frozen produce.

Its best to purchase balance of alkaline and acid foods as you get used to this way of living and eating. If you go cold turkey on your favorite foods and believe that you have to be super strict in order to be healthy, you will end up rebounding back to you acidic ways of eating. Strive for mostly alkaline to begin with, and then you can move further up the alkaline spectrum and eliminate more acidic foods.

Several Ways to Jumpstart your Metabolism and Lose Weight

Mar 17th, 2011 Posted in Diet Guide | No Comments »

The term metabolism refers to all of the chemical reactions by which complex molecules taken in by the body are broken down to produce energy. Simply stated, you metabolism is the way the human body burns up all the calories from the food you consume. Your metabolism has been proven to slow down as you get older, but that does not mean you have to live with it. Experts have identified several ways to jumpstart your metabolism.

In order to rev up your metabolism, you should avoid skipping meals or fasting. Limiting your food intake in this manner can trigger your body to go into starvation mode, which will actually slow down your metabolism. Eating less than 1000 calories a day means that you are denying your body of essential elements necessary for survival. Your bodys only defense is to slow down your metabolism in order to store energy in the form of fat. In order to jumpstart your metabolism you should eat 4 to 6 small meals a day.

Keeping the body hydrated by drinking plenty of water is also a great way to stimulate your metabolism. Just like a lack of food a lack of water can actually trigger your body to slow down its metabolic rate in order to survive. Water is the bodys most essential nutrient. If the body is deprived of water the kidneys will begin to focus their attention on retaining water instead of burning fat. Experts agree that you should drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.

Another way to jumpstart you metabolism is to start exercising. Becoming more active will stimulate your metabolism. Toning up your body is important because muscle is more metabolically active than fat. In addition, aerobic exercise will help you burn calories by increasing your heart rate. Experts recommend one hour of moderate activity a day, this can be a traditional exercise routine or something as simple as cleaning your house or walking the dog.

It is also important to eat the majority of your meals earlier in the day. This means you should not skip breakfast. If you do then your body is deprived of food from the time you went to sleep the night before until you decide to eat lunch. This is too long for your body to go without nutrients. It will go into survival mode and slow down metabolism. In addition, you should make dinner your smallest meal. Experts suggest not eating anything after 8 pm or at least 3 to 4 hours before retiring to sleep.

It is also important to watch your caloric intake as it directly relates to your metabolism. Because you metabolism naturally slows down, as you get older you should adjust the amount of calories you put into your boy accordingly.

Some experts recommend spicing up your foods to give your metabolism a boost. While the actually stimulation of your metabolism by spicy foods is relatively insignificant it does encourage you to eat healthier foods such as vegetables and chicken.

If you are interested in speeding up your metabolism it is important to be aware of gimmicks that seem too good to be true. Avoid cleansing diets that require that you starve yourself. And dont be conned by foods that claim to be fat burners, such as celery or grapefruit. There is no proof that either of these will increase your metabolism at all.

Scientists have determined that as you get older your metabolism decreases an average of 5 percent every ten years. Though this may be an inevitable part of aging there are plenty of simple habits that you can work into your daily routine to keep your metabolism stimulated.

Savvy Salad Tips to Keep You Slim and Trim

Mar 10th, 2011 Posted in Diet Guide | No Comments »

Salads appeal to dieters for several reasons; theyre nutritious, they are simple to make, and they taste great. However, many dieters make common mistakes in preparing their salads, which makes them less nutritious. Many people make the mistake of adding fatty salad dressings, croutons, grated cheese, bacon bits, and other processed ingredients to their salads. Using processed foods in a salad will make it as healthy as a cheeseburger. A salad should not be packed with processed foods; it should be kept light and lean. Adding fresh vegetables, fruits, and low-fat dressings, is the best way to prepare a healthy salad. A healthy salad can help some individuals remain healthy, and can help dieters lose weight and maintain their weight loss in an effective manner.

Eating a salad before a meal is the best way for many people to maintain a healthy way of living. Salads should be low in calories with a lot of antioxidants, and high in fiber, which will contribute to filling a person up faster so they eat less during their main meal. Having a salad before a main meal will enable many people to achieve weight loss without putting any great effort into it. It is also advisable to contain oneself at a salad bar. Salad bars offer a vast amount of salad additives that are usually unhealthy. However, there are many fruits and vegetables offered at salad bars, and its best to use those ingredients to make the healthiest salad.

The healthiest salads use mostly fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are great sources of vitamins and minerals, which are needed on a daily basis. Leafy greens and dark yellow vegetables provide the best source of vitamin A, while other vegetables add vitamin C, folate, iron, and magnesium. Vegetables are also low in fat, and offer a great source of fiber, which is also needed on a daily basis. Using fruits and vegetables in a salad will make it virtually fat-free, because fruits and vegetables are virtually fat-free. Most vegetables contain only 25 calories per half-cup serving. However, the healthiness of fruits and vegetables can be outweighed by a fatty salad dressing, which can add up to 100 calories per tablespoon.

High fat salad dressings are unhealthy and they may ruin a salad. Using two tablespoons of these salad dressings can add 12 to 20 grams of fat to a salad. So, many people who believe they are eating healthy may be gaining weight from eating salads. No-fat and low-fat salad dressings are the best choices for many people. However, salad dressing that is labeled light should be avoided, because they contain almost as much fat as regular dressings. For example, two tablespoons of regular blue cheese dressing contains 16 grams of fat, whereas a light blue cheese dressing contains seven grams of fat. There is a significant difference between the amount of fat that is contained in light and regular dressings, but light dressings will not help an individual lose or maintain their weight.

Other salad options, such as potato salad and tuna salad should not be eaten. Potato salad is usually mayonnaise-based, which contains 23 grams of fat per one cup serving. Tuna salad is also a bad choice, because it contains 10.5 grams of fat per cup serving. Some people may also add nuts to their salad for added taste and protein, and balsamic vinegar may add extra taste without adding extra calories. Eating a salad on a regular basis will help most people maintain their health, and can be a step toward weight loss for many overweight people. Salads should be healthy and fulfilling, and having a salad that is full of fruits, vegetables, and fresh meats will ensure that a person remains fit.

Putting Your Card Debt On A Diet

Mar 3rd, 2011 Posted in Diet Guide | No Comments »

Getting into debt is easy but getting out of it really a difficult task. This holds good for any kind of debt and includes credit card debt too. Credit card debt reduction needs planning and discipline in the way you spend money.

Credit card debt reduction starts with reduction in the expenditures you make using your credit card. So, the first trick for credit card reduction is to go for shopping without your credit card (carry some small amount of cash). This credit card reduction technique isnt asking you to stop shopping, instead its just asking you to seriously evaluate the need of anything you want to purchase and not just purchase it on the spur of the moment.

So, if you really-really need to buy it, you will go back to your home to fetch your credit card thus introducing a delay that is instrumental in killing spur-of-the-moment purchase (and hence helping in credit card debt reduction). It gives you time to evaluate if its really worth going back home and getting the credit card for purchasing that item. So, in this case, credit card debt reduction is achieved by preventing the debt from building up further. Its a very effective credit card debt reduction measure.

The other effective way of credit card debt reduction is debt consolidation i.e. consolidating debt from high APR credit cards to a low APR one. So this credit card debt reduction measure works by reducing the rate at which your credit card debt grows. Moreover, this way of credit card debt reduction also gives you a breather in the form of a short initial period when the APR is 0%.

Besides credit card debt reduction, debt consolidation also brings some additional benefits which are basically in terms of rewards etc offered by the new credit card supplier. Thus this method of credit card debt reduction is really more than just a credit card debt reduction method its a benefit provider too. If you are not comfortable in taking forward this method of credit card debt reduction, you can seek the help of a credit card debt assistance company.

Besides these two credit card debt reduction measures, which are really the most important credit card debt reduction measures, there are other methods too for credit card debt reduction. Another one is to ask your current credit card supplier for help in credit card debt reduction i.e. by lowering the APR. It might work out for you (as it does for some people).

Also remember, that there are people (professionals) out there who provide advice on credit card debt reduction (just in case you need them).

Proper Gout Diet Prevents and Eases Gout Symptoms

Feb 24th, 2011 Posted in Diet Guide | No Comments »

Also referred to as the disease of kings, the occurrence and development of gout are strongly determined by improper diet. In the past, the disease predominantly affected nobles and royalty, due to their access to an abundance of foods that are known today to have high risks of causing gout. These days, many people are still confronted with gout, as they consume foods that interfere in the normal activity of the body. Mostly people living in developed societies are the ones who tend to be affected by gout. The consumption of some exotic foods like seafood (oysters, caviar, calamari, sushi) or improper diets that contain a lot of meats (pork, poultry, beef) are the factors that seem to facilitate the occurrence and the development of the disease. Statistics indicate that people who live in less-developed countries have a smaller chance of developing gout. Also, research results reveal the preponderance of obese people among those who are suffering from different forms of gout.

Gout is a type of rheumatoid arthritis that causes pain and inflammation of the joints. The joints of the lower body seem to be affected the most. People with gout experience discomfort, swelling, local irritation and redness, itching sensations, pain, sometimes feeling a sensation of cold around the affected areas, the skin in those regions often looking stretched. Gout can also affect skin and soft tissue such as muscles and tendons, making them less flexible. Gout is known to be caused mainly by the presence in excess of crystallized uric acid deposits inside the body, which are difficultly eliminated by the kidneys. Improper diet can lead to more accumulation of uric acid in the body, as some foods that contain high levels of purine are synthesized by the body into uric acid.

A proper gout diet and a healthy lifestyle are the best means of preventing and easing the symptoms of gout. It is a fact that there is no specific cure for gout and the treatment often prescribed for the disease usually acts by controlling pain attacks and inflammation. There is little that medicines can do for the patients who suffer from gout, especially for those who have chronic forms of the disease. Proper gout diet can both ease the symptoms of gout and prevent injury and complications. It is known to be the best way of handling the effects of the disease.

Proper gout diet replaces the foods that are considered to cause gout due to their high levels of purine with healthy, better tolerated foods. Foods that are rich in saturated fats should also be avoided.

The foods that are known to have high levels of purine are meats like pork, beef, lamb, poultry, organ meats (brain, kidneys, liver and heart), fish and seafood (sardines, mackerel, oysters, caviar, calamari and crabs) and fat dairy products such as cheese, milk and butter. Even some vegetables like spinach, beans and peas are known to conatin large amounts of purines. However, green vegetables are thought to have no malign effects to the body. Fruits not only have low levels of purines, (and they are strongly recommended in any gout diet) but they also contain vitamins and minerals that are vital in the proper functioning of the body. Vitamin C, contained by most fruits, is a powerful natural anti-oxidant which helps in easing the symptoms of gout.

Among fruits and green vegetables, a proper gout diet can also contain some meats (chicken and low-fat meats) and low-fat milk. Cereals are also good for gout. A proper gout diet should contain: fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, soy (soy replacements of certain dairy products like milk and cheese are strongly recommended), brown rice, cereals, and bread. Drinking plenty of water (around two liters each day) is also important for easing the symptoms of gout, helping the kidneys to eliminate the surplus of uric acid.

Product Review — The Jen Fe Fat Diet Patches From

Feb 17th, 2011 Posted in Diet Guide | No Comments »

Product Review — The Jen Fe Fat Diet Patches From Nexagen

When I first heard about the Jen Fe Fat Loss Diet Patches from Nexagen, I was skeptical. I don’t believe in miracle weight loss cures and short-cuts. I believe in healthy weight loss by lifestyle changes. And I know that there are lots of diet scams and useless diet aid out there, giving false hope and wasting people’s time and hard earned money.

But people all around me who had tried unsucessfully to lose weight and change to a healthier lifestyle and diet, were suddenly losing weight. Not only were they dropping several pounds a week, but they had extra energy (without being jittery) and were even sleeping better. What was going on? I began to do some research. ( I don’t recommend a product without a lot of thought and research!)

Here is what I found…

First I was skeptical that a transdermal patch would even work to get a substance through the skin and into the body. But I learned that the skin is actually a permeable organ that allows some things to enter the body, while blocking other. Some substances that the skin especially likes to pass on to the body are fat-soluble substances such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as steroid hormones such as estrogen. Pharmaceutical companies use this knowledge to find ways to make patches that will deliver medication into the body through the skin. The substances enter the bloodstream through the capillary networks in the skin, and spread throughout the body.

The medical community is becoming excited about patches, since they give a constant amount of medication, instead of dumping in too much and letting it wear off, then doing it again, the way oral medication works. Patches are now being used to deliver a number of therapeutic drugs. These include estrogen, scopolamine (motion sickness), nitroglycerin (heart problems), and nicotine (for those trying to quit smoking).

I became convinced that patches, in general, can and do work. So the question is now whether the substances the patch is sending into the body are effective or not. This is the reason that most diet patches do not work. They are using inferior or useless ingredients. Some diet patch companies have even been prosecuted for running scams.

What about the ingredients in the Jen Fe Fat Loss Diet Patch and the Jen Fe Power Patch (a stronger version of the original Fat Loss Patch)?

The Jen Fe Power Patch features a natural blend of patented ingredients–ForsLean, the herb Guarana (Paullina cupana), ChromeMate (an effective, natural form of chromium poly-nicotinate), Cosmoperine, 5-HTP and diiodotyrosine.

ForsLean, an extract of the herb Coleus Forskohlii, which contains an active ingredient in it called forskolin. This herb has been used in ayruvedic medicine for many years. Forskolin has been shown to not only enhance fat burning, but it may also inhibit fat storage from occurring. Another way that forskolin may allow for fat loss to occur is by stimulating thyroid hormone production and release. Thyroid hormone controls metabolism and can enhance metabolic rate, which may translate into more fat loss.

Forskolin does not have dangerous side effects such as increased blood pressure, heart palpitatations, nervousness and jitteriness, like ephedrine does.

Another benefit of forskolin is that it stimulates the digestive enzymes, which can allow individuals to digest and assimilate their food better. It has been shown to increase nutrient absorption in the small intestine as well.

ChromeMate is an effective, natural form of chromium poly-nicotinate, a popular and well researched diet supplement which is linked with the B-vitamin niacin. An essential trace mineral, Chromium helps the body burn calories, promotes fat and weight loss and preserves lean tissues. Chromium helps the body normalize itself metabolically, and sets the stage for safe and steady weight loss. Chromium may also help control sugar cravings.

The herb Guarana (Paullina cupana) is a great source of the energizing, fat-mobilizing substance caffeine. A small amount of caffeine from this herb helps the body move fats out of storage and into the blood where they can serve as a source of energy. Using fat for energy spares the sugar in muscles and the liver, and helps keep up muscle strength and endurance during your diet. Caffeine also helps to increase epinephrine (adrenalin) levels in the blood. Epinephrine boosts attention, alertness, blood sugar and energy, while damping appetite. The caffeine in one Jen Fe Next Diet Patch is about the same as you would find in an average-sized cup of tea.

Aside from caffeine, Guarana is a rich source of epicathechin and proanthocyanidins. Epicathechin is recognized as the potent antioxidant and health-protector in green tea, while the benefits of proanthocyanidins in red wine are widely known. In addition to protective effects, epicatechin itself boosts metabolism and calorie burning.

Cosmoperine, the active ingredient of black pepper and long pepper, allows the Jen Fe Next Patch to offer increased delivery and patch performance without compromising factors like gentleness or skin irritation. Homeopathically potentiated thyreodinum extract also helps maintain the careful balance Jen Fe Next Patch is known for.

Diiodotyrosine, a building block for T3 and T4, can assist the thyroid gland to maintain its function and help preserve lean muscle. Thyroid function is critical to metabolism and weight management. During dieting, the body inevitably slows down production of the thyroid glands hormones T3 and T4 in an attempt to keep the body in equilibrium. Dieters are forced to reduce calorie intake to the point where the body starts to use muscle glycogen as a source of energy.

5- HTP is an amino acid produced by the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia that acts as a natural and powerful appetite suppressant. What makes 5-HTP most remarkable is that it suppresses the appetite cravings for carbohydrate calories, but not protein or fat calories, making 5-HTP ideal for those on low-carbohydrate diets.

All these dynamic ingredients are absorbed slowly through the skin to stimulate your bodys metabolism. The result is a safe and easy way for you to increase your energy levels and, with proper diet and exercise, achieve a whole new level of wellness!

Well, after going through all this research, it didn’t take me long to sign up with Nexagen (although you don’t need to sign up as a distributor to get the products.) And as the pounds begin to come off, I haven’t regretted a minute of it

pH miracle diet critics

Feb 10th, 2011 Posted in Diet Guide | No Comments »

When something becomes popular, it invites criticism from other sources. The recently popular pH miracle diet is no different. As the program has gained followers, it has gained just as much criticism from different individuals.

The main criticism of the diet is that it encourages people to become vegetarians and vegans. Critics say that this diet, particularly with its omission of dairy products (a vegetarian protein source), is dangerously low in protein. However, this criticism comes from the common misconception that humans need massive amounts of protein. The recent popularity of low-carb diets (which are really just high-protein diets) has re-cemented this myth in the mind of many people. Health has become equivalent with eating red meat and dairy.

However, there are many sources of natural and healthy proteins that dont have the harmful acidic effects of red meat and dairy products. The truth is, most people get too much protein and not too little. Women require about 45 grams of protein per day, and men need 55 grams. Once single cup of tofu (which is acceptable on the pH miracle diet) contains 20 grams of protein. Beans contain at least 8 grams of protein per half cup. So it is really quite easy to get enough protein on a vegetarian diet.

Another criticism related to this issue is calcium. Many people equate drinking milk with strong bones. However, American women consume an average of two pounds of milk per day and yet 30 million of them develop osteoporosis. If drinking milk helped make bones stronger, then the opposite would be true. A study conducted by Cornell-trained nutritionist Amy Joy Lanou showed that there was no specific link between dairy products and bone health in children and young adults. There are plenty of sources of calcium available in the alkalizing food categories that will provide protection against osteoporosis.

Many critics also claim that the emphasis on vegetables and fresh foods is the real reason behind the success that people receive from the diet. The pH miracle diet suggests eating almost 70 percent vegetables and acceptable fruits. At this level, whether you are eating alkalizing foods or not, anyone will have an improvement in health. Critics disregard the importance of the pH balance of the diet.

However, there have been many people who have experienced great results after eliminating wheat, an acidic food. Wheat is not a food that one normally associates with ill health, however, eliminating wheat has been a godsend to many people who have suffered the symptoms of over-acidified diets. The amount of alkalizing vegetables in the diet will definitely do anybody good, whether or not they take the rest of the diet to heart. By eating from the list of alkaline foods, you will be improving your health no matter how strict you are on the diet.

This leads to another popular criticism of the book. Many people claim that the pH miracle diet program is too strict for daily life. The elimination of common foods like animal protein, milk and wheat seems overwhelming for people. They cannot fathom going through a whole day without eating something from one of these foods groups. The idea of sticking to a diet that is primarily plant based seems too rigid and strict. However, many people who use the pH miracle diet have seen beneficial results without being 100% strict with the rules of the diet.

Like with many other diets, the pH miracle diet outlines steps toward better health. The emphasis here is on steps. It is unreasonable to expect anyone to do a complete 180-degree change in his or her eating habits overnight. Taking a slower approach to changing your diet will create longer and more successful results. If the diet is followed word for word, it is difficult at first because people are so used to eating a certain way. With time and practice though, you can move toward better health and a more pH balanced diet.

Parasites and the pH miracle diet

Feb 3rd, 2011 Posted in Diet Guide | No Comments »

The pH miracle diet restores balance to body. By eating mostly alkaline foods, you give your body nutrition that is more in line with the alkaline state of your cells. Excess acidic foods can lead to a host of problems. Among other benefits, following the pH miracle diet can also reduce your tendency to harbor dangerous parasites in your system that can wreak havoc on your health.

What do pH and parasites have to do with one another? The human body has a normal pH at the intracellular level of around 7.4. This is slightly alkaline. Parasites, which are unfriendly bacteria, viruses, protozoa, amoebas and microscopic worms, cannot live between a pH of 7.2 to 7.4.

In the United States, we have a diet that produces high levels of acid at the intracellular level. This is called acidosis, and it is a major underlying cause to many diseases. It also allows parasites to run rampant through your body. If you want to maintain health, youll need to restore balance to your body with an alkalizing diet.

Over time, everything we consume either keeps our bodies in an acidic state or a base state (alkaline). Processed sugars and starches, which are both a major mainstay of the Western diet, are some of the prime offenders in the acidification process. Natural sugar sources have minerals and vitamins within them. Fruits start out as acids, but have the necessary minerals within them to help the cells turn those acids into alkaline by products. Processed sugars do not, and when they are consumed, they release acid into the body. With heavy use of starches and sugars, the body becomes acidic.

Acidic pH at the intracellular level becomes a breeding ground for parasites and actually causes a mutation of friendly intestinal flora into a condition called candidiasis. Candida is natural yeast that is found in the intestine. It is kept in balance by other friendly bacteria that live with it.

However, with the overuse of sugar and the introduction of antibiotics, these friendly bacteria will becomes less prevalent. Candida will mutate and grow out of control. Candida symptoms include uncontrollable sugar cravings, chronic yeast infections, acne, dry skin, fatigue and frequent sinus infections. Parasites can also thrive when candida does, because the friendly bacteria are not there to keep them in check. Worms that would normally pass through the body find a hospitable environment and take hold in the intestine.

Parasites can destroy cells faster than they can be regenerated. They also produce toxic substances as a byproduct of their digestions. These toxic substances can lead to allergic reactions and can cause you to develop new food allergies. Parasites also irritate and invade body tissues, including the intestinal lining and even the skin. The parasites make it difficult for the tissues to operate correctly.

Over time, organ obstructions can develop and this can put pressure of your body organs and overall body functions. The immune system becomes depressed and the presence of parasites can prevent your body from using its natural healing reactions. Finally, the over presence of parasites in the body can prevent your body from absorbing nutrients properly.

The good news is that by following the pH diet you can restore the balance to your body. Since parasites cant live in an environment that is between 7.2 and 7.4 pH, alkalizing your diet will help remove them from your system. When you follow this diet you will be able to reverse the acidification process and make your body an inhospitable place for parasites.