Green Tea Basics

Green tea is becoming very popular today, although many people do not know anything about green tea it is considered to be something healthy and good, something that will improve the quality of life of the one drinking it, and it is very true.

For centuries people have been using tea as a special drink, sometimes as a ceremonial drink and sometimes used for medicinal propose, the benefits of green tea are not something that has been discovered lately but has been used and learned for many years. There are many home remedies that are associated with green tea, it is known that many people use green tea as a relief for nausea, for treating skin and teeth and many other conditions.

The advantages of green tea are mostly famous for their ability to help people on a diet, the green tea diet has had great popularity in the west, and many people know about green tea because of the marketing effort made to sell the green tea diet products, but it is much more than a diet product or any kind of medicine that is used to assist in one or another pain or condition, green tea is a gift that can be used in many ways and in fact it is still researched and examined to see if there is more it can do.

For many in the west green tea is a blessing, the few last years has seen a sharp rise in the quantity of caffeine intake in most of the western world countries, as people drink more and more caffeine their bodies are becoming more dependent on it, and they are also responding to the huge amounts of caffeine in unnatural ways, many of us know the feeling of having too much coffee, and this is exactly why the green tea is so successful in the west, to relief westerners from the ever growing need of coffee.

There is no harm in drinking green tea and you may occasionally find a person who is treating himself by a green tea diet that lasts a few weeks, it has been found that green tea contains antioxidants that help the body regenerate energy and regain its power, it is true that this does not happen overnight, but when you start drinking green tea on a regular basis you will feel healthier almost immediately, especially if you are using green tea to avoid other, less healthier beverages or even behaviors.

Green tea is something westerners are not completely used to yet, and many have not even tasted green tea in their life, but the healthy quality that the tea has together with its ever growing reputation of being good for diet and for relaxation make sure that many will discover it soon, and these people may even be surprised at this alternative to the coffee and other caffeine loaded drinks. Green tea is not the greatest drink in the world, but it can do only good, and a cup or two a day will only result in better life and wider smiles.

About The Author
Celia Namart an avid traveler has collected her thoughts and ideas during her many travels around the world, back from a recent trip to Asia Celia writes about natural health remedies and green tea at http://greentea.advice-tips.com/

Green Tea Extract

What is Green Tea Extract?

Green Tea Extract is the concentrate of the green tea leaf. The leaf is steeped in alcohol or some other solvent, which is then left to evaporate, leaving the extract. It has all the essential properties of the Green Tea Leaf. The extract has more of the essential parts, while parts of the leaf have no benefit, or effect at all.

Why You WANT it

Just as in green tea, the extract is loaded with plant nutrients called phytochemicals. They’re among some of nature’s strongest and most beneficial substances. The anti-oxidant rich phytochemicals, powerfully defend against the damages caused by free radicals in our bodies.

The free radicals are ‘missing a screw’; literally, they have an unpaired electron, which makes them unstable. They form fast chain reactions and can destabilize other molecules – that’s not good for us. The anti-oxidants found in Green Tea Extract neutralize the free radicals, and in so doing provide a number of noted benefits including: treating headaches, correcting poor digestion, and lowering cholesterol. Not only does the extract provide anti-oxidants, but studies have shown that our blood’s capacity for holding anti-oxidants increases. Not only do we get the healthy nutrients in the extract, but also our bodies are able to hold more – it’s like a Power-Up!

Another benefit from Green Tea Extract is increased metabolism, and therefore, weight loss. Green Tea DOES have caffeine, and you might be inclined to think that’s what raises the rate of metabolism, and gives more energy. However, a study was done where the same amount of caffeine as is found in Green Tea was introduced to the body. The result was that the heart rate increased, but the metabolism did not; caffeine alone had a different effect. In fact, studies have shown that Green Tea Extract raises the metabolism, but NOT the heart rate, which makes it safer than some other herbal weight loss supplements.

Here is an expanded list of benefits for Green Tea Extract:

• Philippines Medical Study showed positive results in its ability to treat acne

• It stimulates the immune system and even fights dental plaque.

• It contains ECGC, a powerful type of anti-oxidant approximately 200 times more potent than Vitamin E

• Has been shown to fight cancer, and even protect against liver damage

How Do You Get it?

If you’ve been thinking about taking Green Tea Extract, it’s important that you educate yourself about all of the health risks. For example, the caffeine can have an adverse effect on some people – so it is ALWAYS necessary for you to consult a professional before you start any serious change in diet.

Once you have all the facts, you’ve spoken to your Doctor or other professional, and you choose to start taking it, it’s very easy to find. Almost any Vitamin store or drug store will have it in stock. Remember, Green Tea Extract won’t always be sold in the same way. Different companies might mix it, or include other vitamins, herbs, chemicals, etc…. So don’t just buy the first bottle you see with “Green Tea Extract” written on it. Read the label, and do your homework. Be smart. Be safe. Be well.

About The Author
Celia Namart an avid traveler has collected her thoughts and ideas during her many travels around the world, back from a recent trip to Asia Celia writes about natural health remedies and green tea at http://greentea.advice-tips.com/.

Healthy Food For Kids

Our children are getting fat. In 1963, 5 % of American children were considered obese, in 2002 that number had increased to 15 % and now in 2006 a full 25 % of American children between the ages of 5 and 12 are considered obese. Another 35 % are considered overweight and 14 % have Type 2 diabetes, a condition normally found in adults.

What are the reasons of these high rates? First of all, less physical activity, because nowadays kids spend more and more time in front of TV or Playstation. Then they eat more industrial food and less fresh food.

But, actually, what should children eat that can be called healthy food? Let's have a look first on what is a good lunch for kids.

They should get a balance of food groups: a protein source, like meat, cheese, beans, or eggs to keep the blood-sugar level even for a few hours when eaten alone or when combined with complex carbohydrates like vegetables and some pastas. Good choices include freshly cooked and sliced meats (not packaged lunch meats which contain large amounts of sodium and preservatives), tuna, egg salad, tofu and any sort of natural cheese, including cottage cheese, aged hard and soft cheeses.

A second component is fat. Everyone these days believes that any food should be fat free, but what is not healthy is not enough good fat in the diet, especially for kids. Good fats include, again, most anything found in nature, including olive oil, nuts, avocado, and even animal fats. One serving of a snack that provides some non-hydrogenated fat will provide your child with another prophylactic against blood-sugar fluctuations. Mixed raw nuts and dried fruit is a good example of something easy to pack that they will like.

Finally, they also need carbohydrates. This provides the child with ready energy by creating a rise in blood sugar. The goal is to make sure that rise is gradual and not drastic by including complex carbohydrates in the form of vegetables, grains, pasta, and some breads. Some simple carbohydrates in the form of fruits are great palate pleasers.

Beware of food especially packaged for kids because studies validate the hypothesis that food dyes and additives are a factor in attention and behavior disorders and increase the incidence of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperacticity Disorder). In one of these studies, 73 % of children placed on a diet free of dyes, additives and artificial sweeteners showed a reduction in hyperactivity and an increase in attention span.

About The Author
Dr. Frank provides free help to people who want to have a healthy lifestyle on his website http://www.officialhealthtips.com.

Healthy Eating Made Easy

Healthy eating means enjoying a variety of foods in the right portions. There is room for all types of food; each one adding its own goodness. Having a varied diet ensures you get all nutrients you require to stay healthy and bursting energy.

We said enjoying; meaning you will have the benefit of an increased feeling of well being; and meaning you won't need to give up any favorite foods, keep just for treats anything not bringing in essential nutrients or health benefits.

The first step you should take for healthy eating is balancing your food needs and lifestyle. It is a simple equation: energy in must equal energy out. Eating more leads to excessive weight gain. Eat less and you'll feel tired.

Everyone could benefit from more fruits and vegetables. They provide essential vitamins and minerals, and the all important antioxidants. Start simple. Take the five a day challenge first. When you have reached your five a day goal, you can think of the seven a day, or nine a day. It is not that difficult. There are many ways to add fruit or vegetables to a meal.

At breakfast, you can top cereal, granola, muesli or pancakes with fresh berries or dried fruit. Fruit compote is a great sweetener for yogurt, and healthy too. Grapefruit, banana, or apple slices are great on toast. Whatever you eat, remember: don't skip breakfast.

Try to swap fruit for cookies or pie as snacks. Dried fruit makes an excellent snack with lots of fiber. Always include fresh fruit in packed lunches. Salads, any season, are another good lunch option.

At dinner, ask for extra vegetables, as pizza toppings or with pasta. Add carrots, leeks, and onions to casseroles.

Use pureed vegetables to thicken gravy. Frozen vegetables are almost as good as fresh; use them when you are pressed for time.

Count whole grain cereals as an excellent source of fiber, which will keep you satisfied for longer, leaving less room for fatty foods. Fiber in your diet will significantly reduce your risk of disease; it is worth it. Whole grain cereals are also an important source of B vitamins, the ones that help to extract energy from food.

Most of us should reduce the amount of fat we have. Low fat and control are the key words. Switch to unsaturated oils - olive oil is best- if you have not already done so. Add salad to your sandwiches and skip the butter. Try cottage cheese and jelly on toast, instead of butter. There is really no need for butter if the topping is moist.

Cottage cheese or low fat yogurt with herbs and spices make wonderful toppings for salads or baked potatoes. Try a baked potato topped with cottage cheese and chives for lunch or supper.

Lower the amount of salt you have, aiming for one tea spoon a day maximum, including salt in processed food. Herbs and spices will give flavor and aroma, reducing the need for salt.

Drink 6 to 8 cups of liquid every day. One cup of juice adds to your fruit and vegetable count. One cup of milk will boost your calcium intake. One or two cups of tea, or coffee, provide antioxidants. Nevertheless, drink water the most. Sodas should be just an occasional treat. If you like alcohol, have small amounts regularly, always with food. A moderate consumption is 1 cup wine or 2 cups beer for women, 2 cups wine or 3 to 4 cups beer for men in a day. Regularly does not mean daily; there is no need to drink alcohol every day.

Now that you have a healthy diet, remember to eat at steady intervals during the day, to keep your stamina. There are only two more factors to include for maximum benefit: exercise and sleep. Be sure to get enough sleep, around 7 hours -anything between 6 and 8 hours- for adults. Teenagers need more sleep hours than full grown adults, and children even more. Keep moving when you are awake. Though exercise is not food, consider it equally essential to your well being; we will never stress enough the importance of exercise in any healthy diet.

How much you will have to change your habits depend on how you eat now, but it is worth. Healthy eating will lead to more energy, weight loss -keeping it off- and prevention of disease. Plus healthy eating is delicious and fun when it is done right.

About The Author
Anne Ehmer is passionate about food. Her stimulating ideas and recipes are registered in the web site http://www.all-foods-natural.com

Copyright 2006 All Foods Natural

Food High In Fiber

Foods that are high in fiber are widely believed to be beneficial to the body. It is now understood that foods containing fiber, particularily fiber in whole grain foods such as brown rice or whole grain breads, are helpful in maintaining a healthy digestive system. A fiber rich diet can prevent and treat constipation , diverticulosis and hemorrhoids. A high fiber diet can also reduce the risk of heart disease through the reduction of blood cholestoreol levels.

Less well founded claims include the claim that dietary fiber may reduce the risk of some cancers , especially colon cancer. Such claims are made on the supposition that dietary fiber improves the efficiency of the digestive system if eaten regularily, and therefore a person with a fiber rich diet is less likely to be exposed to toxins within the remainder of their diet for as long a period of time as an individual with less fiber in their diet.

A further health benefit of a fiber rich diet is that foods high in fiber can help to maintain a healthy body weight. High fiber foods are often low in calorie whilst providing enough bulk to leave a diner feeling “full”. Fiber rich foods often require more chewing before swallowing preventing a person from eating a large calorific intake in a short time.

The question is how can you put more fiber in your diet without making your diet taste too bland?

Once you are able to identify high fiber foods you will be surprised at how you can improve your health with small changes without sacrificing to much taste from your diet and in many cases by improving the taste of your diet.

The only sources of dietary fiber available are from fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains so it is quite easy to identify high fiber foods. Foodstuffs from animals such as eggs, milk and meat do not contain fiber. Whether food is fresh, frozen or canned often does not make any difference to the fiber content. Be careful to avoid dried or crushed fruits or vegetables and remember that fruits and vegetables without seeds and peels have less fiber than those with seeds and peels.

It may be wise to consider that any additional fiber in your diet over and above what you currently eat will be beneficial for you but when you consider that a daily intake of about 25-35 grams is generally recommended you may be surprised to know that all it takes is a bowl of 100% bran flakes with a banana for breakfast and a can of baked beans for lunch to bring you all the benefits of a high fiber diet.

About The Author
Richard Merson writes for http://www.foodhighinfibre.com visit for more information and lists of high fiber foods.

A Grain Of Meat For A Freshman Vegetarian

Among freshman vegetarians there is the belief that it is difficult to meet the normal protein needs of individuals from a plant diet.

This belief is born out the conviction among non vegetarians that protein comes primarily from animal products. Seasoned vegetarians however know better. They know that protein is available in plant products as much as it is in animal products. The trick is knowing where to look and they know that a good place to look is in wheat.

The protein part of wheat has a substance called gluten. Gluten is the raw material for seitan.

Popular among Chinese vegetarian monks and Mormons, seitan has been around for ages. Also conversant with seitan are Russian and Southeast Assian wheat farmers.

While Seitan is important in the vegetarian|vegan diet, making it can be demanding and time consuming. First of all, the gluten in wheat has to be extracted, washed and kneaded. This takes much time as the process is exacting. Gluten when extracted, seasoned and simmered in broth becomes seitan. It is this seitan that can then be cooked as desired.

For the time pressed, it is encouraging to know that you can purchase ready made gluten. All that would be needed then would be to season to taste and knead. This is good, for then you can season to your taste and desire.

A quicker alternative is to purchase pre seasoned seitan, and simply follow the manufacturer's cooking instructions for preparation. One limitation of commercially prepared seitan is that you are contrained to what seasoning is provided with the commercial seitan.

Some of the more popular ready made seitan are made by White Wave Foods. Ivy foods is also known for its ready to eat style seitan products.

This article is brought to you by http://www.easyhealthyvegetarianrecipe.com

About The Author
Austin Akalanze is an Educator, a Freelance writer and webmaster at http://www.easyhealthyvegetarianrecipe.com. He has been published on several article directories across the net.

Fiber Facts

Fiber is part of a healthy diet, discover why.

Fiber plays a very important role in a healthy diet. Fiber is found in plants, and dietary fiber –the kind of fiber we eat- comes to us inside the fruits, vegetables and grains we eat.

Human provides no calories, as it cannot be digested by humans. Why is it so important then?

Fiber adds bulk to the diet. This bulk aids digestion by making food move faster through the system; not only preventing constipation but preventing the absorption of unhealthy substances as well. Fiber also protects the intestinal wall. With this function in mind, fiber helps to prevent diabetes, heart disease and diverticulosis, which sometimes develops into colon cancer.

Fiber makes you feel full faster and keeps you satisfied for longer, a priceless function when you are trying to control your weight.

DAILY RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF FIBER

Older children, teenagers and adults should aim to have 20-35 grams fiber per day. Fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals should be introduced to younger children, but without counting grams. The amount of food young children should eat in a day doesn’t allow to reach this level of fiber in their diet.

WAYS WITH FIBER

The way to ensure adequate fiber intake is to eat a variety of foods, including more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, cereals, and dried beans and peas.

If you are not having enough, add fiber to your diet gradually. Water aids the passage of fiber through the digestive system, so drink plenty of fluids. Take a few weeks to build up the amount of fiber in your diet to avoid discomfort.

When you don’t peel fruits and vegetables, you are actually getting some more fiber. Cooked food may actually increase your fiber intake by decreasing the volume of the food that you eat. Eating fiber rich food is beneficial, no matter if it is cooked or raw.

HOW TO GET FIBER

There are two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble.

Soluble fiber attracts water and turns to gel during digestion, slowing it. Soluble fiber is found in oat bran, barley, nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, peas, and some fruits and vegetables. Soluble fiber has been scientifically proven to lower cholesterol, which can help prevent heart disease.

Insoluble fiber is found in foods such as wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains. Insoluble fiber seems to speed the passage of foods through the stomach and intestines.

THE DARK SIDE OF FIBER

Eating too much fiber in a short period of time can cause bloating and cramps. This usually goes away once the natural bacteria in the digestive system get used to the increase in fiber in the diet. This is the reason to take some weeks to reach the recommended amount of fiber.

It has been mentioned that too much fiber may interfere with the absorption of minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. As high fiber foods are usually also rich in minerals, this should not take your sleep away. However, consider this effect in the case of young children.

TIP

If you swallow a sharp object by accident –a little piece of broken glass, for instance- eat artichokes and asparagus -bread also helps. Their bulky fiber will wrap the object helping it to go through without causing injure.

About The Author
Anne Ehmer is passionate about food. Non-stop travelling between Europe and United States has somehow afforded Anne time to develop her unique skills in cooking. Her stimulating ideas and recipes are registered in her web sites http://www.all-foods-natural.com and http://www.world-food-and-wine.com.