fiber

According to a recent study conducted by medical researchers, it was discovered that people who ate beans on a regular basis tended to have lower body weights than those that didn’t.  In fact, though these bean eaters ate as much as two hundred calories a day more than their non-bean eating counterparts, they still weighed less.

While eating grains has become a bit taboo these days with all the no-carb or low-carb diets around, eating whole, natural grains is actually vital to good health and to maintaining a healthy weight.

Psyllium husks are a soluble fiber herb that is traditionally grown in India.  This herb has recently been investigated for its potential to speed weight loss.  It is chalked full of fiber and as such is receiving a good deal of attention for its health and weight loss benefits.

Many of us forget that fiber is an important part of a healthy, balanced diet. Fiber helps your digestive tract efficiently move food through the body so that excess food is eliminated instead of absorbed and subsequently turned into fat.  Fiber has many health benefits, some of which include the prevention of heart disease, certain cancers and diabetes.

If you are looking for a quick, easy yet extremely nutrition snack on the go, the kiwi fruit should be your go-to fruit. Not only is this fruit delicious but it packs a lot of punch - it is considered a superfruit and provides a number of health benefits.

If you are one of the many people who believe you need to starve to get or stay thin it is time to change your way of thinking. Its not so much about how much you eat but what you eat. Different foods can have the same amount of calories but one will make you feel full faster and longer.

Detoxifying your body at least once a year can be extremely beneficial to most people. Although cleanses are recommended, there are way to detoxify your body gently without buying a boxed cleanse or using extreme measures. Here are six ideas on how to detoxify naturally.

Although research shows that most of us are upping our fruit intake, are we eating the right types of fruit? People tend to stick with what they know-bananas, apples, oranges, and the occasional serving of strawberries or blueberries. Here are five fruits you may not have tried which can be considered the “new super fruits”.

Cellulite affects women throughout the world-upwards to 90% of women have cellulite and very little men are affected by it. It is a condition that occurs when the skin becomes dimpled and occurs after puberty. In contrast to popular belief, cellulite is not related to being overweight.

The South Beach diet is one of the more popular diets today and was started in Miami, Florida. The name appeals to people all over the world, as South Beach conjures up the image of thin, tanned bodies strolling down South Beach. Cardiologist Arthur Agatston developed the diet for his patients based on his studies of scientific researching data. He emphasizes eating “good carbohydrates” and “good fats”.

The South Beach diet claims that its focus is not on people depriving themselves of food, but eating foods that work with your body safely and effectively.

Lately the antioxidant power of pomegranates has been highly publicized. You see pomegranate juice in the grocery stores, health supplements that are pomegranate based, and juice companies promoting the amazing benefits of this trendy fruit. So what is all the hype about?

We have all heard how great broccoli is for you, and our mothers have been telling us to eat it for years. But exactly what is so great about this green vegetable and what is it doing for us?

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a paper that listed foods most likely to prevent colon cancer, and broccoli came up first against all other foods.

Strawberries are proof that your food doesn’t have to taste bad in order to be healthy. In fact, these berries have been proven to be more satisfying than most other foods, and lower bad cholesterol levels by up to thirteen percent over a period of eighteen weeks.

Eating the right foods, in the right portions can actually increase the strength and health of your heart. For optimal heart health, incorporate these three nutrients into your daily diet.

Although traditionally men have not exactly been pro-active about their health, this is beginning to change. Instead of only caring about health when a sickness or disease come into play, more and more men are becoming pro active when it comes to maintaining their health

It is a fact that nearly every person will suffer from some form of digestive problem at one point in their life, and millions of people deal with these kinds of disorders daily.

Grapefruit season is upon us (late winter to early spring) and it is time to slice into this juicy fruit and start noticing the benefits. They are not only great tasting and juicy, but are extremely good for your health. Here are four reasons

Beans are a miracle food. They not only come in many flavors, shapes, and sizes but can be a great addition to almost any meal. People who eat beans have been shown to measure smaller in the waist, weigh less, and have a significantly lower risk for obesity, breast cancers, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Avocados have long been known as the “Alligator pear” due to its pear shape with tough, green skin. Despite its high calorie and fat content, avocados are one of the healthiest foods that we can eat.

Human beings are creatures of habit-especially when it comes to our diet. We tend to eat and cook the same things, usually meals we already know how to cook or prepare.

Stevia is a species of herbs that is native to Paraguay and commonly used as a sugar substitute. The extracts that come from this herb are up to 300 times sweeter than sugar and completely natural. This natural sweetener has been gaining popularity due to the increased use of alternate sweeteners, although this is not where this herb’s advantages end.

A cleanse is a great way to rid your body of toxins and maximize your health. Although our bodies are designed to eliminate toxins naturally, we are constantly exposed to large amounts of toxins from our world today, whether it’s from processed food, pollution, or other sources.

Want a great treat packed with nutritious goodness? Think 'smoothie.'

Smoothies are quick, easy to make, and taste great. Plus, with a smoothie you are able to pack in high levels of antioxidants, fiber and Vitamin C. And smoothies are, as iVillage put it, 'generally low in fat and calories.' So if you're on diet, smoothies can be one treat that you won't have to skip.

Constipation affects everyone. Even if you think you’ve never experienced it, chances are that on some level you have. An article published by HealthScout.com notes that “…[a] regular bowel movement can mean anything from three per day to one every three days.” But they are also quick to comment that, “If you are experiencing hard, compacted stools that are difficult or painful to pass, the urge to move the bowels (even though you just had a movement), or no bowel movement for over three days in adults and four day in children, you may have constipation.”

Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day? 

There are some detractors toward the theory that eating a solid breakfast each morning will benefit you throughout the day, but we don’t need to worry about them – they’ll be too tired to argue with us.

Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be hard, and finding a diet that helps you cope is vital. Symptoms such as cramps, diarrhea, bloating, and gas are all associated with IBS, so eating foods that help lessen the will effect come as a relief to those who suffer. Conversely, eating foods that irritate the bowels will have the opposite effect. Foods such as greasy fried potato chips, dairy products, alcohol, or caffeine can all serve to increase the symptoms.

Sometimes the day is long, and when we aren’t sufficiently fueled up with good healthy foods, our bodies can start to lag. Our energy drops off easily when it is unbalanced by poor diet, so eating the correct foods is important. But we don’t always have the time in the middle of the day to sit down and cook a meal.

Sick of counting calories? Don’t obsess over every little thing you put in your mouth. Counting calories is definitely a good way to watch your daily intake but it’s not the only way. Try these alternatives: