Carbohydrates are macronutrients that play a vital role in supplying your body with the energy it needs to support its daily functions. Your body needs about twice the amount of carbohydrates as it does fat, and about three times that of protein.
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As some of the adverse health effects of butter and tropical oils become more apparent, alternative products become more attractive. Avocado oil is the natural fat extracted from the fruit of the avocado tree.
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Chicken offers a rich source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. It tends to be a bit lower in fat and saturated fat than red meat, but with a similar protein content. The breast is the leanest cut of the chicken, and it contains the least amount of sodium and cholesterol.
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Whey is a liquid by-product made during the production of dairy products such as cheese. Fitness companies use whey as an ingredient in muscle-building formulas because of its high-quality protein. Research has demonstrated that a well-timed protein supplement following a workout can enhance muscle growth.
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Fat is often viewed negatively by dieters because of its influence on weight gain and cardiovascular disease. Fat contains 9 calories per 1 g, while the other two macronutrients -- protein and carbohydrates -- contain just 4.
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Hotdogs as we typically know them are a carryover from the German "frankfurters," or pork sausages served in a bun. Hotdogs are now available in beef, beef and pork mixtures and even turkey or chicken. The classic pork hotdog is a blend of pork, fat and grain-based fillers.
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Wheat and corn are natural plant foods that offer an abundance of nutritional value. You can find several varieties of both wheat and corn. Wheat typically undergoes an elaborate milling process in which much of the nutritional value is eliminated, while corn can vary in nutritional value based on species and size.
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Cashews are legumes and contain an abundance of nutritional benefits, including all three macronutrients -- carbohydrates, protein and fat -- and numerous vitamins and minerals. As their name suggests, salted cashews contain more sodium than raw cashews, which can be a nutritional disadvantage.
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Wasabi peas are a popular Japanese-inspired snack made from dried peas and flavored with wasabi, a condiment made from cabbage, horseradish and mustard. Raw green peas offer a substantial amount of nutritional value, and retain much of this nutrition in their dehydrated, wasabi-flavored form.
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Carbohydrates and lipids are both macronutrients and provide several key functions to the human body. These nutrients have similar chemical structures and the body uses carbohydrates and lipids in similar ways.
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The DASH diet is an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Following this diet can help lower blood pressure, coronary disease risk and risk of stroke by 5 to 8 percent in individuals with hypertension, according to "Essentials of Exercise Physiology."
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Almond milk is made from ground almonds, and people often prefer it to cow's milk because of its lower fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content. Almond milk is often free of lactose, the natural sugar found in milk products that results in digestive problems for a number of individuals.
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Minerals play vital roles in the regulation of enzymes, hormones and the function of vitamins. Calcium and magnesium are both major minerals, or those that your body requires in excess of 100 mg each day.
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If you've been sweating like crazy over a cardio machine for years without seeing results, it's time you picked up a dumbbell. While cardio exercise can help torch calories and body fat, strength training helps to build lean muscle mass, which can alter your body and accentuate your curves.
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The cross trainer, also known as an elliptical, is a low impact cardiovascular exercise machine. The machine mimics the movement of cross country skiing, making it the perfect exercise machine for those who have lower body injuries and can't handle the lower body stress that comes with running or jogging.
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When it comes to losing body fat, the key is to burn more calories than you are consuming -- and there are two ways you can do that. One way is to reduce the number of calories that you are eating and the other is to burn off calories through exercise.
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In order to lose inches off your stomach in one month, you will need to lose overall body fat. There is no way to target your stomach specifically, so simply doing crunches and sit-ups will not get you the flat stomach you're looking for.
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Losing weight off your waist requires more than a few dozen crunches. A combination of a healthy diet and the proper fitness regimen is the quickest and most efficient way to shed those extra inches.
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To men, a muscular body is the ultimate sign of masculinity, while women prefer curves to express their femininity. A curvy body is often referred to as an hourglass figure; the waist is smaller than the hips and shoulders and the lower and upper body are in proportion to each other.
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Part of the rehabilitation phase of a hamstring strain can include targeted stretching and strengthening exercises. Hamstring strain can differ in severity, and may range from tightness in the back of your legs to a complete tear of the muscle.
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