Nutritional planning involves balancing macronutrients, understanding calorie formulas, and identifying the functional properties of whole foods to manage weight and chronic conditions effectively.
Slow carbs are absorbed at a gradual pace, which keeps your blood sugar at a steady level. The more rapidly digested fast carbs cause an unhealthy spike in blood sugar. But cream of wheat does not fit into one neat category.
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Unlike early iterations of the diet, macrobiotic meal plans are no longer based solely on a single whole grain, such as brown rice. Current-day macrobiotic diets have a primary focus on whole grains and cereals, followed by fruits and vegetables, and then beans and sea vegetables, often served in the form of soups.
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Berries from the saw palmetto plant have medicinal properties that make them useful in treating men suffering from prostate conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate infections. Other potential applications include treating asthma, bronchitis, migraines, sore throats and colds.
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Soy is a widely used food in processed meats, milk alternatives, and Far Eastern cuisine. Soy is made from soy beans, a legume related to the peanut and other beans. According to National Public Radio, soybeans contain a chemical called tyramine, which is considered a chemical that can trigger headaches.
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Prior to industrialization and the development of commercial food processing, typical American families prepared simple meals, from scratch, at home. In the early 1900s, there were no fast food chains or frozen TV dinners.
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Concerns over the potential cancer-causing effects of artificial sweeteners have prompted ongoing research regarding their safety for human consumption.
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When the 2 o'clock slump hits you, you may be tempted to make a run for the vending machine for your favorite candy bar or drink a sugary soda. While these items can certainly make you feel alert for a short period of time, they do more harm than good when it comes to your concentration.
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Low sodium levels, or hyponatremia, can lead to confusion, a coma or even death. It is the most common electrolyte disorder in the United States, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Low sodium levels must be treated promptly to avoid life-threatening complications.
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Vitamins and minerals are almost always combined in nature. Folic acid, a B-vitamin, and zinc can be found together in foods such as liver, nuts and legumes. Folic acid and zinc are often combined in your multivitamin-mineral supplement, as well, so there is no contraindication to taking them together.
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The quality of your diet plays a key role in your health, and setting a goal to gain weight isn't a license to eat anything you want. While eating any extra calories -- even ones from fast food, ice cream and other "junk"
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Vitamins play an role in the health of many tissues and functions in your body, including vision. If you do not get enough of vitamin A, you may develop vision problems that can ultimately lead to blindness. Vitamin A related blindness is uncommon in developed countries such as the United States.
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Bisacodyl and Colace are prescribed for short-term constipation relief. While Colace is a stool softener, Bisacodyl acts as a stimulant laxative by increasing peristalsis, or the wave-like contractions that propel food and feces through the intestinal tract.
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Metamucil is a fiber supplement that offers numerous health benefits. The main ingredient in all Metamucil products is psyllium, a bulk-forming laxative.
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Creatine is an amino acid supplement often marketed to bodybuilders and dieters to help build lean muscle and reduce body fat. Creatine has become so popular for these uses that sales reached $220 million in 2005, according to the “Nutrition Business Journal.
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Aloe’s medicinal use dates back 6,000 years and many of its same uses remain today, including treating skin conditions such as minor abrasions and burns. The topical use of aloe is now being tested for possible benefits in managing ailments such as psoriasis and genital herpes.
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Wheat wraps and wheat bread are both high in fiber, B vitamins and a multitude of minerals, especially if you choose a whole-grain variety. But depending on your diet and your specific needs, wheat bread is generally a bit healthier.
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Any food -- including apples -- can make you gain weight if you eat more than you burn each day. In fact, apples contribute healthy calories if your goal is weight gain. But if you watch total caloric intake, apples are more likely to help you lose weight than they are to be responsible for extra pounds.
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Between saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, stevia and the long-outlawed cyclamates, it's easy to be confused by all the artificial sweeteners. Judging which products are best for baking and which are best for use at the table is baffling enough without weighing the relative safety concerns.
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Before you top your cream cheese-smothered bagel with a slice of delicious lox, consider the health risks associated with eating smoked salmon. The cured and smoked fish is best served cold, but so is the revenge it may take on your health and well-being.
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A balanced diabetic meal plan should include between 2 and 5 ounces of protein-rich foods daily, says the American Diabetes Association.
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