Nutritional health is achieved through the therapeutic use of whole foods, safe culinary preparation, and understanding the metabolic impacts of specific dietary frameworks and ingredients.
If you're craving a burger, it's OK to indulge on occasion, even if you're on a diet. It's best to plan for this indulgence if you can, however, so you don't go over your daily calorie budget. Even an unplanned splurge on a burger isn't going to totally kill your diet, though it may slow your weight loss a little.
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Getting the recommended 25 to 38 grams of fiber per day for adults may help lower your risk for high cholesterol, heart disease and constipation, according to Colorado State University Extension. A study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"
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If you are trying to limit your coffee consumption, you might be tempted to try a coffee alternative called yerba mate. This traditional South American beverage, brewed from the leaves of a type of holly tree called Ilex paraguariensis, may boost your energy like coffee due to its caffeine content.
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If you want the benefits of green tea but don't want to risk getting too much caffeine, don't worry -- decaf green tea has many of the same potential health benefits. Many of these benefits are due to the beneficial phytochemicals found in tea and not the caffeine.
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As long as you choose flavonoid-rich dark chocolate, the sweet treat could have a number of beneficial effects on health, including lowering your blood pressure and your risk for heart disease. The beneficial compounds in dark chocolate may also help minimize your diabetes risk, according to a study published in "
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If you've ever tried Korean food, you've probably had kimchee, or kimchi. This fermented spicy cabbage side, usually made with garlic, vinegar, chili peppers and salt, is served with pretty much every Korean meal.
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You need to get omega-3 fats from your diet, since your body can't make these essential polyunsaturated fats. Among the main sources for these fats are fish and fish oil, and flaxseeds and their oil. Fish oil and flaxseed oil contain different types of omega-3 fats and thus have different effects on the body.
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Some people buy alkaline water in the hopes of increasing their body's pH. Your body actually does a good job of maintaining the right pH on its own, and the amounts of water typically consumed would be neutralized by your stomach acids, limiting any effect on your pH.
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To eat clean, trade in the highly processed foods you eat for whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, nuts, beans and lean proteins that are unprocessed or minimally processed. Higher intakes of processed foods may lead to weight gain, according to a study published in "Health Economics"
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Jerusalem artichokes, also called sunchokes, aren't like regular artichokes. These root vegetables have a taste that's similar to water chestnuts, and you can eat them raw or cooked. If you eat them cooked, they have a creamy texture and you can use them in ways similar to potatoes.
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Green tea may provide a number of health benefits, such as lowering your risk for cancer, high cholesterol and Parkinson's disease, according to MedlinePlus.
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Hummus, usually made with a mix of chickpeas, tahini paste, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice, is one of the healthier dip options available. It provides significant amounts of fiber, magnesium and phosphorus, as well as smaller amounts of many other vitamins and minerals. It is also a low-cholesterol food.
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Most types of gum have relatively few calories per piece, usually 10 or less, so they are a good way for you to get a little sweet fix. Some, but not all, research shows that chewing gum may help you decrease your appetite, at least for a little while.
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Quinoa is considered a whole grain. It is the seed of a leafy plant related to spinach. Although most plant-based foods do not contain complete proteins containing all of the essential amino acids, quinoa is a complete protein. This makes quinoa a particularly beneficial food for those who do not eat animal products.
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Whether ham is your favorite Easter treat or a regular indulgence, it isn't one of the healthiest meat options. Ham does provide a lot of protein and some vitamins and minerals, but it is also high in both sodium and fat.
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Sunflower oil can be a useful cooking oil, as it has a high smoke point. This means you can use it even at the high temperatures necessary for browning or searing foods without it producing harmful compounds.
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Peripheral vascular disease, peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication can all cause circulation problems in the legs and feet. In these conditions, your arteries become clogged with plaque and narrowed, making it harder for the blood to reach your extremities.
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Cashews are a nutritious nut, but they aren't a weight-loss miracle food. Including them as part of a reduced-calorie weight loss diet, however, may make that diet more satisfying and make it easier for you to continue with the diet long enough to reach your goal weight.
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Switching from a diet high in saturated fat to one high in monounsaturated fat may help you lose a small amount of extra weight even if you don't eat fewer calories, according to a study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" in September 2003.
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Being vegetarian doesn't mean you can't follow a low-carb, high-protein diet such as the Atkins diet. It just means you may have to be a bit more creative to stay within the diet's guidelines.
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