Swelling in your legs comes from the buildup of fluids known as edema. It can be caused by a number of illnesses, and it can also be a result of standing or sitting for long periods of time, your menstrual cycle or pregnancy if you're a woman, or certain medications.
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Oatmeal, whole-grain bread and pasta and brown rice are all tasty examples of complex carbohydrates. These types of carbohydrates digest more slowly than the simple carbs found in cake, cookies and sugary beverages, as well as fruit and milk, and more quickly than the other two macronutrients, protein and fat.
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You need a little fat, sugar and sodium -- a component of salt -- in your diet for good health. Fat helps cushion your organs, sugar provides a source of energy and sodium is an electrolyte mineral that helps regulate your blood pressure.
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Registered dietitian Joy Bauer gives juicing an A+ for its ability to deliver concentrated amounts of nutrients from fruits and vegetables to your body, but she says consuming too much juice and forsaking a well-rounded diet can result in glaring nutritional gaps.
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A tall glass of ice water with fresh-squeezed lemon juice is a refreshing treat and a nice change from plain old water. It's also low in calories, so if you drink it in place of higher-calorie beverages, it may help you slim down.
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Snacking is part of a healthy diet, providing energy between meals and for exercise, and helping to curb hunger and prevent overeating at mealtimes. However, eating lots of sugary snacks can cause you to go over your daily calorie intake goals and have the opposite effect -- weight gain.
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Almost any food you eat can cause you to have loose, watery stools if you have an adverse reaction to it or if it exacerbates a pre-existing condition. Although it's not a common allergen, an avocado can cause allergic reactions in some people, or they may trigger a food intolerance.
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In moderation, cheese is a nutritious food. Like the milk it's made from, cheese is rich in both calcium needed for strong bones and protein needed for muscle growth and maintenance. Cheese may have sleep-inducing qualities as well.
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Loose bowels can throw a wrench in your plans, keeping you on the toilet when you should be working or having fun with friends and family. If you have a condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease or fructose malabsorption, fruit juices like grapefruit and orange could cause digestive upset.
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Primarily made up of carbohydrates, fruit digests relatively quickly. That's because carbohydrates are the most quickly digested of the three macronutrients -- protein, fat and carbs. Some carb foods digest more quickly than others, however, depending on their nutrient makeup.
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A nutritious lunch should make you feel energized and ready to tackle the rest of your day. Feeling light-headed or dizzy after a meal can bring your productivity to a halt, and the root cause is worth discovering.
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There are many reasons why your ankles and legs might become swollen. Pregnancy, a diet high in salt, sunburn, heart failure, kidney disease, liver problems and certain medications may be to blame.
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Moong dal, a hearty Indian dish made with mung beans, can be a nutritious part of a weight-loss diet, if it's prepared with healthy ingredients.
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Apples are one of the most nutritious foods you can eat, full of fiber to improve your digestive health and antioxidants that can lower your risk of heart disease. But all those benefits don't do you any good if your stomach aches after you eat the fruit.
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It's common to want a snack in the evening hours -- you've finished dinner but breakfast is still a full night's sleep away. If you find your tummy rumbling at night, avoid the urge to snack on unhealthy desserts or fatty treats.
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Along with the other macronutrients, carbohydrates and fat, you need adequate protein in your diet to support good health.
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When choosing a protein supplement, consider whether you have food allergies or intolerances and what your goal is -- weight loss, muscle building, improved sports performance or better overall nutrition.
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Vinegar and water can be important parts of a weight-loss diet, but they should not be your only source of sustenance for any longer than a day or two. Any diet that advises you to fast, to eat only one food or to cut out entire food groups is considered a fad diet and not a healthy way to lose weight and keep it off.
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According to the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board, which is responsible for setting recommended daily intakes for nutrients, most men need about 56 grams of protein per day, while most women need about 46 grams daily. Compared to these recommendations, 200 grams of protein seems like overkill.
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People come in different shapes and sizes, but generally can be categorized as one of three main body types -- ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph. Of the three, endomorphs tend to be people with the most body fat, those who gain weight easily and have trouble keeping it off.
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