The Baby Food Diet

Wednesday 19th May 2010

With the warmer weather fast approaching, the stars of stage and screen are looking at new and bizarre ways to lose weight, but would you ever consider trying the baby food diet?

Reece Witherspoon and Marcia Cross have allegedly tried this new celebrity fad diet which entails consuming 14 jars of baby food throughout the day, to replace breakfast and lunch, and eating a normal dinner in the evening.

The advantages of this diet is the low calorie intake. Some baby food jars contain as little as fourteen calories each, are vitamin packed, and are free from additives. But a closer inspection of the diet reveals that such a low intake of calories is not healthy for the average adult. Besides, baby jar foods are bland, mushy and rather awful to eat, so why would you want to eat them in the first place?

Many nutritionists have slammed the new celebrity diet as outrageous and unhealthy for any adult to undertake. The cornerstone of any weight loss plan is to gain a sense of satisfaction from the foods you are eating and to get a sensation of feeling full after every meal. The key to losing weight is balance and eating the right foods, something that this diet cannot offer.

To put yourself through this diet and opting for puréed foods will not work if your goal is to lose weight. Nobody is going to be able to sustain themselves for a long period of time on baby food.

What is the craziest fad diet you have tried? Let us know in the comments box.

See you again tomorrow.

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Too Much Green Tea Can Be Harmful

Thursday 19th November 2009

There has been a lot of talk recently surrounding the health benefits of green tea, particularly it's use as a weight loss aid. Believe it or not there is no magic cure for obesity that does not require a diet change and more physical activity.

However, there is evidence that the antioxidants in green tea (EGCG) are two hundred times more powerful than vitamin E. Green tea also slows the process of the breakdown of glucose, especially after meals. The rate at which the body burns calories can also be lowered by the consumption of green tea.

Speeding up your metabolism is a great way to supplement weight loss in many cases, the oxidation of body fats can also be increased.

A good way to lose a couple extra pounds is to replace your morning coffee with green tea. The lowering of your calorie intake and the health benefits of green tea combine to make a healthy diet change.

Many of the studies we see on the affects of green tea are conducted in Asia, where people typically drink three cups per day, whereas the United Kingdom Tea Council recommend you drink six cups per day.

While we are constantly told how green tea is good for us, many forget that there are potential side effects, and just like any other food, consuming too much can do more harm than good.

The most common complaint is from those who are caffeine intolerant. Green tea contains about half the amount of caffeine found in coffee, and for the vast majority of us, that would not cause any problems.

For those who are sensitive to caffeine you may experience symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, sleeping problems, palpitations, nausea, and even a skin rash.

The tea plant absorbs nutrients from the soil and water during growth. Nutrients such as aluminium and fluoride which are passed on to the consumer and can be harmful when consumed in large amounts over many years.

While the Chinese have been drinking green tea for thousands of years, it was only used for medicinal purposes until AD 600 as a tonic, rather than an everyday beverage. Like any other herbal medicine, the healing powers of green tea had to be carefully harnessed and there are times when one should avoid drinking green tea altogether.

Green tea can cause indigestion to those with sensitive stomachs, and can also reduce the body's ability to absorb iron thus causing potential problems for those already prone to iron deficiency anemia.

While I am a big advocate of herbal remedies, you still have to remember that moderation is the best way forward, and while the health benefits of green tea far outweigh the negatives you still have to be aware of any potential health risks from over consumption.

If you want my advice you should probably stick to around three cups per day. Never drink green tea on an empty stomach or straight after a meal, and to improve the taste, add some mint leaves to the brew too!

Want more information about green tea as a weight loss aid? then visit the cho-yung website.

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