healthy food

This is a question that is being asked a lot and the answer is it most certainly is! Since coconut is rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, it is very nutritious. Coconut is called a “functional food” as it provides benefits beyond its nutritional value.

Coconut oil possesses healing properties that far exceed those of other dietary oils. It is used in traditional medicine extensively. Traditional medicine is medicine that has been practiced and handed down by lay people. The populations in Pacific coastal areas consider that the coconut and its oil can cure any illness. The coconut palm is a source of both food and medicine for these populations and is regarded so highly it is called “The Tree of Life.”

The Reason This Oil is Good for You:

The science behind this high regard is in the chemical composition of this oil. Unlike other oils in our diets, coconut oil is a medium chain triglyceride even though it is a saturated fat. Triglycerides are one of the ways that fat gets stored in the our bodies. Fatty acids make up all the fats we consume. Triglycerides consist of three molecules of fatty acid. (more…)

Not only are almonds crunchy and delicious, they are extremely good for you. They are a great source of fiber, monounsaturated fats, and phytochemicals. Phytochemicals keep the cells in your body healthy by fighting free radicals.

The thin brown skin that covers almonds are a rich source of polyphenols. Polyphenols are phytonutrients that are very good for your body. Studies suggest that roasting almonds with the skin on will increase the amount of polyphenols.

There are two different types of almonds – sweet and bitter. The ones found in supermarkets are usually sweet almonds. Raw bitter almonds are toxic, which is why their sale is prohibited in the United States. Processed bitter almonds are used to make extracts and liqueurs.

Nutritionists recommend eating a one ounce serving of almonds or other nuts each day. A single ounce is about 23 nuts, or about 165 calories. (more…)

Every modern society has laws or rules that are meant to be followed and obeyed. Things like traffic laws, paying taxes or even rules that govern every sport you can imagine. We all know what happens if we have no rules, right? Yes, chaos ensues and our society begins to fall apart. Yikes!

The same thing is true with your fat loss goals. I have always been a firm believer in having what I call “food rules” that govern the way I eat. Remembering that it’s impossible to out train a bad diet, if you obey your food rules it is easier to stay on track and make sure that you are only consuming foods that are taking you closer to your goals, not farther away from them.

That being said, I want to share some of my own personal food rules with you today. These are certainly not rocket science, and mainly deal in the realm of common sense. Of course, that’s not to say that obeying these food rules is an easy task. No way! It’s a daily, or even hourly chore to stay on top of them and make sure that you’re not breaking any of your eating laws, because the resulting chaos in this case, leads to only one thing… FAT! (more…)

Gluten free foods have now become the need of the hour as more and more individuals are falling prey to celiac disease or gluten intolerance – a disease of the autoimmune system wherein the individuals cannot digest or tolerate the protein composite – gluten. Celiac disease or gluten intolerance is a disease that weakens the small intestine debarring it from its entire essential functions of absorbing nutrients from food digested.

There are three major cereals that are gluten rich; these been wheat, rye and barley. Rice is also a cereal but is gluten free and safe for individuals suffering from gluten intolerance. Both white and brown rice are gluten free. But, gluten intolerance sufferers need to be watchful before they go on to eat any preparation made from rice mixed with other cereals that contain gluten.

In its original form, rice is gluten free. However, several rice preparations involve addition of gluten containing cereals and celiac disease sufferers should refrain from such rice preparations. While dining out individuals intolerant to gluten should be careful before ordering rice preparations that do not contain rice in its plain form. In restaurants rice is many times mixed with sauces that contain refined wheat flour as thickening agent; and wheat as we all know contains gluten. Not only sauces, but rice preparations may also involve inclusion of sautéed vegetables that can again contain gluten. It is therefore preferable to order plain rice while dining out. (more…)