Zero Calorie Drinks

A party without alcohol is like a cake without icing. Plus, following a diet devoid of the inclusion of healthy sports drink is not at all worthy. But when you are on a strict diet or are restricted to even hold a glass of wine, controlling that temptation becomes a challenging task. Especially if your doctor has advised you to switch to zero calorie drinks and your wife doesn’t leave you alone for a second, lest you’ll steal a sip or two of a high calorie beverage.

With a number of zero calorie alcoholic and energy drinks launched in the market, you can proudly enjoy a tall glass of wine, without worrying about the number of calories traveling into your stomach. Find out what beverages you can consume that contain just a dash of calories, allowing you to follow your diet and maintain your figure.

Low Calorie Drinks:

Alcoholic Drinks:

For those who cannot curb their thirst to drinking a glass of alcohol at a high-end party or any private function, zero calorie alcoholic drinks are your best bet. And due to increasing weight consciousness, most people prefer these drinks over the otherwise original high-caloried alcohols. The percentage of alcohol in a drink determines the calorie content. 

As a general rule, 1 gram of alcohol contains 7 calories while 1 gram of carbohydrate or protein contains 4 calories. The fact is that no alcoholic drink is free of calories, all thanks to the minute amount of alcohol content in it. As such, a drink containing 60-70 calories is deemed to be the lowest calorie alcoholic drink. 

Let’s check out the number of calories that different alcohols contain:

Energy Drinks:

Shift to no calorie energy drinks to give yourself relief from a few pounds and see the results in a few days’ time! If you’d expected only ab machines and butt busters to help you get rid of kilos clinging to your tummy, think out-of-the-box and get a new life. Yes, the zero calorie drinks are the new technique for staying fit and fine. 

And to achieve best results, sportsmen and athletes can opt for homemade energy drinks instead of purchasing them from the market. Dilute ginger ale, coconut water, lemon juice, or tomato puree in your favorite mocktail or fruit juice drink and voila! You have a very low calorie, in fact a zero calorie, drink in hand supplying you with loads of energy and strength.

And if you are still not satisfied, then 1% skim milk is the best option to resort to. Throw in low calorie fruits to make your favorite milkshake. But what better than water be a zero-calorie drink? Keep yourself hydrated and force your body to burn down more weight. Carbonated drinks not only contain huge amounts of calories, they increase the risk of diabetes and heart diseases. 

Though low calorie soft drinks are available, isn’t it better to prepare a lemonade at home rather than taking the risk of gulping down a can of diet cola? Pick up low calorie vegetables and fat-free chicken/beef to make clear and light soups one of the best zero calorie drink ever invented by a man, indeed!

Check the labels of the drinks you pick to ensure the authenticity of the calories included in them. Rely on these zero calorie beverages and keep your weight under control. Wish you a happy and healthy life.

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This Trendy New Diet Encourages Drinking Wine and Eating Chocolate

What’s on the Menu?

The sirtfoods that make up the diet sound pretty yummy, not to mention healthy. Apples, citrus fruits, parsley, capers, blueberries, green tea, soy, strawberries, tumeric, olive oil, red onion, arugula, kale, red wine, dark chocolate, and coffee are all fair game.

Think this diet sounds crazy? Check out some of the nuttiest weight-loss strategies people have been trying throughout history.

Diet Trends Throughout History:

Unfortunately, the plan doesn’t involve eating as much of those nutrient-packed foods 'til you're stuffed. The diet breaks down into an aggressive two-phase approach. The initial phase lasts for one week and requires eating no more than 1,000 calories for three days, and then no more than 1,500 calories for the rest of the week. 

Meals include sirtfood green juices and one to two sirtfood-rich meals per day. The second phase lasts for 14 days to ease you into the long-term plan, which is to eat three sirtfood-rich meals and one sirtfood green juice per day.

Does it Work?

Increasing your intake of foods like apples and kale is definitely a healthy way to lose weight, but the beginning phases of the sirtfood diet also make this a crash diet, and that’s something we are never going to get behind. And while you might shed some weight, it's not likely that you'll keep it off for long. You might even gain more back. 

When you restrict calories below 1,200 per day, you throw your body into starvation mode, slow your metabolism, and drop water weight and maybe even some muscle. Trying to live on liquids and one meal a day, even if it's just for three days, isn’t healthy.

So why does the diet have such tough restrictions? Studies noting the weight-loss benefits of sirtfoods suggest that calorie restriction is what causes sirtfoods to activate sirtuin, those healthy proteins, explains Laura Cipullo, R.D., author of The Women’s Health Body Clock Diet. But if you dig into the research, the study authors say that it's not the proteins that lead to weight loss, it’s resveratrol, a type of polyphenol antioxidant contained in foods like chocolate and red wine. 

Previous studies have found that the reveratrol may boost your health and help you reach a healthy weight. For example, a 2015 International Journal of Obesity study found that resveratrol actually helps turn calorie-storing white fat into calorie-burning brown fat.

Your Best Move:

You can totally eat more "sirtfoods" as you work towards your weight-loss goals, but don’t bother trying to follow the diet. Eating more of these plant-based, antioxidant-packed foods is going to help fight inflammation and help you lose weight while decreasing your risk of chronic disease and upping your lifespan, says Cipullo. 

But if you are trying to lose weight, don’t think that OD'ing on resveratrol-rich olive oil, wine, and chocolate will help you reach your goals (though that would be delicious).

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The Truth about “Teatoxes”

What is a 'Teatox'?

Brands such as Bootea, SkinnyMint, and Flat Tummy Tea say that drinking two cups of their tea a day can lead to ‘detox’ benefits like weight loss, a suppressed appetite, less bloat, and more energy. The companies are big fans of using ‘before and after’ shots to convince you that their products bring results.

Why it's Bogus?

“There’s no evidence that teatoxing can help you lose weight,” says dietician Sharon Palmer, R.D., author of Plant Powered For Life.

Regular teas (like black, white, green, and oolong) are brimming with disease-fighting compounds, and green tea has metabolism-boosting EGCG, but detox teas usually pack in some not entirely benign herbal ingredients. 

Take senna, for example, an ingredient found in a number of the nighttime teas that’s used to produce a laxative effect. And Possibly Dangerous

“The National Institute of Health has said senna can have a negative impact on your GI tract (irritation, cramps, diarrhea)," says Palmer. They also discourage people from using it for more than two weeks because it may lead to more serious health effects, she adds. And since many of these ‘teatox’ programs are 28 days long, that's probably pretty hard on your plumbing.

In the fine print, some weight-loss tea brands even suggest that you spend your first few nights close to a bathroom. #Subtle. Sure, pooping your brains out may temporarily give you a flat belly, but we promise it’s not sustainable or at all healthy even if you have a thing for diapers.

Takeaway:

If you’re looking to lose weight and de-bloat, help your body’s natural detoxifying process (that’s the kidneys and liver) do their job by eating nutritious foods and drinking loads of H20. 

“Focus on lean protein choices (seafood, legumes, nuts, seeds), whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, herbs, spices, and regular exercise,” says Palmer. When it comes to tea, it’s better to be basic.

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The Mediterranean Diet is Being Hyped Up, but is it Legit for Weight Loss

What’s on the Menu?

Despite its name, there’s really no “one” Mediterranean diet, says Delbridge. There are no strict macronutrient or caloric guidelines, no outlawed foods, and no “you have to eat this or else” ingredients. It's more of a rough sketch of what people in Greece and southern Italy ate around 1960, when the Mediterranean region boasted some of the world’s lowest rates of chronic disease and longest life expectancies. Cha-ching!

During this time, researchers found that most people within the Mediterranean region followed a whole-food, plant-based diet that emphasized filling up on fruits, veggies, beans, nuts, legumes, and whole grains. They also ate fish and seafood at least twice a week.

Their meals included a ton of herbs and spices, along with a moderate amount of olive oil for flavoring, and modest servings of poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt. It scaled back considerably on both desserts and red meat, but included daily red wine consumption. Processed foods were basically nonexistent.

If you eat like that, then you’re on a Mediterranean diet.

Will It Help You Lose Weight?

Yep. And it even leads to better long term weight loss than low-fat diets, according to a 2016 review published in The American Journal of Medicine. What’s more, if you break down the diet, research shows that many of its components, like swapping out refined grains for whole ones and eating more fruits and veggies, are linked to weight loss, says Delbridge.

“The diet isn’t about any one magic food or formula,” he says. “It comes down to eating healthy foods in healthy portion sizes. With the Mediterranean diet, you're consuming lots of protein, fiber, whole carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, and lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. You're eating foods in their most natural state.”

That pretty much explains why everyone and their mom has recommended the diet to those at risk for heart disease, diabetes, dementia, or cancer. You know, because it’s actually good for you, he says.

It's a novel concept amidst a never ending array of fad diets, huh?

Make It Work for You:

The Mediterranean diet isn't a strict, rule-based diet. Instead, it allows for a lot of customization, which we love. So if you’re lactose or gluten intolerant and want to forgo dairy or wheat, that’s OK. If you love yogurt, go ahead and ramp up your yogurt intake, says Delbridge. In the end, the best diet is one that you can stick with for the rest of your life. 

However, there’s a fine line between making the Mediterranean diet work for you and totally veering off course.

Here are some of Delbridge’s top tips for following a Mediterranean diet, no matter what:

• Limit your intake of processed foods as much as possible.
• Make veggies half of every meal.
• Eat seafood at least twice per week.
• Swap refined grains for whole ones.
• Increase your intake of beans, lentils, and other legumes.
• Limit portion sizes (e.g. pasta should be a side dish, not a main dish!).
• Incorporate plant-based fats like olive oil and avocado into every meal.
• Eat lean proteins over fatty ones.

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Rice Milk Vs Soy Milk

Milk and milk products are a good source of essential vitamins, calcium and proteins. However, there are certain people who develop intolerance against dairy milk and related products, while others turn vegan and hence search for alternatives for dairy milk. It is important for a person allergic to dairy products to search for a good alternative in order to complete his/her diet.

Although alternatives to milk that possess the same texture are limited, three names come forward, i.e., almond milk, rice milk and soy milk that quite suit this category. Almond milk is a quality substitute for milk, but is pretty expensive and might not be affordable by average man. This leaves us with two other substitute, soy milk and rice milk.

Now the question that arises is which amongst the two is a better substitute for milk? This article brings forth the difference between rice milk and soy milk and tries to throw some light on the common queries on these possible milk substitutes.

Difference Between Rice Milk and Soy Milk:

• The most important of all the differences between rice milk and soy milk is the ingredient they are made out of. Rice milk is made out of rice, whereas soy milk is made from soybeans. Brown rice or rice flour is generally put to use to make rice milk, while soybeans are used to make soy milk.
• Another difference between rice milk and soy milk is that rice milk is not usually sweetened or flavoured; on the other hand soy milk gets flavoured with chocolate or essences like vanilla. Both rice and soy milk can be bought in sanitized cans or tins.
• There is also difference in the way both rice milk and soy milk are prepared. Rice milk gets prepared through a special process in which the rice goes through a mill stream. 
• This diffusing process makes the milk strain out of the grains. Rice milk can also be obtained by boiling or blending and straining rice. Whereas, soybean is soaked in water and then grounded to a paste in order to prepare soy milk. The paste form of soy bean is then strained out and the milk is collected.
• Both, rice milk and soy milk are different even when it comes to their nutritional values. Soy milk is high in quality proteins, B vitamins and is also lactose free. Soy milk is also rich in phosphorous, riboflavin, vitamin A, saturated fat and fatty acids.It is also cholesterol free and helps in preventing prostate cancer. 
• On the other hand, rice milk is famous among vegetarians and can be used as a substitute for dairy milk. Rice milk is rich in carbohydrates and is also armed with B vitamins, calcium, minerals and irons. Rice milk is also lactose free and cholesterol free, similar to soy milk.
• Soy milk contains more grams of protein than rice milk and rice milk contains almost no protein or calcium. To be specific, soy milk contains 8 grams of protein per serving while rice milk contains less than 1 gram per equal serving size. Soy milk is also rich in B vitamins that help strengthen many muscle functions.
• When it comes to the health benefits, rice milk does not seem to provide much health benefit when compared to soy milk. Rice milk lack in essential vitamins and minerals and calcium and iron is the only mineral other than limited amount of health fats and protein provided by rice milk.
• Soy is common food allergens and there are people who develop allergies. But, rice milk does not contain any such allergen which makes it a healthy non-dairy option even for individuals who are allergic to soybean.
• Rice milk, as mentioned earlier, is high in carbohydrates and therefore if you happen to be on a low-carbohydrate diet, you will have to avoid rice milk. In such a situation, soy milk which is low in carbohydrates becomes a better option than rice milk.
• Though there can be no exact or ideal substitute for milk, rice milk and soy milk are the two products that are said to be in close proportion to milk and its texture. 

Rice milk vs. soy milk is the debate this article tries to throw some light on, by bringing forth the point of differences between the two.

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Positive Effects of Alcohol

Red wine has recently been proved to possess the medicinal properties of countering harmful viruses that attack human body! Due to the increasing popularity of alcoholic beverages in the medical field, parliament is initiating a bill to label alcohol as a medicine! Sounds astonishing, right? Well, we all are aware of the fact that no government will pass a law like that. 

Now you might be wondering the purpose of these lines in the article. The purpose of such a fantasy is merely to break down some strong notions you happen to possess for alcohol and other spirited beverages. We all have heard stories of excessive alcohol consumption or alcohol abuse by a person causing negative health implications.

However, contrary to the popular belief and opinions, the purpose of this article is not to bring forth the ill effects of alcohol and discourage you from consuming it. This write-up will familiarize you with alcohol health benefits. 

Various medical studies and scientific research have been able to prove that alcohol, if consumed in moderation, can provide certain health benefits as well. Read on further to come across these benefits levied by alcohol consumption. 

Alcohol Health Benefits:

• Moderate consumption of alcohol is considered to be beneficial to health as per hundreds of studies conducted by different countries. The studies bring out result that might please moderate consumers of alcohol. According to these studies, people who take in a sensible quantity of alcohol have lower risk of coronary heart diseases.
• These studies bring forth that all the three forms of alcohol beer, wine and distilled spirits, all protect from heart diseases only if the quantity is kept under check. Wine is proved to be more protective than the other two forms. The study also emphasises on controlled consumption of alcohol, which if abused, can make a person prone to coronary heart diseases and cancer.
• Alcohol consumption, especially wine, is said to have a positive impact on blood triglyceride profiles and helps in controlling high blood pressure cases.
• Reasonable intake of alcohol is also said to defy the affects of insulin resistance and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. Alcohol, if consumed as recommended, is also said to reduce the risk of certain form of cancer like lymphoma and kidney cancer.
• Research conducted also shows that people who consume limited quantity of alcohol are less prone to illness in general and therefore, tend to live longer when compared to people who consume alcohol in excessive.
• Alcohol being a warm beverage keeps your body warm and is the perfect friend in severe chilling winter nights. Moreover, increase in body temperature with every sip of alcohol also speeds up your metabolism rate, thereby making you feel energetic.
• Alcohol is also said to be a brain depressant and intake of alcohol in small quantity takes away the feeling of hesitation, caution, self-criticism and restraint, making you a free man in real sense. This effect of alcohol indirectly eradicates anxiety and elevates your mood and positive feelings.
• Alcohol can also serve the purpose of a stimulus to your heart and skeletal system, which will increase your heart rate and muscular activity thereby making you feel active and energetic. When alcohol runs through your system, it increases the intrinsic adrenaline release in your body that makes you feel active.
• If consumed within limits and as recommended alcohol is also believed to be an aphrodisiac that instils aggressive sexual behaviour since restraints and inhibitions are all swayed away.
• Red wine is rich in antioxidants, ingredient needed by the body to purify self. Therefore, consumption of red wine can provide the required amount of antioxidants to the body further providing a healthy and happy life.
• Alcoholic beverages are not just used for drinking. We are well aware of beer being used as hair conditioner. This property of beer being an excellent hair conditioner adds on to the positive effects of alcohol on humans.

These are some facts about positive effects of alcohol. Now that you know them, think twice before accusing a person of drinking, if he/she is consuming in moderation.

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How to Lose a Beer Belly

Yes, come in! Please have a seat! How’re you feeling today? “A little heavy” Great, we’re going to run through some tests to make sure if it’s what we think it is. 

Okay, test no. 1 - Stand straight and try to locate your toes. Can you see them? “No!” Can’t locate the toes; 

check! Test no. 2 - place both your hands on each side of your waist and shake it. Are you able to shake your belly like a jelly? Kung fu panda impersonator; 

check! Test no. 3 – here’s a can of beer, drink it at your normal pace and we’ll have the timer on. What, is the can empty already? Finished one can of beer in under 2 minutes; check! Okay we’re done with the tests; one last question – how much do you eat and how many times do you exercise? 

“A lot and zero times!” Yeah, that’s what we were afraid of; you have a beer belly! A beer belly isn’t a fat tummy that you get because of drinking beer; rather it’s a fat tummy you get because of drinking a lot of beer. 

According to wikipedia, a beer belly doesn’t necessarily means a tummy enlarged through beer consumption, but is just a colloquial reference to abdominal obesity; the reasons for which range from energy imbalance to overeating. And the health effect it brings with itself is nothing short of being destructive. Therefore, it’s recommended to get rid of this belly as soon as possible. Here’s how!

Losing Beer Belly:

Cut Down On Beer:

If you’re an avid drinker of beer or any other alcoholic beverages for that matter (refer to test no. 3) and drink too much of it one go; beer may be your primary reason for having a beer belly. So, cutting down on it only seems a natural suggestion. 

It has been said that drinking alcohol evenly spread out over a week will help in not giving you a beer belly. Go easy on it. Don’t drink too much of it in one day and don’t gulp whatever amount of it you drink.

Doctor Doctor!

If your belly has grown in abnormally large proportions and nothing seems to stand the sheer force of it; it’s time you see a good doctor or a physician. All the information related to your dietary schedule and past medical history will help him reach the crux of the problem of your inflated tummy.

Sometimes, it’s neither alcohol consumption nor overeating that concludes in a beer belly. It’s just a hormonal imbalance or genes. And a proper diagnosis and treatment by the physician will help in shedding the fat off your belly.

Run Lola Run!

It doesn’t mean run; it means make an effort (the way Lola did in the classic film Run Lola Run). Include physical activities like workout and recreational activities like walking/jogging, cycling, and swimming in your daily schedule. If want to workout, chose a gym with a qualified personal trainer who can guide you through the process of losing your tummy.

Regular walking on treadmill along with cardio exercises will help you get in shape. Walking, cycling, and swimming will not only help in losing the weight, but are also great as stress busters.

Eat Right:

You’ll have to go easy on the eating part too. Avoid food items that have high amount of trans fat in them which can add extra layers of fat to the tummy. These items include most of the stuff out there that are commonly referred to as junk food like chips, crackers, and fried food items (French fries, doughnuts and hamburgers). 

Include high fibred and fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains like wheat, corn, and rice in your diet. Consume as much of water as you can as it will drive the toxins out of the body and help you lose weight on the belly. It’ll also help if you can avoid eating just before bed as it’s recommended to have a gap of at least 2 hours between the two.

Agreed, losing beer belly demands for some effort to be put in, but the payoffs will be worth the effort.

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Head Cold Home Remedies

Head cold, often referred to as common cold, is a very frequently occurring illness that affects the young and old alike. Head cold is a viral infection that chiefly affects the mucous membrane of the nose. The most common symptoms of a head cold are headache, sneezing and coughing, runny nose, sometimes accompanied with congestion in the respiratory tract. 

The viral infection normally lasts for more than a week, after which it gradually fades away even without medication. However, the initial period of 10 days can be quite troublesome for the person who has contracted a head cold. Sometimes extreme conditions may lead to a high fever and also flu in certain people.

The best medicine for head cold is warmth; the patient must be kept in warm temperatures and should be given warm liquids to drink. If conditions refuse to improve, the patient may also consult a general physician. Here are our suggestions to get rid of head cold at home.

How to Treat a Head Cold:

Steam Treatment:

Inhaling steam can help you get rid of a running nose and a congested respiratory tract. Take boiling water in a vessel and then place your face above the vessel to take in the hot vapor. Make sure that the steam is not very hot, for it might burn the mucous membrane of the nose. 

Repeat the process several times throughout the day to completely cure the blocked nose. A nasal spray or humidifier may also be used for the same purpose.

Keep Nose Clean:

Inhaling steam may cause mucous to accumulate in the nose. Blow your nose and clear your nose off the mucous instead of sniffing it back. Keep your nose clear at all times of the day if you are to get rid of congestion in your respiratory tract.

Stay Warm:

Take rest and keep yourself warm when contracted with a head cold. Sometimes, a head cold may be accompanied by fever. As such, it is advisable to stay wrapped in warm clothes at this point of time even if you feel hot doing so. Also, make it a point to remain stress-free and take rest as far as possible.

Drink Warm Fluids:

Warm liquids are very necessary during a head cold as they not only give you comfort, but also keep your system hydrated. Drink more than eight glasses of liquids each day, but avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee as they cause dehydration. Ginger and herbal tea, soup or normal warm water is suggested.

Hot Packs:

A head cold often leads to a sinus problem. The best home remedy for sinus pain relief is to use hot packs. Nowadays, a reusable hot pack is available in the market, but you can very well use one available at home. Try a hot water bag or use a warm damp towel to press against the sinus area for relief.

Hot Shower:

Though a head cold can make you lazy and you may sometimes be afraid of water, do not avoid a how water bath. You can choose between a warm sponge bath or a steam shower. Hot water brings you instant relief. It helps to ease the pain in muscles which are a frequent occurrence during a head cold and also clears the nose.

Vitamin C Treatment:

Drink two glasses of warm lime juice mixed with honey twice every day. This will help increase your resistance power and decrease the duration of the viral attack. You may also try vitamin C enriched tablets prescribed by doctors.

Consumption of Certain Spices:

Ginger and turmeric are common spices which cure head cold. Extract the juice of ginger by boiling it in water. Then, add tea leaves to it to make ginger tea. Turmeric, on the other hand, can be helpful by adding it to a cup of warm milk. Both remedies cure throat irritation. Patients with head cold should have both ginger and turmeric at home all the time.  

Follow the above listed home treatments and keep head cold at bay!

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Chocolate Milk Nutrition Facts

The high amount of calcium and protein in milk declares it as a crucial part of healthy diet. However, if you dilute milk with chocolate powdered mix, cocoa and sugar, chocolate syrup, or melted chocolate, you get a delicious and tempting glass of chocolate milk that seems to be simply irresistible. Chocolate milk contains all the same 16 nutrients that white milk has, including large amounts of vitamin D and calcium. 

Kids and adults who cannot control their craving for chocolate, chocolate milk proves to be a healthy and nutritious addition to their diet. Plus, it makes a great substitute for soft drinks or sweetened beverages and serves as an excellent afternoon stimulant drink. And if you can’t hold yourself from reaching out to a large bar of chocolate as a dessert, guzzle down a large glass of chocolate milk. 

With this, you can wholeheartedly satisfy your urge for chocolate that is nutritious and low in fat. For best results, prepare chocolate milk from fresh cow’s milk. Take a look at the various health benefits of drinking chocolate milk. Also know its nutritional value.

Nutritional Value of Chocolate Milk:

Health Benefits of Chocolate Milk:

• Interestingly, chocolate milk contains no more sugar than a glass of unsweetened fruit juice and no more caffeine than a cup of decaffeinated coffee.

• Chocolate milk is highly responsible for keeping blood pressure under control. As such, it helps in lowering high blood pressure.
• It is also essential for maintaining proper flow of blood in the body and proper functioning of the heart.
• It helps the body in recovering from intense workouts by satisfying the nutritional needs.
• Chocolate contains antioxidant compounds called flavonoids, that prevent clotting of blood caused due to internal injuries, thereby facilitating the recovery process and hence, avoiding infections.
• It contains a stimulant called theobromine that is essential for lifting the human brain from stress and tension.
• Chocolate milk is a good source of calcium that is essential for the health of human bones. It plays a vital role in developing healthy and strong bones, the absence of which is likely to cause osteoporosis in adults.
• Chocolate milk prepared from unsweetened cocoa powder is known to reduce inflammation risk associated with heart disease.
• It keeps the body hydrated for a longer period of time, thereby increasing the endurance capacity of the body. As such, it helps a person to exercise or work for longer durations.
• Glycogen is the fuel in the liver that is essential for improving the muscles. Drinking chocolate milk immediately after working out helps in replacing the glycogen lost during physical exertion.
• Chocolate milk is known to help with weight loss plans. It assists in making the body slim, smart, beautiful, and younger than before.

Hope these nutrition facts and health benefits about chocolate milk have cleared up all your doubts. Now you do not have to stop your kids from grabbing a glass of chocolate milk, for you know that it’s the essential nutrients in it that they are gulping down.

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Chai Tea Benefits

If you had thought chai tea to be just a drink for winters and oldies, it’s time you refresh your general knowledge all over again. Chai tea is characterized by the rich black color that is revealed after its preparation. As such, black tea forms the main ingredient in chai tea that is made from a combination of several spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, black pepper, and nutmeg. 

After the tea and spices are brewed in hot water, milk and honey or sugar are added according to one’s desire to get a cup of hot, rich, and flavorful chai tea. Sounds delicious and tempting, right? And what if we say you that there are several health benefits that this stimulating beverage provides you with you would surely bid adieu to your latte only to find an excuse to sip a cup of deliciously aromatic chai tea. And it is due to these positive effects that most people have started switching over to chai tea as an alternative to coffee. 

With just one-third amount of caffeine content compared to coffee, chai tea makes a large difference, especially when you are habitual of drinking five to six cups of coffee daily. Without proceeding further with comparing chai tea with coffee, we present you some effective and magnificent health benefits of drinking chai tea, though they may vary depending upon the amount of ingredients used and in what form they are consumed powder, loose, bag, or liquid concentrate. Make your pick and ooze it out!

Health Benefits Of Drinking Chai Tea:

Rich Ingredients:

The ingredients that go into the making of chai tea are exceptionally beneficial themselves. The most common spices used include ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and black, green, or oolong tea. Other ingredients that can be used are cardamom, black peppercorns, and fennel. 

All these spices are considered to be nutritious and effective in Ayurvedic medicine. Particularly, milk, which is a part of chai tea most of the times, enhances the taste and presents a richer and more satisfying beverage to sip. However, people with lactose intolerance who cannot consume milk, can opt for soymilk or rice milk as substitutes.

Assists In Digestion:

According to Ayurveda, poor digestion is a major cause for many ailments. As such, maintaining a strong digestive system is highly essential. The basic ingredients used in the preparation of chai tea help in stimulating, balancing, and supporting digestion. 

While cinnamon is known for soothing the stomach and fighting against nausea and diarrhea, ginger, on the other hand, is useful in calming down the abdomen. Black pepper aids in reducing digestive fire, cloves stimulate digestion, and fennel helps in dispersing flatulence.

Reduces Inflammation:

Chai tea is loaded with powerful antioxidant properties. Ginger is highly recommended by Ayurveda for inflammatory conditions like arthritis. This has been proved by a research conducted by the National Institutes of Health PubMed, Lindmark and Frondoza of RMG Biosciences.

Prevents Cardiovascular Diseases:

Drinking a cup of chai tea daily can make a big difference for the heart. Every cup of chai tea contains high amounts of antioxidants, namely catechins and polyphenols that assist in lowering blood pressure and reducing bad cholesterol. 

This, in turn, helps in preventing the formation of blood clots. To add on, the crushed cloves included in chai tea are useful for improving circulation, while the other spices, when combined, fight against viruses and bacteria.

Relieves Respiratory Symptoms:

There are several herbs used in chai tea that provide relief from respiratory problems and nasal congestion of colds or flu. While caffeine combats mild asthmatic problems, ginger and cinnamon are effective in relieving respiratory congestion. 

Black pepper enhances a clean flow through inflamed sinuses, while cloves and nutmeg clear sore throats and relieve pain. Additionally, pepper contains capsaicin that works as an active stimulant for clearing nasal congestion. Plus, the camphor-like smell of cloves soothes nasal pathways.

Reduces Risk of Cancer:

Black tea contains polyphenols that release antioxidants when brewed into chai tea. These antioxidants, when enter into the body, trap the free radicals that are likely to damage living cells and trigger cancerous growth.

The ingredients in chai tea enhance its richness and aroma, apart from providing several health benefits. Brew up a hot cup of chai tea and gift yourself a healthier life.

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Can Nutrient Timing Really Help you Lose Weight

Well, yes and yes. But, when it comes to healthy nutrient timing, it’s important not to obsess over the details or eat every meal with a calculator on hand, says registered dietitian Kathleen M. Zelman, M.P.H., R.D., director of nutrition for WebMD.

Besides fast-tracking you to an unhealthy relationship with food, a nit-picky approach to nutrient timing misses the bigger picture of what its really all about: fueling your body to make weight loss easier, not harder.

“Properly fueling your body throughout the day can help ensure that you achieve the moderate caloric deficit that is necessary for healthy weight loss,” Zelman says.

Here, we explain the five keys to nutrient timing to help you cut calories, kick cravings, and build more metabolic-revving muscle for weight loss.

Eat Every Three to Four Hours:

There’s nothing magic about this rule, but a lot of healthy eating plans fail because they don’t include it, says Zelman. “If you go more than three or four hours without eating, your blood sugar is going to get low,” she says. “No macronutrient will sustain you for longer than that.” 

And when your blood sugar gets low, that’s when you run the risk of overeating at subsequent meals. What’s more, when your blood sugar levels nosedive, so do your energy levels. For weight loss, it’s important to maintain your energy levels all day long.

If you want to eat every two hours, that’s cool too, says Zelman. Some people like to eat mini-meals every couple of hours rather than waiting three to four hours to eat. However, if that’s you, your mini meals actually have to be “mini.” If you have trouble tailoring your portion sizes for all-day grazing, she suggests sticking to three square meals and one or two snacks per day.

Eat 20 to 30 Grams of Protein at Every Meal:

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, you need protein at breakfast to boost your satiety levels, crush cravings, and prevent overeating through the rest of the day.

Unfortunately, not only do most women still miss out on protein at breakfast (if they even eat breakfast), they don’t get much protein at lunch either. Then they mow down meat at dinner. However, even if you are getting enough protein throughout the course of the day, spreading it out between each meal helps you build more lean muscle without consuming a single extra calorie or pulling any extra workouts.

In a 2014 study published in The Journal of Nutrition, researchers had men and women follow two different approaches to their protein intake. Either they ate roughly the same amount of protein at each meal (about 30 grams), or they ate a little bit at breakfast, a moderate amount at lunch, and a ton at dinner. 

Both eating strategies contained the same total daily caloric intake. Still, the people who evenly spaced their protein intake throughout the day built 25 percent more muscle than did those who skewed their protein intake toward the evening.

Your move: Shoot for about 20 to 30 grams of protein at each meal, says Zelman. Again, you don’t need to whip out the calculator, but keep in mind that 20 to 30 grams equal about a cup of Greek yogurt with slivered almonds or one four-ounce serving of chicken breast. Make an effort to include one awesome protein-packed food in each meal, and you should be pretty good.

Time Your Carb-Rich Meals Before Your Workouts:

Carbs are fuel, and apart from being necessary for your brain to work its best, they're responsible for the vast majority of energy required during high-intensity and long-duration sweat sessions. Hence why research, including a comprehensive 2013 Sports Medicine review, shows that pre-workout carbs boost performance.

Unless you’re training for a marathon or doing some balls-to-the-walls workout, you probably don’t need any additional carbs right before you hit the gym. But eating your regularly scheduled carbs before you work out can help morning exercisers trying to lose weight. 

“First thing in the morning, your carb stores are depleted, so you’ll perform better if you eat fruit, oatmeal, or a piece of toast before exercising,” says board-certified sports dietitian Georgie Fear, R.D., C.S.S.D., author of Lean Habits for Lifelong Weight Loss. It can also reduce your chances of overeating later, she says.

Get Carbs and Protein Anytime After Working Out:

Post-exercise protein helps you get the most from your workouts by building lean muscle, while carbs replete your energy levels and help protein get into your muscle cells, says Fear.

To get the benefits, you should try to nosh on protein within an hour after your cooldown, according to a review published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 

Plus, your body uses some of the protein you eat before your workout to repair muscles too, says Fear. (Kick off your body transformation with Women's Health's Look Better Naked DVD.)

Whether you drink a smoothie on your way home or wait an hour or two after your workouts to down a meal, as long as your snack or meal of choice contains both carbs and protein, you’re good to go, she says.

Front-Load Your Day with Energy:

“Eating more in the first half of the day helps control appetite and reduces nighttime noshing,” says Fear. “So front-load your day with a satisfying breakfast and lunch.”

Seriously. It works. In one International Journal of Obesity study, researchers found that people who eat most of their food earlier in the day have lower body mass indexes than those who go heavy on dinner and midnight snacks.

And, since research also suggests that many women eat nearly half of their daily calories at or even after dinner, dialing up your breakfast and lunch intake may be one of the biggest opportunities to lose weight with nutrient timing. Fear recommends eating at least 400 calories at breakfast and lunch each.

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Benefits of Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is the name given to young wheat plants, when they are at the same height as ordinary grass. Wheatgrass has been proved to be an extremely healthy food supplement, as it contains 98 of the 102 minerals. It is contains 19 amino-acids, which are said to be the building blocks of the body. 

It is also a rich source of vitamins, chlorophyll and enzymes, essential for human growth and sustenance. A dark green liquid, which can be derived from this plant, when consumed on a regular basis, can be extremely beneficial for health and immune system. 

Just a few grams of wheatgrass powder offer the same quantity of essential nutrients to the body, as that of a spinach salad weighing 50 grams. Surprisingly, just one teaspoon of wheatgrass is richer in vitamin-C than one whole orange and the vitamin-A content of wheatgrass is twice as that of carrots. 

Apart from these great nutritional values, wheatgrass also has immense healing capabilities as well. Read on and know more about the magical properties of wheatgrass.

Health Benefits of Wheatgrass:

• Wheatgrass possesses great energizing potential. Two ounces of wheatgrass juice is found to have the same vitamins and minerals content as that of 3 pounds of organic vegetables, or two cups of coffee.
• Wheatgrass juice also carries some of the most essential nutrients. It is a rich source of vital minerals like zinc, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, sulphur, calcium and cobalt.  Wheatgrass juice has around 70% chlorophyll. 
• This chlorophyll gets converted into hemoglobin which then boosts the red blood cells count. This, in turn, increases the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood which ensures that all the body parts get adequate quantity of oxygen and nutrients. It is also found to be advantageous in case of fluctuating blood pressure.

• Wheatgrass is also high in proteins and contains several enzymes. Some of the essential enzymes that are found in wheatgrass are; Protease, which is beneficial in protein digestion; Cytochrome Oxidase, which is an anti-oxidant; and Amylase, which is effective in boosting the digestive process. In addition to these, it also contains amino-acids like Lipase, Transhydrogenase, which are crucial for the strength of the heart muscles as well as Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), highly critical for healing the damage caused by sun’s radiation.
• Wheatgrass is rich in Vitamin B, C, E and carotene. All of these are highly efficacious in wiping out free radicals from the body. With sufficient saponin content, wheatgrass also boosts the lymphatic system of the body. 
• Being anti-bacterial, it detoxifies the body by flushing away deleterious toxins from the body cells. It is also capable of crushing the hardened mucous. Drink wheatgrass juice on empty stomach to keep your organs feeling fresh and rejuvenated. To gain the maximum benefits, try to include it in your regular diet.
• Amino acids, also referred to as the ‘building blocks of protein’, are found in high quantity in wheatgrass. Amino acids are crucial for human growth and reproduction of the cells within the body. 
• Amino acids such as arginine, serine, absenisic, lysine, aspartic acid, glycine, alanine, methionine, leucine, tryptophane, phenylalanine and valine etc., are found in wheatgrass in adequate quantities. Thus, it is extremely essential for fitness enthusiasts to include wheatgrass powder or juice in their daily diet.
• When applied externally, wheatgrass can offer relief from itching in no time. It has also been proven to be effective as a disinfectant and restores natural colour to sun-burnt skin. Wheatgrass can be beneficial in combating hair related discrepancies also and can soothe itchy and scaly scalp. 
• Rub wheatgrass on your scalp and see the benefits. Moreover, wheatgrass is also efficacious in healing burns, scrapes, rashes, cuts, poison ivy infection, insect bites, boils, athlete's foot, sores and open ulcers.
• It is also effective in restoring the alkalinity of the blood. As it is rich in alkaline minerals, it helps in curbing the acid content of the blood. Consumption of wheatgrass also heals internal pains. Wheatgrass is widely used for the treatment of peptic ulcers, constipation, ulcerative colitis and diarrhea.
• Consumption of wheatgrass can even slow down the process of aging. It tightens up loose skin. It contributes towards making your nervous system stronger and increases mental clarity and also contributes towards improving eyesight.
• Did you know that wheatgrass can create a healthy atmosphere around you? All you need is some land or pots around you to place wheatgrass in; it purifies the air around you and offers you the benefits of a healthy life. 
• To derive maximum benefits, make sure that wheatgrass is absolutely organic. It is also important to consume it raw, without blending it with other flavors. Include this magical herb in your daily diet as soon as possible to discover a whole new level of health and wellness. 

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16 Kinds of Lean Protein that can Help you Lose Weight

And, just in case we all need a refresher: Lean protein is kind of a big deal when it comes to weight loss. Your body needs protein to maintain, repair, and grow lean, fat-burning muscle and help you stay fuller longer. 

One 2005 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition even found that people who ate 30 percent of their calories from protein, versus 15 percent, reduced their total energy intake by 441 calories. Damn.

So to get you to your weight-loss goal without hating life (and chicken), we bring you this list of all your healthy, lean protein options.

BLACK BEANS:

Serving: 1/2 cup

Protein: 8 g

Make it easy: Try them in soup with a dollop a guac.

COD:

Serving: 4 ounces

Protein: 24 g

Make it easy: Bake with lemon juice and capers.

EGG:

Serving: 1 large

Protein: 6 g

Make it easy: Hard boil and devil them with their own yolk, or add guacamole.

EGG WHITES:

Serving: 2 large

Protein: 8 g

Make it easy: Make a scramble with leftover veggies,

FLOUNDER:

Serving: 4 ounces

Protein: 28 g

Make it easy: Broil, top with hot sauce, and use in a soft taco.

HEMP SEEDS:

Serving: 1 ounce

Protein: 10 g

Make it easy: Sprinkle on oats, yogurt, steamed veggies, or a smoothie.

HAM, SLICED, EXTRA LEAN:

Serving: 4 ounces or 4 standard slices

Protein: 20 g

Make it easy: Wrap a blanched asparagus stalk for a quick snack.

PORK TENDERLOIN:

Serving: 4 ounces

Protein: 20 g

Make it easy: Rub with salt and pepper and roast with fresh rosemary.

PUMPKIN SEEDS:

Serving: 1 ounce

Protein: 5 g

Make it easy: Toast with cinnamon, or salt and cayenne.

CANNED SARDINES:

Serving: 3 sardines

Protein: 24 g

Make it easy: Use them to top a high-fiber cracker or a spinach salad.

SHRIMP:

Serving: 4 ounces

Protein: 24 g

Make it easy: Sauté with coconut oil, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts, and sesame seeds.

FILET MIGNON:

Serving: 4 ounces

Protein: 30 g

Make it easy: Rub with a little garlic and grill, then top off your salad.

TOFU:

Serving: 1/2 cup

Protein: 10 g

Make it easy: Puree and use in a smoothie.

CANNED TUNA:

Serving: 4 ounces

Protein: 28 g

Make it easy: Mix with white beans, black olives, and chopped tomatoes for a light salad or side dish.

SKINLESS TURKEY BREAST:

Serving: 4 ounces

Protein: 20 g

Make it easy: Spread a teaspoon of olive tapenade on one slice, and roll it up as a snack.

WILD SALMON:

Serving: 4 ounces

Protein: 28 g

Make it easy: Bake with Dijon mustard and soy sauce for a fast and easy packed dinner.

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