A study published in the journals Circulation and Vitality Magazine has uncovered that consumption of one soft drink per day is linked with increased odds of developing metabolic syndrome, obesity, high blood pressure, low levels of good cholesterol, impaired fasting glucose, etc. I also have heard that carbonated water, which we mistakenly call “mineral water”, has the same effect.

While soft drinks add pounds, meal replacement drinks can help to reduce weight. Meal replacements came into prominence several years ago, when a company called Met-Rx introduced a unique formula that was unlike anything else on the market. They are ideal for bodybuilders, dieters and those who are time pressed.

Met-rx Meal Replacement Drink Mix Chocolate Peanut Butter 18 pckts	Met-rx Meal Replacement Drink Mix Berry Blast 18 pckts

These products are a high protein, low fat, moderate carbohydrate food source that is rich in vitamins and minerals. They are designed to provide a maximal amount of nutrients in a format that is not inclined to promote significant body fat storage. Per serving these powders usually contain 250-300 calories, 35-45 gm of protein, 20-25 gm of carbohydrates, and 2-4 gm of fat. They also have between 50-100% of the RDAs for most of the major vitamins and minerals.

As a rule, meal replacements are best utilized as an adjunct to a well-balanced nutritional regimen – not as a substitute for natural foods. They fill a specific dietary niche, but by no means are a complete source of nutrition.

Stay healthy,

Mary

Tags: Healthy Diet

Two weeks ago I have heard the following statement:

If you are trying to lose weight and you love milk, cheese, butter, or any dairy products, then eat only organic products that have not been pasteurized or homogenized. The dairy products you want to buy should be labeled “organic”. Not organic dairy products have growth hormone in them.

I have taken it seriously and excluded all dairy products from my diet for 5 days. Already in the evening on the third day  my stomach looked flatter. I weighted myself and discovered that I am 1 pound lighter than on the usual evenings. So, I guess there is some truth to the whole “growth hormone in the dairy products” thing.

You might want to ask me how about all the good bacteria we usually try to get from the yogurts and such? Well, during these 5 days I relied on
Pure Encap’s Probiotics-5 60Caps. This product is phenomenal: it is dairy-free.

Don’t you want to lose a few pounds before summer? I guess the answer is yes. Try to stay away from the dairy products and take some good probiotic. If you do, please leave a comment and share your experience.

Stay healthy,

Mary

Tags: Diet and Weight Loss, probiotics

Take…

• plant enzymes with meals.
• essential oils (fish, flax and others) after meals.
• extra flax fiber before bed with water.
• vitamin, mineral and antioxidant supplements after meals.
• green foods to alkalize with meals.

Green Defense is an amazing green foods supplement. It provides an army of nature’s best green foods, including oat grass, spirulina, wheat grass and barley grass, which are all rich sources of chlorophyll. It provides antioxidant power form green tea and grapeseed, which contain a complex of bioflavonoids for healthy cell function. Green Defense is also formulated with probiotic metabolites for intestinal health support, and apple fiber and Inulin-FOS, which provice dietary fibers to enhance detoxification.

Stay healthy,

Mary

Tags: Healthy Diet, supplements