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Looking for Healthier Options for your On-Go-Lifestyle? Try Liquid Protein

Nowadays, you would be hard pressed to not find some kind of either bottled or powdery substance for your protein needs in every supermarket across the country.  Yes, liquid protein is a popular way for people to get their nutritional needs met but without the burden of meal planning or putting together an intricate snack.  You can simply add protein powder, some type of liquid to emulsify and blend the drink or even go the prepared route and simply untwist the cap and go. The benefits of liquid protein are its high protein content and the ease of which you can receive much of your nutritional needs with one mere serving.  They can be portable and easily transportable to work or while running errands.  Certainly they are a much better alternative to a bag of chips or a couple of high fat and carbohydrate-rich muffins or other baked goods.  But they shouldn’t replace real food, as in green and leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fruits and lower fat cuts of meat like chicken or fish. Like anything in life, moderation is key.  You never want to take liquid proteins to any kind of extreme as some discovered in body building circles were linked to steroids and other unhealthy ingredients, know what you are drinking before your take a sip.  A worrisome notion since young, growing bodies, consume many protein drinks.  As always, check with your physician before embarking upon any kind of new diet.  Chances are they will have some sound and healthy tips to help you achieve success with either weight loss or management.  Proteins in liquid form can also be a good substitute for those who may be having health issues following certain surgical procedures or chronic illness that makes consuming denser foods more difficult.  Since they are high in those essential nutrients, fats and minerals they are a good way to ensure that patients are being fueled and on their road back to recovery.  But utilizing protein drinks isn’t just for the elderly or the infirmed.  As many parents know, a stubborn toddler can be finicky at best when it comes to eating, that is why if your three-year-old is losing weight and not attempting to build a good appetite, your pediatrician may recommend a pediatric version of a liquid protein.  Again, it should never substitute real meals, just to supplement so that perhaps they are consuming more than a couple of crackers and a handful of crayons. 

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Hungry? Skip the Chips and reach for more High Protein Snacks

Hunger is going to happen, but what you choose to sate that hunger will determine whether you crash and burn and hour later, or if your still running around and efficiently checking off items on your very lengthy task list. The difference may lie with the choices you make to eat. High fat, carbohydrate rich foods tend to quickly satisfy due to their pleasing taste, but the consumer may not realize that they are often laden with high amounts of salt, sugars and preservatives. A better alternative might be choosing a high protein snack. Our bodies are designed to burn through carbohydrates to fuel us for quick energy, the problem is that once that energy has worn off, the body “crashes” and blood sugars falls drastically producing a craving for another quick “fix” to maintain that exuberant feeling.

However, if you choose a high protein snack filled perhaps with dairy (calcium, minerals, vitamins) like cheese or yogurt, you will not only relieve your hunger but will stave it off longer since the contents take longer to digest and move through your system. Especially a food like yogurt that consists of probiotics, the “good” kind of bacteria that can help fight off the not so good kind and keep a balance as a good digestive aid. Snacks can make that difference between a quick little pick-me-up and settling down for a larger and more sedentary meal. But snacking should always be just that little something to tide you over, a few whole grain crackers and a couple wedges of cheese, not the entire box or a gallon of ice cream, a snack should be just enough to quickly sate the appetite and get you back on your game.

High protein snacks can also be prepackaged to enhance your will control and to pass by the box of doughnuts beckoning your from the break room. Try bringing a couple of small oranges, a banana or a handy packages of trail mix. Nowadays you can find prepackaged snacks that do not even need to be refrigerated like milk or yogurt covered peanuts. Eating healthy does not meaning eating bland or boring, either. It means making a conscious choice about your diet and the items you decide to consume. Having things at hand will make temptation less of an option and if you have snacks that are higher in protein and rich in whole grains and dairy then chances are you will keep that hunger at bay and your appetite for a bigger and hopefully healthier meal.

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Improve the Overall Quality of your Life with Good Gut Health

It has been said that good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings, based upon this wise maxim, then it should behoove anyone feeling a little under the weather to invest in what you can do to ensure your good health.  Another common adage is “You are what you eat” meaning what you put into your mouth will determine your overall health.  Do you tend to eat fast food type fare when you are out and about rather than having a healthier snack option available?  What about meal planning, do you tend to impulse buy at the store, choosing items that can be quickly microwaved or thrown together in an instant?  Do you tend to skip meals altogether, choosing coffee or even worse, supplementing your morning meals with energy drinks filled with caffeine, sugars and chemical preservatives? Did you know that your gut and your gut health is nature’s barometer for you overall health and wellbeing?  Do you have friends with “nervous stomachs”, acid reflux or irritable bowel syndrome?  These can all be health related and there is a strong correlation between what you eat and the quality of your health.  In our very busy and modern lives, it might be difficult to carve out time for family meals, but the truth is that if our younger generations are growing up without the practice of proper nutrition and meal planning our already epidemic rates of obesity will continue to further climb.  Smaller meals, eaten frequently will help maintain a healthy weight and good eating habits for a lifetime.   The choice of your main course also determines how well your body’s digestion system is working.  Deep fried, greasy foods tend to clog up all that inner plumbing, especially without the assistance of whole grains and fibrous vegetables to help things better move along.  If your gastrointestinal tract (GI) gets bogged down this will result in constipation, bloating, pain and discomfort not to mention that taking medicines can then cause a severe imbalance in the rather fragile environment of your digestive system. Maintaining good gut health will help keep your body in check.  Eating healthier meals, drinking plenty of water, limiting alcohol, smoking or unhealthy habits and getting plenty of sleep and exercise will only serve to get your inner plumbing humming along.  After all, there is nothing more debilitating than an upset stomach or periodic bouts of constipation and/or diarrhea.  Keep an eye on your stomach’s complaints; chances are if you are a little off kilter, double check where you are with your diet and lifestyle.

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What Are Phytonutrients And How Can They Benefit You?

Some of the simplest, most underrated foods pack the biggest nutritional punch, and this is certainly true for fruits and vegetables. It turns out your mother really knew what she was talking about when she constantly prodded you to “eat your fruits and veggies”! Those simple little foods that spring forth from the earth are not only delicious, but they are also bursting with phytonutrients that your body can utilize to keep itself healthy. Although the word “phytonutrients” may sound long and complex, it simply refers to natural chemicals that can be found within plants as well as the fruits and vegetables that those plants produce. These chemicals have impressive protective properties that can help keep your body healthy and your immune system strong. There are over 25,000 different types of phytonutrients that can be found in plants and plant-based foods, including flavanoids, carotenoids, resveratrol, ellagic acid, phytoestrogens, glucosinolates, and many others. With the typical modern-day lifestyle, it can be very difficult to include an adequate amount of healthy plant foods in your daily diet.If you don’t have the time to prepare the healthful plant-based meals that you need in order to keep your immune system strong and healthy, then you should consider taking a high-quality phytonutrient supplement. Mother Nature has a way of putting a tremendous amount of strain on the immune system with each change in the seasons. Sickness often overcomes weakened immune systems when the weather turns cold during the fall and winter, so it is especially important to find a good phytonutrient supplement before you succumb to the typical cold-weather sicknesses. While phytonutrients are certainly not a miracle cure, they can give your immune system the boost that it needs to completely avoid certain illnesses or to recover from illnesses faster. The body is constantly fighting pesky little molecules or atoms called free radicals. These Free radicals are thought to be responsible for premature aging and damage to healthy cells in the body. Pollution, radiation, and a poor diet can contribute to the formation of free radicals within the body, which can lead to an unhealthy immune system. Thankfully, a diet rich in plant foods or aided by a phytonutrient supplement can provide the antioxidants needed to fight off free radicals and keep the cells in your body healthy. If you feel like your current diet is lacking in phytonutrients, be sure to talk to your dietitian about how you can increase your phytonutrient intake with supplementation. 

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How Good Nutrition Can Help You Recover

Although chemotherapy is meant to kill cancer cells, it kills healthy cells as well, and this can cause many side effects for cancer patients. Loss of appetite, hair loss, fatigue, nausea, mouth sores and many other side effects unfortunately come with chemotherapy. Recovery from theside effects of chemotherapy is not as hard as some people think it will be. With the right nutrition, you can recover quickly and stay healthy during your chemotherapy treatments. It can be a struggle though to keep up good nutrition. Doctors will tell you to keep weight on and maintain a healthy lifestyle but that can see impossible when you just don’t feel like eating or doing anything at all.

For many people, taste buds change during chemotherapy and foods they once loved now have a different taste. This can cause people to lose weight and lose interest in eating altogether. If you are experiencing loss of appetite and weight loss, this is not good for you. You need vitamins and nutrients to keep the body strong as it fights the cancer. With the right nutrition, your chemotherapy sessions and recovery days will become much easier.

Look into supplements designed specifically for cancer patients to help them with recovery from the side effects of chemotherapy. If you are experiencing diarrhea or nausea, make sure you are getting enough electrolytes in your diet. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. If they do not sound appealing to you, try juicing them. Drinking a glass of carrot juice with some strawberries added is sometimes a lot easier to consume than a plate of veggies.

It’s also important to get enough protein as this will help your hair and nails grow back strong and healthy. If you have been inactive due to your chemo sessions, your muscles may have become weak. Nourishing them with the protein will help you get some strength back. Choose lean cuts of meat or protein shakes if they are easier for you to digest.

Recovery fromthe side effects of chemotherapy will take some time, but if you nourish your body with the right foods, it will become quicker and easier. If you do not recover from your chemotherapy sessions, you may have to skip a chemotherapy treatment and that is not good when you are trying to kill the cancer in your body.

There may be certain vitamins you need to stay away from while undergoing treatment

so talk to your oncologist about which types of foods or supplements you should be taking. You want to make sure you stay strong and healthy during your treatments to ensure the best outcome possible.

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Good Sources Of Protein

Protein is an essential nutrient to building muscles, recovering from surgery or nurturing a pregnant body. It is also good for metabolism and digestion. Protein can help you grow srong nails and thick, beautiful hair. Many people think that in order to get enough protein, they need to eat egg whites everyday, but there are many tastier options that can help you build a leaner, healthier body. There are plenty of high protein snacks you can make quickly and take on the go which makes getting your protein very easy and convenient.

It’s important to select the right type of proteins for your body. Of course meats contain protein but be careful about what types of meat you choose. Stay away from fatty cuts of meat and choose healthier options such as lean chicken, pork or fish. Some fat is ok, but too much fat can cause health problems such as heart disease, high cholesterol or diabetes.

You can get protein from sources such as dairy products as well. Try a half cup of cottage cheese or some cheese sticks if you are looking to add some protein to your diet. Yogurt is also a healthy option. Look for foods that say “Good source of protein.” High protein snacks such as nuts and peanut butter are quick and easy snacks you can grab on the go. They can pack up to 10 grams or more of protein which will keep you satisfied longer.

For vegetarians or those with certain health conditions who need extra protein, a supplement bar or shake is a good idea. Look for products that are both meal replacements and packed with vitamins. This is a great way to get your protein and vitamins all in one meal. Some people hear “protein shake” and think it will have a strange taste, but most of these products have come a long way and companies have improved the way their shakes and high protein snacks taste. You may find yourself wanting to eat more than one, but keep in mind your caloric intake and limit yourself to a couple per day. Good choices for protein shakes or bars include whey protein or soy protein. If you can find organic protein that comes from grass fed beef, that is an even better option.

There is such a thing as too much protein, so talk to a nutritionist or doctor to make sure you are not taking in too much. Consuming protein in excess can lead to kidney problems. You should find a good balance of protein, carbs and fats to ensure a healthy lifestyle.