Casey Mcphee asked:

One sure way to lose weight is to go on an eating plan where you have to cut down on your carbohydrates. All experts including doctors, nutritionists, dietitians, and fitness experts agree that reducing our carbohydrate intake can result to significant weight loss. However, in order to do this, we need to know what are the good foods for Low Carb Diet. In this article, we will show how you can pick out these foods and junk the others.

We are aware that carbohydrates are one of the main sources of our weight gain. In fact, many different kinds of weight loss programs focused and emphasized limiting our carbohydrate intake to achieve optimum health. Nonetheless, some give contradicting information, especially when listing down the good foods for Low Carb Diet. To avoid this confusion, we came up with a general and authentic list of these things that you can follow regardless of what program you are doing.

Below is the list of the good foods for Low Carb Diet:

1. Berries – Even though some experts disqualify these fruits because of their sugar content, for this particular type of diet you can have berries because they can satisfy your cravings for sweets, and they are rich in antioxidants. You can have some acai berries, black berries, blue berries, and strawberries if you like.

2. Asparagus – We highly recommend this vegetable not only because of its low carbohydrate content, but also because of its rich Vitamin A.

3. Beef or chicken broth – This can serve as soup or appetizer in your meals. It does not have high carbohydrate and calories, and it can make you feel full faster.

4. Meat – There is no specific preference to the meat that you can have under this program. You can have any meats you want though it is better to have turkey, chicken, salmon, tuna, and other fish because they contain lower fats than beef and pork meat.

Corwin Brown asked:


An important aspect to healthy skin care is a diet containing the right food for healthy skin. What is the meaning of “the right food”? The right food refers to the type of foods that contain the key nutrients that benefit the skin the most.

In a well-balanced diet, the body is able to get enough nutrients for good skin health and for the body to function well as a whole. However, in today’s society a well-balanced diet does not exist in too many households. Often diets lack the vitamins, minerals, and other essential components for healthy skin and healthy bodies.

The proteins are needed for repair of body tissues. The skin and hair need enough protein and the deficiency causes dull and dry skin and scalp. Vegetarians specially need to plan their diets carefully to include protein rich foods such as soya beans, sprouts, cheese, milk, grains, peas & beans. Freshly made cheese from toned milk is an excellent source of protein for the vegetarians.

To get the maximum effect, eat products made from cooked tomatoes, especially tomato paste, as the process of cooking makes it easier for your body to absorb the lycopene. You need around 10mg a day. It will take around 2–3 weeks before your body starts feeling the benefits. Other foods rich in Vitamin C include citrus fruits, like oranges, strawberries, broccoli and cabbage. Vitamin C is also essential for your body to produce collagen, the material that keeps your skin firm and wrinkle-free.

Vitamin A is very important for the health of your skin and eyes. The richest sources of this vitamin are cod-liver oil, liver, carrots, spinach, milk and egg-yolk. If the diet is lacking in this vitamin, the skin becomes excessively dry and develops pimples. Vision at night becomes defective.But remember, neither should you overdose yourself with Vitamin A, because this can cause dryness and roughness of the skin, falling of the hair and soreness of lips.Cracking and soreness of lips also develop in vitamin B deficiencies.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants that reduce inflammation and protect cell membranes. It has been proven to reduce the damage of sunburns and overexposure to ultraviolet light, which in turn reduces the risk of skin cancer. Green tea is also high in polyphenols — compounds that eliminate cancer-causing free radicals.

Two per cent of men (and eight per cent of women) are anaemic. Even more have low-iron stores, which can leave you feeling tired and weak. But another little-known symptom of low-iron stores, caused by not enough in your diet, is itchy skin.

This combination will improve the texture of your skin. Used regularly it will help reduce signs of aging such as liver spots and wrinkles. Carrot is high in beta-carotene and anti-oxidant vitamins, while avocado is a rich source of vitamin E. The thicker the consistency of the mask, the more intense the action on the skin.

Carrots are a good food for skin because they are a high source of beta-carotene. The body coverts beta-carotene to vitamin A for use within the body. Carrots are also a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that mops up free radicals, such as those produced by overexposure to the sun, that lead to the premature aging of skin. It also aids in skin collagen formation. Collagen helps skin look young and plump.

Vitanet® Health Foods asked:


Get ready to experience a volume of information of the healthiest foods in the world. Here is a list of the top ten super foods that most health experts agree on. You should tell everyone you know about these foods and enjoy them at your next meal. From fruits and vegetables, to whole grains, nuts, beans and legumes, this power-packed nutritional inventory will take you into the best years of your life and beyond.

Fruits



Cantaloupe

Only a quarter of cantaloupe provides almost all the vitamin A needed in one day. Since the beta-carotene in a cantaloupe converts to vitamin A, you get both nutrients at once. These vision-strengthening nutrients may help reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Like an orange, cantaloupe is also an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps our immune system. It is also is a good source of vitamin B6, dietary fiber, folate, niacin, and potassium, which helps maintain good blood sugar levels and metabolism. This pale orange power fruit may help reduce our risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer.



Blueberries

These mildly sweet (and sometimes tangy) berries offer a high capacity to destroy free radicals that can cause cancer. Low in calories, they offer antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, which enhance the effects of vitamin C. These antioxidants may help prevent cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer.



Vegetables

3: Tomatoes

Tomatoes help us fight against heart disease and cancers such as colorectal, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and cancer of the pancreas. Tomatoes are also good sources of vitamin C, A, and K. In a 2004 study, it was found that tomato juice alone can help reduce blood clotting.

Fresh, organic tomatoes deliver three times as much of the cancer-fighting carotenoid lycopene. Even organic ketchup is better for you than regular ketchup! Look for tomato pastes and sauces that contain the whole tomato (including peels) because you will absorb 75% more lycopene and almost two times the amount of beta-carotene.

4: Sweet Potatoes

As an excellent source of vitamin A, C, and manganese, sweet potatoes are also a good source of copper, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, potassium and iron. Those who are smokers or prone to second-hand smoke may benefit greatly from this root vegetable that helps protect us against emphysema.

For a unique dessert, cube a cooked sweet potato and slice a banana. Then lightly pour maple syrup over the top and add a dash or two of cinnamon. Add chopped walnuts for an even healthier kick.

5: Spinach and Kale

A cancer-fighter and cardio-helper, spinach and kale top the list as far as green leafy vegetables are concerned. Much like broccoli, they provide an excellent source of vitamin A and C. Kale is a surprisingly good source of calcium at 25% per cup, boiled. Vitamin K is abundantly found in spinach as well, with almost 200% of the Daily Value available, to help reduce bone loss.

Whole Grains

6: Whole Grain Bread, Pasta and Brown Rice

Whether it’s bread or pasta, the first thing to check for when purchasing whole grain bread and pasta is to make sure it is 100% whole grain. Remember to check the list of ingredients on the package. For example, look for the exact phrase “whole wheat flour” as one of the first ingredients listed in whole wheat bread. If it’s not listed as such, then it’s not whole grain. Wheat bran is a cancer-fighting grain that also helps us regulate our bowel movements.

Brown rice is also a better choice than refined grain (white rice) for the same reason as choosing whole wheat bread. Whole wheat flour or brown rice that turns into white flour or white rice actually destroys between 50-90% of vitamin B3, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, manganese, phosphorus, iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids we need. Even when processed white flour or white rice is “enriched,” it is not in the same form as the original unprocessed kind. In fact, 11 nutrients are actually lost and are not replaced during the “enrichment” process!

Nuts

7: Walnuts

These nuts are packed with omega-3 fats, which is one of the “good” fats. A quarter cup of walnuts would take care of about 90% of the omega-3s needed in one day. Walnuts provide many health benefits including cardiovascular protection, better cognitive function, anti-inflammatory advantages relating to asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis. They can even help against cancer and also support the immune system.

Beans and Legumes

8: Black Beans and Lentils

While black beans are a good source of fiber that can lower cholesterol, so are lentils. The high fiber content in both black beans and lentils helps to maintain blood sugar levels. Also a fat-free, high quality protein with additional minerals and B-vitamins, black beans and lentils fill you up and don’t expand your waistline.

A complete, one-stop source of using a variety of beans and lentils comes easy when you can find a bag of 15-bean mix (includes black beans, lentils, navy, pinto, red, kidney, etc.) at the grocery store. Consider making a delicious soup with the addition of tomatoes, onions, garlic and your favorite spices with this bean mixture.

Dairy

9: Skim Milk and Yogurt

Skim milk (or low-fat) helps to promote strong bones, offering an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K. These nutrients help protect colon cells from cancer-causing chemicals, bone loss, migraine headaches, premenstrual symptoms, and childhood obesity. Recent studies also show that overweight adults lose weight, especially around the midsection, when consuming low-fat dairy such as skim milk and yogurt.

Yogurt also includes the essential nutrients such as phosphorous and vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin B5, zinc, potassium, and protein. Yogurt’s live bacterial cultures also provide a wealth of health benefits that may help us live longer and strengthen our immune system.

Seafood

10: Salmon

Salmon is high in protein, low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fats (the essential fatty acids that are also found in those walnuts mentioned earlier). Salmon is a heart-healthy food and is recommended to eat at least twice a week. When choosing salmon, it’s best to stay away from farm raised and select wild instead. Research studies show that farmed salmon may cause cancer because it may carry high levels of carcinogenic chemicals known as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Other

Green Tea and “Power” Water

Although not food per say, the health benefits of these beverages are worthy of mentioning.

Green tea has beneficial phytonutrients and lower levels of caffeine than all other teas. The more research studying green tea, the more health benefits are found. A cancer fighter as well, green tea has antioxidant effects that lower risks of bacterial or viral infections to cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, periodontal disease, and osteoporosis.

Water packed with vitamins and/or naturally sweetened fruit are also the newest trend. Some offer a full day’s supply of vitamin C while others promise no artificial sweeteners with a full, fruity taste.

As you can see, the top ten super foods are worth every bite (or sip). Now that you know which foods can help save your life, what’s more important than investing in your health?