Health, fitness and Diet informations » Fruits And Vegetables http://www.2acai.com Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:57:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Staying in Shape This Summer http://www.2acai.com/staying-in-shape-this-summer.html http://www.2acai.com/staying-in-shape-this-summer.html#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:25:10 +0000 admin http://www.2acai.com/?p=119 With the summer holidays approaching, it’s time to get into shape – here are a few easy ways to shed the pounds.

Sadly, shaking off the excess lard you accumulated over the brutally cold winter can be a tad more difficult than watching the winter snow melt in rising temperatures. Will power is necessary to lose weight – merely wishing it away won’t do you any good. There is no substitute for healthy eating and a disciplined exercise routine.

Fitness trainers say that it is normal for people to put on about 5 pounds over winter. The challenge is to get rid of the extra weight before the summer and then maintain the weight-loss throughout the rest of the year.

The glorious days of early summer are the best excuse to head out for some fresh air and outdoor activity. Taking up an outdoor sport, running or cycling can help increase your metabolism too. Swimming and aerobics,in particular, are excellent ways of getting in shape.

Eating healthily is an important part of your weight-loss programme. Exercising yields the best results when combined with a healthy diet. Increasing your daily protein intake, while minimising the amount of carbohydrates you consume, helps fight fat accumulation. Most dieticians recommend smaller meals at regular intervals rather than eating two large meals a day. Increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet can help fill your stomach while keeping the unwanted calories away.

 

You can also easily incorporate exercises into your daily chores. Take the stairs instead of the escalator for a mini cardio workout and choose to walk to and from work instead of taking the bus. Gardening can also be a pleasant way to exercise – you could rake the yard or mow the lawn to keep your body active throughout the summer.

For those who love working up a good sweat, the best solution is to head straight to the nearest gym. While you’re at it, hiring a personal trainer is a good investment. Following a tailor-made workout regime can mean faster progress and more focused exercising, for example on problem areas such as the arms, hips, thighs and stomach. Most fitness centres also recommend spa treatments to complement an exercise routine, to restore valuable vitamins and minerals as well as to keep muscles relaxed. A couple of spa days every month can work in tandem with your weekly workouts to help you get in shape and stay healthy. If it’s your partner trying to get in shape, experience gifts can be a good way of spending some time together at a health spa, and you’ll leave feeling recharged. Whichever method you choose to stay fit, always remember to set yourself targets. Getting fit in time to wear that bikini with confidence is as good a thing as any to aim towards when planning your summer health routine.

 Enjoy!

]]> http://www.2acai.com/staying-in-shape-this-summer.html/feed 0 Eating Well By Color http://www.2acai.com/eating-well-by-color.html http://www.2acai.com/eating-well-by-color.html#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:01:44 +0000 admin http://www.2acai.com/?p=29
In the last couple of decades, scientists have discovered more reasons (beyond vitamins and fiber) to pack your diet with fruits and vegetables: phytochemicals. All plants contain these compounds, which protect them from a variety of dangers—from harmful UV rays to predatory pests. We take in phytochemicals when we eat fruits and vegetables and, as it turns out, they protect us too. Some act as antioxidants, mopping up unstable “free radical” molecules that can damage cells and lead to the development of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and other health issues. Others work by boosting the immune system.
 
What’s fascinating is that nature seems to have a way of highlighting these beneficial nutrients by giving them bright colors that allow you to spot them at a glance. For example, anthocyanins make blueberries blue and may help to keep your mind sharp. Tomatoes get their ruby hue from lycopene, a phytochemical that may help to prevent prostate cancer. To get the maximum disease-fighting power that phytochemicals can provide, choose foods that represent all colors of the rainbow. The USDA suggests paying particular attention to orange (2 cups per week) and dark green (3 cups per week) produce, both good sources of vitamin A and other important nutrients. Use our vibrant color wheel to inspire you.
Red
Red foods, such as tomatoes and watermelon, contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help protect against prostate and breast cancers.
 
  • Guava
  • Pink grapefruit
  • Red peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Watermelon
Orange
Alpha and beta carotene make foods like carrots and sweet potatoes so brilliantly orange. The body converts these compounds into the active form of vitamin A, which helps keep your eyes, bones and immune system healthy. These phytochemicals also operate as antioxidants, sweeping up disease-promoting free radicals.
 
  • Apricots
  • Cantaloupe
  • Carrots
  • Mango
  • Oranges
  • Papaya
  • Pumpkin
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tangerines
  • Winter squash

 

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