Diabetes and Swollen Feet
Diabetes can be a real pain for some sufferers for all sorts of reasons, but one of the easiest to resolve is that of swollen feet. Occasionally diabetes can lead to weight problems which could mean shoes are tight and cause rubbing, which can be very painful, or you may try to compensate the tight fitting by buying larger sizes but do not fit correctly, so a loose fitting shoe can also cause rubbing. It’s not pleasant, but is something you can resolve, as being able to choose from extra wide shoes that ensure the perfect fit is achievable if you know where to find such specialist shoes.
Now you may think that because they have just been described as “specialist shoes” that they may be “fuddy-duddy-like” or ugly, but that could not be further from the truth. There is now a great selection of wide fitting shoes on the market that have been designed for those that suffer from swollen feet, or just for people who may have wider than average feet and need shoes that come in wider fittings than available in the high streets. What is good to know is that these shoes are also designed with style as well as comfort in mind.
Some of the key features to look out for if shopping for shoes that will relieve the issues caused by swollen feet or diabetes are shoes that have little internal stitching, so to reduce the possibility of rubbing. This is especially important to look for in the “toe box” or the area where your toes sit in the shoe, one of the most frequent areas that cause such irritations.
These wide fitting shoes are not only available in a range of extra wide fittings (up to a whopping 8E!) but also with lace up and strap fittings. The key to getting the perfect fit though is ensuring you seek the right fitting advice from a specialist shoe store. Make sure that you have a fitting bespoke to your feet, that takes into account the width of your feet as well as your foot length so that the shoe gives your feet plenty of room for movement, but gives support in the arch, has shock absorbers and no rubbing or chaffing.
Foot problems can lead to all manner of issues and for those that suffer from diabetes, especially swollen feet, if left untreated could actually lead to amputation of the foot. It is always recommended that if you start to see the signs of swollen feet, or you are just worried about your glucose levels, then you should always consult your doctor. Foot problems can of course lead to other issues. If your feet are not healthy, or cause pain when walking then this can lead to issues with your posture, potentially leading to back problems which is certainly not something you would want to develop, especially if you can prevent the initial problem. So although it may seem obvious to say, making sure you have shoes that fit your feet is actually something that could keep you in good shape!
So once you have found the place to buy your perfect fitting wide shoe, make sure you pick the right style for your feet and the situation you will be wearing them for – do you need a heel? Straps to make putting on and removing the shoes easier? Are your shoes just for wearing round the house or for going out and about? There are styles that will make those suffering from swollen feet much more comfortable and reduce the pain you could be in, so take care and choose wisely.
About the author:
Natasha is an unpaid careworker that likes nothing more than looking after her Nan, where she spends most of her time cooking, cleaning and watching TV with her lovely Nan. She has been a careworker for the past 5 years where she has experienced many different topics with her Nan, whilst dealt with many health related issues, which she enjoys writing about.
Vitiligo and the Relative Treatment
Vitiligo is a disease or condition which causes portions of skin to lose its pigmentation. This depigmentation occurs when the melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for creating pigmentation of the skin, are not able to function properly or die off completely. Even though different research studies suggest that it is possibly caused by oxidative stress, genetic, autoimmune, viral or neural factors, the actual cause is still uncertain. It normally appears as de-pigmented patches on the skin, sometimes covering large parts of skin on the body. As the risks and side effects of various vitiligo treatments are as unpredictable as the cause of the disorder, it is always a risky disease to treat. This adds stress to the importance of a lot of patience and care while taking up the responsibility for the treatment of vitiligo and during it.
Autologous grafting of skin
This treatment process involves using a patient’s own skin tissues for surgical grafting. The dermatological surgeon removes small patches of pigmented skin, then replaces the skin on the affected area with the pigmented skin, stitches it in place and dresses the area. It has many possible complications, including scarring, infection, spotty repigmentation or cobblestone appearance. There is also a bigger risk that the skin will fail completely in re-pigmenting the grafted areas.
Blister transplanting
Another way of surgically treating vitiligo is by using blisters. The pigmented skin of the patient is placed in the presence of a heating device, causing it to blister. These blistered skin patches are then removed and transplanted to an area with the de-pigmented skin.
Medical tattooing
Medical tattooing or micropigmentation is a simpler option for covering up vitiligo patches. This involves coloring the area or patch of skin that is affected to replace the de-pigmentation with the original skin color. This is normally performed on patients who have dark skin. The problem with micropigmentation is its tendency to fade off over time and the risk of causing blister outbreaks on the tattooed skin area.
Autologous transplant of melanocytes
This treatment process uses a special solution for cell culture which grows melanocytes and thus, multiplies the patient’s pigmented skin. The skin that is reproduced is then transplanted to the areas with depigmentation.
Other common solutions like sunscreens and cosmetics also help prevent further damage and cover up unsightly patches. Sunscreens protect the skin from damage that could be cause by the sun’s rays while cosmetics disguise affected areas to look like normal skin. Vitamin supplements are also useful for strengthening the body and improving skin.
About the author:
This was written by JudyLulu, a girl living in a lipstick jungle who has been researching many topics around skincare.
Eating Your Way To Maximum Health
There are a lot of talk about healthy eating nowadays, as most individuals simply don’t eat the right foods, but eat too much wrong ones – like too much foods with sugar, salt and fat. Overturning this tendency will take time and effort. Start with your dieting is a healthy way to better your wellness and lifestyle.
Why most diet and lifestyle changes fail is because they are too difficult to follow at the very beginning. It is important to make small and simple changes, that are easy to stick to.
For many individuals, a healthy dieting plan can start by consuming a lot of fruits and veggies. As for other people, a healthy eating program will take a radical change in how they do their shopping, cook their foods, and what they consume.
Because healthy dieting means a lot of contrasting things to different people, it is not possible to come up with a single healthy eating program that will be suitable for everyone. A long-distance runner will have a different nutritional needs than someone who work at the office.
Disregarding what yours goal, it is essential to consume a mixture of nutrients. Make sure you choice your foods wisely when shopping. Dining out can pose extra challenges, and it is important to know the ingredients on the menu in your favorite eating place.
Eating your way to maximum health is about consuming more of the beneficial foods and less of the bad ones. Healthy eating habits can be learned and it is important to slow down and think about food as nourishment rather than just something to gulp down when you are hungry.
By eating more high nutrition, low calorie foods is a good way to start. Fortunately, the produce section of the local food market will likely holds many assorted examples of such foods. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and fat, and they are very nutritious as well.
As variety is so important to a healthy diet, try cooking different fruits and vegetables, and ingredients. There are numerous of healthy cooking recipes and cookbooks available. Buying a new cookbook can be a great motivator to start off your healthy eating.
Just remember that eating for maximum nutrition and energy does not mean making a radical change in your diet. Make simple changes, like reducing sugar intake, or substituting nonfat yogurt for sour cream, can go a long way toward enjoying a healthier lifestyle.
In the end the simplest and easiest to follow changes are the ones that matter most. As the easy changes allow you to stick with them for the long haul. Healthy eating for maximum nutrition and health can do wonder for your lifestyle.
Healthy Vegetable And Fruit From Your Organic Garden
Today the “organic” department of your food market has grown exponentially. These diverseness of foods are no longer a cult of flower people and environmental junkies. Organic foods are everywhere and you are able to find them alongside other vegetable and fruit in your local corner stores and food market.
So what about home grow vegetable and fruit from your own garden?
Have you made the leap and embrace this source of healthy food yet? Let us have a look at how you are able to metamorphose your regular garden into a delight of healthy organic vegetable and fruit. It does not take a lot to go organic and you will have less problems with insects or poor soil.
Organic gardens are different from the regular gardens in the way that the plants are fertilized and in the way that pests are controlled. Faithful gardeners use entirely earthy products and materials and shy away from all synthetic materials that could be harmful to the environment or to those who consume the produce.
Organic gardens take a good deal of work, a lot more than the conventional gardens. Just think of the healthy meals you get when the vegetable or fruit is in season and the joy you get from that.
On the other hand, an organic farmer may decide to can their vegetable or store them for later use when they are no longer in season.
Remember that organic fertilizers and conditioners work more slowly than the synthetic variety so mix up the soil with your fertilizer at least three weeks before you actually plant. Make sure you remove any organic materials that haven’t rotted yet and any weeds or unwanted plants. Fertilizers usually mean using animal manures, plant manures, compost or a mixture of different types of organic fertilizers. Some parts of the world rely on human waste but, generally, that’s not recommended.
Your organic fertilizer will remove the hardness of the soil and improve its overall condition. The soil will be able to hold both water and nutrients much better after fertilizing it. In addition, organic fertilizer buffers the soil so it is more stable to extremes of acidity or alkalinity. In many cases, the microbiology of the soil improves and the added nutrients will gradually release themselves as the plants grow.
Organic plant fertilizer can add healthy nitrogen to the soil in a process called “nitrification”. Nitrogen is a necessary nutrient for the growth of all garden plants – even conventional ones. Compost heap help organic gardens by improving the usable nitrogen component of the soil.
Animal manures make the best type of fertilizer for the common organic garden. They needs to be ripened for at least thirty days to make the nitrogen more useful. These manure varies depending on the type of the animal, the way the animal was fed and even the condition of the animal. After letting the soil rest with the animal manure, you are ready to plant and grow organic vegetable and fruit from your own garden.
How to Care for Someone with HIV/AIDS
Caring for a HIV/AIDS patient can be quite challenging because a caregiver has to attend to both the physical and emotional needs of the patient. At the same time, the caregiver has to be careful not to contract the disease. According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV affects each patient in a different way. As such, some HIV patients can lead a normal life. To be able to offer proper care to HIV patients, employ the following HIV and AIDS care tips:
Get Educated
Although the HIV virus has been around for several decades, many people know very little about it. A study carried out in South Africa by HSRC found that 36.2% of respondents believe that:
• HIV/AIDS has a cure.
• Witchcraft causes AIDS.
• Sexual intercourse with a virgin cures AIDS.
• The HIV virus does not cause AIDS.
Even in more developed countries such as Turkey and Malaysia, misconceptions still exist, according to studies published in the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science as well as the ISRN Infectious Diseases Journal. As such, you should learn more about AIDS so that you can separate myth from fact.
Medication
To suppress the HIV virus, a patient must take ARVs religiously. Do not assume that the patient will take medications as prescribed by doctors. Make it your duty to find out if the patient has popped the pills. According to a study carried out by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 27.5% of people with HIV sometimes forget to take medication. A further 29.4% fail to take their pills if they happen to be out of the house at dose time.
Good Nutrition
Besides medication, good nutrition plays a big role in maintaining a healthy body. In light of this, encourage the patient to eat a balanced diet including drinking plenty of fluids and eating fiber rich foods. The Tufts University’s School of Medicine recommends including legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat protein sources in your diet.
Protect Yourself against Infections
Infectious diseases can be fatal to someone with HIV/AIDS. As such, ensure that the patient’s immunizations are up to date. Moreover, keep the patient’s home and laundry clean ask the patient to observe general hygiene practices such as washing of hands after visiting the toilet to avoid contracting opportunistic infections. According to the NIH, common opportunistic infections (OIs) include TB, hepatitis C, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, and histoplasmosis.
Take Care of Yourself
It is easy to fuss over a patient and forget to take care of yourself. To protect yourself from contracting HIV infection, avoid sharing personal items such as razors and tweezers with the patient. When handling a patient’s bodily fluids such as blood, wear rubber gloves. If you feel stressed or emotionally drained, take a break and do something that you enjoy.
For many people living with HIV/AIDS in the developing world, access to quality healthcare is not the only challenge they have to face. For instance, misconceptions and myths associated with the disease can make providing care at the family and community level a hard task. To dispel such myths and fight stigma, learn all you can about AIDS and encouraging the patient to take medications and stick to a healthy diet.
About the author:
Michael Pilkington is a well-respected researcher in the field of HIV and AIDS care tips and has helped many third world governments to develop effective HIV/AIDS patient care policies.
All About Obstetrics & Gynecology
Obstetrics & Gynecology are strongly related in the sense that both deal with the female reproductive system. However the two disciplines differ greatly in definition, their history and their development into the specialized professions they are today.
Obstetrics involves the care of the female reproductive system when the female is in the gestation period, during childbirth and in the postnatal period. It involves monitoring how the female reproductive system during the gestation period so as to identify any anomalies that may complicate childbirth and endanger the life of the mother and/or the baby. This is a profession that in the last century has evolved from midwifery which was largely ignored as a medical profession but was seen as ‘dirty’ work, to become one of the most essential and advanced branches of medicine today. Although a separate discipline most obstetricians are also gynecologists.
Gynecology is the branch of medicine that deals with the well-being of the female reproductive system. Unlike Obstetricians who only deal with women who are pregnant, gynecologists deal with all females regardless of their age or physical condition and are expected to provide solutions to a wide range of medical conditions that affect the female reproductive system and even perform surgery when required.
Before the empowerment of women, both professions were neglected by the then male dominated medical field and usually gynecology was usually done by a general practitioner while obstetrics was done by a midwife. Both groups were usually not equipped with the necessary equipment and the complete knowledge to perform the sensitive tasks that both professions required and the results were seen in the extremely high infant mortality rates and the frequent occurrence of Puerperal fever among mothers which was often fatal in the 19th Century. At the same time, female were often more likely to die from reproductive health complications and diseases like STDs as compared to men (a phenomenon still seen in Africa today) due to the mainly male medical fraternity being averse to touching female reproductive parts. Eventually as public concern became paramount and medical science advanced, many doctors started to take an interest in the problems females faced when it came to their reproductive organs and thus Obstetrics & Gynecology became major medical professions.
As mentioned earlier though both professions deal with the female reproductive organs, obstetrics deals with pregnant women while gynecology deals with any medical problem concerning the female reproductive organs. Obstetrics covers 4 main fields: Prenatal care, Childbirth, Postnatal care and Pregnancy complications.
Prenatal care involves checking up on the mother’s medical history and physical condition though an antenatal. Fetus screening is done to check for any anomalies though imaging and various lab tests are done. Most prenatal checkups involve blood tests that determine whether the fetus is developing as it should and whether any anomalies are present. A complete blood count, screening for various diseases that may be a threat to the fetus like HIV, Hepatitis and gonorrhea is done.
Childbirth care involves ensuring that the mother delivers in the safest way possible and that any complications that may arise are and that a healthy baby is born. An obstetrician may induce labor if it is necessary or accelerate it with the hormone oxytocin, provide pain relief or perform a cesarean section.
Postnatal care involves making sure that the mother recovers from childbirth and the complications that usually come as a result from it like a lose bladder or bleeding from the uterus are taken care of. The baby is also checked for signs of any complications which should be taken care of at this stage.
There are many complications that occur during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period like ectopic pregnancies that can cause internal bleeding, a prolapsed cord which can strangle a fetus and a placental abruption which can lead to the mother bleeding to death. Such complications are usually what keep an obstetrician busy trying to prevent.
Gynecology covers all what obstetrics covers in addition to other complications affecting female genitalia which is why while all gynecologists are obstetricians, not all obstetricians are gynecologists. Non natal complications gynecologists deal with include:
- Vaginal infections, whether caused by imbalances in the Vagina or by Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Infertility
- Cancer of the various reproductive organs, the most common being cervical cancer
- Gynecologists perform a large number of surgeries and operations on the reproductive organs so as to correct anomalies or for sterilization purposes. Some of these include:
- Hysterectomy-Sterilization by removing the Uterus
- Tubal ligation-the fallopian tubes are tied or sealed to prevent the egg from reaching the uterus thus sterilizing the female
- Laparoscopy-a procedure done to reduce abdominal pain.
- Cervical Excision which is done to prevent cervical cancer before it starts.
In order to become a gynecologist or an obstetrician, one has to have completed undergraduate studies in Medicine then enroll in a Postgraduate program in either of the disciplines. Both professions pay quite well with salaries being above $200,000 a year in the United States and slightly lower in the European Union. Although complex and hands on disciplines that involve close human contact, Both Obstetrics & Gynecology are highly rewarding professions.
The OBGYN Centre offers premium pregnancy care and delivery services in the heart of town. You have our complete assurance that we will do our utmost to ensure a safe, uneventful and happy outcome for you and your child. Our antenatal services are also uniquely supplemented with 3D/4D fetal imaging to enhance the pregnancy experience for the family.
The Causes and Symptoms Of Yeast Infection
The causes of yeast infection
About 75% of women between the age of 20 and 40 will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime.
Yeast infections are caused by high levels of yeast that have gone out of control. This can take place due to a number of factors. Fingers and toes that develop yeast infection in their webs were infected due to undue sweating. Get some loose, cotton socks; they help your feet get more air and dry the sweat that often occurs when feet are confined in shoes.
Vaginal yeast infections occur when a woman is having her period or is pregnant. This flows from hormonal changes that occur in her body. Oral contraceptive pills and steroids also add to vaginal yeast infections. A stressed-out emotional state or a compromised immune system can also cause a yeast infection. Yeast infections have been known to occur due to vaginal injuries.
Other types of yeast infections can be induced by taking antibiotics. In normal human body function, the yeast fungus is kept to healthy levels because our “good” bacteria kills some of it. However, if we take antibiotics to kill off “bad” bacteria, we often get rid of the good ones along with it. This leaves the yeast with no natural predator; so much yeast is allowed to grow that an infection takes place. This is a good reason to take antibiotics only when absolutely required.
Once you see the causes and symptoms of yeast infection, you will be equipped to combat it. Although you may not be able to ward off all yeast infections in the future, you will know how to protect yourself from most of them.
How to recognize yeast infection
It’s all depends on which part of the body is being attacked. Oral yeast infections, also known as thrush, are fairly common in babies. Thrush will appear as a red patch of skin in the mouth; often, this rash will be coated with what appear to be milk curds. All the same, this is not milk; don’t try to clean it off, or bleeding may result. A rash on the skin from a yeast infection will typically have a scalloped shape and may have several patchy, red areas on the surrounding skin.
A vaginal yeast infection will have symptoms including redness, irritation of the tissues, and swelling. There may be a white discharge that is noticeably thicker than the discharge that occurs with ovulation. In some cases, it may be clumpy to the point that it resembles cottage cheese. There may be discoloration. Urination is likely to cause burning pain, and intercourse may also be uncomfortable. The vaginal area will probably be very dry and itchy.
See your doctor to be sure that you do have a yeast infection and not some other kind of infection. Your doctor will be able to prescribe a medication to help your body fight off the yeast infection.
5 Top Tips for Healthier Eyes
The eyes should never be taken for granted and should be looked after to keep them healthy. Healthy eyes not only mean improved vision, but your general wellbeing will also benefit. Just because you are having no vision problems or no irritation of your eyes, does not mean you should forego your eye examinations or neglect your eye health. Make looking after your eyes a part of your daily routine. It is actually quite easy to eat for good vision. Eye health is as simple as looking at what you put on your plate.
Eat plenty of greens
Greens such as spinach and kale help delay macular degeneration. It all comes back to colour and anything green and leafy is a boost for your eye health.
Take vitamins
There are many supplements available specific to eye health. Vitamins A, B2, C and E are essential for good eye health, as well as selenium and zinc. Vitamin C is also found in citrus fruits, sweet potatoes and strawberries. Omega 3 fatty acids and lutein also play an important role in good eye health. These vitamins help delay age related macular degeneration, cataracts and vision problems. Vitamin A, also found in milk and eggs, is essential to enable the retina to function properly.
Wear sunglasses
Protect your eyes from glare and exposure to harsh sunlight and harmful UVA and UVB rays. Wear good quality sunglasses when outdoors. Exposing your eyes to too much harsh sunlight can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration. Consider wearing polarized lenses to help reduce glare when driving. Sunglasses will not only protect the eye but also the eyelid.
Eat fruit
Certain coloured fruits with higher pigmentation are filled with antioxidants and are of great benefit to the eyes. Try apricots, rockmelons, mangoes, oranges or blueberries which are rich in beta carotene and lycopene, which help with eye fatigue and promote good vision.
Eye exercises
Eye fatigue is common in people who use computers or mobile phones for long periods of time. Reading continuously for long periods also contributes to eye strain. It is therefore necessary to give your eyes a break. When working on a computer, take a short break every 20 minutes. Look at something 6 metres away for 20 seconds. Repeat this every 20 minutes. This exercise will allow your eyes to refocus and help prevent blurry vision. Blinking, palming and figure of eight are also great eye exercises to help relax your eyes.
It is also important to keep your eyes hydrated. Drink plenty of water. However, if your eyes sting or feel gritty, you may need to lubricate them with artificial tears. Consult your doctor as you may be suffering from dry eye syndrome. http://dryeye.com.au has some great tips on eye care. Take care of your eyes if you work with hazardous materials. Always wear approved safety glasses. Daily life can subject your eyes to eye strain, harsh sunlight and a not so healthy diet. A well balanced diet will help prevent diabetes and will also help to maintain a healthy weight.
About the author:
Emma Jane worked as a nutritionist for 5 years before she quit her job to be a stay-home mom of two boys.
Knowing the Heart Attack and Heart Disease Symptoms
Most people do not know signs of a heart attack or heart disease symptoms. Heart disease develops over time and can result in a heart attack. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women; so as to men.
It is essential that everyone over the age of 40 know the signs of heart disease. The symptoms of a heart attack are not the same in men and women; which is why many women have mild heart attacks without even knowing it. If your over 40 you should visit a cardiologist even if you think you are in perfect health. A person should never just assume the ticker is fine.
There are several types of heart disease and a heart attack is included in the list. There are approximately 18 different types of heart diseases and a few of them have more than one condition listed therefore, increasing the numbers heart diseases.
For example there are 22 congenital heart diseases which include aortic stenosis, coarctation of the aorta or aortic coarctation, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, mitral valve prolapse, pulmonary stenosis, tetralogy of fallot, transposition of the great arteries – this disease/defect has two components 1) dextroposition and 2) lecotransposition. These are only a few of the congenital heart defects most of which are not caught until the baby is born.
Let’s take a look at a few heart diseases and how to recognize the signs and look at the treatments.
Angina
This heart disease comes in to forms stable angina and unstable angina. This heart disease can be triggered by stress, obesity or physical exhaustion. The symptoms include chest pain after one of the triggers occurs. The pain usually goes away by its self but it is a sign that a heart attack may not be that far off in your future. The best thing you can do besides seeing a cardiologist is quit smoking (if you smoke) lose weight (if your over-weight), learn to relax and find an outlet for your stress, eat healthy and exercise. Often times medications are prescribed to help control the condition.
Hypertension
Also known as high blood pressure; it is common in smokers, over-weight people, heavy drinkers, people with a diet high in salt, and people who have a family history of high blood pressure are at a higher risk. Have your blood pressure monitored, change your diet to a low-salt healthy diet, lose weight, quit smoking and drinking and exercise. Medication is often needed to keep the blood pressure within a normal range.
Those are the two most common types of heart disease. Now, let’s look at a heart attack. The symptoms of a heart attack are different in men and women. Men often experience a crushing pain in their chest with numbness down the left arm. Woman may have chest pain but the can also have pain in the upper back between the shoulder blades. Often times a heart attack can mimic another condition such as anxiety and panic attacks. With a heart attack you may also experience nausea, vomiting, sweating, fainting, shortness of breath, or coughing. If you experience the signs of a heart attack the faster you get to the hospital the better chance you have of surviving.
About the author:
Parkway Heart & Vascular Centre’s main objective is to advance the treatment of heart diseases in Singapore and the region as well as offer advanced cardiovascular treatment comparable to the best heart centres in the world.
5 Foods to Keep You Fuller For Longer
While it may sound like a diet gimmick – foods that make you feel full longer actually do exist. Note that such foods still have calories but they can ensure you that you will not want for more food for many hours. For instance, a half cup of salted peanuts contain 438 calories while the same amount of raw broccoli only has 15 calories. Eating broccoli means you will feel fuller while you may have to eat more peanuts in order to fell satiated.
Foods to make you feel full are those that have lots of dietary fiber and water. These often contain less calories and are mainly divided into two food types – foods that curb cravings and those that steady blood sugar. Would you want a taste of these foods now? Here is a list of some of them –
An Apple a Day
Apples are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber that provides bulk as it digests slowly. If you want a low calorie diet, then adding apples into your menu is a wise move. Don’t just get to keep the doctor away, keep those carbs at bay, too.
Grains and Their Complex Carbs
The low calorie food list should always include ragi, bajra, wheat and other whole grains. These contain complex carbohydrates that release glucose at a slower rate. Glucose helps maintain normal blood sugar levels, hence, it can help you fight off sugar cravings. Whole grain bread and pasta are rich sources of Vitamin B and fiber, both important factors in controlling metabolism.
Beans and Natural Appetite Suppression
Beans and lentils are all rich in cholecystokinin, a digestive hormone that naturally curbs your appetite. Researches have proven that these foods also maintain the body’s blood sugar levels, hence, you feel full longer. Apart from keeping hunger at bay, beans and lentils are also effective in lowering your cholesterol levels so it is much like hitting two birds with one stone.
One other food with natural suppressant is the coconut oil.
Sweet Potatoes and Weight Loss
You may want to say bye-bye to bagels for breakfast. Instead, opt for the healthier alternative which is the sweet potato; it is low in calories and high in fiber. Its water content is also high which can help you lose weight as water takes a lot of room in your tummy.
Herbal Teas as an Alternative Snacks
Instead of getting filled with sugary foods such as cookies or a slice of cake, or downing sodas or juices, why not drink a glass of tea?
Herbal teas can effectively suppress one’s appetite while also increasing the body’s metabolism. Look for black or green tea such as Ma Huang, Kola Nut or Guarana. These are naturally caffeinated which can increase energy levels and metabolic rates.
Know that losing weight may be hard but is achievable. All you need is a little motivation here and some amount of discipline and you should be good. Eat these nutritious foods and you should see a fitter and healthier you in just a few weeks.
About the author:
Mandy Abrahams is a dietitian and is currently conducting research to determine how the nutrient levels in different foods are altered during cooking. Many writes guest posts for The New You Boot Camp and is also working on publishing a 30 minute cook book for diabetic patients.