Dieting Library Blog

New Year, New Diet Plan

2008-01-02T08:46:00.000-08:00

Statistics show that 90% of Americans have made the resolution to eat healthier and lose weight. However, very few have stuck to the diet plan. Make this year different, make this the year that you find a diet plan you can actually stick to and make this the year that you look forward to bathing suit season, instead of dreading it!

Changing our eating habits is easier than ever today! You no longer have to go to specialty stores to find fat-free foods. Your local supermarket has the food products that make it easy to eat healthier and lose weight while still enjoying some of your favorite meals! Most grocery stores regularly carry fat-free dairy products, sugar substitutes, and many low fat alternatives to your favorite foods; so, we can change our daily diet and not feel like we suffer any real loss in intake or taste.

Of course, no matter what diet plan you are on, moderation is key. The most effective diets encourage controlled portions of a balanced diet. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, along with moderated intake of protein fats. Throw a fun exercise into the mix and you have the recipe for a successful diet plan. Kickboxing has always been my favorite method of shedding off the pounds. Find a class in your area and within a couple of months, you’ll notice a more toned frame. Proceed from a beginner's pace and then slowly increase to a more advanced level as you adjust.

Remember all diets take some amount of time so it’s important to be realistic in your weight goals and expectations. When you set achievable and frequent goals (weekly, monthly), it becomes easier to attain them. And remember to love yourself through the whole process. Set firm goals for yourself and then a reward that will make you look forward to achieving the goal. If you fail to meet your dieting goals on one particular day, it’s not the end of the world- simply continue on the next day. You do need to stick to a daily diet plan to get into healthy eating habits, but you don’t want this to be at the cost of your health.

For more on the New Year Diet and other diets, please visit Dieting Library.

Indoor Workout Skin Problems

2007-11-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

Winter is here and indoor workout sessions are on the rise as fellow dieters crowd health clubs to avoid being one of the many people who gains weight this holiday season. Unfortunately exercise-related skin problems are also on the rise. By no means, does this mean you should stop going to the gym but before you go, read up on the hidden dangers of indoor exercising and how to avoid a bothersome skin condition.

Athlete’s Foot
Walk barefoot in a health club and you may get a gross foot fungus called Athlete’s foot. No place is safe- from swimming pool floors to showers and locker rooms, this fungus grows best in dark, moist and warm environments, making sweaty feet tucked inside running shoes perfect targets. Symptoms include an itchy and burning sensation on feet, and in some cases cracked and scaly skin. To prevent Athlete’s foot, always wear shoes, sandals, or aquatic shoes at all times in health clubs. If you do encounter Athlete’s foot, over-the-counter treatments will usually heal, but if the symptoms are persistent, you may need prescription-strength medications from a dermatologist.

Blisters
Blisters are a common occurrence for runners or weight lifters since they are a result from friction between an area of the body and athletic equipment causes a splitting of the top layer of skin, allowing fluid build-up. One key to preventing blisters is to reduce friction by creating more distance from the equipment to the skin. Runners should wear moisture-wicking socks and apply a thin layer of vaseline between the sock and the shoe. Weight lifters should wear workout gloves to prevent blisters from forming on the palms. If you do form a blister, do not peel off the top layer of it and if it comes off naturally, it’s a good idea to keep the blister covered with vasaline and a band-aid to prevent infections.

Rashes
Rashes can occur due to abrasion on an area of the body if athletic padding is not used. Most cases of indoor rashes are caused by sliding on the basketball court or from constant contact with exercise mats or carpet. Like blisters, rashes should be covered with vasaline and bandaged for quick healing and to avoid scarring. Of course, other possible rashes may exist in a health club setting and it itching or other symptoms continue to occur, it is important to see a dermatologist.

Indoor Tanning
Not everything in health clubs is healthy. Perhaps the most dangerous health threat you will encounter in health clubs is the tanning booth. Indoor tanning devices are still offered at some health clubs across the country despite their link to skin cancer. Ultraviolet light, whether from natural sunlight or artificial light sources, increases a person’s risk of developing skin cancer. Their position in health clubs has been a controversial issue since it can mislead users to think they have some health benefit, purely from their affiliation with the health club. Do not be fooled, and remember there are a ton of sunless tanning products on the market that will give you that summery glow without the risk of cancer.

Indoor Winter Workout

2007-11-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

Winter is here, tempting us to stay indoors and forget about exercising. Don't be one of the many people that hibernate and pack on the pounds this time of year. It's freezing outside and it's time to take your workout sessions indoors. We have compiled a list of tips and workout ideas to help you stay fit throughout the winter season. You've worked so hard to lose the weight- why give up now?

Ice Skating- Since winter is here, you can take advantage of your local ice skating rink. Ice skating is a great way to burn off calories and also a fun activity to do with family and friends.
Group Classes- Most health clubs offer group exercise classes. This is a great time to try a new yoga or Pilate's class. Not only is it a great way to get and stay in shape but it's also a fun way to meet new people that will motivate you.
Dance- Dancing is one of the funnest ways to get in shape. Shed those pounds in a salsa class or try ballroom dancing. You may find out you have a hidden talent!
Get Wet- Find a local indoor pool you can use and try swimming, water aerobics, or even just walking or running laps in the water. Who says you have to wait till next summer for a dip in the pool?
Mall Walking- Walk at an indoor location, like a mall. If you need extra motivation to get yourself to the mall, join a walking group or form one with your friends. This will help you stay accountable to someone other than yourself.
Create a home gym- This doesn't have to be expensive. You can easily set-up a great workout routine with just a set of dumbbells, an exercise ball and a jump rope. Get all of this for around $50.
Workout Videos- Exercise videos can pull you through the cold winter months. The best part is you don't have to leave your home to get a workout from the pros!

By staying fit during winter you'll be able to avoid gaining weight, have a head start on swimsuit season, and avoid losing strength, energy and stamina caused from inactivity. Get started today- what have you got to lose except for a few more pounds?

Our staff's favorite workout videos:

Denise Austin: Hit the Spot - 10 Five Minute Target Toners

8 Minute Abs Arms Buns & Legs

Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss

For more dieting and workout tips, please visit Dieting Library.

Outdoor Winter Workout

2007-11-12T06:42:00.000-08:00

Did you know 30 percent of Americans admit to getting no exercise during the winter months? With the temperatures plummeting this time of year, many of us tend to stay at home and hibernate all winter long. But, hibernating is for bears, not for those of us that want to get fit! We need to stay active throughout the year so here are some tips to help you through the winter months!

There are many exercise options you can choose to participate in regardless of what the outdoor thermometer reads. Depending on your preferences, you can workout inside or outside. If you are an outdoor person and the cold doesn't bother you, working out outside may be for you, but keep the following safety tips in mind:

Warm up first. Prior to going outside, a proper warm-up is critical in order to prevent the cold temperatures from tightening your muscles and making you more prone to injuries.

Insulate your body. The best approach to dressing for outdoor exercise is layering. Layering provides the most effective heating method, plus it allows you to remove the top layer if you get too hot. The layer closest to your skin should allow moisture to be wicked away. The top layer should be both wind and water resistant.

No sweat. Don't assume that you have to sweat in order to get a good workout. You should avoid sweating that causes the clothing layer closest to your skin to get wet and cause you to be chilled. Instead monitor your intensity through a heart rate monitor to ensure you are getting a sufficient workout.

Don't undress as soon as you get inside. While you may be tempted to immediately remove your layers when returning inside, give your body time to adjust. Post exercise hypothermia is possible. This happens when your body rapidly loses its heating stores.

Drink up. It's just as important to stay hydrated when exercising in winter as it is in summer, even though you might not feel as thirsty.

Lighten up. If you are exercising at night, it is important to wear reflective materials to ensure that you can be seen.

For more information on diets and staying fit, please visit Dieting Library.

Cheers to Something Other Than Beers!

2007-11-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

Beer gut, beer belly...you've heard the expressions and you know beer contains many calories that go straight to your abdomen. This holiday season, try alternate drinks that won't leave you looking like Santa Clause when the holidays are over. We have included some popular low fat cocktail recipes that you can feature at your next soiree. Cheers to sticking to our diets!

For a holiday cocktail that shows some Christmas Cheer, try a low fat Bloody Mary. For an extra treat, add celery sticks to each glass. It's easy, all you'll need is:

1 1/2 ounces vodka
1/2 cup tomato juice
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Worcestershire sauce to taste
Tabasco to taste
1 celery stick for garnish
1 lemon wedge for garnish

Combine the vodka, the tomato juice, the lemon juice, the Worcestershire sauce, the Tabasco, 1 cup ice cubes, and salt and pepper to taste, shake the mixture well, and strain it into a tall glass filled with ice cubes. Garnish the Bloody Mary with the celery stick and the lemon wedge.

If you want to serve spirits, mix them with diet mixers to reduce calorie intake. Here are some delicious recipes that will keep all of your guests satisfied.

Cherry Bomb Vodka
1 oz UV Red Cherry Vodka
Fill with Diet Coke (or Diet Cherry Coke)
(2 carbs, 60 cal, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol)

Blue Bombsicle
1 oz UV Blue Raspberry Vodka
Fill with Crystal Light Lemonade
(4 carbs, 70 cal, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol)

Red Bull Vodka
1 oz UV Red Cherry Vodka
Fill with sugar-free Red Bull
(6 carbs, 75 cal, 0 at, 0 cholesterol)

Vodka Tonic
1 oz Vodka
Fill with Diet Tonic
(0 carbs, 65 calories, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol)

For those of you that will drink this holiday season, remember to drink safely and responsibly, keep your body hydrated with H2O and come back to visit us for more diet tips at Dieting Library!

How to Curb Your Holiday Cravings

2007-11-09T09:43:00.000-08:00

The holidays are just around the corner and many of us are not looking forward to the extra weight we tend to put on this time of year. This year can be different thanks to some easy tips from our dieting specialists. You can enjoy the holiday season without putting on the extra weight and you don’t even have to deprive yourself from all the holiday treats. Indulge, Celebrate, and Be Merry, this year is about making changes and sticking to them!

The holiday season means many parties so to avoid overeating and snacking on junk foods, follow this simple tip: Don't go to a party hungry! When we're hungry, we tend to eat faster and more than we usually do. Some party menus may leave us without healthy options so it's a good idea to eat a nutritious meal beforehand to avoid over stuffing.

Make conscious choices when deciding what to eat at holiday parties. Try to limit high fat items, such as fried foods, cream-based soups, cheese-filled casseroles, pies, processed meats such as salami and sausages, and pastries. It's not just about what you eat but also how much you eat. So, this season, it's all about portion control. You have been good all year and definitely deserve to indulge in a fabulous drink and scrumptious dessert without guilt, but always watch your portion! Focus on small portions. This way you can sample different foods, while keeping in mind moderation is always the key.

If you are the host of the party and preparing the dishes, try these lower-fat recipe substitution ideas. If your recipe calls for one egg, use two egg whites instead. If you need to add sour cream, substitute with low fat plain yogurt. If your recipe needs milk, that's an easy one- use skim or 1% milk instead. And if you want to serve ice cream for dessert, use frozen yogurt instead! I know what you're thinking...what about the egg nog? Egg nog is a traditional holiday drink and you shouldn't have to go without it. Egg nog is usually made with egg yolk and thick cream but there are many low-fat and fat-free variations on the market - even soy nog!

Have a safe and happy holiday season and visit Dieting Library for more holiday dieting tips, coming soon!

The Leptin Diet- The New "IT" Diet

2007-11-08T09:01:00.000-08:00

The concept behind the Leptin Diet is to have influence on how your body reacts to what you put in your mouth. The powerful hormone leptin is produced in fat cells and has control over absolutely all hormones in the body. The health and well being of this hormone is essential for the proper functioning of ones core. Leptin guides our responses to starvation, and therefore a weak leptin hormone would not tell the body when it has had enough to eat and would then lead us to overeat. The role this plays in regulating appetite and fat metabolism may be a key in managing weight.

Key signs of a leptin problem include: irrepressible sugar and food cravings, weight gain around the middle, late night and stress eating, inability to reach a goal weight, consistent fluctuation in weight due to dieting, and low thyroid symptoms. Left unhandled these problems cause obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Byron Richards addresses leptin imbalances in his book Mastering Leptin, whose basic guidelines are as follows:

1. Eat three meals per day. In stark contrast to those programs that advocate eating 5-6 times a day, the leptin diet calls for a gap of 5 hours between eating. During the first 3 hours after a meal, the hormone insulin will be storing the energy from food - and our bodies are not fat-burning mode.

2. Reduce the amount and glycemic index of carbohydrates consumed. This is not implying cutting out all carbohydrates, but reducing carbs that more starchy and harmful to your diet. In order to monitor whether too many carbs were eaten, on any given day, weigh yourself in the morning and at bedtime. If bedtime weight is more than 3 pounds over morning weight then too many carbs were consumed throughout that day.

3. Smaller portioned meals. Large meal portion size and binging leads to leptin and insulin resistance.

4. Enjoy a high-protein breakfast. This stabilizes a proper blood sugar level all through the day. When you eat a breakfast high in carbohydrates and little protein you will then suffer from energy crashes in the late afternoon. A high carbohydrate breakfast, combined with leptin resistance can result in overeating.

5. No late night snacks. Never eat after dinner or go to bed on a full stomach. You want to leave a span of twelve hours between dinner and breakfast to allow your body optimal fat burning.

The key to this diet is learning how to eat in harmony with your body and its triggers. You may have heard that you must listen to your body’s queues. The Leptin Diet shows you how to implement weight loss and a healthier lifestyle by control negative behaviors. In many respects leptin research is still in early development, however you may be interested to read more on leptin imbalances through the Rosedale diet , which uses similar concepts to Richard’s Mastering Leptin.

For more info on diets, please visit Dieting Library.

So Berry Good For You!

2007-11-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

Think of berries as antioxidant pills—the kind you don't need a prescription for. Berries contain important antioxidant compounds which fight damage caused by free radicals, helping skin look younger and more radiant. Research shows that much of that antioxidant strength comes from the anthocyanin pigments that tint berries red, purple and blue. The darker the berry, the stronger the protective pigments.

Strawberries
Strawberries are an excellent source of phenols which help fight cancer and inflammation and protect your heart. They are also an excellent source of vitamin C, and fiber. Strawberries are easy to incorporate into your daily diet- just slice a few over your cereal every morning!

Cranberries
You can easily find these in any store this season because they are widely used in Thanksgiving receipts but they don't have to be limited to that! These bittersweet berries contain antioxidants that help protect your heart, immune system and help fight cancer and urinary tract infections. Cranberries are also a good source of fiber, vitamins A and C and potassium. Cranberry juice is a popular beverage that you can have yearround and dried cranberries make great snacks or salad accessories.

Raspberries
These juicy little berries are a good source of anthocyanins, ellagic acid, vitamins and minerals. Add these antioxidant-rich berries to yogurt, ice cream, waffles, fruit salad or just grab a handful as a snack!

Blackberries
Blackberries contain antioxidants that help fight disease and help protect your vision. They are also a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C. Add them to yogurt or fat free ice-cream for a delicious treat!

Blueberries
Blueberries contain the most antioxidants out of all the berries listed. They are a good source of fiber, B vitamins and vitamins C, E and K. Blueberries have also been credited with memory boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. Sprinkle them into your morning bowl of cereal or yogurt for a healthy breakfast!

For more info on diets, please visit Dieting Library.

What is the Healthiest Oil to Use for Cooking?

2007-10-23T09:14:00.000-07:00

The healthiest oil to cook with is one that is composed primarily of monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fats help to reduce unhealthy LDL cholesterol and boost healthy HDL cholesterol. Compared to other oils, canola and olive oils are most rich in these monounsaturated fats. But new research suggests that virgin and extra-virgin olive oils contain something even better: antioxidants called polyphenols. Polyphenols are found in olives, red wine, and green tea and they diminish free radicals before they can oxidize LDL. Oxidation makes LDL even more damaging to arteries.

Virgin olive oil also has a fairly high cooking temperature and its great flavor is a nice additive to savory dishes. Virgin olive oil works great in soups and salads and the top choice in restaurants for dipping bread. Virgin olive oil doesn't just taste better than most other oils, it's also better for you! When looking for the healthiest oil, one should look for oils that are minimally processed. Frequently, the more processed the oil, the less healthy it is. Again, virgin or extra virgin olive oil has an advantage over the others because it is produced purely by mechanically pressing the oil from olives- no chemical processing.

There are two downsides to virgin olive oil. One is its cost. Virgin olive oil tends to be more expensive so if cost is a concern, go ahead and use refined olive oil or canola in cooking and save the virgin oil for cases that call for a high-impact fruity flavor. Secondly, it may not be equally favored in sweeter baked goods because its flavor is relatively strong. Canola oil may be the healthiest oil and best choice for baked, sweet goods because it has minimal flavor.

Remember that even the healthiest oil can contain a lot of calories so moderation is key. In general, use non-stick pans and very little oil. The healthiest oil used to deep-fry will still be highly caloric so instead of deep-frying, try stir-frying, grilling or baking. These methods are healthier, since oil requirements in such dishes are much lower.

For additional healthy tips, please visit Dieting Library, the home of the internet's most extensive list of today's popular diets.

Skinny Bitch

2007-10-19T08:38:00.000-07:00

Once in a decade, a book comes along that you just want to share with the world! Skinny Bitch is a "no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous!" The enlightening book is written by two non-strangers to the topic, Kim Barnouin, a former model, and Rory Freedman, a former agent for Ford Models. This book is not your typical boring diet book, this is a tart-tongued, no-holds-barred wakeup call to all women who want to be thin. Unlike standard diet books, it actually makes the reader laugh out loud with its truthful, smart-mouthed revelations.

Behind all the attitude, however, there's solid guidance. Skinny Bitch espouses a healthful lifestyle that promotes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and encourages women to get excited about feeling "clean and pure and energized." The authors also include a whole list of acceptable junk foods such as cookies and ice-cream, keeping the diet advice realistic to those of us who wouldn't want to go on if we were deprived of it.

The authors explain that dieters should not feel like they are giving up foods, instead they are replacing them with other better foods. Although Kim Barnouin and Rory Freedman are in the modeling industry, they do embody a quality we can all relate to- they love to eat! They refer to themselves as "total pigs who love eating all day long." They explain that they didn't become healthy eaters overnight-it took years to get rid of old, bad habits. Their knowledge was their best defense, "It’s hard to enjoy unhealthy food once you learn exactly how bad it is for you."

If you want to start feeling like a goddess, treat your body like a temple. You will not only look better on the outside, you will feel a newly found energy on the inside. Start your diet with this hilarious read that reminds you- the best time to start making changes is now!

MAGIC DIET PILL?

2007-10-10T08:33:00.000-07:00

As consumers, we eat too much fat, too many carbs, and too many processed foods that slow our metabolism. We lead fast-paced, stressful lives that make our systems unbalanced and turn our bodies into fat storing blobs of low energy. Most of us have little time to exercise off our high calorie intakes and end the day in front of a tv, just to start off the same the next day. We redundantly complain about our love handles, giggly underarms, and ever growing gluteus maximus. So is a magic diet pill going to undo these effects and turn mush into a six pack?

NO! The highly advertised diet pills will not melt away fat, boost lean muscle, increase energy levels or help you lose weight. The only thing they will do is give you a false sense of hope and waste your time and money. The reality is losing weight won’t happen overnight. One needs a carefully planned weight loss program, new eating habits, and exercise to make permanent changes.

Making changes starts with a healthy diet. This means eating lots of fruits and veggies plus moderate amounts of good fats, healthy carbs, and lean proteins. And to think you wanted to replace all of this with a tasteless pill. You don’t have to give up eating to get a great figure- it’s just about what you eat and when that makes the difference between overweight and ideal weight.

Diet pills also don't cause your body to burn a considerable amount of calories and most importantly they don't build fat burning muscle. They may elevate your heart rate but this doesn't cause your body to burn the number of calories necessary to lose weight. Real exercise is needed to burn calories and keep the weight off. There is no trick way around it! Unlike diet pills, exercise also helps you deal with stressors that cause you to overeat carbs and sugars- this is the only long term solution to achieving and maintaining your ideal weight.

If you want to be in control of your weight, you have to take the reigns and make changes to your diet and exercise routine. For many, finding the right diet track for them is a challenge and that’s where diet programs come into help. Check out our array of weight loss programs at Dieting Library and find the one that's perfect for you!

H2O Can Save Your Skin!

2007-10-02T14:02:00.001-07:00

Raise your glass and drink to this! Drinking water not only cures the hiccups, it also helps cure acne! A simple acne home remedy is to drink water. Your body's organs need plenty of water to survive - and so does your skin! Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day to keep your skin hydrated is not only good for your overall health, but it is also a great way to heal and prevent acne breakouts! Water helps transmit waste material out of your body and keeps toxins from building up and escaping through your skin pores, therefore, preventing acne breakouts. Just as important as the water you put inside your body is the water you put on the outside of your body. In conjunction with drinking water, include a skin care regime that contains hydrating products to use on top of your skin to keep it nourished.

Everyone has a blemish-free home remedy that they swear by. Every acne home remedy is all natural and easy to use. These home remedies for acne, aided by vitamin and mineral supplementation, can help treat acne swelling and flare-ups.

Exercise - Exercising will help keep your skin looking healthy by bringing oxygen to your cells

Toothpaste - Putting toothpaste on a blemish before bed can help reduce swelling overnight

Maintain a healthy diet with at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily

Grind orange peels with water into a paste and apply to acne

Apply Aloe Vera juice twice a day to acne to speed up the healing process

Combine ground nutmeg and milk and apply on acne

To refresh your skin, apply a cucumber mask to your face by blending cucumber into a paste and leave it on for a half hour before rinsing

These acne home remedies will not provide miracles and are not made to take the place of acne treatments recommended by a doctor, however, they are great alternative solutions to try at home. After all, however crazy home remedies for acne may sound, if they provide some relief, then they're worth a try!

Food For Your Mood

2007-09-24T07:05:00.000-07:00

When hunger strikes, we take desperate measures to satisfy it. Sometimes this means making poor diet choices due to lack of time, lack of options or just extreme cravings we cannot deny. But a little bit of time and planning can save you from returning to your old ways and put you back on the path of trim and slim!

Perhaps your morning schedule does not allow time for breakfast. You run out of the house without a bite to eat and by midmorning, you’re feeling it. Your energy levels start to drop, your mood isn’t as cheery, and you find it hard to focus on the task at hand thanks to an unstoppable grumbling. You pace in front of the company’s vending machines, debating which has less calories two Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or 30 Peanut M&Ms. If this sounds familiar, you need a new game plan. Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier to make time for a quick breakfast. A whole wheat bagel with peanut butter and half a grapefruit will keep you going until lunch time. If you need something quicker, try a cereal that’s high in fiber with nuts and fruits and nonfat milk. And if you’re really on the run, grab a breakfast bar to keep your mood and energy levels in check.

If you have breakfast but still feel the hunger pangs by midmorning, it may be liquids you’re craving. Some people mistake the feeling of being thirty for hunger so instead of settling for a sugar coated doughnut, try a cup of tea or simply some H2O. Before you know if the hunger will diminish and you will feel more focused again.

Do your energy levels drop in the afternoon? The end of the day is near and you may want a snack for an extra boost of energy but sugary foods and caffeine will only provide you with a brief and unhealthy boost. Instead, try a protein/ carbohydrate combination snack like light string cheese with apple slices and whole wheat crackers to keep you going until dinner.

When stressed, many dieters return to their old ways and look for relief in their favorite high carb comfort food. Foods with high carbohydrate levels boost serotonin which can have a calming effect, but remember that not all carbohydrates are created equal. Forget the sugary doughnut and instead choose more complex carbohydrates such as whole grain products, carrots with a light ranch dressing, crunchy pea pods, or bean dip and whole grain pita crisps.

With these tips, you can begin to start eating healthier, no matter what your mood is!

What is your smart snack method? Please share any additional smart diet secrets you may have with our readers!

Foods For Face- The Secret to a Better Complexion is in Your Diet!

2007-09-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

People say “It’s what’s on the inside that counts,” and they couldn’t be more right. When it comes to your health, what you see on the outside is a reflection of what’s on the inside. So, if you want more radiant skin, start with this nutrition advice and start seeing beautifully glowing skin in just a couple of weeks!

It is widely known that avocados contain essential oils and vitamins that nourish your skin, inside and out. But you may not have known that Niacin, a vitamin abundant in avocados, is responsible for soothing irritated red and blotchy skin. Niacin also acts as an anti-inflammatory so if you want to avoid the puffy face look, incorporate an avocado into your daily diet. It can be as easy as substituting a banana with an avocado in your morning smoothie. Add yogurt, frozen berries, and half an avocado in your blender and you are on your way to a stunning complexion!

Do you have dry, flaky skin? The solution may lie in mangoes! Mangoes have 80% of your daily requirements for vitamin A, which helps to maintain and repair skin cells. A deficiency of vitamin A may be the reason behind your dry complexion. Vitamin A also serves as an antioxidant, fighting free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin.

If dry skin persists, increase your intake of water. Water is the most important ingredient for healthy skin. Drinking eight glasses of water a day will prevent dry skin, and wash away waste products and other harmful chemicals from cells. Without water, these toxins build up, and make skin look dull and unhealthy. Check out the Water Diet for more details on hydrating your body from the inside out!

Know anymore diet secrets for achieving a flawless complexion? Please share with our readers by posting below!

Eat Your Breakfast!

2007-09-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

Many dieters skip breakfast as a way to cut calories, but by mid-day the lack of food takes a toll on the body and snacking and binge eating replace those calories and then some.

Breakfast is a crucial part of a successful diet. Of course what you have for breakfast matters too. Fatty breakfasts such as sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich at your local drive through will fill you up in the morning but by lunch time you are likely to feel hungrier than if you had not eaten at all. Try a more healthy mix of protein, carbohydrate, and fiber to slow digestion and stomach emptying. A combination of these will make you feel full for longer. For example, a whole-wheat bagel with low-fat peanut butter is a better option than a white bagel with jelly. The protein, carbohydrate, and fiber mix in the whole-wheat bagel will outlasts the carbohydrate load of the latter bagel, even if the calories are similar.

Government-funded studies support the theory that people who eat breakfast eat less throughout the day and therefore are more successful in their diet endeavors. Researchers explain that out of their 2,000 subjects, regular cereal eaters had fewer weight problems. In fact, those who ate cereal occasionally had a 13% higher risk of being overweight compared to the regular cereal eaters. If you like cereal and want to take part of the cereal diet trend to fight off unwanted weight, try the Special K Diet! Once you’ve seen the weight loss with this diet, you’ll want to change your eating habits for life and stick with your new, healthy routine!

It’s clear: starting your day with breakfast sets you on the path to success every single day. Eating a healthy breakfast helps avoid distraction, helps avoid hunger pains and thus overeating, and enhances your attentiveness and performance throughout the day. Breakfast should be high in fiber and protein, moderate in fat, and adequate in carbohydrate. Skipping that first meal could be the biggest mistake of your day!

If you have any advice or diet success stories- we'd love to hear them!