Remember Your Diet When Eating Out

 Eating out is an American pass time, everyone does it. But don’t forget about the healthy diet you have. Too many of us get to the restaurant and see some of their favorite foods on the menu and forget about everything else.

You see those pictures on the menu and want those nachos with extra cheese and peppers or that your favorite pasta dish and you start thinking about how you deserve this. I lost 2 pounds this week and I deserve this. I should be allowed one cheat day, right?

Wrong, you worked hard to lose those two pounds and now you’re willing to throw it all out the window because you saw a picture on the menu and it reminded you of the food you miss so much, so now you’re looking for some excuse to justify ordering this 1200 calorie meal.

The only excuse you can find is “the devil made me do it”. The problem with this slip-up is that it will start a chain reaction that will cause more slip-ups and it will ruin your diet. Think about it; how many times have you started over?

Once you make up your mind that you are going to do this, you are going to become fit, trim, and healthy, you have to start from scratch, and start a healthy food program and exercise and never look back.

So, back to dining out. We all know the best way to lose weight is to only eat the food you make for yourself. Of course, we also know that’s not always possible so we have to devise a plan to eat healthy in restaurants.

I don’t like to think a lot when I go out so I tend to order the same thing. I go with a salad, usually without meat or a shrimp salad. I get the oil and vinegar on the side. They bring me the little bottles, I put salt and pepper and vinegar, no oil. First of all, one tablespoon of olive oil is 120 calories and no one stops at one tablespoon. Vinegar has 60 calories. So even with oil and vinegar, you can end up with a 600 or 700 calorie salad without hardly trying. I skip the oil and only use the wine vinegar with salt and pepper. It makes the salad a little tangy, but I like it.

For those how can’t eat salad all the time, I suggest fish, just not fried. Grilled or boiled like crab or lobster is okay. Just pick on the sides, that’s where all the calories are and avoid the bread. The bread they serve in restaurants has been handled a dozen times before you see it. It’s warm because they keep it under a warmer, and never eat the rolls, they get moved from one customer to the next.

So, remember, that you can eat out, just follow a few simple rules. Make up your mind what you’re going to order before you go in. Don’t mull over the menu, it will only get you into trouble. Stay with the same basic foods no matter where you eat. For me, that’s salad or fish or both. If you’re worried about mercury; go on the internet and search “fish with low mercury” and you’ll find a long list.

Look for my podcast by searching “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight” on the podcast app that you use. You’ll see a piece of my book cover.

If you really want to lose your body fat look for my e-books at the websites listed below. You’ll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet. Instead of spending hours on the internet reading dozens of posts, you can save time by picking up one of my e-books. 

There are two e-books. “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?” is available at all the online bookstores selling for $3.99. Go to any of the websites below and search the title to find my e-book. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans, or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, bn.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

My new e-book is available on Smashwords.com and other online bookstores. Just type “getting to a Healthy Weight” in the search box at the top of the home page. 

Are Whole Grains Good For Your Diet?

 I got a question today from a reader about whole grain vs refined grains, so I wanted to research the topic a little before I replied and I found this article on About.com. I knew refined flours like our breads and cakes and most everything we buy that’s made before we buy it is all made with refined flours. You can buy whole grain products in the stores but the selection is small and they’re expensive. Read the following post I found, it answered all my questions.

There are mixed messages out there about whole grains. Some sources say that grains are bad for weight loss because they’re dense in carby calories. Other sources tell us that whole grains can boost weight loss, mainly because they’re high in fiber. I’m Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien, and I’m here to shed some light on the great whole-grain debate.

Let’s start with an overview of the research that supports whole grains as a possible weight-loss aid…

A study from 2008 found that eating a diet rich in whole grains might contribute to significant loss of belly fat. Researchers created two groups: Both were put on a diet, but one group was told to focus on eating whole grains, and the other was instructed to eat refined grains. Both groups lost about ten pounds over twelve weeks, but the whole-grain group lost much more belly fat.

Another study found that eating whole grains helps with quality weight loss. Researchers compared two groups that restricted calories in their diets and found that while both groups lost weight, the group that was specifically instructed to eat whole-grain cereals as part of their diet increased their intake of fiber, magnesium, and vitamin B-6.

And there are several studies that show a relationship between consuming whole grains and reduction of body fat. A 2012 study found that eating whole grains reduced body fat more than eating refined grains, and a review of whole-grain research reveals that consuming whole grains might help reduce overall body fat.
The Key To Heart Health

Learn how to make the Mediterranean Diet part of your healthy-living blueprint with our expert correspondent and author of From Junk Food to Joy Food, Joy Bauer.

It’s true that studies show a link between eating whole grains and weight loss. BUT most of the research is based on a comparison between dieters who ate whole grains and those who ate refined grains. And typically all participants restricted their calorie intake.

It’s not surprising that replacing refined grains with real-deal whole grains helps with weight loss.
Whole grains — like oats, brown rice, popcorn, and quinoa — are loaded with fiber, which is known to boost feelings of fullness and prevent overeating. Refined grains, such as white rice and white bread, are generally lower in fiber and other key nutrients.

Fiber is definitely helpful for weight loss. It’s an indigestible carbohydrate, meaning that foods with it provide fewer calories than the same amount of other carbs. It also increases satiety and keeps hunger at bay. So if you’re going to eat carbs, it’s certainly smart to stick with whole grains rather than the refined stuff.

But calories are still calories. Whether the calories are from whole grains or refined grains, they still count! Participants in the weight-loss studies were all restricting their overall calories. So eat whole grains instead of things like white bread and white rice, but always pay attention to the amount you’re taking in.

Look for my podcast by searching “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight” on the podcast app that you use. You’ll see a piece of my book cover.

If you really want to lose your body fat look for my e-books at the websites listed below. You’ll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet. Instead of spending hours on the internet reading dozens of posts, you can save time by picking up one of my e-books. There are two e-books. “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?” is available at all the online bookstores selling for $3.99. Go to any of the websites below and search the title to find my e-book. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans, or meal plans.

 Look for my book. at Amazon.com, bn.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

My new e-book is available on Smashwords.com and other online bookstores. Just type “getting to a Healthy Weight” in the search box at the top of the home page. 

Making Simple Changes

 

Lose weight faster with simple adjustments to your daily routine

By Malia Frey 

A blog post from VeryWell. It’s about the things we all do without thinking about it. Things we do automatically without thinking about it, like putting condiments on your sandwich. When you have been eating the same thing, the same way all your life and then someone tells you to change the way you eat, what’s that suppose to mean?

It’s not always about the food you’re eating, It’s more about the way the food is prepared. You can turn the healthiest of foods into a calorie nightmare just by adding a sauce or gravy. You can fry your food instead of broiling it. Read on and you’ll find some commonly done things to food that most of us do and then we scratch our heads wondering why we can’t lose weight.

“I want to lose weight but no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to slim down.” Does that complaint sound familiar? If you’re like many frustrated dieters, you’re beginning to think that you’ll never get the body you desire.

But there is hope. If you want to lose weight, simply find out which common weight loss mistakes might be preventing you from getting the results that you want. Then make simple changes to tweak your weight loss plan and slim for good.

Things to Stop Doing if You Want to Lose Weight

Stop choosing the wrong diet.  How often have you chosen a diet because it worked for a friend? Perhaps you were inspired by a celebrity spokesperson? A diet might be perfect for someone else, but their needs, their lifestyle, and their food preferences could be completely different from yours.
Do this instead: Ask yourself five important questions about your diet history, medical background, and emotional support. The answers will help you to identify your specific needs as a dieter and help you to choose the best weight loss plan for you.

Stop setting unrealistic goals.

Dieters are often highly motivated and full of excitement at the beginning of their weight loss program. It is often during this phase that they set unrealistic goals for weight loss. But high expectations can cause weight gain when lack of progress leads to lack of motivation.
Do this instead: Learn how to set small goals that you’ll actually reach.  These smaller steps provide a roadmap for your weight loss journey. As you reach each small goal you get a boost of confidence and you stay motivated on the way to your ultimate goal.

Stop using “lack of time” as an excuse.

One of the most common barriers to weight loss is the belief that you don’t have enough time. One study found that 41% of women said “lack of time” was the reason that they didn’t eat better and 73% of women said they didn’t exercise because their schedules were too busy. The bottom line is that if you want to lose weight, you have to find a way to make time for healthy activity.
Do this instead: Get out an old-fashioned paper calendar and find windows of time that are not consumed by absolute necessities. Then create a schedule for healthy weight loss activities. Pen in the most important tasks and schedule everything else around them. Don’t be afraid to put other priorities on the back burner or ask for help (see item #4) so that you can take the time you need to make your health a top priority.

Stop isolating yourself.

In a recent interview with Biggest Loser runner-up Hanna Curlee, she said that the most important thing she learned during her successful weight loss experience was to ask for help. “I was ashamed to ask for help,” she said. “I could have called someone and reached out for help, but I thought I didn’t have anyone.” She realized later that she had friends and family who were willing and able to help her through her weight loss journey.
Do this instead: Learn how to get diet support from family and friends. Take the time to identify your needs for yourself and then approach others for help. That way, you’ll be clear about defining specific ways in which they can help. Find friends at work, at the gym, in your neighborhood or even at church.

Stop underestimating your food intake.

Do you really count all of your calories? Remember that even tiny 25-calorie nibbles here and there throughout the day can add up. Snacks count, food from your dining partner’s plate counts, and calories consumed during food preparation count. Your daily caloric intake might be significantly higher than you think.
Do this instead: Use a food tracker. Make your entries more accurate by purchasing an inexpensive food scale. The tool will allow you to report the exact size of each portion you consume.

Stop believing that “healthy” foods will cause weight loss.

Several studies have shown that people are more likely to overeat foods that they perceive to be healthy. One study at the University of Michigan found that when a food was labeled “organic,” dieters ate more of it. The bottom line? Your “healthy” snack may cause unhealthy weight gain.
Do this instead: Ignore front-of-package marketing and get your information from the nutritional facts label. Your favorite foods may contain a few healthy ingredients, but they may be too high in fat or calories to be part of your weight loss plan. Avocados, for example, are full of healthy fat, but are also very high in calories. Either eat them in moderation or trash the foods that are keeping you fat.

Stop sitting all day.

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or NEAT, is a fancy term for all of the non-exercise movement that you do every day. It can account for up to 15-30% of your total calorie burn. If you spend your day sitting at a desk or your evenings lying on the couch, the calories you burn from NEAT will be minimal.
Do this instead: Learn how to burn calories without exercise.  Boost your NEAT all day long.  If you have a desk job, get up every hour and walk to the restroom on a different floor, refill your water, run an errand on foot, or climb the stairs in your office building. If you like watching television at night, fold laundry or dust furniture instead of just lying on the couch.

Stop overestimating your exercise activity.

Many people who want to lose weight join a gym. But you actually have to go to the health club to burn calories. And your workout time is only the time you spend exercising. It should not include the time you spend in the locker room, parking your car, and chatting with friends.
Do this instead:  Invest in a heart rate monitor to get a more accurate estimate of your workout time. There are quite a few models on the market, so compare prices to find one that fits your budget. A heart rate monitor not only lets you know how hard you are working, but most models will measure your “time in range” to let you know exactly how many minutes you can count as exercise.

Stop compensating for exercise by eating more.

It is normal for your appetite to increase when you begin to exercise. But one of the most common weight loss mistakes is to indulge in extra snacks and treats as a reward for the workout. But eating those treats can cause weight gain.
Do this instead: Plan a healthy, low-calorie snack to eat right after you exercise. Combine a healthy lean protein with a carbohydrate to satisfy your hunger and replace nutrients lost during the workout. A glass of skim chocolate milk works well and tastes decadent enough to feel like a treat.

Stop expecting major results from minimal change.

There are certain facts about weight loss that smart dieters learn after a while.  One of them is that dieting is difficult.  Of course, you’ll see ads for popular weight loss pills that claim to help you lose weight without any effort.  And many trendy fad diets make the same promises.  But those products and plans don’t work.
Do this instead: Embrace the truth that weight loss is hard, but don’t let the difficulty of the process deter you. If you want to lose weight, you can. But it will be uncomfortable. Celebrate small accomplishments to stay focused along the way. For example, if the scale isn’t giving you the weight loss results that you want, then celebrate the fact that you ate a well-balanced diet during the day and remind yourself about the health benefits you gain from eating well. Your exercise plan may not be resulting in weight loss yet, but it may help you sleep better at night and feel better during the day. Look for and acknowledge the little perks along the way.

All these are things we know are wrong for losing weight but we are usually thinking about something else and just do stupid things out of habit. One thing that helped me or reminded me “to eat healthy” was my fitness tracker that I wore on my wrist. It was a constant remember that I had to watch what I ate. A tracker that syncs to your phone is best. You can download a food log on your cell phone and keep track of all the calories you eat all day long. That’s what helped me, a food log so I could check back and see if I made any mistakes.

Look for my podcast by searching “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight” on the podcast app that you use. You’ll see a piece of my book cover.

If you really want to lose your body fat look for my e-books at the websites listed below. You’ll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet. Instead of spending hours on the internet reading dozens of posts, you can save time by picking up one of my e-books. 

There are two e-books. “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?” is available at all the online bookstores selling for $3.99. Go to any of the websites below and search the title to find my e-book. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans, or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, bn.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

My new e-book is available on Smashwords.com and other online bookstores. Just type “getting to a Healthy Weight” in the search box at the top of the home page. 

Get The Skinny, Fit Body You Want

Throw the scale in the garage, you won’t need it. This is about losing your fat and fat does weigh something but you can’t measure fat loss with a scale. You can’t get the body you want by losing weight. Under that layer of fat that covers your body, you will find your muscle again. This is about getting you back into shape and you do that by changing the food you’re eating. If you’re going to lose fat you have to eat foods that burn more fat. With the right diet, your body will burn your excess fat with a little extra help from you.

First, stop eating fat, if you do that your body has to burn your stored fat. It needs to burn some fat every day and your body isn’t fussy where it comes from, but if you eating fat it’s just easier for the body to burn what you eat.

I know what you are thinking, but because your body only burns a small amount of fat every day, most of the fat we eat just gets stored in fat cells and never gets used because we are always eating more fat.

The best time in your life to get the body you want is when you’re in your 20’s. When you're younger it’s easier and your skin will contract easier.

Are you ready to get serious about your body?  This might be the first time you’ve had to really think about losing weight or getting in shape. If you're out of school now and you started to work this may be the perfect time to get in shape. But there’s no need to panic. You can take off the fat and set up healthy habits to get skinny and keep the weight from coming back. Post this list on your bathroom mirror to serve as a daily reminder of the things you need to do to get in shape so that you not only get fit, but stay lean and healthy for life. If you can get this right now, your life can be so much better going forward.

10 Ways to Get Lean and Healthy in Your 20s

Redefine “skinny.”

We often use the word, “skinny,” but let’s face it, ladies, skin, and bones are not sexy. What you really want is a sleek, tight physique. That means muscle. “Contrary to common belief, muscle makes you leaner, smaller and firmer, not bigger and bulkier,” says Ariane Hundt, M.S., founder of Slim & Strong 4-Week Fat Loss Program based in New York City. If you are not in the Big Apple to attend her boot camp-style sessions, you can build strength at home or at your local gym.
Eat more protein. Yes, I know there are cupcakes and pretzels in your office lunchroom, but if you want to get fit and healthy you won’t eat them. Opt for snacks and meals that are full of protein to build muscle and boost your metabolism. Lean protein will also help you feel full so you eat less throughout the day.

The workout was harder.

Short, intense workouts are most effective for weight loss. When you’re young, you’re more likely to be healthy enough for vigorous activity. So take advantage of it! Learn how to do interval training to burn more fat in less time.
Ignore magazines. Did you know that women’s magazines contain 10.5 times as many ads promoting weight loss as men’s magazines? Many of the ads promote unrealistic claims and use airbrushed images that can make you feel hopeless. Focus on building the strongest, fittest version of your own body to boost your confidence and keep your commitment intact.

Skip the fad diets.

Quick weight loss is effective in some circumstances, but many fad diets promote short-term loss that will mess with your metabolism. “If you are young and haven’t done too much yo-yo dieting, your metabolism will respond to pretty much any change you expose it to,” says Hundt. She recommends that you skip the trendy diets and opt for a healthy diet of lean protein and vegetables. It’s often cheaper than processed food, too!

Drink less booze.

Heads up, party girls! Your drinking may be causing more than just a morning headache. The calories you consume from drinking wine, beer, or cocktails can add up to pounds on the scale each year. Want to make a single change to slim down? Make a plan to drink less for weight loss and better health. It works!

Build healthy habits.

Now is the time to establish daily activity habits to burn calories. Healthy lifestyle routines will help you slim down in the short run and prevent weight gain in the future. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, stand up while you work at the office, walk to lunch instead of taking the car.

Get organized.

The hardest thing about losing weight in your 20s is trying to eat healthy when you have a crazy social schedule. Let’s face it, you have better things to do than slaving over a hot stove to cook healthy meals every night. So learn a few basic meal-planning strategies to minimize your food prep time and maximize your access to diet-boosting foods that will keep you lean even when you’re on the run.

Clean out your closet.

Think of your weight loss plan as a long-term strategy, not a quick fix solution. As you slim down, get rid of the clothes that no longer fit. According to Hundt, when you keep bigger items “you send your brain the message that you will eventually get back to your old weight.” Go all in, girls! Kiss the fat jeans goodbye and don’t let them back in your closet.

Watch your snack habits.

Do you know how many calories should come from snacks each day? Get the answer based on your caloric needs. Then try to be more aware of your snack habits throughout the day. Try to eat less when you watch television and rein in the late-night nibbles when you’re out on the town.

The good thing about trying to get skinny in your 20s is that your body is more likely to respond to small changes, says Hundt. So get organized, get serious, and get confident to make small adjustments and get a fit, healthy body for life.

Your diet is “key”, make Greek Yogurt your go-to snack food along with small amounts of nuts, fruits, and seeds. Eat natural foods and skip processed foods.

Look for my podcasts on anchor.fm, or the podcast app on your cell phone. Search “howbaddoyouwanttoloseweight".

If you really want to lose your body fat then look for my e-books at the websites listed below. You’ll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet. Instead of spending hours on the internet reading dozens of posts, you can save time by picking up one of my e-books.

There are two e-books. “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?” is available at all the online bookstores selling for $3.99. Go to any of the websites below and search the title to find my e-book. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans, or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

My new e-book is available on Smashwords.com, just type “getting to a Healthy Weight” in the search box at the top of the home page.

Can Processed Foods Expose You To Harmful Chemicals?

YOU BET CHA!!, If you’re from Minnesota you have probably heard that phrase more than once. In this case, I’m not joking.

It’s not like the food purveyors actually add harmful chemicals because they don’t want to get sued, but the ingredients they buy can contain chemicals that can harm you over time. In processed foods, in order to keep the price low, manufacturers will substitute a natural ingredient like “sugar cane” for a manufactured product like “high fructose corn syrup” which can be bought for less money and won’t fluctuate in price because it’s man-made.

So, why does the FDA (Food And Drug Admin) allow anyone to do that? The answer is that the foods are made safe for human consumption because if that one item has something like High-fructose corn syrup which can harm people, the product doesn’t contain enough for anyone to get sick. But say you’re eating chips and crackers all day long, you can consume more chemicals than you should. Does that mean I’m going to drop dead? No, but over time you may be at risk for diseases like Cancer. Chemicals in food will be stored in cells and stay there and accumulate through your life and because we all have cancer cells in our body the chemicals we consume from the foods we eat will cause these cancer cells to grow until after many years these cancer cells are large enough to be detected.

I don’t mean to imply that you can get cancer from eating chips or crackers, but if you notice on the ingredient label that there are a lot of words that you can’t pronounce, those are chemicals. Chemicals that keep the product from getting stale or spoiling. Some also add flavor and some of them are substitutes for real food. Like onion-flavored crackers. There are no real onions used in making a cracker, only a flavor additive or a chemical that adds the flavor of the onion.

Below is a post from MedicineNet.com that explains

Eating fast food may expose a person to potentially harmful chemicals known as phthalates, a new study suggests.

People who consumed lots of fast food tended to have levels of phthalates in their urine that were 24 percent to 40 percent higher than people who rarely ate take-out fare, the researchers found.

“We found statistically significant associations between the amount of fast-food consumed in the prior 24 hours and the levels of two particular phthalates found in the body,” said study author Ami Zota. She is an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health, in Washington, D.C.

However, the study did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between fast food and phthalate exposure.

The two phthalates in question are di(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), Zota said. Industries use these chemicals to make plastics flexible, and they can be found in a wide array of food packaging and food-processing machinery.

The U.S. Congress has permanently banned the use of DEHP in children’s toys, baby bottles, and soothers, and it has temporarily banned DiNP for the same uses, according to the Environmental Working Group. The group is a nonprofit that focuses on environmental health issues.

The bans are based on concerns that phthalates can affect the development of the male reproductive system, Zota said. The chemicals also have been implicated in birth defects, childhood behavioral problems, and childhood chronic illnesses, such as asthma.

The two phthalates can get into fast food during the processing of the food, explained Shanna Swan. She is a professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive science with the department of preventive medicine at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, in New York City.

The chemicals also can leach into the food from the packaging in which it is stored, both prior to cooking and when it is served, Zota said.

Fast food even can pick up phthalates from the vinyl gloves that restaurant workers wear to prevent food poisoning, Zota added.

“To reduce exposure to phthalates, my recommendation always is to minimize exposure to processed foods, and the ultimate processed food platform is the fast-food restaurant,” Swan said. “They don’t use anything fresh.”

To see whether people who eat fast food have more phthalates in their systems, Zota and her colleagues reviewed data on nearly 8,900 people participating in a regular survey on health and nutrition conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Researchers defined fast food as anything obtained from a restaurant without waiter or waitress service, or any type of pizza place. All carryout and delivery foods were also considered fast food.

People were considered heavy fast-food consumers if they obtained more than 35 percent of their daily calories from pre-made foods, Zota said.

Zota and her team found that the more fast food participants in the study ate, the higher their exposure to phthalates.

People with the highest consumption of fast food had 24 percent higher levels of the breakdown product for DEHP in their urine sample. Those same fast-food lovers had nearly 40 percent higher levels of DiNP byproducts in their urine compared to people who reported no fast food in the 24 hours prior to the testing.

Grains and meats most significantly contributed to phthalate exposure, the study reported. Grains include a wide variety of items, such as bread, cake, pizza, burritos, rice dishes, and noodles, products made from enriched or processed wheat flour, Zota explained.

Look for my podcasts on anchor.fm, or the podcast app on your cell phone. Search “howbaddoyouwanttoloseweight".

If you really want to lose your body fat then look for my e-books at the websites listed below. You’ll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet. Instead of spending hours on the internet reading dozens of posts, you can save time by picking up one of my e-books.

There are two e-books. “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?” is available at all the online bookstores selling for $3.99. Go to any of the websites below and search the title to find my e-book. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans, or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

My new e-book is available on Smashwords.com, just type “getting to a Healthy Weight” in the search box at the top of the home page.

Get Rid of Bloating

There are medical reasons that you can bloat on a regular basis. Because bloating doesn’t last very long 3 to 5 days usually, most people just ignore bloat. But that’s a mistake, it might be a sign that you have a medical problem or that you’re doing something wrong. It could be your diet? You might not be active enough or your body might be in a hoarding mode. You're probably eating the wrong foods. Before you spend money on some over-the-counter anti-acids or other medication look at the foods you’re eating. All our stomach problems start with the food we’re eating.

In some cases, we can diminish bloating by walking. Physical activity is important to banishing bloat. Walking after a big meal will help reduce the effects of that big meal.

Make an effort to get more physical activity, with a goal of 30 minutes, 5 days per week. Another recommended lifestyle change is to stop smoking. Smoking can contribute to bloating – so quitting can help — not to mention the other health benefits associated with stopping smoking.

Other Medical Issues
Avoiding constipation is an important part of dealing with bloating. Ensuring that you drink enough liquids, and incorporating fiber into your diet is essential.

It’s important to know that some over-the-counter pain relievers, iron supplements, and prescription pain medications can cause constipation and bloat.

Check for food allergies or intolerance (lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, fructose malabsorption) as they can contribute to bloating.

Make sure you are getting enough calcium and magnesium

A key recommendation is to avoid overeating — the most common cause of bloating. You may want to eat smaller meals and eat more frequently and stick to regular mealtimes. Stop eating before you’re full, and leave some food on the plate. It’s also important to slow down when you eat — a good guideline is to give yourself around 30 minutes for a full meal. A few other general dietary tips:

Don’t chew gum – especially sugar-free gum
Don’t use a straw – sip straight from a cup
Cook vegetables instead of eating them raw
Cut back on evening carbohydrates

Drink a 16-ounce glass of water 30 minutes prior to each meal, and make sure you are getting 6 – 8 ounces glasses of water daily.

Martha, a thyroid patient, shared this advice that worked for her:

One of my problems with hypothyroidism is water retention, despite the 80 ounces of water I drink daily. My doctor suggested I try 16 oz. unflavored Pedialyte mixed with 48 oz. water and drink this mixture two consecutive days weekly. After the first day, I noticed a significant difference! After the second day, I weighed 1.5 pounds less. Water retention isn’t a problem for me anymore!!! Maybe this will help others.

Eat Foods That Help Reduce Bloat
A number of foods are known to help reduce bloat. Make sure you incorporate them into your diet. These foods include:

High-fiber foods – aim for 25 grams per day
Vegetables: Lettuce, cucumber, spinach
Fruits: Papaya, apples (with the skin), avocados, watermelon, pineapple, mangoes, bananas, cantaloupes, tomatoes
Yogurt
Grains: Whole grains, quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal
Spices: Ginger, peppermint, black pepper
Coffee
Salmon

Foods to Avoid or Cut Back on to Minimize Bloat
A number of foods and drinks are associated with increasing bloat. Try to cut back on consumption of these foods:

Carbonated drinks
Alcohol
Artificially sweetened foods, drinks, and seltzer
Fried foods
Frozen meals
Salty foods and sodium
Processed meats and hot dogs
Beans

Stretching and Massage
It may be helpful to massage your abdomen, by pressing your fingers by the hip, sliding across the ribs, and then down in a circular motion. When your body isn’t getting the liquids of foods that it requires it will go into a hoarding mode, which can cause bloating. When the body retains water,  for example, generally it’s not getting enough water every day so it starts to hoard water, and the same thing will happen with food if the body isn’t getting enough nutrition.

When your body isn’t getting the liquids that it requires it will go into a hoarding mode, which can cause bloating. When the body retains water,  for example, generally it’s not getting enough water every day so it starts to hoard water, and that causes you to bloat.  The same thing will happen with food if the body isn’t getting enough nutrition it will start to hoard fats in your fat cells. Also, you can become constipated and you don’t have to have any medical problems. Most bloating isn’t medical, it’s caused by a bad diet and you aren’t drinking enough water. Learn about what your body requires to stay healthy and follow those rules. You’ll be a happier person and your body will function properly.

Look for my podcasts on anchor.fm, or the podcast app on your cell phone. Search “howbaddoyouwanttoloseweight".

If you really want to lose your body fat then look for my e-books at the websites listed below. You’ll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet. Instead of spending hours on the internet reading dozens of posts, you can save time by picking up one of my e-books.

There are two e-books. “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?” is available at all the online bookstores selling for $3.99. Go to any of the websites below and search the title to find my e-book. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans, or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.

My new e-book is available on Smashwords.com, just type “getting to a Healthy Weight” in the search box at the top of the home page.

I'll be offline for about 10 days and will return after October 25