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End Your Soda Habit With These Healthy Drinks

December 17th, 2009

I love the carbonation that a soda gives me. It feels crisp and refreshing going down my throat, and it quenches my thirst more effectively than anything else it seems.

The sweetness of soda can’t be beaten in my mind. Some of my favorites, like cream soda, give me just the right amount, and a unique sense of satisfaction. As I get older, though, I fully acknowledge the fact that it’s a habit I’d be better off putting an end to.

Aside from the fact that it causes cavities, too much soda can also make you excessively tired. Many point to sodas as a leading cause of diabetes too. It was time for me to make a change, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.

Try out any of the following drinks that I’m about to discuss for a change. While you may not enjoy them as much as you like your soda, I think you’ll come to appreciate the benefits that you enjoy over time.

A simple alternative to soda is club soda. Free of any sugars or artificial substances, it also has no calories. The carbonation gives it a similar feel to that of soda, and there’s really nothing bad about drinking it as far as your health is concerned.

If you seek a little more flavor, opt for a carbonated fruit drink. There are plenty of these, and the key will be to get one that’s completely natural. One brand that you may enjoy is Fizzy Lizzy, as their brand of sparkling juice drinks has no additives and tastes great.

If neither of these drinks sounds appealing to you, why not opt for something more serene, like a green tea? This will give you a small amount of caffeine that others won’t, and the herbal qualities of the drink make many feel calm and relaxed. There are plenty of document health benefits to green tea, including the antioxidants you’ll find in the drink.

Any one of the above drinks in place of soda will have a profoundly positive impact on your life. Are you ready to make a change?

Enjoy more articles by this author, covering products like fluorescent light covers and the fluorescent ballast.

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Why You Should Be Eating Nuts

November 2nd, 2009

Nuts are tasty, loaded with good fat, protein, fiber, nutrients and phytochemicals that are heart healthy and potentially good for the waistline. Barring allergies, there aren’t many reasons not to include nuts in your diet. Let’s take a look at some interesting studies, tips and tidbits about nuts.

Nuts and the Heart

A study of 31000 Seventh Day Adventists that ate nuts more than 4 times per week were half as likely to die of a heart attack than those who ate nuts less than once a week. The Iowa Women’s Health Study came to a similar conclusion: Women who ate nuts or seeds 4 times per week were 40% less likely to die from heart disease than similar women who didn’t eat nuts. The Nurses’ Health Study showed that those who ate at least 140g/week of nuts were 35% less likely to be diagnosed with heart disease than those who ate less than 30g/month. Nuts and Weight

Most studies have shown that adding nuts to the diet does not cause people to gain much weight, if any at all. As an example, researchers gave participants 45-70g of almonds every day (320 calories worth) and gave them no further instructions about food intake. After 6 months, participants gained a very miniscule amount of weight (.2 lbs in women, 1.4 lbs in men). This study was funded by the almond industry.

There aren’t many studies that show nut consumption to help people lose weight, but one study showed that a low calorie diet that included almonds led to greater weight loss than an equal calorie diet that did not include almonds.

The Seventh Day Adventist and Nurses Health Study showed that those who regularly ate nuts weighed less than those who did not.

The Best Nuts

Are some nuts better than others when it comes to health benefits? All nuts contain good fats, fiber and proteins, but different kinds of nuts have different nutrient profiles.

Almonds are richest in vitamin E (35% recommended daily intake) and calcium (8%) per 1 oz. (30g) serving. Brazil nuts are highest in selenium with just 1 supplying a days worth. Cashews are richest in copper and zinc Peanuts (technically a legume) contain the antioxidant resveratrol, and are highest in protein and arginine content Walnuts have the most alpha linolenic acids (plant-based omega-3′s) How much?

Nuts are healthy but are a dense source of calories. 1oz/30g of nuts supply about 170-180 calories. Here is a chart that shows how many nuts are in 30g.

Number of Nuts in 30 grams (1oz)

Almonds: 20-24 Brazil nuts: 6-8 Pecans: 18-20 (halves) Cashews: 16-18 Pine Nuts: 150-157 Pistachios: 45-47 Walnuts: 8-11 Hazelnuts: 18-20

Stephen Trenen is trainer in a sport club and he runs his own informative website about Best Diet Plans, check it out to learn more tried-out Diet Plans.

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