Metabolization - Important in Maintaining Good Health

The amount of food consumed at one time is important in overall health. The portions or serving size you consume in one feeding may be contributing to obesity.

Our bodies must be able to metabolize what we consume in order to maintain proper health.

Diabetes can occur when our bodies do not metabolize food properly. That's why it is recommended that we eat 5 small meals per day, instead of 3 big meals.

This gives the body a chance to break down foods and send them to the proper body cells and organs.

1. Chewing Food

• Although I  don't have  a specific number for the amount of times to chew food before swallowing, because it varies according to the foods and the person mouth capacity. I do know that this plays an important role in metabolism.
• Our food should flow down our throats and not go down in chunks. It makes our bodies work too hard to break the food down, especially when its done repeatedly.

2. Water Intake

• The amount of water we take in daily is another factor in helping metabolize food and maintaining good overall health.
• Water is the most recommended beverage.
• Water not only helps break down food, it also helps keeps our systems flushed and everything flowing properly.

So, the little TO DO LIST

1. Eat 5 small meals daily
2. Chew food well before swallowing
3. Drink plenty of water

Is There Something Eating At You?

Is There Something Eating At You?

Does losing weight have you worried about what you are eating? Have you ever been so frustrated with dieting, calorie counting, weighing food, and. cheating at eating? Well , you are not alone. The problem may not be what you are eating, but  what is eating you.

• There are people who eat healthy, but still fail to lose weight.

Remember (from previous postings), that weightloss also involves mindset and exercise. To be a complete person you have to consider the mind, body and soul. So instead of putting so much time worrying about what you are eating, make sure you put time ito finding out what is eating you.

Exercise is very important in being healthy. When you don't get proper exercise, you don't feel good. And when you don't feel good, you don't get proper exercise. It's a vicious cycle if you allow it to be. Don't let it eat at you! Take things 1 step at a time, and focus on the things you can do instead of what you can't do to lose weight. Remember, I can do all things through Christ which stregtheneth me. PHILIPPIANS 4:13.

1. I can eat more fruit
2.  I can eat more vegetables
3. I can drink more water
4. I can exercise daily
5. I can show love
6. I can help others

• Weightloss is a mindset. Determine what you will ALLOW to eat at you!

You Eat The Food You Buy

All though we know some food is not healthy to eat, we still continue to buy it. This is part of the reason why obesity is still on the rise today. Your mindset about weight loss has everything to do with losing weight.

If you are serious about weight loss, the process to lose weight starts in the mind. The next step is at the grocery store.

• Choose healthy foods (LOTS of fruits and vegetables)

These are foods that the body was designed to get nutrition from. If you don't like a certain one, then choose another that you do enjoy. Let it be your choice. That way you're not feeling like you are dieting.

For some of us, munching is an all day thing. There are many foods to munch on that will satisfy the munchies.

• Honey Nut Cheerios


• Chex Mix


• Granola Bars


• Popcorn


• Nuts


• Pickles

Okay! I think you get the point. Find other snacks to satisfy the munchies. There's a difference between having the munchies and being hungry. Start training your body to know the difference.

MEATS

I am not a vegetarian. I enjoy meat. The main meats that are healthy, just because they contain less fat are FISH, and CHICKEN. The meat is healthier baked than fried, because there's no grease added. And the chicken is even healthier with the skin removed, because fat is stored in the chickens skin.

Choose the meat that you enjoy also. Just like the fruits and vegetables. Get what you like! I eat:

• Cornish Hens


• Crab legs


• Turkey Legs


• Lamb Chops


• Liver and onions (It was an acquired taste because I needed the iron)

Get it? These are not the only nutritious foods. Get what you like. Everybody likes different foods. One thing that's certain is we all need food to survive. Food sends oxygen to the brain.

EATING HABITS

In order to lose weight, you need to develop good eating habits. I eat 5 small meals per day, instead of 3 big meals. By doing this it allows my body to metabolize food better. This is a typical day of what I might eat.

8:00 am - Always eat breakfast (Oatmeal[bowl or bar], banana, turkey sausage and coffee

11:00 am - (Baked chicken, salad[lettuce, tomato, cucumber, broccoli, vinegar or light dressing], rice)

2:00 pm - ( Fish sandwich on wheat bread with light tarter sauce, lettuce , tomato and onion.)

5:00 pm - (Tuna casserole[ tuna in water, no yolk egg noodles, sweet peas, mushrooms, lo fat cheddar cheese soup], add a little 2% milk and seasoning.

7:00 pm - (Peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread or light crackers, cup of yogurt.

I eat different things everyday. This is just an example of what I ate yesterday. Its good to keep a veggie tray and a fruit bowl handy, so that everyone can snack on it as they please. Also keep bottled water handy and available.

Watch your portions and you will be on your way losing weight. Set your mind to lose weight and start buying what you need to eat!

Fruit = The Natural Sweetener

Fruit has natural sweeteners, that gives the body energy. More people are realizing the damage that sugar intake is doing to their bodies. By consuming natural sweetners , such as fruits, this allows us to live healthier and longer lives. It allows our teeth to last longer, and our brains to relax better. Another good thing about fruit is that when you're in a hurry, you can just grab it and go. We were given fruit to eat by God!

• And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Genesis 2:8



• And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9

So you see, fruit was made for us. It looks good and it taste good.

I came across a tv show the other day, and they were talking about ways to get families(especially children) to eat and enjoy more vegetables. They were placing vegetables in a blender and then adding the kid's favorite fruit. The children then rated the taste. Every child enjoyed the combination of fruit and vegetables. This process is called juicing. The only equipment you need is blender. If you are a person that does not like the taste of vegetables that are good for you, then you'll enjoy juicing and so will your body!

Advantages to Juicing

1. Get all needed vitamins


2. Quick and easy to make


3. No messy clean up


4. Improves digestive system


5. Helps fight obesity


6. Healthy drink for on the go


7. Kids love the taste

• So the next time you're buying groceries remember "Juicing". Choose fruit, the natural sweetener. You'll live healthier, longer!