Diet Supplements and Weight Loss

Diet supplements are found a dime a dozen nowadays. Basically, these supplements are enhancements for our regular diet; they aim to provide us with what our normal food does not provide.
As such, they are claimed to be packed with nutritional goodness which takes care of our overall health.
Most of the dietary supplements found today are herbal in composition. That is the reason they are considered safe as they are likely to have very few side effects, if at all.
Most people find these diet supplements to be a good way to improve their health and make them a part of their lifestyle.
Read on to know about what kinds of diet supplements are popular today, and what you should consider if you are intending to use one of them for the maintenance of your health.

There are many oral supplements on the market today that reportedly will assist you lose weight. The supplements are available as a natural product through health food stores and medication forms through pharmacies over the counter and through prescription from a doctor.
Those who have used them for weight loss either love them or say they have not worked for them. Using supplements is somewhat controversial, but each of them have a different appeal and a support base and for those seeking to lose weight, they are an option.
Supplements are in general excluded from US regulations under the Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act (1994). What Is the Basic Philosophy behind the Diet? Oral supplements are not strictly speaking a diet, but they are an approach to weight loss.
Most of the supplements act as appetite suppressants. Some of the claims by some companies are over inflated results and the products are not based on scientific research. When buying supplements understanding how they work and what research they are based is important.
Diet focused supplements reportedly increase energy levels or metabolic weight. Others act as appetite suppressants.

Choosing a company to provide supplements that is reputable and safe, will provide the best results for weight loss, fat burning, muscle building and increased energy.
What Support Is Offered by the Parent Company? Dietary supplements are usually bought over the counter and online via direct sales.
Information only is provided with these sales and there are no support options.
The person participating in the use of these supplements researches and discusses options with either their local health food store, pharmacist or online.
Some prescription only medications will be supplied under medical supervision.
How Does the Diet Work?
Supplements typically are taken every day according to the directions on the packaging.
There is little or no reeducation of diet, exercise, or life style changes offered as part of the program.
The participant simply relies on the supplements to either suppress their appetite or increase their energy levels. Some of the supplements encourage the use of shakes or other dietary supplements as meal replacements to assist calorie intake reduction and the anticipated increase in energy levels reportedly leads to increased physical activity resulting in increased calorie burn.
The person taking the supplements remains on them for the duration of the prescription if it is provided under medical supervision.
Those bought over the counter are not controlled and the individual can theoretically continue to take the supplements indefinitely.
Success reports are mixed but those who have lost weight on these supplements are convinced they do work.

There are online sites that rate the success of different supplements and provide information on the more popular supplements giving them a star rating for performance and results.

These sites are essential reading for anyone considering using the supplements as the number of fraud supplements continue to increase through online shops.

It is also recommended to seek professional medical or naturopathic advice before commencing any weight loss program using any of these supplements, particularly if you are using other medications.

Some of the ingredients, even the natural ingredients can affect any chronic illness or interact with prescribed medications.

                                                           

                                                                

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Getting Started with a Diet

Diets are all around us today, and we need them. Our routine meals aren’t doing for our bodies what they should. We aren’t getting the  nourishment from the foods that we consume most of the time, and the busy lifestyles that we lead aren’t helping matters in any way.
That’s the reason why people’s reliance on dietary programs has increased to such an extent. It is medically recommended in most cases to have a dietary program that can supplement our various needs.

But, can we start out with a dietary program just like that? No, there are some things that we have to consider. This chapter is about getting started with a diet.

When you have decided that you need a diet to supplement your body’s nutritional requirements, you are not very much mistaken. It is true that today we are not living as healthily as we used to before. Our foods have become more synthetic—the environment itself has become synthetic—and our lifestyles have gone too far away from the order of nature to be called as healthy. We are too consumed with our materialistic responsibilities to realize our body’s physical demands any more.

So, looking for a diet is a good idea. But, if you have already started looking for diets, you might have understood that the whole activity is not as easy as you think.

You are not going to find a single diet that is perfect in all respects that you can use for yourself without any further ado. That is not going to happen. At the same time, you will see that there are hundreds of different diets out there. There are the very expensive
ones and there are the very cheap ones.

There are some diets that will treat you to gourmet delicacies even when you are dieting and there are others that believe in the old system of making the body starve. One diet will keep away one particular nutrient, while another will keep away another nutrient,
while a third diet will not have any restrictions whatsoever.

If you are, it is not your fault at all. With the hundreds of diets out there, all of them with amazing promotional strategies and most of them with some great user reviews as well, it is understandable that you might it difficult to find a diet that meets with your requirements.
In short, when you are looking for a diet, you need to check out the following things.

1. When a particular diet excites you, the first thing you should   see is the concept behind the diet. Why does the diet work?    What principle is it based on? What nutrients will it provide,    and what will it restrict, if at all? These are the things that you   have to look for. Your choice of diet should always depend on  the theory behind its working.

2. Your next step will be to get as much information as you can about the diet. Visit the website first and see what they are telling. If you have any questions, you should contact them and find out more. Most of the reputed diets out there also give out eBooks that describe the diet in detail. You could order these eBooks, and actually you should do that because that gives you a perfect idea of what the diet is about.

3. Read the reviews on the diet. See how it has affected people who have used it already. Make sure to read a lot of reviews and read them on reputed websites so that you are certain you are not reading glowing reviews that have been planted by the company itself.

4. See if there are any drawbacks about the diet. Is there any reason why your body won’t adjust with the diet well? Are there any special things to keep in mind? If you are skeptical about anything, make it a point to ask someone reputable.

5. What kind of support does the company provide? You should not be left in the lurch once the diet has started. This is very important. When dieting, you have to work closely with the  people who have designed the diet, especially when it is something like Jenny Craig’s program which delivers healthy meals to your doorstep for a fixed number of days.

6. Even if you feel everything is perfect, do not start out the diet without first seeking counsel from your doctor. Tell them about the diet and ask them whether it is safe for you to go ahead with it.

These are the basic points you should remember when planning a diet. Make sure you have covered all of them before going ahead.
                                                          

                                                                    

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What Is the Basic Philosophy behind the Diet?

The basic philosophy behind the diet program is that certain foods cause a spike in insulin. Insulin is responsible for fat deposits and therefore to reduce insulin spikes food choices should focus on fresh foods, whole grain foods, and lean meat. Carbohydrates are allowed but white foods are discouraged as causing the insulin spikes. Good fats are also encouraged and are considered fat burners.

The Truth about Abs diet uses an approach that targets the building up of lean muscle to increase metabolism and focuses on whole body muscle movement in workouts usually in the form of interval cardio exercises and resistance training that are not focused on just one
muscle group but a group of muscles.

The combination of the diet and exercises, which are available by a paid download, reportedly burns body fat, creates a flat belly and builds six pack abs.

What Support Is Offered by the Parent Organization?

The Truth about Abs program has a one off charge for the download package. It contains everything necessary to explain the theory behind the program and the specific program outline.

For those who prefer not to download the eBook version of the program, Mike Geary has an online website that enables the dieter to receive a daily email with information about the program, incorporating recipe ideas, work out ideas and other information.

He provides a series of three free downloads to those who sign up for the emails that provide a detailed over view of the eBook program content and it can be used to understand and incorporate the Truth about Abs program into daily life.

Perhaps an interesting focus of the program is the “buddy’ approach that Mike takes with those on his mailing list which gives the person following the Truth about Abs program the sense of being mentored through the program by a private trainer and nutritionist.

Mike shares examples from his own kitchen and shopping exhibitions to motivate and change people’s shopping and cooking practices, giving the impression of a shared experience.

How Does the Diet Work?

As mentioned, this program is very personal and involves making life style changes to foods eaten rather than a more defined “diet plan”.

The Truth about Abs program is the result of research by a Personal Trainer and Nutrition specialist and the program though considered somewhat controversial by some people, is increasingly being adopted as best practice by many personal trainers and fitness
experts around the world.

                                                      

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Truth about Abs Diet

This is not a diet exactly, but it is definitely a program that intends to serve the same purpose as diets— to   provide the body with proper nourishment and maintain its shape. Its popularity has prompted us to include it in our list.

An important focus of the Mike Geary’s Truth about Abs program is on the   requirement of exercise. The program maintains that people should strike the right balance between diet and exercise if they have to keep their body fine-tuned and healthy for a long time.

This is a concentrated dietary and exercise regimen, which can assuredly bring fast results in people.  If you want a crash program that can quickly bring you into shape, then this is a diet that you can consider. Although this is not strictly a diet, Mike Geary’s Truth about Abs program incorporates a dietary approach to burning fat, together with a focused approach to exercise that challenges other program approaches to exercise. The Truth about Abs food focus is not a diet but rather an education process to understand the foods that are more likely to cause weight gain and fat deposits rather than specifically to help you  lose weight. As the focus of the fat burning program is about exercise and work out programs rather than a dietary one, this program is often adopted by men, but it is a program that has been designed for  both men and women.

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Fad Diets: Why Are They Bad?

It is not surprising that many people wonder why fad diets are bad when they seem to get results. You will find many sites on the internet claiming significant weight loss in just a few days. That type of weight loss is always temporary. It is usually 90% water which will be put straight back on as soon as your body rehydrates, which it must do if you are not going to suffer severe health problems or die.

Other fad diets are not so obviously crash diets with outrageous claims but they are over hyped diet plans that tend to be fashionable for a while and usually make a lot of money for the inventor in associated product sales. In the best cases these are good nutrition plans which will help you lose weight, but which you could probably have gotten for free from your doctor. In the worst cases they will prove so difficult to follow that you will give up after a week.

The bad of fad diets

1. Diets that promise quick and easy weight loss are usually based on eating more of one food type and none of another. These do not give the benefits that you would get from a balanced diet. They may suggest you take supplements but many supplements are not absorbed by the body unless they are taken along with the foods that the diet has banned. After a few weeks, if you stick to it that long, you may begin to develop nutritional deficiencies.

2. Fad diets are often boring and over restrictive. After the novelty of the first day or two, you will not enjoy your meals. You will then start to crave food constantly and will break the diet. You may even feel guilty, thinking it is your fault that you did not lose weight.

3. Most fad diets do not follow recommendations of the American Heart Association and similar bodies for fat levels in the diet. Often the diet will recommend high fat foods and low carbs which if taken long term, could result in heart disease. The promoters may tell you that the diet is only intended to be followed for a short time. But you probably will not reach your goal weight in that time, and then what? You either continue with a plan that is not good for your health, or stop and probably gain back what you lost.

4. Many fad diets do not help you to incorporate enough servings of fruits and vegetables in your weight loss program, or give you the variety of foods that your body needs.

5. Quick weight loss diets are just a temporary solution and do not help you to make permanent changes to your eating habits. Permanent changes are the only way to remain at your target weight once you reach it. Fad diets encourage yo-yo diet-binge cycles of fast weight loss and equally fast weight gain. This is worse for your health and your self esteem than if you had stayed overweight all the time.

Whatever the publicity materials may say, these diets will not help you in the long term. The best way to sustain weight loss is to eat a varied and healthy diet, do not overeat, exercise regularly and avoid fad diets.

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15 Great Ways To Lose Weight Fast

Want to lose weight fast? It's easy to say goodbye to 10 pounds of unwanted fat with these easy diet tips. Just pay attention to what you eat and be sure to have good tasting, fresh and healthy food including snacks, fill up on vegetables and keep your taste buds happy with fruit.

No need to make sacrifices! Just follow these simple guidelines to lose your first 10 pounds, last 10 pounds or give your weight loss program a boost when it seems to have stuttered to a halt. This is a balanced and flexible plan that you can use for as long as you want.

1. Keep a note of everything that you eat and drink. You do not need to estimate calories. Just write down what it was that you had and the approximate quantity. You will find that being more aware of what you are eating helps you to plan healthy meals and snacks.

2. Halve your intake of all pure or added fats. This means using half as much butter or spread on your bread, toast, muffins and potatoes; half the usual amount of mayonnaise or sauce on your salad; and half the oil in the frypan every time.

3. Limit treats containing sugar to three times per week. This includes chocolate, ice cream, desserts, cake, pastries, cookies, etc.

4. Include a lower fat source of protein at most meals: chicken, fish, beans, cottage cheese, or low fat yogurt. Have eggs, nuts and red meat occasionally but not every day.

5. Plan at least one lunch and dinner every week without meat or cheese. Build those meals around whole grains, vegetables and beans to increase fiber and reduce fat.

6. Reduce the fat content in your milk products. If you are currently drinking whole milk, reduce to 2% fat. From 2% reduce to 1%. Choose lower fat cheese and yogurt. When you buy yogurt, also check that it does not contain sugar.

7. Have at least two servings of fruit every day. This can be for dessert or snacks. Choose fruit that is in season.

8. Drink water instead of sodas, juices, milky drinks or alcohol. Avoid diet soda - the sweet taste only encourages you to crave sugar. Hot water with a slice of lemon can be very refreshing in the morning.

9. Include at least two servings of vegetables at lunch and dinner. If you are getting hungry, have more.

10. Eat slowly. The body is slow to register when you are full and it is easy to eat too much if you are racing through your meals.

11. Grated carrot makes a great snack. You will find that a grated carrot is much more filling than a whole carrot. Strange but true.

12. Use whole grains wherever possible. The fiber will give you a fuller feeling and also help your digestion.

13. Choose food that you can chew. Again this will increase your fiber intake, and the act of chewing will make you feel more satisfied too. This means eating fruit instead of drinking juice. If you have soup, make sure it is chunky.

14. Plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. Plan your shopping too - make a list of what you need and stick to it. If you just grab something when you are feeling hungry, you will probably choose high calorie food.

15. Always switch off the TV when you eat. That includes snacks as well as meals. Studies have proved that we eat larger portions in front of the TV, probably because we are much less aware of what we are eating. When you eat, only eat if you want to lose weight fast. 

                                                                    

                                                                      

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About The Diet Solution Program

Q: Do people really need another “diet program?” How is your nutrition program different and who would be a perfect candidate for your nutrition program?

A: My nutrition program is the best way and the only way most people should be eating. It is not some crazy fad diet, nor is it some extreme crash diet. It is how everyone should be eating on a daily basis, as mother-nature intended. What most people don’t realize is, if we ate they way our ancestors ate centuries ago, we would all be lean and healthy. It is the over-commercialized and toxic processed foods in our countries that are keeping everyone so overweight and unhealthy. Does it really seem healthy to sign up for a diet program that makes you buy their food and only their food? Or to nourish your body with fake powders and bars? That’s really not how are bodies were designed.

Q: It looks like the ebook is getting great reviews – what has been the response so far?

A: The response has been incredibly positive. People have been emailing me and telling me what an eye opening experience it has been for them. They also just couldn’t believe how simple weight loss could really be with all the right tools and information on hand. After the first 2 weeks, people tell me they have lost weight that they have been struggling with for years. I get an overwhelming amount of ‘thank you’ notes in my email inbox everyday.

Q: What is the biggest benefit of following your nutrition program and does it come with meal recipes and meal plans?

A: The biggest benefit of my nutrition program is that it is made up of all real food. It also recommends that you eat good healthy portions of food and that you should NEVER be hungry. If you are walking around hungry, you are doing something wrong. You are most likely starving your body of the nutrients and whole foods it needs.
I have done all the hard work for you. I have put together all of the healthy principles into easy to follow meal plans, no matter what your starting point is. I have also included 61 of my favorite meal recipes so that you can always keep your nutrition program delicious.

Q: Why did you decide to write The Diet Solution Program when there is more than enough nutrition info out there?

A: I decided to write the Diet Solution for that exact reason. People are being bombarded with nutrition information and either one of two things is happening: They are either being grossly misinformed with information that is the complete opposite of what is the truth or they are so overwhelmed with all of the good information and they just don’t know where to start. What I did with The Diet Solution was take all of the BEST information out on the market today and compiled it in an easy to understand, easy to read and easy to implement program. Basically, took the best of the best and saved my readers hundreds of hours and hundreds of dollars in research and trial and error.

Q: What is your advice for someone just starting your Diet Solution program? Can anyone do this?

A: Absolutely anyone can follow and succeed on The Diet Solution Program. My mother started following the program at 63 years old after a kidney transplant. In 6 months, she lost 40 lbs and has never been healthier or felt better in her life. Not only has she lost a significant amount of weight, but she has greatly reduced the number of medications she was previously taking. If she can do it, anyone can do it!
I would start by incorporating one principle at a time. People get very overwhelmed and think they need to completely overhaul their life all at once, but this is not true. My own nutrition changes took almost 3 years. Now you may incorporate these principles sooner than I did, but remember that getting to your health goals at a pace that is do-able for you is much better than not doing anything at all.

Q: How does “meal planning” fit into the weight loss equation?

A: Meal planning is extremely important especially when you first change your current eating habits. If you find out that you feel best on a meal plan that contains protein in each meal, you must plan accordingly. This often intimidates people and makes them feel like “it is too much work”. But the whole thing really does become second nature. You finally know what you need each day to feel good and lose weight and you just naturally gravitate towards those foods. To make it a much simpler process in the beginning stages, I provide several days worth of detailed meal plans in my book, so my readers and my clients know exactly where to begin, without having to do the exact meal planning themselves.

Q: If there was one Diet Solution secret you could share with everyone what would it be?

A: Just one? Oh that’s tough. I guess it would be to learn your metabolism type and follow an eating plan that is specific to that type. Without this information, you may actually be following a healthy eating plan but one that is not specific to your metabolism needs. If it’s not what your body needs, you will not see the results you’re after.

Q: Any exciting new plans for the future?

A: Of course. We are now in the process of recording The Diet Solution Program as an audio program so that you can listen to the entire book in the car or on the go.
I am also in the process of putting together The Diet Solution for Children and The Diet Solution for Diabetes. Lots and lots of exciting projects in the works.
About Misconceptions With Food…

Q: You clearly state that soy is NOT a health food. Does this go for everyone including those people who want to gain muscle?

A: This goes for absolutely everyone, but especially for those who want to build muscle. I would even say the effects of eating soy will contribute to the exact OPPOSITE hormonal changes in your body that you want if building muscle is your goal. This is because most soy products on the market today contain phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens mimic the effects of estrogen in the body and have been shown to decrease the testosterone levels of rats, monkeys and other animals, including humans. It has been known for quite some time that soy lowers testosterone to the point that there is an old Japanese wives’ tale that says women punish straying husbands by feeding them a lot of tofu. Now what do you think that means?
If building muscle is your goal, definitely stay away from any protein powder or protein bar that contains soy or soy protein isolate. Make sure to read labels carefully as it is in more products than you think.

Q: When choosing a protein powder, should I really be concerned about artificial sweeteners harming my body?

A: Artificial sweeteners have been found to be one of the most toxic substances we can put inside our bodies. Besides the fact that it causes brain and metabolism dysfunction, they clog up your liver to a point where it can not fully function.
Why is your liver so important? Your liver is not only responsible for eliminating toxins from your body but it is also responsible for metabolizing fat. If it is so busy processing through artificial sweeteners (a harmful toxin), it will not spend a sufficient amount of time processing through the unwanted fat you are trying to lose.
Believe it or not, I have had clients give up Diet Coke and lose up to 10 lbs in 2 weeks!

Q: Why are artificial sweeteners so bad if they supposedly have “zero calories”?

A: Zero sugar foods are actually much worse than sugar containing foods. Artificial sweeteners (like aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin) are poison to our bodies. Whenever the body reads an ingested food as a potential danger, your liver comes to the rescue to help ward off any danger these foreign substances may cause. People who eat and drink “diet” foods and “diet drinks all day, are overwhelming and taxing their livers. Your liver is crucial in the weight loss/fat burning process. So if your liver is taxed and not working at optimum, it becomes near impossible to lose any weight.
This is why I give my readers many alternatives to sugar free foods and sugar containing foods. There are natural alternatives that are ideal replacements for any of these diet foods, without the potential harm to the liver.

Q: In your program, you talk about good dairy and bad dairy. Any tip you can provide before I buy any more dairy?

A: Dairy is one of the leading reasons most people can not lose weight or, worse yet, are constantly gaining weight. The shocking truth about dairy is that it is only healthy in its raw form. All of the pasteurized dairy in the supermarkets today are really keeping people fat and making them fatter. Besides the countless amount of research that has been done showing us how healthy raw dairy is, the proof is really in the thousands of people and children that are overweight or obese and drinking several glasses of pasteurized milk each day.

Q: Eating organic food is really expensive. Is it worth the extra cost or completely over rated? Will it really make a difference in building muscle faster and losing fat quicker?

A: The answer to this question takes us back to the function of the liver. The pesticides, antibiotics and hormones that are being added to most foods are clogging up our livers. Again, a clogged up liver can not burn fat. And worse yet, will continue to store fat. Yes, organic food may be a bit more expensive. But most of my clients notice their grocery bill is the same once they eliminate the expensive cereals and “so called” expensive diet foods they were eating before.

Q: Do you think fat burning pills are helpful in the weight loss process?

A: I think people really don’t realize the severe damage they are causing their bodies with fat burning pills. Whenever you attempt to artificially spark your metabolism with harmful pills, you are essentially creating a “lazy” metabolism. When you go off these pills, your metabolism is too lazy to do anything. Almost every person I know who has taken fat burning pills complains of gaining even more weight when they attempt to get off of them. Of course this happens. Their metabolism is now “on vacation” and not sure if it will ever come back as strong as it was before. The best way to spark your metabolism is to eat good amounts of healthy protein, fat and carbohydrates all day long. This is what your metabolism was designed to do: metabolize healthy food into energy and muscle for the body to utilize.

Q: Are there really certain foods that are toxic to our bodies? How do we know which foods to look for?

A: The amount of toxic chemicals that are now added to our foods is actually quite frightening. The same pesticides that are designed to kill bugs are all over conventional produce and these pesticides go into our bloodstream when we eat these sprayed fruits and vegetables. The 2 worst forms of chemicals are hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup. Hydrogenated oil is a toxic change in oil to make it more shelf stable, hence keeping foods like packaged cookies, cakes and most processed foods in the stores longer to make maximum profit by these companies. My program teaches people exactly which chemicals they must stay away from if they want to finally lose their excess weight (and often times, these chemicals are exactly what’s keeping them from achieving their desired goals).

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Isabel Interview Questions Of The Diet Solution Program

Q: Isabel, tell us a little a bit about yourself, and what you do.

A: I am a NJ based Holistic Nutritionist and Exercise Specialist. I have a private practice in NJ and when I’m not seeing clients in my office I am writing books, newsletters, articles or speaking on the principles of healthy nutrition for weight loss and disease prevention. Basically, doing my best to communicate what true health is to the world.

Q: Isabel, I just finished your ebook, The Diet Solution, and get the sense of an interesting and diverse background. Can you tell a bit about yourself?

A: The Diet Solution Program is really a culmination of my search for answers to my own weight loss and health problems. I can remember going on my first “diet” in the 7th grade. You name the diet and I tried it. Not until I found the true answers to weight loss and how to keep it off was I able to finally reach my own ideal weight and level of health that I enjoy today.
It was also my mother’s and my grandmother’s struggle with obesity and type 2 Diabetes that led me to research how blood sugar affects our ability to lose and gain fat. As I studied Diabetes more and more, I found that the same principles that could be used to control a diabetic’s blood sugar were the same principles that all people needed to use to lose fat and keep it off. Once I figured this out, I was almost amazed at how easy the answer was the whole time and couldn’t believe all of the past unhealthy plans I had attempted with no success.

Q: How did you happen to get into the Nutrition industry? What were the deciding factors?

A: As I continued to work on my own health and weight struggles, I became fascinated by the human body. I was truly amazed by the discoveries I had made in regards to weight loss and blood sugar control and could not believe that this information wasn’t main stream. Even worse, I could not believe that doctors and food companies were actually recommending the exact opposite of the information that I had discovered to be the only way to lose weight. This led me to be as passionate as I am now about communicating this exact information to the world.

Q: What was your inspiration for The Diet Solution? Did you follow some other diet or fitness guru’s before your own ideas developed?

A: Writing the Diet Solution Program was inspired by seeing hundreds of clients in my private nutrition practice in New Jersey. All of the nutrition principles that I would teach my clients was a combination of several books, classes and seminars that I had read or attended and grabbed the best principles taught in each. I knew there had to be a way to put all of this great information together in an easy to read, easy to follow program. Don’t get me wrong. Actually putting the information together and laying it out in a way that would be easy to understand by all people was not an easy chore. But once it was complete, it really was a culmination of 15 years of research and study.

Q: Getting into the diet and nutrition industry can have a ton of positive benefits – has there been a downside at all?

A: No, I wouldn’t call it a downside. But I will say that I do encounter a lot of resistance to my not very mainstream ideas. I tell people “If you have been following the same nutrition and diet principles with no results, isn’t it time to take a new approach?” When people see the kind of results my clients get, they realize that a new approach may be the only way they will successfully lose weight.
I battled my own weight since I was a teenager and through my own mistakes and struggles, I found the only way to really lose weight and keep it off was through a natural foods approach. And by no means does that mean a tasteless, bland food approach. I mean the stuff good ol’ Mother Nature provided us with in their delicious forms.

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Isabel De Los Rios - Interview Questions About Misconceptions With Food

Q: You clearly state that soy is NOT a health food. Does this go for everyone including those people who want to gain muscle?

A: This goes for absolutely everyone, but especially for those who want to build muscle. I would even say the effects of eating soy will contribute to the exact OPPOSITE hormonal changes in your body that you want if building muscle is your goal. This is because most soy products on the market today contain phytoestrogens. These phytoestrogens mimic the effects of estrogen in the body and have been shown to decrease the testosterone levels of rats, monkeys and other animals, including humans. It has been known for quite some time that soy lowers testosterone to the point that there is an old Japanese wives’ tale that says women punish straying husbands by feeding them a lot of tofu. Now what do you think that means?
If building muscle is your goal, definitely stay away from any protein powder or protein bar that contains soy or soy protein isolate. Make sure to read labels carefully as it is in more products than you think.

Q: When choosing a protein powder, should I really be concerned about artificial sweeteners harming my body?

A: Artificial sweeteners have been found to be one of the most toxic substances we can put inside our bodies. Besides the fact that it causes brain and metabolism dysfunction, they clog up your liver to a point where it can not fully function.
Why is your liver so important? Your liver is not only responsible for eliminating toxins from your body but it is also responsible for metabolizing fat. If it is so busy processing through artificial sweeteners (a harmful toxin), it will not spend a sufficient amount of time processing through the unwanted fat you are trying to lose.
Believe it or not, I have had clients give up Diet Coke and lose up to 10 lbs in 2 weeks!

Q: Why are artificial sweeteners so bad if they supposedly have “0 calories”?

A: Zero sugar foods are actually much worse than sugar containing foods. Artificial sweeteners (like aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin) are poison to our bodies. Whenever the body reads an ingested food as a potential danger, your liver comes to the rescue to help ward off any danger these foreign substances may cause. People who eat and drink “diet” foods and “diet drinks all day, are overwhelming and taxing their livers. Your liver is crucial in the weight loss/fat burning process. So if your liver is taxed and not working at optimum, it becomes near impossible to lose any weight.
This is why I give my readers many alternatives to sugar free foods and sugar containing foods. There are natural alternatives that are ideal replacements for any of these diet foods, without the potential harm to the liver.

Q: In your program, you talk about good dairy and bad dairy. Any tip you can provide before I buy any more dairy?

A: Dairy is one of the leading reasons most people can not lose weight or, worse yet, are constantly gaining weight. The shocking truth about dairy is that it is only healthy in its raw form. All of the pasteurized dairy in the supermarkets today are really keeping people fat and making them fatter. Besides the countless amount of research that has been done showing us how healthy raw dairy is, the proof is really in the thousands of people and children that are overweight or obese and drinking several glasses of pasteurized milk each day.

Q: Eating organic food is really expensive. Is it worth the extra cost or completely over rated? Will it really make a difference in building muscle faster and losing fat quicker?

A: The answer to this question takes us back to the function of the liver. The pesticides, antibiotics and hormones that are being added to most foods are clogging up our livers. Again, a clogged up liver can not burn fat. And worse yet, will continue to store fat. Yes, organic food may be a bit more expensive. But most of my clients notice their grocery bill is the same once they eliminate the expensive cereals and “so called” expensive diet foods they were eating before.

Q: Do you think fat burning pills are helpful in the weight loss process?

A: I think people really don’t realize the severe damage they are causing their bodies with fat burning pills. Whenever you attempt to artificially spark your metabolism with harmful pills, you are essentially creating a “lazy” metabolism. When you go off these pills, your metabolism is too lazy to do anything. Almost every person I know who has taken fat burning pills complains of gaining even more weight when they attempt to get off of them. Of course this happens. Their metabolism is now “on vacation” and not sure if it will ever come back as strong as it was before. The best way to spark your metabolism is to eat good amounts of healthy protein, fat and carbohydrates all day long. This is what your metabolism was designed to do: metabolize healthy food into energy and muscle for the body to utilize.

Q: Are there really certain foods that are toxic to our bodies? How do we know which foods to look for?

A: The amount of toxic chemicals that are now added to our foods is actually quite frightening. The same pesticides that are designed to kill bugs are all over conventional produce and these pesticides go into our bloodstream when we eat these sprayed fruits and vegetables. The 2 worst forms of chemicals are hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup. Hydrogenated oil is a toxic change in oil to make it more shelf stable, hence keeping foods like packaged cookies, cakes and most processed foods in the stores longer to make maximum profit by these companies. My program teaches people exactly which chemicals they must stay away from if they want to finally lose their excess weight (and often times, these chemicals are exactly what’s keeping them from achieving their desired goals).

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20 Diet Tips

1. Getting started on a diet.

Prior to starting on a diet, you need to make sure that you are fully committed about it.
In other words, you need to have the discipline and the determination to follow through
it, in order to attain your fitness goals. Aside from that, you should also have the right
motivation to stay on track.

2. Eliminate excuses.

Many people today are not able to start on their Diet Solution Program, since they think that they are not too overweight, or they put it off for another day. To eliminate your excuses, you should face your problem head on, and recognize the fact that dieting is one of the solutions for it. Keep in mind that excuses may also appear even when you have already started; thus, you need to be prepared for them.

3. Gather as much information as you can.

If you have fully decided that dieting is the way to go in order to lose weight, then you
should gather as much information as you can. When you have the right information
with you, you would receive the right guidance in starting on a diet. Aside from that, you
can also become more familiar of the nutritional facts behind different food items.

4. Determine more reasons to go on a diet.

Different people have different reasons in going on a diet. Some people need to do it to
improve their health conditions, while others simply want to fit into their small sized
clothing. Whatever your reasons are, you should always remind yourself of them, so
that you would become more motivated in going through your diet.

5. Get emotionally involved.

Sparking your emotions to go on a diet is a good way to get started on it. This is
because it can give your diet more purpose and meaning. Aside from that, it can also
bring more passion and desire from you in losing weight. Therefore, you should
constantly look at yourself on the mirror, and compare it to your pictures of yesteryears.
By doing that, you would become more motivated in reaching your goals through your
diet.

6. Don’t view dieting as something difficult to do.

When you are about to start on your Diet Solution Program, one thing that can stop you from doing it is your thoughts about how difficult it can be. Thus, you should view it as
something that is easy to do. Challenge yourself, and take it one step of the time. Don’t
do it in an abrupt manner, so that you would be able stay on it long enough to see your
desired results.

7. Choosing your Diet Solution Program.

There are lots of programs about dieting that are available today. However, proper
selection is one of the keys in attaining success on it. To choose the best one, you
should avoid those that are too restrictive. Aside from that, you should also choose aprogram, which has received positive reviews from people who have already gone through it.

8. Positive affirmations.

If you are having difficulties in staying on a diet or getting started with one, you can
actually use positive affirmations for it. Positive affirmations means that you are going to
feed your subconscious mind with positive statements, about what you want to attain.
By doing that, you can have the right mindset in starting on your diet, or in staying on it.

9. Get the support that you need.

There is no need to be alone when it comes to dieting. Although other members of your
family may not follow a diet, they can actually support you on it, so that you would be
able to attain your goals. To achieve that, you should tell them about your diet. By doing
that, they can help you get started on your diet. Aside from that, they can also
constantly remind you of the right foods to eat.

10. Make dieting easier for you to do.

Some people may find the first few days of dieting to be quite difficult. Thus, you should
come up with a solution to make it easier for you. One of the things that you can do
about it is to make sure that your refrigerator only contains the healthy foods that you
can eat. Aside from that, you should also start with healthier foods that you really like.

11. Eat only if you are really hungry.

There are times when a person eats when he is not hungry. There are many possible
reasons behind this, which can include stress, emotions, habit, and such. Thus, you
should become more aware whether your  urge to eat is dictated by your stomach or
something else. If you are unsure, drink a glass of water instead, or if you really have to,
then you should get a healthy snack.

12. MSG filled foods.

There are lots of food items that are filled with MSG these days. Most of the foods that
contain this substance are those that are highly processed. Aside from the fact that
such a substance can harm your body, it can also add more fat to it. Thus, you should
avoid eating food items that contain MSG as much as you can.

13. Get enough rest

When you are well rested, your body would be able to do its work in repairing damage
tissues, and such. However, if you do the opposite, then it can make you gain more
weight. This is because lack of rest can slow down your  metabolism. Aside from that, it
can also boost your appetite to some extent, when your body is trying to compensate for
the lack of sleep.

14. Focus on fiber.

In coming up with your own diet program, you should eat foods that are loaded with
fiber. Fiber can help in flushing out dangerous toxins from your body. Aside from that, it
can also suppress your appetite naturally by prolonging the digestion process.
Additionally, it can also lower down your  blood cholesterol levels.

15. Find a more personalized program.

If you want to follow a certain diet program to lose weight, it is best to find one that is
going to be created just for you. There are many experts in this filled, who are more
than willing to help out people in losing weight. Find these experts, and have them
assess your present situation, so that they can come up with a diet program, which is
specifically made just for you.

16. Become more conscious of calories.

In achieving weight loss, you need to provide your body with lesser amounts of calories,
and burning more of it. One of the things you can do is to check the food items you
purchase from the grocery for its caloric content. Aside from that, you can also do some
research about how much calories you could be burning on a day to day basis.

17. Avoid soda drinks.

Sodas are loaded with calories, which can result to faster weight gain. Although there
are diet sodas available, they are actually still loaded with empty calories and
chemicals, which are not good for your health. Thus, it is best to simply avoid them.
Focus more on drinking fresh water, or natural fruit juices.

18. Eat to survive, and not the other way around.

Eating should be done in order for you to live. In other words, you should view eating,
as something that you need to do, in order to provide your body with adequate amounts
of nutrients in order for it to maintain its health. You should avoid thinking that you are
living to eat, since that can get you to gain weight in no time.

19. Avoid fast food chains.

Whenever you go to work, you may find yourself frequenting fast food chains on a
regular basis, since you don’t have enough time to go home for lunch. If you check the
types of foods that are served in these outlets, in most cases, they are usually filled with
fats and oil. Aside from that, they are also highly processed. Thus, it is time that you
cook your own lunch and bring it with you at the office.

20. Eat foods that are low in calorie and are harder to process.

Foods like apples, celery, and other fruits and vegetables, are usually low in caloric
content. Aside from that, they are also harder to process. Because of that, you would
actually be feeding your  body with lesser amounts of calories. Aside from that, your
body would also need to burn more of it, in order to process them. Thus, eat more of
these types of foods to lose weight.

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Vitamins and Herbs

Get   more   vitamin   D.    Supplements   are   one   way   to increase   your Vitamin D  intake, however  quite honestly the best way to get this nutrient is from sunshine. The human body synthesizes Vitamin D that is absorbed through  the  skin  when  exposed  to  sunlight.  Many   people  are  not getting the   sun  exposure   that   they   require   because   of   the   risk   of   skin cancer; however   in   moderation   –   about   5   minutes   a   day   -   sunlight   is   very beneficial.

Take   vitamin   C   prior   to   sun   exposure.   Getting   a sunburn   is definitely   unpleasant.   By   taking   an   extra   dose   of   vitamin   C   prior   to beginning   your   sun   exposure,   you   are   boosting   your   skin’s   natural defenses.  If you  would  like  increased  protection, consider  adding  vitamin
E as well.

Sooth   your   stomach   with   oranges   and   fennel   seed.     Make   a mixture  of a tablespoon each  of  orange  peel and  fennel seed added  to two cups of  water.  Boil  and  then  steep  this tea.  Add honey  to sweeten  the  tea and   drink   it   when  you   are   suffering  from   indigestion.    The   tea  should refrigerate for about 48 hours, and will taste primarily like fennel.

Drink rosemary tea.     Rosemary  is  a  kitchen herb known for its ability to   stimulate  the   senses.     If   you   are   feeling  tired,  but   have   a   lot  to   get accomplished you might do well  to drink some Rosemary  Tea.   Rosemary Tea is also an excellent remedy for headaches.

Use  ipecac syrup  to stop  vomiting.     While  this is  one  of  the  common ingredients in most home first aid  kits, you may  not realize  that it is also  a homeopathic  remedy  for  vomiting  when  taken  in  very   tiny   doses.    While ipecac   will  not   do   much   for   patients   experiencing  nausea,  it   will   work wonders   for   you   if   you   are   experiencing   continuous   vomiting.  A homeopathic  physician  or   pharmacist  can  recommend   exact  dosages  for
you.

Take Ginkgo for better concentration.     Gingko is known for its ability to   stimulate   the   mind   and   to   help   the   brain   to   metabolize   nutrients correctly.  In some cases, the  herb  has  been noted  to reduce  the  effects  of aging  and   to   slow   the   onset  of   Alzheimer’s   disease.   Gingko   leaves  are ground into a powder and the extract can be used in many different forms. A few years ago, it became very common to see Gingko added to just about everything in the supermarket.   A homeopathic physician can  help  you  to determine whether you would benefit from a Gingko supplement.

Mix garlic and honey.    If  you  are  at risk for, or suffer  from high  blood pressure,   consider   eating   a   teaspoon   of   minced   garlic   mixed   with   2 teaspoons   of   honey   every   day.     Honey   and   garlic   are   known   for   being healing  foods,  and   when   combined   they   are   extremely   beneficial  to  the circulatory system.

Soothe   diaper   rash   with   beeswax.     Beeswax   is   the   base   for   a homeopathic   diaper   cream   solution.     By   adding  in  other   herbs  such   as chickweed   and   marshmallow,  you   are  creating   a  cream   that  is  not  only developed  perfectly  from  nature –  but  one  that  will not  stain and  stick  to your   hands.  This  cream   is  far   gentler   than  the  conventional   diaper  rash creams currently on the market.

Try magnesium for leg  cramps.     Many  people  suffer from cramps in their   legs, particularly   in  the  calves.    Drinking  more  water   will  probably help to relieve  the frequency and  adding magnesium to your  diet is a great way to eliminate these cramps forever.

Try belladonna for ear pain.     If you  have an ear infection  or ear  pain, belladonna extract could  possible  help  to alleviate  this pain.   This extract helps  to  reduce   inflammation  in  the   blood   vessels,  one   of   the   common causes of ear  pain.  Other  ailments for  which belladonna will  help include toothaches,  fevers,  restlessness or   insomnia  and  eye  pain  resulting from dryness.

Take  St.  John’s  Wort  for stress.      This  plant  extract  is  known  for   its ability  to  help  relieve  the  symptoms  of  depression, grief  and  anxiety.  You can  also  try  taking  St.  John’s Wort for  any  injury  that  causes sharp  pains or a  repetitive  stress injury. This  supplement is  commonly  added  to  teas, and is also widely available in capsules and tablets.

Consider   poison   ivy   for   an   ankle   sprain.    Although   it   is   not commonly   thought  of   as  a  good   thing,   poison  ivy   extract  is   actually   an excellent pain reliever   for  sprains and   strains.    Sometimes,  the  extract  is given to patients with severe flu symptoms or even arthritis.

Use   chamomile   for   teething.     Homeopathic   remedies   for   teething contain this extract,  which  is known for  its calming effects. The safest way to  use   this  extract  is  in  a cream   or   gel  designed   specifically   for   teething babies. There  are  specifically  designed  capsules that are  placed  under  the baby’s tongue to induce calmness and relieve pain.

Use  onions  to  relieve  allergy  symptoms.     Onions  are   an  excellent treatment   option  for   those   suffering   from   allergies  because   the   root  is completely   natural   and   proves   to   be   very   effective   at   opening   nasal passages.   It’s not  as  simple  as  eating an onion however.    Because  onions  cause  the  same  symptoms that  allergy  sufferer’s  dread,  an  extract should be  taken in  tiny  doses, until the  body  begins  to ignore  the  irritant and  to develop a defense against the patients other allergens.

Try   lavender   on   your   feet.    If   you   suffer   from   athlete’s   foot,   you already realize that there is little you seem to be able to do in order to  stop the   affliction.   That  is  true  with  traditional  medications.  However,  using oils of lavender, garlic  and tea-tree in an alcohol solution will  help to ward off the problem once and for all.

Try   peppermint   oil   for   headaches.     If   you   get   chronic   tension headaches and have found conventional medications to  be failing, it might be a good idea to consider trying peppermint oil. A few drops of this oil can be placed on a cotton ball and applied to the forehead.  Take a few minutes to relax and allow the oil to penetrate the skin.

Sleep   better   with   a   sesame   oil   scalp   massage.     Warm   a   small amount of sesame oil, and massage into the scalp before washing your hair in  order  to induce  sleep.  This  can also be  an  effective  technique  to  stop  a headache.   Scalp  massage in  general is  a  good treatment option,  however when combined with sesame oil the effects are better felt.

Try   Passion   Flower   extract.     If   you   suffer   from   anxiety   disorder, depression or  hyperactivity  this  extract  can  help   eliminate  daily   anxiety, calm  hyperactivity   and  relieve   stress.    The   calming effects  of   this  extract are also thought to help with high blood pressure.

Reduce  stress naturally.    One   of   the  most  commonly   treated   medical conditions  in  the   world   today   is   anxiety   disorder.     Thankfully,   nature provided  us with natural stress relievers like passion flower, lemon balm, lavender   and   valerian   to   name   a   few.     Consider   trying   these   various extracts to  test their effect on your  anxiety and  stress levels with  essential oils, teas and other forms.

Try feverfew for headaches.     Feverfew  has  been used  for  centuries by medical   experts   to   treat   rheumatoid   arthritis   and   migraine   headaches. This root is known for its ability to reduce swelling and fevers as well.   You can try a tablet, or even a feverfew tea.

Try vitamins C and B for a hangover.    If  you  happen  to overindulge with alcohol, you should immediately drink a glass of water and  take some Vitamins  B and  C. This combination will  start  to remove the  alcohol from your bloodstream and start the process of recovering so that you feel better faster.

Try bee products for arthritis and joint pain.    If you suffer from stiff joints  or  arthritis,  consider  trying  bee  venom  in any  of  its popular  forms. You   might  try  a  cream   made  from  royal   jelly,  eating  raw   honey   or   even using bee  venom  itself.  If   you   are  interested   in experiencing  the  healing relief  of  bee  venom, contact an apitherapist,  who will actually  administer bee   stings  to   your   affected   joints.   If   you   are   allergic   to   bee   stings,   you should not consider this treatment.

Try   ginger   for   joint   problems.    If   you   experience   joint   pain   or stiffness, you  might benefit from  ginger  caplets, or simply  more ginger  in your   diet.    Ginger   is  an   antioxidant   that  is   known  to   assist  the   body   in preserving cartilage. You  can  find  ginger  supplements  in  any  health   food store.

Try  coriander  oil  for  joint   pain  and  stiffness.    Coriander   oil   or extract can  be  added to  mineral  oil for  massaging  sore  joints,  or  it can be brewed  into  a  tea. Try  making a  1 to  5 solution  in  an  oil  of  your  choice, letting it sit for 24 hours and then applying to sore joints.

Stop sneezing  with Echinacea.     This herb has been used for thousands of  years to treat  the symptoms of the common cold.   It is thought to be an excellent immunity  booster.  There are  many  different forms of Echinacea currently   on  the   market.    Depending   on  whether   you   are   taking  it  as  a preventative   supplement  or  to  treat  current   symptoms,  the   dosage   may differ.

Add   more   B   to   your   diet.     Foods   rich   in   the   B   vitamins   and   B supplements  are  thought to  be some  of  the  most beneficial  to the  human body.   B   vitamins  are  excellent  for  the  nervous  system,  the  skin  and  are even  used   to   treat   respiratory   problems   including   asthma.   Foods   like brown rice, baked potatoes and fish contain vitamin B. Try adding more to your diet today.

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The Food of The 5 Factor Diet

The one area in which Pasternak deviates from the number five is the number of days in the week you are to follow the diet plan strictly. She calls for six out of seven days, with the seventh being a built-in cheat day, where the follower can eat anything they like from morning till night. There is some dissension in the fitness community
about diets that call for such a cheat day, but it is there, and if you can stick to just one day, it will probably be okay. But let’s talk about the other six days, and what you’re supposed to be eating. According to the 5 Factor plan, each meal must consist of the five nutritional make-ups we discussed earlier. Lean protein, complex carbs, fiber, healthy fat, and a sugar free drink. An example of this type of meal could be a piece of lean beef (sirloin or such), a small salad, a serving of asparagus, and a glass (or more) of water. Of course, this is only one example. There are a myriad of possibilities on this diet, as long as they meet the requirements set forth by the author. She helpfully gives plenty of suggestions for foods meeting all of the requirements, and with a mix and match system, boredom shouldn’t be too much of a problem on this diet
plan.

 Just Another Fad Diet?

 Well, that’s hard to answer. Taken as a whole, the Atkins diet would probably not be fairly called a fad diet, yet it is the most commonly cited example of such. The first two weeks of Atkins, or the “induction” phase, would certainly fit the bill, with the limiting of carbohydrates to below 20 grams per day. However, the following phases of the diet, where carbohydrates are slowly but surely added back in, most meaningfully in the form of complex carbs and high fiber choices, would better fit the definition of a sensible diet plan. The same goes for the 5 Factor Diet. Taken as a whole, with its strategies and eating recommendations, and its call for vigorous and regular exercise, it’s hard to pick out anything about the diet that would lend itself to the terms “crash diet” or “fad diet”. Yet, on the other hand, there are always concerns along these lines. Here’s why.

Any time you have a regimented eating plan such as this,no matter how diverse, eventually it’s going to get irritating and old. The human being craves diversity and flexibility. This, however, is exactly what got many overweight people into trouble in the first place. They are
unable to control themselves and find that complete freedom leads to bad choices. That’s why diets such as these work so well–in the short term. Dieters like to feel as if they have regained a certain amount of control over their eating. However, while the weight loss is sure to come (not just on the 5 Factor Diet, but on any regimented eating plan), it’s easy to “fall off the wagon”.

For that reason, any diet that begins making very strict and planned out eating propositions must be regarded, at least in part, as a fad diet.

At the same time, let’s take nothing away from the sound eating principles involved in the 5 Factor Diet. And they are sound, and nutritionally expedient. Still, the diet, like so many others, is kind of like taking the long way around a beautiful forest. The Forest of Common Sense, let’s call it. It is a path many other diets have taken, including Atkins, South Beach, The Movie Star Diet, and so many others. The plain fact of the matter is, if you take in more calories than your burn, you will gain weight. If you taken in fewer, you will lose weight. It’s
just that simple, and all of these diets are basically low calorie diets in disguise. All this talk about burning ketones or the glycemic index or eating like Jesus did in Biblical times is just a way of masking that simple common sense principal. Is there anything wrong with
that? Perhaps not, but the reader should be aware of it before believing that they’ve suddenly found the magical fountain from which to drink.

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