Nutrition Articles

Choosing the Best Foods to Speed Up Your Metabolism

It may be true that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but there are plenty of foods out there that are beneficial to you in more ways than one : including speeding up your metabolism.

Foods can speed up your metabolism if it burns more calories to digest them than the food actually contains.

By eating more of these great foods that help to speed up your metabolism, you will begin to see how this will help you to lose weight.

Here are some of the best foods to help speed up your metabolism: grapefruit, oranges, lemons, apples, pears, chilies, potatoes, cabbage, celery, broccoli, green tea, soup, oatmeal and low-fat yogurt.

Many of these foods are high in complex carbohydrates or high in protein, both metabolism boosting ingredients.

More Melon Please! Summertime's Tasty Treat

Summer is the season when that tasty fruit, the watermelon, once again makes an appearance around the dinner table and the picnic area.

Besides being made up of nearly 90% water, watermelons are also a great source of significant vitamins and minerals.

So, what is watermelon made of? It is chock full of a considerable amount of vitamins A and C. It contains thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate and niacin in small amounts.

It is a great source of potassium, and also contains magnesium, calcium, phosphorous and iron in trace amounts.

It is also very low in calories, free of fats and cholesterol and is rich in carotenoids.

Because of these nutritional facts and their amazing taste, we should enjoy watermelons while they last!

A Summer Fruit and Veggie Smorgasbord

Before hitting the grocery store or produce stands this summer, check out what seasonal fruits and veggies you should be getting and how to pick out the best of the best.

Beets : greens should be colorful and attached Blackberries and Blueberries : dark, plump berries Broccoli : compact head and dark green Cherries : plump, vibrant color Corn : a light, tight husk means fresh Eggplant : choose firm and unblemished Nectarines : soft to the touch Peaches : choose ones without bruises or marks Plums : ripe ones feel plump, not hard Raspberries : plump and deep red Summer Squash : check for firmness Tomatoes : choose bright, firm, strong-smelling ones Watermelon : yellow on the underside if ripe Zucchini : shiny and blemish-free

Perfectly Plum

Plums are the delicious fruit that come from the same fruit family as cherries and peaches. But plums are about more than just great taste, they are chock full of nutritional value.

Plums, and their dried version known as prunes, are very high in phytonutrients, which function as an antioxidant and provide much benefit to the body.

Eating plums helps in the production and absorption of iron in the body, thereby leading to better blood circulation leading further to the growth of healthy tissues.

Consuming plums on a regular basis will help prevent macular degeneration and other eye infections. Researchers have also found that plums contain anti-cancer agents that prevent the growth of cancerous cells and tumors.

Because plums contain blood cleansing agents that help keep the blood pure, plums can help you reduce the risk of contracting heart disease.

Plums are also high in vitamin C, meaning they help to protect the body against conditions like asthma, colon cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Welcome Summer! Eat Right at Your Next Picnic

‘Tis the season for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor parties! But that doesn't mean that just because you aren't choosing all of your meals, that you have to pack on the pounds this summer. Keep these tips in mind at your next picnic:

Choose lean ground meat when making burgers. You should also try low-fat hot dogs, sausages and bratwurst and other grilled favorites.

Seafood and chicken are great grilled foods and are both still healthy picnic options.

Don't forget your greens and mix in a salad to your picnic or party menu.

Remember your veggies as they are also great on the grill and in side dishes, especially summer time veggies like squash and zucchini.

Instead of chocolate desserts, think fruity desserts instead, and take advantage of a season when fruits are plenty.