Should You Include the Avocado in Your Weight Loss Plan?

             Avocados have enjoyed a controversial history, and nutritionists and doctors have told us to stay away from them more often than not. This controversy is understandable since an avocado weighs in at a hefty 325-400 calories each. On top of that, it has 28-33 grams of fat, or an 80% fat to calorie ratio!! With these statistics, can we afford to include them in our weight loss plan?

The answer is yes, according to a recent article about weight loss on Real Age, a website founded by the popular wellness team of Dr. Michael Roizen and Memhet Oz, M.D. The article states, "Eating a small amount of healthy unsaturated fat -- think olive oil, nuts, avocado, and fish -- before a meal triggers a chain reaction in your digestive system that slows the rate at which your stomach empties, which means you feel fuller faster. It also helps keep your blood sugar levels from spiking after your meal and makes it easier for your body to absorb fat-soluble nutrients, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as lycopene  and lutein.  

Web M.D. recently featured an article that highlighted the avocado. Stating that while it was once banished for being high in fat, this fruit is making a healthy comeback. Avocados are a monounsaturated fat, or a good fat, which lowers cholesterol. Web M.D. suggests eating them in moderation, such as starting with about 1/6th of a large avocado. To get the best that avocados have to offer, buy organic if you can. If they aren't available locally they can be purchased online.

 Additionally, they are loaded with many important nutrients such as protein, potassium, vitamins E and A, B. Here are the top ways in which avocados can help your weight and your health:

o    Neutralizes excess body acids resulting in weight loss

o    Boosts satiety (feeling of fullness)

o    Lowers LDL (bad) and raises HDL (good) cholesterol levels

o    Aids in digestion and helps flush toxins

o    Offers significant protection against cancer

o    Strengthens the immune system

With all the talk about high cholesterol in the press I decided to read further, and found about a recent study that was conducted in Australia. The women were told to eat an Avocado daily, without changing anything else in their diet. Three weeks later, these middle-aged women had reduced their cholesterol levels by 8%. Another group of participants had been put onto a low fat diet, and their cholesterol had reduced cholesterol by only 5%. The greatest surprise was that the group eating Avocados had HDL (good) levels increase at a ratio of 15%. Think about it, this study only lasted 3 weeks!

The avocado is being recognized as one of the super foods, which gives us a great health return. With its proven weight loss benefits, I definitely recommend that it be included in any weight loss plan.

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Kathy is a writer, entrepreneur and wellness researcher, and holds a Certificate in Holistic Wellness Coaching. She has over 15 years of experience in management, and over 10 years in coaching personal and professional development success strategies.

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Why Do Weight Loss Camps Work For Kids, Teens and Young People?

     Losing weight can be a really big challenge for our youth. They need a lot of help, support and motivation. And sometimes even a new environment! That's why a weight loss camp can be the ideal solution for kids, teens and young people who want to lose weight and keep it off.

If health camps are correctly managed, they can be a really great weight loss aid for youngsters. One of the main hurdles is the negativity associated with being overweight in the first place. Once campers get over their fear of going to a fit camp that doesn't automatically label them 'fat', they make stunning strides.

The path to self-improvement is fraught with peril. Give in to your cravings, and all your hard work seems like wasted effort. Weight loss camps work because they provide youngsters with the opportunity to lose weight under friendly observation without forfeiting their sense of personal responsibility.

If a young person doesn't feel like she is in control, her weight loss will probably be temporary at best. What's the use of a fat camp program that puts her through a boot camp style regimen? Sure, it may look successful on paper and she may lose weight while she's there, but tough training like this hardly translates into everyday life.

Weight loss camps work well when they break free of the fat camp mold. Kids' boot camps, being built around military regimens, are hardly tailored to the individual.

So, fat camps are out, and boot camps are out. What about the alternatives? Fun immersion weight loss camps are the answer.

In a study of 130 girls and 64 boys aged 10-15 who attended a two month weight loss camp, 89 percent showed reduced BMI 9 months after the camp was finished. (Gately, Cooke, Butterly, Mackreth, Carroll 2000)

Research has shown that it's a lot easier for kids and teens to eat right when they aren't surrounded by peers who routinely gorge themselves on whatever junk food is close at hand. Weight loss camps make it easy to socialize (in real life, NOT online) with other young folks just like them.

According to Hass (2006), "The most effective way to get kids to eat healthfully is to set a good example."

So, what about kids who really love junk food? Well, it's not as if they were born that way, although habits do develop early on and become harder to change later. The good news is-kids and teens can be trained to enjoy healthy food just as much, but this can't be done without a smart, nutritionally balanced plan. Everyone has to eat to survive. Effective weight loss camps will encourage your child to upgrade his or her mindset, starting with a lifestyle reset that works wonders.

SOURCES:
Haas, E. M., & Levin, B. (2006). Nourishing Our Children. Staying healthy with nutrition: the complete guide to diet and nutritional medicine (21st-century ed., p. 410). Berkeley: Celestial Arts.

Gately PJ, Cooke CB, Butterly RJ, Mackreth P, Carroll S. Int J Obesity Related Metabolic Disorders. 2000 Nov; 24(11):1445-52.

For more information about weight loss camps, please visit: http://www.wellbalance.com

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What is the Best weight Solutions ?

      Read here  : The Best weight Solutions

Weight Loss Plan For Children

                    More children are overweight today then ever before in history. Some people blame it on fast food. Others say it is due to video games and lack of physical exercise. There is no quick easy way for children to lose weight. However, children do have an advantage when they still have some growing to do. Children who are just slightly over weight may just need to stop gaining weight and grow into their weight as they gain inches in height.

A teenager for example may be at an age where 10 pounds per year of weight gain is needed for normal growth. If that teen is slightly overweight, he or she may just be able to grow taller and slim down by not gaining rather then losing weight. Sometime it is tricky trying to figure out what an ideal weight for your child is. You can refer to growth charts. Checking with a health care professional is also a good idea.

Of course if your child is significantly overweight he or she will not only want to not gain weight but they will want to actually lose weight. This means your child will have to increase the amount of calories burned and or decrease the amount of calories consumed. Usually a combination of the two is most effective.

One way you can help your child is by making he or she aware of the calorie values of food. Often a lot of calories can be eliminated just by limiting the amount of soda and juice a child drinks. Even too much milk can impact weight although milk is an important part of the diet. A child generally needs about 16 to 24 ounces of milk per day. More then that can help pack on extra weight.

It is common knowledge that fast food is packed with calories. Resist the urge to pull through the drive through more than once per week. Portion size can also be a problem for overweight children. Helping your child to eat normal versus super size portions can help them lose unwanted weight while still enjoying a variety of foods.

Never tell your child he or she needs to clean their plate. Forcing a child to do so while not allowing them to learn to stop eating when they are full are habits that are hard to break. Encourage your child to eat slowly at the dinner table with the family. Enjoying family meals is a good time to catch up on everyone's activities and while parents have the chance to model healthy eating behavior. Eating while watching TV is not recommended since an individual may not be aware of the quantity consumed.

Finally encourage activity by taking family walks or bike rides. Learn a new sport like tennis, bat mitten, golf, skating or skiing. Give your children the opportunity to play team sports or take lessons in sports they show an interest in. It is never a bad idea to have available sports and exercise equipment or join a local fitness center.

You can help your child lose weight by preparing 2 week meal plans in advance. All of the meals should be discussed with your child and agreed upon. Using short reachable goals will help the child see their progress much faster, keep them motivated and have them ready for the next 2 week plan.

Jeanne Simmons has worked in the weight loss industry as a Nurse Practitioner and Therapist for many years.

Read more about Jeanne here where she has informative and interesting information and to read about the weight loss plan she uses and recommends to her clients.

Strip That Fat

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