Pears originated in Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, and have been part of the human diet since the Stone Age. The first pear tree in the U.S. was planted in 1620. Fresh or cooked, pears can help you meet your daily fiber and vitamin C needs....
Different body types means distinctive approaches are needed in the battle of the bulge, especially the belly bulge. People's bodies generally fall into one of four main types; pear, apple, ruler and shapely. Each of these types store fat in...
A high complex carbohydrate diet is essential for endurance athletes running marathons or partaking in triathlons, but you are probably eating a high complex carbohydrate diet if three-fourths of all your meals are full of rice, pasta, bread,...
Carbohydrates, or carbs, are an important component of a healthy diet. They provide energy for physical activity, muscle growth and proper organ and cognitive functions. The USDA recommends that 45 to 65 percent of your daily calories come from...
If you are addicted to carbohydrates, you may have a problem with weight control. Instead of binging on unhealthy carbs, such as candy and soft drinks, you can eat healthier carbohydrates in moderation, such as fruits and whole grains, to lose...
Losing weight fast, naturally and free often entails changes in diet and physical activity. By simply reducing the number of calories you eat each day, coupled with increases in energy expenditure, you can set the stage for weight loss. But how...
Carbohydrates, along with protein and fat, are macronutrients, meaning your body needs them in large amounts. When you eat carbs, your blood sugar levels elevate and your pancreas releases insulin to stabilize them. Carbs that are called "simple"...
A slowly digestible carb is one that is slowly absorbed by the body after consumption. Slow-absorption foods are also known as low glycemic index foods. These foods cause a modest rise in blood glucose levels and allow a smooth return to normal...
Bananas, apples and pears provide you with energy, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Low in fat, these fruits can serve as part of your everyday meals or as healthy snacks in a well-balanced nutrition plan. Seek the advice of your health care...
Fruits are often associated with losing weight. This is because fruits are low in calories and are bulky in volume, meaning you get full and stay full longer without having consumed any fat. However, because of their carbohydrate makeup, eating...
The traditional way of dividing carbohydrates was a distinction between simple and complex carbohydrates based on the number of sugars at the molecular level. The glycemic index has largely replaced this approach because some simple carbs like...
Many meal plans adjust macro-nutrient ratios to inhibit fat storage and speed up fat burning. For example, simply spreading your calories out over six smaller meals can rev up your metabolism to burn more fat, stabilize blood sugar and suppress...
Elevated cholesterol levels put you at risk for plaque formation on your arterial walls. The end result of this can be a heart attack, stroke and possibly death. Reduce your cholesterol levels or prevent them from becoming elevated in the first...
Caloric energy comes in three forms: as carbohydrates, protein and fat. As an athlete, you should be getting about 55 to 60 percent of your calories from carbohydrates (then 10 to 15 percent from protein and the rest from fat). There's more to...
Dietary fiber is a substance that does not get broken down in the body. It comes in the form of soluble and insoluble and both types serve different purposes. Insoluble fiber moves bulk through the intestines and prevents constipation, and soluble...
Carbohydrates have a mixed reputation among dieters and health-conscious diners. If you number among the low-carb crowd and are looking for a means of further reducing your carbohydrate intake, targeting your beverages is a good tactic. While you...
If you're one of the millions of diabetics that the American Diabetes Association estimates is learning how to manage your blood glucose, making wise nutrition choices is not only the key to staying healthy but it can literally save your life....
You are what you eat, and this common phrase is seldom more literal in meaning than when you are engaged in a strength-training routine of body resistance exercises or workouts at the gym. Exploring the impact of nutrition from a balanced diet on...
Many diets today are based on the idea that not all carbohydrates are the same, and that eating "slow carbohydrates" is better for blood-sugar control and weight loss than other types of carbohydrates. Slow carbohydrates are those that digest...
Diabetes increases your risk for developing many other chronic diseases, including heart disease. Your chances worsen if your blood glucose is not in control. Everything you eat contributes to your blood glucose, so choose your foods carefully....
Carbohydrates are complex nutrients that are not all the same. The Glycemic Index, or GI is a way to describe the difference between carbs according to their effect on blood sugar levels. Fiber has an important role in managing blood sugar...
Your muscles are a composition of fibers that contract when stimulated. The process by which they increase in size is called hypertrophy. Muscle growth is dependent on a three-part process: exercise, nutrition and rest. Exercising not only assists...
Carbohydrates, with the exception of fiber, are the body's most readily available source of energy. Carbohydrates also play a crucial role in digestion, allowing the body to utilize the vitamins and minerals found in this macronutrient. Almost...
During the 19th century, the English had a proverb that read, "Every cloud has a silver lining." This sentiment applies to the plight of fats and carbs in the U.S. Emerging from the claims that fats and carbs are bad comes the knowledge that some...
If you have to unbutton your pants after a meal and gain a few inches around your waist after eating some foods, even when you do not eat large amounts of foods, your abdominal distension might be the result of some food intolerances. Some carbs...
All foods containing carbohydrates can elevate your blood glucose levels. Both starches and sugars are broken down into glucose and result in an increase in your blood sugar levels after a meal. However, fiber, which is also part of the total...
Losing weight begins with healthy eating. Any weight-loss plan that ignores nutrition is doomed to ultimate failure, even if it provides some short-term relief from stuck zippers. Feeding the body what it craves --- all the macronutrients and...
Foods that fall on the lower side of the glycemic index---typically below 55 on a scale of 0 to 100---tend to be healthy choices for those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes or for people trying to stick to foods that are more filling and may help you...
According to Dr. Robert Atkins, the late best-selling author of diet books, digestible carbohydrates are the primary cause of obesity. This conclusion is at odds with numerous medical experts who have based their dietary recommendations on the...
