HowToDoThings.com Recent Nutrition Articles

How To Eat Healthy

marcalex — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:37:00 -0500

Eating healthy is the first step to being healthy. If you are ready to get your health and your food habits back on track, keep reading. Follow these steps and you will have a guide for eating healthy for life.

How To Eat Healthy at a Holiday Party

3100 Caldera Blvd — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:54:20 -0500

How To Lose 5 Pounds in 5 Weeks

teen — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:01:27 -0500

When starting a weight loss plan, most people start with big hopes such as losing thirty pounds in six weeks or fifty pounds in ninety days. This expectation is promised by fad diets everywhere yet leaves most dieters doomed to failure. Try setting a more reasonable small goal at the start, such as to lose five pounds in five weeks.

Materials:
Weights for strength training
Water bottle

How To Feel Like Eating Breakfast First Thing in the Morning

teen — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:57:51 -0500

If your morning is a frantic rush to get everyone out the door in time, eating breakfast may not make it to the top of your to-do list. Forcing yourself to slurp down cereal or a piece of fruit while running out the door may upset your stomach, and have you avoiding bothering with breakfast. If you want to eat breakfast first thing in the morning, try these steps.

How To Increase Metabolism

Cassandra — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:14:59 -0500

Metabolism slows for several reasons including age, inactivity and in response to different medications or dietary habits. If a sluggish metabolism is keeping you from your ideal weight or energy level, there is something you can do. Follow these steps and you can increase your metabolism.

How To Spend Less Money on Groceries

JuliaHavey — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:07:42 -0500

As gas prices -- and everything else -- have jumped, people are looking for ways to spend less money. Unfortunately one of the things that people frequently do is to skimp on the foods they NEED to ensure optimal health, and instead opt for less expensive foods with little to no nutritional value.

I heard an ad today on the radio and almost crashed my car, it made me so upset: "I can't control the rising prices, especially gas... but I am in charge of my family's food budget and I make sure we don't skimp on getting a filling dinner they need. That's why I buy Hamburger Helper." Families do not NEED Hamburger Helper; they NEED whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and water.

Hamburger Helper is cheap, but not healthy. Here's an inexpensive plan to help families have both cost-effective and healthy nutrition:

How To Drink More Water

Mikey — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:59:14 -0500

We’ve all heard how important it is to drink water. The amount that is most often recommended is eight 8-ounce glasses, for a total of 64 ounces each day. Staring at 8 glasses of water each day tends to be intimidating and causes most people difficulty in reaching their daily goal. Try a few of the tricks below and you will be gulping down your daily goal with no problem.

Materials:
32-ounce water bottle
Lemon or lime juice
Water

How To Avoid BPA

Sommer — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:00:14 -0500

How To Apply the Healing Benefits of Raw Food

angiekennedy — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:11:59 -0600

The benefits of raw food include the improvement of bloating, PMS, fatigue, immune system function, wrinkles, over-active appetite, aches and pains, diabetes, thyroid function, hypertension, cellulite, weight issues and general well-being. While the results take a bit of time, the journey can be just as exciting as the destination!

How to include more raw food every day:

How To Eat Your Way To SENSATIONAL Sex!

Lorats1 — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:48:47 -0600

Face it. When I say, “FOOD and SEX” most people’s naughty little minds go straight to their own version of the movie “9 ½ Weeks.” I mean, who wouldn’t, right? I have to admit, put those two words together, and my mind wanders straight into strawberries, blindfolds and a tub full of warm, chocolate pudding… OK, maybe that’s just me.

But, there’s a LOT more to the whole food / sex relationship than just smothering it all over each other’s bodies.

Instead of screwing each other, you could be screwing yourself by WHAT you ARE or AREN’T putting in that lovely little pie hole of yours….

Think about it.

Ever felt like you sex drive is in park?

Do you ever feel just so damn tired that the idea of sex is right up there on the FUN SCALE with sliding down a fifty foot razor blade?

Has your partner become more romantically involved with the TV remote than with you?

How To Lift Your Mood Without Food

andrea_albright — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:15:07 -0600

Do you turn to food when you are feeling down, depressed or just a little "blah"? Well, you are not alone.

I used to run to the kitchen every time I got a sinking feeling in my heart or felt any kind of emotional or mental pain. I knew that the food would take me out of that "blah" depressed state and would lift my mood temporarily... or sometimes I wouldn't even be that aware of it... one minute feeling "blah", the next minute I'm sitting on the couch staring down at an empty container of Ben and Jerry's and I have no idea how it even happened... But then I would have to deal with the intense cravings, the sugar crash and the guilt over what I had done.

How To Eat Healthily at a Holiday Party

andrea_albright — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:46:31 -0600

Everyone loves a good holiday party. It's a great time to socialize with your friends and celebrate the season, but many women at this time of year give up on trying to lose weight and use it as an excuse to pig out. This can leave you feeling guilty the next day and make it harder to lose weight because you'll be fighting against intense sugar cravings and extra pounds long after the partying is over.

There is a way to enjoy the holiday season and celebrate with your friends, family and loved ones without pigging out and then feeling guilty the next day. Follow these tips and you'll be way ahead of yourself when you make your New Year's commitment to lose weight.

How To Prevent or Heal Osteoporosis

freepam — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 15:14:44 -0500

Women in the U.S. are diagnosed with bone problems, first osteopenia and then osteoporosis, more than in any other country in the world. Most doctors recommend bisphosphonate drugs, but there are many easy non-drug alternatives that can make your bones much stronger with no side effects.

How To Use Healthy Fats in Your Cooking

Endemann — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:41:37 -0500

By using healthy fats in your cooking, you can lower your family's blood cholesterol, provide them with a great source of long-lasting energy, and make foods taste great. Since healthy polyunsaturated fats, such as omega-3 fats, can go rancid from oxygen plus heat, you need to know how to choose the right fats for your recipes. The goal is to use a variety of healthy fats without damaging them.

How To Curb Your Cravings

Gaëlle du Plessis — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:18:16 -0500

You know them, those little gnawing feelings inside your stomach, the feeling you 'need' something to eat. I take this opportunity to ask some questions and throw out some answers that may very well mean the end to your cravings.

Do not starve yourself. Studies have shown that when going on a diet that is too low in calories, people tend to get worse food cravings and to become preuccupied with food.
Drink water. Dehydration is often confused with hunger.
Don't be too hard on yourself. By eating your favorite treats from time to time, you can control those big cravings that arise when you deny yourself those favorite foods.
Keep track of what you eat, like a food diary. This will help you identify your eating patterns and cravings.

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How To Harness the Health Benefits of Probiotics

Staff468 — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:52:50 -0500

Supplementing your diet with bacteria… sounds kind of crazy in our age of antibacterial and antimicrobial cleansers, right? But by some accounts, it won’t be long before we’re all using these microorganic supplements called probiotics in our diets. Many of us have been consuming probiotics in food for years without knowing it. Europeans and Japanese have been consciously consuming probiotics for many years, and the enthusiasm for probiotics is beginning to sweep through America. So what are probiotics, and how exactly can they improve your health and quality of life?

How To Overcome a Food Addiction

Staff468 — Mon, 07 May 2007 19:19:00 -0500

What's that heavenly smell wafting down the street? Maybe it's pizza, or perhaps donuts or barbecue. Wouldn't you give your right arm for some of that divinely smoked meat? Wouldn't you pawn your wedding ring for just a slender slice of the pizza pie? When there's a hot pizza in front of you, it's hard to say no to one more slice, even after you're stuffed to the point of bursting at the seams. Believe it or not, if this sounds familiar, you may be a food addict.

The notion of food addiction is often met with incredulity. Most consider "addiction" to be a word only applicable to serious drugs like alcohol, nicotine and meth. But this perception of food as being harmless makes an addiction to it all the easier to deemphasize and, consequently, all the more dangerous.

How To Learn About Acai

Staff468 — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:17:00 -0500

The Açai berry, pronounced ah-sigh-ee, comes from the Açai palm native to the Amazonian rainforests. The Açai tree is the same tree that yields the heart of palm sometimes used in salads. The Açai berry itself is small, round and blackish-purple. Because they deteriorate rapidly after being picked, Açai berries used to be available only in the Amazon region. Now Açai berries are usually juiced or made into a fruit pulp that gets dried, frozen or freeze-dried before transport and then used in a variety of beverages, including juice blends and smoothies, as well as in supplements and other food products.

Here is some information about the benefits of the products and supplements made from Açai berries:

How To Choose Seafood

Staff468 — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:44:00 -0500

Maybe your doctor told you to limit yourself to one serving of red meat per week. Maybe you're looking for a way to satisfy your desire for meat on Fridays without really eating "meat" (you're Catholic and it's Lent). You might be trying out the South Beach diet. Or maybe you're proactively looking for a good way to improve your overall health by making smarter dietary choices. Seafood is a good solution in all of the aforementioned scenarios and more.

However, due to some of our industrial practices, we find ourselves facing the tragic pollution of our oceans. As a result, seafood - an otherwise healthful food source - is becoming increasingly questionable. Here are some tips for utilizing seafood's nourishing potential without incurring possible health issues as a result.

How To Know If Food Is Gluten Free

Samantha533 — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 19:23:00 -0600

Reading food labels is an important part of living gluten free. Unless you know what to look for, this can be extremely difficult. There are many ingredients that can fool you. Below are some tips that can help make this task easier.

Look for the words "gluten free." Look on the front of the packaging and the side panels. It is not always in the same place from product to product. If you see the words "gluten free," you know you are in the clear.
Watch out for the words "wheat free." Wheat free does not mean gluten free. Often oats are used in place of the wheat when this claim is made.

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How To Know How Much Protein is Right for Your Diet

Mary311 — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 16:15:00 -0600

Protein is a necessary part of any diet, but many people do not understand just how much protein they need to consume each day. Protein consists of amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscle. Adequate consumption of protein daily is necessary to maintain, repair and build muscle. Without enough protein, this would not be possible. Protein is also necessary for good immune system health and creation of hormones, enzymes, skin, hair, nails and blood. Those who ingest deficient amounts of protein may have symptoms such as loss of hair or brittle nails. Those who wish to alter their physical appearance by losing fat or gaining muscle mass should often rely heavily on protein to assist them in fulfilling their goals. Muscle mass is denser than fat tissue and requires more calories than fat, which means increasing muscle mass will help to create a leaner and healthier physique. However, without adequate consumption of protein, it is not possible to build muscle.

How To Get Your Essential Fatty Acids

Staff468 — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 12:17:00 -0500

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) have become known as the "good" fats, and they perform many essential functions in the human body. Essential fatty acids cannot be made by the human body and must be procured via diet. EFAS can be broken down into two categories: Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids. Although there is an Omega-9 essential fatty acid, because the body can make Omega-9 on its own from other essential fatty acids, it is not considered one of the "essential fatty acids."

Omega-3 acid: There are three types of Omega-3 fatty acids that the body uses. The primary is alpha linolenic acid which the body converts into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and later, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) themselves are available in marine food sources.

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How To Clean Up Your Arteries by Controlling Fat in Your Diet

Staff468 — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 12:41:00 -0500

Although everyone seems more frightened by cancer, it is heart disease that is the number one killer of men and women alike in this country. One of the key risk factors for heart disease is an elevated blood cholesterol level. This is because cholesterol and fat attach to the walls of the coronary arteries (a process known as atherosclerosis), narrowing them and reducing the flow of blood and nutrients to the heart.

Angina, or chest pain, happens when reduced blood flow starves the heart of oxygen. If the blood supply is completely cut off, you will experience a heart attack. Similarly, if narrowed vessels cut off the blood supply to the brain, you will experience a stroke. Here are a few things you should know about how you can clean up your arteries by controlling the fat and cholesterol in your diet:

How To Know How Many Fruits and Vegetables You Should Eat Each Day

Staff468 — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 08:45:00 -0500

Your mother was right. You should eat your fruits and vegetables. OK, so maybe the "it will make you big and strong" part was not entirely accurate, but people who eat generous portions of fruits and vegetables as part of a well-balanced diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic disease compared to those who eat smaller amounts. Fruits and vegetables also provide vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, and are low in fat and calories and high in fiber and water content.

But how do you know how many fruits and vegetables you should eat each day?

How To Understand Antioxidants

Staff468 — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 13:46:00 -0500

To understand anti-oxidants, you'll need to understand free radicals, and how well you understand free radicals may depend upon how well you did in high school chemistry! Let's review.

Your body is made of cells, cells are composed of molecules, and molecules consist of atoms chemically bonded together.
An atom prefers a state of stability, in which its outer shell is full with eight electrons. (Remember those electrons that orbit the nucleus?) When an atom has an outer shell with fewer than eight electrons, it will either lose or gain electrons to try to empty or fill its outer shell. The atom can also bond with another atom in order to share the electrons in its outer shell and thus fill the outer shells of both atoms simultaneously.

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How To Understand Flavonoids

Staff468 — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 14:42:00 -0500

If you've never heard of flavonoids or have never been certain what they are, you're in for a healthy treat. No, flavonoids aren't the devoted followers of VH1's hit show about rapper/TV personality Flavor Flav. And they aren't the name of a group of intergalactic trenchermen either, if you believe the government. The truth about flavonoids is even more spectacular, and a solid understanding of them could dramatically change your life...

What are flavonoids? Vitamins get all the attention, while flavonoids quietly work their wonders.

How To Be Vegan

Sharon423 — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 21:11:00 -0500

A vegan is a strict vegetarian who eats plant products only--no animal products or animal byproducts. That means in addition to not eating red meat, poultry, and fish, vegans also do not eat dairy products or eggs. Many, but not all, vegans avoid honey also.

Motivations for being vegan vary by individual, but typically they are either the result of wanting to eat a healthier diet, religiously focused, or based on a desire to reduce animal suffering. For some individuals, a combination of these reasons might apply. Regardless of why you want to be vegan, there are several things you can do to facilitate your transition to following a vegan diet.

How To Learn About Vegetarian Nutrition

Cheryl376 — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 03:58:00 -0500

If you've decided that you'd like to be a vegetarian, then congratulations! Eating a vegetarian diet can be a healthy, nutritious, and delicious way to live. Depending on the type of vegetarian you choose to become, though, there may be gaps in your dietary needs. It's important that vegetarians learn how to become protectors of their own health by becoming experts in vegetarian nutrition. The following steps will help you learn how.

Learn the differences between types of vegetarians: Most people think of vegetarians as people who don't eat meat, but that's oversimplifying vegetarianism. Some vegetarians don't eat meat, such as beef or poultry, but do eat eggs and/or dairy products. Vegetarians also may or may not eat seafood products. Finally, some vegetarians do not eat any animal products whatsoever. This type of diet, called a vegan diet, needs the most careful dietary planning.

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How To Learn About Sports Nutrition

Mary311 — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 13:50:00 -0500

Sports nutrition is a phenomenon which is relatively new to many people. Most people are more familiar with popular diets which promote weight loss, weight maintenance or muscle growth and do not realize that there are similar diets for those who require heightened energy levels for sports performance. Endurance athletes such as marathon runners and Ironman distance triathletes are just a few examples of athletes who have special dietary concerns. A marathon consists of a 26.2 mile run and an Ironman triathlon consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride followed by a 26.2 mile run. It should be evident from these distances that events of this nature require special dietary and nutritional considerations. The following steps will help you to learn more about sports nutrition:

How To Learn About Healthy Nutrition

Mary311 — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 13:29:00 -0500

Learning about healthy nutrition is something we all may be interested in but few people realize that learning about nutrition isn't very complicated. In a society plagued with obesity and riddled with new diets and theories on food consumption, it is understandable why many people are somewhat confused about the topic of healthy eating. This article will feature guidelines for how the average citizen can learn more about how to eat healthier every day.

How To Learn About Bodybuilding Nutrition

Cheryl376 — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 17:38:00 -0500

When you start lifting weights or bodybuilding, your nutritional needs change. You're trying to bulk up by building muscle mass, so you need a lot of protein and potassium in your diet. You're also sweating a lot, so you need to replace the salt and other electrolytes that you're losing. But when you walk into your local sports nutrition store, the choices are overwhelming. Where should you go for good advice on what to eat to help you gain muscle?

Ask Your Trainer: If you work out in a gym, then your trainer is one of the best people to go to for advice on what to eat as you try to bulk up. Personal trainers study sports nutrition in school, so they can help you choose between supplements and groceries. Not only that, but your trainer will also help you choose what to eat based on your workout goals, and can help you figure out how many calories to eat.

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How To Choose Potassium Rich Foods

Brianna221 — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 09:53:00 -0500

Before we talk about how to get more potassium into your diet, let's quickly touch on why you should. First of all, your heart simply won't beat without potassium -- that's kind of a big deal. Secondly, even if a hottie on the subway manages to get your heart going, your muscles won't move without potassium, so you won't even be able to chase her. Thirdly, even if you manage to run her down, you probably won't have to strength to put together a declarative sentence and ask her out on a date, as potassium shortage impairs your cellular processes and weakens you considerably.

Convinced that potassium is a necessary part of your day? Okay. So now, how the heck do you eat more of it? You've got lots of options:

How To Create a Healthy Diet

Kathy315 — Thu, 25 May 2006 10:23:00 -0500

So you want to begin eating more healthily but don't know where to start? Seems like the subject of diet and nutrition gets more and more confusing each day. News reports surface that contradict old reports about what's healthy and what's not. Luckily, the science of nutrition and what your body needs to stay strong isn't as complex as you might think.

First off, let's establish that there are six basic essentials in the diet that the body requires to function well (and to live for that matter). Those six things are:

Protein,
Carbohydrates,
Fats,
Vitamins (our body needs 13 vitamins),
Minerals (our body needs 22 minerals), and
Water.

Science has also recently discovered thousands of compounds in plant foods called phytochemicals, which, while your body does not require these to live, it does require them to live more healthily and to help prevent disease.

How To Evaluate Nutrition Bars

Kathy315 — Thu, 25 May 2006 09:38:00 -0500

With dozens of selections, and over one billion dollars in sales yearly, the nutrition bar business is booming. Consumers are inundated with messages and marketing schemes that seem to promise that "just one bite" will raise energy, build your muscles, help you lose weight or provide the nutritional panacea that will make your diet complete.

"Energy Bars" were originally designed for high performance athletes as a quick calorie or sugar boost to keep muscles fueled during high intensity or endurance workouts. Now, it seems that your soccer mom, desk worker or light to moderate exerciser uses these products as part of a daily dietary staple. There are two definitive statements when it comes to nutrition bars in general: 1) ignore the hype and the marketing claims - they're usually unfounded, and 2) well-rounded meals with nutritious foods are always better.

How To Choose More Healthy Food

Victoria116 — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 11:06:00 -0500

If you snack on junk food and eat convenience foods on a regular basis, you probably already know that you need to change your eating habits. A diet of unhealthy foods can take its toll on your body over time, so it's important to make changes to your diet now. Here are some guidelines that you can follow in your quest to choose more healthy food:

Follow the food pyramid. The Food and Drug Administration's food pyramid has been revamped over the past few years. But even though it has changed with the times, the underlying principle has always been the same: eat more whole foods and eat less fats and sweets. If you adapt the principles of the food pyramid into your lifestyle, you will find it easier to choose healthier foods.

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How To Choose Low Cholesterol Foods

Victoria116 — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 14:41:00 -0500

High cholesterol is a health concern for many people. While heredity does play a role in high cholesterol numbers, diet and exercise can greatly help in reducing those numbers. Ready to change your diet? Here are some tips on how to choose low cholesterol foods:

Shop the outer perimeter of the grocery store. The outer walls of the grocery store are usually the place to find the healthiest foods. First stop: the produce aisle, where you can load up on naturally cholesterol-free fruits and vegetables. Don't just pick out the same old items like bananas and tomatoes -- opt for a variety of produce selections like blueberries, raspberries, mango, zucchini, red and green peppers, kiwi and avocados. Avocados in particular are known for containing the healthy fats which can help to raise your HDL (your "good" cholesterol). Load up on garlic -- another cholesterol-lowering miracle food.

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How To Use the Food Pyramid

Heather166 — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 18:10:00 -0500

The food guide pyramid may not look the same as you remember it. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently revamped it to be more accurate and user friendly. Here is a handy guide to understanding the new food pyramid.

Grains-The orange portion on the very left hand side of the pyramid is the section dedicated to grains. A minimum of 3 oz. of whole grains are recommended per day for the average adult. Grains come in the form of bread, cereal, rice, pasta, and crackers, to name a few. It is important to choose "whole" grains to give you the most health benefits.

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How To Read Nutrition Information Labels

Heather166 — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 07:13:00 -0500

The Food and Drug Administration requires all companies who package food to include nutritional labels on the packaging. While the labels are meant to be easy for everyone to read, they can be confusing and tricky at times. Here are some tips about how to correctly read a nutrition label.

Serving Size-Nutrition labels are perhaps the most confusing when it comes to serving size. The main thing to keep in mind is that the label does not base its numbers on the entire package. Instead, the numbers and percentages are based on what is considered a serving size. The very top of a label will tell you how much is in one serving and how many servings are in the package. For example, a 20 oz. beverage really has about 2.5 servings in the entire container. If you sit down and drink the entire thing, you need to multiply all of the numbers on the label by 2.5 in order to figure out how much you have had.

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