Beware of fat-free trap

Low-fat or fat-free make good alternatives to the full-fat versions.

However, sometimes these products contain as many or even more calories than the original product.

Before you dive into a whole box of fat-free chocolate chip cookies, make sure you read the entire label on the box. Manufactures often replace the fat in the original version with large amounts of sugar. The same rules apply to low-carbohydrate and zero-calorie foods.

Remember if it sounds too good to be true, read the label!

Detoxification

Detoxification is a treatment in alternative medicine which proponents claim rid the body of accumulated harmful substances that exert a negative effect on individual health.

Detox diets are dietary plans regarded as having detoxifying effects. "Detox" diets usually suggest that water, or fruits and vegetables compose a majority of one's food intake. Limiting this to unprocessed foods is often advocated. Limiting or eliminating alcohol is also a major factor, and drinking more water is similarly recommended.

Some proponents of detox diets emphasize it as a lifestyle rather than a diet. Others have touted spiritual and psychological benefits of regular detox dieting.

Beware when buying cut-fruit

A 10 year old boy, had eaten pineapple about 15 days back, and fell sick, from the day he had eaten. Later when he had his health check done, doctors diagnosed that he had AIDS. His parents couldn't believe it. Then the entire family under went a check-up, none of them suffered from Aids. So the doctors checked again with the boy if he had eaten out. The boy said "yes". He had pineapple that evening. Immediately a group from Malaya Hospital went to the pineapple vendor to check. They found the pineapple seller had a cut on his finger while cutting the pineapple, his blood had spread into the fruit. When they had his blood checked, the guy was suffering from AIDS but he himself was NOT aware. Unfortunately the boy is suffering from it now.

Please take care while you eat on the road side.

Drink low-fat hi-cal milk

If you drink milk, switch from whole milk to 1 percent fat.

Studies show calcium-rich dairy products can help adjust your body's fat-burning machinery and help you lose weight. But you don't need the extra fat.

If you drink 8 ounces of milk each day, and all you do is switch from whole milk to 1 percent, you'll save enough calories to lose 5 pounds in a year. That's pretty effortless.

What to eat for a slimmer tummy

Researchers have found that women put on more fat around their midsection as they get older -- and if you're stressed, overweight or menopausal, your waistline is more likely to balloon. But that's not to say a poochy tummy is inevitable with age: Couple cardio and core exercises with a sensible eating plan and you can stay trim and look fab, say health experts. With these belly-friendly diet tips, you'll be empowered to beat the flab.

• Up your fiber intake. A recent Danish study found that women who ate more fiber gained less weight with age, particularly around their middle, than women on low-fiber diets. So how much fiber should you aim to take? 25 to 30 grams a day, recommend experts. Good sources include fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.
  

• Eat frequently. Stress causes weight gain because when you're often anxious or feeling overwhelmed, your body produces stress hormones like cortisol, which encourages the storage of fat in the abdomen. Studies have shown that hunger can trigger the same effect and send cortisol in overdrive, leading to an expanding waistline. To keep your hunger under control, eat five or six smaller meals instead of three main meals.
  

• Cut back on salt. Sodium causes your body to retain fluids. That's why a diet high in sodium can result in a bloated stomach as well as raise your blood pressure. Stay away from high-sodium culprits such as processed and canned foods, and whenever possible add flavor to your foods with herbs and spices instead of salt.

Take it one day at a time

You'll have more success long-term if you gradually replace unhealthy, high-calorie foods with healthy foods.

If you're really having trouble kicking the burger, fries and soda habit, pick just one thing at time to kick. For example, order your normal meal, but toss out the bun. Or skip the fries. Switch the soda for water. Try that for a week or two, and all of a sudden you'll find you've changed a habit and eliminated a bunch of nasty calories.

Achieve one goal, then move on to the next to establish healthy habits for life.

Correct way of cooking instant noodles

The correct way to cook instant noodles without harming our bodies and health. Normally, how we cook the instant noodles is to put the noodles into a pot with water, throw in the powder and let it cook for around 3 minutes and then it's ready to eat.

This is the WRONG method of cooking the instant noodles.

By doing this, when we actually boil the ingredients in the powder, normally with MSG, it will change the molecular structures of the MSG causing it to be toxic.

The other thing that you may or may not realize is that, the noodles are coated with wax and it will take around 4 to 5 days for the body to excrete the wax after you have taken the noodles.

CORRECT METHOD :

1. Boil the noodles in a pot with water.
2. Once the noodles is cooked, take out the noodles, and throw away the water which contains wax .
3. Boil another pot of water till boiling and put the noodles into the hot boiling water and then shut the fire.
4. Only at this stage when the fire is off, and while the water is very hot, put the ingredient with the powder into the water, to make noodle soup.
5. However, if you need dry noodles, take out the noodles and add the ingredient with the powder and toss it to get dry noodles.

Walk or run with pedometer

Pedometers are useful tools for runners who are interested in tracking how many steps they are taking each day. With a few basic calculations a pedometer can also be used to determine the distance a person is running or walking each day.

The usefulness of a pedometer is largely based on the premise that taking 10,000 steps per day will help an individual to improve his overall health and live a longer and healthier life.

Statistical data has shown most people, especially those who work at jobs which require them to be sedentary for the majority of the day, do not take enough steps each day.

The use of a pedometer can provide the user with an accurate account of the number of steps they are taking each day and can help to inspire the user to find ways to incorporate more walking or running into the day.

What is Tuberculosis?

Hubby's grandpa is recently being called by the govt. clinic back for treatment after having a "spit" test. According to them, he is possible carrying TB. Before the blood test report out, they already started the treatment which include injection and medication.

I am checking out the detail about this disease and share with all of you.

Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or Tuberculosis) is a common and often deadly infectious disease. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs (as pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system, the lymphatic system, the circulatory system, the genitourinary system, the gastrointestinal system, bones, joints, and even the skin.

Symptoms include chest pain, coughing up blood, and a productive, prolonged cough for more than three weeks. Systemic symptoms include fever, chills, night sweats, appetite loss, weight loss, pallor, and often a tendency to fatigue very easily. Infection of other organs causes a wide range of symptoms.

The diagnosis relies on radiology (commonly chest X-rays), a tuberculin skin test, blood tests, as well as microscopic examination and microbiological culture of bodily fluids.

Tuberculosis treatment is difficult and requires long courses of multiple antibiotics. Contacts are also screened and treated if necessary.

Tuberculosis is spread through the air, when people who have the disease cough, sneeze, speak or spit.

Fruit yoghurts as snack

OFTEN when you are at a loss for what to have as a quick snack, chances are you would raid the refrigerator in search of something light and healthy.

Yoghurt, carrot or cucumber? Well, yoghurt would probably be the most appealing if you are watching your waistline.

Yes, fruit yoghurts are gaining popularity where chocolates and ice cream used to be snacking buddies, especially in households where good health is paramount.

It may not strike many as a great snack but those who read up medical journals or quick takes in the newspapers, magazines and even online articles would know the efficacy of yoghurt and how it helps maintain healthy flora in the gut with its friendly probiotics.

Fruit yoghurt is actually a very healthy snack and can be had for breakfast right up to supper, and in various flavours too.

The range of brands available in Malaysia is wide with a variety of foreign and local tags to choose from, and there is also a good number of flavours to select.

Natural yoghurt is available and in many forms as well, with the Swiss-style and Greek-style yoghurts being the most famous.

What is the difference between Swiss-style yoghurt and Greek-style yoghurt and how do we make the distinction?

Well, for one the original inventors of yoghurt were the Greeks, and theirs is a silky and velvety version eaten with fruit. In other words, this yoghurt is supple and not stiffened to hold its form.

On the other hand, the custard-style yoghurt that is more substantial and usually known as French or Swiss-style – or in manufacturing terms, laboratory products – is what most of us love as it is like custard with fruits suspended in it.

Deliciously sweet and creamy, this custard-like yoghurt can be had for dessert in place of cakes and flavoured further with the addition of fresh fruits in season or even berries.

One of the best selling, we feel, is peach melba – taken as an alternative to ice cream or as a yoghurt snack – it is refreshing and tasty. Delicious with a raspberry or straw-berry flavour and with bits of peach, this is actually one of the fool-proof flavours that would endear yoghurt to children and adults alike.

Other tasty flavours are strawberry, mango and kiwi fruit.

There are also variations in the way the yoghurts are presented. Some come with fruit puree, which is stirred into the yoghurt just before eating. Some use fruits which are already mixed in with the yoghurt.

For those who are on a sugar watch, the best way to enjoy good fruit yoghurt is to use natural yoghurt mixed with diabetic conserves and jam, and with added fresh fruits for flavour.

So, do try to add yoghurt to your daily meal for a healthier diet. If you do not like natural yoghurts, try the various types of fruit yoghurts available and then pick out your favourite.