Are you getting enough protein?

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Make your own high protein bread. 
Adding protein to your diet is a simple thing to do. For those of us who do not eat animal products the addition of a few nuts several times a day will do the trick.

When adding protein to our diet many of us enjoy beans as a compliment to a meal. This will surely take care of most protein needs, however-what if you do not want to eat beans with each meal?

Wheat and other grains can contain protein. Read packages so that you know what you are eating. It is true that the human body will make a certain amount of protein when fed correctly. The problem here is that most of us do not eat what we should and will pay the price at some point.

If you are a meat eater or use dairy products getting enough protein should not be an issue.

How much protein do you typically need? A person who weighs 150 pounds should get around 55 grams of proteins daily. Someone who weighs 200 pounds needs about 74 grams of protein.

One way to add protein to your day if you are not a meat eater is by using a soy based protein powder. If you can tolerate soy (and not everyone can) this can be added to beverages or recipes to increase your protein intake.

Why should you care about adding protein to your diet? If you do not get enough protein your body will begin to use YOU as the source of  protein. This will begin to happen within a day or two of missing protein. It is thought that this is why many older adults have more body fat even when they do not weigh too much.

To get enough protein adding breads and cereals that are higher in protein to your daily menu may help. Don't forget that fruit does contain some protein, while vegetables are higher in protein. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables daily may be your answer.


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Are colorful foods better for us?

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 Do you think eating foods for health will make a difference? Think about this:

When it comes to foods for health, color may be the key. Those who believe in color therapy claim the color purple is healing. Seeing the color on a daily basis is thought to help us feel better.Other colors are important too.

Why are the colors of  foods important? Most of us already know that the darker the color of a food the more nutrients they contain. The pigments in a carrot or red pepper do make a difference. Antioxident levels are higher in such foods as are levels of beta caratene. So why not eat foods that have rich colors and be one step ahead by possibly ensuring better health with colorful foods.

White foods-breads, pastas-anything that is bleached or processed to death is of no value. We are now able to find all foods, including cereals, pastas and breads made with whole grains. There is no reason to continue eating what is basically glue, and of no benefit to us.

Foods for health that you may want to add if you don't already include these would be brocolli, Brussells sprouts and dark green salads. These can be spinach, kale, romaine-they're all good.

Adding foods for health if you are not into eating well can be a challenge. You may have to add a little fruit and vegetables at a time until you are eating enough to feel a difference. And you will feel a difference if you switch from worthless, empty calorie foods to whole foods.

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Lowering Blood Pressure With Food

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If you have been told you have high blood pressure, you may want to consider using food to solve your problem. Prescription medication may help, but you might not want to deal with the side effects. Foods may help you without side effects.

Fresh vegetables are a good choice. Once you have been told you have high blood pressure, have a discussion with your doctor about dietary changes. Ask for a list of foods that will help you, and a list of foods to avoid. Also, do some research about the subject. With the internet available, there is no reason not to be informed.

Shop for fresh vegetables, considering only the ones you will actually eat. If they are going to sit on a kitchen counter to spoil, they can't help you! Celery is thought to be especially helpful. However, studies show that the more vegetables and fruits consumed by a person, the less likely blood pressure issues occur.


Shop for fresh fruits. If you can't find what you are looking for in the produce section, consider frozen. Try to eat fruit before each meal. Oranges, cantaloupes, strawberries and bananas are considered good choices. Yet, all fruits are good for you.

Substitute plain water for drinks that can contain a lot of salt and sugar. If you absolutely can't enjoy plain water, add some flavoring at home. Commercial products are not only expensive, these drinks often include chemical additives most of us can't even pronounce.

If you are not in the habit of eating fruits and vegetables daily, here is one way to start: Have a small amount of fresh fruit before breakfast and lunch. Have a small salad before dinner. As this becomes a habit, add more fruits and vegetables. As time passes, consider eating only fruit and vegetables 1 or 2 days each week.

Keep a close check on what you are putting into your body that could raise your blood pressure. Adding condiments that are full of salt can undo your efforts. Read labels.

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Is a vegan lifestyle for you?

 

If you have seriously considered living as a vegan, there may be some things you need to know. Many have become vegan for reasons you might not expect. You don't need a particular reason to eat this way-if it is your preference, just do it.

The first thing you might do if you would like to eat as a vegan is go through your home and remove foods that you will not be using. Some feel they should finish what is on hand, as they are slowly adding more vegetables and fruits. In today's economy, your budget may demand this.

Next, you will want to be sure you have plenty of the right food choices in your home before you begin. Vegetables, fruits, whole grain pasta, nuts, seeds, and just about anything you like that is not an animal product can be used. Whether you are going it alone, or with other family members, you do not want to be without the choices you need. If the entire family is doing this, your life will be less complicated.

After purchasing the foods you have decided will help you remain on track, consider how you will prepare them. If you do not know anything about vegan recipes, you will find plenty of information on the internet. For most, it's fairly easy. Fresh vegetables and fruits need no preparation other than cleaning, and slicing. If this is the way you prefer your foods, meals will be easy. You can try casserole recipes you normally make, replacing animal products with beans or vegetables that you like. You might surprise yourself with some great new meal ideas.


Nuts, seeds, and fruits make easy vegan snacks or meals. Be sure to include enough nuts, beans, and other proteins in your diet. Look for recipes to make cereals, and breads. You may be surprised to see not only how easy it is to make these items, but how inexpensive homemade is compared to sugary boxed products.


Use items purchased in a grocery store to prepare vegan meals. All packaged foods can be replaced with natural products. Larger grocery stores , such as Ingles, and Publix, carry most of the items you once only found in local health food stores. Check your area for food cooperatives that order organic foods in bulk so that all can benefit.


Be prepared to have people try to argue the point that you have to eat the way they do to live. Remember, it is about choice-and your choice is your business. Be certain you are eating enough, and eating a variety of foods. Great information is available at www.vegan.org. Look for other internet sites that point you in the right direction.

Eating as a vegan may cause you to loose unwanted pounds. You may also notice your skin and hair looks better. Could it be from all the nutrients in the fruits and vegetables you are consuming?


While you are adjusting to not having animal products on your plate, think about other areas of your life where animal products are used. What about your leather furniture, and clothing made from animals. This is another personal choice, but if you call yourself vegan, you not only want to rid your home of those items when you can, but personal products as well. You may be surprised to find lotions, shampoos, tooth paste, and body wash sometimes contain animal products. Read the labels. Manufacturers can include an ingredient we can't identify in a product, and we find we have purchased something we don't want to use.

If you find a vegan menu is just not for you, but you feel strongly about not eating animal flesh, maybe you should include milk and eggs in your plan. Lacto ovo vegetarians eat milk products, such as yogurt, and cheese. They also eat eggs, and use them in recipes. It's your life. You decide.



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Vegan Living

Many think living as a vegan must be hard to do. Actually, I think people who don't live vegan have a harder time. All the meal prep involved with cooking foods can become a little tedious I would guess.

Living vegan just means you don't eat or use animal products. Instead of have to kill a chicken, you can just eat an apple or a banana, have a few nuts, and call it breakfast.Vegans do not use animal products in any form, including for clothing or skin and hair care.

Someone incorrectly think you must eat animal protein. Actually the human body does just fine without animal products. Read Genesis 1:29, and you may see why.

Most vegans do not care what others eat, they just don't want meat, dairy, etc. It doesn't always have to do with health issues, although I know many who became vegan for health reasons. For many it is just a matter of preference. I for one have never been a fan of meat, but tolerated fish and poulty for years. Eventually I felt it was time to abandon that ship too!

What do vegans eat? Most eat the same things you do, just without the animal products. So, if you are having a turkey sandwich with lettuce and tomato, a vegan will skip the turkey. So simple.