THIN - Eating disorders - Part 1

Ways to Lose Weight Without Leaving the Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6159690

You might have the best of intentions to get fit and get that toned body you have always dreamt of, but if you are unable to leave the house to join the gym then it can feel like your dreams are slipping away from you. Luckily there are plenty of simple exercises that you can do at home to improve your fitness and your weight.

Push-ups are one of the best ways that you can tone and strengthen your upper body, and it is so easy to drop onto the floor and do a quick round at home. Push ups are also very versatile, and if you do not feel like doing the traditional push up from your toes alternatives include a simpler push up from the knees, or using a wall rather than the floor as your base. And if you are one of those people who dreads doing push ups, well, who is going to see you?

Another good exercise to try is crunches, which are great at strengthening your core muscles and abdominals. Crunches can feel like hard work, especially if you are trying to get your head all the way to your knees, and like push ups they are not a popular exercise form, but they are immediately effective at working your muscles, and you should be able to see improvements soon after starting.

Running is one of the best ways you can work on your cardiovascular, and is one of the best forms of exercise that you can try. It is always advisable to try going for a jog around the block if you get the chance, but if you're confined to the house you could try periods of jogging on the spot, or alternatively bringing the gym to you and invest in a treadmill. Other cardiovascular exercises you could try including skipping with a rope for a set period of time or, if you care lucky enough to own a swimming pool, try swimming a couple of lengths a day. You will soon see the difference.

Finally, if you are keen to work your buttocks, squats are a quick and easy method to give your gluteus maximus the once over. You can squat to a variety of levels, at a variety of speeds and with or without a pause mid-squat in order to add diversity to what is an extremely simple and effective exercise.

U.S. Companies Shrink Packages as Food Prices Rise

By DOUGLAS MCINTYRE Posted 4:30 AM 04/04/11

U.S. food prices have been rising in the last year, but it seems the growth is only just beginning. A sharp jump in commodities' prices this year will soon result in sticker shock for American consumers.

Large food companies have recently announced that they will raise the prices they charge grocery retailers for commodities-based products. For example, a chocolate bar will cost more soon: Hershey last week announced a 10% increase for most of its confectionery goods.

 

Of course, straightforward price hikes could cause consumers to buy less of those products or to choose less costly store brands. So in many cases, food companies are trying a different tactic: Keeping the price of an item the same while decreasing the amount of food in the package. The company recoups the costs of the rise in commodities and hopes consumers don't notice that they're getting less of the product for the same price.

Food companies have no obligation to tell customers about the smaller packages, but may suffer a backlash from consumers who notice how the packaging trick works. Here are some of the shrinking products that you might notice in your grocery aisles:

Kellogg Cereal
Company: Kellogg (K)
Commodities: corn, wheat, sugar
Size Reduction: roughly 15%, or 2.4 ounces, on average
Kellogg, which makes cereal such as Apple Jacks and Corn Pops, has passed higher grain costs on to consumers. In 2008, the company reduced the amount of cereal in its boxes by an average of 2.4 ounces. And in February, the company announced that it will raise the price of its cereals 3% to 4%. According to a U.S. Agriculture Department report in March, "higher wheat commodity costs should begin to affect cereal and bakery product prices over the next few months, causing prices to rise 3.5% to 4.5% overall in 2011."

Snickers BarsCompany: Mars
Commodities: cocoa, dairy, nuts
Size Reduction: 11%, or 0.41 ounces
Supposedly in response to pleas from obesity activists, the Mars Company split their "King Size" Snickers bar in half so that it could be more easily shared between two people. What calls the nobility of the company's intentions into question is that, in addition to making the cut, Mars also reduced the total amount of candy in each package from 3.7ounces to 3.29 ounces -- an 11% decrease -- while keeping the price the same.

Tropicana
Company: PepsiCo (PEP)
Commodities: frozen orange juice concentrate, gasoline
Size Reduction: 8%, or 5 ounces
A series of prolonged frosts last year sent citrus prices up 11.5% and drove up the price of frozen orange-juice concentrate to several-year highs. Meanwhile, the cost of transporting the concentrate has gone up as gas prices have increased. In response, Tropicana has made two adjustments: It increased the price of its gallon jugs by 5-8% and stealthily reduced the size of its half-gallon cartons from 64 ounces to 59 ounces. This 5-ounce reduction represents nearly an 8% decrease in size.

Haagen-Dazs
Company: General Mills (GIS)
Commodity: dairy, sugar, cocoa
Size Reduction: 12.5%, or 2 fluid ounces
The luxury-ice-cream company reduced the size of its standard container to significantly less than a pint, cutting it 12.5% from 16 fluid ounces to 14 fluid ounces. To make the smaller package less obvious, the company cleverly kept the top the same size, so it looks identical from above, but tapers dramatically in the middle. Haagen-Dazs's cheaper brands, Edy's and Breyer's, have cut their portions as well. Daily prices increased just over 1% in 2010, but are expected to rise as much as 5.5% in 2011.

Chicken of the Sea TunaCompany: Thai Union Group
Commodity: tuna
Size Reduction: 17%, or 1 ounce
Chicken of the Sea's albacore tuna, previously sold in 6-ounce cans, now comes in 5-ounce cans. Rising tuna prices amid a worldwide shortage of the fish are partly to blame. Other tuna brands also have shrunk their can sizes, a trend which has been going on for years. Just over a decade ago, tuna was most commonly sold in 7-ounce cans.

Frito-Lay ChipsCompany: PepsiCo (PEP)
Commodity: wheat, corn, potatoes
Size Reduction: 12.5% - 20%
With all the air included in chips packaging, it is easy for manufacturers to reduce the amount of chips in the bags without drawing attention. PepsiCo reduced the Lay's "Family Size" potato-chip bag from 16 ounces to 14 ounces in 2009. Bags of Doritos, Tostitos, and Fritos now contain 20% fewer chips than they did in 2009, according to The New York Times. Even smaller bags have been reduced by a quarter of an ounce. Rising gain prices have driven the changes.

Saltines and Graham Crackers
Company: Kraft Foods (KFT)
Commodity: wheat, salt
Size Reduction: 15%
Earlier this year, Kraft introduced its "Fresh Stacks" packages for Nabisco Premium saltines and Honey Maid Graham crackers. The packages contain a higher number of smaller cracker sleeves, meant to do a better job of preserving freshness and making the crackers more portable. The entire "Fresh Stacks" boxes contain 15% percent fewer crackers than the original packages, however, and cost the same amount. Kraft is, undoubtedly, being hit by rising grain prices. "Fresh Stacks" may be one of the company's ways of passing costs on to consumers.

Reese'sCompany: The Hershey Co. (HSY)
Commodity: cocoa, dairy, peanuts
Size Reduction: 37%, or 0.1 ounces
Cocoa futures have more than doubled in the past three years, hurting chocolate companies. The Hershey Co. has just increased its wholesale prices by 9.7% across its entire product line. Its also introduced new Reese's "Minis," which are smaller than the classic Reese's "Miniatures" and cost more, according to The New York Times. Through FreshDirect, Minis cost $4.59 for an 8-ounce bag, while Miniatures cost $4.49 for 12 ounces. In other words, the Minis cost $0.57 an ounce while Miniatures cost $0.37 an ounce.

BountyCompany: Procter & Gamble (PG)
Commodity: lumber
Size Reduction: 7.2%, or 10 sheets
Since June 2010, lumber futures have increased more than 80%. The cost of manufacturing paper products has gone up as well, and companies are reducing the size of paper-based products -- like toilet paper, moist towelettes and paper towels -- as a result. Proctor & Gamble recently cut the size of its Bounty 2-ply paper towel rolls from 138 sheets to 128 sheets. The company attempted to mask this change by advertising the roll as "25% thicker." Despite the increased thickness, the package reportedly weighs less. Proctor and Gamble competitor Kimberly-Clark has also reduced the size of its "Scott" paper-towel rolls.

Heinz KetchupCompany: H.J. Heinz (HNZ)
Commodity: tomatoes, sugar, salt, corn
Size Reduction: 11%, or 4 ounces
The cost of wholesale tomatoes more than tripled last year from the previous year, according to the USDA, and prices are expected to grow another 10% this year. In response, Pittsburgh-based ketchup and condiment company Heinz has cut the portions of several key products, including its flagship Heinz 57 sauce, which now comes in a 4-ounce smaller package with no reduction in price.

Healthy Weight Loss - Natural Diet Supplements to Lose Weight Naturally

Weight loss is a big industry. People resort to various sort of weight loss services and products in order to lose weight. Growing number of health clubs, weight loss centers and gyms are a clear indication of the fact that more and more people are now trying to lose excess body weight. Not just this, dietary supplements and weight loss pills are also quite popular among the weight watchers.
Though dietary supplements are quite effective, they do not work on their own. They work only when you have them in conjunction with a proper diet and regular exercise.
Healthy Weight Loss Tips
Now, that the summer is just round the corner, I am sure losing weight and getting back in shape is high on your list of priorities. However, what is more important is that you must lose weight in a healthy and safe manner. Feeling healthier from inside is more important. Here are some tips that can make you lose weight quickly and safely without compromising on your health and well being:
1. Count Your Calories and Watch Your Portions
You are what you eat and if you want to get slim and trim, its time you paid attention to what you eat. Eating sensibly can make you lose weight and also boost your energy levels. Most people do not really care about the caloric value of foods they eat. If you really want to lose weight and reduce body fat, make it a point to check out caloric value of foods that you buy. Trust me, this little step can be a big help in ensuring a reduction in your caloric consumption.
Not just this, it is also a great idea to have smaller portions of foods that you love.
2. Have More Fiber
Foods that are rich in fiber are not just great for your bowel but also make you feel fuller. Not just this, they are also low in calories. Have more fruits, vegetables, oats etc., They will not only cut down on your body fat but will also leave you feeling more energetic.
3. Include Negative Calorie Foods in Your Diet

These are foods that have less calories than the calories your body burns while chewing and digesting them. They can be great when trying to lose weight. Some of such foods include strawberries, celery, cucumber, carrots etc.,
4. Exercise
There are no short cuts to getting a great body. If you want to lose weight and get a body that can make heads turn, you need to invest some time working out on it. Exercise is an important and essential aspect of losing weight.


Though a cardio workout can help you burn a lot of calories, weight training is even more effective. A lot of women think that strength training can make them bulk up. This is just a misconception. Women don't get bulky with weight training. In fact, weight training can make you your well toned and beautiful.
5. Dietary Supplements
Last but not the least, you must combine a proper diet and exercise with a good natural weight loss supplement. Fat burners and appetite suppressants are quite effective but there are some supplements that can offer much more. A fat binding pill can prevent fat absorption in your body besides increasing your metabolism and suppressing your appetite too

Such a supplement can make you lose weight quick and fast and that too without any side effects.

The Truth About Detox Diets

A detox diet sounds like a good idea, but there is not much evidence to support it. Learn about some possible benefits and the risks of detoxing.

By Chris Iliades, MD

Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

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Starting a detox diet, or detox cleanse, sounds like a good idea: Who wouldn't want to cleanse their body of dangerous toxins? People who push these diets claim that toxins from our food and water get stuck in our digestive systems and other parts of our bodies and need to be eliminated. But when it comes to telling us exactly what these toxins are, and why our bodies need a special diet to get rid of them, there is not much in the way of convincing evidence.

"Detox diets are often very restrictive diets,” says registered dietitian Debra J. Johnston, RD, director of nutrition services at Remuda Ranch, a program for eating disorders in Wickenburg, Ariz. “This makes them hazardous for many people, including the patients that I normally work with. Many times, people embark on these diets in an effort to feel better, but they often do so without consulting their physician first."

Some Common Detox Diets

There are many types of detox diets. Most are meant for short-term use to flush or cleanse your system. Although there may be some immediate weight loss associated with detoxing, losing weight is not the main purpose for most of these diets. Detox diets may involve periods of fasting, drinking only fluids, eliminating certain foods, herbal supplements, or even the use of enemas to cleanse your colon.

"Many detox diets eliminate processed foods and animal products while emphasizing fresh fruits and vegetables. Other detox regimens increase the amount of water or juice that the individual consumes," explains Johnston. Eating natural foods, eliminating processed foods, and increasing fruits and vegetables can be good for digestive health.

There are detox diets that last one day and detox diets that last four weeks. You can detox on raw foods or lemonade. Here are some examples of popular detox plans:

Master Cleanse. First introduced in the 1940s, the Master Cleanse may start with a phase that has you drinking only lemonade made from spring water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper for up to two weeks.

Fast-Track Detox Diet. This detox diet claims you will lose up to eight pounds and get rid of so-called fattening toxins. The diet starts with organic foods and then moves on to fruit juices and psyllium husks or ground flaxseed to stimulate your colon. The total diet lasts for 11 days.

Jump-Start Juicer. This diet is a combination seven-day weight loss and detox cleanse. The diet is based around eating only raw fruit and vegetables for a whole week.

Other popular detox diets include You Are What You Eat, Fruit Flush, Quantum Wellness, and the Martha's Vineyard Detox diet, which claims followers will lose 21 pounds in 21 days.

Possible Pros of a Detox Diet

Here are a few of the claimed benefits you might experience from a detox cleanse:

• Improved function of your kidneys and liver
• Increased energy and vitality
• Arousing the mind and spirit
• Quick jump-start to a weight-loss program
• Improved ability to fight off various diseases

Cons and Risks of Detox Diets

"Often detox diets have a placebo effect where the individual feels better because he believes that he is doing something healthy for his body, while in reality, he may be doing more harm than good by causing nutrient deficiencies," says Johnston.

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Have digestive problems? Find a gastroenterologist near you.

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She warns:

• A sudden increase in fiber-heavy fruit and vegetables can lead to bloating, gas, and possibly diarrhea. This may be one reason that people believe that detox diets 'cleanse' the digestive system.
• Detox diets are not recommended for teenagers, pregnant women, or people with health conditions because of the danger from not getting enough calories and proteins.
• People with a tendency to addiction may experience a "high" from detoxing that may lead to dangerous eating disorders.
• Detox diets do not result in long-term weight loss. These diets are only meant to be used for a short period, and most people rapidly regain any lost weight once the diet is over.
• There is no real evidence that a detox diet is any better at getting rid of toxins than your body's own natural defense mechanisms.

Johnston says that anyone who is thinking about starting one of these diets should contact his physician first.

“Until there is solid scientific proof that detox diets really have any effect on the level of toxins in the body, my recommendation is that people eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, high-quality proteins, and a wide assortment of whole grains. Our bodies were created with a very complex detoxification system that if properly cared for will function very well to eliminate toxins," she says.

If this is all I have in the fridge, why I'm I so OBESE!

10 dirty fruits and veggies

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By Ashley Macha

Are the fruits and vegetables you buy clean enough to eat?

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) studied 100,000 produce pesticide reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to create a list of 49 of the dirtiest and cleanest produce.

So before you hit the grocery store, see how some of your favorite fruits and veggies measured up.

Did one of your favorites make the list? Don't worry, the EWG recommends purchasing organic or locally grown varieties, which can lower pesticide intake by 80% versus conventionally grown produce.

Celery
This stalky vegetable tops the dirty list. Research showed that a single celery stalk had 13 pesticides, while, on the whole, celery contained as many as 67 pesticides.

Chemicals fester on this vegetable as it has no protective skin and its stems cup inward, making it difficult to wash the entire surface of the stalk. It’s not easy to find locally grown celery, so if you like this crunchy veggie, go organic.

Peaches
Peaches are laced with 67 different chemicals, placing it second on the list of most contaminated fruits and vegetables. They have soft fuzzy skin, a delicate structure, and high susceptibility to most pests, causing them to sprayed more frequently.



Strawberries
This red, juicy fruit has a soft, seedy skin, allowing easier absorption of pesticides. Research showed that strawberries contained 53 pesticides. Try to buy strawberries at a local farmer’s market for a sweet dessert.

Apples
Apples are high-maintenance fruit, needing many pesticides to stave off mold, pests, and diseases. The EWG found 47 different kinds of pesticides on apples, and while produce washes can help remove some of the residue, they’re not 100% effective.

Blueberries (domestic)
These antioxidant-rich berries have a thin layer of skin that allows chemicals to more easily contaminate the fruit. Domestic blueberries were loaded with 13 pesticides on a single sample, according to the EWG. Imported blueberries also made the list at No. 14 for the dirtiest produce.



Sweet bell pepper
This crunchy, yet thin-skinned, vegetable is highly susceptible to pesticides. According to the EWG, sweet bell peppers showed traces of 63 types of pesticides. While some pesticides can be washed away, many still remain.

Spinach, kale, collard greens
These leafy green vegetables are on the list, with spinach loaded with 45 different kinds of pesticides and kale 57.

In 2006, Dole recalled bagged baby spinach after multiple E. coli illnesses associated with the vegetable made their way across the country.



Grapes (imported)
These tiny fruit have extremely thin skins, allowing for easy absorption of pesticides. And think twice before buying imported wine. The grapes that go into the wine could be coming from vineyards that use too many pesticides.

Potatoes
Have you ever indulged in a potato skin at your favorite restaurant? You might want to think twice before eating the skin. This spud was highly laced with pesticides—36, according to the EWG—that are needed to prevent pests and diseases.


Cherries
Cherries, like blueberries, strawberries, and peaches, have a thin coating of skin—often not enough to protect the fruit from harmful pesticides.

Research showed cherries grown in the U.S. had three times the amount of pesticides as imported cherries. Because cherries contain ellagic acid, an antioxidant that neutralizes carcinogens, it’s worthwhile to buy organic or seek imported ones.