Do You Crave for Sweets? Read This to Know Why and How to Overcome

Craving for sweets is a problem that many people suffer from. The problem is not when you consume sweets, but it is when you over-consume them. It can be very bothersome for people who are trying to reduce weight or maintain it. People who have diabetes can do themselves a huge harm by giving in to sugar cravings. It is very important for you to differentiate the cravings that your body absolutely needs from those that your body wants as an addiction. The following sections will explain why you crave sweets and how you can overcome your cravings.
Emotional eating
Most people turn to sugar and sweets when they are stressed or unhappy. More specifically called 'emotional eating'; people reach out to sweets in order to comfort themselves. Severe stress, overwork or lack of sleep can make a person crave for energy dense sweets to get the sudden rush of energy. The instant sugary treat makes the brain release natural chemicals called opioids which give the body a feeling of pleasure and happiness. This explains the 'high' you get after eating a chocolate cake or a donut.

Deficiency of Vitamin B Complex
If a person is deficient in Vitamin B, he tends to be low on energy. To make up for this, his body starts giving out craving signs which make him want sugary or fatty foods that can give him instant energy. It is very important for a person to understand what his body exactly wants for. The only way to fight cravings is to ensure that the body gets its share of nutrition and healthy foods.
Low adrenal function
Adrenal glands secrete hormones like epinephrine (adrenalin), cortisone, oestrogen and progesterone. Low adrenal function can lead to reduction in the secretion of such hormones due to which one tends to feels low on energy, becomes lethargic and craves for instant energy boosting foods.
Dieting
If a person has been on a strict low fat, low carbohydrate diet for a long time, the body becomes insulin resistant. Due to this, even though there is ample amount of glucose in the blood, the body starts sending out signals to the brain because of which the person tends to want for more sweets and fatty foods.
How to reduce or overcome sweet cravings?
• Ensure that your body gets the required amounts of nutrients essential for proper functioning.

• Do not starve yourself.
• Drink lots of water whenever you crave for sweets. There are chances that a person has mistaken thirst or dehydration as hunger.
• Reduce the intake of packaged or canned foods. Your body needs natural sugars and -not synthetic or processed sugars.
• Whenever you crave for a cake or a bar of chocolate, try to divert your mind by going for a long walk or listening to good, soothing music. If the craving persists, try eating nuts or fruits to subside your hunger.
• You can also start mild exercising under the guidance of a personal trainer.
• If you still get cravings, consult a doctor or dietitian. Get your diet plan analysed by a professional.



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Arthritis Problems

Your doctor tells you, you have arthritis. Can he or she tell you what kind of arthritis you have or what is causing it? These are not unreasonable questions, yet you will rarely get answers. This is because arthritis is largely a disorder of symptoms- a syndrome, to be more accurate. As long as physicians lump symptoms into one category, and do not examine the causes of the symptoms, there can be no hope or cure. All is not lost, however, or you would not be reading this chapter!

Causes of arthritis are: digestive problems, malnutrition, a high fat diet, chemical sensivity, food allergies, and even a little organism known as the limax amoeba.

The allergy Connection

Your body can be its own worst enemy, if you don't treat it right. Researchers consider arthritis an autoimmune disease because the symptoms are caused by the body's immune system attacking its own tissues. Just as we have come to identify red, itchy eyes as an allergic symptom, arthritis must be accepted as another. In getting to the cause of arthritis, we have to look at the possible allergens responsible.

When arthritis patients had their food allergies identified and eliminated, their symptoms ended or were improved.

When it comes to identifying allergens, scratch the conventional test. The food elimination diet and Coca Pule Test are much more reliable. Because allergens can cause the heart rate to soar, taking your pulse in the morning upon rising, and comparing it to your rate after eating certain foods will help you target offending foods.

Narrow your list down to the following foods suspect for most allergy sufferers: beef, sugar, chocolate, eggs, citrus fruits, coffee, corn, malt, milk, pork, potatoes, soybeans, spices, tomatoes, wheat and yeast.

Consider also eliminating nightshade foods, which many are allergic to. Approximately one-third of those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis are sensitive to nightshade plants.

Tobacco is a nightshade. Can you imagine rolling up a leaf of poison ivy and smoking it? That's what people who are allergic to nightshades do when they smoke. Other nightshades are potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, Read you labels! Nightshades can be hidden ingredients in processed foods, Better yet, avoid processed foods altogether. Researchers have found those with allergic symptoms are often sensitive to the 3,000 chemical additives we ingest, plus 10,000 environmental chemical contaminants assaulting our bodies every day.

A lack of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes in the stomach, common among people over forty, can also contribute toward food allergies. This slowdown of digestion will also create over-large food molecules, which end up in the bloodstream. The defensive reaction by the body to these molecules creates the allergic response that leads to arthritis symptoms.

It may sound hopeless, considering the sheer volume of chemical antagonists present in our environment today. But I would not be here if there weren't answers and solutions to the arthritis dilemma.

As with any ailment, disorder or disease, good nutrition is essential. For such an extreme symptom as arthritis, supplementation is the best way to go.

An imbalance of prostaglandins-too much or too many -can be a source of may common diseases, arthritis for one. Borage oil is a good source of prostaglendins and early tests have shown it to be not only a valuable treatment for arthritis, but a substitute for commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids. NSAIDS have dangerous side effects. Frequent use causes stomach ulcers and liver and kidney disease. Deaths have even been associates with MSAID use.

A calcium deficiency can actually cause arthritis symptoms. Vitamin C is another arthritis essential. Studies have shown vitamin C, enhanced with bioflavonoids, reduces inflammation and this synovial joint fluid, contributing to easier and greater range of motion.

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Anxiety: 7 Foods to Reduce Your Anxiety

Anxiety & Food

Foods that reduce anxiety is actually not a new concept. In the health industry and before modern medicine natural products including food have been used for many years to heal all kinds of ailments, but can it really help to reduce anxiety and improve our mental wellbeing?

Scientific evidence suggests that depression and anxiety can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Serotonin which is a chemical that helps send messages from one brain cell to another is how the cells in the brain communicate. If serotonin levels become imbalanced then communication can be disrupted which leads to depression and anxiety.

Pharmaceuticals have found the solution to this with antidepressants so your brain can perform at its best and there products help restore a fine chemical balance. Interesting marketing, no wonder food and natural remedies are overlooked to improve mental wellbeing.

I do not advocate for people who are prescribed antidepressants to stop taking them. I think antidepressants can be very useful in the right circumstances and for a period of time. However if like me you would like the opportunity to explore all your options you may wish your doctor had told you this before writing a prescription for medication. For some people a healthy diet will need to be part of a holistic plan that considers medication, talking therapies and other help.

Food is the most abused anxiety drug so if you have been suffering for years, struggling to face the day, experiencing chronic tiredness at different parts of the day, beating yourself up and feeling like a failure. Perhaps you are thinking could food really be the cure for my anxiety but I want to show you how changing your food can change your mood.

7 Foods to Reduce Your Anxiety

1) Substitute processed grains for wholegrains. Substitute white bread, white pasta and white rice for Wholegrain pasta, rice and bread. They are rich in magnesium. Magnesium deficiency can lead to anxiety. Wholegrains also contain tryptophan which becomes serotonin a vital chemical for the brain. Avoiding complex carbohydrates like white processed foods will create a healthy energy while reducing your hunger.

2) Increase your super foods. Blueberries & acai berries both contain antioxidants that are extremely beneficial for relieving stress. They are also full of vitamin C which is great stress buster.

3) Omega 3. These fatty acids help keep cortisol and adrenaline from spiking when your feeling tense. Salmon is one of the best sources of omega 3 and spinach is also good too.

4) A handful of Almonds each day. Contain zinc which is good for maintaining a balanced mood and have iron and both healthy fats. Low iron levels can increase anxiety. They also contain vitamin B2 and E which boost the immune system.

5) Drink plenty of Water. Dehydration is known to cause more anxiety. However generally drinks plenty of water is good for you. Aim for at least 1.5 litres a day.

6) Avoid caffeine. Any stimulant will increase you anxiety. Substitute tea and coffee for herbal teas. Valerian and Chamomile are good for creating a calming effect.

7) Treat yourself to chocolate. I bet you thought you would never be encouraged to eat chocolate and yes there is a but. Dark Chocolate reduces cortisol the stress hormone that causes anxiety and it contains other compounds that improve your mood. Preferably dark chocolate with no added sugar or milk.

If you have been in a desperate place for long, then these simple steps could be a life changer, a message of hope. It is hard to believe that something as simple as food can be unbelievably successful in treating anxiety. This really does work to calm your anxious mind but it also will improve your mood and end cravings.

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Benefits of Chocolate Topping The Super Food List

We all know fruits have beneficial antioxidants that put them on the super food list, but one of the surprising benefits of chocolate is that it is also a source of these compounds. Enjoying delicious dark chocolate every so often is no longer just an indulgence for your sweet tooth; new research finds the high antioxidant content in dark chocolate and cocoa powders is quite good for your heart as well.

In fact, antioxidant-rich chocolate might just become the next "super food" we're all hearing about thanks to its sky-high antioxidant content.

In this latest work, the researchers found that the antioxidant action of both cocoa powder and dark chocolate were the same as or more than found in other more obvious super foods, like fruit. However, this does not mean that chocolate is healthier than fruit.

Most people don't realize that cocoa powder comes from seeds from the cacao tree that are then dried and processed into powder. So cocoa powder comes from a plant, just as fruits and veggies do.

The trouble starts when you take that natural product and process it so it appeals to the taste buds, in effect destroying many of the beneficial compounds in the process. Unfortunately, raw cocoa powder is pretty bitter, so it gets sweetened through processing. However, American chocolate makers are belatedly realizing that this strips the cocoa of its beneficial nutrients and are working to make products that keep more of their flavonoids.

Science knows that antioxidants combat the detrimental effects oxidative stress has on the body. We're learning antioxidants are extremely beneficial to the heart as well, having been found in earlier studies to cut the risk of heart disease.

Two particular antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonols, have been at the center of many research studies because of their potential health benefits. Any food that's high in either of these has often been dubbed "superfoods" by the media.

In this study the research team compared the total flavanol and polyphenol content, alongside antioxidant action of dark chocolate and cocoa powder to some more common so called "super fruits" like acai berry, blueberries, cranberries and pomegranate.

The antioxidant action of powdered cocoa was the highest of all the super fruits analyzed. The total flavanol composition of cocoa powder was greater than all the other super food powders tested.

The scientists also compared dark chocolate and super fruit 100% nonblended juices. The overall antioxidant action of dark chocolate was much higher than 1 cup of most of the juices, with the exception of pomegranate. The polyphenol content was 1,000 milligrams for dark chocolate, and the flavanol content was over 500 milligrams, far higher than the 200 milligrams for the fruit juices.

However, it is worth remembering that the overall calorie content and grams of fat in dark chocolate is a lot higher than any of the fruit juices tested in the study. This suggests moderation in usage, which is typically difficult for most people. The experts stress that you don't need a whole bar of rich, dark chocolate to gain health benefits; a daily Hershey kiss sized piece will do just fine - and therein lies the problem...

Also important is the cocoa powders and dark chocolate samples used in the research had natural cocoa that hadn't undergone an alkalizing process. As a process, alkalization mellows the sharp flavor of cocoa, and in so doing, manages to destroy the beneficial polyphenolic compounds nature gives chocolate.

Unfortunately, those hot cocoa mixes that we drink so much of during the colder weather have alkalized cocoa and so give us few, of the benefits of chocolate.

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A Heart-Healthy Valentine's Day

Legends abound about the origins of this most romantic of occasions, dating all the way back to a priest named Valentine who lived during the reign of Roman emperor Claudius II, 268 to 270 A.D., and was put to death for disobeying the law by secretly marrying young couples. Meanwhile, ancient cultures believed that the heart is the home of the human soul and the source of all our emotions, with red being the color of romance.

Couple all that with the fact that, during the Middle Ages in France and England, February 14th was the beginning of birds' mating season, and you get the idea...

For starters, some up-to-date Valentine's Day facts:

• About one billion cards are exchanged every year; only Christmas beats that number.

• Women purchase 85% of all cards.

• Teachers receive the most cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then sweethearts.

• Venus, the goddess of love, favored roses, and since red symbolizes strong feelings, red roses are considered to be the flower of love.

• Worldwide, more than 50 million roses are given on this day annually.

• Men buy 73% of Valentine's Day flowers.

• About 8 billion candy hearts will be produced this year.

• Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentine's Day candy box in 1868.

• More than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates will be sold this time around.

And speaking of chocolate, most of us know it's a heart-healthy treat-dark chocolate, that is. But there's also not-so-good news, as reported by KYW Newsradio 1060's Dr. Brian McDonough: "The amount of chocolate you should have each day is the amount in a Hershey's kiss. That's right, one Hershey kiss." Uh oh!!

But let's worry about that later; we're talking about Valentine's Day, after all.

Along with hearts and flowers, consider putting Macy's on your list, as it's a national sponsor of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign celebrating women's "energy, passion, and power" to wipe out heart disease.

From now until the 14th, a certain percentage of in-store sales of such items as an August Silk red cardigan and specially designed Donatella charm will go to Go Red for Women. In addition, for every Valentine sent through Macy's Facebook page, the company will donate $1 to the campaign, up to $250,000.

Is it important? You bet. Women are not immune from what was once considered a man's disease. As the American Heart Association reports:

• 90% of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.

• Heart disease is the #1 cause of death of women 20 and older, killing one woman every minute.

So definitely go shopping, but also make time for some crafting with the kids, such as making a simple Valentine's bookmark. All you need to do is...

1. Cut a piece of pink or red card stock into a 7" x 2-1/2" rectangle.

2. Punch a hole near the top and thread with a pretty ribbon.

3. Decorate the bookmark with holiday-related pictures and/or stickers.

Then take a page from numerous elementary schools where children are celebrating this loving season by recognizing Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 14th to the 20th, and then continuing to pay it forward. You can't go wrong following suit.

And all the while you're out there crafting, shopping, and exchanging Valentine's gifts with loved ones, take heart with the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7:

1. Get active.

2. Control cholesterol.

3. Eat better.

4. Manage blood pressure.

5. Lose weight.

6. Reduce blood sugar.

7. Stop smoking.

Keep laughing too, as it's good for both heart and soul. At the same time, heed the warning signs of a "broken" heart, and call 911 immediately if you experience:

• Chest discomfort;

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body;

• Shortness of breath;

• And can include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

In other words, make this a happy but also heart-healthy Valentine's Day--chocolates and all. No regrets.


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