Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Banana Diet: Is It Really Work?



Imagine a diet where you could whatever want for lunch and dinner and lose weight without even hitting the gym. And it all only costs less than a few dollars a day. Isn’t it good news for those who are on dieting? No joke. It’s banana. Lately the new diet craze is the Japanese Banana diet, and it’s becoming so popular that there’s a shortage of bananas in Japan. Sound strange? We’ve learnt that bananas should be avoided when you are on diet, so how come bananas become considered a weight loss miracle now? According to an article in Time Magazine, the morning banana diet plan is simple: Eat a banana (or as many as you want) with room temperature water for breakfast and enjoy a normal lunch, afternoon tea and dinner before 8 p.m., you can eat whatever you want except desserts and get to sleep before midnight. It’s seemed the cheapest and easiest diet to stick with, but the question is does the banana diet actually work?

Well, my daughter did try this banana diet before, for improving her constipation problem. It seemed work for her but only for a short period, not lasting long. And then I did some researches on the Internet, there have been several discussions on if the Banana diet work or not. Some said that it worked well to them and they did lose some weight. However, some stated that there was nothing magical about with a banana and some might say that there is lack of clear calorie guidelines, plus instructions that include “exercise only if you want to” and “eat everything you want for lunch and dinner”. According to American Dietetic Association spokesperson Keri Gans, R.D., he stated that eating bananas for breakfast and anything at other meals will result in weight loss, but adding bananas to meals is good for our health.

These researches occurs to me is that this weight loss plan is not work for everyone, while it is healthy to eat bananas to replace the snacks and desserts. In addition, it is no doubt that bananas are an extremely healthy fruit that helps to improve our health and restores balance in our body in times of illness. So, besides taking it as a diet, why don’t we take bananas as a nutriment to our health? It might cause some miracle if you don’t regard it as a diet. Last but not least, I think diet plays an important role in weight loss but I don’t think anyone can lose weight without exercising. What do you think about this banana diet? Does it really work? Have you already tried it out?

Thursday, June 18, 2009

A Thin Body Weight = A Healthy Body Weight?


Being overweight is becoming significant phenomenon in children in the Western world. According to the research, this problem also occurs in Eastern World. It states that today’s youth may not enjoy a like span that is as long as what their parents will enjoy. There are several diseases such as diabetes, health complications, occurred most common in older people, is now affecting children at an alarming rate. Therefore, it is important to help overweight youth reach and maintain a healthy body weight. To achieve it, promoting exercise and healthy eating are the best way to reverse this trend.

It is no doubt that “A healthy body weight” is essential for a good health. Not only to decrease the risks for many serious diseases, but also to provide more energy for you to enjoy a healthier and fuller life. A healthy weight is a weight at which you will feel fit and flexible; fall healthy and energetic; and be at lower risk for weight-related health problems. It relieves stress on the back and joints, making movement easier.

However, you might notice that a healthy weight should not be confused with a thin weight. Be too thin or constantly trying to get thin with one diet after another is not healthy, even physically or emotionally.

BMI (Body Mass Index) is used to measure and classify overweight and obesity. Tall people tend to weight more due to mass associated with longer bones and surroundings tissue. This ratio factor an individual’s height into the equation. The equation is defined as follows:

The recommended BMI Chart: weight(kg)/(Height(m) x Height(m))

Underweight BMI less than= 18.5
Ideal BMI= 18.5-25
Overweight BMI= 25-30
Obese - should lose weight BMI= 30-40
Very obese - lose weight now BMI greater than= 40

Therefore, the healthy range is considered to be between a BMI of 18.5 and 24.9.
But, do remember that BMI does not give accurate results for athletes because it does not make any allowances for the body’s muscular development. Elderly people and growing children should also avoid using BMI as a method of calculating body fat. Therefore, do remember that BMI does not calculate body fat.