Carbs....Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates everyone always thinks of them as bad. Which they are if you don't eat them proportionally to what you are required to eat. I always have try to limit my intake in carbs because I am not always working out but if you are constantly working out then you should be eating more carbs. 

• Carbohydrates are energy providing nutrients.
• The body receives 4 calories per one gram of carbohydrate consumed. 

• Carbohydrates are separated into simple carbohydrates (sugar) and complex carbohydrates (fiber)
• Most food items contain carbohydrates;  Pasta, bread, rice, milk, potatoes, baked goods, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and popcorn are all high in carbohydrates.

Everyone loves there bagels so its ok to have bagels every once in a while but remember it may not benefit later in life! 

http://www.myfooddiary.com/Resources/nutrient_facts/nutrient_carbohydrates.asp

Negative isn't always a bad thing......

Have you ever heard about negative calorie foods? I just read a really interesting article that talks about these everyday foods that have a positive impact on your health. Negative calorie foods burn more calories during the digestive process than they actually contain as a whole. While they are extremely low in calories, you shouldn’t just eat them. Since they have a higher water content than most foods, only eating them could lead to malnutrition. Having these foods as a quick snack would be perfect if your trying to stay healthy! 

Here’s a quick list of 15 of these healthy foods: 

1. Celery 
2. Oranges 
3. Strawberries 
4. Tangerines 
5. Grapefruit 
6. Carrots 
7. Apricots 
8. Lettuce 
9. Tomato’s 
10. Cucumbers 
11. Watermelon 
12. Cauliflower 
13. Apples 
14. Hot Chili Peppers 
15. Zucchini

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/negative-calorie-foods/faq-20058260

Green Tea

Everyone always hears how green tea is a magical plant, but what exactly does it do? Green tea does every thing most Americans are looking for: Increases health, increases metabolic rate, and even prevents cancer! So put down your over-priced lattes, and pick up some green tea!

1. Green Tea Contains Bioactive Compound
1. Bioactive compounds are found in the tea leaves, and contain large amounts of important nutrients. 
1. In our bodies, free radicals can form that lead to aging, and all sorts of diseases. Green tea reduces the formation of these free radicals, protecting cells from damage
2. Catechins in green tea can also kill bacteria, like influenza virus and Strep (great for College students!)
2. Green Tea Increases Fat Burning 
1. Green tea has been known to increase the metabolic rate. Caffeine within green tea has also been known to increase metabolism. 
3. Green Tea Reduces Your Risk of Cancer
1. Green tea contain antioxidants 
1. Breast Cancer: A meta-analysis found that women who drank green tea had 22% lower risk of developing breast cancer. 
2. Prostate Cancer: One study found that men who drank green tea had a 48% lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
3. Colorectal Cancer: A study of 69,710 women in China found that green tea drinkers had a 57% lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/green-tea.html

SmOoThIeS....

Everyone loves smoothies right? There healthy, tasty and easy.

I have gone through different periods where I would wake up every morning before school and make a smoothie for breakfast. I always thought it was a good way to wake up and start off my day with something light and healthy. I've never been a big breakfast eater so this was the perfect fit for me. 

There are endless ways to make smoothies whether you want to make a very healthy one or one with protein or just one for the taste! 

I always stuck to the simple ones with strawberries, blueberries and bananas and then I would add yogurt and a tiny bit of orange juice! Just thinking about smoothies makes me want to jump out of my sit and make one but unfortunately I am stuck on campus and can't but my own. There is actually a smoothie place right on campus but its not as good as if you make your own. You need to make sure to have all the fresh ingredients or it just isn't the same. Look below for a few of my own favorite smoothie recipes!

My own smoothie recipe

1/2 cup of strawberries

1 Banana 

3/4 cup of orange juice 

1/2 cup of frozen mixed strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries

1/2 cup of any brand or vanilla yogurt or plain

4 or 5 ice cubes

• Add in blender and blend until creamy looking 
  

Raspberry Ketones 

In a country were weight is such a concern, new diets seem to be ‘all the rave’. From fasting to even a military diet, people will do really anything to lose those extra lbs.  The first step in a healthy diet is eating ‘healthy’. This can be really hard when big firms corrupt our perception of portion sizes, and healthy food costs a fortune.  So where do people turn next? Diet pills. But what about those people who just want to lose a few pounds before the holidays?  

There seems to be a new ‘miracle fat burner in a bottle’ that even Dr. Oz will vouch for, Raspberry Ketones; a chemical extracted from raspberries. They are claimed to help with the breaking down of fat cells, allowing your body to burn fat faster. They also increase levels of adiponectin, helping to regulate metabolism.  The most major effect they have: they curb your hunger.   

There isn’t a ton of information on how these pills work, but when paired with healthy living choices like going to the gym regularly, and cutting out those empty calories, raspberry ketones can help you get to your desired weight.  

https://www.google.com/search?q=raspberry+ketones&biw=999&bih=646&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAmoVChMI1Kn2672wyAIVSVg-Ch077Qqs#imgrc=guK7Q3lQXYMccM%3A

Vitamin C

I've never had a very strong immune system growing up as a kid. I was constantly getting sick whether I was getting strep throat or just a cold. There was never anything I could really do when I felt a cold coming on or thats at least what I thought. 

Vitamin C is essential for everyones daily health whether you like it or not. But theres different ways you can make sure it is in your diet. Vitamin C helps protect your cells. What I mean... is it protects your immune system primarily. 

My grandma has been a huge part in the importance of taking vitamin C. A couple years back I told her how I would get sick If I didn't get enough sleep...the next time I went over she had a jar of Vitamin C vitamins. Now I take these daily and to be honest I get sick way less now then I did a couple years ago.

But thats not the only way, as a matter of fact you can get vitamin C from a whole bunch of foods.Especially fruit!!

-Citrus fruit

-Oranges

-Strawberries

-Kiwi

-Raspberries 

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404.htm

https://www.google.com/search?q=Soda+portion+sizes&biw=999&bih=646&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIzdHn1qqvyAIVRWs-Ch1rKQRi#tbm=isch&q=sun&imgrc=EtZqIdAvuAIR2M%3A

Nine reasons not to drink SODA

1. Increases chances of a heart attack
2. Changes your metabolism 
3. Possibly carcinogens 
4. Diet soda isn't even that great
5. Soda is linked to asthma 
6. Builds fat deposits all over your body
7. Increase in weight gaining
8. Shorten lifespan
9. Contains BPA

While growing up I was never a big soda drinker probably because my mom never bought it. Now I thank her for never buying because I don't have an urge of drinking it often or even at all. While some of my friends drink at least a cup of it a day, I barely drink a cup of it a week. Soda is one thing that I try to avoid at all possible costs I mean if you just look at the nine reasons you shouldn't drink it, that should say enough. 

But truthfully, if I grew up with soda in my house and drinking it all the time I think things would be a little different then they are now. I don't usually thank my mom for many things but for this one reason I do. 

Not only that..soda portions have increased a tremendous amount. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=Soda+portion+sizes&biw=999&bih=646&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIzdHn1qqvyAIVRWs-Ch1rKQRi#imgrc=N07sDWhIM6WBrM%3A

http://www.businessinsider.com/11-reasons-never-to-drink-soda-again-2012-8