Today I was reading in a weight loss forum then I saw a post that was titled ”Eat Like a Poor Person”.This post called my attention because in recent weeks I was thinking a lot about how I used to eat back home in Tanzania.

You know, I was born and raised in a not very financially rich family in the southern highlands of the united republic of Tanzania.

I remember living there and most of the families used to eat natural vegetable and the condiments they used most of the time was some kind of juice made from peanuts. We ate beans, wild greens, corns, seeds, fruits etc.

Most of the families I know they rarely ate meats or fish ( the did it on special occasions and holidays), and they used to move a lot on foot.

Looking back at that life, although most people had tough life financially there were healthy and happy, in that part of the country was very difficult to find a fat person.

Although I don’t wish anyone to be poor financially, I really think eating like a poor people could be one of the solutions to combat this obesity pandemic.

Ok going back to the original post, here is it:

Running coach Joe Vigil says,  “Eat like a poor person and you’ll only see your doctor  on the golf course.” There’s a lot of wisdom in that.

The diet of poor people in Western countries probably isn’t the best example of this however So let’s look at the diet of the Tarahumara tribe in Mexico, which is famous for their long distance runners: Pinto beans, squash, chili peppers, wild greens, pinole (corn) and lots of chia seeds.

They also drink lots and lots of corn beer the evening before a race. So eating like a poor person doesn’t necessarily mean eating hardly no calories.

In fact, if you follow this weight loss Program, there are days you will not eat like a poor person at all.

Click here to read the original post in the forum.

For those of you not already in the know, Nooch is not a new product, just one that has been recently renamed and promoted.

It is a form of nutritional yeast grown on molasses and then deactivated through the heated drying process. Following this, it is then made into flakes or a powder and has been available in health food stores for years.

Nooch is also available in increasing amounts of more ‘mainstream’ shops such as supermarkets. It is possible to purchase it in reasonably large quantities for a relatively low price. This means it is accessible to anyone who wishes try it.

Nooch, or nutritional yeast to give it the technical name, has long been a staple of alternative vegan and vegetarian diets. However, it has recently begun to appear on restaurant menus across the country.

You may be saying to yourself “that’s all very well, but what’s the point? There are several reasons why you should decide to try Nooch, not only is it essential in vegan diets, in particular, it also has numerous health benefits.

If you have already, foregone animal products you are probably aware of the powers of this powder. For the many that are still meat or dairy consumers, there are many benefits to giving this on-trend food a try.

Firstly, the taste. It has a nutty, cheesy flavor, similar to parmesan, with an umami flavor profile. Secondly, unlike the Italian hard cheese, Nooch is low in sodium, low in fat, and is obviously a great alternative for lactose intolerant individuals. It is also a complete protein, meaning it has all the amino acids required for the body to function.

Finally, Nooch is also an excellent source of B vitamins, important for maintaining your metabolism. Although this sounds too good to be true, it is healthy and has a unique taste. However, some people find it takes a while to get used to the nutty and cheesy taste.

If this is so good, why has it been kept such a secret?  For one, the look of it could put people off. There may be a resemblance to fish food if viewed in flaked form!  Even the powder version does not look like the most appetizing of foods.

Furthermore, although Nooch has been around for years, recent trends in non-dairy diets have seen a resurgence in use, partly helped by the rebranding of the product (Nooch being the slang term for it). Non-traditional diets, such as veganism, dairy free or avoiding other food groups have become increasingly ‘popular’ in recent years.

Many people now follow a different diet, as they believe the health benefits justify it. With the increasing use of Nooch in restaurants and a snappy, new(ish) name, Nooch is likely to be the hottest food around in 2016.

Here are some suggestions if you want to try it yourself:

• Try using it as a topping for popcorn. The cheesy, salty flavor makes it an ideal savory treat.
• For those of you that still eat eggs, try sprinkling some on scrambled eggs, serving on sourdough toast.
• Use a non-dairy milk, corn flour, and Nooch blend, for a vegan-friendly cheese sauce.
• A vegan pesto can be created using extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and basil, blended with some Nooch.
• Basically, any foods where parmesan could be used would be ideal for Nooch. For example, pasta or risotto dishes.

With all this in mind, if you are using Nooch for the first time, remember it is deactivated; you cannot use it for baking bread!

We all know that calcium is essential for our growth and our bones in particular. We are taught from a very young age that we must make sure we get enough calcium each day or we will have many health problems both as we grow up, and when we are an adult.

Most people know calcium is important for our bones, but calcium is also important for regulating our blood pressure and preventing the development of diseases such as diabetes.

As we all know, milk and other dairy products are the main sources of calcium in most people’s diets; in fact, many schools have often given out free milk cartons to young children to ensure they receive enough calcium.

However, what if you don’t drink milk or consume other dairy products?  How are you going to get your daily requirement of calcium? 

Fortunately, there are numerous other places you can find sufficient amounts of calcium. The foods below are all non-dairy sources of calcium, even though they might not seem like they should be.

Broccoli

Broccoli has many essential vitamins and minerals and is a key part of any healthy diet. Not only does broccoli contain a high proportion of vitamin C, but it also contains a good amount of calcium. Furthermore, research has shown that broccoli can help to prevent certain types of cancer.

White beans

White beans are a surprising source of calcium that everyone should be incorporating into their diets. White beans contain both calcium and iron in high qualities; both of which are essential for a healthy body. White beans can be used in many different ways, such as dips or a pasta dish.

Salmon

Salmon and other oily fish are exceptionally healthy and should be a key element of many people’s diet. The only slight issue with this is particularly with salmon, it is the bones that contain all the calcium.

One solution to this is to buy canned salmon and mash it up into another dish. Luckily, the bones are quite soft and will become unnoticeable when mashed up into something, for example, fish cakes.

Bok Choy

This Chinese leafy green is present in many dishes and is high in vitamins A, C, and calcium. As it is a leafy green, it can be used in many different dishes relatively easily.

Kale

Kale is considered one of the main ‘superfoods’ because of the many benefits it brings. It is very flexible and can be made into chips, smoothies or used in dishes such as pasta or curry.

Almonds

Almonds are an excellent choice in many diets because they are exceptionally healthy. Almonds are the most nutritionally dense nut. Per calorie and ounce, they are one of the best nuts you can eat in terms of packing in all the vitamins and minerals, including calcium that you need.

Other foods that are non-dairy sources of calcium

There are numerous other foods that may not contain calcium naturally but have it added to them. They can be a key way in making sure you get enough vitamins and minerals, including calcium.

However, it has been argued that it is better to obtain calcium through natural means so do not rely on these foods as your only source of calcium.

Many of the milk alternatives available in the supermarkets now are fortified with added calcium to ensure we are reaching our daily requirement.

Milk is such a staple item in so many people’s diets, and increasingly, this includes milk alternatives.

Most of these alternatives now have calcium added to them, but not all. Only by checking the ingredients can you be sure they contain added calcium.

 

 

 

 

 

What is Kelp?

Kelp is a type of seaweed or algae, sort of like the salad of the sea. It’s a mainstay in many East Asian diets and the health benefits cannot be overstated.

We most commonly see kelp used as wraps for Japanese sushi, but there are a number of other ways kelp can find its way into your diet including soups and supplements.

Kelp is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and trace elements. It contains iron, magnesium, calcium, copper, manganese, zinc, riboflavin, niacin, thiamin and a number of vitamins including a B-12 and c.

 

Kelp The Superfood

There is a class of foods that hold so many health benefits that it sets them apart from other foods in terms of what good it does for the human body. We call them superfoods and Kelp definitely qualifies as a superfood.

So what makes kelp a superfood?

Naturally high in antioxidants including carotenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids, it’s no wonder it’s so successful in fighting disease-causing free radicals. Well, it’s all about what’s inside and what it can do for you.

One thing about kelp that makes it remarkable is that it contains sodium alginate, which has the unique in that it helps protect the body from radiation and aids in its removal from the human body.

According to a 1964 study that appeared in the Canadian Medical Association Journal sodium alginate has been found to reduce radioactive strontium absorption in the intestinal wall while at the same time binding the strontium, which was excreted from the body.

In addition to binding radiation, kelp also helps prevent and protect against many forms of the disease. For example, the compound fucoidan found in kelp is thought to help prevent the spread of lung cancer and prostate cancer. It is also thought to help slow the progression of breast cancer.

In addition to its disease-fighting ability, kelp is also good for helping individuals lose weight. So how exactly does kelp help with weight loss?

Well, it comes down to the way the body digests foods rich in fat. Alginate, a remarkable compound in kelp, actually helps block the absorption of fat in the intestinal wall by something like 75 percent.

This keeps the majority of fat from finding its way into your system. There are also real cardiovascular benefits to consuming kelp that increase heart health.

Kelp is also very low in calories, which makes a great option for weight loss.

Eating Kelp

So now that you know the benefits of kelp the question quickly becomes, how do we incorporate it into our diet?

 

• Most of us only see kelp as a wrap for our favorite Japanese sushi, but there are other ways you can get some much-needed kelp in your diet. However, you could also have kelp in your soups and salads in the form of kelp noodles.

 

• You can also use kelp noodles to make a tasty kelp pasta or get kelp flakes to use as a seasoning over various foods.

 

• Kelp can also be blended with other vegetables to make a tasty vegetable juice.

 

• Another unique way you’ll see kelp incorporated into food is as a thickening agent. Believe it or not, kelp is commonly used in salad dressings and even ice cream.

Do your research to find creative ways to incorporate this super food into your diet.

Bottom Line

 When people think of weight loss and healthy living, kelp is hardly the first thing to come to mind, but it really is a great addition to your diet. Whether you use supplements or find creative ways to integrate it into your everyday meals, kelp is one super food worth adding into your diet.

With its disease preventing qualities, radiation protection, and weight loss benefits, can you really afford not to add this superfood to your diet?

 

 

If you’re like most people, you may not be as familiar with watercress as you are with other vegetables. Watercress is a leafy green vegetable that grows very rapidly throughout Europe and Asia.

It is botanically related to other plants such as the radish, mustard greens, and wasabi. This endows watercress with a very noteworthy flavor that is slightly reminiscent of these plants. However, these are just some basic facts; the real reason to be interested in this plant food is for its nutritional value.

One study published in the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention cited that researchers at William Paterson University at New Jersey noted watercress as one of the most nutrient dense foods, making it a powerhouse vegetable.

Watercress For Health And Nutrition

 Despite many people not being aware of its existence, watercress is one of the absolute best vegetables on the planet (as far as nutritional value at least). It is incredibly rich in vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin K offering 200% of an average person’s daily requirement per 100-gram serving.

Vitamin K has supported bone health. It is also key in brain health helping limit neuronal damage and it is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

1 Cup Of Watercress Offers

•  A measly 4 calories
• Potassium – 3% DV
• Vitamin A – 21% DV
• Vitamin C – 24% DV

And…

 

• 0 Fat
• 0 Cholesterol
• 0 Sodium
• 0 Carbs

Combine this with its low caloric content, lack of fat and sugars and what you have is a veritable super-food that is an attractive option for anyone on a carbohydrate, sugar, or fat restricted diet or anyone looking to boost their wellness by eating plant superfoods.

However, the importance of watercress goes far beyond its carbohydrate, fat, or vitamin content. A great deal of research shows that watercress can help in many other ways too.

Most particularly (and most supported by research), is that watercress can aid in digestion and act as a mild diuretic. The digestive effect is most likely due to its high fiber content, although it has been suggested that other chemicals naturally present in watercress may have more to do with it aiding digesting than fiber. The same explanation is also true for the claimed diuretic effect.

The leaves of watercress contain gluconasturtiin, which is the compound that gives it its peppery flavor. Some studies suggest that the hydrolysis product of gluconasturtiin helps to prevent cancer by inhibiting phase-I enzymes.

Therefore, as we can see, this little plant can be extremely useful for dieters and non-dieters alike. There are many ways to enjoy this vegetable in your diet.

Preparation and recipes

 When it comes to preparing watercress, it is not as difficult as you may think. There are quite a number of recipes available that extensively utilize this vegetable, though it is very likely that you will almost never see this vegetable featured in dishes at local restaurants.

So how do you prepare this vegetable for consumption?

 Being a leafy green vegetable, the most obvious application is in a salad. The leaves themselves don’t really need to be prepared for this, except that they should probably be chopped up washed.

Watercress will mix well with just about any of the other leafy greens found in salads and seems to mix particularly well with chicken. When added to a salad, watercress provides a slightly peppery taste and adds a bit more texture to an otherwise predictable dish.

However, salads aren’t the only dish that can make good use of the watercress. If you desire a fine sirloin, throw some watercress along with some shallots in a shallow pan and sauté them until they are soft and barely wilted. Toss this mixture on top of your sirloin for a wonderful twist on an old favorite.

Finally, a classic dish that can be spiced up by the watercress is the sandwich. Since you’re already expanding your food horizons, try something different in a sandwich. Instead of cheese and mayo on your turkey sandwich, throw some leaves of watercress on it along with a few slices of apple for an interesting and tangy on-the-go lunch.

Parting thoughts

While it may seem foreign and strange, the watercress is a great vegetable to add to your diet. This leafy green is not only nutritious; it also has a unique peppery taste that can’t be matched by any other vegetable.

By adding this vegetable to your diet, you can enjoy some excellent health benefits as well as experiencing a new taste and a wealth of recipes that you probably never even thought of before.

Many grocery stores will carry this vegetable. However, if you are having trouble finding it at your local grocer, you may want to try the nearest natural foods store such as Whole Foods. These grocers will usually have this delicious vegetable on hand.