What Low Carb Dieters Should Know About Nitrates And Nitrites
Nitrates and nitrites are preservatives that are added to certain meats to affect a desirable color and preventthe growth of poisons and bacteria. When nitratesand nitrites are exposed to heat and other conditionsduring the curing process, they are sometimes transformedinto nitrosamines, which have been linked to cancerin a number of studies.
In addition to this, nitrates and nitrites have been linkedto “stalling”–or unexpected stops in weight loss–even when consumers are on low carb diets, such as Atkins, that specifically prescribe the consumption of meat that could potentiallycontain nitrates and nitrites.
Most meats that contain nitrates and nitrites (sausage, bacon, ham, and some types of smoked fish) alsohave high amounts of fat. This could, in part, explain for the stalling–if the fat intake farsurpasses the prescribed amount (for low carb diets) needed to “satiate” the body and preventit secretion of hormones that stall weight-loss.
Cured meats are also generally high in LDLcholesterol, which experts say is responsiblefor clogging arteries, when it slowly depositsand then mixes with other compounds to formplaque, a hard substance that blocks passageways, preventing the flow of bloodto the heart.
If you subscribe to a low carb weight loss plan,you should monitor your intake of nitrates andnitrites carefully to mitigate the accumulationof carcinogenic nitrosamines and prevent”stalls” or high levels of bad cholesterolcaused by over-consumption of fattycured meats.
If you do continue to consume a sizable portion of these meats on your low carbdiet, you should try to find a source of preservative-free, fresh meat, whether it be a local butcher or a mail-order meat source.
In addition, you should specificallychoose meats and portions that keepyour cholesterol consumption below 300mg/day–and your fat intake at a reasonablelevel according to the precepts of your lowcarb diet.
Benji Paras runs list-of-low-carb-food.com, specializing in the benefits of the low-carb lifestyle. The site contains a treasure trove of information for losing weight, and includes a list of low carb foods along with informative articles and the latest low-carb headlines.
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How To Lose More Weight And Reach Your Goal With A Weight Loss Journal
The diary is an essential help in reaching your weight loss goal. Writing down your goals and progress will motivate your in a way nothing else can, thus helping you reach your target weight much more easily. The diary is the success-secret of weight loss support groups, and it will help you too!
Here are some tips:
1. Before you begin your weight loss diary, ask yourself these questions:
? How much weight do you want to lose?
? How much time do you hope to take to reach your goal?
? What methods will you use to accomplish your goal?
? Who or what can motivate you to help you reach your goal?
? Is your goal realistic?
? When do you want to start?
I suggest that you print out this page, grab a nice glass of water, and think about these questions when you have some time to yourself.
2. Post your answers to these questions in your PhenForum.com weight loss diary. Doing so will spark your goals to life and you’ll feel more certain that you can achieve them.
3. Start your diary. It’s really easy! Just click on the "New Topic" button, put the name of your diary in the subject field (ex. Deb’s weight loss diary), and write down your goals in the message area. TIP: Don’t forget to write down your starting weight, and remember to be honest. It will really help you toward your goals.
4. Keep posting! You’ve already accomplished a gigantic step towards your goals by starting your own weight loss diary. But for the best motivation, you must update it regularly – at least 3-5 times a week. The best success comes from using your diary every day, especially when you first start out. Write about everything, whether you view it as success or failure. Share your feelings with others and ask them for advice. Stick with these tips, and you’ll find out how much support and motivation you can get from a simple diary.
I wish you success in reaching your weight loss goals, and I can’t wait to meet you at the weight loss forum!
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