Let’s face it. The older we get, the slower our metabolism seems to get, right? Eating a medium pizza at 3 :00 A.M just doesn’t seem to burn off as easily as it did 20 years ago. Naturally, as we age…so do our bodily functions. One key function that helps to control our weight is metabolism.  As we get older, the reality is that metabolic rates slow too.  Metabolism is the amount of energy in calories that your body burns to maintain weight. There are various ways to maintain a healthy metabolic rate.  There are also ways we sabotage our metabolism as well.

First, yo-yo dieting is a primary culprit of slowing down metabolism. The constant fluctuations in eating habits are not good for stabilizing metabolic rates; they only end up decreasing your metabolic rate. So the next time you’re thinking about skipping breakfast, think about how that will effect your metabolism. Second, being sedentary is another culprit. (Some people may want to flip-flop the order, but sedentary lifestyle and yo-yo dieting can just as equally ruin your metabolism).

In order for your metabolic rates to increase, you must GET MOVING! Symptoms of abnormally low metabolic rates (these are people who often suffer from Hypothyroidism) include fatigue, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, constipation, slow pulse, low temperature and low blood pressure. These instances are definitely increasing and may be a result of heredity and other factors; but if these symptoms apply to you, please consult your physician about getting tested for Hypothyroidism.

Multivitamins

In a perfect healthy world, we would all get our vitamins and minerals from our well-balanced diets. Unfortunately, reality is that the average person does not consume the daily-recommended vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health. Additionally, the average American is overloaded with man-made processed foods that are stripped of nutritional value. Therefore, one must replenish these vitamins and minerals in order for the body to function and be healthy.  There are two ways to combat this problem. First, one can load the refrigerator with healthy foods that contain the recommended daily value of each food group. Or, one can take supplemental multi-vitamins in order to get the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Now, taking a multi-vitamin does not replace healthy eating, it simply supplements vitamins that we would otherwise get from our food. Choosing a multi-vitamin depends on a person’s individual needs. This means that you shouldn’t automatically take the multi-vitamin that your friend or co-worker may be taking. We all have different needs. Some people are extremely physically active or anemic—therefore, they should choose a multi-vitamin that supplies the necessary compliments for their bodies. Also, women, men, and those of all ages have certain needs as well. Stay tuned for the best multi-vitamins list that will be posted soon.

Top Organic Fruits and Veggies

In the quest to incorporate healthy eating habits, some people are discouraged from buying organic produce because they are more expensive than regular fruits from the local grocery store. Although optimal health is a reason to spend the extra cash, there is an option for those who may not be able to afford to go 100% organic. Finding a happy medium is the key when being both health conscious and a financially savvy shopper.

There is a list of fruits and vegetables that should be purchased organically with no exceptions. In other words, these particular fruits and vegetables have anywhere from a 50-99% chance of being infected with chemical pesticides. Especially fruits and veggies that do have a thick, outer skin are particularly susceptible to harmful pesticides. Therefore, it is imperative that as a health-conscious consumer, you at least think about purchasing the following list of organically grown fruits and vegetables:

Nectarines               Celery                         Pears
Peaches                  Apples                        Cherries
Strawberries            Imported Grapes        Spinach
Potatoes                 Bell Peppers               Raspberries

Toward a Healthier You!

What does it mean when foods are called “organic”?  There has finally been a new seal issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to designate foods that are certified organic.  It took 10 years to create the standards for this certification, and it should help clear up some of the mystery in defining true organic products.

The only foods that will qualify for the seal are those that are at least 95% organic.  That means produced with the use of growth hormone, antibiotics, most pesticides, and toxic fertilizers.  The rules take effect on October 21, 2008, but it could take a number of months after that to start seeing the stickers in grocery stores.

Until now it was up to the consumer to sort through often confusing product information to decide if an item was truly organic.  Regulation had been left up to states and private organizations.

The new guidelines will place foods in one of the following categories:
1) Food that is 100 percent organic may carry the new “USDA organic” label and say “100% organic.”
2) Food that is at least 95 percent organic may carry the new seal.
3) Food that is at least 70 percent organic will list the organic ingredients on the front of the package.

If a product is less than 70 percent organic, the organic ingredients may be listed on the side of the package but cannot say “organic” on the front.

Toward a Healthier You!

In controlling hunger it’s important not to let your blood sugar level drop during the day.  When that happens we tend to get tired, cranky and our energy levels sink.  That is why snacking is so important.  However snacking is not a meal or a meal replacement. The average snack should be around 100 or so calories. Healthy eating today requires some preparation.  Here are some great snacks to keep you going that don’t come out of a vending machine:

1) A cup of yogurt.  Keep it low fat and low sugar.  Yo-Plait is my favorite
2) A piece of fruit or a cup of fruit salad.  An average grapefruit is about 90 calories and so is half of a cantaloupe.
3) Sliced apple with a little bit of peanut butter
4) Protein bar that is high in fiber and protein and low in sugar
5) Small serving of frozen yogurt in a cup
6) Cut up veggies with bean dip or hummus
7) A small package of string cheese with ½ apple

These are healthy and nutritious snacks for you to eat and easy to digest.