Acid Reflux Diet

Acid Reflux Diet

Acid Reflux Diet is a type of diet used to help sufferers of Acid Reflux disease. More commonly known as acid reflux or GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease), it is a condition in which acids from the stomach backs up into your esophagus because your lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly. The main cause for 80% off all who suffer from acid reflux is the improper relaxation of the esophageal sphincter located between the stomach and the esophagus. For the 20%, it is caused by a low pressure sphincter.

It might not have occurred to you that your stomach is strong and the acid inside it can be equated to the strength of battery acid. Your esophagus cannot tolerate such extreme acidity and therefore some symptoms include a burning sensation within your chest. Some people also experience shortness of breath, asthma, voice hoarseness, and pneumonia and chest pains. You can pop and take an antacid which gives you temporary relief of these symptoms. However for more advanced cases of this disease, you need long term medication and change your eating habits by using the acid reflux diet.

In order to reduce and eliminate the symptoms of acid reflux without the use of medication, you must go through an eating pattern evaluation. You can keep track of this by having a food diary. You can write down what type of foods give you acid reflux symptoms so that when you go see your medical practitioner he or she can have a good view of what kind of diet to give you in order to treat your condition. It will also give you an idea of what food group gives you more difficulty and which eases your pain.

Some of the trigger foods that you have to eliminate from your daily diet are fatty foods, chocolate and caffeinated beverages. Depending on how well you tolerate this type of food, it is better to lessen their intake or avoid them altogether. Food which contains peppermint and spearmint flavors should also be avoided, as well as carbonated drinks. Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages is also a named culprit in acid reflux symptoms.

Patients have also found relief in chewing gum because it produces saliva which is low in acid and by continually swallowing the saliva it neutralizes the acidity in your stomach and lessens heartburn. If these acid reflux diet suggestions do not work for you, you should see you physician who would prescribe to you other options to treat your acid reflux condition.

Feline Obesity Disease

Feline Obesity Diseases

Does your cat polish your floor with his stomach as he walks? Is his food bowl bigger than your head? Do you grunt when you try to pick him up? Does he bounce when he lands on the floor? Do you spend more on his food bill than your own?

People see fat cats as subjects of humor. They make cartoons with cute captions, manipulate photos into amusing cards, and crack jokes about their rotund companions. As harmless as it seems, obesity in our feline companions is not a joke. The health risks are very real. For nearly 40% of American cats, their lives will be shortened by years due to this preventable problem.

All cat owners should know if their cat is obese, what problems are associated with obesity, what causes obesity, and how to fix the problem.

So how do I know if my cat is obese?

Obesity is commonly defined as being more than 20% above the ideal weight. How that ideal weight is determined, however, isn't always cut and dried. Unlike humans, who have Body Mass Index and other various charts to guide them, there isn't an established chart of acceptable weights for cats due to the large variations between the different breeds. A Maine Coon will be much heavier than a Siamese. For this reason, obesity in cats is determined using body condition scoring. Body condition scoring usually ranges from 1 to 9, with 5 being ideal and 9 being grossly overweight.

So how can you tell if your cat's too fat? Feel his sides. Can you feel his ribs? A little fat covering is ideal. You should be able to feel his ribs if you put slight pressure on his sides, but you shouldn't be able to count them just by running your hand over his body. Look at him while you're standing above him. Can you see his waist? Yes, cats should have a waist. Look at him from the side. Do you see his tummy tucking in a bit? It shouldn't be wobbling around in the breeze (in neutered animals, a slight pouch of loose skin is normal).

For long-haired cats, it may be helpful to wet down their fur in the bathtub to judge their body condition. All that fur can give the illusion that the cat is much heavier than it really is, or provide a great excuse to the owner for why her cat looks fat.
(See the links following this article for an illustrated chart to help you.)

So He's Fat. Is It That Dangerous?

The short answer: YES.

The long answer: a list of known risks. Obese cats have a much higher risk of developing:

*diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)
*hepatic lipidosis / FLS (a form of liver disease)
*arthritis or other skeletal problems
*lower urinary tract disease ('cystitis')
*breathing difficulties
*heart failure
*renal disease
*problems with anesthetic
*surgical complications

But He Doesn't Eat THAT much...

Excess weight is all about eating more calories than the body needs. If your cat is neutered, he uses less calories. If he's a barn cat, he uses a lot more calories. The more active he is, the more calories he needs. Most of us have indoor cats that lay around much of the time. They're not using energy to stay warm; they're not hunting for their food. They don't need to have a big bowl of food laying around to munch on 24 hours a day.

When humans diet, it is often recommended to keep a food diary because we lose track of how much we're really eating. You can lose track of how much your cat is really eating if you free-feed dry and toss treats at him several times a day. Be more conscious of what you're feeding him and remember that an animal that weighs 12 pounds doesn't need to eat all that much. Nor will he think you don't love him anymore if you stop tossing him treats every time you think he's being cute. If you want to show him your love, play with him. Give him some catnip. Spend time interacting with him. Don't equate food with love.

Getting the Weight Off

If your cat is more than a little overweight, the first thing you need to do is make an appointment with your veterinarian. There are a few medical reasons for gross obesity that require veterinary care to fix. Barring a medical problem causing the condition, your vet should monitor your obese cat's health as you restrict calories. Strict dieting can be deadly to obese cats. Do not just drastically cut down on her food and hope the weight will melt off. Obese cats who are suddenly deprived of food are prone to Fatty Liver Syndrome, which can be fatal if untreated. Weight loss should be a gradual process - the natural result of a healthier diet and a more active life.

Most cats are not so grossly obese that they need medical care to supervise their weight loss. Most are simply the result of an unhealthy lifestyle where they consume too many calories, are too inactive, and eat the wrong kinds of food (pretty much just like overweight people). Addressing these problems will result in the weight gradually reducing to a healthy number. Try these tips.

*Buy premium food. Many inexpensive brands don't use quality ingredients and use far too many fillers. The nutrients are not as digestible, thus aren't bioavailable (they just pass right through the system). The cat eats more to compensate.

*Feed portioned meals at regular mealtimes. Cats will eat out of boredom, just like people. They may also compete for food in a multi-cat home. Feed the portion recommended on the food packaging, dividing into two or three feedings daily (barring any medical condition requiring a different feeding schedule). Separate your cats in your multiple-cat household if necessary. Leave the food down for 30-40 minutes, then take it up. You eat meals at mealtime. So can your cat.

*Feed wet food in addition to or instead of dry. Cats are meant to eat meat. Dry foods tend to have far too many carbohydrates (not very digestible) and not nearly enough water and protein. The wet food, high in protein and fat, satisfies the cat's hunger better and is used more efficiently by the body. If your cat likes wet food, feed the wet only. If she isn't all that crazy about it, give her half her calories as dry and half as wet. If you're just starting out, even a quarter of her calories coming from wet food is a start.

*Skip the treats. Food should not be equated with love. Once your cat is down to a healthy weight, an occasional treat is fine, but until then, try using praise, play time, catnip, and other rewards to show how much you enjoy your companion.

*Integrate activities other than eating into the routine. Your cat was made to be an active being - one that hunted for food, competed for territory, stayed safe from predators, stayed warm in the winter, cool in the summer, ranged for mates, and raised young. Now that cats are kept as indoor pets, they need activity to be provided for them. Get some interactive and automated toys for your cat. Play chase with her - get her to chase you from room to room by dragging a cat toy behind you. Get her a big cat tree and hide interesting things such as catnip pieces in it, especially towards the top where she needs to climb to get to. Plant a little container of cat grass and secure it to the top. Be creative, but get her thinking and moving. Playing with your cat reduces stress levels - for both of you!

Keep the Weight Off

Don't get lazy once your cat can actually jump onto the couch without effort. A healthy weight is all about lifestyle. Maintain the feeding regimen, don't start feeding a lot of extra treats, and keep up the activity levels. Spending a little time to get your cat to a healthy weight will help your cat live a longer, happier life.

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About the Author
M. Nikole Hunn is a freelance writer in her spare time, in between coding, tripping over cats, and cleaning hair off the couch. Her main site can be seen at http://www.ipwebdesign.net/.

What Can We Eat to Avoid Obesity

What Can We Eat to Avoid Obesity?


Obesity is becoming a global concern. The basic of losing weight is simple; consume less calories than you burn. Consuming more calories than we need leads to overweight. Although some foods indicate being "LOW FAT," "LOW CARBS," or "SUGAR FREE," this does not mean we can eat unlimited servings. These products still have calories despite being rated as “low.” It is imperative we modify our eating habits controlling what and how much we eat, and not food controlling our lives.

Reportedly, the Mediterranean diet, a combination of lots of vegetables, grains, fruits, olive oil, and wine is one of the most balanced meals to help avoid obesity. Many researches indicate that people following a Mediterranean diet have lower disease risks and less obesity problems.

On the other hand, many research studies have indicated that wine taken in moderation is beneficial for our health. The secret is to drink in moderation. One glass of wine with our meals is fine; just be aware that a glass of wine approximately has 100 calories. You still can follow this diet even if not drinking wine. Moreover, the Mediterranean diet is even consistent with the new diet recommendations issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in January 2005. You may check the site at
www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines

Ideally, eat at regular intervals, every 3-4 hours. Why? It helps to keep blood sugar levels stable. Skipping meals will not help you lose weight in the long term. Your goal is to keep that unwanted fat away, right? Hence, do not skip breakfast and add a cup of green tea to speed up your metabolism.

One advice, do not follow rigid diets or extreme low carbs. Yes, I know, I know … there are low carb meals and low fat labels almost everywhere! Again, remember that low carbs and low fat DO NOT mean zero calories. Read food labels to know how many calories you are actually consuming. Me, reading labels? Yes, I am not kidding. Trust me, this habit will help you keep the weight off and enjoy a healthier figure, as you will be in control of how much you eat -- not food controlling you.

Furthermore, most of these quick weight loss diets and products offer only temporary weight loss. They fail in the long term because you lose lean muscle mass and body water. Surprise comes when you resume eating normal, as you tend to gain that weight back, if not add even more. The reason is that those quick diets or extreme low carb diets can slow down your metabolism.

Therefore, the best way to achieve your weight loss goal without starving is to follow a balanced menu checking your calories intake, and exercise at least 3 times a week to lose body fat. Personally, I prefer a high protein and moderate carbs, as our bodies need carbs to function properly. I can proudly say that I lost 80 pounds of unwanted fat and have kept the weight off for 3 years without starving, but eating a combined balanced meal. If I did that, so can you! The bottom line is to keep the weight off, that unwanted fat, which is so hard to get rid of, and not just have the illusion of losing weight when in reality we are losing mostly water with crash diets.

So, you might be asking, then what can I eat? Again, you can eat a balanced meal. We should eat at least 3 servings of fruit and vegetables a day to keep a healthy figure. Remember our ancestors, our mothers, and grandmothers telling us, "Finish your vegetables!" Well, guess what? They were right! Vegetables are a good source of vitamins, minerals and are low in calories, unlike processed food. I love vegetables, especially tomatoes with fresh basil.

Drinking 8 glasses of water a day will help your metabolism too.

Avoid cooking with lard or with heavy cooking oils, as they are high in calories and saturated fat. Excess of saturated fats is associated with colon cancer and atherosclerosis among other diseases. A better oil for cooking is mono unsaturated Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Contrary to saturated fat, unsaturated fat is associated with longevity and lower risk of disease, olive oil is a good example.

In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed olive oil products to make the claim: “Limited and not conclusive scientific evidence suggests that about two tablespoons of olive oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to the monounsaturated fat in olive oil.”

Reduce portion sizes and eat more fresh foods than processed foods. If you enjoy meat, try leaner cuts and trim off any fat.

If you enjoy chicken, eliminate the skin and trim off any fat too. Chicken is a good source of protein and very low in carbs.

If you are vegetarian, have soy-based products for protein consumption. For example, meatless hamburgers, falafel, soy-based bacon, soy-based sausages, etc...

Ideally go for low fat dairy products and you will still have all the nutrients with the exception of fat.

Consume yogurt, but make sure it contains "live cultures," such as Acidophillus, thermophillus, L. Bulgaricus and lactobacillus; these bacteria boost the immune system, helping restore good bacteria to our digestive system to combat bad bacteria. As highlighted by Scientist T. Charles John Bhaskar, those unique living microorganisms are responsible for many of the health and nutritional benefits of yogurt, such as helping to digest food and prevent stomach infections, plus it is a good source of protein, calcium, riboflavin and vitamin B 12.

For those social parties, let me give you some emergency party measures. Be alert to those fancy goodies at parties. They might look small but sometimes are full of saturated fat and empty calories. For example, hidden fat foods include chips, sausages, pork pie, salami, and those innocent dips. Instead, have a small plate with vegetables, fruits, or just one of those tempting snacks.

Sure, you might be tempted to grasp those sugary or salty heavy calories munchies, but think…”do I really need those empty calories and extra fat?” Most of those snacks are starchy carbs and refined carbs, which are usually high in calories and their high glycemic value increases blood sugar levels. Most of those sugars will convert into fat deposits if our bodies don’t burn those extra calories..

The bottom line is that we can eat almost everything, as long as we eat in moderation without consuming more calories than we actually burn. Diet should not be a burdening experience but a healthy pleasant experience without deprivation. It is up to us to make the decision to either keep increasing weight by over eating, or defeating overweight by learning how to eat healthy and not use food as an excuse to fill any emotional need.

Now, let me go and grasp my warm cup of green tea to speed up my metabolism.
Until next time, have an enjoyable way to keep a healthy figure. Your commitment is also my commitment, “Official! Overweight? NO MORE!” We can do it!

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About The Author
Anna “Overweight? NO MORE!” She believes that every person can achieve a healthier figure with determination, eating healthy, and exercising.” www.officialoverweightnomore.com