Handling the problem of Heartburn and Indigestion

Heartburn and indigestion is another big problem people encounter. Constant experience of digestive problems can be a symptom of overfeeding, bad food choices or  something more serious.  On the contrary, making good choice of the foods you eat  can provide relief. 

A vast number of foods can trigger heartburn or indigestion by relaxing the  band of muscles at the end of your esophagus so it can't keep out  stomach acid. Heartburn and Indigestion can be  greatly lessened or completely avoided by limiting the intake of  spicy foods with black pepper or chili  powder, garlic and raw onions, citrus foods like tomatoes, oranges, and  grapefruit, fried or fatty foods, alcohol or anything with caffeine  such as coffee, tea, soft drinks.

For a better healthy digestion and to minimize acid reflux, make sure  you get plenty of fiber from a variety of vegetables, non-citrus  fruits, and whole grains. Drink enough fluids to help your body absorb  important nutrients and lubricate food waste, and use low-fat methods  when cooking. Try drinking herbal chamomile tea after dinner or before  bedtime, as it’s believed to have a calming effect on the stomach.   Smaller but more frequent meals can also help decrease heartburn and  indigestion problems.   Be sure to eat your meals and snacks in a calm,  relaxed atmosphere where there’s little (if any) noise or distractions.  Wear properly fitting clothing that isn’t tight in the waist and  abdominal area, and don’t lie down immediately after eating a meal.

Make your morning meal oatmeal. It’s high in fiber, low in saturated  fat and cholesterol and when combined with skim milk, gives you a  calcium-charged boost to your day. By adding blueberries or raisins  you’ll be adding some extra iron and potassium into the mix for a  well-balanced diet. 

You can't beat turkey if you want a lean, nutrient-packed protein  source that'll be easy on your stomach. Turkey is high in niacin, which  helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood.  Chicken without the skin  is also a terrific low-fat source of protein. Both are easy to cook .

Apples and grapes are low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium,  and are a great non-citrus fruit choice for vitamin C and fiber.

Do you know that Raw Foods Diet is Beneficial to Your Health?

The benefits derived from eating raw food diet seem numerous! They range from lowering  cholesterol and triglyceride levels, eliminating cravings, preventing  overeating, purging the body of accumulated toxins, balancing hormones,  maintaining blood glucose levels and reversing degenerative diseases.

Users of a raw diet cite numerous health benefits, including  increased energy levels, improved appearance of skin, improved  digestion, weight loss and reduced risk of heart disease etc. Advocates of eating raw food believe that enzymes are the life force of a food and  that every food contains its own perfect mix. These enzymes help us  digest our foods fully, without relying on our body to produce its own  cocktail of digestive enzymes.

There can be some side effects when you are first starting a raw foods  diet. Some detoxification effects may be experienced as your body  attempts to shed some toxidity. This may include occasional headaches,  nausea sensations and mild depression. If these symptoms persist, you  should seek the help of somebody who is experienced with detoxification  symptoms.

Consuming a raw food diet means that you have to carefully plan your  meals to make sure you don't fall short of essential nutrients,  vitamins and minerals. In some instances it might be appropriate to  consider taking dietary supplements, especially when just starting out.   You'll need to invest in some appliances so that you are able to  prepare the food, if you don’t already have them available.  A durable  juicer, a blender and a large food processor make raw food preparation  easy. You may also want to look into purchasing large containers to  soak sprouts, grains and beans, as well as for storage. A durable juice  extractor for your fruits and vegetables.

The best way to begin a raw foods lifestyle is to slowly  transition into it. Try starting off by eating approximately 70 to 80  percent raw foods in your diet. Have fruit and salads throughout the  day and a cooked vegetable meal with a salad in the evening. This  should help make the transition easier on your body and hopefully  lessen side effects associated with detoxification. This is an  emotional time as well, so you should allow yourself plenty of time to  make the switch. 

Reading journals during the process can help. Before you  know it, you’ll be feeling the positive effects of a healthy,  detoxifying raw foods diet.