Why do we crave CHOCOLATE?

Girls this one is for us! We know we love our chocolate, its like our own medicine sometimes when we feel down and it always manages to make us feel better right?
Why does chocolate have that effect on us? (not only including women).
Studies have shown that when eating chocolate we release endorphins, which are most commonly known by the happy hormones. They make us feel pleasant and happy. Besides the sugar that the chocolate has, which satisfies for a sugar treat craving. So its two in one.

Now we understand why we crave chocolate when we are not feeling completely happy or when we are stressed. It is a way in which our bodies can cope with a difficult situation.

Chocolate makes any day better. Just be aware of the amount you eat.
As I always say, no need for a diet if you eat moderately out of everything, self control is the best lifestyle you can have.

Whats wrong with Corn Syrup?

Corn syrup has become a common ingredient to many sodas, soft drink beverages, and processed foods.

Facts about corn syrup and its effects:
- similar to table sugar
- weight gain
- dental cavities
- poor nutrition (no nutrients)
- increased triglyceride levels
- heart attack risks

The effects of corn syrup are very similar to any other types of sugar. There is not enough evidence to actually show that corn syrup is more harmful than other types of sweeteners therefore the studies are not conclusive of what the different harms are to one's body in comparison to other sweeteners.

Addicted to Junk food? Here's a solution.

Your choices.

Ok guys! This is a question I have been continuously asked and I am sure at some point you guys asked yourself about it too. Why is it so hard for us to adjust to a healthy lifestyle?

We already know what we should eat and we know what does us good and what does not. So why do we keep going back to junk food? and why in the world does it not seem to matter that our lives and health are at risk by making constant bad food choices?

We have talked before about cravings and why they actually happen. To refresh your memory we crave fatty foods because they are an instant source of energy and because of the pleasure/happiness that we get off of the high amounts of sugar or fats in them.

But why can't we stop? Sometimes we have to admit that there is no other choice but to go to a fast food restaurant based on our lifestyles or because of lack of time. We have to understand that at some point we will have to eat it and every once in a while (not often preferably) it is not bad to give yourself a little treat but always remembering the amount of food we are ingesting and how it will affect us.

So moving on to how to make great food choices... start from the beginning. Our bodies create a like for the usual products that we eat or the foods that we usually encounter. This is because our palate gets used to the different flavors once we have introduced them to it continuously (though there are certain things that just dislike us... like some vegetables). When I say to start from the beginning I meant to start having good food choices since the moment you have enough conscience to be able to understand what is good for you and what is not. By doing this you will start training your palate and you will learn how to enjoy and love the food you eat.

If you happen to be an adult or a teenager who has made really bad choices for most of his/her life and is now looking for better choices or a better lifestyle I have to warn you it will not be easy. I have to agree that since one is a kid, we are bombarded with advertisements and attracted in to going to fast food restaurants because of the toys or the playgrounds. We need to understand the importance of making good food choices and for this we need our parents to guide us through our childhood with the best nutrition possible, by doing this our bodies get used to that kind of food.

Studies actually show that we crave less fatty and sugary foods when we have limited consumption to it. So by having a good choice of foods during the week for instance and having one day in which you treat yourself to dessert or to a burger is an example of limited consumption of junk food. So what is the first start to making great food choices? the first step to doing this is by limiting our sugar and fat consumption and knowing the caloric values for the foods we eat in order to have control of the amount of calories we are taking in a day.

After limiting your sugar and fat intake (which will be hard after so many bad habits) and breaking your old habits, introducing a kind of exercise that you like into your daily lives is probably the best way to go.
Then reducing carbs to a more limited amount and introducing more vegetables and less processed foods.

"If it can last up to more than 4 days its probably not that good for you"

You will see after making these changes that you can have more control over the food you eat in contrast to it having control over you. And you will feel less need for those sugary and fatty foods.

Best exercise to burn fat?

Ever asked yourself the question of what you should in order to burn more fat? If you have I have an answer for all of you!

If you thought it would be a MAGICAL type of exercise or something... you are completely wrong. In fact studies show that high-intensity workouts are the best ones to help you lose weight. So cardiovascular exercise could be an appropriate option, and the number one cardio activity that you can do is run.

Besides you getting in shape and having a faster metabolism there are other positive parts to running:

1) You can do it anywhere with no need of special equipment
2) Since it is high impact, it helps you create strong connective tissue and strong bones.
3) Helps burn many calories, especially when running uphill.

Run!

The myth of CARBS

Carbohydrates

People think... "well if i want to reduce weight.. i must eliminate carbs and then I'm done."
if you are one of these people, politely let me inform you, YOU ARE WRONG.
In order to lose weight and maintain a good weight it is important that we exercise and keep a good nutrition.

If you think that you will lose weight by eliminating carbs and exercising to the max you are mistaking.
Many people believe this and that fat could be potentially broken down easier. In fact, this statement is completely WRONG since what it does is that it lowers the capacity of your body to burn fat. By lowering the capacity to burn fat you are also lowering your metabolism. Because of this your body will start to burn down muscle in order to obtain that missing carbohydrate. Muscle breakdown causes stress levels to rise, which can lead to more carbohydrate cravings... making you eventually over eat on carbs and gain weight in the long run because you were keeping your body completely away from them.

A good way to lose weight is by REDUCING carbs... NOT by eliminating them completely from your diet. And of course keeping a good exercise routine of at least 30 minutes per day. This does not mean that you are going to over-do exercise either... if you do more than what your body is used to you will feel like a bus crashed you the next morning. So, a good way to avoid this unpleasant feeling you must start exercise and training in a low level and increase as your resistance increases (it will after persistent and constant exercising routines).