Nutrition & Fitness

Healthy Snacks For Hungry Teens

Published by superadmin on 25th August 2021 | Leave a response

When kids get home from school or practice, they want something to eat. You can make it a snack that’s good for them with a little planning. Once kids hit their teen years, it’s hard to monitor the food they eat, so the best way to help develop health habits is to have the right foods available. Here are some healthy snacks for hungry teens you can premade and in the refrigerator or ready to eat on the shelf. Snacks are an important part of a teen’s diet, so having easy access can encourage healthy habits.

Individual serving size treats make it easy to grab and go.

The easier it is to grab a snack for later, the more apt your teen will take it along. Individual serving size baggies of nuts and home made trail mix in individual serving sizes is one good way to start. If you have an active or athletic child that needs a snack after practice. One serving may not be enough or you may need to supplement it with fresh fruit, such as a banana or apple. The fiber from both fruit and nuts and the protein and healthy fats in the nuts can keep your teen feeling fuller longer and provide nutrients.

Make or buy freshly ground nut butter to ensure it’s pure.

If you’re buying commercially made peanut butter, make sure there is only one ingredient, peanuts, but it also could have a little salt for flavor. Have it ready to slather on apple slices, or put it on the ribs of celery sticks. If weight gain or muscle building is important, peanut butter and banana sandwiches can do the trick. For weight loss, a half apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter or cashew butter is 95 calories and walnut butter is 85 calories. Add in the calories of a half apple, which is 50, and you’ll have a great snack that will fill up your teen without packing on the pounds.

Make up individual bags of popcorn or microwave popcorn to heat and eat.

Popcorn is healthy and easy to make. It’s a low calorie option that can be made ahead or in a few minutes in the microwave. Don’t use prebagged microwave popcorn. Instead, put 3 to 4 tablespoons of a popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag, push out much of the air and fold the edge twice. Microwave for two minutes until the popping slows and sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese, salt or other popcorn topping.

Have heard boiled eggs cooked and ready in the refrigerator. Store them away from the uncooked eggs in a special container. Sliced cheese with apple slices or celery is another healthy snack.
Make healthy dips to go with fresh fruits and vegetables. You can season Greek yogurt, make avocado dip or use hummus. Have cubed fruit like melons available and a yogurt dip made without added sugar.
What you provide for your teens to drink is just as important as what they eat. Say no to colas and sweet drinks and yes to water, or flavored water if you want a special treat.
Make your own special treat with steel cut oats. Sweeten a few tablespoons of peanut butter with a little honey and stir well. Add enough oats to be able to handle. Roll in a ball and roll the ball in left over wheat germ or oats.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition

Posted in Nutrition & Fitness

Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar

Published by superadmin on 15th August 2021 | Leave a response

Our clients love our meal plans at Sci-Fit Nutrition in Columbia, South Carolina, because they reflect our view that a healthy diet can help prevent and sometimes address and improve health issues. One of the ingredients we always include in diets is apple cider vinegar. Many healthy options include it in their recipe. There are so many benefits of apple cider vinegar—ACV— that it can be part of the food in a detox diet, weight loss and so many other healthy options.

The acetic acid provides many benefits.

ACV is made by fermenting crushed apples, then allowing that to ferment to vinegar. The acetic acid offers many benefits.from aiding with heartburn and acid reflux to being a natural tooth whitener. Be aware, however, that it also can damage the enamel of the teeth and weaken them. It helps acid reflux and heartburn by balancing the pH and providing probiotics that help. .

ACV may aid you in your weight loss efforts.

One study examined what happened when rats and mice were given acetic acid. The study showed it helped prevent deposits of fat and boosted their metabolism. Another study showed that it reduced the amount body fat gained by the mice. As a side benefit, lab animals that were given acetic acid were also more active, so they burned more calories.There’s approximately 5% acetic acid in ACV, which may account for the benefits for weight loss.

Keep your blood glucose level balanced, blood pressure and bad cholesterol lower with ACV.

Several studies show that the acetic acid in raw apple cider vinegar can improve the insulin response, balance blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. To get the benefits, you need the raw ACV that contains the Mother of Vinegar. Including ACV in your diet may also lower LDL—bad cholesterol—levels. Consider making your own salad dressing with berries and ACV to increase potassium levels to lower blood pressure.

ACV is high in potassium, so it may be beneficial for conditions like restless leg syndrome, muscle weakness and heart palpitations. Using too much too often may have the opposite effect of reducing potassium levels. One woman that drank a cup a day for six years had bone loss.
Don’t take ACV straight, but mix it with water or use it in recipes. Drinking it straight may actually cause stomach problems, burning throat and affect tooth enamel.
ACV can provide benefits that aren’t related to nutrition. The antimicrobial nature of ACV can help with minor issues like a sore throat, stuffy nose, anti dandruff rinse, blemish remedy and natural deodorant.
If you’re planning on using ACV for health issues, always check with your health care professional first. ACV can interact with diuretics and insulin.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition

Posted in Nutrition & Fitness

Does An Apple A Day Really Keep The Doctor Away?

Published by superadmin on 5th August 2021 | Leave a response

Do you need a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack as a pick-me-up that will tide you over to lunch, but won’t pack on the pounds? Try an apple. Apples are easy to transport, filled with nutrients and contains a lot of fiber. They have health benefits that can aid in preventing serious conditions. In fact, it’s one of the reasons the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” got its start. It really can help you stay healthier.

Apples are extremely nutritious.

You might underestimate an apple because it seems to simple to have all those nutrients. It has macronutrients like carbs for energy and lots of fiber to keep you feeling full longer. In fact, apples contain approximately 30% of your daily requirement for fiber. Apples also contain vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, E and K. They contain manganese and potassium.

Boost your heart health with apples.

There’s a definite link between the number of apples consumed and heart disease. The more eaten, the lower the risk of heart disease. You may wonder why. Some believe it’s the fiber that helps lower cholesterol levels. One study showed that an apple a day was as effective as statin drugs. Another potential reason apples are heart healthy are the phytochemicals, like the polyphenol, anthocyanin. Eat the skin of the apple if you want the biggest concentration of beneficial nutrients. The skin contains epicatechin, which lower blood pressure and is linked to a reduced risk of stroke.

Apples can help you lose weight.

Obesity is the leading cause of preventable deaths and apples can help prevent obesity and aid in weight loss. It’s all about the fiber in apples, since one study compared people eating applesauce, drinking apple juice or eating an apple before a meal and found it was the whole apple eaters that ate the least. One study found that eating an apple a day lowered the risk of type2 diabetes, which may come from the apple’s polyphenols.

If you eat an apple a day, you’ll have healthier bones. The anti-inflammatories and antioxidants of the apples help prevent the loss of calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis and less bone density.
The juice of the apple may provide brain protection by boosting the health of the neurotransmitters that operate in the area of memory.
If you’re taking painkillers like Advil or Motrin on a regular basis, provide a buffer for your stomach lining by eating an apple a day. NSAIDs taken regularly can otherwise cause damage.
The anti-inflammatories and antioxidants in apples can help keep your immune system in check to provide lung protection, particularly for those with asthma.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition

Posted in Nutrition & Fitness

Pros And Cons Of Health Supplements

Published by superadmin on 25th July 2021 | Leave a response

Do you pop a daily vitamin or two without thinking, hoping it can provide the nutrients you need, while ignoring your overall diet? That’s supplement abuse. While there are pros and cons of health supplements, eating a well-balanced diet should always be your first “go-to” when it comes to your nutritional needs. Whole foods contain more than just vitamins and minerals, they contain phytochemicals that provide health benefits and enhance the benefits of vitamins and minerals.

There are times you need more nutrients than your diet can provide.

For instance, Vitamin D deficiencies often occur in people that live in the north. That’s because there’s not enough direct sun year around to fill that need. Sunscreen also blocks the sun, the easiest source of vitamin D. While many foods are fortified with vitamin D, there are few foods that contain much of it. Fatty fish like salmon, eggs and mushrooms are natural sources. Studies show that a vitamin D deficiency may affect as many as 50% of the population. It’s important for your immune system, for stronger bones, hair and teeth and heart health.

Your age or health conditions might require a supplement.

Older people, those who are pregnant, have trouble with nutrient absorption—which includes IBS and other digestive issues—and women with heavy menstruation may require vitamin supplements. Many older women have magnesium deficiencies. Something as simple as soaking your feet in Epsom salts can help prevent that vitamin B12 might be necessary for pregnant women. Since seniors have problems absorbing and using nutrients, seniors may require supplements. Check with your health care professional first.

For most people, a healthy diet should be at the top of your list.

Not only does a healthy diet provide vitamins and minerals, it provides phytonutrients that don’t come in a pill. Anthocyanins, for example, a phytochemical that gives purple, red and blue fruit and vegetables their color, provides health benefits that include heart health, lowering cholesterol, reducing obesity, improving cognitive functioning, boosting the immune system and cancer prevention. It works in synergy to boost the effects of other nutrients.

You can take too much of a supplement. Your body converts beta carotene to vitamin A. While getting vitamin A via conversion of beta carotene isn’t dangerous, taking too much vitamin A can create health issues.
Some supplements may be beneficial. It may help recovery to add a scoop or two of protein supplements to your diet, increase vitamin D with supplements or take krill or fish oil as a supplement for Omega-3 fatty acids.
While most water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin C, are flushed out of your system so you don’t overdose, too much vitamin C can cause vomiting cramps and diarrhea.
You may be wasting your money on vitamin supplements. Many are flushed out in bodily waste. Supplements that are affordable often aren’t as bioavailable, so they do no good. Eating a nutrient rich diet is important and more affordable than expensive supplements.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition

Posted in Nutrition & Fitness

Is Diet Soda Good For You?

Published by superadmin on 15th July 2021 | Leave a response

Recently a study came out in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society that showed diet soda may not be the diet benefit people often believe and may not be good for your health. The study used the information gathered in the San Antonio Longitudinal Study on Aging, which had a total of 749 subjects that were of both European-American and Mexican-American heritage. The study started in 1992 and lasted 12 years, ending in 2004. One part of the study focused on the consumption of diet soda and pertinent information, including waistline measurements.

Those in the study that consumed the most diet soda had bigger waistlines.

The study followed these people and noted the changes. Those who drank the most diet soda saw a bigger increase in their waistline than those that didn’t drink it or seldom did. The more diet soda consumed, the bigger the difference in how many inches were gained. In the group that dank it daily, the increase was three times that of the increase in those who seldom or never drank diet soda. For those who drank it occasionally, the increase doubled that of people who never drank it.

Your waistline circumference is important.

There are several types of body fat. However, we’ll focus on just two types, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Subcutaneous fat is right under the skin. When you pinch more than an inch, it’s subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat is deep fat that is inside your core and wraps around your organs. It increases your risk for heart disease, diabetes, stroke and dementia. That makes it dangerous. One way to measure the amount of visceral fat is a waistline measurement. The more inches around the middle, the more visceral fat you have and the more risk you face of serious conditions.

Why do diet soft drinks cause this problem?

While nobody is positive why this fat accumulates, scientists hypothesize that it might be because of the sweetness. The sweetness receptors trigger in the brain to signal the stomach to prepare to digest something sugary. When it doesn’t arrive and there’s nothing to digest, it leaves the body craving something sweet. That can lead to cravings and seeking out food that has sugar and causes weight gain. The artificial sweetener basically tricks the brain, causing a breakdown in the body. It leads to a change in the response to the satiety hormone, leptin, which tells your brain that you’re full.

People who never drank diet soda had a 0.8 inch increase in their waist. Those who drank it occasionally had a 1.83 inch increase. Daily consumers who increased their waist by 3.16 inches.
Diet soda may also create a misleading feeling that drinking it saves calories and allows you to eat other high calorie foods, like fries and triple double burgers. If you choose diet soft drinks, it doesn’t mean you can eat more high calorie foods.
Another study from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio followed 500 people for ten years and found those that drank diet soda had a 70% larger waistline than those who abstained.
The healthiest no calorie drink is water. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try infused water. Store bought infused water may contain sugar, so make yours at home. It’s easy and tastes delicious.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition

Posted in Nutrition & Fitness

Is Diet As Important As Fitness?

Published by superadmin on 5th July 2021 | Leave a response

Trying to decide which is more important, diet or fitness, is like trying to decide whether hydrating or breathing is more important. Yes, in the second case, you can last longer without fluid than you can with air, but ultimately, going without either for an extended period will cause death. It’s just a matter of how long you go without either one. I use that analogy when people in Columbia, South Carolina, ask me and then tell them that diet is like breathing and exercise is like hydrating. You’ll see negative results sooner if your diet is bad, but without both, you can’t be truly healthy.

You can’t out-exercise a bad diet.

If you’re eating junk food that’s high in calories and low in nutrients, don’t expect to be healthy or lose weight just by exercising. However, you also will rust out quicker than you will wear out. When you exercise, your body requires the raw material from a healthy diet to rebuild those muscle tissues and stoke the furnaces of the cells. You also need to work your muscles and keep circulation at its best.

Exercise helps protect you at a cellular level.

The body is an amazing machine. The more you work out, the more it prepares itself to workout more. Working out makes small tears in the muscles, so the body builds new cells for repair that are bigger and stronger. Working out regularly, causes the body to create longer telomeres. Telomeres act like aglets, the plastic on the end of shoestrings. They prevent the chromosomes from fraying and unraveling, which can cause cell damage and death. Exercise also increases stem cell production to create new cells where necessary.

Obesity is the number one cause of preventable death.

While exercise is extremely important, no matter what your fitness goal, adopting a healthy diet should be your first priority. Your body needs healthy cells and that requires the raw materials to make them. That comes from a healthy diet. Sugar and highly processed foods actually sabotage your body and can lead to insulin resistance, diabetes, unhealthy cholesterol levels and other health conditions. Your diet affects your weight, your health and how old you look and feel.

Just as you don’t have to choose between breathing and hydrating, you don’t have to choose between diet and exercise. You can do both and reap the benefits. When you combine them, the benefits are greater than the sum of the two individually.
What is a healthy diet or good exercise program? The answer varies. While the basics of each is similar for all people, there are changes made to both to accommodate individual differences, such as food intolerance or physical limitations in the case of exercise.
Eating healthy is not the same as dieting. Dieting means limiting choices and feeling deprived. You have a multitude of choices when you eat healthy, which includes healthy snacks. Most people say they never feel deprived or hungry.
Exercise doesn’t have to include a formal exercise program at the gym. It can mean being more active, like walking to the store or work, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or riding your bike instead of taking a car.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition

Posted in Nutrition & Fitness

Is Whey Protein Good For You?

Published by superadmin on 25th June 2021 | Leave a response

At Sci-Fit Nutrition in Columbia, South Carolina, we address the questions that you want answered and provide the latest scientific knowledge on the subject. We frequently get questions on the best type of protein supplement. Everyone is different with different needs, so instead, we’ll address the benefits of the protein. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, milk products may not be allowed in your diet and whey protein comes from milk, so it’s not an option. If you’re lactose intolerant, opt for whey protein supplements that are whey protein isolates or hydrolysates, rather than whey protein concentrates. Whey protein isolates have less than 0.1 gram of lactose, the carbohydrate that causes all the digestive problems and concentrates have even less than that.

Not all people need a protein supplement.

If you eat healthy, you probably don’t need a protein supplement. People who are vegetarian and vegan may require a protein supplement, unless they plan their diet carefully. If you’re working hard to build muscle mass or just starting a workout program are other potential situations that extra protein might be required. People with digestive issues and seniors that don’t eat enough protein or absorb it well may need extra, too.

Whey protein is a great source of quality protein that can help if you’re building muscle tissue.

Whey protein is normally easy to digest, especially whey protein isolate. There are three types, whey protein isolate—WPI—which is low in lactose, whey protein concentrate—WPC—and whey protein hydrolysate—WPH. If you’re not lactose intolerant, the concentrate may be good enough, it’s also the most common type and cheapest. However, if you’re diabetic, hydrolysate may spike sugar levels. All types are good for muscle growth, especially in seniors who need extra protein to maintain muscle tissue. Whey protein contain leucine that is the most effective amino acid for muscle growth and makes whey protein one of the best when muscle growth is a priority.

Whey protein has some health benefits that are important.

If your blood pressure is abnormally high, you’re at risk for heart disease. Studies show that dairy products, including whey protein, can help lower blood pressure. That’s because they contain “angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors” (ACE-inhibitors). These are in whey protein and called lactokinins. Those with type 2 diabetes may also benefit from whey protein, but remember the hydrolysate type can cause blood sugar levels to rise. Whey protein can improve insulin resistance and increase amounts of insulin. It’s superior to egg white and fish in that area. Some studies found it better than the drug sulfonylurea used for diabetes. It’s especially effective when taken before a meal and can help with weight loss as well.

You may get relief from inflammation when you use whey protein. Studies show it reduces levels of C-reactive protein that’s a marker of inflammation. That makes it beneficial for IBS and other inflammatory diseases.
Your body fights off free radicals that damage cells with antioxidants. Glutathione is one of the primary antioxidants. Whey protein may boost the production of glutathione to improve the body’s defenses.
Studies show that obese individuals may reduce their bad cholesterol levels by taking whey protein consistently for several months. It also helped fill up individuals, so they ate less and lost weight faster.
The best way to get nutrients is always through a healthy diet. If you take too much whey continuously, it can be hard on the kidneys. Make sure you check the ingredients label to ensure you’re not getting a lot of additives.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition

Posted in Nutrition & Fitness

Can Gluten Affect Your Diet?

Published by superadmin on 15th June 2021 | Leave a response

You see it everywhere, gluten-free foods advertised with banners on bags and boxes. If gluten is a problem for you, you probably welcome that help when you’re shopping. Gluten is a protein. It’s found in wheat that can have several other names, such as bulgar, graham flour, kamut, spelt, durum flour, semiola and farina. It’s also found in barley, rye and a cross between wheat and rye called triticale. Just because a product is gluten-free, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily healthy. Sometimes products marked gluten free, like potato chips to make you feel like you’re eating healthier junk food.

If you’re sensitive to gluten, you may have stomach problems.

There are a lot of names and types of gluten sensitivity. Wheat allergies, celiac disease, and gluten intolerance are a few. Some are more severe than others are. Each one varies and may include bloating constipation, diarrhea. However, severe problems may include abdominal pain, exhaustion, blistering skin or other dermatitis, depression, weight loss, anxiety, iron deficiency, numbness of appendages, brain fog, auto-immune disorders and muscle pain. That’s when removing gluten from your diet is important.

In most cases, people with a gluten intolerance will gain weight when going gluten-free.

Because of the diarrhea and stomach upset, people with gluten intolerance often lose weight. However, it’s not a healthy way of losing it, since it’s mostly through fluid loss and lack of nutritional absorption. When gluten is restricted, the body returns to normal and slowly weight is regained. The bloating that often occurs with gluten intolerance disappears, so some people find their clothes fit better, and they look thinner and healthier.

If you’re not gluten intolerant, a gluten free diet may help you indirectly.

Many of the foods that cause weight gain are often made of processed wheat, fat and sugar, so giving up gluten means eating none of those. That immediately can lead to weight loss if they’re not replaced with other high calorie foods, like those gluten-free potato chips. If you replace them with whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, you’re on track to a healthier lifestyle and will lose weight, not because you’ve given up gluten, but because you’re eating healthier.

If you have symptoms of celiac disease, immediately see you physician to avoid irreparable damage to the body. Discuss your diet with your health care professional and see if going gluten-free will help.
You’ll improve your overall health with a gluten-free diet, especially if you’re a junk food junkie. Cut out food with added sugar as well to get the full benefit of a healthy diet.
Ensuring you get adequate fiber and nutrients can be difficult when you give up gluten. Make sure you include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to increase fiber and foods that contain B vitamins, iron, zinc, phosphorus and calcium, which are often found in gluten laden foods.
At Sci-Fit Nutrition, we can help you navigate the pitfalls that occur when you need a gluten-free diet, such as cross contamination or products you might not suspect that contain gluten, like flavored coffee, pudding, soups and soy sauce.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition

Posted in Nutrition & Fitness

What Is Alkaline Water?

Published by superadmin on 5th June 2021 | Leave a response

Have you watched a video or read an article about all the health benefits of alkaline water, including the potential to slow aging? The term alkaline refers to the amount of alkalinity or acid in the water. In other words, the water’s pH levels. If something has a low pH number, such as zero or one, it’s extremely acidic. Battery acid is zero and sulfuric acid is one. The scale for pH levels goes up to 14, so anything that’s 13 or 14 is caustically alkaline. Liquid drain cleaner is 14, with bleach at 13. Normal drinking water is 7, while alkaline water has a pH of 8 or 9, but that’s not all that’s necessary to be called alkaline water. Alkaline water has negative oxidation reduction potential, which makes it a powerful antioxidant. It also contains alkaline minerals.

There’s limited research on alkaline water with different conclusions.

While some health professionals suggest that simply drinking regular water is best, such as Mayo Clinic, there are studies that show there might be something to some of the claims of alkaline water users and sellers. Some claims also include immune system support, improved skin health, weight loss, a lower risk of cancer and the ability to cleanse the colon.

If you have acid reflux or want a better workout, studies show alkaline water may help.

Acid reflux can create a host of other problems, from sinus infections to aspiration pneumonia. It occurs for a number of reasons, but one of them is too much pepsin. One study in 2012 concluded that water from an artesian-well that was naturally carbonated pH 8.8 alkaline water helped inactivate the pepsin when compared to two of the most popular bottled waters. They concluded that it would be beneficial for those with acid reflux.

There are some studies that show alkaline water can potentially help people with high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

These are big claims and need further research but some studies do indicate there might be a good possibility that alkaline water is beneficial. One study showed it made a big difference in the viscosity of the blood, by reducing blood viscosity more than purified water. The thicker or more viscous blood is, the more potential there is for high blood pressure, slower blood flow that can cause plaque to stick to artery walls and blood clots to form. The more efficiently it flows, the more oxygen can go to all parts of the body.

The increased oxygen delivery from the lower viscosity of the blood may help diabetes. The more oxygen released, the less acidic the cells. That aids the pancreas by reducing the work to restore pH levels, taking it away from the function of regulating blood sugar levels.
Some studies show it may cause problems, like lowering stomach acid that kills bacteria. Increased alkalinity could cause skin irritations, digestive problems or alkalosis.
The natural alkaline water from springs adds minerals and increases alkalinity. Most alkaline water purchased is made by electrolysis in an ionizer. The water quality before ionizing is important.
The biggest health issue with drinking too much alkaline water is not safety, but lack of minerals when made from electrolysis in an ionizer. Naturally alkaline water has all the necessary minerals.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition

Posted in Nutrition & Fitness

Are You Still Wasting Money On Diet Pills

Published by superadmin on 25th May 2021 | Leave a response

Your smartphone really is smart. If you’ve ever notice a rush of ads about diet pills after you’ve searched for information about weight loss or worse yet, after you’ve discussed losing weight while your phone was in the room. Obesity is a problem that’s increasing year after year and so are the number of weight loss supplements and diet pills. Do they really help or are you wasting money on diet pills? Can they actually be dangerous? Here’s the scoop on diet pills and their side effects.

Do diet pills boost your metabolism?

Some diet pills contain stimulants, which do increase your metabolism, but have other side effects. At one time products that contained ephedrine alkaloids were quite popular, until they were banned in 2004 because of health issues. It was often combined with caffeine and created heart palpitations, nausea, psychiatric problems and vomiting. Using products with caffeine have remained on the market. However, drinking coffee is less expensive and can be more satisfying. Make sure your coffee has no additives, like sweetener or cream.

Get a capsaicin boost.

Where does capsaicin come from? Hot peppers. It’s what makes them hot. Rather than paying for the pills, why not spice up your cooking instead. It’s far cheaper to add chili peppers to your food and create a spicy dish, than popping pills. In fact, many of our weight loss recipes include spicy foods. You can burn up to 50 extra calories a day when you increase the amount of capsaicin in your diet. That means you’ll lose one pound in 70 days. Eating healthier is faster and far more enjoyable.

Your body turns fat into energy with L-carnitine.

Your body makes L-carnitine naturally in the kidneys and liver, but it’s also in some foods like nuts, meat, legumes and dairy. It’s good for treating other things, besides melting fat. It can help peripheral artery disease, heart disease and diabetic neuropathy. While it works to burn fat, whether a supplement helps burn more fat is questioned. What is known is that taking too much has potentially dangerous side effects such as high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat and seizures.

Some supplements contain chromium picolinate. If you have a chromium deficiency, it can help you, but as for weight loss, so far there’s no evidence that it helps.
Conjugated linoleic acid-CLA- is found in some diet pills. You can get a higher amount of it in your diet by replacing regular beef and milk products with those that come from animals that are grass fed.
You’ve heard the benefits of green tea for good health, so it seems like a win-win that it contains phytochemicals that also help you lose weight. Don’t waste your money on diet pills when you can drink a few cups of the real thing for less and get even more benefits.
Rather than paying high prices for diet pills, making a few changes in your diet can give you all the benefits with no side effects. Resveratrol can come from snacking on grapes inexpensively or you can pay a high price by buying a pill. The same is true of all the diet supplements.

For more information, contact us today at Sci-Fit Nutrition

Posted in Nutrition & Fitness