There are so many diet apps out there, how do you choose the best one? Well, checking out reviews is one way. So, here is latest review on best diet apps. One of these apps even helps you find an online diet buddies if you need one. Dr. Oz mentions in his weight loss tips that support is very important if you are trying to lose weight, so an online buddy may be just the thing for the busy woman. Certainly the success of Weight Watchers groups has given us proof that having a support network for weight loss really works.

Livestrong Calorie Tracker - Livestrong.com has gone mobile with the Calorie Tracker. Record what you eat from a database of 625,000 foods, then check out more than 2,000 exercises to calculate how many calories you need to burn to reach yoiur goal.

Cost $2.99 go to: livestrong.com/calorie-counter/mobile
for iphone, iPad, Blackberry

Fit Pro-sport and diet – Great for fast-food lovers. This database covers options from Wendy’s Taco Bell, pizza hut, Popeyes, KFC and others. Exercise info. is included.

Cost $8.99 Go to appworld.balckberrry.com/webstore/content/5029
for BlackBerry

Calorie Counter by Fatsecret – With a food diary to record what you eat, a calorie database of supermarket brands (use the barcode scan to download nutritional info), and an exercise tracker, this is one of the most complete programs available. It automatically syncs to fatsecret.com where you can search for recipes and find diet buddies to connect with.

Cost: Free go to: fatsecret.com/connected
For Android,iPhone,BlackBerry, i Pad

One of our readers commented that she recommends Diet2Go Mobile App. She says ” the app helps me not to forget about my meals and it’s good support and the community is very helpful. Diet2Go is also a free app.

Make Your Own 100 Calories Snacks

So many people who are dieting are looking for 100 calories snacks. You can buy them already bagged or you can make your own. We have a good listing here of healthy snacks, sweet snacks and if you want to save money on buying those pre-packaged 100 calorie snacks, we can tell how to make your own. For instance, 40 Rold Gold Pretzel sticks are 100 calories. So take a look, we are sure you will find something you like on our list.

Also, see our bonus list of 200 calorie snacks.

100 CALORIES

1. 1 hard-cooked egg (75) with half a slice of toasted wheat bread (34)
2. 1?2 cup ice milk or sherbet (100)
3. 1 large rectangular graham cracker (60) with 11?2 tsp peanut butter (45)
4. 1 slice (1 oz) angel food cake (70) with 1?2 cup fresh strawberries (25)
5. 1?2 cup wheat-flake cereal (55) with 1?2 cup nonfat milk (45)
6. 1 cup chicken-noodle soup (75) with 2 saltines (25)
7. 1 small (4″) whole-wheat pita (74) with 1 Tbsp hummus (24)
8. 1?2 cup cranberry juice cocktail (72) and 1?4 cup nonfat plain yogurt (34) blended with ice
9 1 slice whole-wheat bread (69) with 1 oz sliced turkey breast (28) and mustard
10.1?2 cup 1% lowfat cottage cheese (80) with 1 cup cherry tomatoes (30)
11. 1 cup baby carrots, celery and bell peppers (30) with 2 Tbsp light dressing (70)
12. 1?4 cup 1% lowfat cottage cheese (40) with 1 cup canned peaches in water (60)
13. 1/2 c. sugar-free Jello and two Tbsp. reduced-fat whipped topping
two handfuls of chocolate raisins
14. 1/2 an apple spread with 2 tsp. peanut butter
15. 1/2 c. orange juice (Try it frozen!)
16. 1/2 c. fat-free, sugar-free instant or packaged pudding
17. whole wheat toast with 1 tsp. sugar-free spread
non-fat yogurt (artificially sweetened)
18. single serving of apple sauce
19. 1 serving of many varieties of Campbell’s soups
20. a Fudgesicle
21. 6 saltine crackers with 2 tsp. of peanut butter
22. half a turkey sandwich using reduced-calorie bread, mustard, and veggies
23. mock S’more: reduced-fat Graham cracker, topped with a jumbo marshmallow and drizzled with chocolate syrup
24. 2 cups raspberries (try them frozen – it’s cheaper than fresh and their always available)
25. 1 cup mango chunks
26. 28 grapes
27. 1 cup blueberries
28. 1/2 medium cantaloupe
29. 15 strawberries dipped in 1/4 cup Cool Whip Lite
30. 45 steamed edamame (green soybeans)
31. 2 tablespoons each of mashed avocado and chopped tomatoes stuffed in 1/2 mini pita
32. 1/2 red bell pepper dipped in 3 tablespoons hummus
33. Salad with 3 cups lettuce, 2 scallions, and 1 small tangerine drizzled with 2 tablespoons Newman’s Own Low Fat Sesame Ginger Dressing
34. 20 roasted peanuts
35. 60 Pepperidge Farm Baby Goldfish Crackers
36. 1 Jolly Time Healthy Pop 100 Calorie Mini Bag popcorn
37. 12 Back to Nature Sesame Ginger Rice Thins
38. 40 Rold Gold Classic Style Pretzel Sticks
39. 12 Quaker Quakes Cheddar Cheese Rice Snacks
40. 20 Glenny’s Low Fat Soy Crisps
41. 10 Guiltless Gourmet Baked Yellow Corn Chips with 1/4 cup salsa
42. 4 slices Sara Lee Honey Ham with 2 teaspoons honey mustard, rolled in lettuce leaf
43. 1 slice Pepperidge Farm Raisin Cinnamon Swirl Bread with 1 tsp. light butter
44. 1/2 mini bagel with 1 ounce smoked salmon
45. 1 Nutri-Grain Low Fat Whole Wheat Waffle with 1 tbsp. Smucker’s Squeeze
46. 1 Whole Foods Market Two-Bite Brownie
47. 1 pouch Keebler Sandies Right Bites Shortbread Cookies
48. 1/2 cup Sharon’s Lemon Sorbet with 1/4 cup blueberries
49. 1 Skinny Cow Fat Free Fudge Bar
50. 12 chocolate or vanilla Miss Meringue Minis

200 Calorie snacks

1. 6 oz nonfat fruit yogurt (160) mixed with 1 Tbsp raisins (30)
2. 1 slice whole-wheat bread (69) with 1 Tbsp peanut butter (90) and 1 tsp jelly (19)
3. 1 oz peanuts (166) with 1?2 oz pretzels (50)
4. One 8″ flour tortilla (150) with 2 oz sliced turkey (55), lettuce, tomato and balsamic vinegar
5. 1 medium baked potato (161) with 1?4 cup 1% lowfat cottage cheese (40)
6. 1 container Fantastic Foods Hearty Cups Vegetable Barley soup (150) with 4 saltines (50)
7. Subway Veggie Delite 6″ sandwich without cheese (230)
8. Thai Kitchen Mushroom Medley Rice Noodle Bowl (188) 1?2 cup lowfat frozen yogurt (114) with 3?4 cup sliced fresh fruit (75)
9. 2 slices of wholegrain bread toasted with olive based spread
10. 2 wholewheat crackers, or oatcakes, with 1 oz of cheese
11. 3 tablespoons breakfast cereal with 1/3 pint semi-skimmed milk
12. 1 plain or fruit scone with olive based spread

If you are trying to lose weight, have a look at our post Best Appetite Supressant and find out more about the role of fiber in giving you that full feeling.

I was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and my doctor told me I needed to lose 20 pounds. I tried just cutting back on calories but I was always so hungry. I actually ended up eating more than I normally would because I let myself get too hungry. A friend of mine told me about the Atkin’s Diet and I did have some success with that. I actually lost about 8 pounds in the first six weeks. Then I just stayed the same weight for several weeks. I was frustrated that the weight loss was so much slower. I have to say I was more satisfied eating a high protein/low carb diet but I didn’t feel like I could cut back much more on my portions to lose weight a bit faster.

I read about how fiber can help you feel more feel full. Fiber which is the part of plant-based foods that our bodies can’t digest, makes you feel full sooner and stays in your stomach longer than other substances we eat. Because fiber slows down your rate of digestion it makes you feel full longer. You don’t gain weight eating fiber because it passes through your digestive tract without providing nutrition or calories. The pass through part is also good because it helps your digestive tract function properly. Also fiber moves fat through our digestive system faster so that less of it is absorbed.

I did find a natural product that you can actually sprinkle on your food to decrease your appetite. The product is called “CHEAT.” “CHEAT” is made up something called Konnyaku. Konnyaku is a traditional Japanese jelly-like health food made from a kind of potato called “Konnyaku potato” and calcium hydroxide or oxide calcium extracted from eggshells. According to what I read, Japanese have been eating it over 1500 years. It was originally introduced to Japan as a medicine in the sixth century and has been eaten for almost 1500 years in Japan. Konnyaku is a totally natural food. Ninety seven percent of Konnyaku is water and three percent is Glucomannan, or dietary fiber. It is also rich in minerals and very low in calories.

Glucomannan is a dietary fiber and it is very hard for humans to digest. The Konnyaku just goes through your body and passes right through your intestines. That is why it has been called a no calorie food for a long time in Japan. Konnyaku does have calories, however, the calories would be so few in the normal quantities that they are negligible in number.

“CHEAT” does not have fat, it is rich in dietary fiber and is low in calories. Studies have shown that it normalizes the level of cholesterol, prevents high blood pressure and normalizes the level of sugar in the blood. Because of these scientific findings, it has been perceived as a excellent health food in Japan.

I have several friends who have successfully lost weight with the product. One day I was at lunch at a Mexcian restaurant with two of my friends (we are all trying to lose weight) and we all used the CHEAT sprinkles on our food. Our entire bowl of tortilla chips remained untouched throughout the meal. Well, okay maybe we each ate one or two. I thought that was amazing especially if you knew how much I like tortilla chips and salsa. After consuming the CHEAT, the chips just weren’t that tempting.

Now here is deal on the CHEAT – you can’t just order the stuff on it’s own the first time you order. The company that produces this wonderful product also promotes it as a business similar to Tupperware or Pampered Chef. To get in you have to order the starter kit which contains:

CHEAT – mentioned above
FLUSH – Organic gentle cleanse that helps your detox and enhances weight loss
LEAN – A snack or meal replacement Vanilla smoothie which works similarly to the CHEAT to reduce appetite and food cravings.
ACCELERATE – A thermogenic blend that increases the rate which you metabolize fat and increases energy.

Once you place the initial order then you can order products individually. You don’t have to market the product but I’ll bet you will be tempted to get your friends to try it. I ordered my kit after that lunch I had with my friends. I am in the process of trying the other products. I can say the CHEAT really does help reduce your appetite and it is portable. You just carry the bottle in your purse or pocket and sprinkle it on your food.

Here is the link to the site Cal Nutrasciences, Inc.

konnyaku,core4 system reviews,cni,Cal Nutrasciences,best worst weight loss supplements,natural weight loss supplements,fiber supplements and weight loss,best appetite suppressant,natural appetite suppressant,natural appetite suppressants,strong appetite suppressant

Technorati Tags: konnyaku, core4 system reviews, cni, Cal Nutrasciences, best worst weight loss supplements, natural weight loss supplements, fiber supplements and weight loss, best appetite suppressant, natural appetite suppressant, natural appetite suppressants, strong appetite suppressant

Found this really good update on sugar substitutes in Parade Magazine. Here is a summary of the important information:

The old sugar substitutes are saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose. The Center for Science in the Public Interest – a health advocacy group- disagrees about saccharin and aspartame, citing studies that indicate those sweeteners increase the risk of cancers, and advises people to choose sucralose. The author of the article Joy Bauer (author of “Joy’s LIFE Diet:Four Steps to Thin Forever”) says she doesn’t think it matters which product you consume as long as you don’t consume more than two artificially sweetened items a day. Or she says you could stop using artificial sweeteners and use one of the natural sugar substitutes.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in many foods. Unlike other sugar alcohols used in dietetic foods-such as sorbitol,malitol, and xylitol-erythritol doesn’t lead to gassiness or bloating and does not have a laxative effect. Erythritol is 60% to 70% as sweet as table sugar, so you may need to use a bit more in beverages and baked goods. Though made from sugar, the new erythritol sweeteners are calorie-free.

PrueVia and Truvia are both made from an extract of the stevia plant. Stevia has been consumed for centuries in South America but until recently could be marketed in the U.S. only as a dietary supplement. Now that the FDA has approved its use in food, it should begin appearing in the marketplace. Stevia does not share all of sugar’s physical characteristics, so check online for conversion formulas and recipes. Truvia and PureVia “cut” their products with erythritol, so they are less sweet than pure stevia.

Products such as Xagave come from the nectar of the Agave plant (same plant is used to make Tequila). Xagave actually contains a few more calories than sugar – 56 per tablespoon as opposed to 50 for sugar. Xagave is sweeter than sugar so you do save calories because you use less. You will have to make adjustments in cooking and baking applications. The real advantage of Agave is that it is less likely than sugar to lead to erratic blood-sugar levels. Here is caution though – if you have irritable bowel syndrome or are at risk for heart disease, you may be better off with the other sugar substitutes or just use real sugar at 16 calories a packet.

sugar substitutes,sugar substitutes for coffee,safe sugar substitutes,agave sweetener,sugar substitutes,sugar substitutes for coffee,safe sugar substitutes,agave sweetener,what is stevia,baking with stevia

Technorati Tags: sugar substitutes, sugar substitutes for coffee, safe sugar substitutes, agave sweetener, sugar substitutes, sugar substitutes for coffee, safe sugar substitutes, agave sweetener, what is stevia, baking with stevia

Do you crave sweets in the late afternoon? If you chew either sweetened or sugar-free gum after lunch you will feel full longer, eat fewer snacks and have fewer hunger pangs and fewer craving for sweets than people who don’t chew gum. The theory is when you eat your taste buds are stimulated by food. The more food you eat, the less you notice how good it tastes, signaling your brain that you’re full. Chewing gum may have the same effect – and without the calories.

Do you know the know the best way to suppress your appetite? The answer is exercise. Studies indicate there may be something chemical about exercise that helps increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor – a blood protein known to curb appetitie. The higher the BDNF, the fewer calories the people in the study consumed.

Don’t overdo on low-cal foods. Your body naturally thinks that watery drinks (skim milk,coffee, teas) are low-cal, and that sweet, creamy, dense foods are crammed with calories. Switching it up with high calorie beverages and artificially sweetened desserts many corrupt your body’s natural calorie calculator and make you eat more.

free weight loss tips,weight loss plan,healthy weight loss tips

Technorati Tags: free weight loss tips, weight loss plan, healthy weight loss tips

Our paper published some very practical tips for weight loss. Here they are:

1. Get eight hours of sleep a night.

2. Eat breakfast – Even if you have to choke it down, studies have shown over and over and that those who eat a good breakfast are more successful at losing weight.

3. Walk briskly for 60 minutes every day - No fancy equipment needed. Climb the stairs a few times at work and then do it again at home. Walk around your neighborhood. Park your car as far away as possible from the store and walk.

4. Write down what you eat – It’s the best way to keep track of your food intake.

5. Weigh – Step on a scale to monitor your progress. Don’t do it every day, just once a week is fine.

6. Find support - Our paper listed this site for a free online support group momhouston.com

7. Never give up – If you stick to your diet consistently your weight will come down. Even if you fall off the wagon a few times, the important thing is you get back on.

See our post on What-About-The-Obesity-Gene

obesity research,exercise and obesity,newspaper article on obesity,statistics on obesity,obesity facts,tips for weight loss,weight loss plan

Technorati Tags: obesity research, exercise and obesity, newspaper article on obesity, statistics on obesity, obesity facts, tips for weight loss, weight loss plan

I am a firm believer in portion control. The trick is though to know what the right portion is. Once a friend who was on Weight Watchers showed what the portion was for cereal. I was stunned when I realized what I thought was one serving was really about three. So when I came across this great chart in Woman’s Day magazine that had the appropriate serving in terms of common everyday items that you can relate to, I wanted to share it with readers. So here it is:

One serving of Steak is equal to an IPOD Classic

One serving of Cheese is equal to a matchbox

One serving of a Pancake is equal to a DVD

One serving of Pasta is equal to a standard Ice cream scoop

One serving of Potatoes is equal to a Computer Mouse

One serving of Fish is equal to a Checkbook

One serving of Butter is equal to a Postage Stamp

One serving of Salad Dressing is equal to a One Ounce Shot Glass

One serving of Brown Rice is equal to a Baseball

One serving of Peanut Butter is equal to a Golf Ball

One serving of Beans is equal to a Standard Light Bulb (you know the one over your head)

One serving of Dark Chocolate is equal to a Package of Dental Floss

When Oprah’s was really thin her eating plan was a combination of moderation i.e portion control, as well as controlling carbohydrates. In fact, many diet experts believe that remarkable weight loss can be achieved by merely controlling your portions even if you do nothing else.

food portion serving size,food portions,healthy weight loss,portion control,oprah weight loss,ophra weight loss

Technorati Tags: food portion serving size, food portions, healthy weight loss, portion control, oprah weight loss, ophra weight loss

New Obesity Research – The Obesity Gene

Just saw a really interesting article in Parade Magazine. Acording to the author, FTO, otherwise known as the “obesity gene,” is found in more than half of some populations. Okay, I admit it – the obesity gene is definetely in my gene pool. My cousin used to call it “the zest for food” or maybe she said lust for food. I don’t remember but I know my ancestors have that gene. Apparently those with two copies of the gene (I guess that means both your parents have it) have a 70% more likely chance to be obese than noncarriers. But it seems, in this case we don’t have to necessarily live our DNA.

The latest research indicates that you can overcome your genetic predisposition for obesity and be fit and healthy. The article quotes a recent study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, which says exercise can help to prevent weight gain even among people who carry the FTO gene. The study used a group of 700 Amish people and found that among the most physically active, the gene had virtually no effect on weight. Don’t worry you don’t have become Amish to be immune to the FTO.

The article recommends increasing your activity levels by walking, gardening and incorporating other forms of moderate exercise.

See our related post Women Walking For Exercise In Front Of The TV

obesity research,exercise and obesity,newspaper article on obesity,statistics on obesity,obesity facts,obesity gene

Technorati Tags: obesity research, exercise and obesity, newspaper article on obesity, statistics on obesity, obesity facts, obesity gene

Saw this is the paper today and thought you would find it helpful. Though we may try to eat right sometimes we are do not get all the nutrients we need. Here are the most common nutritional deficiencies and what percentage of woman experience them. Also listed are foods you can add to your diet that are high in those nutrients. Nutritional requirements are expressed as daily nutritional requirements.

 Vitamin A – Women need 700 mcg and 52% of women are deficient in Vitamin A. Good sources are dark colored cooked vegetables and sweet potato.

Vitamin C – Women need 75 mg and 48% of women are deficient in Vitamin C. Good sources are citrus, juices, vegetables.

Vitamin E – Women need 22 International Units of Natural Vitamin E or 33 International Units of Synthetic Vitamin E. 93% of women are deficient in Vitamin E. Good sources are fortified cereal, nuts, sunflower oil.

Fiber – Women need 22 to 28 grams of fiber. About 50% of women are deficient in their fiber intake. Good sources of fiber are high fiber cereals, beans, or lentils.

Magnesium – Women need 315 mg of magnesium and 66% of women are deficient in magnesium. Good sources are bran and cooked spinach.

Potassium – Women need 400 mg of potassium and a whopping 99% are deficient. Good sources are bananas, sweet and white potatoes and white beans.

Calcium – Women under 50 need 1000 mg and over 50 years of age need 1200 mg. 54% of women are deficient in calcium intake. Good sources are milk, soy milk (read the label because brands vary), dairy foods and spinach.

nutrition chart,vitamin deficiencies,womens health enhancers,how to eat right

Technorati Tags: nutrition chart, vitamin deficiencies, womens health enhancers, how to eat right

In my day you always had to finish everything on your plate. There were starving children in somewhere in the world. But now portions are huge and if you finish what’s on your plate you may have eaten enough for two. Diet and nutrition experts say since we are always eating on the go, we might not even recognize the feeling of a full stomach. Here are some suggestions from diet and nutrition experts on learning to recognize when you are full:

Dr. Michelle May of Phoenix, Ariz., author of Am I Hungry? What to do When Diets Don’t Work, suggests getting in touch with our instinctive ability to manage weight and hunger. Dr. May refers to the fact that babies instinctively know when to stop eating. May says we need to relearn, the signs of fullness. She suggests visualizing our stomach as a balloon. “When its small (about the size of a fist), it isn’t taking up much space. As you force more into it, the walls stretch and expand. As it gets bigger picture what it is pushing out of the way and how that feels. Perhaps you notice heartburn, feel short of breath, or have to undo your pants.”  I know I hate that really uncomfortable feeling I get in my stomach when I have eaten too much.

Kendra Evans, a registered dietician and YMCA fitness instructor, says it takes 20 minutes for the food to register in your brain that your stomach is full.

Because we eat on the go so frequently, we don’t even take 20 minutes for a meal, and often overeat because we are still hungry. To help control hunger and prevent binging Evans suggests people work more protein and fiber into their meals. I know that I often overeat because I am not sure when I will have an opportunity to eat again that day. I know that if my meal contains protein and fiber it stays with me a lot longer and I am not to overeat to stave off hunger later.

Emily Fonnesbeck, a registered dietician with Fitness Ridge Resort and Spa in Utah, recommends using a smaller plate and dividing it into three sections: fruits and vegetables, whole grain and lean protein. I know that the dinner plates that come with most sets are really huge. I usually use the salad plate when I have lunch or dinner. I also use a small bowl for cereal instead of the big cereal bowl that came with my set. Portion control is the foundation of the Weight Watcher’s Program and many people have had success with that program.

Take time to enjoy your meal if you can. If you really want to pay attention to what you are eating, don’t read or watch television. According to experts, being mindful of what you eat and how your body feels during a meal can help prevent overeating and save on your food bill too. 

how to lose weight fast,portion control,diet and exercise,Weight Watchers program

See our post on How To Lose Weight Fast – Diet Or Exercise?

Technorati Tags: how to lose weight fast, portion control, diet and exercise, Weight Watchers program