Can you Safely Have Acai Berry Products During Pregnancy?
When you are pregnant, doctors always warn you against trying to diet at the same time, since you are effectively not only feeding yourself, but feeding your growing baby too. However, us moms-to-be have more important things to worry about with a brand new baby in the house than how many calories we are consuming to lose that pesky baby weight.
But with all the healthy 100% Acai Berry juices on the market recently, especially ones that tout how it promotes weight loss, it can be pretty tempting to pick up a bottle, or one of the less expensive juice blends that have acai berry as one of the juices, and use that to see if it helps. But all the pregnancy books warn you about taking supplements when you are pregnant. But what about acai berry?
When it comes to drinking one of the smoothie juices in the market which contain some amount of acai berry, they are generally safe to have in limited amounts, as long as the entire juice or smoothie, not just some of the ingredients, has been pasteurizad. The only time it is considered safe for unpasteurized juice during pregnancy is when it has been freshly squeezed immediately before you drink it (as you would if you had squeezed orange juice and then drank it right away).
You can also purchase pure acai berry juice and make your own juice, or even mix it with a glass of orange juice to get the health benefits but without the extreme cost of drinking full glasses regularly. This is how many women drink their acai berry juice.
If you want acai berry in a supplement form, talk with your physician or pharmacist before purchasing and using during pregnancy. He or she will be able to recommend a dosage that will not cause any ill effects.
Do be aware that many supplements and even some of the power juices contain extra ingredients, and even high amounts of caffeine, so always read the labels carefully before taking. You don’t want to discover you just had the equivalent of a Red Bull with your smoothie or supplement!
- Melanee Madison
Green Smoothie Claymation
Amanda Green, makes an explosively energizing green smoothie.
- harmonyhikes
Has anyone ever heard of a drink Smoothie King used to make called a Skinny Minnie?
My aunt used to buy this drink from there. She said she knows for sure it had green tea, but cannot remember the other ingredients.
- Jaj
Weight Loss Smoothies: This Is Why You Have No Excuse For Not Losing Weight Fast
If you’re tired of eating toast and tea for breakfast, or if you’re looking to add some flare to your diet, then weight loss smoothies might just be the thing you’ve been searching for.
Before we get to the good stuff, some words of caution here:
While weight loss smoothies are in fact nutritious and delicious, they have to be followed exactly in order to work right. That means that these are not milkshakes, and it also means that these smoothies REPLACE meal. You would not want to both eat a meal and drink a smoothie as that would defeat the purpose.
It’s important for you to make your own smoothies. Don’t get them from a “juice joint”. Making them yourself is the only way you can be sure you’re reaping the full benefits.
If you can handle those criteria, then let’s move onto the good stuff!
A smoothie for breakfast can give you the right start to your day:
• It boosts your metabolism.
• It keeps you full until lunchtime.
• It’s a great source of “good” carbs your body needs for energy.
• You can have breakfast on the go!
While there is almost no limit to the combinations you can create, there are a few things you should have in the house that you can add to any smoothie.
Flaxseed Oil
This is not going to change the taste of your smoothie at all, as you typically only need a teaspoon in each serving. Its benefits are legion, including the prevention of toxic buildup, Omega 3 fatty acids that your body needs for optimum health, and can even clear up your skin, too.
Skim Milk Powder
By using only one tablespoon of skim milk powder in your smoothie and using water as your liquid base, you get the creamy texture of a “traditional” smoothie, with none of the calories and fat of milk.
Protein Powder
This is up to you whether or not you want to use it. But protein powder can give you the protein that might be lacing from a more severe diet—protein that is essential to your body’s health.
With those three elements as the foundation of your smoothie, the rest is up to your imagination. Choose whatever fruits you love best, then cut them up, stick them in the blender and you’re ready to rock. But it has to be actual fruits. No “cheating” with juices, juice cocktails or “juice drinks”.
For a more refreshing choice, you can use crushed ice or you can freeze cut-up fruit, and use them instead of fruit form the fridge or the counter. Nice and cool on a summer’s day.
If you need ideas, or if you’d like a change of pace form the usual banana-orange-strawberry route, stop by your local bookstore and pick up recipe books specifically for weight loss smoothies.
During your next trip to the supermarket, take a look at some of the juice combinations the big brand names have come up with, then head over to the produce aisle and pick up the ingredients!
- Cornell Dayne
A Recipe for Healthy Smoothie
Who doesn’t love a fruit smoothie? How about a healthy one that has a taste that cannot be beat? You can stop your search today because this smoothie recipe has it all.
This healthy fruit smoothie recipe is chopped full of wholesome fruit pieces and the sweet taste of honey. Blend one up today.
Ingredients:
1 cup plain flavored fat free yogurt
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
1/2 cup watermelon, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup strawberries cut into halves
1/2 cup mango, cut into small cubes
1/2 cup peaches, cut into small cubes
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup almonds, crushed
Toppings:
Fat free cool whip
Couple sprigs fresh mint
To Make:
Frozen fruit may be substituted for this recipe, however fresh fruit will provide the best taste for these smoothies.
Before making your smoothie, cut up the watermelon, strawberries, mango, and peaches according to the directions listed above. Then, in a small bowl, combine all the fruit pieces and the honey together.
Make sure all the pieces are covered by the honey. Let fruit mixture chill in refrigerator for at least half an hour. Remove the fruit bowl from the refrigerator and let it stand for 10 minutes. Combine the fat free yogurt, apple juice, and crushed ice into a blender.
Blend this mixture for less than one minute before adding the fruit. Add the fruit and honey mixture to the liquid in the blender. Add vanilla and blend on high until all the fruit is mixed well.
Remove blender from the base and pour smoothie mixture into tall milkshake glasses. Top off each of the smoothies with a dollop of fat free cool whip. Then sprinkle crushed almonds on top of the cool whip.
A sprig of mint on the side of the glass completes this refreshing, healthy smoothie. Serves 2
- Jesus Smay
Does anyone have a good smoothie recipe for meal replacement?
I am trying to lose weight and eat healthier. I like smooties and I can’t find a good recipes for one as a meal replacement.
- CBRchick
When is a smoothie considered a smoothie?
I work for Baskin Robins and my boss tells me a smoothie is when it has fruit and either a banana, frozen yogurt, or ice cream. Is she correct on the “ice cream” part because I read smoothies usually do NOT contain ice cream.
- volcom_741
Food Processors 3
Food Processors and Food. 7 More Useful Tips
The following article contains 7 tips about food.
There is a lot of information about food and food processors online, so we thought that it would make sense to give you just a few tips to give you an idea of what is out there.
I’m sure that you will be pleased with what we’ve found out about food.
Tip #1
Modern food processors are made in 3 sizes. These are full, compact, and mini. Although the size varies, the basic operation is the same. Each has a motor, a bowl with a fitted lid, a tube to feed items, and some attachments. Different size bowls may be included with some models that fit onto the same base.
Tip #2
A food processor is a kitchen appliance that can perform a number of functions, including blending, shredding, grinding and chopping. This saves the user a considerable amount of time compared to carrying out these tasks by hand. Food processors come in two types – electric (motor driven) models, and manual devices.
Tip #3
Another thing that you may want to keep in mind when selecting your food processor is the amount of power it has. Any one you find should have sufficient power to perform routine tasks but if you need it for more demanding food processing there are professional models that have over 600 watts of power, which should get the job done.
Tip #4
The first thing to consider when looking at purchasing a food processor is how often you will use it, and what ingredients you will be putting in it. If you plan to simply make a fruit smoothie every now and then, then a basic, low-power model would do the job fine for you. In fact, you may even be better off purchasing a smoothie maker or blender.
Tip #5
For those of us that are great food lovers, a food processor makes our prep work in the kitchen so easy. My personal preference for a food processor is a Cuisinart, because of the superior performance. If you are not familiar with this brand, then do yourself a favor and check it out.
Tip #6
We all have many small appliances in our kitchens. Nearly every kitchen counter has a coffee maker and a toaster sitting on it. Included in this line up should be a great food processor. Preferably a Cuisinart. Cuisinart has the power to process and knead heavy bread dough and cookie doughs. Any of your favorite recipes can be easily adapted to a food processor. You can easily cut your food preparation time down a lot. Sometimes, the food prep time is what keeps a lot of us from cooking.
Tip #7
A food processor makes the work that goes in preparing to cook dishes, simpler, be it for the main course, or dessert or even soup. Food processors come with different attachments as well, which make it useful for other things as well like kneading the dough, making juices, soups etc. They also save lot of time and energy used in cutting, chopping, slicing etc of fruits, vegetables etc.
That’s it for the tips, I hope that you liked them.
Even though I have only shared 7 food and food processors tips with you, feel free to share this article with anyone who you may feel will benefit.
- Coran Levision
The Health Benefits of a Smoothie
What are the best fruits to put in a smoothie if I want to get the most antioxidants in one serving?
All fresh fruits are good options. Firstly, aim to consume at least two portions of fruit a day, but you can happily increase that to four.
I would also always suggest those that are in season. And, if you are looking to get the most value, then always go for variety. Remember fruits are also typically nutritious in a variety of other ways. They contain fiber, have vitamins and minerals that are not necessarily antioxidants, and have naturally occurring phyto-chemicals unique to foods.
The USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston has developed an assay called ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity), which qualifies the antioxidant capacity of foods. Fresh blueberries have a high level of ORAC, 2 400 per 100g.
Bass Recipe
3 Medium ripe bananas
750ml low fat yoghurt
3 tablespoons honey
Blend together and store in the fridge
Makes 4 portions
Hangover Soother
Add:
4 large pieces of seeded watermelon
1 kiwi fruit (either juiced or blended without the skin, which adds more pulp)
Juice of half a lime
2 hulled strawberries, cut into eighths
Ice, to serve
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Garnish with a thin spear made from the watermelon rind.
Why? This mix contains ultra-hydrating watermelon, vitamin B3-rich kiwi fruit, vitamin C-packed lime and antioxidant-rich strawberries. Keeping the watermelon seeds in ups the antioxidant content further, plus watermelon is very high in vitamin A, great for a detox.
Immunity Booster
Add:
2 tbsp fresh grated ginger
Half tbsp cayenne pepper
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 green apple
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
Why? Packed with warming spices to ward off bacteria. Ginger is a strong antioxidant and antimicrobial agent. It’s also good for fever and headaches, while cayenne pepper’s B vitamins, zinc and vitamins C and E ease sore throats.
Mood Lifter
Add:
Half mango pitted and peeled
8 fresh blueberries
1 tsp ground flax seeds
Juice of half a lemon
1 tsp omega-3 oils
Ice, to serve
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Garnish with lemon and fresh blueberries.
Why? By adding a teaspoon of oil as well as the natural oil of some ground flaxseeds you can help your body combat mood swings. Ground flaxseeds are a great source of B vitamins, protein, zinc and omega-3 essential fats that aid brain function and balance blood sugar levels, thus balancing your mood.
Stress Buster
Add:
8 leaves of fresh mint
2 quarter-slices of avocado, skinned
Half cup fresh roughly chopped fennel
1 cup pineapple juice (fresh if possible)
Ice, to serve
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Garnish with sprigs of fresh mint and a pineapple leaf.
Why? The mint in this ‘breakfast drink’ both soothes and stimulates, while the B vitamins in avocado, fennel and pineapple calm the nervous system. Fennel promotes the function of the kidneys and liver, while settling digestive system spasms associated with stress.
- Sandra Prior
How To Eat Healthy And Cheap – Part 2
In part 1 of this article I discussed how many people are under the impression that eating healthy is more expensive than eating junk food or “less nutritious” foods. This is not true. In fact, if you rethink how to budget your food dollars and your eating habits you could easily divert some of the cash you are spending on junk food and use it to buy food that is better for you and that will help you lose weight. How to eat healthy and cheap is not difficult. This article expands on the ideas provided in the first part and will provide some useful and practical tips you can use that will change your eating habits and how you spend your money!
1. Using Whey Protein. If you are looking to increase the percentage of quality protein in your diet supplementing your food intake with whey protein is one of the best ways to do this. Whey protein usually comes in powder format and can be mixed with water, milk or in your favorite smoothie. Some people will actually sprinkle it over their oatmeal or bowl of fruit. What’s good about whey protein is that it comes in a variety of flavors and a scoop or two a few times a day adds several grams of protein a day to your diet while lasting a long time. A big container of whey usually cost $20 to $30. This may sound expensive but for the amount you get and how long it will last it’s well worth it. Cut down on the number of “designer” coffee’s or “chain store” smoothies that you buy every week and you could easily purchase whey without affecting your budget.
2. What about the tuna? This is a great source of protein, it’s low in calories and it’s cheap. That’s a great combination! Some points to consider about tuna. You don’t have to buy the name brand tuna – it’s expensive and it doesn’t taste any better than generic brands. I can buy a can of generic tuna for under 50 cents a can. Name brand is usually over a dollar. Always buy tuna packed in water, not oil. The oil type just adds on more calories and no other nutritional benefit. Lastly – don’t mix your tuna with heavy mayonnaise for sandwiches! I’m talking about dumping your tuna right on a salad, mix it with a couple tablespoons of your favorite salsa or eat it right out of the can by itself. The mayonnaise turns a perfectly healthy and inexpensive food into a fat packing monster!
3. Frozen vs. Fresh Veggies. You can try eating frozen veggies instead of fresh veggies once in a while. You can save money here because you can purchase frozen veggies in bulk. If time is money then you can save money because frozen typically takes less time to prepare than fresh. Frozen veggies won’t spoil like fresh ones do. I’ll admit – I like fresh veggies once in a while but when considering how to eat healthy and cheap I’ll lean towards the frozen to reduce my grocery bill.
4. Go Generic. I don’t know why generic food has such a bad wrap with some people. I’ll admit some brand name foods are much better than their generic counterparts. In my experience this doesn’t count for many. Try this – use the generic brand of all your favorite foods that you can find for a month or so. If you truly don’t like the generic type then go back to its brand name. What I think you’ll find is that there are more generic foods that you will enjoy so you can eliminate the brand name. In the end you will save money.
These 4 useful tips can easily be incorporated into your eating and drinking habits. Try them today and you will be pleasantly surprised at the results you achieve, the money you can save and in how much better you start to feel.
- Peter Harris
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