Ketosis Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Keto Lemon Whip Recipe

The AHA! Team — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 08:37:16 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Keto Lemon Whip Recipe Sometimes, life surprises you. Every once in a while, when you expect a delicious food to be “bad for you,” you find out it’s actually bursting with ingredients that are amazingly good for you. Ingredients that support cellular detox and overall health. A Detox Keto Lemon Whip that encourages your body to feel its best. Sometimes, there’s a secret ingredient in your favorite new treat. This is one of those times. Check out the surprising secret ingredient and try our Detox Keto Lemon Whip today. COURSE: Dessert DIFFICULTY: Easy SERVINGS: 2 INGREDIENTS ▢3 cups cauliflower florets, washed and chopped ▢1.5 tablespoons equilavent organic stevia in place of sugar ▢1 teaspoon real vanilla ▢2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ▢1 teaspoons lemon zest ▢2 tablespoons coconut oil (melted) ▢1 scoop MCT oil powder (vanilla) ▢1/4 cup coconut milk (from carton) INSTRUCTIONS After chopping cauliflower, steam it until it is very tender (you can do this in a steamer basket on the stovetop or by microwaving it in a bowl with 1/4 cup water for 1-2 minutes). Once cooked place the cauliflower in the fridge to cool. Next, place cooled cauliflower florets, stevia, vanilla, lemon juice and zest, coconut oil, MCT oil powder and almond milk in a blender or food processor. Blend until it forms a smooth whipped cream like texture. Put in the fridge. Serves 2. Enjoy! Serves 2. Nutrition Info (per 1 cup serving): 223 calories, 17 grams fat, 12 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams fiber, 5 grams protein To read the original article click here.

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The “No Weight Gain” Holiday Eating Plan!

AHA Publisher — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 08:00:59 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – It may seem futile, difficult, or discouraging to eat healthy during the Holiday Season. But take heart, you CAN enjoy a wonderful Holiday Season and delicious foods without weight gain! We have a “No Weight Gain” Holiday Eating Plan for you today. It’s your guide to easy, healthy eating throughout December while still enjoying delicious festive foods. You can do it! Here’s how. The “No Weight Gain” Holiday Eating Plan How can you enjoy festive foods and not gain weight this Holiday Season? Try these 5 simple tactics with Holiday eating: 1. Avoid the All-You-Can-Eat Mentality It’s easy to overeat for 30 or more days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. However, this won’t help your health journey, and may sabotage all the hard work you’ve already done throughout the year. Instead, decide which days you’ll let loose a bit, and then stick with your normal healthy eating plan on the other days. For example, you may decide you want to really enjoy festive foods and gatherings on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. This accounts for only 3 days or less than 10% of the “season.” On the other days, remain steadfast with healthy eating. Then, enjoy these 3 days without guilt! 2. Avoid Refined Carbs and Stay in the Keto Zone® Believe it or not, it is possible to eat healthy and stay in the Keto Zone® during the Holiday Season. How? First, follow our first tip and eat as normal except for a few festive days (if you’d like). Then, try swapping out some of the typically sugar-laden holiday foods with Keto healthy versions. For example, try our: Dr. Colbert’s Keto Coffee with Keto Zone® MCT Oil Powder – Caramel Spiced Keto Hot Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Delicious Holiday Appetizers Smart Holiday Foods Swaps Healthy Keto Zone Eating at Holiday Parties and Restaurants Bring keto dishes to parties so you know you’ll always have something to enjoy. Lastly, use our next tip to get right back on track when you do stray! 3. Use Smart Tools to Get Back & Stay in Ketosis: Intermittent Fasting, Instant Ketones and Anti-Bloat Smoothie We all know it’s easy to fall into unhealthy eating every once in a while. Perhaps, you’ll splurge at a spur-of-the-moment holiday party or get together. It’s okay, we have a plan to get right back on track! When this happens, do not wallow in unhealthy eating day after day simply because you fell off the wagon. Instead, make the next day count and get back to healthy eating with these tools: Intermittent Fasting: You can feel healthy and lean in no time with intermittent fasting. The easiest method is to stop eating at 7:00pm every night, and resume at 11:00 am every morning. During the morning before 11:00, you can have non-carb drinks such as Dr. Colbert’s Keto Coffee with Keto Zone® MCT Oil Powder – Caramel. Intermittent fasting offers many health benefits, encourages healthy weight changes, and promotes ongoing healthy eating (1). Instant Ketones: If you fall out of ketosis, you can get back into it quicker than you might think. While reducing carbs, add Keto Zone® Instant Exogenous Ketones Powder. These exogenous ketones will help your body begin to use ketones as energy again, help you avoid the keto flu, and promote satiety. Ketones are a great tool to stay healthy during the Holiday Season. Anti-Bloat Smoothie: You can also use our Keto Zone Anti-Bloat Smoothie (add Keto Zone® Instant Exogenous Ketones Powder for even better results!) to help rid your body of excess fluid retention, while flooding it with nourishing ingredients. This mental shift from overeating to healthy foods can really help you get back on track. Then, once on track, start back with daily healthy eating using the Keto Zone Diet Book. It’s your one-stop-shop for a healthy, Keto Zone lifestyle! 4. Stay Social and Active It’s much easier to feel unhealthy, sulk, and go down the spiral of weight gain if you keep to yourself. Instead, stay active and social, as much as possible, in winter months. For example, maintain an exercise program by enlisting a friend or an accountability partner. It’s also much easier to stick to healthy eating when others are doing so as well during the Holidays. Find a friend who values healthy eating, too. Enlist others to encourage positive, healthy habits! 5. Keep Track of Holiday Eating & Don’t Quit! Another great tool for successful Keto Zone eaters is a food journal during Holiday eating. Why? A food journal helps you acknowledge what you’re eating and how it affects you, rather than losing track. You can use a pen and paper and write down your intake. Or try a food diary App. For even better results, become familiar with the carbohydrate values of foods and keep tabs of total carbohydrates per day as you go. There’s nothing magic about food diaries, but they do promote healthy weights and compliance to eating plans. In fact, food diaries have shown significant results in fat loss in those who keep a diary versus those who don’t (2). In addition, monitoring your weight is helpful, especially through the Holidays. Some studies have also found that daily weighing, just through the Holidays, helps those looking to stay on track (3). On the other hand, many people feel like it’s time to relax and sort of “quit” on the year in terms of healthy eating. They choose to wait until the New Year to tackle goals again. If you can manage, decide instead to get a jump start on the year and eat healthy now! Quitting on healthy habits will only serve as a set back once the New Year starts again. Want more encouragement for healthy Keto Zone eating? Check out these Tips to Stay on Track with Keto Zone from real Keto dieters! Why Do Some Adults Experience Weight Gain During the Holidays? Unfortunately, holiday weight gain is a reality for many adults. In fact, most studies show a gain of 1-5 pounds, with a lesser amount among young people, such as those who are college-aged, and more among adults who are already overweight (4, 5). Why do adults gain weight? And why do overweight adults experience this most? There are many reasons. They may include: Carbohydrate-rich sugary foods are even worse when your body is overweight, and your cells are insulin resistant. For many overweight adults, sweets are a downward spiral of fat storage and insulin resistance. More sweets equal more fat storage, more fat storage equals more insulin resistance, which equals even more fat storage when you eat sweets. See how this could be especially problematic during the Holidays? Of course, Keto Zone removes the sugar. Our bodies fight for homeostasis. When you make changes to an overweight body, unless drastic such as Keto Zone, it will fight to resist weight loss and maintain its mass. In fact, studies show that even if you’ve worked hard all year and achieved some weight loss, various neuroendocrine, metabolic, and behavioral mechanisms are set in motion to counteract it (6, 7). Unless, you’ve used a method that completely changes the way your body produces energy and metabolizes food, as with Keto Zone. Frustration can easily set in when you don’t see results. If overweight, and barely seeing the scale move, it can be especially tough to stick to a plan during the Holidays, when seemingly everyone else can eat what they want. Thankfully, the Keto Zone lifestyle produces results effectively and efficiently. The holiday season is hallmarked by food traditions. It can be especially tough for anyone who grew up with traditions and celebrations that center on eating. Foods are certainly a great part of celebrations, but you can take steps to take the focus off eating and increase activities together. Bottom Line It’s a wonderful time of year, full of wonderful foods. With the Keto Zone, you don’t have to miss out! In fact, you can enjoy delicious keto foods, Holidays feasts, and wonderful times with family and friends. Stay on track through the end of this year with our “No Weight Gain” Holiday Plan! To read the original article click here.

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Keto Smoothie Recipe with Avocado, Chia Seeds & Cacao

AHA Publisher — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 07:00:45 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – Have you heard about the keto diet? It’s possibly the best diet for weight loss, and it can even reverse insulin resistance and reduce cardiovascular risk factors, according to recent research. No wonder more and more people are starting to go “keto.” My keto smoothie is an easy way to get started. It includes protein foods and healthy fats, while being very low in carbohydrates. All of the ingredients in this smoothie are nutritious, heart healthy and keto-friendly — plus, they’re delicious! What Does “Going Keto” Mean? “Going keto” means putting your body into a state of ketosis, which is a metabolic state that occurs when most of the body’s energy comes from ketone bodies in the blood, rather than from glucose (or sugar). On the keto diet, you are tricking your body into thinking it’s fasting by eliminating glucose that is found in carbohydrate foods. Your body begins burning fat for energy rather than carbohydrates, so after going keto, most people lose excess body fat rapidly, even when consuming lots of fats and adequate calories through their diet. The ketogenic diet, like any other low-carb diet, works through the elimination of glucose. Our bodies normally run on glucose for energy, but once glucose is no longer available from food sources, we begin to burn stored fat for energy instead. This process will not only help you to shed those extra pounds, but it also helps to control the release of hormones like insulin, which plays a role in the development of diabetes and other health problems. Nutrition Facts One serving of this keto smoothie recipe using cacao powder and without toppings contains the following, including only 6.1 net carbs (total carb grams minus fiber grams): 394.5 calories 40.1 grams fat 11.64 grams carbohydrates 5.5 grams fiber 3.68 grams protein 2.52 grams sugar 22 milligrams sodium 189.5 milligrams magnesium (45.1 percent DV) 6.85 milligrams iron (38.1 percent DV) 328.5 milligrams phosphorus (26.3 percent DV) 2.45 milligrams vitamin E (16.3 percent DV) 2.49 milligrams niacin (15.5 percent DV) 0.17 milligrams thiamin (14.2 percent DV) 0.16 milligrams riboflavin (12.3 percent DV) 36 micrograms folate (9 percent DV) 96 milligrams calcium (7.4 percent DV) 0.73 milligrams zinc (6.6 percent DV) 229 milligrams potassium (4.9 percent DV) 0.073 milligrams vitamin B6 (4.3 percent DV) 2.5 milligrams vitamin C (2.8 percent DV) How to Make A Keto Smoothie A keto smoothie is made up of healthy fats and protein, all foods that are naturally low in carbohydrates. Using a high-powered blender, add in these heart-healthy, keto diet–friendly foods. My keto smoothie recipe starts with 1 to 1¼ cups of full-fat coconut milk as the base. Coconut milk contains a beneficial fat called lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that’s easily absorbed and used by the body for energy. It serves as a great keto diet food. Next add in 1 tablespoon of chia seeds (soaked in 3 tablespoons of water for 10 minutes), which contain essential fatty acids, plus vitamins A, B, E and D and minerals including iron, magnesium, niacin and thiamine. And then add 1 tablespoons of your favorite nut butter to the mix, whether it’s almond butter or even sunflower seed butter. (I recommend that you avoid peanut butter.) For the next ingredient for this keto smoothie, you have a choice of either 2 teaspoons of cacao nibs, cacao powder or cocoa powder, or 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder. Protein powder made from bone broth is packed with protein, low in carbs and low in sugar. You can get the benefits of bone broth easily by adding it to your keto smoothie. Cacao nibs or powder is also healthful and packed with nutrients that fuel the body. The last two ingredients for my keto smoothie are ½ frozen avocado and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Adding avocado to this smoothie will give it a delicious creamy texture and its an excellent source of healthy fats, which is especially important when you’re going keto. Now all you have to do is blend the ingredients until they are well-combined, adding water if necessary, and you’re done! If you want to add some bulk to the texture of your keto smoothie, or if you don’t have a frozen avocado on hand, add in some ice, too. Top your keto smoothie with cacao nibs and cinnamon, and enjoy! Keto Smoothie Recipe with Avocado, Chia Seeds & Cacao DESCRIPTION My keto smoothie is an easy way to get started on the keto diet, or just as a great breakfast. It includes protein foods and healthy fats, while being very low in carbohydrates. All of the ingredients in this smoothie are nutritious, heart healthy and keto-friendly — plus, they’re delicious! INGREDIENTS 1–1¼ cups full-fat coconut milk ½ frozen avocado 1 tablespoon nut butter of choice 1 tablespoon chia seeds, soaked in 3 tablespoons of water for 10minutes 2 teaspoons cacao nibs, cacao powder or cocoa powder OR 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder made from bone broth 1 tablespoon coconut oil ice (optional*) for topping: cacao nibs and cinnamon ¼ cup water, if needed INSTRUCTIONS Add contents into a high-powered blender, blending until well-combined. Top with cacao nibs and cinnamon. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Low Carb Cauliflower Crust Pizza

AHA Publisher — Thu, 13 May 2021 07:00:46 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Are you on a ketogenic diet? Do you miss eating pizza? Well today is your lucky day because here is a delicious low-carb pizza recipe that will keep you in ketosis while satisfying your pizza craving. Instead of wheat, the crust is made with finely ground cauliflower for a scrumptious thin crust even more delectable than regular dough. Is it delivery? No! It’s keto pizza! INGREDIENTS Crust: 1 Head Organic Cauliflower 1 Cup Organic Mozzarella Cheese 2 Pasture-Raised Eggs 6 Organic Garlic Cloves ½ tsp Fresh Organic Basil ½ tsp Fresh Organic Parsley ½ tsp Organic Garlic Powder ½ tsp Organic Oregano ½ Fresh Organic Rosemary ¼ tsp Sea Salt Toppings: Organic Tomato Sauce (no sugar added) 2 Cups Organic Cheese Grass-fed Ground Beef, Pepperoni, Sausage, or Ham Mushrooms INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Put the cauliflower in a food processor and blend until light, fine, and fluffy 3. Lay layer of bleach-free paper towels on counter and scoop cauliflower onto it. Add another paper towel layer on top and press out as much water as you can. You will have to do this several times. 4. Mix cauliflower, eggs, cheese, and spices together 5. Spread olive oil on pizza stone 6. Pressed dough onto pan 7. Bake for 45 minutes and remove from oven 8. Add sauce, toppings, and cheese and broil for 10-15 minutes How did your pizza turn out? What toppings did you add? Let us know in the comments below! For more ketogenic recipes as well as expert guidance on how to use a modified ketogenic diet for weight loss, sign up for Dr. Colbert’s Slender System for FREE today! Adapted from stockpilingmoms.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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How Keto Zone Helps Moms Stay Healthy Throughout Their Lives

AHA Publisher — Fri, 07 May 2021 07:00:10 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Being a mom is a wonderful journey. From being a young mom with a young family to middle age and senior years, moms need energy, a clear head, good health, and convenient choices. They do a lot. Typically, their energy is spent on others. Keto Zone helps moms stay healthy throughout life, and focus on themselves. If you’re a mom or know one, you know moms deserve the best. Keto Zone is here for moms! Keto Zone Helps Moms Stay Healthy — Starting With Young If there’s one thing that summarizes a young mom’s life, it’s feeling busy. Having a baby, toddlers, small children and school-aged kids can feel overwhelming. Oftentimes, young moms put their own health, fitness, and well-being on the back burner while taking care of a young family. Thankfully, the Keto Zone Diet and Keto Zone Shakes contain great nutrients for overall health and a healthy weight, and they can be incredibly convenient for busy moms. Primarily, the Keto Zone is based on healthy fats. The Keto Zone diet and Keto Zone Shake contains MCT oil powder and avocado oil powder. Both are great for health and lasting energy. Keto Zone’s healthy fats and nutrients specifically: Promote weight loss while keeping you feeling full. In fact, a high-fat diet helps you stay satisfied and satiated even when losing weight (1). Target abdominal fat. Many moms struggle with losing stubborn abdominal fat. Keto Zone Shakes’ fats promote abdominal fat loss, especially compared to high-carbohydrate diets. It will improve whole-body health and can reduce the risk of chronic disease (2, 3). Provide the substrates for ketosis. If you are using Keto Zone as a diet and lifestyle, you need healthy fats to enter the Keto Zones. The fats in the Keto Zone Shake are perfect for ketosis and also work as brain fuel for clarity, focus, and improved brain health (4). Utilize fibers instead of refined carbohydrates. In fact, each serving of Keto Zone Shake include 8 grams of fiber! These fibers are derived from sweet potato fiber and chicory root, a fructooligosaccharide (FOS). Fructooligosaccharides are very important in the body and support healthy bacteria colonies in the gut, which play a role in whole-body health and immune function (5, 6, 7). Is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. These compounds fight free radicals that damage and age our cells, and reduce inflammation associated with chronic disease. Contains moderate amounts of protein. Protein helps young moms rebuild and restore cells. It also promotes hormone balance and overall health. If you’re considering a healthy diet as a young mom, treat yourself to Keto Zone. The overall diet, which is detailed in the Keto Zone Diet Book, and Keto Zone Shakes, can make it easy to take care of your health each day. Keto Zone Helps Moms Stay Healthy Throughout Middle Age As a mom enters middle age, she may want to stay healthy, be full of energy, age beautifully, and feel completely clear-headed. Keto Zone helps moms stay healthy through middle age. In addition to providing all the nutrients and health benefits listed above for young mom, Keto Zone is: Anti-Aging: It’s high use of healthy oils and fats, such as olive oil, targets the challenges of aging. Incredibly, more than 200 different chemical compounds have been detected in olive oil such as sterols, carotenoids, triterpenic alcohols, and phenolic compounds. In addition to oleic acid, olive oil’s other minor nutrients, like vitamin E and polyphenols, can alter and improve gene expression, pathways, and more (8). This means beautiful healthy skin and young cells. Energizing: The Keto Zone Diet and Shakes provide amazing energy by utilizing ketones. This energy is not like the ups and downs associated with a high-carbohydrate diet, but steady, long-lasting energy. Clear and focused: One amazing aspect of ketones is that they help provide your brain with energy. Most Keto Zone dieters report feeling clear-headed, focused, and on-task. Ketones are amazingly beneficial to brain health. Keto Zone Helps Moms Stay Healthy Through Menopause and Senior Years One hallmark of menopause is a difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight. Unfortunately, many women report difficulty losing weight, and an increase in abdominal fat. One issue is that women experience a lesser ability to deal with carbohydrates. Blood sugars and insulin levels often increase. Keto Zone can help. Just like in younger years, Keto Zone promotes abdominal fat loss. Since it contains minimal carbohydrates, it can help moms sail through menopause without weight gain. What’s more, Keto Zone Hormone Zone and Thyroid Zone support a mom’s changing hormone levels. This can be a huge help as estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones change throughout the lifecycle. Bottom Line It’s almost Mother’s Day. This year, treat yourself or another mom you know to Keto Zone. You can start with the Keto Zone Diet Book, Keto Zone Shakes, or the 21-Day Free Keto Zone Challenge. You’ll find health, energy, and focus. It’s one of the greatest gifts in life: health. Keto Zone helps moms stay healthy! To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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7 Proven Health Benefits of Zucchini Plus Keto Zone Italian Salad

The AHA! Team — Wed, 04 Sep 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – The best foods are those that are single-ingredient, and from the earth or animals that eat of it. It’s no wonder that these foods are overflowing of nutrients that promote health and wellness in the body. This week, use up that zucchini. It can benefit your health from your head to your toes. And, it’s delicious in our Keto Zone Zucchini Noodle Italian Salad. Did you know there are amazing proven health benefits of zucchini? There are. We’re talking heart health, anti-aging, eye health, and more. Best of all, if you’re a gardener, you likely have more zucchini than you know what to do with this time of year. Today, let’s get creative with zucchini and make a delicious Keto Zone Zucchini Noodle Italian Salad. It’s delicious, easy, and great for you! Keto Zone Zucchini Noodle Italian Salad Salad Ingredients: • 2 medium zucchinis • 1 cucumber, sliced thinly • 1/2 cup halved medium black olives, optional • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional • 1/2 cup thick sliced salami, sliced into semi-circles, optional Dressing Ingredients: • 1.5 tablespoons red wine vinegar • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano • 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes • salt and pepper, to taste Instructions: Slice zucchinis in half (long-ways), and spiralize them with a vegetable spiralizer, or cut them into long matchsticks. Place all salad ingredients in a bowl. Mix dressing. Then, pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine thoroughly. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (even better if left for 3-4 hours) to let the dressing soften the zucchini. Enjoy! Serves 4. Nutrition Info per serving: 200 calories, 17 gm fat, 4 gm net carbs (5 gm carbs, 1 gm fiber), 6 gm protein Why Eat Zucchini? Zucchini is a low-carb summer squash that also goes by the name courgette. Like many other pseudo-vegetables, zucchini is officially a fruit. But don’t worry, it’s still low carb and Keto Zone approved. Here are 7 proven health benefits of zucchini and why you should add it today. 7 Proven Health Benefits of Zucchini 1. Nutrition Powerhouse Zucchini is a great Keto Zone food: low in carbs, rich in nutrients. In just one cup of zucchini, you’ll get (1): • Twenty calories (compare this to 80-120 from pasta). Four grams of carbohydrates, 2.5 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein. • Vitamin C (potent antioxidant), beta-carotene (potent antioxidant), folate, and potassium. After riding hard, zucchini can help you replenish potassium and fend off leg cramps. • Anti-inflammatory components: The seeds of summer squash contain omega-3s, carotenoids like lutein, zeaxanthin, and anti-inflammatory starches. • A good amount of vitamin K, folate, vitamin B6, and thiamine. 2. Better Digestion Zucchini has several attributes that promote better digestion. First, it’s hydrating. Some foods like zucchini contain water, which can soften stools and decrease constipation. In addition, it’s a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber adds soft bulk to stools, promoting healthy digestion. Insoluble fiber feeds healthy bacteria, keeping your gut and body healthy (2, 3). 3. Loads of Antioxidants Our bodies are subject to the detrimental effects of oxidative stress. Why? Many typical, daily, biochemical reactions create free radicals (charged ions). These free radicals do damage at a cellular level. It’s crucial that we eat foods loaded with antioxidants to neutralize them. Zucchini contains carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene. Carotenoids are specifically beneficial to your eyes, skin, and heart. They also display anti-cancer action and may provide some protection (4). Of note, most of the carotenoids in zucchini, and other fruits and vegetables are located in the skin. So, don’t peel it, but eat them skin-on for the most benefit (5, 6). 4. Better Heart Health Heart disease remains the number 1 killer in our country. We could all use a boost in heart health. Zucchini may help. First, it’s high in fiber which contributes to optimal cholesterol levels. In fact, its fiber is largely pectin, and this type of fiber specifically improves cholesterol in studies (7, 8). Next, zucchini is rich in heart-healthy potassium, which is linked to improved blood pressure in those with hypertension (9). Lastly, its carotenoids fight oxidative stress that can hurt the heart (10). 5. Zucchini May Promote Better Blood Sugar Levels and Weight Loss For those with Type 2 diabetes, zucchini may help lower blood sugar levels. For one, it provides a great alternative to carbohydrates in many dishes, such as our Keto Zone Zucchini Noodle Italian Salad. It has only 3 grams of carbs per cooked cup! In addition, it’s high fiber promotes better blood sugars (11, 12). With lower blood sugars, the body can also become more insulin sensitive. Not only does this benefit those with type 2 diabetes, but also anyone trying to lose weight. What’s more, zucchini’s fiber helps stabilize blood sugar, preventing levels from spiking after meals. Diets rich in fiber from fruits and vegetables â€” including zucchini â€” are consistently linked to a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes (13, 14). What’s more, intake of non-starchy, dark green or yellow vegetables â€” with similar nutrition profiles to zucchini â€” appears particularly beneficial to weight loss (15). 6. Stronger Vision Zucchini has a double shot for your vision: Vitamin C and beta-carotene. These antioxidant nutrients are vital to eye health (16). Additionally, zucchini’s lutein and zeaxanthin can accumulate in the retina of the eye itself, improving vision and reducing risk of eye diseases (17). 7. Less Inflammation for Anti-Aging In addition to antioxidants that fight signs of aging by neutralizing free radicals, zucchini’s special fibers are anti-inflammatory. They are pectins. Pectin fiber, can improve arterial health and reduce inflammation. This is important for heart health, blood sugars, inflammatory diseases like arthritis and asthma, and for anti-aging. Bonus Recipe: Frozen Zucchini Shreds If you’re still wondering what to do with all that zucchini from your garden, grate it (skin and all), and freeze it in individual portions. Add it to smoothies for a vegetable kick and a thickener. Bottom Line The best foods are those that are single-ingredient, and from the earth or animals that eat of it. It’s no wonder that these foods are overflowing of nutrients that promote health and wellness in the body. This week, use up that zucchini. It can benefit your health from your head to your toes. And, it’s delicious in our Keto Zone Zucchini Noodle Italian Salad. To read the original article click here. For more articles by Dr. Colbert click here.

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6 Deadly Reasons to Quit Soda For Good & 5 Keto Zone Alternatives

The AHA! Team — Fri, 30 Aug 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Step away from the soda and never look back. If you have loved ones who drink soda and are open to discussing it, let them know of the health consequences. Sodas are one of the many ways the food industry has made a lot of money at the cost of our health. The consequences of soda can be deadly. Sound dramatic or extreme? It’s not. While food manufacturers try to disguise soda as an acceptable treat, it can contribute to many deadly diseases. There are serious risks linked to as little as 2 sodas per day. Is any soda worth that? I think not. Here are 6 Deadly Reasons to Quit Soda for Good and 5 Healthy Keto Zone Alternatives. 6 Deadly Reasons to Quit Soda for Good 1. Weight Gain Regular soda, at ~170 calories and over 40 grams of carbohydrates (sugar) per can, is an obvious problem when trying to lose weight. Since all the calories are from sugar, and sugar in the liquid form is digested incredibly fast, it spikes blood glucose, insulin, and fat storage. From there, it contributes to all the chronic diseases associated with an unhealthy weight. What about low-calorie, low-carb diet sodas and weight gain? If made with saccharin or aspartame, diet sodas are not good choices either. These chemical artificial sweeteners have been found to contribute to overeating and disrupt the body’s cues for hunger and satiety. What’s more, some studies have found that drinking diet soda was associated with poorer food choices (1), while other studies have not established this link if participants were careful with food. Don’t believe weight gain is deadly? Consider this: An estimated 300,000 deaths per year can be attributed to the obesity epidemic in our country; this is 2nd only to tobacco use (13). 2. Liver and Kidney Disease Believe it or not, the sugar in soda causes fat build-up around organs, by as much as 25 percent. Even worse, it’s estimated to cause 2 times the build-up around the liver, which can induce liver dysfunction and disease (2). The kidneys are also affected. Soda’s phosphoric acid and high fructose corn syrup are linked to kidneys stones and kidney disease (3). Annual deaths: About 98,000 per year combined for liver and kidney disease (14). 3. Heart Disease, Stroke and Metabolic Syndrome As for heart health, sodas negatively affect: • LDL cholesterol and overall cholesterol risk factors • Triglycerides • Blood Pressure What’s more, its effects on weight and liver function may cause the liver to produce more cholesterol, compounding the issue. Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which a patient has 3 of the 5 following conditions: a large waistline, high blood pressure, high blood sugars, high triglycerides, or low HDL cholesterol. Amazingly, as little as one soda per day increases one’s risk of developing metabolic syndrome by 50%. And, according to at least one study, that one soda per day, can also increase the risk of stroke by 10% (4). What about diet sodas? Sodas that contain saccharin and aspartame may or may not affect heart health labs directly, but since they are associated with weight gain and overall disease risk, they are likely not good for your heart. What’s more, regular sodas and diet sodas are both indicated in the increased risk for metabolic syndrome (5). Annual deaths due to or related to heart disease: 610,000 (1 in every 4 deaths) (15). 4. Diabetes As many people realize, sugary-drinks raise blood sugars and insulin levels. Continually elevated blood sugars and insulin cause a reduction in insulin sensitivity, and an increased risk of Diabetes. Unfortunately, this rings true for sodas. In fact, study after study shows that sodas contribute to our Diabetes epidemic in different socio-economic, ethnic, and age groups (6, 7). About 80,000 Americans die annually due to Diabetes or a related condition (16). 5. Pancreatic Cancer Do you, or someone you know, drink 2 sodas per week? Sadly, this may be enough to nearly double your risk of pancreatic cancer. In fact, one analysis of over 648,000 people found a significant increase in pancreatic cancer risk and this much soda (8). And while all cancers or horrible, pancreatic can be especially deadly as it is often not found and diagnosed until the disease has progressed. In fact, pancreatic cancer is one of the only cancers in which the mortality rates are on the rise. No soda is worth that. 6. Osteoporosis and Increased Risk of Fracture Sodas that contain phosphoric acids, such as colas and others, have been associated with low bone mineral density, especially in older women (9). Since low bone mineral density can be a problem for many women anyway, sodas can compound the risk. While fractures don’t seem deadly, hip fractures certainly increase mortality in those over 60 years of age. In fact, one study found a 21% mortality rate in the year after a hip fracture in this age group (17). Since body density is acquired and strengthened before we reach older age, it makes sense to do all we can to promote and preserve it throughout life. Healthy Keto Zone Alternatives to Soda If all this soda-bashing has bummed you out, don’t worry, we’ve got great alternatives to help you stay hydrated. Of note, while most diet sodas contain harmful saccharin and aspartame, there are other natural sweeteners that can be used without negative health effects. At this time, sugar alcohols and stevia have been shown to improve disease states and lab numbers in many studies (10, 11, 12). So, while it’s best to keep the majority of your foods and drinks unsweetened the occasional use of these natural sweeteners can be part of a healthy diet. 5 Healthy Alternatives to Soda: 1. Water with Cucumber and Lemon (simple and delicious) 2. Coffee with MCT Oil Powder (the healthy caffeine pick-me-up) 3. Black Tea and Green Tea (these are nutrition powerhouses) 4. Stevia-based drinks like True Lemon Lemonades (this brand contains natural ingredients and can be found online and in many grocery stores) 5. Keto Zone Lemonade and Keto Zone Sweet Tea (for an occasional sweetened drink) Bottom Line Step away from the soda and never look back. If you have loved ones who drink soda and are open to discussing it, let them know of the health consequences. Sodas are one of the many ways the food industry has made a lot of money at the cost of our health. These 6 deadly reasons to quit soda and never look back are dire. And these 5 healthy keto zone alternatives can actually improve your health. To read the original article click here. For more articles by Dr. Colbert click here.

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