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Healthy eating is all about getting the best nutrition and controlling your diet as per your body’s needs. A good diet will keep you healthy and full of energy. Healthy eating is all about discipline and self-control. A good planned diet can definitely reduce your risk of getting diseases. It keeps one physically as well as mentally healthy. Healthy eating is not about cutting food from your diet, it is about maintaining food intake and getting the required nutrition for your body. It is all about developing good habits which will help keep you healthy. This article will guide you on how to plan a healthy diet and develop healthy eating habits. Here are three steps for planning a healthy diet.

Healthy Eating Step #1 – Prepare Yourself For Success

Every person tries to adopt a diet plan which will help them get slimmer and healthier. However, the majority of them don’t stick to their plan for long and give up in a few days. Lack of motivation and lack of self determination is the reason for it.

• Keep things simple: Don’t go crazy counting calories and fat. Instead, try to get different types and colors of fruits and vegetables. Also, you don’t need to cook yourself complicated dishes to stay healthy. You can get your nutrition from simple and easy dishes. Focus on different, yet easy dishes, so you can utilize your precious time and save yourself from unnecessary hardship.
• Don’t let it get boring: Always try to have as many different dishes as you can. Also, make sure that your food tastes good, otherwise, you might lose interest in maintaining your new diet. Be creative! Cook different types of food. Try to eat different types of healthy and tasty dishes whenever you can.
• Enjoy the change: Many people get sick of the change, and switch back to their old diet. This stops a person from developing healthy eating habits. Keeping things interesting and fun is really important. Enjoy the change you have made in your life! This change is going to help you get better and healthier. Getting yourself a healthy diet is definitely the best decision you can make in your life.

Healthy Eating Step #2-  Consult Your Doctor

It is important that you talk with your doctor before you start your new diet plan. This could save you from unexpected health problems in the future. Before you start any healthy eating diet plan or exercise plan, it is important that you talk about it with your doctor.

• Get a full health checkup: Health checkups helps a person find any unknown health problem a person might have. It is important as it can also help prevent unwanted diseases and problems. Every person should go under a health checkup at least once a year.
• Ask doctor, What Foods To Avoid: If you are suffering from some health problem, it is important that you consult with your doctor about what foods to avoid. Eating the wrong foods can even be life threatening in some cases. For example, someone with diabetes must not consume sugar or sugary foods.
• Discuss the complications and risk: You should discuss with your doctor the changes in your diet and about certain foods that might posses some risks and complications to your health. Discussing the diet will help you in avoiding the risks of any health problems.

Healthy Eating Step #3- Make the plan

So, after doing the research, its time to make your diet plan! On average, a person needs around 2000 calories everyday. Every person needs different amount of calories according to the size of their body. Using BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), you can find out how much calories you need everyday. Spreading the amount of calories required through out the day will provide the best health results.

• Breakfast: Never skip your breakfast! Make sure you get at least 400 calories from breakfast. Your breakfast should include foods that are high in protein and contains lots of dietary fiber. This will keep you active and energetic for the whole day. You can have a hardboiled egg with whole grain toast and one glass of apple juice for your breakfast.
• Lunch: Many people skip eating lunch to lose body weight. However, this rarely helps them in losing weight. Lunch helps keep your metabolism active. Having lunch can re-energize you and help you stay active for several hours. It is recommended to consume foods high in carbohydrates and protein for lunch. Your lunch should give you at least 500 calories a day.
• Snacks: Adding snacks between meals can help you perform better at work and at school. It’s good to have a snack twice a day. Eating a small snack during the afternoon can boost your efficiency to get your tasks done. Your snacks (twice a day) should provide a minimum of 170 calories and should have healthy fats and carbohydrates.
• Dinner: It is good to have a lighter meal for your dinner. Try to get at least 450 calories from your dinner. Your dinner should include foods that are high in fiber and contain little fat. You can have an ounce of lean chicken with half a cup cooked brown rice for your dinner.

To help you plan your diet, we are giving away a monthly diet planner in different formats. You can download it from below.

Monthly Diet Planner

Download Diet Planner:

• Get it from Google Doc
• Download As PDF
• Download As XLS

You are free to use, modify, share this monthly diet planner for personal as well as commerical purpose.

Tips For Planning Healthy Diet Plan:-

Understand your body needs: Every person has a different body and different needs! You should make your diet according to your body’s capacity. Also make sure that you don’t punish your body by changing your diet drastically. Make your diet plan as per your body type and health.

Eat in Moderation: It is important that you maintain moderation in your diet. If you ban certain foods, you are more likely to crave it. It is better that you have that certain food in small portions. This will help you stick with your plan and keep things enjoyable as you don’t have to ban your favorites.

Fat is not bad for you: Fat is important for the health of your brain, cells, heart and even hair and nails. It is important that you understand the difference between good fats and bad fats. Try to add  more monounsaturated fats (almonds, hazelnuts, peanut oil and olive oil) and polyunsaturated fats (walnuts, soybeans, sunflower, corn) in your diet. Avoid saturated fats (like red meat) and trans fat (like cookies, baked and fried foods) in your daily diet.

Include More Vegetables and Fruits in diet: Having too much meat in your diet is not healthy for your heart and health. Try to include different types of vegetables and fruits. Include vegetables and fruits of different colors in your diet. To get all the needed vitamins and minerals, it is important to maintain diversity in your diet.

Reduce Salt and Sugar intake: Sugar can cause weight and heart problems. It brings ups and downs in a persons health. Too much salt causes high blood pressure and other heart problems. Avoiding salt and sugar will definitely help you stay healthier and prevent many different diseases.

Calcium is important: Calcium is necessary for your bone and over all health. Beans and dairy products are great sources of calcium. Also, don’t forget to get your daily dose of vitamin-D, vitamin-K and magnesium, which helps calcium to do its job. Lack of calcium could cause serious health problems like osteoporosis.

Protein for stronger body: Protein is essential for the maintenance of cells, organs and tissues. Lack of protein will cause weakness in muscles and over all immunity and energy of the body. Foods like beans, nuts, soy products, chicken, and meat are great sources of protein. Also, avoid consuming meat and chicken that are pumped up with antibiotics and hormones. They do more harm than good.

Drink plenty of water: A person should drink around 1.2 litres of fluid everyday. In hotter climates, one needs more than that to protect oneself from dehydration. Water is very important for healthy functioning of the body.

Don’t Forget To Exercise: Exercising will help you stay more active and help you build better muscles and improve blood circulation in your body. Just walking 30 minutes a day can help your body get healthier and stronger. Make exercising a part of your daily routine, it’ll benefit you a lot in the long term.

Fat is important for the health of your brain, cells, heart and even hair and nails. It is important that you understand the difference between good fats and bad fats. Try to add  more monounsaturated fats (almonds, hazelnuts, peanut oil and olive oil) and polyunsaturated fats (walnuts, soybeans, sunflower, corn) in your diet. Avoid saturated fats (like red meat) and trans fat (like cookies, baked and fried foods) in your daily diet.

Understand the Source

You must try to know the sources of stress in your life and gradually figure out on how to eliminate them. Though it is not a very easy job, but once you are done with it, your tasks become simpler. You can then try getting rid of them by finding some alternative ways.

Switch  to a healthier diet

Deal with the stress by switching to healthier ways. Most of the people resort to unhealthy means such as smoking, drinking to forget their problems. In fact, these options can be harmful to you in the long run and can cause a lot of damage. You must choose those alternatives which contribute to greater emotional and physical health. You should switch to healthy diet since proper nourishment gives the strength to your body to cope with stress. Eating balanced meal will keep your body strong and healthy. You must also reduce the intake of caffeine and sugar as well because this would make you feel even more relaxed and help you get good sleep. You must also take enough sleep as your body and mind needs sufficient rest. The more you are fresh, the more rationally you can think.

Control your surroundings

One of the best ways to avoid stress is to take control of the situations around you. It’s important to avoid things and people which cause unnecessary stress. Set your responsibilities and limits and learn to say no so that you are not overloaded with work. Avoid the people relationships that cause stress and drop absolutely everything irrelevant to ease yourself.

Always stay positive

Be optimistic in your outlook. Self talk can greatly help in this regards. Talk to yourself loudly and clear but make sure that you are positive. Make sure that you do not speak negative as it can build up your stress. On the other hand, staying positive will calm you down and relieve you of your daily worries. The more you become optimistic, the more you turn your positive thoughts into actions.

Plan Everything

Planning is absolutely necessary in everyone’s life. But you must understand the fact that it is important to set realistic goals and not something where you would have to over exert yourself. Setting non realistic goals lead to confusion and stress because of the fact that it becomes difficult to achieve those targets. Hence it is best to avoid unnecessary stress by analyzing your capabilities and setting your limits.

Indulge in your hobbies

Involve yourself in those activities which give you pleasure. Everyone has some or the other hobby. Whether you love gardening or shopping, take out time for such activities. Though these are some of the very simple things yet they give you a lot of pressure and help you in forgetting your worries.

Try Meditation and Relaxation techniques

Relaxation is yet another way which acts as a great stress buster. Most people misinterpret the term relaxation which is much beyond puttering around and wasting time. Relaxation means calming your mind and body and has numerous forms such as yoga and meditation. It is easy to practice and you can do it easily by deep breathing. Allotting 10 minutes daily to the same would make you feel great and in a whole new form.

Exercise

Exercising is yet another way which will help you to ease off and forget stress. This is because exercising helps in burning off the energy generated by stress before it burns you up. As per a study at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, about 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise can increase the heart rate to 120 beats per minute which can further help in lowering depression and anxiety within 12 weeks. In fact, if you do stretching exercise then this can help you greatly in combating stress. So it is always better to indulge in some physical activity and at least 30 minutes of exercise, 3 times in a week can play a great role in coping with stress.

Accept and Move on

It is also important for you to accept things which are impossible to change. You must learn to accept the changes and things which cannot be changed. These might be the loss of a loved one or some serious illness or any other such issue. There are many things in life which are beyond control. Rather than stressing over them, it is better to move on and instead focus on other things in life.

Avoid Competition

Competition can at times be very stressful and an unnecessary source of trouble. For some people it can be a motivational factor while for many others it can create a lot of tension an stress. If you feel the same then it is always better to avoid such situations and stop being jealous of other’s accomplishments.

Hence, adopting all such ways would make your life stress free and easier. You must keep in mind that stress is a part of everyone’s life. Everyone deals with it in different ways but it is important to eliminate it from life and involve in productive tasks. Try to be different in life and accept challenges. The more you adapt yourself the easier life would be. Always wear a smile no matter how hard it might seem. Face problems and do not escape from them. You will find that it becomes easy to struggle and stay.

Photo Credit - Alan Cleaver

In today’s era of fast foods and unbalanced lifestyle with obesity prevailing at alarming rates in every pocket of the world, maintaining a proper body weight with healthy lifestyle is rugged and losing weight is more rugged. Due to lack of time, people tend to move towards artificial foods which are quick to cook and have no room for exercise which is why losing weight is becoming more and more challenging. This has increased risks of several dangerous diseases like diabetes, heart strokes, high blood pressure, hypertension etc. and is also a reason for low self confidence in the crowd of smart, lean and thins. If you only want to cut down few pounds off your belly then having a balanced strict diet will work for you pretty well but to maintain a quality life and sound, obesity free health, exercise is equally important. If your complete weight lose program is not working for you effectively which is, in turn, making you more tantalized, check out these easy and simple tips to lose weight and stay perfectly shaped.

Below Are Few Tips For Healthy Weight Loss :

Drink plenty of water

Water is indeed an essential part of our bodies and helps not only in maintaining proper functioning of cells and tissues but also in flushing off toxins and cell debris out of our bodies. The concept of drinking water to lose weight is simple- more water you drink healthier and fitter you get. Since it occupies space, it decreases your carving to gorge more food and enhances your digestive system. Starting your day with a glass of water is a wonderful way to eat less breakfast and thus lose weight effectively.

Keep distance from sweetened drink

having more of bottled sweetened drinks like sodas, bottled juices etc. may taste good for a while but they are adding loads of sugar and calories to your body. If possible, prefer eating fresh fruits instead of fruit juices as the sugar level in juices in high. Even alcohol and other beverages are not good for a person who is planning to lose weight.

Eat more fiber

Eating whole grains, oats etc. add good quantity of fiber to our diet which is very important for proper bowel movement and digestion. These foods are good for heart and helps in removing wastes and toxins out of our bodies, cutting down excessive body weight.

Avoid snacking

Snacks are oily, fatty, less filling and unhealthy means of stuffing oneself. These might means tasting and mouth watering but will add more and more bulk to your body. You have snacks once in a blue moon but avoid making it a part of your meal.

Grab a glass of water before your meal

Drinking a glass of water before meal helps you feel full and thus you eat less. This is one of the simplest and effective weight lose tips which works for all. Also having water while having your food helps in settling of food faster which, in turn, makes you feel full faster.

Eat more and more fresh fruits and vegetable

Fresh fruits and vegetables store great nutritional values which are vital for a sound health. Fruits like grapes, oranges etc. and vegetables like tomato, carrots etc. have vitamin C, minerals and good quantities of water which help in losing weight effectively. Various leafy vegetables are good for purifying body in enhances the metabolism rates of the body. For controlling your hiking body weight and stay healthy, better go green! Do not overcook your vegetables as this can destroy their nutritional elements- better boil them and eat.

Have small meals at regular intervals

Divide your meal into several small meals and have them at regular intervals. This helps in burning of calories at much faster rates and keeps you stuffed all the time.

Fix time for meals and stick to it

If taking multiple small meals is important, having them at fixed time in a day is equally important. In this way your body gets to know when to get hungry and starts its metabolism accordingly. This is very beneficial for losing weight effectively.

Control your sweet tooth

Sugar is the key monster one need to fight if planning to control body weight. Avoid taking extra calories in the form of sweets, cakes, pastries, candies etc. as it will make you bulkier and can lead to diabetes and even obesity.

Do not skip meals

Try not to skip any of your meals as this might increase your hunger for the next meal and thus you eat more. Plan your diet schedule properly including six small meals in a day. Avoid going for crash diets.

Choose white meat instead of red meat

White meat, like fowl, fish etc. is of great value than red meat which includes pork and beef. So if you are trying to lose weight, switch to white meat.

Go easy on your salt intake

If you are determined to lose weight, go easy on your salt intake. Eating salt in excess in not good for health and it hinders water retention by the body. It is also not good for your blood pressure so better stay away from the drawers!

Maintain a good diet

For a person aspiring to lose weight, diet is very important. A weight lose diet includes, more of fresh fruits and vegetables, lots of water, whole grain foods, less of carbohydrates, no oil and fats, more fiber and protein. All these things quench body’s thirst for all kinds of nutrients and thus help you lose bulk out of your body fast. Also chew your food properly and give it time to mix properly with saliva which helps in complete digestion.

Do not starve!

If you are on diet that does not mean you will starve your body for the whole day. This could lead to other health disorders. Our body has a natural tendency to adapt to the changes occurring inside it. If you starve, it will develop carving for food and next time you have anything, it will store it for future use. In this way your metabolism rate will decrease and body will not burn fat effectively.

Grab a cup of green tea

Green tea is a good way to lose weight and stay radiant. It contains antioxidants that purifies blood and removes junk from the body, keeping it slim, fit and healthy. It also increases your metabolism rate which means burning of body fat faster. Have green tea, instead of normal tea or coffee and burn your body fat optimally.

Don’t be over strict with your body

There is no harm in taking lit bit of fat and sugar sometime as it will avoid developing a carving for them. As it is said excess of everything is injurious to health, same goes for these stuffs. Your mantra should be to plan judicially, eat well and stay healthy and slim.

Exercise, exercise and exercise !

Having a balanced, fat free, fiber rich diet contributes around 40 percent in getting rid of extra pounds of your body. Rest of the 60 percent is exercise and workouts. Working out for about an hour daily helps in toning your body muscles, cuts down extra fat and give a perfect shape to your body. It also enhances blood circulation in the body. The best time to workout is when your stomach is empty as at this point your body is at the lowest sugar levels which means while exercising your body fat will burn at much faster rate in order to satisfy energy needs of the body. It is not necessary to go to a gym or climb on a treadmill for exercising. Jogging in a park and dancing can also serve the purpose for you and help you sweat!

Keep an eye on body weight

In order to control or lose your body weight it is very necessary to gauge it correctly. In this way you will be able to decide upon diet and exercise schedule more precisely. Also while you are on your weight lose program, regular check on weight helps you keep motivated.

These were some of the tips that will help you lose weight fast and effectively. No matter what plan you choose and how you plan your diet and daily schedule, it is important to stick to it. Following your weight lose program and health tips religiously and keeping controls over your taste buds can help you succeed in losing those extra pounds off your body and get an attractive personality that will charm others. Lose weight and stay healthy for long!

Here are some good tips to prevent diabetes.

Be More Active

obesity and overweight add a lot towards diabetes and thus it is necessary to cut down extra pounds from your body. Best way is to exercise and develop healthy habits like taking stairs in place of elevators, dancing, walking where ever you can etc. Step up your exercise routine which includes one hour full body workout daily and walking for staying fit and away from diabetes.

Eat Healthy

Add more and more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet and eat your meal at regular intervals. Green leafy vegetables serve as natural anti diabetic food and thus are very beneficial for preventing it. Avoid taking oil and refines carbohydrates as they increase body weight and thus place you at higher risks of getting diabetes. Instead go for whole grains, like whole wheat bread, oats etc. which have great values for sound health.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is injurious to health and disturbs the hormonal balance of the body. By quitting this harmful habit of smoking, you gift yourself a healthy life and sound living.

Add Vinegar To Your Food

Taking two tablespoons of vinegar daily, especially apple cider vinegar, helps in lowering blood sugar levels that increase because of carbs you eat in a day. There is no need to take it raw- just add it on your salads etc. and enjoy this healthy food of life.

Cut Down Sugar/Salt Intake And Have Spices Like Cinnamon

Taking adequate amounts of salt helps in keeping blood pressure under control. Also taking in excess of sugar can increase its level in blood and have harmful effects on cells in future. Spices like cinnamon are good for preventing diabetes and helps in drawing high blood sugar levels under control. Cinnamon extracts helps in reducing carving for sugar which is good for reducing weight and thus prevent diabetes. Cinnamon also acts as insulin receptors that aids cells of our bodies to use blood sugar effectively in the same manner as insulin does. It helps in maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol in blood streams.Prickly pear cactus (optunia) serves as good supplement for preventing diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels. It is also used as good natural remedy for diarrhea and stomach ache.

Drink more coffee

Coffee is loaded with antioxidants like magnesium and chlorogenic acid which in improving sensitivity towards insulin. Although decaffeinated coffee has got many health benefits, drinking caffeinated coffee is more advantageous for preventing diabetes. So enjoy your mug of hot or cold coffee and put risk of diabetes aside.

Avoid Meat

If you like eating red meat, then you are at higher risks of suffering from type 2 diabetes. Also processed meat is dangerous for health. In order to satisfy your body’s protein demands, better switch to soy based foods like soy burgers and tofu dishes. Soy protein is low in calories and helps in regulating blood glucose and insulin levels. It comprises of no saturated fats and thus lowers high cholesterol levels.

Avoid Soft Drinks And Other Beverages

Avoid taking soft drinks, sweeteners and other beverages as they contain high sugar content that generates a blast of sugar in your body which is harmful and can trigger diabetes. Even diet soda enhances your carving for sugar as it makes you feel hungrier.

Avoid Stress

Where stress as become a part of everybody’s life, it is necessary to reduce it for sound health and mind. Studies prove that high stress levels raise blood sugars and thus increase risks of diabetes. Best way to curb stress is to meditate or do yoga. In this way you will not only rejuvenate your mind and body but also drags stress out of your lives. Taking proper sleep also helps in relieving from stress.

Taking Insulin Supplements

There are a number of insulin supplements and injections available with the help of which insulin is taken externally inside the body. it is always advisable to have complete medical assistance before switching to any external insulin supplement.

Keep an eye on your blood sugar levels

Blood sugar screening from time to time is very important. In this way to come to know about the glucose content present in your blood and how well your pancreas is performing. In case your blood sugar level is high, consult your doctor to know more about related health risks and get proper medication. It is easier to treat diabetes at initial stages than at more severe levels.

These are some of the ways which can help you stay away from diabetes and its bad effects. A healthy lifestyle and cool mind is always helpful in leading a comfortable risk free life. Though some of the reasons for diabetes to occur are unavoidable, one can easily escape this health ailment by exercising regularly, eating healthy and having a stress free living. A body free from diabetes homes a healthy heart as well!

This type of skin is very common with teenagers because of hormonal shifts at their age. Other reasons that accounts for oily skin are diet, heredity, hormonal levels, pregnancy, menopause, birth control pills, humidity and hot climate and cosmetics which you use. Even stress and mental tension is found to have induction effect in sebaceous glands which then produce more sebum and cause oily and dull skin. A healthy and beautiful skin is need a key ingredient to high self esteem and thus it is important to get rid of extra oil and grease situated over your face. Though sebum helps in keep our skin hydrated and ruddy, excess of it is not good your beauty. Following are some of the remedies which one can apply to remove oil from the pores and have a healthy radiant skin.

• One should follow proper step by step routine for cleaning oil and dirt off the skin. First of all cleanse your skin using good cleansing milk or any natural agent and then tone it using toner. Next step is exfoliating which removes oil and dirt from the pores making your skin breath. In the end apply any sun protecting cream or moisturizer for keeping your skin hydrated.
• Make a paste of grinded almond with honey and lightly massage with this mixture for about 5 to 6 minutes daily. Afterward rinse well with cold water. This clears off excessive oil from the pores of your face and gives you radiant skin.
• Lemon acts as best natural cleansing agent which not only clears the dust and dirt off the skin but also removes greasy shinny and makes your skin oil free. You can also mix lemon juice along with cucumber pulp which is a good natural toner that refreshes the skin and maintains its grace. Juices of other citrus fruits like orange etc. can also help in the same without being harsh to the skin.
• Low fat curd is an excellent cleanser. If you want a refreshed glowing skin, then apply it with lukewarm water daily for about 15 minutes and see the outstanding results with your skin.
• Making a pack of sandalwood powder or fuller’s earth with rose water acts as the best cooling and oil removing remedies. This helps in reducing pimples and wrinkles over the skin and makes it look younger and radiant. You can also use gram flour (besan) with rose water and apply it daily as a pack. It helps in removing blackheads and extra oil from the skin.
• Aloe Vera is a good herb for skin and nowadays you will find it in almost every skin care product. The reason is that it helps in maintaining the moisture in the skin, cools it, removes oil and cleanses it thoroughly without the need of any scrubbing. If you have an aloe vera plant at your home, cut a leave of it and draw the gel out. Apply it daily and massage gently for great results.
• One of the effective masks for oily skin is egg white with little honey and lemon juice. This makes the skin soft, cleanses it and clears off all the extra greasy and oily substance present over the skin. One should apply this mask for about 15 minutes and then rinse it well with cold water. You can also use avocado along with lemon juice and egg white which helps you get a smooth clear skin.
• Pulp of raw papaya has got great cleansing action on the skin and makes the dead cells soft giving your skin an oil free texture. This also helps in balancing the oil content over the skin, maintaining proper functioning of sebaceous glands.
• Make a smooth paste of fresh strawberries and apply it daily on your face. This will not only smoothen your skin but will also help in balancing the oil making skin clean and clear.
• Diet plays an important role in balancing the functioning of sebaceous glands under our skin. Eating oil free, protein risk diet along with fresh fruits and vegetables is good for a healthy oil free skin. If you have an oily skin, restrict sugar, salt and fat levels in your food and avoid taking soft drinks and alcohol. Taking foods rich in Vitamin B and E is always beneficial for skin.
• Today market is full of various skin care products for getting oil free skin. This includes astringents, toners cleanser, lotions etc. Select any according to your skin type and use it daily for better results, this will help you eliminate acne and pimples and remove extra oil from the skin.
• Key to keep your skin oil free and glowing is to drink lots of water and other liquids it not only helps in detoxifying skin within but also removes excess oils, open pores and maintains proper functioning of sebaceous glands.

Skin is the most delicate organ in human beings and thus needs to be taken care of. Hormonal changes in our bodies, aging and unbalanced lifestyle increase the oil and greasy content over our skin making it look dull, thick and unhealthy. So by making use of above mention tips, one can get rid of oily skin and have a radiant, graceful face that will add to your self confidence and style.

Anyone, irrespective of age, can get acne though it is more seen in teenagers. This is due to the fact that several hormonal changes occur at this age. Also unhealthy lifestyle and unbalanced diet also affects the functioning of sebaceous glands and cause acne. Acne not only spoils the natural charm of your skin and beauty but also cause public embarrassment for many. Fortunately there are several remedies available that can effective help you in getting rid of acne and pimples on your skin. Key is to follow them properly and regularly for better result and clear acne free skin.

Here are few good tips to get rid of Acne.

• Wash Face Regularly: Keeping your face clean is the key to fight acne. Wash your face each time you come from outside or after sweating. This prevents dirt from sticking on the skin and washes away extra oil, thus clearing off pimples and spots.
• Keep Hair And Hands Clean: Keep your hair and hands way from your skin as they might contain dirt and bacteria that cause irritation one your skin and cause pimples or acne to show up.
• Try Honey And Potato Juice: Make a mixture of potato juice and honey and apply it gently over the pimples for about half an hour daily. Soon your acne will disappear and you will have a radiant acne free skin.
• Aloe Vera For Better Skin: Aloe Vera has got various skin benefits. Cleaning your face daily using aloe vera juice helps in eliminating irritation and inflammation of skin, keeping the natural beauty of your face intact.
• Try Lemon: Lemon acts as natural cleanser for skin and helps in removing extra oil from the skin. This opens the pores and helps your skin to breath. It also removes acne and spots from the skin effectively.
• Improve Your Digestion: If your digestive system is not disposing off waste out of the body effectively, your skin is forced to do the job which results in pimples and acne over the skin. In order to avoid this, take good dietary supplement probotics- this keeps the track clean and thus eliminates acne. Fiber is the best way to maintain good digestion. Consuming high fiber foods also helps in reducing body weight.
• Drink Lots Of Water: Drinks lots of water as it not only helps in hydrating the skin cells keeping oil away but also flushes off toxins and cell debris out of it making it to glow. Since no waste and oil will be present under the skin bacteria will have no environment to prevail and thus will cause no acne.
• Get a Balanced Diet: Taking proper and balanced diet is very important for healthy glowing skin. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables rich in several vitamins and minerals which maintain proper hormonal balance in the body. Avoid eating saturated fats and excessive sugar as these hamper the hormonal balance of our body, causing acne to spring up.
• Reduce Your Stress: Stress is also one of the factors that lead to acne. Actually stress triggers secretion of cortisol hormone in large quantities which manifests and proliferates acne. This leads to fluctuation of hormones in our body, as a result of which sebaceous glands produce more oil which clogs into the skin and causes pimples. Best way to combat stress is to have proper sound sleep and lead a stress free life. Meditation can help a lot in curbing stress levels in any individual.
• Try Natural Creams: Nowadays, market is flooded with anti acne creams and other products. One should select the right one according to the type of skin and severity of acne. Look for natural skin care products as they are more effective and have got no side effects. Products comprising of herbs like neem, green tea oil etc. posses good anti bacterial and anti fungal properties which helps in treating acne effectively. There are many acne medications available over the counters. You should consult a dermatologist for having proper acne treatment for better and instant results.
• The Toothpaste Trick: If acne shows up a night before your grand party and you want to get rid of it instantly, just grab your toothpaste (not gel) and apply it over your pimple and leave it overnight. This is an effective remedy to remove pimples instantly. The swelling around the acne will eliminate this way and you can easily hide the pimple with light makeup.
• Exfoliate Skin often: Exfoliate your skin at regular intervals using natural products or a good scrubber in order to remove extra oil from the skin and clearing away dead cells. This will help in removing acne and gives a healthy and graceful skin.

For high self esteem and graceful skin, it is very important to curb acne and its causes. The above mentioned remedies and tips will help you in getting rid of these ugly looking pimples from your face and will make your skin look healthy and charming. Sometimes, out of frustration and lack of knowledge, some people burst these acnes. This makes the condition more severe and causes more swelling around the pimple. One should avoid dong this as it also leaves behind dark spots of acne which look more baleful. Smoking and drinking also adds to the reasons causing acne over the skin and thus should be avoided. Only a healthy lifestyle, free from stress and proper diet can helps in maintaining the proper balance of hormones inside our bodies which will result in beautiful radiant skin that will last for long.

© Tetra Images/Corbis

Vitamin C, chemically known as L-ascorbic acid, is one of the essential nutrients that help our bodies in maintaining strong immune system and healthy tissues. It plays a vital role in protecting our bodies from diseases like scurvy, cardiovascular ailments, joint diseases, cancers, infertility and cataracts. Our body requires vitamin C for growth and alimony of blood vessels, scar tissues and cartilage. As a highly potent antioxidant, this vitamin combats our bodies from oxidative stress and dwindles risks regarding cancer. Vitamin C is also a great dietary supplement and helps in cutting down fats and enhances body’s metabolism. It is a water soluble nutrient and is, thus, absorbed by the body easily no matter in what form you take it. The requirement of vitamin C varies from human to human with age and healthy condition. Citrus fruits are the first things to come in mind when it comes to vitamin C. But one can find several foods, apart from citrus fruits, that are good sources of vitamin C.

Here is a list of top 10 sources for vitamin C.

10. Oranges

Oranges and other citrus fruits like grapes, lemons, pineapples etc. are richly loaded with vitamin C. even their zest (shavings of their peel) contains good levels of this nutrient. 100 grams of orange provides 59 mg of vitamin C to human body, approximately. It tastes great as fruit and juices and can also be turned into various other delicious delicacies.

9. Strawberry

Strawberries pack exceptional amounts of antioxidants which are vital for proper functioning of human body. The delicate, delicious fruit is a good source of vitamin C and offers many health benefits. The levels of this nutrient in Strawberries vary with their ripping stages. Along with health benefits, this fruit also offer great tastes to your tongue and is a grand addition to desserts, drinks and smoothies. It is surely a great taste of health, isn’t it?

8. Papayas

Not everybody’s favorite, papaya makes a good source of vitamin C. In addition to this, it also contains vitamin A and vitamin B9 (folate). It is good for eyes, stomach and enhances the immune system of the body. In 100 grams of papaya, you will find around 62 mg of vitamin C and good levels of water content. It tastes good in fruit salads and smoothies.

7. Kiwi

Kiwi fruits, also known as Chinese gooseberries, are good source of vitamin C and offer great color and taste to desserts and fruit salads. In a serving of 100 grams of kiwi, your body will get 93 mg of vitamin C.

6. Broccoli

This vegetable may not be kids’ favorite but has got great health benefits packed in it. Broccoli serves as good source of vitamin C and vitamin K and has special cholesterol lowering advantages. Its fiber content helps in flushing off toxins through bile formation and detoxifies our system. Eating boiled broccoli in the form of salads is a good treat for sound health. Cauliflower also provides fair amounts of Vitamin C and has great benefits for human body

5. Dark leafy Greens

Green leafy vegetables like spinach, mustard greens etc. are more than just source for vitamin C and calcium. They offer great health benefits and are necessary for building up antioxidants inside the body to help fight diseases. They also detoxify the body and help in keeping it healthy and fit.

4. Fresh herbs

Fresh herbs like parsley and thyme are packed with enormous health benefits and are good sources of vitamin C. They go well with any soup and salad and are good for our immune system, eyes and skin. Out of parsley and thyme, later one is richer in vitamin C and provides 160 mg of the nutrient in the serving of 100 grams.

3. Bell Peppers

The sweet bell pepper, which is the key ingredient in pizza, pasta sauce and other Italian dishes, packs great punch of vitamin C. As you move out in market, you will find bell peppers of different colors- red green and yellow. The amount of Vitamin C also depends upon the color of this vegetable. Yellow bell pepper contains the highest amounts of this vitamin and green bell pepper contains the least.

2. Guavas

Guavas are rich in vitamin C containing around 188 mg of the nutrient and 56 calories in half cup of it. One can enjoy this fruit raw or can make delicious smoothies and gets the benefit of this fruit.

1. Red and green hot chili

So, here is our winner !Green and red chilies are common ingredients to spice up various dishes like soups, sauces and curries in every house and restaurant. These not only enhance the taste of your food but also serve as great sources of Vitamin C in comparison to any other food. These are very less in calories but have good stores of this essential nutrient.

All these sources of vitamin C are found in nature and offer many health benefits apart from strength to fight cardiovascular diseases. They build up a strong immune system and help in increasing iron absorption in body. It is very important to have them as a part of your balanced diet. You can enjoy these foods raw or can form various delicious delicacies out of them. Along with these natural sources of vitamin C, these are several over the counter vitamin C supplements which can also be taken. People who smoke a lot or do not have varied diet show lesser levels of vitamin C and thus are at high risks of suffering from several health diseases. So if you want to live a healthy life with a strong, diseases resistant body, must add vitamin C to your food. This is not only important for your skin, or eyes but also for your heart and tissues. With vitamin C in your diet charts, you can have a strong, protected body with good metabolism and ability to fight several diseases even cancers.

Here are some tips to get rid of cold:

• Chicken soup is one of the traditional remedies to treat common cold that warms the throat within and relieves from this viral condition effectively. It contains ingredients that actually help in reducing swelling of nasal cavity, curing cold faster. Also its protein content helps in building antibodies that fight virus in the body. Other hot soups also serve as effective common cold remedies as they keep body hydrated and warm it from inside.
• Garlic is a great home remedy for common cold as it contains Vitamin C and several antioxidants like allicin and selenium that kill virus and bacteria present in your throat and nasal passage and thus relieves from the symptoms of common cold and its effects. It controls sneezing and runny nose instantly and can be rather had directly or with warm water.
• Mixture of lemon and honey in warm water offers immense relief in cold and flu. It is rich in vitamin C and eliminates Phlegm from your internal system which gives fast relief in this common viral infectious disease.
• Ginger is another herb which stores in itself a treasure of powerful antioxidants, essential oils and minerals. Taking boiled ginger roots with water with few tablespoons of honey in it helps in relieving from nasal congestion and chest congestion soon. It also aids in clearing of mucus in nose.
• Gargling with warm water and salt is a beneficial home remedy for treating cold and gives great relief from phlegm, nasal congestion and runny nose. Gargling twice or even thrice in cold shows fast effects.
• In cold, try to consume as much liquid like water, juices, teat, especially herbal, etc. in order to keep your throat and nose wet. In this way, mucous membrane glands remain open and clean easily. Even antibodies inside the body work properly in hydrated environment.
• Try not to consume alcohol and coffee if you are suffering from cold, as they contain caffeine which dehydrates your body which you should avoid during viral disease. Smoking can also aggravate symptoms of cold and can cause other disadvantages as well.
• Humidifiers help in keeping air humid that is beneficial for avoiding blockage in nasal cavities. But it is necessary to clean them before use as they could transfer moulds in air leading to further problems.
• There are several over the counter nasal drops and sprays available that combat nasal and chest congestion and stuffiness. There dosage may vary from person to person and thus it is necessary to have proper medical assistance before going for any saline nasal spray or drops. Also there are many zinc based nasal sprays that provide great relief in cold and its symptoms.
• Cleaning your nasal cavities properly and regularly helps in cleaning bacteria and viruses that also helps in relieving from cold great. Care should be taken while discarding used tissues and handkerchief as it may contain infection that can travel to another person.
• Take proper rest as it will help your body to relax and let its immunity system work effectively. One should keep with some extra pillows under his head to allow normal nasal passage for air which is very important for a sound sleep. He or she should avoid doing exercise and garb a sound sleep if the person is suffering from cold and flu.
• Boiling leaves like thyme, mint, eucalyptus and clove and taking their steams helps in clearing the nasal passage instantly and relieves from runny nose, blockage and nasal congestion. It is also one of the effective home remedies that were used from dates back. Taking steam before going to sleep is much more effective as the warmth remains inside the body for long. It also keeps the nasal passage humid.
• Prevention is always a better cure. Using disinfectants, avoiding contact with people with cold and flu and washing hands regularly are some of the prevention techniques that can help you stay away from cold. Also taking antioxidants and lots of vitamins and mineral can help in building the body’s immune system against this common viral infection.

Though common cold is a common condition found in every part of the world, negligence can increase its severity. Proper care should be taken to avoid any contact with the virus and try to take rest. These common cold remedies may not work instantly but show their effects gradually, relieving you from problems related to cold. Foods contain zinc, vitamin C and other mineral are of great benefit and thus one should try to have them in his or her day to day diet. People with sinuses are more prone to catch cold and flu and thus need to take proper preventive measure. Also if a person is suffering from cold, he should avoid public gathering as he could spread the virus. With the help of above mentioned remedies and certain preventive measures, one can surely get relief from cold and its symptoms effectively.

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A picture of beautiful old couple in their happy times..

Aging is an inevitable phenomenon and the ramifications of growing old are indentured to reflect on our bodies. Our lifestyle affects the pace of aging to a great extent. In today’s scenario where people carve for junk foods, smoking, alcohol etc. such consequences are appear early leading to premature aging. This has also opened freeway for various health ailments like cancers, diabetes, obesity, sleeplessness and others. Along with these, excess exposure to sun and stressful life has also added to premature aging. What we eat has great influence on what we are. Having proper balanced diet full of nutrients along with a healthy lifestyle can help you life a healthy and longer life. Such foods that enhance the longevity and health are termed as anti aging foods and mainly comprises of antioxidants, vitamins and mineral rich foods. Not only this, proper exercise and several mini food intervals aid in staying fit, healthier and longer! Cutting down your hunt for anti aging foods, here are 10 most powerful anti aging foods that helps you stay healthier and longer.

Here is the list of Anti Aging Foods:-

Avocado

Avocado is a delicious treat of mono unsaturated fats that helps in lowering the bad cholesterol levels in the body thereby making it healthy. It is also a good source of Vitamin E that promotes healthy looking skin and dwindles the signs of early aging. It also prevents hot flashes that are caused due to menopause in women. This ideal fruit for guacamole or salads is also rich in potassium that reduces high blood pressure and water retention in body.

Berries

Berries like black grapes, blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants etc. are regarded as potent antioxidants that help in protecting our bodies from the damage caused by free radicals and aging. Anti oxidants also aid in repairing tissues and cells in the body thus making it strong and young from inside as well as from outside. These also possess high levels of ellagic acid that combats cancer and premature ageing.

Almonds

almonds have great tendencies to curb blood cholesterol thus decreasing the risks of high blood pressure and other heart disease. It also helps in controlling blood sugar and serves as a good source of Vitamin E which is essential for glowing skin and shinning hair. It also contains some quantities of magnesium and potassium.

Green vegetables

vegetables like broccoli, spinach, cabbage, tomatoes etc. are good source of antioxidants that help in purifying blood and thus make body healthy. Some of them also contain Vitamin E and C along with various minerals and salts which are necessary for sound health. Having boiled vegetables in the form of salads benefit the most and help in treat high blood pressure, cancer and heart diseases. Over cooking green vegetables may destroy their nutritional value. Fresh fruits like bananas, apple, orange etc. also improve health to a great extent and are needed to stay fit and slim.

Garlic

Raw or cooked garlic helps in protecting our body from cancer and heart disease. It helps in reducing cholesterol which has been made known to prolong life. Along with garlic, onion also contains flavonoids and allium- two powerful constituents that help fight cancer. These foods also prevent blood clots.

Teas

Teas, especially green and white, contain quantities of antioxidants that not only improve the quality of your skin but also help in fighting diseases like cancer and certain heart related ailments. Green tea came from Chine and contains large amounts of flavonoids like catechins and its derivatives. These have powerful anti cancer effects ad free radical scavengers.

Oats

Oats are rich source of dietary fiber and are loaded with antioxidants and cholesterol reducing agents. A bowl full of oats make up a nutritious breakfast each day that helps in reducing risks of various cardiovascular diseases. As your heart remains healthy, you lead a sound life without caring about your weight and cholesterol.

Beans

Beans are a rich source for antioxidants and healthy protein that serves as a healthy vegetarian diet that improves the condition of your heart and arteries. Boiled beans in the form of salads tastes good and can be eaten as substitute for animal protein. Excessive spices make decrease the value of beans.

Fish

if you are non-vegetarian and love fish, you are on the move towards great health and long life, provided it is not deep fried. Fish consist of great stores of omega- 3 fatty acids which aid in improving our brain function, balance, muscular tone and thwart certain cancers. This omega- 3 fatty acid is also found in walnut but fish is a greater source for this life enhancing constituent. Fish liver oil is also good for eyes and hair and is used in several multi-mineral medicines because of its great sound health effects.

Yogurt

yogurt is rich in calcium that helps in building up strong bones and combats risks of osteoporosis. Also the human friendly bacteria found in live yogurt, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, restore the balance of bacteria in the gut, thereby correcting queezy stomachs. Studies prove that it is an effective treatment for yeast infection in vagina for women. Other milk products like fresh curd etc. also contain lactobacillus bacteria that improve stomach conditions and helps you stay fit and healthy for long.

With increasing health consciousness and need for healthy lifestyle, it becomes necessary to look for nutritious foods that enhance the quality of living. There are many others foods like fresh fruits, olive oil, honey, melons, red wine etc. that result in prolong life with sound health. Though food plays a major role in improving health- around 65 percent- proper exercise, proper eating habits and a healthy lifestyle is also important. For leading a stress free life, meditation or yoga is also essential. With the blend of these entire ingredients for sound and long living, one can stay younger and healthier for a longer period of time and enjoy every moment of life with freshness and youth.

Check out some great tips to get rid of dark circles:-

• Mixture of equal proportions of almond oil and honey make up a good combination that helps in minimizing under eye dark circles. As almond oil has good exfoliating properties, it aids in activation of cells, making the skin under eyes tight and healthy. For best results, apply the mixtures on areas under eyes regularly and leave for about 10 minutes before washing with cold water.
• As simple home remedy for treating under eye dark circles and puffiness, cool potato and cucumber slice (or grated) helps in refreshing the under eye skin, thereby decreasing the dark circles. Placing refrigerated cucumber or potato slices over the eyes for about 10 minutes daily reduces the expansion of under eye blood vessels, making eyes look young and fresh. Crushed mint leaves also serve the same purpose.
• Place cooled and brewed tea bags, especially green tea, over the eyes for about 15 minutes also serves as a great remedy for treating under eye dark circles and puffiness. Since tea has detoxifying effects and contains natural anti inflammatory chemical, it pulls toxins and fluids under and around eye area, thus making them look more beautiful and young.
• Massage around the eyes gentle using peanut oil or almond oil also helps in reducing pigmentation under eyes and improves blood circulation in the capillaries. This is also very helpful in lightening the dark circles and reduces eye fatigue.
• Rose water has great rejuvenating qualities that helps in reducing obvious under eye dark circles and relieves puffiness. Just apply cotton soaked in rose water around the eyes daily for few minutes or keep it with your eyes closed for 15 minutes. You will notice drastic changes in dark circles around your eyes.
• Paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice cares effectively against free radical dent in the cells under and around the eyes as a result of which dark circles gets reduced. One should apply it daily, leave it for about 10 minutes and rinse with cold water for young and fresh eyes.
• Having a balanced diet which is rich in fruits and vegetables is considered as best for a sound health. Same goes for the dark circles under your eyes. Diet which is rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C, vitamin B or folic acid, minerals, berries etc. helps in detoxifying the veins under the eyes and thus lightening or completely eliminating dark circles from your face. Also salt intake must be reduced as it caused retention of water in places like under the eyes and make them appear blue. Cutting down salt consumption certainly helps in reducing puffiness and dark circles under the eyes.
• Drinking ample of water- approximately 8 glasses each day- keeps the skin dewy, moisturized and fresh which reduces prominence of under eye dark circles to great extent. Furthermore, it flushes toxins from the body which can contribute to dark circles.
• Apply eye cream having retinol and vitamin K. This reduces discoloration and puffiness under the eyes. Also under using under eye cream daily at nights helps in decreasing dark circles. These are some cosmetic remedies for treating dark circles under eyes with long term permanent effects. One should also moisturize the thin skin around eyes using vitamin E rich cream which revitalizes the under eye skin cells, thereby reducing pigmentation and wrinkles. There are several under eye creams and night creams available over the counters but one should look for natural and safe composition for good results.
• Taking enough sleep at nights and leading a stress free life is also very helpful in curbing dark circles under the eyes. One must relax properly with eyes closed not only for re-energizing body and mind but also for relaxing the eyes.
• Adopting healthy lifestyle which is free from smoking and excessive drinking also helps in reducing under eye dark circles to great extent. This helps in avoiding toxins from collecting inside the blood vessels, thus making eyes look young without dark circles and puffiness or sunken eyes. These are some of the things that are required for long term under eye dark circle treatment.

With the help of above mentioned tips you can easily get rid of your under eye dark circles in the long run. Along with healthy diet and proper rest, proper care of under eye skin is also necessary. Using eye creams or citrus juices for massaging under the eyes is really helpful for lightening dark circles. There are a number of natural under eye dark circle treatments which one can try out at home before you move out to shop for costly eye creams. For permanent and long term results, one should follow these tips religiously. In this way you can easily curb the dark circles under the eyes and enhance the charm and spark of your face.