Posts Tagged ‘cereals’

Everything about cereals and grains part 3

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Because we must focus our attention on these aliments due to their important role in our eating habits,  let me tell you more about cereals, muesli and grains, some tips and tricks that are worth sharing.

When consuming cereals, we must take into consideration the following:

- when consuming fats with grains or cereals, the absorption and carbon hydrate digestion decrease.

- the acidity from citric fruits, vegetables and vinegar increases iron absorption, so please do consume rice or pasta, for instance, with vegetables and sauces.

- muesli and breakfast cereals may contain large amounts of sugar, so consume them moderately and choose minerals and vitamins enriched ones.

- fats can be contained in small quantities in breakfast cereals. So do not fall into the FITNESS type of cereals, because all types contain pretty much the same amount of calories. Just choose the ones that taste better :p.

100 g FITNESS CHOCOLATE CEREALS CORNFLAKES SPECIAL K
CALORIES 363 382 374 374
PROTEINS 8 g 8,4 g 7,3 g 15 g
CARBOHYDRATES 79,8 g 76,2 g 83,1 g 75 g
LIPIDS 1,3 g 4,8 g 1,5 g 1,5 g
FIBERS 5,1 g 5,9 g 3 g 2,5 g

-rice and corn do not contain gluten, so these cereals can be consumed by gluten intolerance sufferers

- basmati rice is considered to be the easiest to digest

- popcorn without oil added is very low on calories

- cook pasta ‘ al dente’ to make it easier for your organism to digest. Pasta cooked with tomato sauce contains less fats

- focaccia and ciabatta are bread assortments with spices and olive oil and their energetic value increase from 215 cal/100 g to 280 cal/100 g.

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Everything about cereals and grains part 2

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Given the fact that carbohydrates and fibers from grains and cereals represent a very important part in one’s healthy diet, it is mandatory to continue our journey through the advantages and disadvantages of consuming these aliments.

So, here are some disadvantages for cereals and grains (advantages were discussed previous post):

- cereals are being cultivated only for the last 10000 years and some studies say that the human body cannot yet digest them completely. Gluten from wheat is one of the most spread allergen, irritating the intestine walls (gluten intolerance).

- proteins from cereals do not contain all essential amino acids, so, when goin’ vegan, you must be careful with the excess of cereals and grains consumption in the diet. Also consume vegetables, greens and SOYBEANS (for proper proteins)

- be careful with cereals for breakfast, because they contain a lot of sugar that transforms them from slow carbohydrates to fast sugars.

- bread contains, along with flour, water, salt, also yeast, and its fermentation process lasts for 24 hours. So if you don’t want to have indigestion problems , bloating and gastric burns, try and consume 1-day-old bread, or pastry without yeast.

- calories in cereals have some calories (250 cal )so beware when on a diet.

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Everything about cereals and grains

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Cereals are the most important part in an adult’s diet due to a substance known as starch, a complex carbohydrate with slow absorption that offers the organism the energy needed for best functioning. Cereals also contain fibers, proteins, minerals (calcium, iron, zinc), vitamins (B and E) and antioxidants.

Advantages:

- it is mandatory to consume daily these types of carbohydrates, but in small quantities. With a small amount of starch in our body, we have the needed glucose that helps us maintain satiety till the next meal

- lipids are eliminated when carbohydrates are consumed, so, to lose weight we need carbohydrates in every meal.

- a healthy diet contains bread, rice, pasta and cereals but in a moderate amount, because only the EXCESS of starch can be transformed into lipids.

-cereals contain fibers which accelerate intestinal transit and prevent constipation. Colon cancer risk is also diminished.

- the fibers from cereals have an antioxidant and noninflammatory effect; with vitamin E, these fibers prevent risk for developing arterial diseases. Wheat germs increase vitamin E absorption and decrease cholesterol level

- oil extracted from the wheat grain is called oryzanol and influences cholesterol absorption

- corn flakes assure the daily dose of B vitamin for pregnant women

- carbohydrates increase serotonin level

- cereals are low in fat

- white bread contains cellulose which does not affect cholesterol level and cereal bread contains hemicellulose which decreases cholesterol level

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Nutrients for good mood!

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

Did you know that some foods take their toll own our mood? Some nutrients are absolutely mandatory for the good functioning of our brain and nervous system which is in charge, among others, with our good well being. Here are some of the most important nutrients to keep us happy!

1) GLUCIDS

Glucids are in charge of stimulating the production of  serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences the so called ‘good mood’. Sugar, for instance, is one of them, but, in order to keep our organism healthy, it is better if glucids are consumed in forms of cereals, bread, potatoes, beans, but not in excess, of course, because the body will transform them into fats. Also, eat generous portions of fruits and vegetables, and, the wonderful chocolate, that, even if you care about your figure, you can consume from time to time, but in small quantities. You may non know this, but the sweet tooth you always have may be a sign of lack of serotonin.

2) MINERALS

Iron. It is essential for the whole organism, helping neurotransmitors to be formed and transported. We can find it in meat, fish, some vegetables, nuts, cereals and seeds.

Zinc. It plays almost the same role  and it is found in the same foods as iron, with the exception that we can find plenty of zinc also in liver and oysters.

Magnesium. With calcium, it helps transmit the nervous impulses. If you are stressed, your magnesium level decreases, decrease that can lead to anxiety or depression. We can get magnesium from nuts, peanuts, almonds, sesame seeds, green leafed vegetables, fish, seafood, cereals.

3)B VITAMINS

Folic Acid (B9). Stimulates the serotonin secretion. Lack of folic acid can lead to irritability

agressivity, depression. B12 Vitamin can be found in green leafed vegetables, wheat,

soya, eggs, liver, oysters, cereals, and B6 in bananas, avocados,

asparagus.

4)FATTY ACIDS

Last researches show that fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6 which we can find in fish, seafood, regulate some hormonal actions, including the ones for our mood. These acids are very important to our brain, improving consistently our cognitive capacity. according to these studies, consuming one portion of fat fish, at least once a week decreases the risk of developing Alzheimer. Also, fatty acids contribute to improving you skin aspect, being used in cosmetic treatments.

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