If you are on a diet, you will try to stay away from temptation so you will not torture yourself as you try to control your appetite when presented with a good meal. That is why for dieters, buffet is their biggest enemy

But what if you really can’t say no to dining out in a buffet restaurant like if there is a special occasion in your family or there is a special event to celebrate with your co-workers? Or you just purchased a voucher for a buffet dinner because the promo is so hard to resist with the discount coupon being offered at 50% off.

Don’t worry. Buffet doesn’t have to be a dieter’s archenemy. Here are a few tips to help you stay healthy when in a buffet:

1. Eat before heading to the buffet. Try to eat something before leaving home like fruits or yogurt cup so you will not come starved. At least if you don’t feel hungry, you will more likely have the willpower to avoid temptation and not overeat.
2. Start on the salad bar. Start your meal by eating green leafy vegetables and fruits, which are rich in fiber and is good to help you feel full. With a full stomach, you will be able to lessen your calorie intake and will be able to skip foods rich in carbohydrates and calorie easily. Also remember to put the dressing on the side instead of mixing it with your fruits and vegetables, as the dressing is rich in calorie. You may also use olive oil and balsamic vinegar as this contains low calorie.
3. Fill up with soup. Another way to fill you up aside from salad is soup. Avoid cream-based soups though and choose those that are made from low calorie milk instead of full cream milk.
4. Go for lean protein. Lean protein like grilled or roasted chicken, or lean steak are low in calories so it is a good way to fill up your hunger without taking in too much carbo.
5. Try the choose-your-own stations. Some buffet offer stations where you can choose your own ingredient like the omelet station. With the power to choose the ingredients to be use for your meal, you will be able to make healthy choices by staying away from sugary, salty and fatty foods.
6. Stay away from fried foods. We all know that deep fried foods is a big no-no if you are on a diet so avoid as much as you can foods like French fries, pizza, and other creamy based pasta.
7. Choose desserts wisely. We all know how tempting dessert stations are in buffet restaurant. You will really be tempted to eat just by the looks of it. But you can still enjoy desserts by eating low-fats ones like yogurt. If you really can’t avoid the urge to have a bite of those tasty sweets, just divide your dessert in portions before starting to eat so you will be aware and conscious of how much sweets you have eaten.

Even if you have a bunch of delicious meals in front of you, you can still manage to eat healthy by following the tips mentioned above.

AbieL works as a content writer for the discount shopping site, You Love Coupons where she mostly writes articles on where to get discounts and coupons for shoebuy and ebags. From this site you can ebag promo code and shoebuy promotion code.

When it comes to natural food supplements, there is nothing like raw bee pollen to help boost your overall health and well-being.  But what makes raw been pollen so wonderful?

And can raw bee pollen benefits really make you feel better?

What is Raw Bee Pollen?

It is quite amazing, actually, that a tiny creature like the honeybee has come up with such a perfect and useful natural food supplement.  The United States Department of Agriculture calls bee pollen a ‘perfect’ food, and it is a title that has been handed down over millennia.  There is evidence that the pharaohs stored pollen in their tombs so that they could eat the ‘food of the gods’ on their way to the underworld.   In ancient Greece raw bee pollen was called “the life giving dust” and thought to be something that only the Gods could eat.

All of the ancient cultures used bee pollen, from the Chinese to the American Indians.  It was revered; respected; used to treat any number of ailments and to injuries.  It was used in beauty products and in potions for sexual stimulation.  It was added to delicious Persian recopies and was considered to be a ‘food of seduction’ and a food that would ‘open you to knowledge.’

The Perfect Food

There are some would laugh at the idea of being able to live on bee pollen alone, but it has everything needed to keep a person alive; all the vitamins, minerals, amino acids and proteins that you would need to keep going, all in just a tablespoon of raw bee pollen.  In fact, if you had bee pollen and water, you could survive indefinitely.

How Bee Pollen is Made & Its Benefits

Raw bee pollen is what is collected by the bees when they go out pollen hunting and come back with their day’s gathering.  By adding a bit of honey to the pollen that they collect, they turn it into bee pollen which is easily transported back to the hive.  This bee pollen (also called bee bread) is what is used to feed the larvae as they grow.

Ingesting raw bee pollen is reported to help with evening out one’s metabolism, rejuvenating the body, boosting one’s energy, fighting allergies (possibly even cancer) helps to relieve digestive disorders, help to feed your brain and nervous system for optimum performance and even extends your life span.  It is even suggested that it can accelerate human growth and can work as an antibiotic.  Better yet, not only does pollen self-digest, it also helps you to digest the rest of your foods and helps those foods to get where they need to go in your body.

Something as simple as adding a little raw bee pollen to your diet can help you to boost your immune system and even reverse the signs of aging and the effects of too much alcohol or drugs on your system; it can also help to reduce cravings greatly enhancing your attempts at weight loss.  It’s even supposed to be able to correct your body chemistry.

In short, this miracle food, this raw bee pollen produced by the honeybee can provide an entire spectrum of health benefits; health benefits that can change your life.

Learn how to improve your health and wellness with bee pollen products.

Eating healthy can be difficult under any circumstance when consumers are inundated all day and every day with advertisements for high-calorie but good-tasting foods. When eating on a budget, college students don’t often have a lot of choices.

Fortunately, with a little attention and dedication, any student can enjoy a healthy diet for energy, stamina and health.

Food Categories

Of course, the four food groups play into food categories, but adjust the view for a moment and think of types of food: fresh versus processed.

Canned vegetables often have 90 percent or more of their natural vitamins and minerals leached out from processing for commercial canning. When possible, eat fresh vegetables instead. You gain the nutrients while avoiding starchy compounds.

If you like them, eat fresh vegetables raw and with the skins for full nutrient value. If you really do prefer them cooked, steam them instead of boiling. Most fresh vegetables that are cooked properly aren’t soggy or mushy. They are slightly crisp with a bright, attractive color. They’re often tastier, too.

Stay away from large pasta servings and loads of carbohydrates in general. Moderate amounts are required for a balanced diet, but eat smaller servings and don’t duplicate dishes in a meal—no mashed potatoes along side macaroni and cheese, for instance.

Eat brown rice instead of a processed white rice.

Trim excess fat from meats, whether beef or pork, and avoid higher-fat-laden fowls like duck. Chicken is naturally lean, but skip munching on the skin and choose white meat over dark.

Lean pork is fine in limited quantities, but bacon, sausage and some hams are very high in fat. If you can’t avoid them, eat them in extreme moderation.

Fresh fruits are high in natural fiber, vitamins and minerals. Eat fresh fruits over canned whenever possible. If you buy or eat canned fruits, choose those packed in natural juices—not sugar water. Also, while it may sound odd, don’t compose a healthy diet around large quantities of fresh fruits. While the fruit itself may be low in calories and loaded with healthy elements, remember what the body does with fructose. It turns it into glucose which isn’t digested quickly and can add pounds accidentally.

Counter a high volume of fresh fruit with plenty of exercise to both aid in the digestive process, keep your metabolism high and create a need for fuel, and you will burn off the glucose easily.

Snacks

Everyone snacks. Whether it’s during late night study sessions, at football games or picnics, snack foods will sneak into diets more often than not. Keep the fried chips, deep fried potatoes, ice cream and candy to a bare minimum.

Stock up on healthy snacks like, yes, fresh vegetables, diabetic candies with low or no sugar—they often have more flavor than standard candies when not riddled with sugar—and yogurt instead of ice cream.

Try sugarless gum when you reach for something instead of a food item. Often, the simple act of chewing will ease a craving.

Keeping Expenses Down

If you must eat in the cafeteria, stay away from ‘mystery meats,’ those tempting but high-calorie, starchy foods and head directly for the salads, soups and fruits. Then add a bite or two—no more, only a little bit—of those skipped items. Use those to end a meal, not as the main courses. Allowing yourself a smidgen of the flavors that tempt will calm the cravings and the taste buds.

If buying your own food, use a group dynamic and combine funds for bulk buying. A single 20- or 25-pound bag of brown rice costs considerably more than one-ounce packets. Dividing bulk items after purchase is relatively easy, and everyone can smile at the cost savings.

Summary

Dealing with the stress of a full load of classes, additional activities and a social life can be easier with a healthy mind and body. Eat healthy and go farther.

JC Ryan is a freelance writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers helps people determine if an online education is right for them and helps them understand which online courses and online schools they can choose from to reach their goals.

cc licensed flickr photo shared by mariabowskill

There is great controversy surrounding the effect of microwaves on people and food. Between rumors that they cause cancer and destroy the nutrition of food, it can be difficult to sort propaganda from fact.

So what are microwaves, anyway?

A microwave is far more than simply a machine that heats food. They are, in fact, micro-waves. There are two types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing.  Ionizing is the dangerous, nuclear sort. Non-ionizing includes micro and light waves. So how does a wave warm up food? It makes the food particles vibrate quickly, heating them. Cell phones also give off micro-waves.

The Controversy

Part of the controversy lies in the discovery of the microwave. It was not originally an oven; it was part of a device invented during World War II called a Magnetron vacuum tube. It was discovered that a candy bar in the researcher’s pocket had melted. The Magnetron was intended to improve radar to detect enemy submarines. It then instantly leads to the question: Should we really be using war machinery to make our popcorn?

There are claims that microwaves decrease the nutritional value of foods and can even harm you if you stand too close. An article by William P. Kopp in 1996 denounced the microwave as a cause of intestinal and stomach cancer. He also said that they reduced food’s “vital energy field” and humans’ “life energy fields.” This is just one of many examples where the entire context must be considered, while the cancer may have been believable as a lone fact, it loses credibility when energy fields come into play.

The Truth

It has been proven that foam or plastic wrap placed in a microwave can seep chemicals into food. Microwaves can often cook unevenly, so any raw foods with risk of bacteria should be checked to ensure they have cooked thoroughly. It has also been shown that heating up milk for infants can be dangerous because the bottle may stay cool even when the milk is scalding. Most of the dangers of microwaves involve unsafe cooking of food, not the micro-waves themselves.

In the end, as long as you use common sense while using your microwave, it is completely safe.

Kathryn Lisko is a student at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and is a regular contributor at ProbioticSmart.com – a website dedicated to nutrition and digestive health.

We all love a good takeaway, some of us perhaps too much! We know that a takeaway meal is quick, delicious alternative to home cooking or the centre piece of a night in with friends and family, curled up on the sofa with a good film.

We know there are a multitude of choices out there from traditional favourites like pizza and curry to more adventurous options such as Caribbean or Thai food. We know that it is easy to get hold of with proprietors dotted all over cities towns and villages in the UK waiting at our beckon call in the form of a phone call or mouse click.

What we perhaps don’t know is takeaways can be both a healthy and tasty treat. The obesity crisis has been hammered into us enough by the government and countless weight-loss themed TV shows, anyone gorging on gallons of gloopy green curry on a regular basis will be well aware of the effects on their waistline.

Those of us with a sensible approach have nothing to worry about, a Indian feast with all the trimmings is perfectly acceptable once in a while. Problems arise however when spring rolls and onion bahjis become staple food groups. Despite what you may think, you can enjoy a guilt free takeaway. I recently popped into my favourite Nottingham takeaway and was delighted to find a whole host of healthy haute cuisine! Below is a guide to making informed choices when you next patronise your local take-away restaurant. Tuck in!

Indian

The effervescent curry is Britain’s most popular dish, a irresistible combination of succulent slow cooked meat marinated in aromatic herbs and spices served with rice and light, fluffy naan-bread. The downside is that most Indian food is cooked with Ghee, a substance more fatty and calorific than butter. An effective way to sidestep this belly busting ingredient is to opt for tandoori dishes, these are oven cooked and served dry, massively reducing the fat content. Choose tomato based sauces  such as Madras or Rogan Josh over creamy curries like Kormas.

Chinese

Another threat to the non-elasticated trouser is the Chinese, a fellow stalwart of the British high-street. Many dishes include the infamous MSG additive that gives sweet and sour sauce it’s artificial orange glow. If you need a tape measure longer the great wall of China to reach around your waist then ditch the batter-encrusted starters and special rice for black bean sauces and grilled meat dishes , hot and sour soup also makes a tasty low calorie starter.

Pizza

This is all about restraint as you have a lot more control over portion size, ingredients and side dishes, pick an XL and you will soon be buying clothes of a similar size. Rather than a stuffed crust, deep pan meat feast with extra cheese and every imaginable extra, stay true to the pizza’s Italian roots  and go for a smaller thin crust option with toppings like chicken, tuna, onions, peppers and olives. Swap fat drenched starters like garlic bread for a side salad and your 2 litre bottle of pop for a diet or sugar free alternative.

The takeaway is a British institution and I almost insist upon an exotic, glutinous banquet every month to accompany a good football match or the latest horror film. If you find yourself relying on the takeaway on a more regular basis however, you would be wise to take heed of these tips and alter your choices slightly. If not your weight in pounds may soon contain more digits than the phone number of your local Ruby Murray!

Peter is an seo who likes writing about the enjoyment of food, and in particular the takeaway and fast food industry.

Raw food is gaining popularity these days and for some very good reasons too. Raw food is good for our bodies.

So what is considered raw food? Well it is a vegetarian food which is not baked, cooked or heated over about 120 Fahrenheit or 48 Celsius.

Four main groups raw food is categorized with are:

• vegetables and fruits,
• sprouts of all kinds,
• dehydrated breads and fruits,
• and fermented food with friendly germs.

So why eat raw food?

#1 You can eat as much as you want:
If you follow a raw food diet you can eat almost as much as you can and still have a decent weight. Raw foods are easier to digest.

#2 A clear skin:
Want clear skin, raw vegetables are an excellent and natural resource that.Vegetables are rich in vitamins. Carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers are the ones you should eat if your aim is to have a beautiful skin.

#3 Saturated fats:
Saturated fats are the demons in your battle against weight loss. This is one of the most important benefits of a raw food diet it contains very little saturated fats.

#4 Energy:
An excellent benefit of raw food is that it doesn’t contain only vitamins but also lots of energy. You will be more fit have more energy hence you will have a better quality of living.

There are lots of tasty receipts with only raw food: Think on all the salads you can make!