By Tina Bardo
In this article we are going to take a closer look at the Microbiotic diet, it’s origins, enduring popularity and what exactly it entails on a day by day, and menu by menu basis..:-) Read On!

The Microbiotic Diet is based on the Macrobiotic movement that started by Sagen Ishizuka who taught that most foods have either a yin or yang property. A proper balance of each energy is needed for the body to become and remain healthy. This teaching expressed that food quality affects our daily lives and that even our happiness is affected by what we eat. Natural foods are less processed and better for us because these foods are pure. Cooking in traditional methods means we are eating food that has been prepared with love and care and promotes yin and yang as well. Of course mass produced food does not only not provide good nutrition, it is unnatural and contains no care in the process.

The macrobiotic diet became popular in the U.S. in the sixties through Michio Kushi. Kushi taught the way to eat was to consume more natural types of foods as whole grains, beans, fruit, seaweed, soy and vegetables. However Kushi felt that whole grains should be the center of the meal and diet as a whole. Of course eating rice and other whole grains can be boring so it is important for most dieters to add variety to the meals you prepare with this diet. Dressings on salads can add a ton of flavor to any meal on this diet such as lemon, lime, ginger juice, orange peels and fresh dill. Also to keep the heaviness that most feel when they eat too many grains is to use quinoa, bulghur wheat or whole wheat couscous which are lighter grains and cook faster as well.

It has been suggested to adjust your meals according to the seasons. During summer you may want to reduce the percentage of grain and increase the amount of vegetables and fruit. Leafy greens and salads can provide a cooling effect to the body. Be sure not to eat too many fruits because it can affect your blood sugar level. It is still important to eat a lot of whole grains in summer as well - but to keep your eating habits different and relate your diet to the weather, you can eat your grains chilled instead of heated as you would in the winter. You can just cook the grains in the morning and eat them for dinner after they have been refrigerated all day. Hatto mugi, buckwheat noodles and quinoa are great for salads and offer a cooling affect to the body on hot days.

Extra liquid can be obtained in the body when lightly cooked or even raw vegetables are added to a meal. Carrots, celery and cucumbers are best for keeping you hydrated. So eating vegetables not only give your body the minerals and vitamins it needs, vegetables also gives your body the extra water it needs as well. Any water you drink actually just flushes away those minerals and vitamins. An interesting approach and some unique theories as well, but as you know - the microbiotic diet remains a popular and evergreen choice for many. No pun intended..:-)

My number 1 recommendation for those of US who STRUGGLE to lose weight? Read on below!

Filed Under: Who is Medifast For?

Anyone who has NOT had success on OTHER diet programs! If you’ve failed with other weight loss regimens, the Medifast weight loss community may be EXACTLY what you are looking for.

And as I’m SURE you probably already know, the Medifast movement has SWEPT the internet by storm and created a sea of slim, fit & BEAUTIFUL people in it’s wake! ( and these are people just like you and I who have NEVER had luck on any diet program before!)

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By Althaf Ahmed
There is a serious problem of obesity everywhere in the world today. Because of this, there is a serious need for an education on nutrition. There is a simple trick to follow if you want to lose weight; just make sure that you burn more calories than you consume. It should be simple and easy to follow, that is also nutritionally sound and balanced. Let me show you a simple diet of 5 small meals each day to help speed up your metabolism. This is a diet composed of various healthy foods to help you avoid overeating and binging.

Breakfast: Have only 1 portion of lean meat (either 4 to 6 scrambled egg whites or 1 serving of fat free dairy or low fat milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, or 4 ounces of turkey breast or chicken). If you are vegetarian, you can eat high protein soy products. Have one portion of complex carbohydrates or one portion of fruit (medium sized fresh fruits, or brown rice, high fiber, oatmeal or whole grain cereal. Limit your portion size to half cup to a cup. Have unlimited servings of non-starchy vegetables such as mushrooms, greens and tomatoes.

Mid-morning Snack: You may eat a medium sized fruit or an ounce of raw nuts like pumpkin seeds, walnuts and almonds. Natural peanut butter portioned at one to two tablespoons is also ok.

Lunch: Have one portion of lean protein coming from fat free dairy or low fat cottage cheese, yogurt or 4 ounces of lean beef, turkey or chicken breast. Have a medium sized fruit that is fresh and not canned. If that is possible, the next best thing is frozen fruit. You are allowed one portion of complex carbohydrates like half cup or one cup of whole grain pasta or brown rice, or a medium sized sweet potato or baked potato.

Mid-Afternoon Snack: Have one portion of lean protein, and unlimited amount of non-starchy vegetables.

Dinner: Have 2 portions of lean protein, and unlimited servings of non-starchy vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, mixed green salads. You can always mix them with spices, herbs and lemon juice with sea salt. Try to avoid creamy sauces, margarine and butter because they have unnecessary calories.

This is the best and simplest diet plan if you want to lose weight. If you feel as if you are not losing weight as fast as you want to, all you need to do is increase your physical activities. If you are still reaching a plateau, try to cut down your carbohydrates and fruit servings in half. But never limit your protein intake. Remember that we want to lose fat, not muscles.

The Author runs a blog on health and fitness. Free Online Diets and Easy Weight Loss.

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