Archive for March 2011
Natalie Portman Vegetarian Diet – Learn How To Stay Slim Like Natalie
March 24, 2011 | 
Author Natalie Portman is the epitome of beauty and brains. Having been quoted saying that she’d rather be smart than be a movie star, this petite and gorgeous award-winning actress managed to get a Psychology degree from Harvard College, no less, while working on the lucrative Star Wars films. Her beautiful face and slim figure have graced the covers of dozens of publications, and she remains one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. If you want to know more about Natalie’s secrets, then continue reading below:
More Than Just A Diet Program
Natalie Portman has been a vegetarian ever since she was a child. Even as a young child, the actress was already against cruelty to other creatures. For her, being a vegetarian was more than just a method of keeping off weight, it’s her philosophy in life. Since she does not want other animals to be hurt, she does not eat meat, nor does she wear products that are derived from animals.
Why It Works?
A diet that consists of fruits and vegetables is extremely healthy because they are great sources of vitamins and minerals. They are low in calories and contain only good fats. Eating plants also make the digestive system work better. Not only that, they clean up the body as well. It’s really no surprise why Natalie looks the way she does. Thanks to her vegetarian diet, she will never have to worry about being overweight.
Yoga Is The Answer
The actress does yoga regularly to tone her muscles. She also prefers having more physical activities, such as walking, hiking, and the like, then going to the gym.
Be Like Natalie
If you want to be slim and sexy like Natalie, below are simple steps that you can follow.
1. Increase your physical activities – This simple means “Be more active!” Instead of taking a cab, walk to your office or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Try other activities such as jogging or hiking to make working out more exciting.
2. Yoga for you – If you don’t have time to attend a yoga class daily, you can always buy a video and do it at the comfort of your own house.
3. Don’t shock your system – Don’t just stop eating meat right away! Instead, gradually eliminate meat from your meals and add more fruits and vegetables to them. This makes it easier for you to practice a vegetarian lifestyle.
4. Let portion control be your secret weapon – Try eating smaller servings of food, and you will notice the difference in no time.
5. Treat Yourself… Moderately – Giving yourself treats boosts your determination. However, you should start avoiding unhealthy treats, such as fatty foods or sugary foods. Instead, treat yourself with healthy snacks, such as nuts and the like.
Keep in mind that your journey towards having a slim and sexy body won’t be easy. That’s why you should be determined and dedicated enough to do it. Good luck!
Posted in 
Tags: 
Vegetarian Diet – Secret of Good Health
Are you health conscious? Or have you been wondering lately about the secrets of a good health? Well, in case if your answer is “yes”, then all you need to do is simply commit yourself to plant food or in short turn yourself into a vegetarian. Today if we carefully observe the scenario, in this fast changing world, it has become tricky to sustain the quality of food. Adding to this, many people are becoming vegetarians as a solution for their health problems. In fact, in the last few years the ratio of people turning their diet into complete vegetarian diet has also increased drastically. Turning your diet into vegetarian is not that difficult as it may appear in the beginning. Initially, it might be difficult to control the temptations specially if you are someone who has never been on ‘vegetable diet’, but if you maintain a little bit of discipline consistently, very soon you may realize the benefits of being vegetarian.
Now there must be several questions in your mind like – Are vegetable diets really healthy? Or do all age group people benefit from a vegetarian diet? Also how one can get significant and fulfilling meal as a vegetarian? So, if you carrying these questions in your mind then here is an answer to all such queries. Basically, the vegetarian diet can be broadly categorized in following categories-
Vegan or completely vegetarians – A diet of fruits, vegetables, seeds, legumes, grains and nuts.
Lacto vegetarians - A diet of plant food along with cheese and other dairy products.
Ovo lacto vegetarians -A diet containing egg along with other plant products.
Semi vegetarians - A diet of plant food, egg, dairy product, fish and chicken but no red meat.
Today, most people complain of high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels. A diet rich in seeds, legume, whole grains and nuts can easily bring these down to a great extent. Plus being a vegetarian can not only improve your digestive system, but also makes it function more efficiently. Adding to this, any vegetarian diet recipe actually helps in reducing the possibility of being infected by cancer. This is generally due to the fact that they are rich in vitamins, and so are able to eliminate free radicals and toxins from the body due to the presence of antioxidant like powers.
For all those who want to turn vegetarian to lose weight it is highly recommended that they take vegetarian weight loss diets. Vegetables have lesser carbohydrates and calories compared to many non-vegetarian products like mutton and red-meat. Even the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the blood decreases once you adopt a vegetarian diet. In fact, many health experts recommend a special diet which is very useful in preventing fat and decreasing extra cholesterol of the body. Therefore, its better you have a vegetarian diet. A vegetarian diet is not just economical or environment friendly but also healthier.
A Guide to the Vegetarian Food Pyramid
Being a vegetarian means facing greater challenges in providing enough nutrients to your body. Health care specialists have actually created a vegetarian food pyramid that helps vegetarians pinpoint the foods they should eat to maintain good health. Vegan or not, every person can take some lessons from the guide.
The pyramid was developed by Arizona State University researchers and, like the omnivorous food pyramid, comprises 5 layers. Naturally, dairy and meat products are omitted from the vegetarian version. Instead, it contains whole grains, protein foods, nuts and seeds, vegetables and fruits as well as oils a vegetarian should consume. Even though it’s a healthier lifestyle choice, going vegetarian doesn’t mean a person is free from portion control measures, especially if they’re overweight.
In medicine, there is no magic bullet or panacea that can cure all that ails mankind. Similarly, vegetarians shouldn’t rely on just one type of food to provide all the nutrients they require. In fact, constantly consuming the same sort of food every single day can precipitate food sensitivity and allergy issues. The vegetarian food pyramid helps in this respect by providing a variety of choices and combinations for a vegetarian to choose from.
Aside from sensible portion control, being vegetarian doesn’t mean dooming oneself to a lifetime of bland rabbit food. Vegetables and grains can be cooked and prepared in a variety of interesting and tasty ways. The first step to take is to practice on vegetarian foods that are more familiar before branching out to try something more adventurous. Consider peanuts a stepping stone to Tempe, the fermented soybean patty that is a good source of protein.
The vegetarian food pyramid is only a guideline for a different lifestyle. For novices, it’s best to take things slowly and sensibly. Do as much reading on the subject as you can and you might surprise yourself with the recipes you eventually come up with!