Acai Berries – A Family Superfood

You have probably been hearing a great deal about acai berries lately which are the latest answer when it comes to weight loss.

These are small but easily distinguishable purple and black berries that hail originally from the Amazon rainforests. They are one of the new diet superfoods that are on the market and they are sold as everything from a mash to a juice or even mixed in with yogurt. You can also buy it in powdered form and pill form to help expedite the kind of elimination from your colon that can also speed up weight loss.

Asia berries are classified as super foods because aside from weight loss they offer a very wide range of health benefiters including life extension, free radical fighting and keeping your blood pressure under control. The berry is also a potent immune system booster that can help prevent colds and flues.

One of the unique things about this berry from the rainforest is that it can also help boost energy levels and stamina which assist greatly with our exercise efforts. Some individuals believe that it is actually a mood booster of some sort although technically it is classified as a food both in America and South America.
Also the aecia berry contains very high levels of dietary fiber which can help your digestive system to become more efficient. Less crap is allowed to fester and ferment in your digestive tract and stomach.

This is important, because most people do not take on board sufficient dietary fiber in their normal diet which means that over time, a significant amount of undigested food gets left in your stomach (some claim that there can be up to 20 pounds of ‘rubbish' in your gut that never gets shifted under normal circumstances and that you need to take something that prompts the intestinal process in order to get your bowels moving.)

Hence, as you drink lots more water whilst increasing your consumption of high fiber foodstuffs such as fruit, vegetables and acai, it is quite possible that you will see a very significant weight drop in the first few days as these toxins are flushed out of your system. This could manifest as diarrhea at first but the key is to be patient. Some people suffer this side effect for just a few hours and others for quite a few days as the colon cleans itself out.

Is Giving Your Toddler Juice a Good Idea

We all know that juice usually contains healthy things like Vitamin C and Vitamin A. However did you also know that whether it is natural or not, canned or fresh squeezed, frozen or eaten in a Popsicle that it contains a lot of sugar.

Sugar just isn’t good for babies, toddlers and kids in general. Toddlers tend to be quite hyperactive is, especially if they are about to reach that age known as “The Terrible Twos.” The sugar pumps the kid up and they can become far too energetic and excitable. This is then followed by a crash. You end up with a very cranky toddler who is going to pester you for more juice so they can feel that “sugar high” again.

To establish healthy eating patterns and avoid addicting your child to sugar you need to limit their intake of juice. Never give a toddler more than four ounces a day.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that parents need to know the difference between 100% fruit juice and beverages and cocktails that contain only a bit of juice a lot of sugar. These drinks can be just as bad as giving your baby a glass of cola.

You should also avoid giving babies and toddlers fruit juice before bedtime as it can rot their teeth. Drinking too much juice can also lead to poor nutrition, gas, tummy pain, bloating and diarrhea.

Once a baby becomes a toddler he or she may suddenly display symptoms of thirst. Most babies don’t feel thirsty until afar the age of one. Make sure your child is hydrated by giving him or her water throughout the day. According to the Institute of Medicine a kid between the ages of one and three needs about 1.3 liters of water a day. You can sweeten the water with a touch of juice to flavor it and also avoid the child from taking so much sugar that they experience a terrible “sugar crash.”

A fresh lemon or orange squeezed into a glass of water with a pinch of sugar or salt is good for quenching thirst. Coconut water is also a healthy option.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also does not advise parents to give kids juice before the age of six months old. A baby this young does not need a lot of water or fluids that are not breast milk. This is because breast milk contains everything that your baby needs to receive full nutrition.