flyingeagle57

I am in the process of studing fats which is #3 in my lil journey of nutrition. Walked an extra block as we are getting rain today. Also I am starting some exercize today. Low impact to start. I find myself questioning everything I eat. How many this, how many that. This web site has motovated me and given me hope. I am not on any diet, I am learning about nutrition(hence my other blogs) and moderation plus exercize. My short term goals is to learn nutrition first, exercise 2nd and not to get overly bogged down. I want to maintain evenly flows of experiece.

Today I am studying Carbohydrates, #2 of the six major nutrients in food.

1. Protein (covered in a earlier section)
2. Carbohydrates
3. Fats
4. Vitamins
5. Minerals
6. Water

Carbohydrates-> Are our chief source of energy. They are readily digested and converted into glucose, which is the form of sugar found in the bloodstream and often referred to as blood sugar. Glucose provides energy for the brain, the nervous system, and the muscles. It works like kindling for a fire. It helps the body to burn the denser fuel of fat more efficiently. A limited amount of glucose is stored in the muscles and liver as reserve fuel known as glycogen. Any excess of glycogen though is stored as fat.  Carbohydrates come in 2 forms: simple and complex. The simple carbohydrates are sugars and are rapidly broken down into glucose and absorbed by the blood. Simple sugars are found in refined sugars, like the white sugar you’d find in a sugar bowl. If you have a lollipop, you’re eating simple carbohydrates. But you’ll also find simple sugars in more nutritious foods, such as fruit and milk. It’s better to get your simple sugars from food like fruit and milk. Why? Because they contain vitamins, fiber, and important nutrients like calcium. A lollipop does not. Complex carbohydrates: These are also called starches. Starches include grain products, such as bread, crackers, pasta, and rice. As with simple sugars, some complex carbohydrate foods are better choices than others. Refined (say: ree-find) grains, such as white flour and white rice, have been processed, which removes nutrients and fiber. But unrefined grains still contain these vitamins and minerals . Unrefined grains also are rich in fiber, which helps your digestive system work well. Fiber helps you feel full, so you are less likely to over eat these foods. That explains why a bowl of oatmeal fills you up better than sugary candy that has the same amount of calories as the oatmeal.So which type of carbs should you eat? Both can be part of a healthy diet.How the Body Uses CarbohydratesWhen you eat carbohydrates, the body breaks them down into simple sugars. These sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream. As the sugar level rises in your body, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin. Insulin is needed to move sugar from the blood into the cells, where the sugar can be used as a source of energy.When this process goes fast — as with simple sugars — you’re more likely to feel hungry again soon. When it occurs more slowly, as with a whole-grain food, you’ll be satisfied longer. These types of complex carbohydrates give you energy over a longer period of time.The carbohydrates in some foods (mostly those that contain a lot of simple sugars) cause the blood sugar level to rise more quickly than others. Scientists have been studying whether eating foods that cause big jumps in blood sugar may be related to health problems like diabetes and heart disease so it might be a good idea to limit simple sugars (such as candy) and eating more complex carbohydrates (like vegetables, oatmeal, and whole-grain wheat bread).So as a diabetic not only the sugar on the food labels affect my blood sugar level, so do carbohydrates. Explains a lot to me. After researching this last night, today I have watched not only the sugars but the carbs as well and after checking my blood sugar I have been below 200 all day. Usually I am between 350 and 450. Wow I am amazed. And I even feel better and walked the block 3 times instead of 1. I knew carbs could affect you but I didn’t know there were different kinds, or how they worked.I think tomorrow I am going to get a hold of a nutrition person I know at the hospital and talk further with her about this as well as my doctor.I will update this later on any more findings.

I have started some basic research to help me understand what nutrition is. I haven’t the foggest clue  what I put in my mouth how it affects my body. Since I am diabetic I should already know these things, I don’t. The diabetic class I was sent to when first diagnosed left alot to be desired.

So today I am learning about the basic 6 major nutrients in our foods which I know now are:

1. Proteins     2. Carbohydrates     3. Fats     4. Vitamins     5. Minerals     6. Water

Cool………..Since proteins are first on the list I am going to research everything I can find on it.  Back in a few. Ok The best source of protein is beef, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy productc, nuts, seeds and legumes like black beans and lentils. Protein builds up, maintains, and replaces the tissue in your body. Your muscle, organs and immune system are made up of mostly protein.

Your body uses the protein you eat to make lots of specialized protein molecules that have specific jobs. Like your body uses protein to make hemoglobin. Thats the red blood cells that  carries oxygen to every part of your body. Other proteins are used to build cardiac muscle (your heart).

Whether you’re running or just hanging out, protein is doing important work like moving your legs, moving your lungs and protecting you from disease.

When you eat foods that contain protein, the digestive juices in your stomach and intestine go to work. They break down the protein in food into basic units, called amino acids. The amino acids then can be used to make the proteins your body needs to maintain muscles, bones, and body organs.

Amino acids can join together to make thousands of different proteins. Scientist have found  many different amino acids in protein, but 22 of them are very important to human health.   Of those 22 amino acids your body can make 13 of them without you ever thinking about it. Your body can’t make the other 9 amino acids, but you can get them by eating protein-rich foods.

They are called essential amino acids because it’s essential that you get them from the foods you eat.

There are different kinds of protein. Proteins from animal sources, such as meat and milk is called complete, because it contains all nine of the essential amino acids. Most vegetable protein is considered incomplete because it lacks one or more of the essential amino acids.  You cant get all the amino acids you need from peanuts alone, but if you have peanut butter on whole grain bread you’re set. The same with red beans. Red beans won’t give you everything you need, but red beans and rice will do the trick. You don’t half to eat all the essential amino acids in every meal as long as you have a variety of protein sources throughout the day, your body will grab what it needs from each meal.

How Much Is Enough?

To figure out your protein needs, multiply your weight in pounds times 0.5 or you can just take your weight and divide by 2. You can look at a food label to find out how many protein grams are in a serving. But if you’re eating a balanced diet, you don’t need to keep track of it. It’s pretty easy to get enough protein.

Good Protein

Protein can help you shed those unwanted pounds and keep your belly full. But it’s important to eat the right amount and the right kind of protein to get the health benefits.

Seafood is one of the best sources of protein because it’s usually low in fat. Fish such as salmon is a little higher in fat but it is the heart-healthy kind: omega-3 fatty acids.

White-Meat Poultry

Stick to the white meat of poultry for excellent, lean protein. Dark meat is higher in fat. The skin is loaded with saturated fat, so remove skin before cooking.

Milk, Cheese, and Yogurt

Not only are dairy foods — like milk, cheese, and yogurt — excellent sources of protein but they also contain valuable calcium. Choose skim or low fat dairy to keep bones and teeth strong, prevent osteoporosis, and enhance weight loss.

Eggs

Eggs are one of the least expensive forms of protein. The American Heart Association says normal healthy adults can safely enjoy an egg a day.

Beans

One-half cup of beans contains as much protein as three ounces of broiled steak. Plus, these nutritious nuggets are loaded with fiber to keep you feeling full for hours.

Pork Tenderloin

This great and versatile white meat is 31% leaner than 20 years ago.

Soy

Twenty five grams of soy protein daily can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Combine soy protein foods like tofu with a healthy low fat diet.

Lean Beef

Lean beef has only one more gram of saturated fat than a skinless chicken breast. Lean beef is also an excellent source of zinc, iron, and vitamin B12.

Protein on the Go

Grab a meal replacement drink, cereal bar, or energy bar. Check the label to be sure the product contains at least six grams of protein, and is low in sugar and fat.

Welp I am sure there is a lot more out there to be said about protein, but with everything I have read this pretty much covers it. If I should come across anything more I will post .

I am happy right now I feel like I am on the right track for once.

Since I haven’t walked today gotta get out there before it gets to dark.

Once upon a time there was a miserable woman who never realized just how awesome she was. I’ll call her Teresa.

Teresa was over weight and had some serious health issues. Diabetes, heart, liver and kidney problems. Along with that high blood pressure, cholesterol, and depression.

In 2006 Teresa weighted 328 pounds and was growing by the day. It was around this time that her heart Doctor told her “if you don’t lose weight, you will die.’ He gave her two options: lose it on your own or surgery.

Teresa thought a lot about this. After careful consideration and praying, she decided she was scared to death to have the surgery and the only thing to do was to get her life in order and to get serious about her health. Not only for her self but for her children as well.

 Several things was happening her life.

1. Teresa was eating out of comfort, depression, unhappiness, fear, failure and most of all “lack of knowledge.”
2. Health issues were overwhelming, and health care professionals were not forthcoming with information for self help.
3. Teresa’s personal life was just as much a hindrance on her health as the medical issues were.
4.  And last but certainly not least. Teresa’s spiritual life was like the “Footprints in the Sand” poem. She was not walking with God. God was carrying her.

There were changes that needed to happen and not knowing where to start, Teresa decided to start with what she had control of.

The following is not recommended to anyone reading this. But it worked for Teresa.

Keep in mind everyone has the own personal demons.

Teresa kicked her ole man out to the street. After 16 years he was a dead weight pulling her down to the pits of Hell.

Teresa went back to church and began studying God’s Word. She realized she could not make the changes she needed in her life without help. For Teresa that was the knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ to help her. Teresa knew that God would not forsake her nor ever leave her and would be there for her every step of the way.

Teresa started educating herself on her health issues. The area’s are to numerous to list but as she continues her journey they will be revealed.

This may sound dramatic but it is so true for you see

I AM TERESA

And from 2006, and 328 lbs here I am today 2009, and 254 pounds.

I am at constantly trying to learn more and thank my friend Tracey for inviting me to this awesome site. I feel so energized and ready to tackle the rest of my weight problem that I don’t know where to go first. But I feel another new beginning.

God Bless everyone on this site. I will pray daily for you.

Thanks  Teresa