http://articles.saveondiningout.com/rss.xml A blog about saveondiningout.com daily 365 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://articles.saveondiningout.com/?a=35565 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>Eventually almost everyone will experience the problem of having high cholesterol but having high cholesterol as a result of a bad diet is simply inexcusable. For most of us it is nearly impossible to eat a totally healthy diet all of our lives since we don't have the resolve of Jack LaLanne who at over 90 years old has never eaten anything man made! Still it is vitally important that all of us learn to eat as healthy as possible for the health of our hearts and to have a chance at a longer life.<br /><br />One thing we know for certain is that if you eat a diet that is high in saturated fats like those found in fatty red meats and cooking oils you are going to see an increase in cholesterol which is proven to be a major factor in heart disease. A recent study that was just released states that just being overweight a few pounds can contribute to heart disease, so you might want to start on that diet and exercise program now!<br /><br />One simple thing that you can do to prevent heart disease is to eat more fish. Salmon, herring and sardines are all excellent sources of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Many other fish are good for heart health as well, although Omega 3 may help to get your cholesterol down to a healthier level easier. Even red meat lovers can learn to enjoy seafood and nuts for their main sources of protein.<br /><br />Use monounsaturated fats such as olive oil to protect your heart, olive oil is an ideal choice for cooking, dressing, or even as a dipping sauce.<br /><br />It is also well documented that eating a diet high in fiber will help to control cholesterol. Whole grain products are very high in fiber and also help to control sugar absorption which will go a long way to keeping your digestive system healthy. <br /><br />Choosing the right carbohydrates is also important for heart health. You need to avoid high sugar food like candy, pastries, cakes and cookies and eat healthy carbohydrates like whole grain bread and pasta, brown rice, and plenty of vegetables. As a matter of fact fruits and vegetables should be the core of a healthy diet. A simple rule of thumb to avoid processed foods is to do your shopping on the outside aisles of the grocery store.<br /><br />As far as cooking methods go, frying is a total no-no. Stir frying in olive oil or canola oil is okay but you should never deep fry foods and that goes for eating out as well. Chicken is healthy and good for you if you remove the skin and bake the chicken instead of frying.<br /><br />Making these changes will take time before they become habits but just remember that eating healthy is essential for a healthy heart and a long life.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Restaurant Coupons at <a href="http://www.saveondiningout.com/">http://www.saveondiningout.com</a></p> 2006-08-25T00:32-04:00 http://articles.saveondiningout.com/?a=35560 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>If you are someone who loves to travel then you know that in addition to the cost of the travel itself the cost of food can be a major expense for your vacation. It is very easy to tally up expenses for food that can easily exceed the cost of your vacation if you are not careful. We have put together some helpful hints to assist you with planning your trip and saving money on dining while on your trip.<br /><br />First off, the age old advice of eating a good breakfast applies here as well. Always eat a balanced meal consisting of protein and carbohydrates such as traditional bacon and eggs with toast instead of a sugar laden breakfast of donuts. Complex carbohydrates including whole grain cereal, oatmeal, or wheat toast will also help keep hunger away and make you feel satisfied longer.<br /><br />Endeavor to make lunch your biggest meal of the day since most restaurants usually have specials during lunch hour that can save you a great deal of money. Be friendly with the employees at the hotel you are staying and ask their advice for local eating establishments that have lunch specials. I always enjoy trying the food at little cafes that the locals love.<br /><br />It is always smart to take along some snacks with you while you are out running around, especially if you are on some kind of tour with a lot of other people. You may be hungry before any scheduled stops for food, so be prepared by having a few snacks like fruit, crackers, nuts, or maybe some trail mix. Get your snacks at a local store instead of from a machine to keep the cost down.<br /><br />Although many people look at going grocery shopping on vacation as taboo this is really not smart thinking. Anytime we go on vacation I always make sure that we have accommodations that have a kitchen and refrigerator so that we can prepare some of our own meals. There is absolutely no reason to eat out for every meal when you are traveling, especially if you are on a vacation that is a week or more. If you have a family of four you can probably save at least $50 a day just from eating one meal in.<br /><br />Another good idea especially if you need to lose a few pounds, and most of us do, is to plan to diet a little while on vacation. You could do something like the Slimfast diet where you drink a shake for breakfast and lunch and only eat dinner. Another thing that dramatically increases the cost of dining out on vacations is the addition of alcoholic beverages. Not only are they just empty calories but you are charged for every drink as opposed to drinking a regular beverage where you are normally only charged for one glass and then get free refills.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as restaurant coupons at <a href="http://www.saveondiningout.com/">http://www.saveondiningout.com</a></p> 2006-08-24T10:29-04:00