Banana Muffins Could Be Your Secret to Healthy Weight Loss

A lot of muffins sold in stores and restaurants are really closer to cupcakes. They're packed with refined flour, white sugar and lots of fat. That makes them enjoyable to eat, but also a danger to your waistline. In fact, some muffins pack in as many calories as an ordinary full meal! Not every baked good is this detrimental to your diet, however. In fact, it's possible to eat banana muffins every day and still lose weight. You just need to choose the right ones. Here's a look at the best banana muffins for weight loss and better health.

Real Fruit
Bananas offer plenty of health benefits, but only if you can get the real thing. They provide natural sweetness, potassium and plenty of other nutrients. Artificial sources might give you plenty of banana flavor, but they'll be missing out on the health benefits that can only come from genuine fruit. If you really want to control the fruit content of your muffins, you can make your own at home. Otherwise, read ingredient lists to make sure the banana flavor in your baked goods comes from natural sources.

Calorie Content
Muffins don't have to be heavy on the calories to be satisfying. In fact, there are tasty muffins and muffin tops available for about 100 calories apiece. Whether you use a healthy home made muffin recipe to produce a more reasonably-sized muffin or you choose a commercial variety, watch those calories. Simply cutting back on the sugar and using better quality ingredients can do a lot to help you have a muffin that's enjoyable without packing on the pounds.

Whole Grains
White flour is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to causing weight gain, but you'll find it in most muffins. If you really want to control your appetite and help get rid of the pounds, you need to choose products with a whole grain base. At home, consider substituting half of your white flour for wheat flour in any muffin recipe. If you're buying commercial muffins, check the ingredients panel to make sure that your baked goods include plenty of healthy whole grains. They'll help reduce your risk of many diseases and make it easier to eat a reasonable portion.

Sugar and Fat
Fat and sugar have been added to lots of store and restaurant muffins in order to keep them from going stale. They might make the muffin taste rich and sweet, but they're detrimental to your health. If you want a muffin that won't hurt you in the long run, look for options that include natural sweeteners and less fat. Home cooks can substitute applesauce or fat free yogurt for some of the butter and oil in their recipes. It'll really make a difference!

The Various Healthy and Delicious Food Products for Summer Season

The summer season is the ideal time to sit down on the beach and to enjoy the cool breeze and the natural beauty of the surroundings. It is also the ideal time to enjoy nutritious food products to prevent sunstroke and other diseases associated with hot summer days. This article will highlight on the best foods that are consumed by people to keep their bodies healthy throughout the summer season.

Popcorn

It is a kind of corn that inflates from the core as well as expands when it is heated in low flame. There is a misconception that popcorn is unhealthy and it increases the weight of the people. However the recent studies have revealed several health benefits of this type of food product. It is rich in antioxidants as well as potassium and it also acts as a good source of whole grains and other essential nutrients. Many doctors recommend this type of product for the elderly people during summer time.

Watermelon

If you are thirsty then you must eat watermelon that helps to replenish fluids in your body. This type of fruit allows you to remain cool, satiated as well as healthy. It contains a special antioxidant compound called lycopene. Lycopene helps you to protect skin damage due to wide exposure to the sun and it is also a rich source of vitamin C as well as vitamin A.

Fruit Jam

It has a good flavor and it is good for health and fitness during summer season. You can spread it on the toast and you can even put it on top of ice cream. It can be savored with other delicious food products such as cakes, cookies as well as pastries.

Peanut butter

It is a special paste prepared from roasted peanuts and it is savored by the people across the world in the summer time. It is spread on a sandwich and it is sometimes consumed with other foods such as chocolate, cheese, vegetables as well as jam.

Cucumber

It is an ideal vegetable that is often used in salad and other side dishes that are savored in the summer time. Cucumber is rich in silica that helps to improve the complexion of skin and to retain the good condition of the skin for a long period of time. It is also rich in fiber, magnesium and potassium.

Oat

Oat is a special type of cereal grain that is suitable for consumption during summer days. It is mostly eaten as porridge but it is often used in preparation of diverse foods such as oat cake. It is also used as an essential ingredient in essential cereals such as granola as well as muesli. Other health benefits include weight management, blood pressure reduction and so on.

Turmeric

This popular spice is used to prepare delicious meals for senior citizens whose capacity to digest has been reduced to a great extent. Plus, turmeric also helps them to fight diseases associated with old age. It is recommended that the patients who are afflicted with cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses should include turmeric in their daily meals.