Find out how the Lemon Detox Diet actually works and affects your body. Learn about the associated health risks and warnings of the Lemon Detox Diet.

The Lemon Detox Diet is based around exclusively having the same low calorie drink over a week long period.  Many people are attracted to it based on its weight loss properties.  The truth is if you stick to this drink, you will lose weight, but this is purely based on the fact that you will only be consuming around 800 - 1000 calories per day, half the required calorie intake.  The problem is that you are also consuming only minimal amounts of protein, and this will lead to muscle loss, as well and bringing the body into starvation mode. 

To find out how the Lemon Detox Diet affects your body and the associated health affects, have a look at this very informative video. 

If you seem to put on weight more easily than your husband or partner, it could be with good reason. Women are biologically set up to put on weight more easily then men. However the good news is that with some simple steps, you can buck this trend.

Fast foods are quick and convenient, but usually extremely high in calories and saturated fat. Learn some tips on how to stay healthy when do have to eat fast foods.

Fast foods are generally very high in calories, and it would not be hard to eat over 1000 calories in one sitting.  This would be over half most people's daily calorie requirements! 

Some good things to keep in mind when eating fast foods is:

• Try to substitute fries with salad.  A large serving of fries at McDonalds has over 450 calories (ouch!)
• Drink water instead of soft drinks.  A bottle of coke has 260 calories!
• Watch your portions sizes. Try not to have the upsize meal.  
• Eat slowly. Fast foods in particular are full of sugar and very easy to eat quickly.  It takes about 10 to 15 minutes for the brain to register that the body is full, which is enough time to significantly overeat.  
• Try having a big drink of water before starting, making you feel fuller and less likely to overeat.  
• Grilled instead of fried meat. 
  

With all the information on low GI foods it can become confusing on which ones to eat. This article provides some basic guidelines on the types of low GI foods you should be eating.

Find out the GI values of all your favourite foods and start working out how you can substitute them into your diet.

Have a look at the different types of foods you eat and their respective GI values.  A good way to improve your diet is to find the foods you eat with a high GI value and substitute it for something with a lower GI value.  As a general guide low GI foods have a value of less than 55, medium between 56 to 59 and high over 70.

There are a range of different carbohydrates, ranging from individual glucose molecules and sugars, to larger carbohydrates chains such as starches. Our digestive systems break down carbohydrates to release individual sugar molecules which are absorbed into the bloodstream. Carbohydrates are essential to maintain blood glucose levels, providing fuel for our muscles and brain. A low blood glucose level (known as hypoglycaemia) can make us feel tired, dizzy and generally unwell.

Carbohydrate foods are an important fuel, but also provide an amazing range of vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health, as well as fibre for a healthy digestive system.

Not all carbohydrates are digested and absorbed at the same rate, and the type of carbohydrate can have a specific influence on health and energy levels. Low gi foods tend to be better for us as they release sugar into the blood stream slowly and evenly, which will help maintain higher energy levels and assist weight loss as the body converts less sugar into glycogen and fat. 

We all know that a healthy diet is good for us, but what deficiencies or poor diets lead to what conditions?

Fats are an essential part of our diet, largely used to provide energy and support growth. Fats are the most concentrated source of energy available to our body. However, the average Australian eats far more fat than required for good health, further increasing the difficulty of weight loss.

The main problem with consuming excess dietary fat is the effect on weight gain. Fat has double the amount of calories compared to carbohydrate and protein, therefore a reduction in fat intake is a priority for reducing total calorie intake. Also, a high fat intake, independent of weight, has been linked to health conditions such as high blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease, and colon cancer.

To understand this further we need to look at the different types of fat are and how they are used in our body. Sustainability is a major factor and a healthy food intake should incorporate changes that are long-term.

Do you drink enough water? You may think you are drinking enough, but many of us are unknowingly in a chronic state of dehydration. Adequate hydration will improve energy levels and concentration. If you are not drinking enough you may find that you are constantly tired and perhaps prone to headaches and generally feeling 'flat'. Even low levels of dehydration can have a significant impact on concentration, cognitive skills and general health.

The key is to drink regularly throughout the day, starting with breakfast. Keep a water bottle or jug nearby and aim to drink 1-2 glasses of water with every meal plus 1-2 glasses between meals. Water is ideal, but other great fluid choices include green tea, weak black tea (hold the sugar!), herbal teas and low-fat milk. If you love your daily coffee, don't despair. Caffeine in small amounts is unlikely to do too much harm, but if coffee and cola drinks make up the majority of your fluids for the day then you need to start visiting the water cooler in preference to the coffee machine.

One can of soft drink contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar, and some sweetened juices are not much less. Reducing intake of sweetened drinks will significantly reduce kilojoule intake and may help you avoid extra visits to the dentist.

Iron and calcium play an important role in a balanced diet, particularly for women.