Diet Problem of the Business Traveler: Staying Fit When on the Run

by Jim Duffy

Despite the fact that accurate nutrition information can be accessed by almost anyone with an Internet connection or a library card, the 21st century has picked up where the last one left off: one dominated by poor eating habits.

The reason for this national dietary deficiency is not due to any single source or kind of nutrition misinformation. Nor can it be said that a lack of interest or effort on the part of health-conscious Americans is to blame. Actually, there are more health-conscious Americans than ever before. The problem of poor eating habits is not a strategic, idealistic, or tactical one it is a logistical dilemma.

Americans of all ages live such busy, fast-paced lifestyles, that eating nutritious meals is seen as something of a luxury to be enjoyed on special occasions or when one rarely has a few hours to prepare a complete meal. Seldom is this healthy eating challenge more pressing, however, than for the typical business traveler[i].

The second biggest source for unhealthy food in the life of a typical business traveler begins at the airport. The vast majority of these hubs of transit activity offer travelers a selection of fast foods or snack foods that are usually very high in carbohydrates, unsaturated fats, and loaded with calories.

Yet if the airport or station is the second biggest source of unhealthy eating, then what is the first? Without doubt, it is on the airplane itself.

In the past, the criticism levied against airline food was its sheer tastelessness and lack of variety. Yet as the overall awareness of nutrition - and lack of nutrition - in some food sources has grown over the past decade, a related distress has grown over the nutritionally flawed food that most business travelers are subjected to while en route.

Indeed, according to a study by the American weight-loss program organization Nutricise[ii], the average meal served by airlines in all service classes tops 1000 calories. This high number for a single meal is more than half the daily total number of calories for "average eaters". Yet this problem goes beyond calorie counting. Almost 45% of the 1000+ calories in an airline meal come from fat which is a full 15% more than some experts recommend as the 30% optimum daily fat-from-calorie level[iii].

In response to this challenge, some airlines are offering more eating options for business travelers, including vegetarian and vegan meals that are typically (though not always) lower in saturated fat, calories, and sodium. However, a 2003 study[iv] by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) regrettably noted that of the 10 airlines surveyed, only 1 of the 10 was observed to provide easily available healthy eating choices. 3 of the 10 airlines offered some degree of healthy eating options, though planning ahead was necessary -- something that is not always feasible for business travelers. The remaining 6 airlines surveyed were criticized for providing little or no effort at offering vegetarian (i.e. low-fat, low sodium, low calorie) in-flight eating options.

On top of this, business travelers are faced with yet another eating challenge that those not in the air are not forced to address. Whereas most people "on the ground" can physically leave a restaurant or deliberately choose to purchase food that conforms to a healthy eating regimen, those "in the air" are often forced to accept what they are given. Most business travelers are typically short of time and running from meetings to airports and back again. Therefore, the decision to eat the high-fat, high-calorie, high-sodium, and altogether unbalanced airline meal is often better than the alternative of not eating at all.

While some awareness is creeping into the world of business traveler nutrition, thanks in part to the work of the PCRM and others, this awareness is not spreading quickly enough. Business travel in the US comprises over 200 million person-trips per year[v] and this means that many unhealthy meals are awaiting a lot of business travelers who, quite frankly, need more nutritious food.

There have been some attempts to respond to this massive business traveler need, including a halfhearted effort by most airlines to revise menus. There have also been several "nutritional supplement" options, typically in fluid or bar form, that have proposed to help fill this business traveler nutritional gap.

Unfortunately, like the revised airline meal effort, the vast majority of these supplements fall short of providing a high-protein, low-calorie, low-carbohydrate nutrition that travelers need. Furthermore, the handful of products that have in some sense met these protein, calorie, and carbohydrate requirements are usually devoid of essential nutrients.

However, a small number of nutritionally wise products are generating positive feedback from business travelers, both for nutritional value content, and for traveler-friendly fluid containers that can take a great deal of airport bag-handler abuse. Furthermore, since these products are liquid, they can be ingested easily without needing to be diluted, mixed, or taken with large amounts of water or other fluid.

Taken as either a supplement or a meal on its own, these intelligent and scientifically validated nutritional products - which offer a complete range of essential vitamins - help business travelers stay healthy in ways that fit into their busy, time-conscious lives.

About the Author:

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey liquid protein for immunodeficiency patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright

Adding Protein Powders and Protein Supplements to Your Diet Plan

by Jim Duffy

Trying to keep a healthy diet plan in this hurried world is not always that easy. We may not take the time out for ourselves that we really need to. We don't take the time to consider our food choices. We don't take the time to eat correctly, or even to eat at all. We don't take the time to exercise or are just too exhausted to do it correctly. We work too much, eat too much and sleep too little. It is a sad fact that there are millions of people who are obese, many of whom are facing additional health problems that are directly related to their weight. It is also a fact that many of these people are also looking for a quick fix for a problem that took many years to develop. Changing one small part of your lifestyle at a time is the key to making lasting changes. Adding protein powders or protein supplements to your diet can be the first step.

After you add a protein supplement, you can start making new habits.

The Options for Protein Powders

There are four forms of protein powder: whey, soy, egg and rice. You can choose a single protein powder or a combination protein that contains two or more proteins. The protein that you choose will be based on your dietary needs and the potential for allergic reactions. You should also choose an option that will give you the right amount of protein without being too much. Remember that you should always follow nutritional guidelines to determine the right amount of protein for you.

Whey protein powder

Whey protein is the one that is most like skeletal muscle and is derived from milk, a byproduct of cheese making. It is suitable for the vegetarian diet, but not for vegans. Whey has high levels of the amino acids arginine and lysine, which stimulate the release of the growth hormone IGFI, an anabolic hormone. It also has glutamine, which helps to protect against both fatigue and overtraining. Whey protein also has the highest natural food source of branched chain amino acids (BCAA). The benefit of the BCAA is its ability to be metabolized directly into muscle tissues which are used for exercise.

Whey protein is also an excellent source of leucine, which is used for muscle growth, makes more lean tissue and decreases body fat. It also has glutathione, an antioxidant which is needed for a healthy immune system. Dr. Thomas Badger from the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center performed a study which revealed that rats that were fed whey had fewer tumors than those that were fed casein and the tumors took longer to grow.

Too much whey protein can cause liver damage, so use caution and always monitor the amounts that you consume.

Soy protein powder

Soy protein is derived from soy flour and can be either a concentrate or an isolate. Soy is a highly digestible protein and has been shown to improve the nutritional value of foods. Two daily servings of soy protein may lower blood pressure by nine points as well as lower the blood sugar levels. (Source: Natural News 2006) Soy protein is suitable for those who are following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Some research suggests that too much soy might be a problem for those who are at risk for breast cancer, so consider the risks and discuss the benefits with your doctor.

Egg Protein

Egg protein powder is derived from egg white, which is low in fat but high in protein. Eggs are considered to be the perfect protein and all others are evaluated against it. Egg protein is the highest in the amino acids alanine, argine, glycine and methine. (Source: Segounis)

Rice Protein

Rice protein is created from the protein of brown rice. It is a complete protein source, meaning that it has all eight essential amino acids. Rice protein is considered to be hypoallergenic and may be a good choice for those who have food allergies. This is also a good choice for vegans and vegetarians.

Protein Supplements and Options

Along with protein supplement powders, there are a number of other options to choose from. Protein supplements like liquid protein shots, shakes, bars, puddings, protein-enhanced waters and other beverages are all options. Whichever you choose, make sure that you are finding an option with good quality proteins and other ingredients but without the ingredients that you do not need, like added fats or sugars.

Liquid Protein Supplement Shots

Small, portable and easy to use, the liquid protein supplement shot is the perfect choice for those who live their life on the run. Profect, the liquid protein shot from Protica, is an option because it is small (2.9 fluid ounces), low in calories (100 calories) and has zero fat and zero carbohydrates. It has all of a day's worth of vitamin C as well as 10% of the daily supply of the vitamin Bs. Profect comes in flavors like Blue Raspberry, Grapefruit-Mango, Fresh Citrus Berry and Cool Melon Splash.

Protein Shakes

Protein shakes are good for meal replacements but should only be used as part of a healthy diet plan. Most protein shakes come in flavors like chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Make sure that you are reading the ingredients carefully so that you do not buy a shake that is full of added sugars or high in calories.

Protein bars

Protein bars can be a great snack option or can also serve as a light meal. The problem with protein bars can be the added fats or sugars and high calorie count. Some of the brands of these bars can be less nutritious than a typical vending machine candy bar.

Protein pudding shots

A very interesting and unique diet plan suggests that you eat a protein pudding shot before a meal so that you are not as hungry and are able to eat far less without feeling deprived. There are several brands on the market, so experiment to find one that you enjoy by taste and texture. Like protein bars, make sure that your choice has a low calorie count and does not come loaded with fat and sugar.

Protein-enhanced waters

There are several different foods and beverages that are enhanced with protein. Protein waters report that they work by keeping the appetite low so that you can eat far less than you normally would.

Other protein beverages

In addition to the shakes, shots and waters mentioned above, there is one more protein drink that you should consider. Milk has 9 grams of protein and over thirty percent of the daily calcium needs. Chocolate milk is considered to be one of the best after-workout drinks because of its carbohydrate and protein blend.

Protein Cautions

Despite the huge number of people who were fans of the high protein diet, there are cautions that you should keep in mind. The American Heart Association strongly urges people to keep their daily protein intake at or below 35% of their total daily calories. Too much protein can cause kidney stones, gall stones and some types of liver damage and increases the risk of osteoporosis, especially for those at risk for the disease. It may also interfere with certain medications that are taken for certain types of diseases.

About the Author:

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for immunodeficiency patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright

Why Families Should Consider a Raw Food Diet

by Jeff Wise

Eating a raw diet is important, but many people don't know why. To say you are eating raw simply means you eat mostly uncooked foods. Raw food is healthier because it retains all the vitamins, enzymes, minerals and phytonutrients the body needs. Cooked food, on the other hand, extracts them.

When you eat raw foods your body is healthier and you can start to see changes both inside and out. Since raw foods sustain life, they benefit the body in many ways.

When food is heated above 117 degrees F, all of the enzymes are eliminated. The body depends on food to get all the needed enzymes, so if it's not getting enough through food, it will use up all of its reserves. Enzymes are used for digestion and for maintaining and repairing tissue and organs. Without enough enzymes, you will lack energy and your body will have trouble functioning as it should. A raw diet builds up enzyme levels.

A raw food diet consists mostly of vegan options because it's not a good idea to eat raw animal products like meat or dairy. Raw dieters eat lots of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. While this may seem limited and boring, there are a great number of food options for raw eaters.

If you eat raw it doesn't mean you're limited to eating from a vegetable platter. I admit, that sounds pretty boring. There are a great number of delicious raw meals that include tasty spices and homemade salad dressings to indulge your palate.

Since starting a raw food plan, I've seen positive changes in the way I feel and look. I have more energy and a stronger immune system. Kids even love raw foods and can benefit from them. I want to encourage you to try a raw food diet for one month and see how you feel. You will most likely notice a big difference and your body will thank you for it.

About the Author:

Raw Food Menu Hoping to actually eat healthier and lose weight? Then have a look at www.BestRawFoodPlan.com for more information and watch a special FREE video. Raw Food Training

The Need for Protein Supplements in End Stage Kidney Disease

by Jim Duffy

During the early stages of most kidney diseases, the patient will be advised to limit protein intake to some degree. Because protein is so vital to the entire body, this limitation should only be made under doctor's orders and with the guidance of a dietician or nutritionist. The protein that is left in the diet at this point will be high-quality with certain additional restrictions as well. However, once the patient reaches end stage kidney disease, the restriction on protein will not only end but the patient will also need to increase intake (Source: The National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse).

The level that is suggested at this stage is double that of the average diet and may be hard to achieve with a normal diet for a number of reasons. Protein supplements will be beneficial because they are high in protein and can be high in calories, helping to reach the right amount as suggested by the doctor, and they may be easier to tolerate than trying to eat large meals.

In Stage I through IV, the protein level is restricted, with the strictest restriction at Stage IV, the final stage before dialysis becomes necessary. In this stage, dietary protein may be as low as 10%, but again, only with a doctor's guidance. Excess protein at this point will lead to nausea and vomiting, a loss of appetite, weakness and itching that is sometimes intense. To put this into perspective: the average diet is 14-18% protein and the average vegan diet is 10-12% protein (Source: Mangels).

Not only is the amount of protein limited, but the type of protein may be limited as well. Vegetarian protein sources might be suggested in Stage IV so that protein can still be included in the diet but will also slow the progression of chronic kidney disease. A vegetarian diet gets protein from plant sources, which can be digested with less protein waste buildup. It also works to maintain the levels of sodium, potassium and phosphorous (Source: Brookshyer, RD, CSR).

Limiting the amount of phosphorous in the diet is important because it can deplete calcium in the body and may cause or worsen osteoporosis. Protein itself can cause this problem by causing too much calcium to be eliminated from the body through urination, even when the kidneys are healthy and functioning properly. In kidney disease, however, electrolyte imbalances can be common and certain minerals will compete with one another. These foods that need to be limited include bran cereals, dried beans, brown rice, lentils, salmon, organ meats, sardines, chocolate and cola. Dairy foods are also included on this list of limitations, especially skim milk (Source: Maree).

Once the end stage of chronic kidney disease has been reached, food needs will change dramatically, including a huge increase in both protein and calories to keep the weight steady despite a greatly decreased appetite. The calories have to be high enough to prevent muscle wasting and will be based on "dry" weight. Dry weight is calculated by estimating actual weight minus the fluid retained. The amount of recommended protein is based on this number.

Average Need vs. End Stage Needs

The average person's protein intake is decided by gender, health, and activity levels. For a very sedentary person, that need may be as low as around .4 grams per kilogram of body weight. For a very active person, that need can increase to .8 to 1 gram of protein. Even a bodybuilder will not need an extreme amount of protein and may only need around 1.2 to 1.5 grams of protein. The American Heart Association recommends that the diet not be over 35% protein, however, that need might change with end stage renal failure (Source: Osterweil).

The average protein needs throughout life are as follows:

Age Grams of protein per kg of body weight

Newborn to six months 2.2 kg

Six to twelve months 2.0 kg

One to three years 1.8

Four to six years 1.5

Seven to ten years 1.2

Eleven to fourteen years 1.0

Fifteen to eighteen years .9

Nineteen years and beyond .8

(Source: US Guidelines on Protein and Diet)

For those who are in Stage V renal failure, there will be a minimum protein requirement of 1.5 to 2 grams per kilogram of weight(dry), with the additional suggestion of getting about 25% of their protein at every meal and to include supplements and snacks to get to the right level of protein. The patient will be told to get their protein from meats, frequent egg dishes since egg is the perfect protein and high protein supplements.

Supplement Options

Because end stage renal failure can cause nausea and vomiting as well as decreased appetite, it is important to get high quality protein as well as high calorie counts in the easiest way possible. Supplements can be beneficial because they are easier to consume, they are high in soluble and digestible protein and they can be more appetizing than trying to eat foods. It is easier to pop open a supplement and drink it down than it would be to sit and try to make it through a whole meal. Because kidney disease may also cause taste changes, foods that were once favorites may not be as appealing any longer.

Supplements can be either powder, already mixed shakes, supplement shots, and protein bars.

Protein Powders - There are four protein powder sources: rice, whey, soy, and egg. The powders can be either from a single protein source or a combination of two or more. Anyone with known or suspected food allergies should stick with single ingredient protein supplements for safety. Vegans can use both rice and soy protein powder supplements.

Protein Shakes - Shakes that are already mixed and ready to go are fairly common and can save time and be more convenient to use. They should have enough calories in each serving as well as be a high quality protein. Diabetics should stick to the protein shakes that are recommended to them by the doctor; there are several brands that are created specifically for them.

Protein Supplement Shots - An even easier way to get the right amount of protein is with the liquid protein supplement shot. Profect, from Protica, is only 2.9 fluid ounces in size but has a full 25 grams of protein per serving. There are a number of flavors to choose from and it can be taken anywhere for easy consumption. Flavors include Grapefruit Mango, Fresh Citrus Berry, Cool Melon Splash and Blue Raspberry.

Protein Bars - The protein bars typically have a number of different dessert-like flavors that might be appealing, however, make sure that they do not have a lot of additional sugars in them which can be hard on the immune system. They should still have plenty of protein in them. One popular brand has 180 calories, 12 grams of protein and limited sugar, making it a good snack choice.

About the Author:

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey liquid protein for bariatric patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright

How to Take The Confusion Out of Becoming Vegetarian

By India Mace

If you are going to become vegetarian for health reasons,you probably are thinking about how you are going to be able to give up the foods you love.

Well, you are in for a pleasant surprise! You are about to find that eating vegetarian can be more delicious than you thought possible.

Though anything new can seem a bit intimidating at first, take one step at a time in order not to be overwhelmed.
I love exploring new recipes so much now, I would never go back to my old SAD (Standard American Diet).

Let's take a look at 3 ways to leap in to making that change and a meal plan for some ideas.

1. Think of 3 recipes you prepare regularly which can be easily adapted to a vegetarian meal using a meat substitute. An example would be "ribs", corn-on-the-cob and baked potato. There are several brands on the market that put out a mean B-B-Q rib substitute! Replace a hamburger and fries night with a veggie burger on a whole wheat bun and some grilled veggies.

2. Find 3 vegetarian recipes online to experiment with. There are many websites with vegetarian recipes to help make the switch easily.

3. Find 3 vegetarian recipes online to experiment with. There are many websites with vegetarian recipes to help make the switch easily.

An average family switches between 8 to 10 different dinners anyway. So, if you use the 3 steps, you will have 9 vegetarian meals to switch between.

Next, you want to think about how you would convert breakfast if you happen to be someone who likes bacon and eggs every morning. Try a muffin, bagel or cereal instead. Make sure everything is whole wheat since it's much more healthy than white.

Let's bridge the gap with a vegetarian meal plan like this:

Breakfast: Fruit Smoothie Muffin Nuts

Lunch: "Tuna" Sandwich (substitute tuna made at home tastes great!) Green Salad

Snack: Fruit Salad Nuts

Dinner: Italian "Sausage" with saute' onions and green peppers (substitute sausage is delicious!) Pasta Green Salad

Desert: Peanut Butter Bar - 32497

About the Author:

If you are looking to find the best deal on becoming vegetarian, then visit www.wackyveganworld.com to find the best advice on a vegetarian diet plan for you.

Meat is Murder Tee Shirts

By Martina Yu

Are you an animal rights activist or perhaps you are vegetarian? Either way, sometimes you want to display your love for animals.

There are many ways people show their love for animals. The more extreme people go lobbying for animal rights. However, a simple way to show your love for animals is by getting a meat is murder t-shirt.

Like most products, there is not only one style of the meat is murder shirt. In fact there are many styles depending on who made the shirt. Some shirts are more brazen while others are more subtle.

In most cases you would not find a meat is murder t-shirt at the mall or most clothing stores. These shirts are specialty shirts which are normally sold in boutique stores and boutique stores are usually in trendy downtown areas of big cities. In you live in a smaller city then looking in boutique stores may not be an option for you.

The best way to buy a meat is murder shirt would be to go online. A quick search online yields many online stores that sell these t-shirts. Some of the more reputable t-shirt companies are Cafepress, Zazzle, or Spreadshirt.

Since you cannot try on the meat is murder t-shirt when you buy online, you have to measure yourself and then pick the shirt that falls within your measurements. The online clothing stores usually tell you how to measure.

Measure your bust first. Use a tape measure and wrap it around your chest and make sure you get the fullest part of your chest.

Next you can measure the length of shirt. To do this, get a shirt that you currently wear and measure from the back collar to the end of the shirt.

These two measurements should be sufficient for you to buy a meat is murder t-shirt that fits your size. However, sometimes even with all the measurements, the shirt may not be want you want because the fit is wrong. Make sure you read the store?s return policy before you commit to buy. - 32497

About the Author:

Celine is a t-shirt designer and sells meat is murder t-shirts at her internet apparel store.

What's All The Fuss With Regards To Soya Milk?

By Mike Green

Soya milk, or soymilk, is a beverage which is made from Soya beans by soaking them in water and then grinding them to form a stable emulsion. The credit of having discovered this nourishing drink goes to the Chinese who had even mastered the process of converting Soya milk into tofu or bean curd.

The commercial manufacture of Soya milk has been in practice ever since the recognition of its numerous benefits and it is one of the oriental products which have been readily usual by the entire world as a part of healthy living. This has furthermore resulted in commercial packaging and distribution in a range of flavors around the world.

In its natural form, Soya milk is unsweetened in saying that some of its products can be sweetened for commercial purposes. The most common commercial varieties of Soya milk are chocolate-flavored and vanilla-flavored Soya milk, bean curd or tofu and sweetened Soya milk apart from the salty Soya milk which is used only in China.

The colossal esteem of Soya milk stems from the fact that since it obtained from a plant source, it is an ideal beverage for vegetarian consumption. In addition this milk is an excellent substitute for such individuals who are prohibited against consuming cow's milk owing to allergies, intolerance and further medical reasons. It is by reason of these reasons that Soya milk has effectively replaced the traditional cow's milk in numerous households and establishments.

Soya milk is considered to be an ideal substitute for cow's milk because its nutritional value is extraordinarily similar to that of cow's milk. While cow's milk is a natural source of animal proteins over and above calcium, the protein present in Soya milk is a vegetable protein whereas the calcium is frequently added during the commercial production.

Apart from these differences, Soya milk is a rich source of vitamin E, lecithin and isoflavones due to which it protects the cells of the body from oxidation, prevents the onset of osteoporosis and provides immunity against breast cancer. In addition, Soya milk contains fatty acids in very little amounts due to which the user is protected against high cholesterol levels.

It can be easily prepared at home by soaking the Soya beans in water and then crushing them by using the normal kitchen implements, however technological advancement has facilitated its preparation by making use of a Soya milk machine. - 32497

About the Author:

In the event that you want to learn more about milk then you can do so a Milk Symposium where you will find details on whether milk is really good for you and much more.