Foods That Burn Belly Fat

          It is that time of year again!  Are you ready to hit the beach in your bikini? 

          Try these tasty foods to help burn belly fat:

          Also, remember to drink plenty of water.  Water helps flush toxins out of your body and replenish your cells.  Drink two eight-ounce glasses of water before each meal to help curb your appetite, according to a study done by the American Chemical Society.

          For more advice on how to lead a more nutritious life, schedule a nutritional or weight loss consultation with Dr. Takacs at 973.383.5052.  For location and hours visit us at www.DrTakacs.com or like us on Facebook at Takacs Wellness Center.  We are conveniently located in the center of Sussex County in Lafayette near Sparta, Newton, Hampton, Branchville, Wantage, Hardyston and Hamburg.

Top 3 Foods to Avoid

1. White Bread, refined flours:  This is bad for you because the nutritious part of the grain has been stripped of all vitamins, minerals, fiber and other vital nutrients.  In addition, refined flour has been bleached with chlorine and brominated with bromide.
2. Anything “Diet”:  Most diet products use the artificial sweetener aspartame.  This chemical has been known to cause neurological damage, endocrine disruption and gastrointestinal problems.  For a natural diet sweetener alternative, try stevia.
3. Meats Cured with Nitrates or Nitrites:  Most processed meats have been loaded with sodium nitrate and other chemical preservatives.  These additives have been linked to cause heart disease and cancer.  Some of the meats that contain these chemicals are deli meats, hot dogs, bacon and various other meats from the grocery store.  Always check the ingredients label before purchasing and stick to ingredients you can pronounce and recognize.  Choose uncured, nitrate and nitrite-free varieties and purchase organic and grass-fed animals.

For more advice on how to lead a more nutritious life, schedule a nutritional consultation with Dr. Takacs at 973.383.5052.  For location and hours visit us at www.DrTakacs.com or like us on Facebook at Takacs Wellness Center.  We are conveniently located in the center of Sussex County in Lafayette near Sparta, Newton, Hampton, Branchville, Wantage, Hardyston and Hamburg.

For more on foods that affect your health, read http://www.naturalnews.com/038467_foods_avoid_processed_meat.html.  

Young Adults Are Aging 15 Years Older

          A recent study found that “adults are 15 years older in terms of ill health than their parents were at that age” (Sophia Moir).  Health issues are at an all time high right now. 

          Now, more than ever, a wellness approach is necessary to increase the overall health of this generation. 

          The causes of ill health found through this study were obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Younger people are getting these diseases at an increasingly younger age due to their lifestyle habits. 

          This study found that women in their 20s are twice as likely to be overweight than in previous generations.  Similarly, it found that men in their 30s were 20 percent more likely to be overweight than men in previous generations.

          This study was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology and was conducted with a sample of 6,000 adults.

          In order to combat the trend of unhealthy lifestyles, Takacs Wellness Center is dedicated to helping make you the healthiest you possible.  We offer a safe and life changing weight loss program as well as a diabetes program that have been receiving rave reviews from our patients.

          Give us a call to schedule a free consultation to figure out how we can help you achieve your health goals with Dr. Takacs at 973.383.5052. For location and hours visit us at www.DrTakacs.com or like us on Facebook at Takacs Wellness Center.  We are conveniently located in the center of Sussex County in Lafayette near Sparta, Newton, Hampton, Branchville, Wantage, Hardyston and Hamburg.

View the original article here: http://uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/adults-are-%E2%80%9815-years-older%E2%80%99-than-their-parents-due-to-ill-health-102721265.html.

Family Wellness Days

Spring is finally here in Sussex County!  Improve the overall wellness of your family by going outdoors.  According to the National Wildlife Federation, playing outdoors improves fitness, naturally reduces stress and improves mental health.  Get your family outdoors for some healthy fun! 

Try these great family activities:

• Sunday, April 14- Fairview Lakes YMCA Camps Healthy Kids Day from 1-4 pm (free)
• Saturday, April 27- Sussex County YMCA Healthy Kids Day from 1-4 pm (free)

Or head outdoors to enjoy one of Sussex County’s Parks:

• Allamuchy Mt. State Park
• High Point State Park
• Hopatcong State Park
• Kittatinny Valley State Park
• Stokes State Forest
• Swartswood State Park
• Wawayanda State Park
• Delaware Water Gap National Park
• Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge
• Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area
• New Jersey State Botanical Garden

For more advice on how you and your family can lead a healthier life, schedule a consultation with Dr. Takacs at 973.383.5052. For location and hours visit us at www.DrTakacs.com or like us on Facebook at Takacs Wellness Center.  We are conveniently located in the center of Sussex County in Lafayette near Sparta, Newton, Hampton, Branchville, Wantage, Hardyston and Hamburg.

Real Weight Loss

How many times have you lost weight, only to gain it right back again?  Weight gain is a symptom; therefore you need to address the cause of the problem. 

The wellness approach to weight loss first addresses the reason why your body is storing fat, which is causing your weight gain.  Only after the underlying cause is handled are you able to experience true weight loss.

Being overweight puts you at risk for stroke, heart disease, diabetes and several kinds of cancer.  There are natural ways to improve your overall health to manage these serious conditions.

          Because everyone’s reason for weight gain is different, Takacs Wellness Center provides a thorough consultation and exam to discover the real reason behind your weight gain.  Dr. Takacs has thoroughly researched all of the programs and products to get you the best results.  

Some options include the IDEAL way to lose weight, nutritional support to enhance body function, detoxification or active wellness treatments.  These programs are specifically designed to address these underlying factors:

• Physical Stress
• Mental Stress
• Chemical Stress

Give us a call to schedule a free consultation to figure out which weight loss program might be right for you.  For more advice on how to lead a more nutritious life, schedule a nutritional consultation with Dr. Takacs at 973.383.5052. For location and hours visit us at www.DrTakacs.com or like us on Facebook at Takacs Wellness Center.  We are conveniently located in the center of Sussex County in Lafayette near Sparta, Newton, Hampton, Branchville, Wantage, Hardyston and Hamburg.

Think GREEN for National Nutrition Month

All vegetables are not the same, there are three different ways they can be grown:

• Organic means that they are grown naturally and without chemicals or pesticides.  The sticker is a 5-digit code starting with 9.

• Conventional means that they are grown with chemicals and pesticides.  The sticker is a 4-digit code starting with 4.

• Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) means that they have been genetically modified and were grow unnaturally.  The sticker is a 5-digit code starting with 8.

Try these highly recommended GREEN vegetables:

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cabbage (red & green)
• Celery
• Collard Greens
• Cucumbers
• Kale
• Lettuce (romaine, red leaf & green leaf)
• Peppers
• Spinach
• Zucchini

Where can you find these vegetables at their freshest?  Try a local farmers market:  http://www.nutrition.gov/shopping-cooking-meal-planning/food-shopping-and-meal-planning/farmers-markets.

For more advice on how to lead a more nutritious life, schedule a nutritional consultation with Dr. Takacs at 973.383.5052.  For location and hours visit us at www.DrTakacs.com or like us on Facebook at Takacs Wellness Center.  We are conveniently located in the center of Sussex County in Lafayette near Sparta, Newton, Hampton, Branchville, Wantage, Hardyston and Hamburg.

You Are What You Eat: Deciphering Nutrition Labels

The nutrition facts tell you a lot about what you are putting into your body:  you are what you eat.

What is the first thing that you look at when you gaze over the nutrition label? Calories? Do not start here!  How much food is contained in that calorie count?

When on your search to find out if you want to eat that food, first look at the serving size.  This will help you conceptualize the proportion of food to the calorie count. 

Next, look at the amount of protein.  Foods high in protein will supply you with energy.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women between the ages of 19-70+ should have 46 grams and men between the ages of 19-70+ should have 56 grams of protein each day.

Now jump down to the bottom: ingredients.  They are listed in order of greatest to least amount contained in the item.  The shorter the list of ingredients, the better.  Also, can you pronounce the name of it?  If not, I suggest looking into what that ingredient is and anything associated with it.

Vitamins and minerals should be listed right before the ingredients.  They are listed by the %DV only, but it is a good idea to find out how much your body needs (see nutrition link below).  A good place to start is looking at Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium and Iron because the FDA says most Americans do not get enough in their diets.

Lastly, do not forget about dietary fiber.  According to the Institute of Medicine, the average adult only eats 15 grams of dietary fiber a day.  They suggest that women need 25 grams per day and men need 38 grams per day.  Increase your amount of fiber gradually to avoid gastrointestinal distress.

To find out the estimated nutritional needs for your lifestyle use this calculator:  http://nutritiondata.self.com/tools/calories-burned.

            For more advice on how to lead a more nutritious life, schedule a nutritional consult with Dr. Takacs at 973.383.5052.  For location and hours visit us at www.DrTakacs.com or “like” us on Facebook at Takacs Wellness Center.  We are conveniently located in the center of Sussex County in Lafayette near Sparta, Newton, Hampton, Branchville, Wantage, Hardyston and Hamburg.

March is National Nutrition Month

Welcome to the third month of the New Year… how is your resolution going?  Luckily, March is National Nutrition Month and here is your opportunity to re-start those resolutions, even if you got a little off track.  We are three months away from beach time, so now is the perfect time to take your health seriously. 

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, these nutritious tips will help you lead a healthier life:

• Eat Breakfast:  It is important to start your day off with lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.  Try these quick breakfast ideas at www.eatright.org/nutritiontipsheets.
• Make Half of Your Plate Covered By Fruits and Vegetables:  The vitamins, minerals and fiber in fruits and vegetables are essential to a healthy diet.  Try to eat 2 cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables a day.
• Drink MORE Water:  Even if you are taking in enough vitamins and minerals, you might not be properly absorbing the necessary nutrients if you do not have enough water in your system to transport the nutrients into your cells.  The Institute of Medicine recommends women drink 9 cups of water and men drink 13 cups of water daily.
• Exercise Daily:  Although it may not feel like it in New Jersey, spring is on its way!  Get outside and enjoy the sunshine by taking a quick 15 minute walk to help lower your blood pressure and help control your weight and stress.
• Use Your Kitchen:  Cooking at home has the potential to be more healthy and cost-effective.  You know what you are putting in your meals!  If you are a beginner in the kitchen, check out these how-to videos to help get you started:  www.eatright.org/howdoi.

For more advice on how to lead a more nutritious life, schedule a nutritional consult with Dr. Takacs at 973.383.5052.  For location and hours visit us at www.DrTakacs.com or like us on Facebook at Takacs Wellness Center.  We are conveniently located in the center of Sussex County in Lafayette near Sparta, Newton, Hampton, Branchville, Wantage, Hardyston and Hamburg.

Photo taken by Brielle 12/30/12 in Hydra, Greece.