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What is Lacto-Vegetarianism?

Various vegetarian diets are all the rage at the moment and have been growing in popularity over the last 15 years. There are several kinds of vegetarian diets, one of the most popular is Lacto-vegetarianism. If you have ever considered going vegetarian but can’t stand the thought of giving up cheese, Lacto-vegetarianism might just be the solution for you. 

What is Lacto-vegetarian?

The Lacto-vegetarian diet consists of wholesome plant goodness with the added bliss of creamy dairy deliciousness. Simply put, Lacto-vegetarians don’t eat meat, eggs, or fish. Their diets consist of fruit, veggies, legumes, beans, whole grains, and dairy products. 

Lacto-vegetarian diets include plant-based meat alternatives such as Tofu, soy-protein, TVP, seitan, and other quickly found alternatives. Just as with any diet, balance is essential for the best health and well-being. Everyone needs to make sure they are getting the right amount of nutrients no matter where it comes from. 

What’s the Difference?

Being a vegetarian these days is not always as simple and straightforward as “I don’t eat meat”; there are many different interpretations out there. Here is a quick guide to other diets: 

  • Lacto-vegetarian: No meat, fish, eggs, or poultry is eaten; this diet includes all plant food sources. The main difference is that anyone on this diet may eat dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt. 
  • Ovo-vegetarian: Ovo stands for eggs, and in this case, this diet may include eggs; however, no dairy or milk products are included. Ovo-vegetarians eat fruits and vegetables and do not consume animal products such as meat or seafood. 
  • Vegan: Perhaps the strictest diet of them all, no animal by-products are used whatsoever. Vegans only consume plant sources of food.  
  • Lacto-ovo-vegetarian: Perhaps the most common form of vegetarianism in the West, this diet includes eggs and dairy products alongside healthy fruit and veggies. No meat, poultry, and seafood are consumed. 
  • Pescatarian: It’s all about the seafood with this diet; pescatarians eat vegetables and fruits; however, they don’t eat any red meat or poultry. Some do, however, choose to consume eggs or dairy to their own personal preferences. 

The Benefits 

Several benefits come with a Lacto-vegetarian diet, whether you are an ethical vegetarian or opting for a healthier diet of plant goodness. Here are some ways in which this diet can benefit you: 

Heart Health 

Several studies have shown that vegetarian and Lacto-vegetarian diets have contributed to a lowered LDL cholesterol levels. Heart health issues often stem from poor diets rich in bad cholesterol levels. By reducing the amount of bad LDL usually found in meat products, you lower your heart disease risk. 

Another benefit is a reduction in blood pressure, significantly lowering the risk of stroke and heart disease. 

Blood Sugar 

The Lacto-vegetarian diet is associated with a lowered risk of type 2 diabetes. Some studies have shown that people who consume a Lacto-vegetarian diet are as much as 33% less likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes or develop problems associated with blood sugar levels. 

Weight Loss 

It is a well-known fact that different types of vegetarian diets are all associated with weight loss and a lowered BMI compared to diets that include meat products. 

Vegetarians and Lacto-vegetarians often consume fewer calories leading to improved weight loss. Vegetarian diets are rich in fiber, promoting better gut health.   

Reduced Risk of Cancers

Diets that are lower in meat and animal products are often better for reducing the risk of certain cancers. Colorectal and breast cancer risks are lowered with a vegetarian diet.

Plant-based foods are rich in macro and micronutrients, all extremely good for lowering cancer risks and supporting better overall health. 

A Balanced Diet 

Any healthy diet needs to be balanced. A vegetarian diet excludes any meat products and does require a little additional planning around protein consumption. 

Fruits and Vegetables 

Perhaps one of the essential parts of any healthy diet is fruits and vegetables. If you are transitioning to a vegetarian diet, you will need to eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, peppers, and complex carbs. 

Try including these: 

  • Broccoli 
  • Bananas
  • Spinach, kale, chard 
  • Peppers 
  • Sprouts 
  • Apples
  • Melons 
  • Peaches 
  • Beetroot 

Protein

Grab your tofu pres because protein is vital for every diet; it is the building block for muscles and other functions. Great sources of plant-based protein include: 

  • Tofu is perhaps one of the most accessible and easy-to-use forms of plant protein on the market. All you need is a great veggie marinade and a tofu press (like the one here at Tofubud), and you can have realistic meat alternatives.
  • Pre-packaged meat substitutes that are vegetable protein-based. 
  • Legumes such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas are all excellent sources of protein. 
  • Burmese Tofu – an alternative to soybean-based Tofu, this high protein option is excellent for anyone with a soy allergy that loves Tofu. 
  • Nuts – nuts are much needed and an excellent protein source that has just the right amount of healthy fats and oils. 

Dairy 

Dairy is well known to be an excellent source of protein and calcium. There are several excellent choices and healthy options to choose from. Try selecting the cleanest and least processed versions that are available on the market. 

  • Cheese – make sure your cheese is vegetarian as many parmesan kinds of cheese and hard cheeses are often made with animal rennet. 
  • Whole Milk 
  • Double cream plain yogurt 
  • Butter 

Wholesome Eats

Whether you are going vegetarian for health reasons or just want a slight change in your life, the science is out on this one; it is healthier for you. As long as you eat your beans and get some greens in, you cannot go wrong. 

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Can Fast Food be Healthy?

There are a lot of comments of people putting on weight in the past two years. Stress can be a big factor. Sometimes a person doesn’t realize the effect that a simple action can have on their life. For example,  Judge Napolitano has discovered a way of life that has worked for him. Napolitano is not only known for his presence in the courtroom but recently individuals have been discussing his weight loss journey. The challenge most face when it comes to weight loss is not the know how or the lack of knowledge. People know what foods are considered healthy and which ones are not. People know that veggies are healthy and a sedentary lifestyle can bring on many challenges to your health. The true question is how to have a healthy lifestyle while being happy doing it. Imagine the scene of a parent and child sitting at the table. The parent says eat more vegetables. The child, with a defeated look on his or her face, slowly puts the veggies in his or her mouth. This is not a happy scene. Why can’t being healthy be enjoyable to the masses and not just a few unique individuals who love to shove greens into their mouths. Maybe if the situation is looked at from a different angle, success can be found. 

Ok so a little secret,  what is the ideal meal? What is meant by this question is what is the ideal meal that will make a person feel satisfied, happy and full of energy? Suppose people can go through the drive through and order this ideal meal. Is it possible? Well yes this is possible. Some of us are busy individuals like super moms. People are going to need both convene and healthy options. This is the key to success. Finding the correct balance between a healthy life and a happy life. So once again. Think of an ideal meal. Is it tacos? Yes delicious tacos. Instead of choosing the tacos that were cooked and drenched with lots of oil, go ahead and choose the grilled meat taco on a corn tortilla. If a vegetarian option is desired choose the impossible taco meat. This has a very delicious umami flavor. Instead of ordering 4 tacos, try ordering two tacos that are double stuff with a lean protein and double the veggies. Don’t forget to add beans on the side. This is a good source of fiber that will help fill your growling tummy. Getting creative can make or break a diet. Try adding a side of roasted sweet potatoes with cinnamon instead of ordering churros. Sub the large sugary soda for a flavored soda water that is not sweetened. If you need some sweetness in this drink then get creative. Judge Napolitano recommends buying some natural non sweetened flavors that can be found in the cake aisle of the grocery store. Then get some monk fruit powdered sweetener. Being happy and healthy is just around the corner.

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Best Homemade Italian Dishes

There are many homemade Italian dishes that can be made from scratch that are better than restaurant dinner meals. Those dishes are typically better than restaurant made food. Andrew Napolitano is Italian that would prefer homemade Italian food rather than restaurant Italian food. Napolitano is from New Jersey which is close to New York where they have authentic homemade Italian food. 

Of the many homemade Italian dishes that can be made from scratch one of the easier ones is chicken Parmesan. Chicken Parmesan consists of chicken marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Another homemade Italian Dish that is better from scratch than it is from restaurants is pizza. Pizza is an American favorite, not just an Italian favorite that many people eat and like to make from scratch. Making pizza from scratch consists of making your own dough in your own pizza sauce among other things.

 Spaghetti and meatballs is also another homemade Italian Dish that many people like to make. When making spaghetti and meatballs one must make their own noodles also from scratch, which can be a very tough task but also very satisfying when the meal is done. Sometimes Italians prefer to just eat meatballs as a meal all by itself. There are actually some places that specialize in making strictly just meatballs and that’s a recipe that they have taken from scratch, and it turns it into a business. Another very good dish that people like to make from scratch is creamy Tuscan chicken. Now this meal was one of the more complicated homemade dishes to make but also very satisfying as well. Creamy Tuscan chicken consists of boneless chicken breast dried oregano, garlic, cherry tomatoes, heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. You will not find a better creamy Tuscan chicken dish at a restaurant that you will if you were to just make it at home. 

Another dish that Italians like Andrew Napolitano enjoy making from scratch is Chicken Florentine. Chicken Florentine also consists of chicken garlic baby spinach heavy cream, but this meant this recipe includes white wine. White wine or red wine often accompanies many homemade Italian dishes so putting it in the food is something that combines the best of both worlds. Fettuccine Alfredo is also another dish that many like to make from scratch which consists of fettuccine or another form of long pasta so finely grated Parmesan cheese in fresh ground pepper. Oftentimes fettuccine Alfredo is paired with chicken Parmesan which is something that they offer at many restaurants. Those are some of the dishes that are much better made homemade than they are if you had gone to get that from a restaurant. Those are also house favorites and are made in many Italian homes and also pair with salads, soups and other appetizers. There are many cooks around the world that have perfected these dishes and have put their only twist on these recipes. Many of these dishes along with numerous other Italian dishes have been being made in kitchens of many other nationalities other than Italians.

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Buying Zero Carb Bread

The keto diet is one of the more popular you will find. The number one thing you must do when you are getting yourself on the keto diet is to cut back on your carbohydrate intake. This means you will be eliminating your intake of bread and other bread-like products. However, what if there was a way in which you could consider consuming bread the way you used to? While not necessarily the same, there is a way to get bread back into your diet. That is, by eating what is known as zero carb bread. After all, the reason you cannot eat bread on the diet is since it contains carbohydrates. By getting zero carb bread, you can eat it without feeling guilty and ruining your diet. In this article, you will learn some of the top things that you should look for when buying zero carb bread and we will be going over some of the benefits of eating zero carb bread. 

What To Look For In Zero Carb Bread: 

1. Ingredients

One of the main things that you should be doing when you are attempting to figure out whether or not you should be eating zero carb bread is looking at the ingredients. While it would be great if every zero carb bread was good for you, that is simply not the case. Because of this, you don’t want to go out and purchase any bread that doesn’t have carbs in it. While there are some available and being sold that will be good additions to your diet, you want to ensure that you are adding healthy bread. Therefore, you should attempt to find one that isn’t full of unhealthy ingredients like artificial sweeteners and other ingredients that you should be avoiding. Ingredients are always one of the main things that you want to consider when buying any type of food. That way, you can find zero carb bread that is healthy to consume.

2. Price

Like the majority of health foods targeting specific dieters, you are going to have to expect to pay a higher price for zero carb bread. Therefore, you shouldn’t be basing your decision solely on price alone. Unfortunately, it costs more to eat healthier foods. This is especially true when they cost more to produce and they use higher quality ingredients. However, you should be looking at the price when you are making your decision. After all, you want to find something that is going to deliver you a good price to value ratio. You should be able to find a zero carb bread option that is going to deliver you not only a delicious taste but good quality ingredients and everything else for a reasonable price. 

3. Reviews

Checking out reviews is always recommended. This can be a great way to identify the bread that you should be considering and possibly the bread that you should be avoiding. A lot of people base their purchasing decisions on the reviews of a product alone. While it’s not necessarily recommended to do this, you should be using reviews when you are making your decisions. You should be able to narrow down your options to try to find the most viable products that you can consider. That way, you can eliminate the possibility of buying low carbohydrate bread that has a lot of poor feedback. Reviews can point you in the right direction when it comes to buying something you would enjoy. 

4. Nutrition Facts

Not only do you want to look closely at the ingredients listed, but you should pay close attention to the nutrition facts as well. By doing this, you will be able to see what nutrition (if any) the bread comes with. You will be able to see how much total fat is in it, how much sodium, and how much protein. You will also be able to see if there are any sugar and anything else in it that you should be aware of when buying and eating it. Checking out the nutrition facts is always recommended when you are buying something that you will be eating. After all, you want to know what you are putting in your body. 

Benefits Of Zero Carb Bread: 

1. Convenient

One of the main benefits that you will be able to get from this type of bread is the fact that it is readily available in the marketplace. You will be able to find and purchase no carb bread in your local grocery store. This convenience factor is a must for a lot of people who are going to be following such a restrictive diet. It gets tiresome having to constantly make your things or limit yourself from what you are used to eating. By having something that can help satisfy your bread cravings, it can help you maintain your keto diet without having to give up the inconvenience that comes with being on a restrictive diet. 

2. Make Your Own

You could always consider making your own zero carb bread. You will be able to make your  zero carb bread if you want. Best of all, you can do it with minimal ingredients and with knowing exactly what is being put into it. If you are someone who enjoys making your bread, this can be a great option. 

As you can see, there are plenty of different things that you should be aware of when you are looking for  zero carb bread. Try to find the bread that has good reviews, excellent ingredients, and good macros. That way, you can find the healthiest bread to use as a bread substitute for your favourite meals.

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4 Tips For Keeping Your Kitchen Clean

The kitchen isn’t always a place that’s easy to keep clean. After all, there are so many people coming and going throughout the day making meals and accumulating dishes; then it’s only a matter of time until it starts to get messy. 

However, the kitchen is one of the most important parts of your house to keep clean.   Failing to keep it tidy won’t just lead to a pest problem but it can even get you sick. Even though you might not love cleaning, a clean kitchen is a must. Take a look at some of the best tips for keeping your kitchen sparkling. 

Clear The Clutter 

The more stuff that you have in your kitchen, the more likely it is to start to build up clutter. Ideally, you should keep as few appliances and other items on the counter as possible. A lot of people have things strewn all over their counters in an attempt to keep things within an easy reaching distance. 

The problem is you’re taking up your prep work space. The less room that you have to work with, the more likely that you are to spill or knock things over. Clear the clutter and keep it minimal whenever you can. 

Always Clean Before You Start Cooking 

One of the best ways to create a messy kitchen is to cook on top of an already messy kitchen. Before you get started on anything in your kitchen area, you should clear it out and make sure that it’s clean as possible. Starting with a clean slate doesn’t just avoid a big mess, but it motivates you to keep things clean continuously. 

Never Leave Dishes In The Sink 

It’s easy to eat something and leave your dish in the sink, thinking, “I’ll get back to it later.” Yet, far too often, people end up leaving their dishes in the sink and letting them pile up. Rather than making yourself a slave to piles of dishes, do them as you go. 

Make it a rule never to leave dishes in the sink, and you’ll thank yourself for it later. It may take a minute to get used to; however, you’ll find that cleaning in small spurts rather than letting things pile up into big jobs is much easier to tackle. 

Wipe Out Your Sink 

There are two kinds of people—those that leave residue in the sink and those that always wipe it out after cleaning dishes. If you’re the kind of person that leaves residue in the sink, stop what you’re doing right now, and go clean your sink. It only takes a few minutes to clean out chunks and debris from your sink and can make a world of difference in how clean your kitchen is!