Balancing Foods for Fast Food

You don't have to avoid fast food, which is likely rich in fat, salt, sugar, and often doesn't provide a balanced diet. You have to be smart for choosing foods to complement both nutritional deficiency or excess of your favorite fast food. But first, it would be better if you know how to get around between eating fast food and balancing foods to complement the nutrients.

Sandwich
Advantages: Depending on the type of bread and filling, as well as the amount of its filling. If you eat a sandwich of wholemeal bread with tuna and lettuce, as well as a complete apple with its skin, then it already offers a balanced diet, with a little extra fiber.

Disadvantages: All depends on its filling. Sandwiches made of bread with butter and mayonnaise shrimp as filling contain 2 times calories and 3 times more fat than sandwiche filled with tuna salad.

Balancing foods: Beef stew with potatoes and steamed carrots. These foods are rich in protein and beta-carotene. Beside that, beef is also rich in vitamin B, iron, potassium, and zinc.

Pizza
Advantages: Depending on the toppings. Pizza rich in carbohydrates and fibers. Cheese and tomato as topping will add protein, vitamin E, calcium and phosphorus.

Disadvantages: Often rich in fats but low in protein. Sometimes contain high sodium. Topping of blue cheese, salami, pepperoni or ham, will level up fat and salt to 2-fold.

Balancing foods: Chicken, vegetables and carrots. These foods are rich in protein, beta-carotene, fiber and vitamin C.

Kebab
Advantages: The good source of protein and zinc. When eaten with lots of salad it will provide good balance of folate, vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Disadvantages: Too much fat from meat, low fiber, vitamins A, D, E and folate.

Balancing foods: Brown rice mixed with fish and green vegetables salad. This food is low in fat and provide a moderate amount of protein, good fiber, vitamins B and C.

Beef burgers, chips, and milkshake

Advantages: High in protein, carbohydrates and calcium. Contains vitamin A, phosphorus, vitamin B12 and riboflamin.

Disadvantages: High in fat-particularly saturated fat, high cholesterol, sodium and possibly also high dyes and flavorings, low in fiber and vitamin C.

Balancing foods: Pasta of wholemeal with fresh steamed green vegetables. Pasta provides fiber, while vegetables contain vitamin C and beta-carotene. Do not forget the broccoli, this food is a rich source of iron.

Fried Chicken and french fries
Advantages: Great resource of vitamins B6 and B12, high in protein and carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, iron, thiamin, and potassium.

Disadvantages: High in fat but low in fiber, vitamins A, C, D, folate and beta-carotene. Depending on the portions, these foods contain between 1/3-1/2 of the total daily fat recommendation.

Balancing foods: Salad made of lettuce, tomato, red onion, feta cheese, olive oil and lemon juice. This food is low in calories but contain vitamin C, E, folate and beta-carotene.

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Recipe: BBQ Ribs with Fruits Sauce

This BBQ ribs uses fresh fruits as a sauce. It's tasty, slightly sweet. Because the seasonings soak into the meat. It will more delicious when eaten warm. Tender and juicy. Let's start our barbecue!

Ingredients:
1 kg beef ribs
1.5 liters of water
2 teaspoons salt
2 bay leaves

Seasonings:
200 ml of orange juice
250 g pears, grated
100 ml olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
5 cloves garlic, grated
8 cloves red onion, grated
4 tablespoons BBQ sauce
1 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed coarse
1 teaspoon salt

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4 Foods Help to Cure Hiccups

Although hiccups is not dangerous, it often makes people uncomfortable. But there are some certain foods such as sugar can stop hiccups.

Hiccups is medically known as singultus, the diaphragm condition that convulses out of the ordinary. Hiccups tend to occur when carbon dioxide levels in blood dropped too low.

In addition, toxic gases, smoke, spicy foods and drinks are also sometimes be a trigger of hiccups. Likewise, while eating hot foods alongside with cold foods/drinks.

Hiccups are also a way of telling your body that you eat or drink too much. The scientists also assess hiccup is a reflex that prevents you from choking on food or beverages.

Hiccups are also caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve, the diaphragm motor nerve that helps controlling breathing.

Stress or anger also sometimes trigger hiccups. Hiccups also tells you that there is a foreign object in your ear . Prolonged hiccups can cause someone faint by heart rhythm problems. In addition, a third of chemotherapy patients also complained of continuous hiccups.

Here are some foods that can help stop hiccups:

1. Sugar
Swallowing a teaspoon of dry granulated sugar, can help curing hiccups. By swallowing a sticky powdered granules sugar changes the breathing rhythm, so it will stop the hiccups. Hiccups can also be stopped because of the perceived sweet sensation of nerve endings in the mouth.

2. Peanut butter
One tablespoon of peanut butter can also cure hiccups. Same reason with swallowing sugar, peanut butter is so sticky that could change the rhythm of breath.

3. Lemon
Chewing a slice of fresh lemon can disrupt the pattern of the vagus nerve impulses, which can stop hiccups. Besides chewing, eating or sucking on a slice of pickled lemon, will give the same effect as chewing a slice of fresh lemon.

4. Water
Simply drink a glass of water can help stop the hiccups. Swallowing water can disrupt the hiccup cycle and calm the nerves. Gargling water can also cure hiccups.

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Garlic, The Legendary "Physician"

When we watch an old movie, we often see how a vampire fear just because the victim put garlic on her neck. And garlic is considered as the savior of mankind from vampires. We often see such dramas, don't we? But, is it true that garlic can be beneficial to mankind? Since 4000 years ago, it has been believed that garlic could be a "physician" who can cure various diseases. Egyptian society is the first race who discovered the efficacy of garlic.

In Egypt, an ancient records was found on a piece of papyrus, which to be expected was written in 1500 BC, It mentioned 22 savors of garlic, which were believed by Egyptian at that time. Moreover, the garlic fossil was discovered in King Tutankhamen tomb. At that time, garlic was used to increase the stamina of Egyptian. The Kings of Egypt also believed in this and consuming garlic in their entire life.

The efficacy of garlic spreads and being recognized by the whole world. Russian also believed that garlic is a substitute for antibiotics, the so-called Russian Penicillin. The Greeks and Romans believed garlic as a cure for leprosy and asthma. In the world war between 1914 - 1918, French troops took garlic as a wound healer.

Research continues until this day. Society recognizes that garlic is a nutritious plant that's often used in alternative medicine. Subsequent research found that garlic contains more than 100 biologically-chemicals useful for the body. Here are the properties of garlic that has been recognized by scientists.

1. Consuming 600 mg of garlic daily will lower blood cholesterol levels drastically.
2. Garlic has antibacterial characteristic and effective for treating viral warts and other skin problems.
3. Garlic is also an aphrodisiac that can enhance the blood circulation.
4. Garlic is beneficial for diabetics, because it can regulate blood sugar levels by increasing insulin release.
5. Antibacterial and anesthetic characteristics in garlic help to cure toothache.

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Delicious Way to Minimize The Risk of Heart Attack

Soon, we will have a delicious way to reduce the risk of heart attack. Scientists from Italy and Spain said they are developing a type of pasta made ​​from barley flour that is good for the heart.

Barley, cereal type that contain gluten proteins, and currently widely used as a source of flavor in beer and whiskey industries. It's also contain carbohydrates and high protein, as well as folic acid, iron and calcium. Barley is also rich of fiber, antioxidants and vitamin E.

According to Vito Verardo, PhD from the University of Bologna in Italy, and Ana Maria Gomez-Caravaca, PhD from the University of Granada, Spain, soon, there will be barley pasta available in the market, labeled "reduce heart disease and the best source of fiber".

In creating this new pasta, scientists first find out whether they can make spaghetti and other pasta types as "functional foods" using barley feedstock to add fiber and antioxidants. Afterwards the scientists developing new barley flour containing various nutrients essential for health.

As expected, the researchers say spaghetti which is made ​​from barley flour, contains more fiber and antioxidants than conventional spaghetti made ​​from semolina, a type of wheat flour.

They also mention the extra gluten in barley flour will enhance the flavor and quality of the pasta dishes. The researchers are optimistic they will meet the qualifications of food and drug regulatory agency (FDA) to mention the health claims in its packaging.

For several years scientists have known that barley is one of super food, because the nutrients contained in it is improving heart and digestive health.

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Gelato, Italiano Low Fat Ice Cream

Do you like ice cream? Yes you do!!! :-) Most people love it. Ice cream is very fitting to be enjoyed during hot weather. But on the other hand, there are people who avoid ice cream because of the high fat contains in it. In fact, under certain conditions, eg: exhausting activity, eating ice cream can restore your energy by its sugar content.

But if you're still afraid of getting fat, you can try Italian ice cream, called Gelato.

There is a misunderstanding that  word gelato's derived from the 'gelatin', and considers gelatin is one of its-making ingredient. However, the fact is not like that. Gelato is Italian which literally means "frozen".

Gelato is different from ice cream in terms of fat and air binding in it. Regular ice cream contains fat more than 10%. Because it contains milk, egg yolks, and cream, so the melted ice cream would look like whipped cream.

Meanwhile, Gelato is made from milk without cream (low fat), water, sugar, and fresh fruits. Overall, the fat content approximately 2% - 8%.

The difference between gelato and ice cream also lies on air content. If ice cream contains air more than 50%, air in gelato is only about 15%. It makes gelato feels denser, softer, and more stable against temperature. Gelato can be stored in temperatures of minus 10-15 degrees Celsius, while the ice cream should be stored in a lower temperature, around minus 18-20 degrees Celsius.
If the ice cream can be stored in a freezer for months, not the case with the gelato. Gelato, at most can only be stored for several days. Therefore, gelato is always home made and fresh.

Gelato has a diverse variety of flavors and is usually served with fresh fruit, chocolate, nuts, small cakes, or biscuits.

Mmm.... Delizioso!

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Seven Foods Help Your Body Slim

Slim and healthy body can be obtained without a strict diet. In addition to regular exercise, consuming these foods can improve the body's metabolism. This super but simple foods are easily obtainable and healthy.

Wheat
Whole grains have a lot of fiber that can make our stomach full throughout the day. Carbohydrate in wheat can also increase our metabolism and burn fat and maintain the digestive tract.

Black beans
Black beans are rich of protein, fiber, essential nutrients and contain no fat. Its jet black color shows that this type of beans are rich in flavonoids, which are good to destroy fat in the abdomen. Proteins contained in black beans are equal to red meat's.

Avocado
Avocado contains oleic acid, a compound of monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) that's good for the body. Besides that, fiber and protein in avocado can also maintain our stomach remains full throughout the day and avoid overeating.

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Hot Spicy Tom Yam, Yummy!!!

Tom yam, the famous Thai cuisine presents a tempting spicy sour soup with complete topping, ranging from seafood such as shrimp, squid, mushroom and some vegetables which are definitely healthy and delicious for lunch. The words tom yam are derived from two Thai words: "Tom" refers to boiling process (soup, in this case). "Yam" refers to a kind of Thai spicy and sour salad. Thus, "tom yam" is Thai hot and sour soup.

Tom yam is blended with various fresh selected spices and seasonings. Such as the Thai chili sauce, cayenne pepper, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, lime juice and fish sauce. No wonder the soup taste spicy and sour. One of tom yam characteristic is the fragrant coriander leaves and whole red cayenne pepper that put into soup right before it's served.

If you can't wait to enjoy the sensation of delicious tom yam, just stop by to one of nearby restaurants for lunch this time.

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Chee Cheong Fun, Chewy Dim Sum

Dim sum is always a favorite menu for breakfast, especially if the weather's getting cold in the morning. Tiny meal from Canton, south of China is also very popular in Hong Kong. One of the popular classic dim sum in addition to siau mai and hakau, is chee cheong fun.

Like most of other dim sum, chee cheong fun is made from rice flour dough with a little mixture of starch, water and salt. The dough viscosity affects the chee chong fun texture. Bamboo steamer covered with a piece of cloth and then heated. After that the dough is poured and leveled on it, but it should not be too thin or too thick, about 2-3mm.

After you get a half-cooked dough then stuffed it with beef, shrimp or chopped vegetables. Then rolled up (usually in 3 folds) and place it on a serving plate. And you will get 10 cm in length and 3-4 cm width of Chee Cheong fun on your plate, ready to be chewed.

Dim sum should always be served while still hot, sprinkle crispy fried onions or sesame seeds and a little soy sauce on top of it, and it will be tastier with slices of pastrami. And don't forget to brewed a warm and slighty bitter Oolong tea. :-)

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Americans Celebrate National Peking Duck Day!

Although Peking duck is traditional Chinese dishes, but it has become a very popular dish in America. Because of the popularity, the land of Uncle Sam is making a special national day for Peking duck, a few days ago.

Peking Duck is a traditional dish originally from Beijing, China. But its popularity has been worldwide. Delicacy of duck meat with its crispy skin and the tenderness plus juicy inside, has been recognized around the world including in America.

The origin of peking duck came from Yuan Dynasty in the 1200s. And it became the favorite dish in the Ming Dynasty. In Beijing itself, there is a Peking Duck restaurant that serves this menu since more than 600 years ago.

This delicious peking duck was originally derived from the duck in Nanjing city , China. Characteristic of this duck is its black fur and normally wandering around the bridge near the water around the city. But with Chinese capital moving to Beijing make its population in the city of Nanjing is reduced due to pollution.

After the fifth dynasty, eventually a new species of duck is successfully created by local farmers. Currently peking duck dish using a new type of duck called the Peking duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica).

In the middle of the 20th century, the peking duck had been recognized to be the national dish of China. Its widespread popularity after many Chinese restaurants in various countries presented Peking duck as one of their flagship dish.

Henry Kissinger, Secretary of the U.S. president in the 1970s was a fan of Peking Duck. He tried the menu when meeting Prime Minister Zhou Enlai during his first visit in China. Another fan of Peking Duck is President Richard Nixon, Fidel Castro, and Helmut Kohl. Peking Duck's popularity exploded in Americain 1975 after Chinese restaurants in America served it as one of their menu.

Like another national foods days, such as Chocolate-Filled Cherry Day, National Hot Dog, the National Ice Cream Month, etc. At January 18th, 2012, Americans were celebrating the National Peking Duck Day. Most of americans went to a Chinese restaurant to enjoy a Peking Duck dish that is processed into varieties of cuisines.

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Not feeling well? Eat These Foods!

Not feeling well? Please don't rush to take medicine from your first aid box. When you get a fever or flu, in addition taking a good rest, try to eat nutritious foods that can help build your immunity. These foods are actually really delicious and not too hard to obtained.

since ancient times, our ancestors always rely on natural ingredients for health. Herbs are believed to be more powerful and more easily to restore health, and these foods are believed to help health recovering:

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Eating Regularly Build Ideal Body Posture

Perfect or ideal body shape must be everyone's dream. In addition to regular exercise and body care routine, consuming healthy foods have an important contribution. Including regular meals each day with a balanced nutritional menu.

If you exercise regularly, some food can also affect your body weight. Eat according to schedule meals; breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast in the morning with a healthy menu choices will make your body fit and healthy throughout the day.

To gain ideal body weight, eating small portions in the morning will also give you more energy and best for the body. You should avoid excessive eating in the morning which can increase your appetite throughout the day.

We recommend that you eat eggs in the morning, egg store large amounts of protein and choline, which can provide energy to stay fit during activity. Because its high protein content, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) categorizes egg as Meat in the Food Guide Pyramid.

Eating fruits in the morning will also give you energy throughout the day. For lunch and evening meals you also should avoid non-vegetarian menu and choose foods that contain lots of vegetables and fruits, also don't wait to eat until hungry.

To burn calories and fat you can do regular exercise. Drinking a glass of warm water in the morning after waking up, will maintain skin smoothness.

Water is a good solvent and can dissolve salt, sugar, fats, oils that can help you lose weight. In adults it is recommended to drink water as much as 1.5 liters to 2 liters per day.

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Rendang Padang, World's Most Delicious Food

Some time ago, an online poll by 35,000 people held by CNN International chose Rendang Padang as the number one dish of their 'World’s 50 Most Delicious Foods' list.

Rendang Padang is originated from West Sumatera of Indonesia, and you can find it anywhere when you got a trip in Indonesia. Although it is served in every cafeteria called "Rumah Makan Padang", rendang is traditionally prepared by the Indonesian community during festive occasions, like Idul Fitri or lebaran.


Broadly speaking, rendang is curry beef which is cooked until caramelized. All the liquid has evaporated, staying concentrated fragrant spices. While the meat has become tender though still textured. Therefore I strongly agree with the nomenclature in English - caramelized beef curry -  by William W. Wongso. That is, if it is not caramelized - such as: kalio - it's not enough to be called rendang.


Rendang is not always made from beef. We also know chicken rendang from Kapau cuisine, or when you travel to Payakumbuh, you will find eggs rendang are sold as souvenirs. 


Delicious rendang is always resulted of the use of proper seasoning and proper cooking process. Traditionally, rendang cooked with firewood, the aim is to cook it with small fire, and get the smoke flavor. When the cooking is done by a modern gas stove, slow cooking principles must still be done so that caramelization occurs without making it charred and shrunken hard.

Rendang is delicious eaten with hot rice. However, people who want to reduce their carbohydrate consumption can still enjoy the delecious rendang with boiled cassava leaves. Rendang is also very frontier eaten with baguette (French bread), even with fresh bread. At Bandung there are outlets that make rendang pizza.

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