You both like basketball, listen to the same music, and eat strawberry ice cream with chocolate chips. How could anyone else have so much in common?He has the coolest hair, and he is so funny, but every time you see him, you feel shy and embarrassed.

You don't even know her, but you feel nervous whenever you see her. Your face feels hot and your cheeks get red.If a girl or boy is making you feel this way, you might be wondering, "What is going on?" Well, it sounds like you have a crush.

What Is a Crush and Why Do I Have One?

Just as our bodies grow as we get older, so do our feelings. They change and mature as we become preteens, teenagers, and adults. A crush is a word used to describe special feelings you have for another person, a classmate, or friend that you really like.

Noticing your first crush is an exciting time in life because you're beginning to understand how it feels to like another person a lot!

Sometimes, feelings for a crush can be confusing because they're new to you and you aren't sure how to act. You could have mixed feelings. When you see your crush, a part of you might feel embarrassed and you might want to run away and hide. Another part of you might imagine your crush noticing you and sharing the same feelings.

Crushes are a little bit like the romantic love adults feel toward one another. And in a way, a crush can help us think about the kind of person that we want to love when we grow up. They help us understand which qualities we notice and like in another person and maybe a few that we don't like.

The Object of Your Affection

You can't choose your crushes. Sometimes they sneak up on you and — wow — who was that? Your crush might be a classmate, a neighbor, your best friend's crush, an older kid, a friend of your brother or sister, a sister or brother of a friend, or a teacher at your school.

Your crush could even be on someone you don't know, like a professional athlete or a celebrity. When the crush is on someone you don't know, you might imagine what that person is like. Maybe you think about what it would be like to meet that person, even though you know you probably never will. It's still fun to imagine!

You might find yourself writing the name of your crush over and over again in a notebook or telling a good friend about that special person you like so much. Crushes might last a few days, weeks, months, or longer.

What Does It Feel Like to Have a Crush?

If you feel strange around your crush, you're not alone. That's how most people feel around their crushes. You might feel shy or giddy or maybe even shy and giddy all at once! Some people can't remember what they want to say when they see their crush. They feel speechless, or tongue-tied.

Some kids might chase their crushes around the playground, call them on the phone, or tease them to get attention. This might make a person feel uncomfortable. Have you ever felt this way? It can be hard to control how you feel, but the rules of good behavior still apply. If your crush doesn't want to talk with you or it seems like you're making the person uncomfortable, it's time to back off.

Likewise, never let anyone behave in a way that makes you feel funny or uncomfortable. It's never OK for anyone a kid or a grown-up to do or ask things of you that don't feel right. That's not a good crush.


If I Have a Crush, What Do I Do?

When you develop special feelings toward someone, it can change your world. You might want to talk on the phone or ask your crush to your birthday party or a school dance. As you get older and your feelings change, you might be ready for your first boyfriend or girlfriend and even your first kiss! But for now, you might just be friends with your crush, if your crush wants to be friends with you.

You might or might not want to tell other people who your crush is. It can be fun to talk with friends about it, but sometimes kids tease other kids about crushes. Getting teased is never fun, so if you know about other kids' crushes, don't give them a hard time!

Some people call first loves or first crushes "puppy love" because these feelings are new to you, you're young, and you don't have much experience with life. You're the puppy! Get it? Think about how a puppy is so excited and happy with everything new in its life — from a rubber bone to an old shoe. But when your feelings seem real and strong, it may not seem like puppy love to you.

If you need someone to talk with about a crush, a parent can be a good choice. Remember, they were kids once, too, and they know what it's like. Can you imagine who your mom or dad's first crush was? Maybe they'll tell you about it!


What if Someone Breaks My Heart?

When you have a crush on someone and you find out that he or she likes you, too, it's a wonderful feeling. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way. It's hard to find out that the person you like doesn't feel the same way about you. You might feel sad, disappointed, and rejected. That sad feeling is called heartbreak, even though your heart isn't really breaking into pieces. If you feel heartbreak, those feelings can last for a while, but they will fade.

Another word about heartbreak: Try to be kind if you're on the other end of a crush — when someone likes you. It's a compliment when someone thinks you're special. If you don't feel the same way, try to tell him or her in a nice way.

Crushes are new and exciting, so enjoy them while they last. Someday, you'll be telling your own kids about your first crush!

It is an interesting fact that eating a beet can help you determine your stomach acid levels.It is very easy and simple. Just eat this veggie then check your urine color.

If your pee is clear, this indicates that you have enough stomach acid. If the color of your urine is pink, this means that your stomach acid is quite weak.

The stomach acid requires a pH so it can break down proteins and make vitamin B12 more available. If you are deficient in stomach acid, your body will not be able to digest proteins properly. In this case, they will go in the small intestine as protein fragments.

As a result, this will cause various health problems, including leaky gut. This problem occurs when gluten particles make holes in the small intestine, thus allowing undigested food components to reach the bloodstream.

Moreover, improper absorption of vitamin B12 can make you more fatigued. This means that your gut will be developing problems and you will be drained out and tired the entire time!

Fortunately, beet can help you to find out what is going on with your stomach.

In a case your urine has pink tones after eating this veggie, this means that your pH is very low and you should do this:

Drink 2 glasses of water 15-30 minutes before eating

Drinking water before having your meals will give your stomach a water jacket, thus protecting it from the acid. According to the Ayurvedic medicine, the stomach will respond in the right way and increase the release of hydrochloric acid.


Drink a large sip of organic apple cider vinegar

In order to lower the stomach acidity, you should drink apple cider vinegar before you eat. Make sure to use 1 tablespoon of ACV for each glass of water.

More Benefits Of Beets

Anti-Cancer Properties

Beet juice has a high nutritional profile. It is a great source of antioxidants, potassium, betailing, and folate. It is extremely beneficial for the prevention of cancer. Many studies showed that people with solid tumors experience remission. The individuals consumed beet powder in water. It was the regular consumption of beet powder that led to tumor shrinkage.

Top Health Food

Summer Fancy Food Show claims that beets are one of the 5 most beneficial foods. They have the ability to improve digestion, lower blood pressure levels, and boost libido. They can be grilled, make into delicious juices, or simply added to salads.

Fight Inflammation

Beets have a rich content of betaine, the nutrient that protects enzymes, cells, and proteins. Due to the high content of this nutrient, beets can effectively fight inflammation, protect the internal organs, and prevent many chronic diseases.

Detoxification Support

Beets contain pigments that can support the process in which toxins are attached to other molecules, so they can be effectively eliminated from our body. This process is known as body`s phase II detoxification process.

Some girls can't wait for them to come and look forward to their arrival as they would their birthday, first kiss, or a soccer championship.Other girls dread them as much as eating a big plate of Brussels sprouts or changing the kitty litter.

But most girls have mixed feelings and are not quite certain why they have them and what to do about them. Boys don't have them, but they're likely to be curious about them.

What's the mystery subject? We're talking about breasts. If you're a girl, look down and there they are or will be soon. They are just two mounds of flesh, but they get a lot of attention. As a girl matures and goes through puberty, breasts tell the world that this girl is leaving girlhood and entering a new stage in her life.

Because large breasts get attention (just look at magazines, TV, or movies), some girls may worry if their breasts are small or if they mature more slowly. Girls with large breasts may be unhappy, too, because their shape attracts attention they don't want. The truth is that beauty doesn't come in just one bra size. There are all sorts of female shapes and sizes in the world, and all are beautiful.

But breasts do more than just look nice. Girls have them so they can do an important job later in life. Someday, if the girl grows up to have a baby, her breasts can provide the milk the baby needs. Breast milk is the very best food for babies and mom is the source. And it doesn't matter if those breasts are small, medium, or large. All sizes can produce enough milk to feed a baby.

When Do Breasts Start Growing?

Breasts can start growing as early as age 8 or as late as 13. Some girls' breasts grow slowly and others grow quickly. Some girls may feel like their breasts will never start growing. But it's just that girls start developing at different ages and different rates. One girl might have more developed breasts at 12, whereas her friend could be still flat as a board.

Breast development happens in stages. The first stage starts during the early part of puberty, when a girl's ovaries enlarge and estrogen, an important female hormone, begins to circulate in the body. Doctors often refer to the early stages of breast development as "breast budding." Get it? Budding — like a flower has buds.

A breast bud is like a small raised bump behind the nipple. After breast budding happens, the nipple and the circle of skin around the nipple (called the areola) get bigger and a little darker. Then the area around the nipple and areola starts to grow into a breast.

As breasts keep growing, they may be pointy for a while before becoming rounder and fuller. For some girls, one breast might be a little bigger than the other one. A girl's breasts may continue to grow during the teen years and even into her early twenties. Fully developed breasts come in all shapes and sizes.

Breast size gets a lot of attention and many girls may wonder how they can make their breasts grow faster or bigger. Despite what some magazine ads say, there isn't any magic cream or pill that can speed up the process or make a girl's breasts larger than they are. In fact, breast size is mostly determined by heredity and a girl's weight. So if a girl's mother has big breasts or small breasts, the girl can expect to have breasts of similar size. And a girl who has more body fat is more likely to have larger breasts.

Getting a Bra

Once a girl has breasts, a bra is a good idea, especially when the girl is exercising and playing sports. Bras can protect breast tissue and keep the breasts supported. Some girls may also like that bras smooth out their silhouettes and make them feel more comfortable. A bra can make a girl feel less exposed when she's wearing a light shirt, such as a T-shirt.

Some girls look forward to getting their first bras, but others dread that event. Like anything new, wearing a bra can be tough to adjust to. They can be difficult to fasten and adjust. Once a bra is on, it can bag or gap, ride up, dig in, or pop open. The straps can slide off a girl's shoulders or dig into them. And a bra can peek out of a girl's clothing. Not only that, but a girl's brother might think it's just hysterical to pull it so it snaps against her back. (If you are a boy, do not do this!)

The ABCs of Bra Sizes

Wearing the right size bra can decrease the number of other problems a girl will have with her bra. For instance, a bra that's the right size won't pinch, gap, or slide around. So it makes sense to spend some time learning about bra sizes.

There are two parts to a bra's size: the chest size (also called the band size) and the cup size. The chest or band size is represented by a number (32, 34, 36, etc.) and is the part of the bra that runs across a girl's chest and around her back. The cups are the parts of the bra that hold the breasts and come in letter sizes (AA, A, B, C, etc.).

Bras come in many sizes, which are different combinations of the chest sizes and cup sizes — 32AA, for instance. It's important to get both the chest and cup sizes right to ensure a proper fit. Some bra manufacturers are now starting to offer cup options in half sizes in addition to regular cups to help girls get a better fit.

What Size Bra to Buy?

A girl might feel shy about her growing breasts and not want other people talking about them, looking at them, and measuring them. But it's wise for a girl to get measured so she knows her correct bra size.

The women who work in the bra departments of stores can help a girl with this measurement. A girl also can do it at home if she has her mom or a friend help her. Here's how to do it:

• Run a tape measure just under your breasts, all the way around your back and ribcage. The tape measure should rest flat on your skin and lie straight across your back — not so tight that it digs in, but not so loose that it sags down in the back.
• Make a note of your measurement and add 5 inches. That's your chest size.
• To measure cup size, take the tape measure around your body across the fullest part of your breasts.
• Write down this number and subtract your chest measurement from it. The difference between the numbers is a way of figuring out your cup size. If the difference between the two numbers is less than 1 inch, your cup size is AA. If it's 1 inch, your cup size is A; 2 inches, you're a B; 3 inches you're a C, and so on. For instance, if your cup measurement was 33 and your chest measurement was 32, that's a 1-inch difference. Your bra size is 32A.
• If your chest measurement comes out as an odd number (such as 31 inches or 33 inches), it's usually a good rule to round down to the next number. Most bras have a few sets of adjustable hooks and eyes, so you can adjust the tightness. It's a good idea to round down, rather than round up, since bras tend to stretch over time.

As stated on the official website on The American Institute for Cancer, a research has shown that most cancers can be prevented.

Scientists now estimate that 60 percent to 70 percent of cancers are all preventable through currently available information and simple changes in diet and lifestyle.”

In other words, making certain changes in your daily diet can reduce the exposure to toxic chemicals which increase the risk of cancer as well as to improve the overall health.

1. Sugar

Cancerous cells feed on sugar and any other food that turns to sugar. The list involves most fruits, pasta carbs, grains, and bread. For individuals who are suffering from cancer, it is essential to eliminate these foods from their daily diet. However, those who are looking to keep themselves healthy are allowed to follow a balanced diet that includes fruit.

2. Refined Sugars

Researchers have found a close relation between sugar and various health issues, such as immune suppression, improper levels of blood fats, higher blood triglyceride levels, arthritis, low HDL levels, obesity, and increased risk for heart disease. As mentioned above, cancerous cells feed on sugar.

3. Non Organic Fruits and Vegetables

The conventionally grown crops are grown with GMO seeds and treated with herbicides and pesticides all of which are dangerous for one`s health.

4. White Flour

The commercially grown grains are grown from seeds that are treated with fungicide. Then, the plants are sprayed with pesticides.  They are harvested and kept in bins covered with insecticides. All of these things increase the toxic load. The following step is processing the grains on high temperature in high-speed rollers.  Manufacturers also use chlorine oxide in the form of chlorine gas bath, which is used as both aging and whitening agent. Finally, you get a starch devoid of nutrients and full of toxins as a final result.


5. Hydrogenated Oils

Also referred to as trans-fats, the hydrogenated oils are a man-made product.  Their structure is highly chemical and it is done so for the purpose of increasing their shelf life and preventing the product from going rancid. Additionally, the chemicals are used in order to change the taste and the odor of the oil.   According to the Harvard School of Public Health, these fats trigger inflammation and immune system over-activity, which in turn increases the risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

6. Microwave Popcorn

These bags are lined with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoroalkyl.  Once heated, the chemicals leach into the popcorn and once ingested, they enter the blood as blood contaminants. The PFOA is linked to tumors in animal organs, such as mammary glands, liver, testicles and pancreas in rats. In addition, it increases the risk of prostate cancer in PFOA plant workers.

7. BPA Lined Cans

Bisphenol-  A or BPA which is found in resins and hard plastics is used to coat metal cans. According to several laboratory studies, this ingredient is associated with obesity, infertility, diabetes, and even cancer. It is usually found of dental composites and plastic products.  Make sure you opt for the canned item which is labeled BPA free.Grilled Meat

8. Grilled Meat

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, are produced through certain types of combustion, such as the burning of coal or wood. What makes the situation worse is the fact that fat from meat drips onto a fare and creates a flare up and smoke, which in turn allows the PAHs to affix themselves to the food. This leads to higher risk for carcinogenic exposure.

9. Processed Foods

Cured meats are rich in nitrates and nitrites, preservatives which are shown to increase the risk of stomach and other cancers when taken in large amounts. Moreover, processed foods are usually full of flavorings, sugars, white flours, colors, and oil.

10. Soy Protein Isolate

Nearly 90-95 % of U. S- grown soybeans, used to create soy protein isolates are genetically altered to withstand herbicides. As stated by the American Dietetic Association, soy protein isolates contain anti-nutrients which can potentially delay or body`s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients.

11. Cured and Smoked Foods

As mentioned above, nitrates and nitrites are preservatives which prevent the food from going rancid as well as to add color to meats. However, during the cooking process, they change into N-nitriso compounds, such as nitrosamides and nitrosamines, all of which are linked to an elevated risk of cancer.


12. Soda/ Sports Drinks

Instead, of needed vitamins and minerals, soda and energy drinks are rich in aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, dyes, brominated vegetable oil, and sugar. In brief, there isn`t any nutritional value in these beverages.GMOs

13. GMOs

Genetically Modified Organisms, commonly known as GMOs have become a huge part of our food supply. They should definitely be avoided!

14. Farmed Fish

Farmed fish contain higher levels of chemical pollutants in comparison to wild fish, including PCB, according to Food and Water Watch. They are more prone to disease which increases the use of antibiotic use. Moreover, they are treated with pesticides.

15. Bagels

Yes, bagels are delicious, but they're also one of those white foods that sends your blood sugar soaring. Consuming foods with a high glycemic index (those they rapidly elevate blood sugar levels), was found to potentially increase risk of developing lung cancer in non-Hispanic whites, according to a study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. High GI foods include white bread and bagels, corn flakes, and puffed rice. Instead, choose lower GI foods such as brown rice, whole wheat bread, and steel-cut oatmeal. These tasty low-glycemic snacks won't spike your blood sugar.

16. Canned tomatoes

I know what you’re thinking… You’ve likely heard how the nutrient Lycopene in tomatoes lowers cancer risks, but that benefit is completely cancelled out when the lining of canned tomatoes contain chemicals that disrupt hormonal activity in the body. Since tomatoes are so acidic, the chemical BPA actually leeches from the lining into the tomatoes. This toxic chemical has been linked to different cancers, heart disease and reproductive problems. Next time you feel like making a nice red sauce, go with a glass jar or stew the tomatoes yourself.

17. Potato chips

They may be cheap, easy and delicious, but these crispy, addicting snacks can also be deadly. These fatty foods don’t only cause weight gain because of their high trans-fat content, they also have excessive sodium levels, which cause high blood pressure and artificial flavors, preservatives and colors. Another risk is the presence of acrymalide, a known carcinogen found in cigarettes. Try not to feed these quick snacks to yourself or your kids and choose pretzels, air-popped popcorn or baked apple chips instead.

Also Read: CANCER FIGHTING FOODS & DRINKS FOR YOU

Were you surprised by any of these foods? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

You haven't been feeling so great for the last few days, and you've had a runny nose and a cough. Then one morning you wake up and stumble into the bathroom. You look in the mirror with blurry eyes and yikes! You have chickenpox!

Chickenpox, also called varicella, is characterized by itchy red blisters that appear all over the body. A virus causes this condition. It often affects children, and was so common it was considered a childhood rite of passage.

It’s very rare to have the chickenpox infection more than once. And since the chickenpox vaccine was introduced in the mid-1990s, cases have declined.

What Is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is caused by a virus called varicella zoster. People who get the virus often develop a rash of spots that look like blisters all over their bodies. The blisters are small and sit on an area of red skin that can be anywhere from the size of a pencil eraser to the size of a dime.

You've probably heard that chickenpox is itchy. It's true! The illness also may come with a runny nose and cough. But the good news is that chickenpox is a common illness for kids, and most get better by resting just like you do with a cold or the flu.

And the really good news is that, thanks to the chickenpox vaccine, lots of kids don't get chickenpox at all. Kids who do get it after they've gotten the shot often get less severe cases, which means they get better quicker.

What are the symptoms of chickenpox?

An itchy rash is the most common symptom of chickenpox. The infection will have to be in your body for around seven to 21 days before the rash and other symptoms develop. You start to be contagious to those around you up to 48 hours before the skin rash starts to occur.

The non-rash symptoms may last a few days and include:

fever
headache
loss of appetite
One or two days after you experience these symptoms, the classic rash will begin to develop. The rash goes through three phases before you recover. These include:

You develop red or pink bumps all over your body.
The bumps become blisters filled with fluid that leaks.
The bumps become crusty, scab over, and begin to heal.
The bumps on your body will not all be in the same phase at the same time. New bumps will continuously appear throughout your infection. The rash may be very itchy, especially before it scabs over with a crust.
You are still contagious until all the blisters on your body have scabbed over. The crusty scabbed areas eventually fall off. It takes seven to 14 days to disappear completely.

What Happens When You Have Chickenpox?

Chickenpox may start out seeming like a cold: You might have a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and a cough. But 1 to 2 days later, the rash begins, often in bunches of spots on the chest and face. From there it can spread out quickly over the entire body sometimes the rash is even in a person's ears and mouth.

The number of pox is different for everyone. Some people get just a few bumps; others are covered from head to toe. At first, the rash looks like pinkish dots that quickly develop a small blister on top (a blister is a bump on your skin that fills up with fluid). After about 24 to 48 hours, the fluid in the blisters gets cloudy and the blisters begin to crust over.

Chickenpox blisters show up in waves, so after some begin to crust over, a new group of spots might appear. New chickenpox usually stop appearing by the seventh day, though they may stop as early as the third day. It usually takes 10–14 days for all the blisters to be scabbed over and then you are no longer contagious.

Besides the rash, someone with chickenpox might also have a stomachache, a fever, and may just not feel well.

How Does Chickenpox Spread?

Chickenpox is contagious, meaning that somebody who has it can easily spread it to someone else. A person with chickenpox is most contagious during the first 2 to 5 days of being sick. That's usually about 1 to 2 days before the rash shows up. So you could be spreading around chickenpox without even knowing it!

Someone with chickenpox can pass it to others by coughing or sneezing. When he or she coughs, sneezes, laughs, and even talks, tiny drops come out of the mouth and nose. These drops are full of the chickenpox virus. It's easy for others to breathe in these drops or get them on their hands. Before you know it, the chickenpox virus has infected someone new.

Itchy-Itchy, Scratchy-Scratchy

If you are that unlucky person, how do you keep your chickenpox from driving you crazy? They itch, but you're not supposed to scratch them.

These tips can help you feel less itchy:

• Keep cool because heat and sweat will make you itch more. You might want to put a cool, wet washcloth on the really bad areas.
• Trim your fingernails, so if you do scratch, you won't tear your skin.
• Soak in a lukewarm bath. Adding some oatmeal to your bath water can help relieve the itching.
• Have your mom or dad help you apply calamine lotion, which soothes itching.

Puberty is that time in life when kids' bodies change and become more like grownups'. So it's no surprise that kids have LOTS of "personal questions" about these changes.

My dad isn't around. How can I talk to my mom about guy stuff?

When you're going through all the changes of puberty, you should have someone you can go to when you have a question or concern. That person could be your mom. (Moms know about guy stuff, too!) You could also turn to a male relative, like a grandfather, uncle, or older cousin. When you visit your doctor, you can ask him or her questions. They're experts in how kids' bodies grow and change.

One easy place to start is with a website for kids (like this one!) or a good book about growing up. Your mom could help you find one or you could search the health section in your local library. Sometimes knowing a few facts can help you feel more comfortable when talking to your mom about growing up.

I have a lump on one of my testicles. What should I do?

You should tell your mom or dad about any lumps or swelling in your testicles. You will need to visit the doctor. The doctor will have to examine your testicles and feel for the lumps. It shouldn't hurt and it's the best way for the doctor to check it out.

Lumps in the testicles could be many things. Some are perfectly normal. For example, you may be feeling the epididymis, the tightly coiled tube where sperm are stored. Other lumps may be signs of a problem that won't go away on its own, so tell your mom or dad and then see the doctor.

One of my testicles hangs lower than the other. What should I do?

This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Either side may be slightly larger or hang lower. But be sure to tell a parent (who will let your doctor know) if you have any pain, swelling, or lumps in your testicles.

My doctor is a woman and I feel weird about it, especially if I have to be naked. What should I do?

Little kids often run around naked and think nothing of it. But as you get older, you get more aware of your body and have an increased need for privacy. So it can feel strange to take off your clothes at the doctor's office. But your doctor does need to examine you to make sure you are healthy.

To make you more comfortable, you can ask that your mom or dad come into the exam room with you. Or, if you prefer, you could ask that a nurse come into the room, so you're not alone with the doctor. You can also ask for a gown — a thin robe that ties. Most doctor offices have these available for patients.



Can you teach me how to find a girlfriend when I grow up? I don't want to be lonely!

Sometimes it seems like everywhere you look, you see couples. You might see them walking hand-in-hand down your street or even kissing in movies or on TV shows. So it's common to wonder how you will get your very own girlfriend (or boyfriend) when you are older. How will someone decide that you are a very special person worth spending more time with?

The good news is that it usually happens pretty naturally. As you grow up, girls and boys get more and more interested in one another. In the teen years, many kids want to experience what it's like to go on dates and be part of a couple. So someday you might meet someone in school or at a party and develop an interest in her. Maybe the two of you will talk or exchange phone numbers  or even discover that you both like the exact same music groups.

Next comes the tricky part. When feelings are mutual you both are interested in each other in the same way things work can work out pretty well. But sometimes the girl you like only likes you as a friend or already has a boyfriend. Sigh. What can you do then? Keep hanging out with your friends and having a good time. Try not to be too focused on getting a girlfriend and you just might meet someone special when you least expect it!

How do you tell a girl you don't like her as a girlfriend?

It happens a lot someone likes you, but you don't like the person back, at least not in that way. What's a guy to do? Ignoring her would be rude. Telling her to go away or saying "no way!" would be unkind and hurt her feelings. But not telling the truth about it doesn't work either because then she might think you like her, too.

One boy said his dad told him not to hurt the girl's feelings, which made him really confused. How do you not hurt someone's feelings when the answer is "no"?

Being honest about how you feel is always a good thing as long as you say it kindly, without being mean on purpose. It shows the kind of person you are and it's part of being your best self. Don't forget that it's a compliment when someone likes you. Maybe she thinks you're cute, funny, kind, smart, cool just irresistible in whatever way.

It feels good to know that someone likes you. But it doesn't feel so good when you like someone, then find out that the other person doesn't feel the same way. So she's probably going to be disappointed. Still, maybe you can think of a friendly compliment to give her when you tell her you just want to be friends.

Here's an example: "You're a nice [or cool, pretty, smart] girl, but I like you just as a friend, not a girlfriend. I hope you're OK with that."

Good luck and we hope that works!


Why don't any girls like me?

Some boys are happy to keep girls at a distance right now. But others might be wondering when they will get a girlfriend, especially if their friends already have them. For starters, don't be so sure that no girl likes you. Some girls are too shy to say anything. It can be so embarrassing if someone finds out! Or you might be friends with a girl who likes you, but you just never thought of her that way.

The best advice we can give for right now is to enjoy the girls who are your friends. You also might think about the kind of girls you like. Lots of guys say they like girls who are pretty, but what else? Should she be smart and funny? If you burped really loud, would she be annoyed or laugh until her stomach hurt?

People become vegetarians for many reasons, including health, religious convictions, concerns about animal welfare or the use of antibiotics and hormones in livestock, or a desire to eat in a way that avoids excessive use of environmental resources. Some people follow a largely vegetarian diet because they can't afford to eat meat. Becoming a vegetarian has become more appealing and accessible, thanks to the year-round availability of fresh produce, more vegetarian dining options, and the growing culinary influence of cultures with largely plant-based diets.

Why Do People Become Vegetarians?

For much of the world, vegetarianism is largely a matter of economics: Meat costs a lot more than, say, beans or rice, so meat becomes a special-occasion dish (if it's eaten at all).

In countries like the United States where meat is not as expensive, though, people often choose to be vegetarians for reasons other than cost. Parental preferences, religious or other beliefs, and health issues are among the most common reasons for choosing to be a vegetarian. Many people choose a vegetarian diet out of concern over animal rights or the environment. And lots of people have more than one reason for choosing vegetarianism.

Vegetarian and Semi-Vegetarian Diets

Different people follow different forms of vegetarianism. A true vegetarian eats no meat at all, including chicken and fish. A lacto-ovo vegetarian eats dairy products and eggs, but excludes meat, fish, and poultry. It follows, then, that a lacto vegetarian eats dairy products but not eggs, whereas an ovo vegetarian eats eggs but not dairy products.

A stricter form of vegetarianism is veganism (pronounced: VEE-gun-izm). Not only are eggs and dairy products excluded from a vegan diet, so are animal products like honey and gelatin.

Some macrobiotic diets fall into the vegan category. Macrobiotic diets restrict not only animal products but also refined and processed foods, foods with preservatives, and foods that contain caffeine or other stimulants.

Following a macrobiotic or vegan diet could lead to nutritional deficiencies in some people. Teens need to be sure their diets include enough nutrients to fuel growth, particularly protein and calcium. If you're interested in following a vegan or macrobiotic diet it's a good idea to talk to a registered dietitian. He or she can help you design meal plans that include adequate vitamins and minerals.

Some people who have eliminated red meat but may eat poultry or fish consider themselves semi-vegetarians.

Are These Diets OK for Teens?

In the past, choosing not to eat meat or animal-based foods was considered unusual in the United States. Times and attitudes have changed dramatically, however. Vegetarians are still a minority in the United States, but a large and growing one. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) has officially endorsed vegetarianism, stating "appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases."

So what does this mean for you? If you're already a vegetarian, or are thinking of becoming one, you're in good company. There are more choices in the supermarket than ever before, and an increasing number of restaurants and schools are providing vegetarian options — way beyond a basic peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

If you're choosing a vegetarian diet, the most important thing you can do is to educate yourself. That's why the AND says that a vegetarian diet needs to be "appropriately planned." Simply dropping certain foods from your diet isn't the way to go if you're interested in maintaining good health, a high energy level, and strong muscles and bones.

Vegetarians have to be careful to include the following key nutrients that may be lacking in a vegetarian diet:

iron
calcium
protein
vitamin D
vitamin B12

zinc

If meat, fish, dairy products, and/or eggs are not going to be part of your diet, you'll need to know how to get enough of these nutrients, or you may need to take a daily multiple vitamin and mineral supplement.

Iron

Sea vegetables like nori, wakame, and dulse are very high in iron. Less exotic but still good options are iron-fortified breakfast cereals, legumes (chickpeas, lentils, and baked beans), soybeans and tofu, dried fruit (raisins and figs), pumpkin seeds, broccoli, and blackstrap molasses. Eating these foods along with a food high in vitamin C (citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, and broccoli) will help you to absorb the iron better.

Girls need to be particularly concerned about getting enough iron because some iron is lost during menstruation. Some girls who are vegetarians may not get enough iron from vegetable sources and may require a daily supplement. Check with your doctor about your own iron needs.

Calcium

Milk and yogurt are tops if you're eating dairy products — although vegetarians will want to look for yogurt that does not contain the meat byproduct gelatin. Tofu, fortified soy milk, calcium-fortified orange juice, green leafy vegetables, and dried figs are also excellent ways for vegetarians (and vegans) to get calcium. Remember that as a teen you're building up your bones for the rest of your life.

Because women have a greater risk for getting osteoporosis (weak bones) as adults, it's particularly important for girls to make sure they get enough calcium. Again, taking a supplement may be necessary to ensure this.

Vitamin D

We need vitamin D to get calcium into our bones. Your body manufactures vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Cow's milk is top on the list for food sources of this vitamin. Vegans can try fortified soy milk and fortified breakfast cereals.

Some people may need a supplement that includes vitamin D, especially during the winter months. Everyone should have some exposure to the sun to help the body produce vitamin D.

Protein

Before, it was thought that vegetarians needed to combine incomplete plant proteins in one meal — like red beans and rice — to make the type of complete proteins found in meat. We now know that it's not that complicated. Current recommendations are that vegetarians eat a wide variety of foods during the course of a day.

Eggs and dairy products are good sources of protein, but also try nuts, peanut butter, tofu, beans, seeds, soy milk, grains, cereals, and vegetables to get all the protein your body needs.

Vitamin B12

B12 is an essential vitamin found in animal products, including eggs and dairy. Fortified soy milk,fortified breakfast cereals, and nutritional yeast also have this important vitamin. It's hard to get enough vitamin B12 in your diet if you are vegan, so a supplement may be needed.

Zinc

If you're not eating dairy foods, make sure fortified cereals, dried beans, nuts, and soy products like tofu and tempeh are part of your diet so you can meet your daily requirement for this important mineral.

Fat, Calories, and Fiber

In addition to vitamins and minerals, vegetarians need to keep an eye on their total intake of calories and fat. Vegetarian diets tend to be high in fiber and low in fat and calories. That may be good for people who need to lose weight or lower their cholesterol but it can be a problem for kids and teens who are still growing and people who are already at a healthy weight.

Some vegetarians (especially vegans) may not get enough omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are good for heart health and are found in fish and eggs. Plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids include some vegetable oils, (such as soybean, canola, and flaxseed), chia seeds, ground flax seeds, and walnuts.

High-fiber diets tend to be more filling, and as a result strict vegetarians may feel full before they've eaten enough calories to keep their bodies healthy and strong. It's a good idea to let your doctor know that you're a vegetarian so that he or she can keep on eye on your growth and make sure you're still getting adequate amounts of calories and fat.


Getting Some Guidance

If you're thinking about becoming a vegetarian, consider making an appointment to talk with a dietitian who can go over lists of foods that would give you the nutrients you need. A dietitian can discuss ways to prevent conditions such as iron-deficiency anemia that you might be at an increased risk for if you stop eating meat. Ask your doctor or dietitian if you need to take a daily multivitamin or other supplement.

Tips for Dining Out

Eating at restaurants can be difficult for vegetarians sometimes, but if you do eat fish, you can usually find something suitable on the menu. If not, opt for salad and an appetizer or two — or ask if the meat can be removed. Even fast-food places sometimes have vegetarian choices, such as bean tacos and burritos, veggie burgers, and soy cheese pizza.

You may also find that the veggie burgers, hot dogs, and chicken substitutes available in your local grocery store taste very much like the real thing. Try the ground meat substitute as a stand-in for beef in foods like tacos and spaghetti sauce.

Regardless of whether you choose a vegetarian way of life, it's always a healthy idea to eat a wide variety of foods and try out new foods when you can.

What about bone health?

Some women are reluctant to try a vegetarian diet especially one that doesn't include calcium-rich dairy products because they're concerned about osteoporosis. Lacto-ovo vegetarians (see "Varieties of vegetarians") consume at least as much calcium as meat-eaters, but vegans typically consume less. In the EPIC-Oxford study, 75% of vegans got less than the recommended daily amount of calcium, and vegans in general had a relatively high rate of fractures. But vegans who consumed at least 525 milligrams of calcium per day were not especially vulnerable to fractures.

Certain vegetables can supply calcium, including bok choy, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, collards, and kale. (Spinach and Swiss chard, which also contain calcium, are not such good choices, because along with the calcium they have oxalates, which make it harder for the body to absorb calcium.) Moreover, the high potassium and magnesium content of fruits and vegetables reduces blood acidity, lowering the urinary excretion of calcium. Some research suggests that eating too much protein (in particular, animal protein) is bad for bones because it has the opposite effect.

People who follow a vegetarian diet and especially a vegan diet may be at risk of getting insufficient vitamin D and vitamin K, both needed for bone health. Although green leafy vegetables contain some vitamin K, vegans may also need to rely on fortified foods, including some types of soy milk, rice milk, organic orange juice, and breakfast cereals. They may also want to consider taking a vitamin D2 supplement (vitamin D3 comes from animals).


20 Tips for Becoming a Vegetarian

So, if you’d like to become a vegetarian, without too much trouble, here are my suggestions:

Have good reasons. If you just want to become vegetarian for kicks, you probably won’t stick with it for long — not because it’s hard, but because any lifestyle change or habit change requires a little bit of motivation. You need to first think about why you want to become vegetarian, and really believe in it. The rest is easy.

Read up. Before starting anything new, I tend to read as much as possible about whatever it is that I’ll be doing. I suggest you do so with vegetarianism. Check out a couple of good books from the library (or better yet, borrow from vegetarian friends). And there are tons and tons of good sites on the Internet. One of my favorites is GoVeg.com.

Find good recipes. You don’t need to go out and buy a bunch of new cookbooks, although that’s certainly an option. But again, there are many great recipes online. Try GoVeg.com … another favorite of mine is Post Punk Kitchen (also see their forums). In fact, it can all be a little overwhelming … but don’t worry, you don’t need to decide on anything. Just look through the recipes, take note of a few that look really good, and decide to try a few of them. You have the rest of your life to test out other recipes!

Try one recipe a week. My suggestion is just to try one new vegetarian recipe a week. If you like it, add it to your collection of staple recipes that you eat on a regular basis. If the recipe isn’t that great, try another next week. Soon, you’ll have a good list of 5-10 great recipes that you love to cook and eat. And really, whether you’re vegetarian or meat eater, that’s probably all you really eat on a regular basis anyway (for dinner, at least). Most people only have 7-10 recipes that they cook regularly. Once you have that many vegetarian recipes, you are good to go.

Substitutions. Also try your regular recipes that you love, but instead of using meat, use a meatless substitute. So if you love to eat spaghetti or chili, for example, substitute a ground-beef alternative from Bocca or Morning Star and just cook it the way you normally would. There are alternatives for just about any kind of meat, and some of them are quite good. You can go on eating what you normally eat, but meatless.

Start with red meat. I suggest a gradual transition into vegetarianism … although you can do it all at once, I’ve found that for many people, a gradual transition works better. There’s no need to give up all meat at once. Try a few new recipes, maybe eat one vegetarian meal for the first week, two for the second, and so on. If you do this, start with red meat, as it is typically the least healthy.

Then the other meats. After a couple of weeks of going without red meat, try cutting out pork for a couple of weeks. Then cut out chicken, the seafood. With this two-week approach (and you can even make it 3 weeks or a month for each stage if you want to go more slowly), you’ll hardly notice the difference. I’ve found that I don’t crave meats anymore, although I did for about a week.

Consider dairy & eggs. Vegetarians vary widely on this, so there’s no mandate to give up dairy or eggs if you’re giving up meat. Do what feels right for you. But if you go meatless for awhile, and want to try to go a little further (in terms of health, the environment, and helping animal suffering), consider these foods. For one thing, they are often high in saturated fat, especially compared to soy alternatives. It was easy for me to give up eggs, as I’ve never been a huge fan, but transitioning to soy milk took a few days to get used to … although I can’t stand the taste of milk now.

Think about your staples. A useful exercise is to make a list of foods you regularly eat, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts and snacks. Not meals, but ingredients. And then think about vegetarian alternatives, and make a new list. For example, instead of eating chicken in a stir-fry dish, you might try tofu. With a new list of staples, you should have no trouble stocking your fridge and pantry.

All in one go. Some people prefer to give up meat all at once. While this takes a little more determination than the gradual solution I advocate, it’s not that hard, really. Just prepare yourself by taking some of the steps above (finding recipes, substitutes, a new list of staples, and reading as much as possible), and then give it a shot. It should only take a few days to get used to it, and then you’ll have very little trouble after that. The only issues you’ll have to work out, once you’re used to going without meat, are things like eating out, eating at others’ houses, and other similar issues. Read on for more on these.

Adequate protein. One myth about vegetarianism is that you don’t get enough protein. Actually, meat eaters usually take in way more protein than they need. Protein requirements for the average adult are lower than people think. If you eat a varied diet (not just junk food, for example) that includes vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, soy protein and the like, you will be fine. It would hard to create an eating plan where you’re getting inadequate protein (the junk food example would be one).

Another myth is that you need to eat different types of protein within a single meal (or even a single day) to get complete protein from plants … actually, as long as you eat varied proteins (such as those listed above) over a few days, you’ll be fine. And soy protein is a complete protein, just like meat.
Junk food. Again, you can be a vegetarian and be very unhealthy, if you eat junk food. Being a vegetarian is not a license to eat junk food (although you can probably indulge yourself a little more often now that you’re not eating meat). Try to stick with fruits and veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts, soy protein, low-fat dairy and other nutritious foods for the most part.

Ethnic food. One of the great things about becoming a vegetarian is that it often spurs people to try new and interesting ethnic foods (or reminds them of foods they love but don’t eat much). Great vegetarian dishes can be found all over the world, from Italian pasta to many Indian dishes to spicy Thai food to Chinese, Ethiopian, Moroccan, Mexican, South American and more. It can be interesting to do a series of theme weeks, trying vegetarian dishes from a certain country for one week, and then moving around the world and sampling other great ethnic foods.

Tell friends & family. If you’re really going to become a vegetarian, you’ll have to talk to the people you know and love about it. You’ll still be dining with them, at restaurants, at their homes, at social gatherings, at work, and so it’ll be better for everyone involved if they know what you’re doing (they might prepare a vegetarian dish for you, or you might bring one for them to try), and if they know the reasons why. Some people might have a hard time with it. Just try to explain it to them, without getting defensive or argumentative, and ask them to be understanding (and maybe to give some of your food a try). Don’t try to force vegetarianism on anyone, or sound preachy, but do give them more information if they’re interested.

Have fun. Most of all, don’t make becoming a vegetarian be a restrictive, grueling ordeal. If you feel like you’re depriving yourself, you won’t last long. But if you feel like you’re doing something good, and trying out some great-tasting food, you’ll stick with it for much longer (for life, I hope). Have a great time along the way.

Plan ahead. Often what gets in the way of new vegetarians is that they go somewhere, and don’t think of what they might have to eat. Going to a party or a dinner can be much better if you prepare a great dish and bring it along (let the host know about it first). An errands trip doesn’t have to result in you going to McDonalds, starving, if you pack a lunch or bring some snacks.

Cook ahead. Another problem is when we don’t have any vegetarian food ready to eat, and so we resort to whatever is easiest (if we don’t feel like eating or are too hungry to wait). Instead, you could cook a big pot of vegetarian chili or soup or something, and have it in the fridge for when you’re hungry and don’t have time to cook.

Vegetarian snacks. I love to eat fruits and cut-up veggies, but there are lots of other great snacks you can eat. Roasted (or raw) almonds, hummus and pitas or veggies, blue corn chips and salsa, low-fat granola, berries with soy yogurt, whole-grain cereals, Kashi crackers … dozens and dozens of snacks, actually, if you take a look around. Have plenty on hand, at home, at work, and on the road.

Vegetarian restaurants. There’s only one vegetarian restaurant on Guam, and unfortunately it’s closed on nights and weekends (it’s a Seventh-Day Adventist joint, open for lunch on weekdays, and it’s great). But you might live in an area with dozens of great vegetarian restaurants. Give them a try! You might discover some wonderful food, and thank your lucky stars you decided to give vegetarianism a try. Otherwise, most restaurants will have some vegetarian options, or can cook you a vegetarian dish on request.

Vegetarian convenience foods. In your supermarket’s frozen section, you’ll probably find a lot of vegetarian foods that can be microwaved. You might give some of these a try (I love the Amy’s brand). Beware that, like most convenience foods, these are more expensive than home-cooked stuff, and most likely not as healthy. But you can find some fairly healthy foods there too. At any rate, it’s always good to have a couple of convenience foods in the freezer, just in case.

Better sex?

Whether vegetarians really have “better sex“ is up for debate, as it seems unlikely that any head of broccoli has ever come with sex tips. But eating red meat may lead to decreased libido and lower blood flow, which could contribute to erectile dysfunction. Sperm quality also might be better in vegetarians, although the study on this was conducted on monkeys.

Puberty is that time in life when kids' bodies change and become more like grownups'. So it's no surprise that kids have LOTS of "personal questions" about these changes.

Can I go swimming when I have my period?

Yes, but a pad won't work underwater, so you need to wear a tampon. Tampons absorb the menstrual flow from the inside, so being in water won't affect them.

If you've never worn a tampon before, you may want to talk with your mom or another woman you trust. You may want to get the slim-fit type, read the directions first, and leave some extra time to get it properly in place.

Can bras cause cancer?

Bras do not cause breast cancer. Breast cancer happens when there's a problem with the way cells grow inside the body and no one knows exactly why it happens. The chance of getting breast cancer increases as a woman gets older or if other women in the family have had breast cancer.

Some things may protect a woman from getting breast cancer, including maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and breastfeeding her children.

Do I have to change my pad overnight?

It all depends on your flow, but if you put on a fresh pad at bedtime, you probably will be OK until morning. For one thing, you're lying down so gravity is on your side! Because it's best to change tampons every few hours, choose pads instead of tampons for overnight wear. Special overnight pads are available, too, if you want something that will be absorbent enough to get you through until the morning.

Do tampons hurt?

Lots of girls ask this question because it does seem weird to insert something into your body. The first step is to understand what's going on down there. Menstrual flow comes out of the vagina. The vagina is an opening that continues inside your body like a tunnel.

For most girls, inserting a tampon doesn't hurt. (The vagina is also the birth canal, so if it can stretch to fit a whole baby, it can fit a tampon!) But if the tampon does hurt, stop, and do not force it in. In some girls, the hymen (a little piece of tissue across the vagina) prevents easy insertion of the tampon.

If you're using tampons for the first time, try a slim-fit one. Your menstrual flow should make it easier to insert because it moistens the vagina and helps the tampon slip into place.

How Does a Tampon Work?

Unlike pads, which catch blood after it comes out of the vagina, a tampon is inserted in the vagina. It's made of soft material with a string for easy removal. The opening to the vagina is between the urethra (where pee comes out) and the anus (where poop comes out).

It may take a little time to get the hang of using tampons. Tampon applicators can be plastic or cardboard, and you can use whichever one you like better. Inside each box, there's an instruction booklet that will tell you how to insert a tampon.

Tampons come in different absorbencies. Try starting with regular and then switching if you need to. You should change your tampon every 4 to 8 hours or when it's saturated with blood.

If a tampon ever does feel "stuck," it's only temporary. It can't get lost inside you because there's no way out except through the vagina. Relax and wait a few minutes, and then you should be able to get the tampon out.

I feel embarrassed when I have my period at school. When I'm in the bathroom, I think everyone can hear me opening the pad to put it on. What should I do?

It's common to feel self-conscious about your period at first, but lots of girls are making those crinkling sounds in the bathroom. When things are new you notice them more, but it's unlikely anyone else is listening intently to whatever you're doing on the other side of the bathroom stall.

So do what you need to do and get to class. And on the bright side, remember that lots of other sounds going on in the bathroom are more embarrassing than the rustle of your pad wrapper!

I have hair on the nipples of my breasts. Is that normal?

It's possible and normal to have hair almost anywhere on the body, so a few hairs on your nipples are nothing to worry about. If you have questions about whether your body hair is normal, you can ask your doctor, too. And be sure to tell your doctor if you sprout dark hair in the middle of your chest or other places, such as your face.

Here are two places you won't grow hair the palms of your hands and soles of your feet!

I heard that some bras make your breasts stop growing. Is that true?

Bras shape and position your breasts, but they don't make them grow or stop growing. When girls begin puberty, their breasts start growing. A bra can help a girl feel more comfortable with these two new body parts. Some girls might prefer a tank that has a shelf bra inside, while others might want a traditional bra. The kind of bra  or the decision to wear no bra at all won't affect breast size.

My mom isn't around. How can I talk to my dad about periods and other girl stuff?

You'll be happy to hear that we have gotten similar questions from dads who are nervous about talking to their daughters! Chances are your dad knows that you might have questions and concerns about body changes.

As for how to start the conversation, the first step is finding a good time. If you have brothers and sisters, you might want to find a few minutes when you can talk to your dad alone. Then it might be as simple as saying, "Dad, I need to buy some supplies at the store because I might get my period soon."

You both might be a little embarrassed, but also relieved because you will have raised the topic at last. It should get easier from there. For instance, your supplies will become just regular items on the shopping list. You also might suggest that your dad buy you a book about puberty. You also can find these at the library.

Funny as it might sound, dads do know what periods are! But if you have questions you'd rather ask a girl, consider talking to girls or women you are close to, such as an aunt, grandmother, or older cousin.

Do I have to wear a bra at night?

There's no need to wear a bra at night. Most girls and women take them off to sleep. But wearing one at night won't hurt you or change the way your breasts will grow.

What if one of my breasts is bigger than the other?

When breasts are growing, they change shape and size until they're fully developed. Along the way, one breast may be bigger than the other. Of course, a girl would rather them both be the same size. If this happens to you, stay calm:

No. 1: You are probably the only one who has noticed.
No. 2: Your breasts are likely to even out as you develop.
And No. 3: If you still notice a difference after your breasts have fully developed, you can use a bit of padding in one bra cup to balance things out.


Why don't any boys like me?

It's normal for you to want to be liked by boys as you get older, especially if your friends have official boyfriends and you don't. To answer the question, there's no way of knowing for sure that a boy doesn't like you right now. Someone might like you and just be too shy to say anything. Or maybe a boy that you consider a friend likes you, but you never thought of him that way.

The middle school years are a funny time for romance. Some kids are thinking a lot about the people they like, but other kids aren't too interested yet in having a girlfriend or boyfriend. Some girls or boys start to "go out" with someone and then say to themselves, "Oh, my. This is too weird!"

Chances are excellent that a boy will like you someday, and hopefully he will be brave enough to say so. Until then, enjoy your friends who are boys and think about the qualities you like in a boy. Do you like boys who are funny, smart, or athletic? Or maybe all three?

The pineapple diet will help you lose water weight, mobilize the stored fat, and detox your body from within. The result a fresh, toned down, glowing, and smiling you! Want to know how the proper way of incorporating the pineapple diet into your daily routine? Sure we will soon get to that, but first, let’s see how pineapple aids weight loss.

Losing weight is very important, not only to see us well in front of the mirror, but also because excess weight usually triggers other diseases such as cholesterol, heart failure, fatty liver disease or hyperuricemia, among others. In this sense, the pineapple diet is very effective when it comes to losing weight.

The pineapple diet is a thinning method that, being very low in calories, allows you to lose weight quickly. However, it must be taken into account that this diet is often misused. This is so because various diet plans propose to consume only pineapple for 3 days which does indeed help to lose weight quickly, but this does not mean that effectively.

If we consume only pineapple for three days, we will only recover the weight immediately after finishing the diet. The reason for this is that the pineapple, being a natural diuretic, causes us to get deflated, so that weight loss is not real. In addition, the drastic reduction of calories leads directly to the rebound effect that makes us recover the lost pounds.

Pineapple diet: correct way to use it

There is a correct way to use the pineapple diet to lose pounds effectively: doing it for 5 days and incorporating other foods. Because it is a low calorie diet it is very important that you do not do it for more than 5 days, do not perform strong physical activity and take at least 2 liters of water a day to keep you hydrated.

How Pineapple Aids Weight Loss

• Pineapple contains bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, that helps to reduce inflammation. Inflammation causes weight gain by rendering the weight control hormone leptin less effective.
• Pineapple improves digestion. The various enzymes and phytonutrients present in pineapple ensure proper digestion and help to cleanse the colon. This, in turn, helps shed weight and reduces bloating.
• The bromelain present in pineapple also helps in nutrient absorption, slows down bowel movement, and therefore helps to suppress appetite.
• Pineapples are rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and phytonutrients. 1 cup of pineapple contains 70-80 calories, and since pineapples are juicy and filling, you don’t feel hungry for a longer time.
• Pineapple helps you to stay active and energetic as it is rich in vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 is a cofactor to the enzymatic reaction required for energy production. When you are active, you tend to accumulate fewer toxins and your metabolism keeps firing. This also contributes to weight loss.

The pineapple diet consists of doing the five meals daily but following this plan:

Breakfast : 2 slices of pineapple, a glass of low fat yogurt and half a toast of whole wheat bread.

Morning collation : 1 glass of pineapple juice.

Lunch : vegetable broth, 200 grams of chicken and 2 slices of pineapple.

Snack : 1 glass of pineapple juice, half brown bread toast and 1 egg.

Dinner : Chicken, lettuce and pineapple salad. 2 slices of pineapple as a dessert.

Follow this plan consuming the same thing for 5 days and you will notice real changes. Make sure that the pineapple is natural and not canned so that its nutrients are in full quality.


Benefits of pineapple diet to lose weight:

-Is low in calories
-It has a very powerful diuretic effect
-Helps cleanse the liver, pancreas and kidneys
-It has high levels of fiber that help to accelerate the metabolism
-Detoxifies and purifies the body
-Pineapple contains a mixture of digestive enzymes that are very effective for burning fat
-Pineapple is easy to get and prepare

Disadvantages of pineapple diet:

-It can be very monotonous
-Not suitable for people with kidney problems
-Its powerful diuretic effect can cause you to dehydrate (that’s why you need to consume lots of water)
-It can not be continued for a long time because it increases the risk of suffering from diseases due to malnutrition
-Not suitable if you need to lose many kilos

Because it is a diet with a very low calorie content, it is advisable that, once you are done, start eating healthy foods gradually and avoid the fats and processed foods so as not to fall back on the rebound effect.

In addition, we recommend that you consult your doctor before doing this diet to be sure that you can do it without problems.

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