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Diuretics: What are they for?

Published in Tips on Monday, September 6th, 2021

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What are diuretics for?

Have you ever been unable to remove the ring or wedding band from your finger? Or can’t you button your pants at the end of the day? It is likely that you are suffering from fluid retention and need the help of diuretics.

The 3StepDiet®️ explains everything to you:

Water retention

We call water retention when the body has difficulty eliminating excess fluid, and this liquid accumulates in areas such as legs, ankles, hands, and abdomen.

Diuretics

The 3StepDiet diuretics are dietary supplements that help fight water retention. It contains natural plant extracts with diuretic properties, vitamins, and minerals, carefully selected for this purpose. In the 3StepDiet variety of dietary supplements, we have some diuretics: Lean 1 and Lean 2.

Lean 1

It promotes the reduction of water retention and contains plants with detoxifying and thermogenic action, which means it speeds up metabolism. It’s indicated for weight loss and volume reduction accumulated in the abdominal area.

Lean 2

It helps fight cellulite associated with water retention in the legs, hips, and bottom. It entails a complex of plants, vitamins, and minerals that stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage, thus contributing to the reduction of cellulite and “orange peel” skin.

 

What else can you do?

In addition to diuretics, there are also other tricks you can use to reduce water retention:

  • Season food with diuretic herbs (parsley, coriander) and anti-inflammatory spices (such as turmeric or ginger) instead of salt;
  • Exercise regularly;
  • Drink plenty of water to facilitate the elimination of excess sodium and accumulated fluids.

Professional guidance

To find which diuretic and dosage are most suitable for you, seek advice from a 3StepDiet®️ Registered Dietitian.

A qualified professional will help identify what factors are causing your water retention. These can be as varied as eating foods rich in salt, hot temperatures, hormonal fluctuations, some medications (such as cortisone), changes in thyroid function, poor circulation, or a sedentary lifestyle.

Thus, besides advising the most appropriate diuretic depending on your needs, the Registered Dietitian also helps you with nutritional education, which is essential to minimize these effects.

After all, are Carbohydrate’s addictive?

Published in Tips on Thursday, September 2nd, 2021

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Carbohydrates are essential for the normal body functioning, and they’re the preferential source of energy. So, they should be part of a healthy and balanced diet.

However, carbohydrates are not all the same, nor do they have the same impact in our bodies.

Do you want to know the difference? The 3StepDiet is here to help you.

 

What are carbohydrates?

They are one of the 3 macronutrients along with proteins and fat, and their function is to provide energy to the body.

They can be divided into 2 groups: simple, fast-absorbing sugars and complex, slow-absorbing sugars.

 

Fast Absorbing Carbohydrates

Also called “simple” carbohydrates, they are quickly absorbed and digested by the body, giving few satiety. This group of carbohydrates is present in refined and processed foods and should always be the last choice. They are often present in food such as cakes, biscuits and chocolate, in sugar itself and in soft drinks.

 

Slow Absorbing Carbohydrates

These carbohydrates are also known as “complex” and are absorbed more slowly. This creates a faster and longer feeling of satiety. They are present in the form of starch and can be found in foods of plant source such as cereals, potatoes, rice and pasta, as well as in dried legumes.

Within this type of carbohydrates, we can also include fiber, which are part of food from plant source that are not digested or absorbed, but are vital for the proper functioning of the body. They are mainly present in foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

 

 

Are carbohydrates addictive?

More and more studies have been developed in order to understand whether the intake of food rich in carbohydrates, especially sugar, has any influence on the level of dependence.

In order to be able to explain it better, it is worth understanding how carbohydrates work in our brain. Eating processed food or simple carbohydrates increases levels of so-called “feel-good hormones”, such as serotonin and dopamine. However, this is a fast increase, so the pleasant sensations associated with these hormones are also brief. So, when this feeling of “euphoria” ends, you may feel more anxious and the brain asks for sugar again.

Certainly, you have already sought relief and pleasure in this type of food as they can facilitate these feelings. However, it’s important to understand what leads to this type of situation. Food cannot be used as an escape, but rather to promote health. It’s important to change eating habits and lifestyle, especially in terms of sugar and processed food consumption.

Thus, you can’t say carbohydrates are addictive that carbohydrates are addictive. They seem to be an attractive option in a situation of anxiety or sadness, but they are not the solution. First, try to identify what you might be feeling at those times, in order to understand which triggers can lead to increased intake of this type of food. Then, look for alternatives that you like to do (entertaining yourself, taking a walk, …) for when these moments arise. Physiologically, food is a source of pleasure and comfort, but it shouldn’t be the only one.

Relatively to carbohydrates, the secret is to know how to dose. In a healthy diet, it is important to reduce the amount of carbohydrates we eat as simple sugar, trying to choose food with higher starch and fiber content, such as fruits and vegetables.

Carbohydrates, when well chosen, may not be the usual “villain”, but rather help you when we are in a situation of weight loss!

Abdominal bloating: why is my stomach bloated, and how to prevent it?

Published in Tips on Thursday, September 2nd, 2021

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Do you know how to prevent abdominal bloating?

Stomach bloating is the term usually used to describe the distension of the abdominal volume, normally associated with a sensation of discomfort and pain.

Tell us: are there days when you wake up and feel like your pants don’t fit? Do you often feel your stomach bloated, but don’t know why? This swelling causes you pain and discomfort?

The 3StepDiet® will explain to you the main reasons for bloated stomach sensation and how to prevent this common problem.

 

The causes

Being overweight, accumulation of gases, constipation, hormonal changes, sedentary lifestyle, food intolerances, and even emotional issues can be some of the reasons behind abdominal bloating.

 

Flatulence

Excess of gases are the most common cause of stomach bloating. In a normal state, a part of the stomach and the intestine is filled by gases, derived from chewing and the digestive process itself. A more difficult digestion will produce more gases and it mostly occurs due to a diet rich in fats and sugars.

What can you do: There are some simple ways to calm the production of gases and relieve the symptoms as eating slowly, chewing food well, avoiding soft drinks, and eat a healthy and balanced diet. You can also choose food with digestive properties such as mint, ginger, pineapple, and papaya.

 

Constipation

Constipation affects people of all ages and may be related to low consumption of fibers, sedentary lifestyle, and little water intake.

What can you do: Eat foods rich in fiber, such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. It is also important to drink at least six cups of water per day and practice exercise regularly.

 

Water retention

Abdominal bloating can be caused by some fluid retention, especially during hot days.

What can you do: Reduce salt intake and drink liquids throughout the day. There are products that can help to increase water consumption and 3StepDiet® has different options to help with that.

 

Allergy or food intolerance

Nowadays, allergies or intolerances, such as to lactose or gluten, are common and not that easy to diagnose. The best way to do it is by attempting error, that is, to ingest food with lactose/gluten and check if there are symptoms, or withdraw foods with lactose/gluten and evaluate if the symptoms disappear.

In most cases of intolerance and allergy, the most common symptoms are abdominal bloating, discomfort, and flatulence. In cases of severe allergy, symptoms can evolve, reaching situations of anaphylactic shock.

What can you do: If you suspect any intolerance or food allergy, the ideal will be to consult a specialist.

 

For these and other questions, the 3StepDiet® Registered Dietitian team is available to explain. Contact us and take care of your well-being.

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