The benefits advocated from eating such a diet seem endless: lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels, eliminating cravings, preventing overeating, purging the body of accumulated toxins, balancing hormones, maintaining blood glucose levels and reversing degenerative diseases.

Followers of a raw diet cite numerous health benefits, including increased energy levels, improved appearance of skin, improved digestion, weight loss and reduced risk of heart disease, just to name a few. Proponents believe that enzymes are the life force of a food and that every food contains its own perfect mix. These enzymes help us digest foods completely, without relying on our body to produce its own cocktail of digestive enzymes.

There can be some side effects when you are first starting a raw foods diet. Some detoxification effects may be experienced as your body attempts to shed some toxicity. This may include occasional headaches, nausea sensations and mild depression. If these symptoms persist, you should seek the help of somebody who is experienced with detoxification symptoms.

Following a raw food diet means that you have to carefully plan your meals to make sure you don’t fall short of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. In some instances it might be appropriate to consider taking dietary supplements, especially when just starting out. You’ll need to invest in some appliances so that you are able to prepare the food, if you don’t already have them available. A durable juicer, a blender and a large food processor make raw food preparation a breeze. You may also want to look into purchasing large containers to soak sprouts, grains and beans, as well as for storage. A durable juice extractor for your fruits and vegetables

The smoothest way to begin a raw foods lifestyle is to slowly transition into it. Try starting off by eating approximately 70 to 80 percent raw foods in your diet. Have fruit and salads throughout the day and a cooked vegetable meal with a salad in the evening. This should help make the transition easier on your body and hopefully lessen side effects associated with detoxification. This is an emotional time as well, so you should allow yourself plenty of time to make the switch. Journaling during the process can help. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling the positive effects of a healthy, detoxifying raw foods diet.

You’ve made the decision to make smarter eating choices in 2008. Congratulations! Now, comes the real work, you have to stick with that resolution. If you choose foods wisely, chances are eating healthy is not going to be all that difficult. In fact, the foods that can go along with a smart, well-balanced diet are rather amazing.

If you ended 2007 eating anything that sounded or looked good without regard to health value, you might need a little motivation. Don’t worry, healthy choices abound, and in most cases, they taste fantastic. The basic rules of thumb are not all that tough to get a handle on. Go for foods that are low in fat, reasonably low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. Select whole grains and not processed. Nosh on fruit instead of chocolate. Leans meats and fish are always better choices, too, as are plenty of steamed or raw vegetables instead of junk food.

Now, if you need some motivation to stick to your resolution, here are some of the best reasons to choose to eat healthier in the New Year:

• Energy level – There is a very good chance if your body is used to eating fatty, greasy, sugary foods, your energy level will go up greatly when you start fueling your body correctly.

• Cholesterol level – Diet is directly linked to high cholesterol levels. A few minor and tasty alterations to diet can have a very big impact on this front. Think low fat and high fiber to enjoy real benefits here.

• Heart disease prevention – Diet can play a huge role in the development of heart disease. Making smarter choices in eating is an excellent move to protect heart health.

• Cancer prevention – Certain forms of cancer have been linked with diet. When diets are healthy, well balanced and high in vitamins and minerals, the chances for developing this disease can be reduced.

• Diabetes prevention – According to the American Obesity Society, about 90 percent of people with Type II diabetes are also overweight. Eating right and controlling portions can greatly lessen the chances of diabetes developing.

• Appearance and attitude – People who eat right and make healthy choices tend to look better and feel better about themselves.

Making the decision to eat healthier is an incredibly smart choice going into the new year. There are some excellent reasons to keep this resolution and make it a part of an overall healthy lifestyle. You’ll be glad you did.

With childhood obesity becoming an epidemic in the United States, many parents made resolutions on behalf of their youngsters as the new year arrived. Making the conscious choice to feed children healthier and help them lose weight is an excellent gift to pass on this coming year. Unfortunately, making the resolution and having the follow through and fortitude to stick with it for their betterment is often no walk in the park.

So, how can parents help their kids lose weight and eat right? It is going to take two things on your part. The first is the determination to stick with your decision. It is going to take iron will on your part to stop buying potato chips, candy, sugary cereal and tons of ice cream and soda. These things are all fine in moderation, but they don’t work with a healthy diet and they will not help your little ones lose weight or maintain it. The second thing you’re going to need to do is arm yourself with ideas on what to feed them and how to feed them healthy foods they will eat.

Resolving the first point is up to you. You are the one who buys the food, so just stick to your guns. They will eat healthier if you give them little or no alternative. Steel yourself for the begging, whining and pouting that is likely to come by reminding yourself how much better you child will be for the change. Also, if you start making healthier substitutions in your home that happen to taste great, there’s a very good chance your kids won’t even notice what’s going on.

Now, on the second point, there are tons of ideas. The fact of the matter is that healthy foods often taste fantastic. There are some incredible ways to work healthier choices into the daily diet without them even realizing you’re doing it. Some common ways to make smarter substitutions with kids’ favorite foods by meal include:

Breakfast – Replace the sugary cereals with oatmeal or high grain cereals. Sweeten them up with fresh fruit instead of sugar. Select whole grain breads and use low-fat jams and jellies instead of higher sugar content items.

Lunch – Again, use those whole grain breads and lower fat and sugar jellies. Introduce things like baked pita chips, apple slices, peanut butter and celery and other similar treats to give them the crunchy texture they so crave.

Dinner – When preparing dinners, just remember kids don’t necessarily love all the spices adults do. Bake, broil, grill or boil their foods rather than frying them. Try to include vegetables they like and sides they’ll eat. Avoiding fast food as much as possible, but if it’s a must once in a while, consider the healthier choices now on menus. At home, make substitutes in favorite dishes. Go for chicken tacos instead of beef. Try giving them turkey hotdogs instead of beef or pork. The ideas on this front are endless and they keep foods kids will eat healthier.

Desserts and snacks – Kids love sweets. There is no way around this. Select smarter choices, such as fruit, low-fat pudding, gelatin or even low-fat ice cream or flavored ice. These will help satisfy their cravings without wrecking their diets. For other snacks, try low-fat pretzels, unbuttered popcorn, raw vegetables and more.

Helping children lose or maintain weight in the new year is often a matter of will power on your part. If you stick with your guns and offer them tasty, but healthy choices, you will win the battle.

Heading into 2008 with a desire to enjoy a healthier year is an excellent idea. Unfortunately, making the resolution and following through with it are two very different things. One of the most difficult obstacles many face involves giving up sweets. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily have to. There are some excellent desserts that can be enjoyed without destroying a diet.

If you have to have your sweets once in a while, here are some excellent choices to tide you over:

* Sorbet with fresh fruit. This is a great alternative to ice cream that can satisfy a craving for sweets without adding too many wasted calories to your daily intake. Lemon, strawberry, lime, watermelon and other options in sorbet work wonders for tackling a sweet tooth.
* Low-fat pudding. Whip up some low-fat pudding to handle cravings for something sweet and creamy. This is a fantastic way to tackle a huge chocolate craving without busting your diet. Vanilla, strawberry and butterscotch can also prove as excellent choices.
* Yogurt with fixings. Plain vanilla yogurt or flavored low-fat yogurt can double well as a dessert. Add some fresh berries, bananas or even a few chocolate chips for a quick pick-me-up that doesn’t destroy a diet. Granola is also an excellent addition to pack in a little crunch with the mix.
* Fresh-baked pies or cakes. Take your favorite sweet treat recipes and alter them to include low-fat ingredients. Cut sugar where possible. If chocolate is called for, try a lower-fat alterative or use sugar-free cocoa.
* Fresh fruit and whipped cream. Mix up some low-fat whipped cream and spoon it lightly over freshly sliced fruit.
* Fruit smoothies. If milkshakes are your weakness, try switching them out with fruit smoothies instead. This alternative is a much healthier choice and still offers plenty of creamy flavor.
* Angel food cake. If you’ve just got to have cake, this is a lighter option that still offers plenty of sweetness. Dress it up with fresh fruits, such as sliced strawberries, and even some low-fat whipped cream.
* Frozen yogurt. If you can’t bring yourself to give up on the flavor and consistency of ice cream, this is a good alternative. Also, consider some of the low-fat ice creams now on the market. Many taste as good as their full-fat counterparts with a fraction of the calories.

Giving up desserts entirely is not possible for some people. If you’ve got to have your sweets once in a while, there are smarter choices you can make. It is possible to satisfy a craving without destroying a diet.