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Showing posts with label lose weight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lose weight. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Top 10 tips to lose weight

 Top 10 tips to lose weight


Top most ten weight loss tips are given below, follow them and reduce your weight easily. 

Tip 1:
Prior to start, decide how much weight you want to lose, people without any proper planning tend to fail due to lack of a specific goal & plan.  Using BMI calculator calculate your desired weight according to your height and age. After this start your methods to lose weight.

Tip 2:
Time management-Plan a schedule at which part of your day you need to plan your exercise. Plan the day in your week for your exercise work. If you don’t do this your exercise plan will not show results.

Tip 3:
Replace your food habits from junk food to nutritious food like fruits, vegetables, healthy meats, grains, healthy fats and spices. Follow food habits that are based on whole, fresh foods.

Tip 4:
Healthy cooking is one of the main reason to lose weight, use fresh herbs and spices to make food interesting.  Use coconut oil or olive oil for cooking.

Tip 5:
Losing weight with out proper exercise is incomplete. Start a cardio & weight training workout that stresses on muscle tone and increased heart rate that helps to lose weight. One can plan this work outs at home or you can consult gym for personal training. 

Tip 6:
Examine your snacking habits (time of day, type of foods you're eating).  Prepare in advance healthy snacks to grab & go. Get rid of the unhealthy snacks like soda drink, processed foods, chips, french fries, deep fried foods, etc. Take salads, soaked nuts & seeds, raw vegetables, fruits, & homemade protein bars. All these snacking habits will make you to lose weight.

Tip 7:
Plan your day with at least one active hobby. Physical activity of 30 to 40 minutes in a day is much sufficient for a healthy body. Walking, jogging, playing games with friends and family, weekend trips to hike, bike, swim, even cleaning your house, or dancing, but the list can go on forever!

Tip 8:
Stress is the today major problem for every one. To come out of this, do meditation and yoga. Along with you can also perform some deep breathing exercises and reading books to get out of stress.

Tip 9:
Simple but yet very important tip is drink plenty of water. We know our body relies heavily on water for all its activities. Consuming water adequately makes our system run smoothly and comfortably with out any stress to the organs. Do not forget carry a water bottle to your workout and take few sips of water for every ten minutes at least.

Tip 10:
Plan healthy vacations with your family and friends. A tiny vacations will remove all of your stress and play some little out door games at your vacations.

LET'S STAY CONNECTED!  Visit my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/stamourjs




Add all the ten tips to be your lifetime habits for a healthy living and better health for your mind & body!

Friday, January 24, 2014

I WANT TO BE YOUR COACH WITH TEAM BEACHBODY

Helping people everywhere get healthy & fit with 
Team Beachbody!! 




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BIKINI COMPETITOR FIT IN 21 DAYS!!! 
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Order yours EARLY, FEB 3rd by joining my group as a coach!  FREE sign up for Military or Spouse of Active Duty!   


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 http://www.beachbodycoach.com/anywherefitnesspt

Shakeology


Why Drink Shakeology Every Day? 

It can help you:*

  • Lose weight – especially if you replace a meal with Shakeology every day.
  • Reduce junk food cravings – drink it in the morning to enjoy this benefit throughout the day
  • Increase your energy and feel healthier.
  • Improve your digestion and regularity.


It's the simple recipe for success:

  • You won't feel deprived, because every delicious shake tastes like a sinful treat.
  • The proteins and healthy fats will help you feel fuller longer, so you're less likely to snack.
  • Superfoods help your body reduce cravings for junk food.
  • Increased energy means your workouts feel easier.

How Shakeology short-circuits your urge to snack:

  • Protein-rich nutrient-dense formula helps you feel full and reduces the tendency to "cheat" throughout the day.
  • Helps you curb junk food cravings while helping you crave healthier choices
  • You're feeding your body the nutrients it needs, so it feels more satisfied.
  • So delicious, it tastes like you're cheating!

What more can you do with a little extra daily energy?

  • Power through your day, and cross more off your to-do list.
  • Get your fitness program off to a great new start.
  • Help your body's internal processes work more efficiently.
  • Enjoy life . . . and get more out of every single moment!

How Shakeology gets you healthy from the inside out:

  • Fiber and probiotics help you "get regular" so you eliminate toxins built up in your digestive system.
  • Proprietary blend of prebiotics and probiotics help create a healthy intestinal tract which aids digestion.
  • A healthier digestive system makes it easier to absorb key nutrients.
  • Digestive enzymes also help your body to increase the absorption of nutrients.



Workouts/supplements



              



                 








ULTIMATE RESET







Why Reset?

Even though the body is extremely resilient, our bodies have been pushed to the limit by pollution, pesticides, preservatives, chemicals, and toxins contained in nearly every item that makes up our modern world. These harmful items disrupt the normal function of our organs and bodily systems, which, in turn, weakens our immunity, hinders metabolic activity, and creates imbalances that can lead to health problems.

With the Beachbody Ultimate Reset™ you get these benefits:

  • Stronger immune system
  • Increased energy and more endurance
  • Better digestion, metabolism and weight loss
  • A more positive mood and mental clarity

It Only Takes 3 Weeks!

Help your body start fresh

HELP YOUR BODY START FRESH



Whether you're looking to finally get healthy and fit for the first time and know Beachbody Ultimate Reset™ is that first important step, or you want to optimize your stamina and metabolism to take your fitness regimen to the next level, the Beachbody Ultimate Reset can benefit you because it's optimized for all levels of health and fitness.
Beachbody Ultimate Reset is a unique program that helps people of all ages find relief from digestive problems, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels, asthma, arthritis, depression, and inflammatory conditions. It has also helped active individuals get even more out of their workouts because it restores the body and makes it more efficient.





Sunday, November 3, 2013

Cardio Interval Training: Pick a Level


Cardio training training doesn't have to be long & boring.  To keep things fresh, try one of these intervals from beginner to advanced!  
Share the fitness fun!!! 











Friday, April 19, 2013

Flab or stress belly?

For many women, getting bikini ready means tackling one dreaded area in particular — our tummies. Most of us still think the best way to achieve a washboard stomach is by doing hundreds of sit-ups. Not so, says A-list trainer and body guru James Duigan. 

James, who sculpts supermodels Elle Macpherson and Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley among others, insists there is no ‘one size fits all’ method for getting a flat belly. Instead, he’s identified five key ‘tummy types,’ all of which require a different approach to achieve successful toning. 

Once you figure out your tummy type (mine is the STRESS BELLY), you'll be on your way to getting the perfect midriff... 

THE SPARE TIRE TUMMY

The spare tire: This is one of the easiest tummy troubles to eliminate because it's caused by eating the wrong foods and not exercising enough.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THIS TYPE 

These people are likely to lead sedentary lives, perhaps with jobs that keep them desk-bound. They may also have an emotional attachment to sugary foods. 

Luckily, this ‘spare tire’ is one of the easiest tummy troubles to eliminate as, according to James, it’s caused by eating the wrong foods and not exercising enough. 

TYPICAL BAD HABITS

If you exercise very little, eat lots of sugar and refined carbohydrates in products like cookies, cakes and white bread, or rely on starchy carbs like pasta and rice, you you probably have an overweight tummy with accompanying fat on your legs and hips,’ says James. 

MIDRIFF MAKEOVER PLAN 

  • Cut down on alcohol. ‘Alcohol is a fat bomb for the tummy — pure sugar which goes straight to your waist and stops you burning all other fat until the booze has been processed,’ says James. ‘Just a few glasses three to four times a week will lead to a “wine waist” — a thick midriff and pudgy tummy. ‘If you want to drink occasionally that’s fine, but the bottom line is that you have to cut back on booze to get a flat belly.’
  • Once you cut out alcohol for two weeks, it’s time to overhaul your diet. ‘In a nutshell, eat well and move more,’ says James. Avoid low-fat and so-called ‘diet’ snacks. ‘These pre-packaged products are often packed full of chemicals, refined sugar, salt and preservatives to give them flavor.
  • ‘Ditch calorie counting in favor of a healthy diet full of unprocessed fresh foods such as fish, eggs, organic meat and vegetables. ‘Start the day with eggs and smoked salmon, or even grilled chicken and vegetables, and snack on sliced lean meats. ‘And don’t be afraid of eating good fats, such as avocados, nuts and oily fish. These encourage your body to burn midriff fat, giving you a flat tummy.’
  • ‘Exercise is the key to helping this tummy type,’ says James. Simply going for a long walk, doing lunges, squats or dips at home or a yoga class will be beneficial. You don’t need a gym.

TOP TIP FOR THIS TUMMY 

If you regularly reward yourself for a hard day with a piece of cake or deal with bad news with a biscuit, it’s important to remember that being beautiful is as much about how you feel as how you look. The starting point for any tummy transformation is feeling happy.

THE STRESS TUMMY

Stress tummy: These types are typically over-achievers with perfectionist personalities
Stress tummy: These types are typically over-achievers with perfectionist personalities.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THIS TYPE 

Stressed-tummy types are typically over-achievers with perfectionist personalities. They are usually also susceptible to digestive conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can cause bloating and make their tummies look far worse. 

‘Stress tummies are easy to spot, as the weight is specific to the front of the midriff and the umbilical area,’ explains James. ‘When stressed, we produce cortisol, a hormone which encourages the body to cling on to fat around the stomach.’ 

Stressed tummies will also be fairly hard to the touch, rather than wobbly. 

TYPICAL BAD HABITS

It’s likely you skip meals, abuse your adrenal system with too much caffeine and grab junk food for convenience. 

MIDRIFF MAKEOVER PLAN 

  • Get an early night. ‘Stressed women nearly always sleep badly, which disrupts the production of leptin, the hormone which helps regulate appetite and metabolism,’ James explains. ‘This is why we eat more when we are tired and crave fat-depositing sugary snacks for an instant energy boost.’
  • Combat exhaustion with a relaxation strategy of deep-breathing, meditation and long baths before bed to encourage a good night’s sleep and limit coffee consumption to no more than two cups a day.
  • Don’t go for the burn when exercising. ‘Excessive cardio which increases cortisol levels isn’t the answer,’ says James. ‘Instead, yoga, long walks and resistance work with weights is perfect for sculpting and building up strength while calming the system.’
  • Magnesium is a calming mineral to help soothe a stressed belly. James advises eating lots of magnesium-rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds.

TOP TIP FOR THIS TUMMY Stress-busting stretches and yoga poses at night time can help to lower cortisol levels, while chamomile teas or James’ own Bodyism Body Serenity supplement (bodyism.com) can also help the body unwind.

THE LITTLE POOCH

The little pooch: These women are likely to be busy mums or have demanding careers - hey may even be a gym junkie
The little pooch: These women are likely to be busy mums or have demanding careers - hey may even be a gym junkie. 

HOW TO IDENTIFY THIS TYPE

These women are likely to be busy moms or have demanding careers. ‘They may even be a gym junkie, but stuck in a workout-and-diet rut, perhaps always eating the same foods and doing the same routine at the gym, which keeps you slim but leaves you with a lower belly that spoils your silhouette,’ says James.


TYPICAL BAD HABITS
‘Doing excessive crunches and using gimmicky gym items such as ab-rollers can place a strain on the hip flexors and the lower back, causing the tummy muscles to protrude so your belly sticks out,’ says James.

MIDRIFF MAKEOVER PLAN
  • Good nutrition and plenty of fiber are essential to improve digestive conditions such as inflammation, bloating and constipation, which can make a pooch tummy worse. Green leafy vegetables, oat bran and whole grains are good, natural sources of fiber.
  • Sit-ups done incorrectly increase your lower back curve and accentuate the ‘pouch’ effect. Swap sit-ups for planks. Do these by lying face down on a mat, resting on your forearms. Push off from the floor, rising onto your toes and elbows, so your body is parallel to the floor from your head to your heels. Start off doing ten seconds and build up to a whole minute.
  • It’s a common misconception that using weights bulks women up. In fact, the opposite is true. Using weights will burn serious amounts of fat in a short space of time, so try introducing circuits — repetitions of exercises like squats or lunges which work individual muscle sets.

TOP TIP FOR THIS TUMMY

Be kind to your tummy, reduce inflammation by drinking lots of water and eating easy-to-digest foods such as green vegetables and lighter proteins such as fish and chicken.

THE MOMMY TUMMY
The Mummy tummy: Women with these bellies have usually given birth in the past few years, and, being a typical mum, have little time for themselves
The Mommy tummy: Women with these bellies have usually given birth in the past few years, and, being a typical mom, have little time for themselves.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THIS TYPE 

Women with these tummies have usually given birth in the past few years, and, being a typical mum, have little time for themselves. ‘After giving birth, the uterus drops and is much heavier than it was pre-pregnancy,’ says James. ‘It takes at least six weeks to return to its usual size, so don’t even think about trying to get a flat stomach until after then. 

‘You need to re-train your pelvic floor and lower abs to increase blood flow and strengthen loose muscles.’ 

TYPICAL BAD HABITS
Rushing back to exercise too quickly. ‘I would suggest waiting around two to three months,’ says James. ‘Being stressed about getting rid of your baby weight will only make you cling onto it more. Give yourself a break!’

MIDRIFF MAKEOVER PLAN 

  • ‘Fish oil supplements turn on fat-burning hormones and turn off fat-storing hormones,’ says James. ‘Begin by taking three 1,000mg capsules a day with meals and build up to five. I’ve trained Elle Macpherson through two pregnancies and she takes these every day.’
  • Try to eat good fats — found in sources such as nuts, oils and olives — every day. ‘Not only do they help you burn fat and absorb vitamins from food effectively, they also help combat tiredness — a big help for tired moms,’ says James.
  • Gentle pelvic floor exercises (known as Kegels) act as a natural corset for the body to flatten your tummy from the inside out. Squeeze and clench your pelvic floor muscles 15-20 times, in five sessions a day.
  • Steer clear of sit-ups. ‘After giving birth, the linea alba muscles — which run down the mid-line of the abdomen — separate and you need to allow them to recover,’ says James. ‘Crunches are the worst thing you can do, as they will force these muscles farther apart. Instead, breathe deep into your tummy while on all fours, then slowly exhale while doing a pelvic floor exercise.’

TOP TIP FOR THIS TUMMY 
Daytime naps (try putting up blackout blinds) and stretching before bed are important ways to restore sleep hormones and boost fat-burning. 

THE BLOATED TUMMY

Bloated tummies: These are often flat in the morning, but swell throughout the day with gas or indigestion
Bloated tummies: These are often flat in the morning, but swell throughout the day with gas or indigestion.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THIS TYPE 

Bloated tummies are often flat in the morning, but swell throughout the day with gas or indigestion. Bloating affects both slim and overweight women. It is almost always caused by food intolerances and allergies, or sluggish bowels as a result of a poor diet. 

TYPICAL BAD HABITS

You eat the same foods and may have done so for a lifetime without realizing you’re intolerant to them.

MIDRIFF MAKEOVER PLAN 

  • ‘The most common intolerances I see are wheat and gluten (bread, pasta, pastries, pizza, cakes and cereals), alcohol, yeast (in muffins, beer and pastries) and processed dairy (cheese, milk, butter),’ says James. ‘Gluten in particular can inflame the bowel and make the stomach look bigger.
  • ‘Experiment to work out what bothers your belly as you know your body better than anyone else. Try eliminating key culprits such as gluten for two weeks to see if your bloating reduces, or worsens when you reintroduce foods. Focus on a diet with lots of fresh veg, meat, chicken and fish.’
  • Sluggish bowels are often a result of eating the wrong foods in the wrong way. Make breakfast your biggest meal, as this is when digestion is at its peak, and avoid eating late at night which leads to bloating. Chew food properly and drink plenty of water to keep the digestive system moving.
  • Bloating can be a sign of imbalanced gut flora. So to get your tummy really flat you need to repopulate it with friendly bacteria. Prebiotic and probiotic supplements are the simplest way. Natural sources include miso soup, sour cream and some fruit and veg including kale, garlic and onions. A healthy gut means a flat stomach.

TOP TIP FOR THIS TUMMY 

Believe it or not, breathing can be the best thing you can do for this kind of tummy. Try this each morning: lay on your back, completely relaxed, and breathe deep into your tummy ten times. After eating, a walk will help the digestive process, too.  


***THANK YOU to Hailey's Helpful Hints for this AWESOME Blog Post***

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

What You Should Eat Before & After Your Workout



Here's the lowdown on what you should consume before a workout:


Cardio ONLY workouts (44 min or less): Have a few extra minutes to squeeze in a quick HIIT workout or even just go for a power walk? If you are only doing a cardio workout, you should have a 50-100 calorie source of quick digesting carbohydrates to rev up your metabolism and keep your body burning fat throughout your workout.


Cardio ONLY workouts (45 min +): Hitting the streets for a hardcore run? (I would consider anything over 3 miles hard core - I am not a runner! Yet!) You should have any where from 100-150 calories of a quick digesting and a slower digesting carbohydrate source. Skip the protein source until after your workout.


Weight Training/Lifting Session: Planning to pump iron before breakfast? Not so fast! Make sure you eat 150-200 calories of a quick digesting carb (such as one 30 cal rice cake), slower digesting carbs and a lean protein source. Don't waste your hard work - you want to build those muscles!


Here is a quick list of snacks you can use to create your pre-workout snack. Please note: there are many other snacks you can choose from - I included only these as they are quick to prepare, travel well and tend to cause the least amount of stomach issues once you are working out. You can definitely add to this list!


Quick Digesting Carbs
Low Sodium White Rice Cake - approximately 30 calories per rice cake

Banana - approximately 105 calories per medium (7 in) banana
Green Apple - approximately 72 calories per medium (3 in in diameter) apple



Slower Digesting Carbs
Low Sodium Brown Rice Cake - approximately 50 calories per rice cake

Oats (Quick Cooking, Steel Cut or Old Fashioned) - approximately 80 calories in 1/4 Cup of oats
Sweet Potato - approximately 90 calories in 1/2 Cup of baked sweet potato
Brown Rice - approximately 54 calories per 1/4 Cup of cooked brown rice



Lean Protein Source 
Protein Shake - this is the sometimes the most quickest way to get your calories if you are in a hurry! Calories will vary depending on your brand of protein powder.

Scrambled/Boiled Egg White - approximately 17 calories per large egg white (4g of protein per egg)

Fresh, Raw Peanut Butter - I do not recommend that you consume this if you are doing cardio. It is somewhat harsh on the stomach. Approximately 105 calories per TBSP.
Raw Almonds - 10 raw almonds are approximately 70 calories.



What should you eat after a workout?


That's pretty simple - a 100-200 calorie snack consisting of a lean protein source and a quick digesting carbohydrate source. The carbohydrates will help your body to digest and use the protein source that you have consumed and repair your muscles (this is how you build muscle. Tear it down to build it up!). It is IMPERATIVE that you eat within 30 minutes of a workout for optimal results!!




Pre Workout Snack Ideas

  • Banana + peanut butter
  • Oatmeal + sliced almonds
  • Sprouted grain English muffin or toast + almond butter
  • Whole-grain crackers + hard boiled egg
  • Fruit and nut bar or granola bar (watch the sugar content)
  • Fruit salad + chia seeds
  • Dried apricots + almonds
  • Wrap: Tortilla + hummus + cucumber & tomato
  • Piece of fruit + Greek yogurt
  • Small quinoa salad
  • Small baked sweet-potato topped with greek yogurt
  • Date & almond smoothie: 1/2 banana + 2 dates+ almond milk +2 tsp. almond butter



Saturday, March 9, 2013

A Visual Comparison of Calories in Food


Calorie comparison: I'm a very visual person, so this really hits home for me.  

For 1360 calories, you can eat one fast food meal or eat a great assortment of foods all day long; including dark chocolate & a cookie!!  This is what I really like about showing clients this sort of outlook--80% of your calories coming from healthy-nutritionally dense (lower calorie) foods with 20% "treat" type foods (higher calories).

Cutting calories: Not all calories are created equal, and counting calories will not help you lose weight if you’re consuming the wrong kind of calories.  How your body looks doesn't just depend on how many calories, but the type & quality!!!  












Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Top 5 best exercises to lose belly fat




Building up muscle mass
An important thing to remember when undergoing a weight loss program is to understand what needs to be done. Realistic and achievable goals can help in building the confidence needed to make the necessary leap for the achievement of a desired weight.

Researchers at the Biomechanics Lab at San Diego State University took a look at some popular abdominal exercises and ranked them. Results of the study revealed that exercises that require constant abdominal stabilization and body rotation resulted in the most muscle activity in the abdomen.

Below are the top five belly exercises as ranked by the study:

1. The Bicycle Exercise - best for targeting the six pack muscles and the obliques. To do this exercise, get into a supine position with hands at the back of your head. Bring knees to the chest while lifting shoulders off the floor. Slowly bring your right elbow towards your left knee as you straighten your right leg. Switch sides and continue in a pedaling motion. Do 1 to 3 sets with 12 to 16 repetitions.

2. The Captain's Chair Leg Raise - This exercise requires a captain's chair, a rack with padded arms allowing for the legs to hang free that is commonly found in gyms or health clubs. To do this exercise, stand on the chair and grip hand holds. Press back against the pad then raise knees to the chest to contract the abs then lower them back down. Do 1 to 3 sets with 12 to 16 repetitions.

3. Exercise Ball Crunch - For this exercise, an exercise ball is necessary. In this routine, the abdomen does more exerting but will still need the entire body to stabilize it throughout the routine. To do this exercise, lie on the ball with your lower back fully supported. Place hands behind the head. To lift the torso off the ball, contract the abs to pull the bottom of the rib cage towards the hips. Keep ball stable as you curl up, then lower back down to stretch the abs. Do 1 to 3 sets with 12 to 16 repetitions.

4. Vertical Leg Crunch - Performing this exercise is similar to doing a leg crunch except that the legs are straight up, forcing the abs to work and adding intensity to the routine. To do this, lie on the floor with the legs straight up, knees crossed, and place the hands beneath the head for support. Contract abs lifting the shoulders off the floor and keep legs in a fixed position to crunch. Do 1 to 3 sets with 12 to 16 repetitions.

5. Long Arm Crunch - This is a variant of the traditional floor crunch where the arms are held straight behind you, adding a lever to the move and making for a challenging exercise. To do this, lie on the floor or a mat then extend arms straight behind, keeping them clasped and next to the ears. Slowly contract abs and lift shoulders off the floor carefully to keep the arms straight. Do 1 to 3 sets with 12 to 16 repetitions.

The best strategy to weight loss is to observe a healthy diet coupled with exercise of at least an hour a day. Although there is no sure fire way to deal with belly fat, there are a number of activities from which to choose and enjoy. As long as you're having fun, you can lose weight without realizing it. It is important to look for an exercise you enjoy. If the suggested exercises above do not suit your taste, taking a hike, swimming or biking are just as effective in burning fat and toning muscles.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/035071_belly_fat_exercises_fitness.html#ixzz2M5vVUEhY

Saturday, February 23, 2013

How to Compare Junk Food to Healthy Food

How to Compare Junk Food to Healthy Food

Some things just scream junk food. You know double-stuffed chocolate cookies and the cheese puffs that stain your fingers orange aren't good for you. But it's not always so obvious to identify healthier foods. This takes a little investigative work. Comparing junk food to healthy food means reading and understanding nutrition labels, identifying ingredients and thinking about how foods are prepared.

Step 1

Read the nutrition label of a food from top to bottom.

Step 2

Look at the number of calories per serving and examine the number of calories from fat. Junk food usually provides a large number of calories per serving, with the majority of the calories coming from fat. Healthy food should be low in calories and especially low in calories from fat. On a 2,000 calorie diet, you should consume less than 65 grams of fat a day.

Step 3

Analyze the types of fat the food contains. Junk food is usually high in the bad types of fat -- trans and saturated. The American Heart Association recommends consuming less than 1 percent of total trans fat from calories, or less than 2 grams of trans fat a day if you have daily diet with 2,000 calories. Less than 20 grams or 10 percent of your total calories should come from saturated fat. Healthy foods have little to no trans and saturated fats.

Step 4

Study the amount of cholesterol and sodium in the food. For a daily diet of 2,000 calories, you should consume less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol and 2,000 mg of sodium. The higher the numbers, the more likely it's junk food.

Step 5

Read the percent daily values of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium and iron. These are good nutrients often absent or low in junk food -- less than 5 percent of the recommended daily value for that nutrient is considered low. For a food to be rich in the nutrient, it must provide at least 20 percent of the nutrient's recommended daily value.

Step 6

Consider the food's overall content of nutrients such as fiber, calcium, iron and vitamins A and C. A healthy food doesn't have to be high in all of these nutrients. An orange, for example, provides 130 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, but it only has 2 percent of the daily value of vitamin A and no iron. Some healthy foods provide a lot of one nutrient, while others provide smaller amounts of a variety of nutrients.

Step 7

Look up the sugar content and compare it to the food's ingredients list. Foods such as fruit have naturally occurring sugars, and naturally occurring sugars won't appear in an the ingredients list. Junk food often has a large amount of added sugar, which you will see listed under a variety of terms, including sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, maltose, dextrose, sucrose, honey, maple syrup and fruit juice concentrate.

Step 8

Read the ingredients list. The order of ingredients in the list indicates how much is in the product. The first ingredient comparatively makes up most of the product, the second listed ingredient is the second most plentiful, and so on. If you see sugar, salt or fat as one of the first ingredients (or high-fructose corn syrup, enriched flour, or corn starch), it's one of the main ingredients in the food. Junk food is often high in all these.  Be aware that food manufacturers have gotten tricky to list sugar as different ingredients; look for sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, corn syrup solids, brown sugar, dextrose.