Best Natural Beauty Products

Editors’ Top 10 Natural Beauty Buys

Going green is easy with these top eco-friendly picks from our editors — see them now

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup tips article It wasn’t that long ago that natural beauty products came in bulky tubs and smelled of grass or patchouli — not exactly what we’d call appealing. But this new generation of pretty, aromatic beauty buys has got us hooked. Check out our editors’ absolute favorite natural products now. Get eco-friendly

Change Up Your Fall Workout Routine

Change Up Your Fall Workout Routine

Just because swimsuit season is over doesn’t mean you get to start camping out on the couch with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Find out how to stay motivated here

This is a TotalBeauty.com fitness article With the weather cooling down, it’s easy to find reasons to skip the gym. So, to keep you motivated, we found ways to change up your go-to routine. You know, so you don’t pile on the pounds even though you’re piling on the warm layers. See tips

What to Eat Before and After Gastric Band Surgery

Undertaking a gastric band surgery is undoubtedly a big step in someone’s life. It won’t just represent a solution to a serious weight problem, but the start of a new life-style. This weight loss procedure is specifically designed to treat cases of severe obesity and it is usually recommended to people with a Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or higher than 30. The purpose of the operation is to physically limit the amount of food intake, by applying an adjustable band around the top segment of the stomach.

In order to enjoy the full benefits of this important surgery procedure, the patient will have to change his/her eating patterns radically, and religiously stick to them, starting few weeks prior to the operation. Below are some rough guidelines on what is better to eat before and after the operation, provided by The Hospital Group.

Pre-Operative Diet
Sticking to a liquid-only diet for at least two weeks prior to the operation is essential to prepare your body for the surgery. Though very tough, this is going to be the first step towards a healthier life-style.

0-2 weeks Post Surgery
The liquid-only diet should be carried on over the first two weeks after the operation. This will be crucial to the healing process and will ensure maximum benefits from the surgery. The ideal amount of liquid food to be consumed daily ranges between 2.5 and 3.5 litres. This may consist of semi-skimmed milk, soup, teas and, of course, a good amount of water. Remember to keep portion sizes to a maximum of 200 ml (a bit less than a cup).

2-4 weeks Post Surgery
A soft food diet can be started from the 2nd to 4th week from the operation. This may include a range of foods such as eggs, purees, mashed bananas, low fat cottage cheese and much more. Fluids are very important as well, but make sure you only drink few hours after your meals.

4 weeks Onwards
Diet can go back to “normal” from the 4th week onwards. You could now start eating solid food and add new flavours to your meals, but always remember that your stomach is now set on a different capacity. Portions will have to be small. Using a child’s or a tea plate is a handy trick to fool your eyes and make you feel like you’re eating more. Also, try and eat as slow as possible and chew your food well. Not only this will facilitate the digestion process, but it will allow you to really enjoy your food.
Sticking to these basic nutrition guidelines (and to those specifically provided by your doctor) is crucial for both accelerating the healing process and ensuring successful weight loss in the short to long term. Though quantities will necessary be getting smaller, nothing forbids you to improve the quality of your food, enjoying the good cuisine with a renewed appetite for life.