"It's all about creating an impression", this is what most celebrities are heard quoting to journalists and press officials. Actually, there is a lot of importance and truth in the quotation. Showbiz is one big thing. Fame and money goes parallel with downfall and negative influence. Celebrities need to be very careful in their behavior, lifestyle, health, and every single thing they carry out. There is nothing called 'Personal' in the life of celebrities. The Paparazzies are waiting eagerly to spread scandals about celebrities.. They always create big news with smallest of issues.

Focusing on celebrity health is a big news for the press media. How a female celebrity looked wearing 2-piece bikini, or whether there is any private body parts visible are major concern for these media professionals. Celebrities are also aware of these facts. Female celebrities face the heat more. So, they are more conscious about what to wear and what not to. However, both male and female celebrities these days are much conscious in maintaining their health. In the glamour world, maintaining a perfect figure results in greater fame and publicity. More assignments, greater contract amounts, higher publicity, and positive remarks from fan following can happen if the celebrities successfully maintain the health.

The male celebrities are more into creating chiseled shaped body with six pack abs ripping in. Unlike the 70's and 80's era when large body structures ruled the movie industry, scenarios have a changed a lot in this new millennium. Sleek and slim is the flavor of the day. When it is about Hollywood hunks, then chiseled shaped body with a slimmer appearance enjoys the highest positive appeal from the crowd. Female celebrities are also required to slim down a lot. Curvy body shape is applicable only to few celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Vida Guerra, Anjelina jolie, Salma Hayek, etc. Apart from these few, most of the female models, singers, television personalities, and movie stars workout harder along with strict balance diet to maintain a semi- size zero figure.

Maintaining health properly also makes the celebrities look a lot younger than their actual age. Say for example, Tom Cruise, the highest paid actor in Hollywood. The current age of this handsome actor is 50. However, not many can imagine it. The actor looks like a 30 year old lover boy till date. How can it happen? Simply because the actor puts a lot of emphasis in maintaining his health to retain the shadow of youth for as long possible. How many can tell the present age of pop queen Madonna? Does she look like a 50+ American mom? No, absolutely not! But this is the reality. She is presently 54. But, strict diet and regular workout has allowed the pop queen to hold on to her youth. She still looks young and fitter. Being health conscious is also important to ensure a enjoyable life with less diseases and weakness. In fact, these days, celebrities from all over the world invest a lot of money to maintain their figure and health for a younger and beautiful outlook.

Fast food isn't exactly the first thing that comes to mind when someone utters the word "healthy," but people often find themselves in situations where there is no other choice. While it's difficult to order Chinese food that actually qualifies as a healthy dish, it is possible, and some restaurants will go out of their way to meet their customers' needs.

The Salty Beast

Sodium is unavoidable when ordering Chinese. If possible, dieters should plan their meals ahead of time and avoid sodium at all costs prior to ordering Chinese food. Since the main concern with sodium is water weight, it's possible to lessen the impact of consuming so much of it by drinking copious amounts of water throughout the day.

Avoid Sauces

Soy sauce is yet another way that sodium works its way into Chinese food, and the sweeter sauces contain lots of carbohydrates. Some Chinese restaurants offer alternatives, but in almost every case, someone can request that the sauces not be used at all.

Use Rice as Filler

Rice is an incredibly healthy food, and while it might not make a satisfying meal on its own, it can lessen someone's appetite for the fattier things on the menu. Of course, fried rice is just as bad as anything else on the menu; it's steamed rice or bust for those who want to get in shape.

Cantonese is What the Doctor Ordered

Cantonese dishes tend to be made with better ingredients, and they're generally lighter than other Chinese dishes. Another alternative is to order foods that place an emphasis on vegetables over everything else. A prime example would be beef and broccoli.

Mention Special Needs

Not everyone can have everything, and Chinese food may contain elements that could cause problems beyond mere weight gain. Mentioning that to the person working at the restaurant when the order is placed can help avoid the snafus that accompany eating something that's completely inappropriate.

Avoid Nuts and Fried Food

Most dieters are fully aware that they should avoid fried food, and Chinese food is no exception. What people may not be aware of is that there are a lot of Chinese dishes that heavily feature nuts, and while nuts are healthy in small servings, they add a lot of fat and calories to dishes where they are key ingredients. It may be possible to get a restaurant to omit the nuts or reduce the amount they use in certain dishes, but if they won't, it's better to just avoid those dishes altogether.

Slimming Down Isn't Easy

Ordering takeout is always a gamble, but Chinese food does provide some healthy alternatives for those who don't want to expand their waistlines. It's a bit of a minefield at first, but with a little practice and knowledge, it's more than possible to get enjoyable food that won't require someone to add another notch to his belt.

Chloe Summers is a guest writer for delivery.com, a site she recommends for finding the best delivery options in your area.

Food additives have been used for centuries to enhance the appearance and flavor of food and prolong shelf life. But do these food additives really “add” any value to your food?

Food additives find their way into our foods to help ease processing, packaging and storage. But how do we know what food additives is in that box of macaroni and cheese and why does it have such a long shelf life?

A typical American household spends about 90 percent of their food budget on processed foods, and are in doing so exposed to a plethora of artificial food additives, many of which can cause dire consequences to your health.

Some food additives are worse than others. Here’s a list of the top food additives to avoid:

1. Artificial Sweeteners
Aspartame, (E951) more popularly known as Nutrasweet and Equal, is found in foods labeled "diet" or "sugar free". Aspartame is believed to be carcinogenic and accounts for more reports of adverse reactions than all other foods and food additives combined. Aspartame is not your friend. Aspartame is a neurotoxin and carcinogen. Known to erode intelligence and affect short-term memory, the components of this toxic sweetener may lead to a wide variety of ailments including brain tumor, diseases like lymphoma, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue, emotional disorders like depression and anxiety attacks, dizziness, headaches, nausea, mental confusion, migraines and seizures. Acesulfame-K, a relatively new artificial sweetener found in baking goods, gum and gelatin, has not been thoroughly tested and has been linked to kidney tumors. Read more about the dangers of Aspartame here.

Found in: diet or sugar free sodas, diet coke, coke zero, jello (and over gelatins), desserts, sugar free gum, drink mixes, baking goods, table top sweeteners, cereal, breathmints, pudding, kool-aid, ice tea, chewable vitamins, toothpaste

2. High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a highly-refined artificial sweetener which has become the number one source of calories in America. It is found in almost all processed foods. HFCS packs on the pounds faster than any other ingredient, increases your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels, and contributes to the development of diabetes and tissue damage, among other harmful effects.

Found in: most processed foods, breads, candy, flavored yogurts, salad dressings, canned vegetables, cereals

3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / E621)
MSG is an amino acid used as a flavor enhancer in soups, salad dressings, chips, frozen entrees, and many restaurant foods. MSG is known as an excitotoxin, a substance which overexcites cells to the point of damage or death. Studies show that regular consumption of MSG may result in adverse side effects which include depression, disorientation, eye damage, fatigue, headaches, and obesity. MSG effects the neurological pathways of the brain and disengaged the "I'm full" function which explains the effects of weight gain.

Found in: Chinese food (Chinese Restaurant Syndrome ) many snacks, chips, cookies, seasonings, most Campbell Soup products, frozen dinners, lunch meats

4. Trans Fat
Trans fat is used to enhance and extend the shelf life of food products and is among the most dangerous substances that you can consume. Found in deep-fried fast foods and certain processed foods made with margarine or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, trans fats are formed by a process called hydrogenation. Numerous studies show that trans fat increases LDL cholesterol levels while decreasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol, increases the risk of heart attacks, heart disease and strokes, and contributes to increased inflammation, diabetes and other health problems. Oils and fat are now forbidden on the Danish market if they contain trans fatty acids exceeding 2 per cent, a move that effectively bans partially hydrogenated oils.

Found in: margarine, chips and crackers, baked goods, fast foods

5. Common Food Dyes
Studies show that artificial colorings which are found in soda, fruit juices and salad dressings, may contribute to behavioral problems in children and lead to a significant reduction in IQ. Animal studies have linked other food colorings to cancer. Watch out for these ones:

Blue #1 and Blue #2 (E133)

Banned in Norway, Finland and France. May cause chromosomal damage

Found in: candy, cereal, soft drinks, sports drinks and pet foods

Red dye # 3 (also Red #40 – a more current dye) (E124)

Banned in 1990 after 8 years of debate from use in many foods and cosmetics. This dye continues to be on the market until supplies run out! Has been proven to cause thyroid cancer and chromosomal damage in laboratory animals, may also interfere with brain-nerve transmission

Found in: fruit cocktail, maraschino cherries, cherry pie mix, ice cream, candy, bakery products and more!

Yellow #6 (E110) and Yellow Tartrazine (E102)

Banned in Norway and Sweden. Increases the number of kidney and adrenal gland tumors in laboratory animals, may cause chromosomal damage.

Found in: American cheese, macaroni and cheese, candy and carbonated beverages, lemonade and more!

6. Sodium Sulfite (E221)
Preservative used in wine-making and other processed foods. According to the FDA, approximately one in 100 people is sensitive to sulfites in food. The majority of these individuals are asthmatic, suggesting a link between asthma and sulfites. Individuals who are sulfite sensitive may experience headaches, breathing problems, and rashes. In severe cases, sulfites can actually cause death by closing down the airway altogether, leading to cardiac arrest.

Found in: Wine and dried fruit

7. Sodium Nitrate/Sodium Nitrite

Sodium nitrate (or sodium nitrite) is used as a preservative, coloring and flavoring in bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, corned beef, smoked fish and other processed meats. This ingredient, which sounds harmless, is actually highly carcinogenic once it enters the human digestive system. There, it forms a variety of nitrosamine compounds that enter the bloodstream and wreak havoc with a number of internal organs: the liver and pancreas in particular. Sodium nitrite is widely regarded as a toxic ingredient, and the USDA actually tried to ban this additive in the 1970's but was vetoed by food manufacturers who complained they had no alternative for preserving packaged meat products. Why does the industry still use it? Simple: this chemical just happens to turn meats bright red. It's actually a color fixer, and it makes old, dead meats appear fresh and vibrant.

Found in: hotdogs, bacon, ham, luncheon meat, cured meats, corned beef, smoked fish or any other type of processed meat

8. BHA and BHT (E320)
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydrozyttoluene (BHT) are preservatives found in cereals, chewing gum, potato chips, and vegetable oils. This common preservative keeps foods from changing color, changing flavor or becoming rancid. Effects the neurological system of the brain, alters behavior and has potential to cause cancer. BHA and BHT are oxidants which form cancer-causing reactive compounds in your body.

Found in: Potato chips, gum, cereal, frozen sausages, enriched rice, lard, shortening, candy, jello

9. Sulfur Dioxide (E220)
Sulfur additives are toxic and in the United States of America, the Federal Drugs Administration have prohibited their use on raw fruit and vegetables. Adverse reactions include: bronchial problems particularly in those prone to asthma, hypotension (low blood pressure), flushing tingling sensations or anaphylactic shock. It also destroys vitamins B1 and E. Not recommended for consumption by children. The International Labour Organization says to avoid E220 if you suffer from conjunctivitis, bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, or cardiovascular disease.

Found in: beer, soft drinks, dried fruit, juices, cordials, wine, vinegar, and potato products.

10. Potassium Bromate
An additive used to increase volume in some white flour, breads, and rolls, potassium bromate is known to cause cancer in animals. Even small amounts in bread can create problems for humans.

Found in: breads

Read the Full Article at Food Matters

The Cannes Film Festival can be a 10 day long 24/7 party. Even though business gets done, it's business mixed with a heavy dose of dinner and daily cocktails. our good friend from Denmark Micheal Kiilerich is a fitness expert that has approached fitness and the human body, with the study and precision of a scientist. He opened a crossfit studio in Cannes. Crossfit Cannes is a shining little  antithesis to all the cocktail hours and rich French food of Cannes. We met up with Micheal at the studio and his students were comprised of people from around the world.  We took the class and it was physically intensive but Micheal is really careful to make sure that it's also safe. It was actually the best work out I've had in a couple of years. Next time you're in the South Of France get over to Crossfit Cannes. http://crossfitcannes.com/