With Spring Break coming up and full-on swim season not far behind, you might be stressing about how to get your body ready for its close-up. If you slacked off on workouts and healthy eating all winter, then now’s the time to get into summer shape. Reduce calories to 1,500-1,800…
Come on baby, light my fiber! The benefits of fiber are far reaching. Fiber is probably one of those buzzwords you have heard a million times, but you really don’t know what it is, where it comes from and why it matters to you. Dietary fiber, also known as roughage,…
Develop coping mechanisms for cravings. When your stomach starts churning for a Snickers bar, do you have a plan? Or do you simply cave in and suffer from a heavy dose of remorse for the remainder of the day? Devise a list of activities that will provide a distraction from…
Do you eat until you’re stuffed? Well, then it’s time to call it quits…before you feel full. While you eat, the stomach sends a signal to the brain, saying it’s full. However, it usually takes about 20 minutes for the brain to get this signal, which gives you plenty of…
Cruciferous foods have a reputation to protect. That’s because they’re known for their disease-fighting, diet-friendly properties. Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage and bok choy are all cruciferous vegetables. When it comes to health benefits, these veggies are chock full of phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and fiber. What they are most…
Beware of full-fat dairy. High in fat and calories, milk, sour cream and other dairy products can be a danger to your diet. Thankfully, there are a slew of low-fat and non-fat alternatives that won’t seriously affect your bottom line. Most of the time you won’t be able to taste…
If you experience heartburn or burning chest pain, then you may be experiencing symptoms of acid reflux. If it happens more than twice a week, then you may have acid reflux disease, or GERD. Symptoms include that burning feeling, regurgitation, bloating, hiccups, nausea, unexplained weight loss and burping. See the…
It’s hard not to love side dishes. Most of us take comfort in cheesy macaroni, creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice dishes. We’re talking about the beloved sidekicks that can derail just about any diet in spite of the best-intentioned main dish. Take traditional mac and cheese. A 12-ounce serving…
Peer pressure can be a positive force, especially when you’re talking about fitness and healthy eating. The positive influence of having a diet buddy or attending fitness classes with others has been proven to increase weight-loss success. There are probably plenty of people around you who will take notice as…
Beans — also known as legumes — are healthy and inexpensive. They are high in fiber and protein and low in fat. Legumes are also rich in folic acid, copper, iron and magnesium. They even help lessen your appetite. Because beans have a low glycemic index, they provide energy over…