Women have been taking oral contraceptives, aka The Pill, for almost 50 years to prevent pregnancy. But there are a lot of misconceptions about taking the pill, particularly those about weight gain. Most side effects of taking oral contraceptives are mild and include breast tenderness, nausea, headache and breakthrough bleeding….
Fruit is a perfect diet food, especially for those of us who have a mean sweet tooth. It can curb cravings, boost antioxidants and offers a multitude of other health benefits. But the kind of fruit you eat is almost less important than how it’s packaged. Whether you prefer canned,…
A bowl of cereal can be a great way to start the day. However, not all cereals are created equally. Some cereals are so loaded with sugar that they are bowls of candy in disguise. The more a box of cereal resembles a box of cookies or candy, the less…
It may just an illusion, but improving your posture can be the ultimate quick fix. Standing up straight can instantly make you appear thinner. When you slouch, it makes you look heavier. People are also more likely to notice your stomach pouching out. Maintaining good posture can help you look…
You hear it all the time – eat your veggies. And leafy greens seem to give the best bang for your nutrition buck. But before you start scarfing up everything green, you should know the variances in nutrition from broccoli to Bibb lettuce. Unfortunately, the number-one green is dead last…
Nothing in life is free, even those fat-free foods. For many dieters, the fat-free trap is a real danger. People falsely assume that the “free” implies it’s a free for all, a license to eat all you want. But that’s hardly the case. Although a product may be low in…
Forget eating three big meals a day. Eat around the clock. That doesn’t mean bingeing on junk food whenever you see fit. Instead, many dietitians and researchers encourage eating small, balanced meals. The body usually needs three to four hours to digest an average-size meal. To prevent the body from…
Window shop. Don’t spend…expend. Hit the mall in the name of better health. When inclement weather sidetracks your normal walk, take to the nearest mall and make great strides. Peek in the windows as you pass by your favorite stores…over and over. Walk through the mall and take in the…
From parties to potlucks, it seems like almost every event attend is planned on a platform of eating… or overeating for most of us. Instead of following our regular eating routine, we save room by skipping meals. Unfortunately, by party time we throw caution to the wind and start scarfing…
Exercise is healthy for your body, but is your workout healthy for the environment? If you’re leaving behind a bunch of plastic water bottles, worn-out spandex or polyester clothing, or dead batteries in your wake, then it’s time to start thinking green. Start from the ground up by taking a…