Avoid Packing on Holiday Pounds: Maximize Meals, Minimize Your Waistline

Sticking to healthy eating habits is particularly tough around the holidays. From resisting the temptation to indulge in excessive sweets of the season to limiting calorie-laden holiday party noshing, making a pact with yourself to go easy on the indulging can help avoid any unhealthy New Year’s crash diets.

Maintaining Weight With Probotics

Do you dream about fast food? Does eating a greasy burger and fries sound good sometimes? Don’t feel bad. Everyone gets food cravings. The important thing is to keep those cravings under control and avoid obesity.

You see, scientists are learning that a high-fat diet can upset the balance of your intestinal bacteria and lead to obesity.Scientists are also learning that some bacteria may help you maintain a normal weight and bacterial balance.

Can Exercise Strengthen Your Brain?

As we all know, there are many benefits to exercise. From weigh loss to mood improvement, exercise provides countless benefits- but could it also make our brains stronger?

Yes, say researchers at the University of South Carolina. In a recent study, scientists at the university split mice into two groups. One group ran for 30 minutes a day and the other just lounged around. Over an 8 week period the mice were studied. They shared the same living quarters, and the only difference was one group was allowed to run on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day.

Do you REALLY understand your cholesterol? Part 2

High cholesterol levels affect a big portion of our adult population. Undesirable levels often occur already in childhood – with some children being at higher risk due to a family history of high cholesterol.

Cholesterol is found in eggs, dairy products, meat and poultry. Egg yolks and organ meat (i.e. liver and kidneys) are high in cholesterol. Fish generally contains less cholesterol than meat, but certain shellfish also have high levels.

“Comfort Food” That Won’t Damage Your Waistline

Almost all of us have turned to an unhealthy nosh during a stressful time at one point or another. Some of us prefer sweets, while others prefer salty snacks. However, these unhealthy choices can lead to a spike in blood pressure and blood sugar, leaving you feeling worse and stressing your body even more. Further, turning to food to curb stress only defers the problem.

The “Skinny-Fat” Phenomenon Explained

Obesity refers to an excessive amount of body fat, and as we have heard over and over again, obesity-related health problems are on the rise, particularly in today’s youth. However, a new look at the condition may surprise those with preconceived notions of what obese generally “looks like”. Coined “normal weight obesity” within the medical community, often commonly referred to as “skinny-fat”, it is possible to have too much body fat despite a lean appearance.

Take Control of Your Cravings

Every day, we’re exposed to countless ads, many of which include fast-food or other unhealthy snack choices. How often have you been winding down at the end of the day and see an ad on TV for a gallon of ice cream or bag of chips and suddenly have a major hankering for either one (or both)?

How to Get Out of an Exercise Rut

Is exercise always “accidentally” falling off your to-do list? When working out becomes a dreaded chore rather than an enjoyable experience, it’s easy to lose motivation and shrug it off as unimportant. Regaining momentum, especially after an extended hiatus, is never easy – but the benefits to your health far outweigh the initial challenges!

3 Dieting Myths Uncovered!

We’ve all heard opinions and theories where dieting is concerned… but how much is fact and how much is food fiction? We took 3 common dieting myths and put them to the test. Read on to find out the truth and get some GREAT TIPS to help you shed those extra pounds!

The Latest Diet Craze: Going Vegan

If you’ve been near a newsstand recently, you’ve likely seen a few magazine covers with celebrities getting on the ‘vegan bandwagon’ to lose weight. For anyone who follows a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, the recent surge in popularity surrounding these long-established ways of eating may be a little irritating, as most supporters did not adopt the vegan or vegetarian diet for weight loss purposes, but rather because of personal beliefs or motivations.