Posts in "Diet"

Daily by Morin Reaches 15,000 Facebook Likes!

Beauty, Celebs, Dating, Décor, Diet, Entertainment, Fashion, Fitness, Food, Hair, Health, Holiday, Lifestyle, Love & Relationships, Men, Relationships, Sex, Shopping, Spring/Summer, style | December 25, 2012

We’ve been so busy Christmas shopping for the holidays that we didn’t realize we passed 15,000 Likes! Have a happy and fab holiday season. We can’t wait to start off 2013 looking chic and 5lbs lighter from holiday eating!

Xoxo, Daily by Morin

Healthy “Zero” Calorie Foods

Diet, Food, Health, Lifestyle | September 20, 2012

Strawberries

One cup of the summertime staple packs more than 100 percent of our daily recommended intake of vitamin C. Strawberries are also one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits you can eat. Compounds called polyphenols may protect your body from the type of cell and tissue damage that’s linked to heart disease and certain cancers.

Image: Getty Images

Here’s a list of great tasting and delicious foods that have so little calories, they might as well have none! Referenced article here: http://on-msn.com/RBIsGd

: Cucumbers If you’re tired of fending off hunger by guzzling glass after glass of H2O, snack on cucumber slices instead. “Eating foods that are high in water can help you feel full at least temporarily by taking up a lot of space in your stomach,” notes Reinagel. Cucumbers also pack vitamins K and C, potassium, and a compound called silica, which helps to build and maintain connective tissue, like muscle, tendons, ligaments, and bone. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Broccoli Broccoli may be the nation’s most hated upon veggie, but it doesn’t deserve that reputation. One cup raw contains as much fiber and vitamin C as an orange. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Cauliflower Counting your carbs? Try boiling, mashing, and seasoning cauliflower to get a mashed potato substitute that tastes almost like the real thing. A half-cup of boiled cauliflower contains only 14 calories, but nearly half your daily recommended intake of vitamin C. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Strawberries One cup of the summertime staple packs more than 100 percent of our daily recommended intake of vitamin C. Strawberries are also one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits you can eat. Compounds called polyphenols may protect your body from the type of cell and tissue damage that’s linked to heart disease and certain cancers. Image: Getty Images

: Leafy Greens Whatever variety you pick, you can’t go wrong with piling a plate with salad greens. At 4 calories per cup, watercress is loaded with vitamins A, C and K, and a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating 3 ounces of the peppery green daily increases levels of the cancer-fighting antioxidants lutein and beta-carotene. Spinach (7 calories per cup) is brimming with vitamin K, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and selenium and contains a hormone that allows muscle tissue to repair itself faster, according to research from Rutgers University. Image: Getty Images

: Red Chili Peppers Add a little spice to your cooking and slim down while you’re at it. Capsaicin, the compound that gives red chili peppers its kick, has been shown to help your body burn more calories. Plus, research shows that we tend to eat smaller portions of spicy foods because of the heat. Image: Getty Images

: Mushrooms Whether you sauté them or eat them raw, mushrooms are an often-overlooked superfood. Dutch researchers found that when you digest mushrooms, your body produces cancer-fighting, immunity-boosting metabolites. Image: Getty Images

: Red Bell Pepper Any way you slice it, red bell peppers are a great source of nutrients. A medium sized one delivers 250 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C, 75 percent of your daily vitamin A needs, and 10 percent of your fiber goals. Chop them up and pair with hummus for a healthy snack. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Summer Squash Whether you love zucchini, butternut, or acorn, all squashes are chockfull of vitamins and belly-filling fiber. But summer squash has one advantage: you can eat more of it without gaining weight. In fact, you can have two times more summer squash than winter squash for the same number of calories. Image: Thinkstock

: Turnip The turnip sometimes takes a backseat to more popular root vegetables, like carrots and potatoes, but its nutritional benefits shouldn’t be overlooked. The root contains cancer-fighting glucosinolates and is a good source of fiber, calcium, and potassium. Image: Thinkstock

: Green Tea Whether you prefer it hot or iced, unsweetened green tea is calorie-free and high in an antioxidant called ECGC, which may reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers while revving up your metabolism. Participants in a Tufts University study who drank the equivalent of three cups of green tea each day lost twice as much weight as those who did not drink the tea. Green tea drinkers also lost significantly more belly fat than non-tea drinkers. Image: Getty Images

: Citrus Fruit Don’t wait until cold season to fill up on oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit–they may help whittle your middle. People with higher vitamin C levels have lower waist-to-hip ratios than those whose bodies contain less of the antioxidant, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. What’s more, University of Arizona researchers found that those with higher levels of vitamin C oxidized 25 percent more fat during treadmill sessions than those with lower levels of the vitamin. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Water The importance of water can’t be overstated. Staying hydrated keeps your metabolism humming, and can keep you alert and energized throughout the day. Drinking two glasses before a meal can also help you keep control over your portions. Image: Thinkstock

: Celery Celery delivers serious crunch for next to no calories—each medium stalk has about 6—but it’s not shy on nutrients. One cup has a third of your recommended daily intake of vitamin K, along with vitamin A, fiber, folate, and potassium. Celery also contains compounds called phthalides, which can relax muscle tissue in artery walls and increase blood flow, thereby helping to lower blood pressure. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Apples An apple a day keeps your weight at bay! Just make sure to eat the skin. The peel contains most of the fruit’s metabolism-boosting fiber, as well as ursolic acid, a compound that may prevent the pounds from piling on, according to a new study from University of Iowa. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Kelp Don’t be squeamish about eating your sea vegetables. Kelp is loaded with vitamin K, which helps keep bones strong, along with a natural fiber called alginate, which may help block fat absorption, according to research from Newcastle University in the UK. For only 6 calories per 4-ounce serving, try mixing Sea Tangle Kelp Noodles into salads, soups, and stir-fries. Image: Thinkstock

: Asparagus A half-cup of cooked asparagus will set you back only 20 calories. Plus, you’ll get hefty doses of vitamins K and A, and B vitamins such as folic acid. Since B vitamins play a role in breaking down sugars and starches, eating asparagus may help regulate blood sugar and fend off type 2 diabetes. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Apricots Brimming with beta-carotene, apricots can help fight cancer and heart disease as well as protect your eyesight. Eating three or more daily servings of fruit rich in vitamins A, C, and E and carotenoids like beta-carotene may lower your risk of macular degeneration, the dominant cause of age-related vision loss. When participants in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology ate this much fruit they were 36 percent less likely to suffer from the disease compared to those who consumed 1.5 servings or less of fruit daily. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Watermelon This summertime fruit is loaded with arginine, an amino acid that may aid weight loss. Researchers found that obese mice that were fed arginine supplements burned more fat and gained more lean muscle than those that did not receive them, according to a Journal of Nutrition study. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Tomatoes The lycopene in tomatoes can protect against prostate cancer and help keep skin looking young by eliminating free radicals that build up when you’re exposed to ultraviolet rays. Tip: Cooking tomatoes spikes levels of lycopene and makes it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients, according to a Cornell University study. Image: Mitch Mandel

Foods That Make You Smarter

Diet, Food, Health, Lifestyle | September 17, 2012

Cayenne Pepper
Hot peppers are bursting with capsaicin, a compound most famous for its use as a natural fat fighter and pain reliever. But according to The Happiness Diet authors Tyler Graham and Drew Ramsey, M.D., our brains benefit from the heat-packing compound, too. The human brain is actually loaded with receptors for capsaicin, which release stress-reducing endorphins, making it easier for us to focus.

(© Junaid Rashid/Getty Images)

It’s no secret that eating foods packed with nutrients helps stimulate your mental power. Check out the best dining options to stimulate brain health. Referenced article here: http://bit.ly/RBND99

: Dark Chocolate Flavonol compounds in dark chocolate help boost your circulatory system, promoting better blood flow to the brain. In fact, they could even improve your math skills. A 2009 study asking study participants to count backwards in groups of three discovered that those who drank flavonol-fueled hot cocoa calculated more quickly and were less likely to feel tired or mentally drained. (© Robert George Young/Getty Images)

: Anchovies Your brain thrives on omega-3 fatty acids. The polyunsaturated fats help protect your brain from accelerated aging and memory loss, while shooing away depression and bad moods. Anchovies boost 10 times the omega-3 levels that tuna does and are much lower in harmful seafood contaminants like mercury. As a side benefit, the tiny fish are also loaded with bone-building vitamin D and calcium. (© Marco Beltramo/Getty Images)

: Beets Beets bring vitamin B to the brain game. This vital nutrient helps you quickly process data and sort through your memories. Fresh beets even serve as natural antidepressants! Sauté and eat beet greens, too. They’re packed with heart-protecting folate. Just be sure to avoid canned beets; the containers are likely coated in bisphenol A, or BPA, a chemical that disrupts our natural hormonal systems. (© Thomas Barwick/Getty Images)

: Apples “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is very likely true when you consider that this formidable fruit contains catechins, substances that show promise in protecting us from brain-damaging chemicals all too common in everyday products. Just be sure to choose organic apples; the catechins are in the fruit’s skin, the part exposed to pesticides in chemical farming. (© Lorry Eason/Getty Images)

: Pumpkin Seeds Pumpkin seeds are tiny treasures filled with tryptophan, a crucial building block of brain health used to create serotonin, a key component of mood and brain health. (© James And James/Getty Images)

: Kale Just like Brussels sprouts, kale and its cruciferous cousins cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower act as potent anti-aging agents for the brain. A Harvard Medical School study of more than 13,000 women found that eating these veggies lowered brain age by 1 to 2 years. Money-saving tip? Kale is super easy to grow fresh and organically in your back yard. (© Ron Levine/Getty Images)

: Brussels Sprouts Here’s a good reason to eat your Brussels sprouts: Scientists have proven that the cruciferous plant is packed with molecules that our bodies convert into diindolymethane, an immune-system booster that helps protect new brain cells. Its antioxidant content helps clean up cancer-causing free radicals, waste products your body makes when it uses fuel to create energy. (© Ray Kachatorian/Getty Images)

: Cayenne Pepper Hot peppers are bursting with capsaicin, a compound most famous for its use as a natural fat fighter and pain reliever. But according to The Happiness Diet authors Tyler Graham and Drew Ramsey, M.D., our brains benefit from the heat-packing compound, too. The human brain is actually loaded with receptors for capsaicin, which release stress-reducing endorphins, making it easier for us to focus. (© Junaid Rashid/Getty Images)

: Lard No, this isn’t a typo. The right type of lard can actually do wonders for your brain; specifically your mood. Lard’s oleic acid is a monosaturated fat that lowers your risk of depression. It’s also a rich source of vitamin D, a vital hormone believed to stave off dementia. For the healthiest lard, be sure to source the product from a farmer who grazes the farm animals on organic pasture. (© Thorsten Kraska/Getty Images)

: Berries Berries are brain boosters, and for several different reasons. Raspberries and blueberries contain anthocyanin compounds that protect brain neurons linked to memory. Strawberries’ fisetin compounds build long-term memory strength. A British study found that eating about a cup of blueberries a day can markedly improve memory in just a few months. (© Colin Cooke/Getty Images)

: Old-Fashioned Eggs Just like anchovies, pastured eggs are chock-full of brain-protecting omega-3 fatty acids. Eggs have even been called the perfect brain food! But not all eggs are created equally. Eggs from pastured hens — ones raised outside on green grass pastures — contain two times more omega-3s than standard store-bought eggs, and three times more naturally-occurring vitamin E, a potent antidepressant and possible Alzheimer’s disease antidote. Be sure to eat the yolks — pastured eggs are rich in choline, a brain-boosting compound that promotes neurotransmitter health. (© Digidroom/Getty Images)

6 “Healthy” Foods That Aren’t

Diet, Fitness, Food, Health, Lifestyle | September 6, 2012

Sports Drinks

While Gatorade may be beneficial if you’re putting in an extremely hard workout—like marathon hard—most of us are just getting an unwelcome dose of sugar, salt, and loads of sketchy artificial food coloring. Plus, a new study in the journal General Dentistry suggests that sports and energy drinks are responsible for serious tooth enamel damage and decay.

Image: Mitch Mandel

We all try our best to eat healthy foods but may be unknowingly deceived. Check out these foods that tend to come with a “healthy” stamp but you’re likely wiser leaving them at the supermarket. Referenced article here: http://on-msn.com/RBFwt3

: “All-Natural” Breakfast Cereals Kashi, Kellogg’s “natural” brand, is currently under fire from consumers over the fact that the ingredients used in their cereals aren’t completely natural as their marketing implies. In fact, scientists from the Cornucopia Institute recently detected GMO material in 100 percent of the soy in Kashi GoLean. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Sports Drinks While Gatorade may be beneficial if you’re putting in an extremely hard workout—like marathon hard—most of us are just getting an unwelcome dose of sugar, salt, and loads of sketchy artificial food coloring. Plus, a new study in the journal General Dentistry suggests that sports and energy drinks are responsible for serious tooth enamel damage and decay. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Energy Bars The reason you feel a boost from your bar is most likely due to the copious amounts of sweetener added to it. Many companies disguise just how much sugar is hidden inside by using various types of sugar—like high-fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, and cane juice—to try and fool you. Case in point: PowerBar ProteinPlus Chocolate Brownie bar, which offers up 30 grams of sugar from at least three different sugar sources. Image: Mitch Mandel

: “No Artificial Preservatives” Meats Oscar Mayer recently announced that it will no longer be using artificial preservatives in their “Selects” line of hot dogs and deli slices. While we applaud the weiner company for taking out nasty chemicals like potassium chloride and sodium nitrate, that doesn’t mean that these foods are now healthy. Processed meat is still processed meat, and a daily serving of bacon or salami can up your risk of death 20%, according to research from the Harvard School of Public Health. Image: Oscar Mayer

: Bottled Green Tea We’ve touted the benefits of green tea for years, but those sweetened, bottled beverages aren’t what we’ve been talking about. Some mass-produced bottles have only a miniscule amount of the powerful catechins, and they’re loaded with sugar. SoBe Energize Green Tea, for example, offers up more than 50 grams of sugar in one 20-ounce bottle. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Egg Substitute We’re not saying that egg substitute is necessarily bad for you, but they’re not necessarily better for your cholesterol than the real thing—something most of us assume. A new study from the University of Connecticut found that people who ate whole eggs actually increased their HDL (the healthy cholesterol) more than those who ate egg substitutes. Image: Egg Beaters

Lazy Ways to Lose Weight

Diet, Fitness, Food, Health, Lifestyle | August 31, 2012

Multitask in Front of the TV

Save time (and money) by skipping the gym and working out at home instead, suggests Melissa Joy Dobbins, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Keep some free weights by the TV or simply do crunches or lunges during your favorite show,” she says. “I have both my treadmill and my elliptical parked in front of a TV. I can watch my favorite shows only if I’m on them,” says Becky Clark, author of How to Lose Weight and Get Healthy Even If You’re Lazy, who incorporates calorie-torching speed intervals into her living room cardio workouts so she can keep them shorter.

You don’t have to make radical changes to your routine and lifestyle to lose weight. Here are easy tips to help you get healthy with minimal work! Referenced article here: http://on-msn.com/M5GbNN

: Multitask in Front of the TV Save time (and money) by skipping the gym and working out at home instead, suggests Melissa Joy Dobbins, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Keep some free weights by the TV or simply do crunches or lunges during your favorite show,” she says. “I have both my treadmill and my elliptical parked in front of a TV. I can watch my favorite shows only if I’m on them,” says Becky Clark, author of How to Lose Weight and Get Healthy Even If You’re Lazy, who incorporates calorie-torching speed intervals into her living room cardio workouts so she can keep them shorter.

: Eat Leftovers All Week Long Cook once on Sunday and eat what you’ve prepared during the week. For example, roast a turkey breast and prepare enough brown rice and veggies to last through the week. This way you have to think about food only once a week rather than 21 times, says Clark. “I tend to eat the same stuff over and over,” she says. Researchers at the University of Buffalo suggest that limiting the variety of foods in your diet and eating them at standard intervals, like once a day or once per week, can help you eat less, as you’ll be less tempted to overindulge in a food if you’re consuming it regularly.

: Shorten Your Shopping Trip Instead of wandering up and down the aisles on an empty stomach, eat before you go to the grocery store and once you’re there, purchase only the items on your list, suggests Joy Dubost, RD, PhD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. That way the only step left is deciding which brand or type of product to purchase. Dubost makes these suggestions: Reach for 1% or skim milk instead of 2% or whole milk; grab whole grain pasta, rice, and bread instead of white varieties; load sparkling water instead of soda into your cart; choose whole fruits or 100% juice over fruit-flavored drinks; and if you have a tendency to overeat straight from the package, pick preportioned sizes instead.

: Buy Ready-to-Eat Snacks If you’re not the type to tote almonds and apple slices in your laptop bag, you’re likely on the lookout for a satisfying snack at the coffee shop, corner store, or vending machine come late afternoon. “Convenience food doesn’t have to mean junk food,” says Dobbins, who suggests keeping your eye out for prepackaged foods that are sold in their original form. Examples include whole or precut fruits and veggies, hard-boiled eggs, and cups of yogurt. If you’re trying to save money and don’t mind planning in advance, make your own snack packs at the start of the week. “As soon as I get home from the grocery store, I wash and cut up cauliflower, broccoli, and celery, making it handy to grab,” says Clark. “If I didn’t, I’d never eat it.”

: Carry a Clutch If you’re going to a party, carry a clutch instead of a hobo or shoulder bag, says Marisa Moore, RD, an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson. It keeps your hands full, making it more difficult to hold both a drink and a plate.

: Leave Out One Ingredient By using nonstick cookware, you’ll cut down on calories and prep time, says Clark. If you leave out oil or butter when cooking lean meats and veggies you’ll save fat and calories—extra-virgin olive oil contains 120 calories and 14 g of fat per tablespoon, and unsalted butter has 102 calories and 12 g of fat per tablespoon. Skipping oil or butter means you don’t have to spend time digging out one more ingredient from the cabinet or fridge. Plus, it can be time-consuming to wash greasy pans once they hit the sink.

: Break Between Bites It might take a little while to get acquainted with this new habit, but setting down your fork or spoon in between each bite slows the eating process and may help you eat fewer calories, says Marisa Moore, RD, LD, MBA, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She also suggests taking time to thoroughly chew your food. In a study from Harbin Medical University in China, people who chewed their food 40 times per bite ate fewer calories than those who chewed just 15 times. Another way to fill up faster: Drink water before a meal, says Moore. “This simple action is not only hydrating, but also may help you take in fewer calories during the meal.”

: Have Your Meals Hand-Delivered If cooking isn’t your thing, consider a healthy meal delivery service. This is a top health and fitness trend for 2012. Calorie-restricted and portion-controlled eating plans like Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig help dieters lose more weight than those in control groups, according to studies. Just like restaurant and take-out items, prices for meal delivery vary widely. For example, 28 days of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks on the new Meal Movement plan sets you back $14.79 a day, while pricing for Chef’s Diet, which delivers three gourmet meals plus two snacks to your door each day, starts at $43 per day for a 31-day program.

: Savor a Nighttime Snack Your favorite at-home movie snack has some surprising slim-down benefits. Those who snack on popcorn get 250% more whole grains and about 22% more fiber than those who don’t eat the low-cal snack, according to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. What this means for weight loss: Fiber and whole grains keep your blood sugar from spiking (and then crashing), so you feel full longer than if you snacked on chips or cookies. Keep your kernels from taking an unhealthy turn by popping them in an air popper and skipping the butter and oil.

: Dress for Success If part of what holds you back from hitting the gym is packing your gear ahead of time, layer on pieces of your workout wardrobe in the AM. “Clothes today are more exercise-friendly than ever before,” says Dobbins, who suggests selecting gym clothes that make you want to work out—and maybe even show off at the office. “Look for stretchy, flattering clothes that can double for work and workout. Or if your exercise of choice is walking, you don’t need any special clothes—just really good shoes!”

: Play Video Games Gaming used to conjure up teen boys sitting on the sofa for hours on end. But today’s “exergames” are helping males and females of all ages torch serious calories. Researchers from Brigham Young University found that middle school students who played active video games that required the most movement, like Wii boxing or Playstation’s Dance Dance Revolution, got enough exercise to meet physical activity requirements (60 minutes per day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults). Their study, published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, examined the energy expenditure of 39 children with various body types and found that kids burn 4 to 6.7 calories per minute playing active video games, compared with the 4.4 calories per minute they would burn by walking on the treadmill at 3 mph.

: Tinker with Your Smartphone Take the tedium out of counting calories and recording your workouts by letting your smartphone do the work. The Thin-Cam app helps you create the ultimate food diary by storing photos you snap of everything that passes your lips. Based on your pics, the company’s health experts generate an analysis of your eating habits and offer advice on how to lose weight by picking smarter meal options. At the gym, pull up the Men’s Health Personal Trainer app and you’ll have an easy way to plan your workouts, log sets and reps, and view videos on how to perform specific exercises.

: Sneak in More Steps If your schedule allows no time for structured workouts, find ways to sneak in more movement throughout the day. “If you can’t exercise all in one sitting at least try to break it up into intervals, such as three 10-minute segments,” says Dubost. Or wear a pedometer to track your steps, challenging yourself to take at least 100 more steps than the day before, she adds. Easy ways to add more steps: “Get up from your desk and go for a short walk at least every 2 hours if not every hour and use the stairs instead of the elevator,” says Dubost.

: Hit the Snooze Button Sleeping may possibly be the laziest way to lose weight ever. During a 6-year study, Canadian researchers observed the connection between sleep patterns and obesity and found that people who slept 5 to 6 hours a night gained 4.5 pounds more than those who dozed for 7 to 8 hours nightly. While many studies suggest that sleep deprivation increases levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin, a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition determined that lack of sleep can also slow the rate at which calories are burned. Swedish researchers found that even a single night of skimping on sleep slows metabolism the next morning and reduces the number of calories burned while performing automatic tasks, like breathing and digesting food, by 5 to 20%, compared with the morning after a good night’s rest.

: Pay Lip Service Make your lips pop with zesty coral, red, or fuchsia hue. Not only is bright lipstick very on trend right now, it can keep you from eating sugary or messy foods since you won’t want to wipe and constantly reapply, says Sari Greaves, RD, nutrition director at Step Ahead Weight Loss Center in Bedminster, NJ. Plus, you’ll be more inclined to eat daintier or slower to keep your makeup from smudging.

: Nail It Rather than mindlessly munch in front of the tube, give yourself a DIY mani-pedi. Polishing plus dry time can get you through an entire (nail-biting) Game of Thrones episode without reaching into the chip bag.

: Pay With Cash If you’re quick to whip out the plastic to pay for food, consider cash. A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people are more likely to buy unhealthy items on impulse when they pay using credit or debit cards. Why does coughing up the cash inspire healthy purchases? The authors of the study concluded that it’s actually psychologically more “painful” to pay with paper where the loss of money is tangible (as opposed to credit and debit cards where the loss is abstract). This pain can downplay the impulsive urge to fork over extra dough for unhealthy items that you know won’t benefit your diet. Next time you’re at the supermarket, shop smarter and skip the swipe.

: Brush Your Teeth Tap into years of Pavlovian training and brush your teeth soon after you’ve finished supper. Traditionally, brushing your teeth is a signal to stop eating, so you’re primed to resist after-hours snacking, explains Dawn Jackson Blatner, RD and author of The Flexitarian Diet. The strong minty taste may help distract your taste buds from craving another flavor and doesn’t mix well with other foods, either.

: Tighten Your Belt To remind yourself to stop eating before you’re uncomfortably full, tie something around your waist—not your finger. Your belly will hit your belt before you’ve over-indulged (what can happen if your belt is too tight), cuing you that it’s time to lay down the fork. Just don’t undo the notches as the night wears on!

: Wear Jeans to Work Ditch the suit and take advantage of casual Friday. A University of Wisconsin-La Crosse study found that people who wear jeans to work take 491 more steps a day than those in business wear.

: Turn Down the Thermostat Lose weight and save on utility bills by keeping your house or apartment a little chilly. British researchers who discovered a direct link between rising indoor temperatures and increased obesity rates in the United States and the United Kingdom noted that cooler temps force the body to expend more energy to maintain core body temperature. Their study, published in Obesity Reviews, explains that when the body is cold, it produces brown fat, which burns energy to create heat and differs from white fat, which is essentially a stockpile of calories. Spending more time in warmer indoor environments forces the body to let go of brown fat—it’s a use it or lose it type of situation. The researchers note that when people wearing light clothing are placed in a 60°F room, their energy expenditure increases by 100 to 200 calories per day. Over a year, those calories could add up to a weight loss of 10 to 20 pounds. Just don’t bundle up too much—it will negate the effect.

Summer Foods that Flatten Your Belly

Diet, Food, Health, Lifestyle | August 18, 2012

Fresh Seafood

Why it’s a flat belly food: Most seafood is low in calories, packed with protein, and filled with good-for-you ingredients like heart-healthy omega-3s and immunity-boosting selenium. But you can make them work for your waistline too. Simply coat salmon, tuna, or shrimp with MUFA-rich olive oil, pesto, or nuts and toss on the grill for a flat belly meal in minutes.

As you head into your next rounds of barbecues and pool parties, check out the best foods to keep you looking hot in your summer skimpys! Referenced article here: http://on-msn.com/PvuSns

: Smoothies Why they’re a flat belly food: Smoothies are not only packed with antioxidants but can also be rich in MUFAs. Adding a nut butter and flaxseed oil to fruit and yogurt boosts your intake of healthy fats while imparting a rich, nutty flavor. Enjoy a slimming sip as a snack or on-the-go breakfast.

: Guacamole Why it’s a flat belly food: Don’t be shy when this popular dip appears at your next pool party. With nearly 10 g of MUFAs per half an avocado, you’ll fill up without feeling bloated. Avocados also contain more beta-sitosterol, a fat that reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food, than any other fruit. So enjoy a quarter-cup serving guilt free.

: Pesto Pasta Salad Why’s it’s a flat belly food: Pesto, a rich green sauce made of garlic, basil, nuts, oil, and cheese, is delicious and a natural waist whittler. Nuts and oils are rich sources of MUFAs, so this savory side dish is a healthy way to get a pasta fix, especially when it’s made with whole wheat pasta and tons of veggies. Steer clear of pasta salad made with creamy, white sauces. These typically contain mayonnaise, which packs in 90 calories and 10 g of fat per serving!

: Wraps Why they’re a flat belly food: Load these low-carb options with plenty of fresh veggies and a tablespoon of either olive tapenade or pesto and you’ve got yourself a superslimming lunch. A light coating of these zesty sauces is all you need for maximum flavor, which makes it easy to boost your intake of MUFAs without adding loads of calories.

: Almonds Why they’re a flat belly food: A 2003 study found that dieters who ate 3 ounces of almonds a day lost more weight and had smaller waists than dieters who ate similarly but swapped almonds for complex carbohydrates. Packed with MUFAs, almonds can be added to cereal, sprinkled on salads, or grabbed by the handful (just one!) as a belly-shrinking snack.

: Dark Chocolate Why it’s a flat belly food: Don’t eat the entire bar; add just ¼ cup of dark chocolate to fresh fruit to quiet a sugar craving without wrecking your waistline. Choose dark over milk chocolate for the heart-healthy, belly-slimming benefits. A 2008 study from the University of Copenhagen found that participants who nibbled dark chocolate before a meal ate 15% fewer calories than participants who had milk chocolate.

: Veggie Pizza Why it’s a flat belly food: Turn this splurge into a skinny slice by loading up the veggies and slimming down the dough. Take a thin whole wheat crust; pile on low-cal peppers, onions, and mushrooms; and top with some belly-slimming, MUFA-rich pesto or olive oil. You’ve just made a better-than-delivery dinner.

: Fresh Seafood Why it’s a flat belly food: Most seafood is low in calories, packed with protein, and filled with good-for-you ingredients like heart-healthy omega-3s and immunity-boosting selenium. But you can make them work for your waistline too. Simply coat salmon, tuna, or shrimp with MUFA-rich olive oil, pesto, or nuts and toss on the grill for a flat belly meal in minutes.

What to Eat to Cure Your Illness

Beauty, Diet, Food, Health, Lifestyle | August 16, 2012

INSOMNIA
The Solution

Chicken—four ounces daily

The Science

Tryptophan is often associated with turkey, but chicken contains more of the amino acid that helps the body produce the sleep-friendly hormone melatonin.

If you’d like to take the natural route to cure any of your ailments, check out these body & heart healthy foods that’ll help get you on your feet again! Referenced article here: http://on-msn.com/NbORWd

: MUSCLE ACHE The Solution Tart cherries—one cup, or two glasses of juice, daily, before and during exercise The Science Contains the same anti-inflammatory enzymes as ibuprofen, without the potential kidney and stomach-related side effects.

: MEMORY LOSS The Solution Sunflower seeds—a quarter cup daily The Science These vitamin E-loaded seeds will protect the neurons in your brain from oxidative stress, which means you keep your memory longer.

: POOR EYESIGHT The Solution Kale—one cup daily The Science Xanthophyll pigments not only give kale (and other leafy greens) its color, they can also help slow age-related macular degeneration, the process by which vision goes from sharp to blurry.

: WEAR MUSCLES The Solution Apples—one daily The Science Leave the peel on—it’s full of ursolic acid, which fuels the production of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) and insulin, two hormones important in building muscle.

: ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION The Solution Garlic—one to two cloves daily, in food The Science Crushed garlic contains allicin, a compound that can decrease blood pressure and improve blood flow, which may lead to a harder erection.

: LACK OF FOCUS The Solution  Eggs—one daily   The Science  Eggs are packed with choline, a nutrient that boosts the brain’s ability to relay commands to the rest of your body while also maintaining the structure of your brain’s cell membranes.

: AGING SKIN The Solution Oranges—one daily, or six ounces of juice The Science Vitamin C helps your body make collagen, the protein that keeps skin elastic.

: DEPRESSION The Solution Brown rice—one cup of cooked rice daily The Science Carbs help regulate the production of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter in controlling mood and suppressing anxiety. A complex carb like brown rice will give you the best high-carb-low-cal combo.

: INSOMNIA The Solution Chicken—four ounces daily The Science Tryptophan is often associated with turkey, but chicken contains more of the amino acid that helps the body produce the sleep-friendly hormone melatonin.

: PUFFY EYES The Solution Green tea—one cup daily, after a meal The Science The puffiness that creates dark circles under your eyes is often caused by fluid retention. Green tea is a diuretic that’ll reduce unwanted swelling all over your body.

: UPSET STOMACH The Solution Peppermints—one or two after dinner The Science Peppermint has long been associated with aiding digestion and has also been shown to soothe inflammatory pain in the gastrointestinal tract. Peppermint tea also works.

: DULL HAIR The Solution Spinach—one cup daily The Science The leaf is loaded with vitamins A and C, which help your body to create sebum, the oil secreted by follicles to give your hair gloss and shine.

: LOW ENERGY The Solution Bananas—one daily The Science The potassium-packed fruit is also a great source of magnesium, a key element in producing and storing energy.

: ANXIETY The Solution  Peanuts—a quarter cup daily   The Science  If you’re not producing enough gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), your brain is more prone to let anxiety run wild. Peanuts are one of the best (and tastiest) sources of glutamine, the amino acid needed to make GABA.

15 Foods to Help You Lose Weight

Diet, Food, Health, Lifestyle | August 15, 2012

14. High-Fiber Cereal
Studies show that you can curb your appetite by eating a bowl for breakfast. But how well does it really work? Researchers at the VA Medical Center and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis tested the theory against the ultimate diet challenge: the buffet table. They gave 14 volunteers one of five cereals before sending them out to the smorgasbord. Those who'd had the highest-fiber cereal ate less than those who didn't have as much fiber in the morning. Try General Mills Fiber One (14 grams per serving) or Kellogg's All Bran With Extra Fiber (13 grams per serving).

Ina Peters/iStock/

If you’re aiming to revamp your diet, check out this list of heart and physique healthy foods that’ll keep those inches off permanently! Referenced article here: http://bit.ly/NfBvs8

: 1. Eggs Skip the bagel this morning. Eggs, which are full of protein, will help you feel fuller longer — a lot longer. A multicenter study of 30 overweight or obese women found that those who ate two scrambled eggs (with two slices of toast and a reduced-calorie fruit spread) consumed less for the next 36 hours than women who had a bagel breakfast of equal calories. Other research has shown that protein may also prevent spikes in blood sugar, which can lead to food cravings. Philip Friedman/

: 2. Beans You’ve probably never heard of cholecystokinin, but it’s one of your best weight-loss pals. This digestive hormone is a natural appetite suppressant. So how do you get more cholecystokinin? One way, report researchers at the University of California at Davis, is by eating beans: A study of eight men found that their levels of the hormone (which may work by keeping food in your stomach longer) were twice as high after a meal containing beans than after a low-fiber meal containing rice and dry milk. There’s also some evidence that beans keep blood sugar on an even keel, so you can stave off hunger longer. Heart-health bonus: High-fiber beans can lower your cholesterol. Getty Images/StockDisc/

: 3. Salad Do you tend to stuff yourself at meals? Control that calorie intake by starting with a large salad (but hold the creamy dressing). In a study of 42 women at Penn State University, those who ate a big, low-cal salad consumed 12 percent less pasta afterward — even though they were offered as much as they wanted. The secret, say researchers, is the sheer volume of a salad, which makes you feel too full to pig out. Health bonus: A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that people who ate one salad a day with dressing had higher levels of vitamins C and E, folic acid, lycopene, and carotenoids — all disease fighters — than those who didn’t add salad to their daily menu. Annabelle Breakey/Getty/

: 4. Green Tea The slimming ingredient isn’t caffeine. Antioxidants called catechins are what help speed metabolism and fat burning. In a recent Japanese study, 35 men who drank a bottle of oolong tea mixed with green tea catechins lost weight, boosted their metabolism, and had a significant drop in their body mass index. Health bonus: The participants also lowered their (bad) LDL cholesterol. Dusan Zidar/istock/

: 5. Pears They’re now recognized as having more fiber, thanks to a corrected calculation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. At six grams (formerly four grams) per medium-size pear, they’re great at filling you up. Apples come in second, with about three grams per medium-size fruit. Both contain pectin fiber, which decreases blood-sugar levels, helping you avoid between-meal snacking. This may explain why, in a Brazilian study that lasted 12 weeks, overweight women who ate three small pears or apples a day lost more weight than women on the same diet who ate three oat cookies daily instead of the fruit. alle12/istock/

: 6. Soup A cup of chicken soup is as appetite blunting as a piece of chicken: That was the finding of a Purdue University study with 18 women and 13 men. Why? Researchers speculate that even the simplest soup satisfies hunger because your brain perceives it as filling. Getty Images/StockDisc/

: 7. Lean Beef It’s what’s for dinner — or should be, if you’re trying to shed pounds. The amino acid leucine, which is abundant in proteins like meat and fish as well as in dairy products, can help you pare down while maintaining calorie-burning muscle. That’s what it did for 24 overweight middle-aged women in a study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Eating anywhere from nine to 10 ounces of beef a day on a roughly 1,700-calorie diet helped the women lose more weight, more fat, and less muscle mass than a control group consuming the same number of calories, but less protein. The beef eaters also had fewer hunger pangs. alle12/istock/

: 8. Olive Oil Fight off middle-age pounds with extra virgin olive oil. A monounsaturated fat, it’ll help you burn calories. In an Australian study, 12 postmenopausal women (ages 57 to 73) were given a breakfast cereal dressed either with a mixture of cream and skim milk or half an ounce of olive oil and skim milk. The women who ate the oil-laced muesli boosted their metabolism. Don’t want to add olive oil to your oatmeal? That’s OK — it works just as well in salad dressings, as a bread dip, or for sautéing. Philip Friedman/

: 9. Grapefruit It’s back! A 2006 study of 91 obese people conducted at the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center at Scripps Clinic found that eating half a grapefruit before each meal or drinking a serving of the juice three times a day helped people drop more than three pounds over 12 weeks. The fruit’s phytochemicals reduce insulin levels, a process that may force your body to convert calories into energy rather than flab. YinYang/istock/

: 10. Cinnamon Sprinkle it on microwave oatmeal or whole-grain toast to help cure those mid-afternoon sugar slumps. Research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that a little cinnamon can help control post-meal insulin spikes, which make you feel hungry. Health bonus: One USDA study showed that just a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon a day lowered the blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Getty Images/StockDisc/

: 11. Vinegar It’s a great filler-upper. In a Swedish study, researchers found that people who ate bread dipped in vinegar felt fuller than those who had their slices plain. The probable reason: Acetic acid in the vinegar may slow the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine, so your tummy stays full longer. Vinegar can also short-circuit the swift blood-sugar rise that occurs after you eat refined carbs such as white bread, cookies, and crackers. Philip Friedman/

: 12. Tofu It seems too light to be filling, but a study at Louisiana State University showed that tofu does the job. Researchers tested it against chicken as a pre-meal appetizer for 42 overweight women — and the participants who had tofu ate less food during the meal. The secret: Tofu is an appetite-quashing protein. Trinette Reed/Getty/

: 13. Nuts Yes, they are fattening: A handful of peanuts is about 165 calories. But research shows that people who snack on nuts tend to be slimmer than those who don’t. A study from Purdue University found that when a group of 15 normal-weight people added about 500 calories worth of peanuts to their regular diet, they consumed less at subsequent meals. The participants also revved up their resting metabolism by 11 percent, which means they burned more calories even when relaxing. Health bonus: Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids. And researchers at Loma Linda University recently found that eating 10 to 20 whole pecans daily can reduce heart disease risks. Philip Friedman/

: 14. High-Fiber Cereal Studies show that you can curb your appetite by eating a bowl for breakfast. But how well does it really work? Researchers at the VA Medical Center and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis tested the theory against the ultimate diet challenge: the buffet table. They gave 14 volunteers one of five cereals before sending them out to the smorgasbord. Those who’d had the highest-fiber cereal ate less than those who didn’t have as much fiber in the morning. Try General Mills Fiber One (14 grams per serving) or Kellogg’s All Bran With Extra Fiber (13 grams per serving). Ina Peters/iStock/

: 15. Hot Red Pepper Eating a bowl of spicy chili regularly can help you lose weight. In a Japanese study, 13 women who ate breakfast foods with red pepper (think southwestern omelet) ate less than they normally did at lunch. The magic ingredient may be capsaicin, which helps suppress appetite. Getty Images/StockDisc/

Top Hollywood Juice Cleanses

Celebs, Diet, Food, Health, Lifestyle, Shopping | June 29, 2012

Blueprint Cleanse
Blake Lively is a fan of these juices made from 100% raw fresh fruits and veggies. The user-friendly cleansing system is based on how new you are to juicing and what you want to gain. They range from The Renovation Cleanse for those that have never detoxed before to The Excavation Cleanse for the raw food enthusiast—this one promises to “unearth crayons and other art class delicacies you chowed in the first grade!”

Courtesy Blue Print, Krista Kennell / Sipa Press

If you’re broaching the idea of a juice cleanse, check out these options that are recommended by your favorite Hollywood celebs. Referenced article here: http://bit.ly/LR3lg7

: Blueprint Cleanse Blake Lively is a fan of these juices made from 100% raw fresh fruits and veggies. The user-friendly cleansing system is based on how new you are to juicing and what you want to gain. They range from The Renovation Cleanse for those that have never detoxed before to The Excavation Cleanse for the raw food enthusiast—this one promises to “unearth crayons and other art class delicacies you chowed in the first grade!” Courtesy Blue Print, Krista Kennell / Sipa Press

: Organic Avenue The Love Cleanses are based on a raw, organic, vegan, plant-based diet. Most are a combination of fresh-pressed juice and raw food but some also include smoothies and soups. Gwyneth Paltrow takes advantage of their Manhattan based delivery service whenever she’s in town. Courtesy Organic Avenue, Jordan Strauss/WireImage

: The Clean Program The 21-day cleanse combines shakes, vitamin supplements and a diet based on an approved list of foods. Dr. Alejandro Junger developed the plan to focus on breaking bad habits and inspiring long term health results. Celebrities like Demi Moore, Mariska Hargitay and Debra Messing swear by the results. Courtesy Clean Program , Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic.com

: The Cooler Cleanse Juicing devotee Salma Hayek personally taste-tested and reviewed this line of fresh-pressed juices. They offer a nationwide delivery service of the detox program as well as The Healing Cooler, a customizable set of juices you can send to a friend. Courtesy Cooler Clense, Charles Sykes / Rex USA

: Skinnygirl Daily Cleanse and Restore Bethanny Frankel’s brainchild contains individual green lemonade packets that are dropped into a water glass at night and/or in the morning. It gently cleanses the system on a daily basis while replenishing and restoring with vibrant greens. http://amzn.to/LR3gJw ($45) Courtesy Skinng Girl (2)

6 Seeds to Power Up Your Diet

Diet, Food, Health, Lifestyle | April 27, 2012

Handle with Care Treat seeds right to get the most nutrients: Buy raw seeds so you can control the toasting temperature; high temps used at commercial plants destroy nutrients. Toast seeds to bring out their flavor: Roast at 375°F, stirring often to prevent burning, until golden brown. Store in an airtight container out of sunlight. Refrigerate seeds you aren't able to use within two months.

Seeds are a small bur powerful food that add protein and vitamins to any meal. Check out the best seeds (and their pairings) to add to any meal.

: Sesame Used frequently in many cooking styles, sesame seeds are anything but common. One-quarter cup delivers about 28 percent of your daily calcium needs, 24 percent iron, 35 percent copper, and 25 percent magnesium. Tip: Use raw or lightly toasted seeds (the pale or black variety) to make a crust for baked or sauteed fish, chicken, or eggplant: After dipping food in batter, roll in seeds before cooking. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Pumpkin One 160-calorie ounce contains 40 percent of the RDV for magnesium. Without enough of this mineral, studies show muscle weakness can result, especially during periods of heavy training. Tip: Add toasted seeds to salads, coleslaw, or steamed vegetables. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Chia Although the research is sparse, many runners are using these round black specks to help them power through long workouts. What’s known for sure is that they’re high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have a positive impact on cholesterol. One serving provides soluble fiber, which aids in appetite control. Tip: Soak two tablespoons in water for 15 to 30 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Stir the mixture into your water or sport drink before (or during) a long run. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Sunflower Shelled sunflowers are a good source of both copper and selenium, which help protect your muscles. You also get 80 percent of the RDV of vitamin E, a heart-healthy antioxidant. Tip: Use a coffee grinder to blend seeds into a spread for bread or crackers. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Flaxseed Just one ounce supplies more than 100 percent of your daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids and about 10 times more lignans (both of which help cut the risk of heart disease) than any other seed or vegetable. Look for milled flaxseed (or grind your own); whole seeds are edible, but your body won’t absorb the nutrients. (Related: 20 Easy Ways to Help Your Heart) Tip: Add 2 tablespoons to pancake batter; sprinkle into oatmeal. Image: Mitch Mandel

: “Inca Peanuts” (Sacha Inchi Seeds) Inca peanuts (which do, in fact, taste similar to peanuts) supply essential fats, zinc, copper, iron, and more. Each ounce provides eight grams of protein and is high in the amino acid tryptophan, which studies show may curb appetite and calm mood. Tip: Make a trail mix using fruit and nuts. Image: Mitch Mandel

: Handle with Care Treat seeds right to get the most nutrients: Buy raw seeds so you can control the toasting temperature; high temps used at commercial plants destroy nutrients. Toast seeds to bring out their flavor: Roast at 375°F, stirring often to prevent burning, until golden brown. Store in an airtight container out of sunlight. Refrigerate seeds you aren’t able to use within two months.

Referenced article here: http://on-msn.com/Ii1VIc.

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