If you’re watching what you eat, then one of the biggest pitfalls can be eating in a restaurant, especially with friends or significant others. When dining out, call the restaurant or get a menu online ahead of time. Many restaurants publish their entire menu online or have copies available for…
It’s a major challenge for many of us to limit the sugar in our diets, mainly because the white stuff is everywhere, especially in processed foods. Take a look at your diet and the sneaky ways sugar makes its way in there, even in seemingly healthful foods. Many fruit juices…
When you open up a box of crackers or cookies, it’s hard to eat just one. By the time you become aware of how many you’ve wolfed down, half of the package is gone and you’ve consumed enough calories for a total meal… or two. Take Oreos – just one…
Emotional eating can wreak havoc on even the most determined dieter. It’s a way to suppress or soothe negative feelings like boredom, grief, fear and anger. Triggers may include unemployment, financial stressors, relationship strain, health problems or simply fatigue. Our first reaction when anxiety rears its ugly head is to…
Among the perils of a new school and entirely new environment lies the myth – or is it? – of the Freshman 15, those 15 or more extra pounds gained during the freshman year. Many factors cause weight gain in college – heavy drinking, all-you-can-eat dining plans, late-night binges, no…
When most people think of boosting their physical activity, hitting the gym is usually the first thing that comes to mind. For some, the mere thought of working out can be extremely daunting. What they probably don’t realize is that it’s possible to kick your fitness level up another notch…
Frozen entrees have come a long way from the tasteless TV dinners of the 1960s. They’re not just shapeless blocks of frost-covered foodstuffs anymore. There’s a size, taste and cuisine for every discriminating palate and diet. Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers, Healthy Choice and other brands are a dream for busy…
For a long time, coffee and particularly caffeine have been on the list of “don’ts” for people who want to lead a healthy lifestyle. But close to 20,000 studies in the past 30 years have tried to determine caffeine’s effect on the body, and the results are promising. The stimulant…
When participating in any activity, it’s always important to be properly equipped so that you can have the safest workout possible. That means being prepared before you even get started. Take jogging or biking for example. If you’re one of those people who participate in outdoor activities, you should have…
Make stretching a mandatory part of every workout. When muscles perform any exercise, they tighten and shorten as a result. Stretching can help maximize your range of motion. A simple warm-up walk while moving your arms in a circular motion is sufficient. When doing strength training, you could stretch each…