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Author WellnessKichen Categories Health & Fitness, Healthy Eating, Healthy Habits, Metabolism Posted on 0 Comments

Eating Tricks for a Flat Belly

These effective, fat-blasting tips are so easy, we’re wondering why we weren’t doing them sooner. 

So you’ve been slipping more flat-belly superfoods into your diet. You’ve been diligently sticking to your fitness or yoga plan. But what if we told you there are simple, practically effortless tricks you can sneak into your daily life to lose weight and get that flatter tummy without even trying? 

The best way to get a flatter stomach isn’t solely on eating less—it’s also by eating smarter. Read on for our favorite flat belly secrets from top nutritionists and food experts. Incorporate these eating rituals into meal times to lose weight, and you’ll be on your way to meet your goals before you know it. 

Incorporate diuretics into every meal 

It might not sound very sexy, but incorporating diuretics into breakfast, lunch, and dinner may help promote a flatter tummy. “Lemons are a natural diuretic, which is often why lemon juice is recommended to be squeezed in water during a cleanse. “Beets, parsley, and asparagus are also good food sources to help us quickly pass the extra water we might be hanging onto when our diets have been high in salt.” 

Big event? Eat plenty of produce the day before 

“This will increase your fiber intake, which will help flush waste from your colon and rid you of those associated unsightly gut bulges. 

Find your magic potion 

It sounds silly, but once you find a food or drink that seems to instantly detox you, it can be so motivating to stay on track with your other slim-down efforts! “Feeling bloated and full? I hate that! “But tea can be to help you lose weight and make you feel less puffed up.  

Eat on small plates 

Ever notice that when you’re at a friend’s place for a party or waiting in line at a buffet that you load more food on your plate than you would normally? It may just be because you grabbed a bigger plate, you want to stack it on up with just about everything.  

“Research has shown that people consume less when they eat on smaller plates. Starting small makes it less likely you will go for seconds, and forces you to check in once the plate is cleared before jumping in for seconds. 

And make them red plates 

Sound quirky? Don’t knock it until you try it out for yourself. “Red means ‘Stop!’ in our brains! Studies have shown those who use this color plate end up eating less compared to other plate colors. 

Swear off the salt shaker 

Sodium will bloat you and cause your stomach to retain fluid, and The Nutrition Twins say this will even carry over to your fingers, ankles, and feet. And the only thing worse than your favorite jeans not fitting is your favorite ring not fitting, either. To boost flavor sans salt, experiment with dried spices like red chili pepper flakes, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper. Or, try adding a spritz of lemon or vinegar to your favorite dish. And remember that just because it doesn’t taste salty, doesn’t mean it isn’t loaded with sodium.  

Ditch family-style serving bowls 

“Serve yourself from the counter instead of turning dinner into a buffet- or family-style where it’s harder to monitor your total consumption,” says Lewis. If it’s out of sight, it’s easier to keep that second helping of spaghetti and meatballs out of mind. 

Be a conscious eater 

To promote conscious eating: “Eat in a relaxed environment, turn off the TV, play some music, and even light a few candles. “By taking your time eating and chewing food so you really taste it, you’re helping to aid digestion and slowing yourself down, which prevents overeating.” 

And follow this chewing rule 

Get ready to get your count on and aim for 20 chews before swallowing. “When you swallow too quickly, you’re likely to swallow air, which causes stomach bloat. 

Never eat out of a bag 

Or a box, for that matter. “Sit down to a carefully-set plate at the table. Munching mindlessly straight out of a bag or box while you’re standing at the pantry deciding what you want to eat leads to overeating—typically from snack foods which are usually high in salt and sugar, both which lead to stomach bloat. “Planning what you’re going to eat and sitting down to a predetermined portion on a plate eliminates this problem.” 

Feast on fiber-rich food 

Fiber is critical to our digestive health and slows down hunger cravings by keeping us full for longer. “Think whole grains, beans, fruits, and veggies. “Wash and cut up fresh fruits and veggies as soon as you bring them home, so they can be grabbed easily, and put them where they can also be easily seen as a visual cue to eat more of them.” 

Shredded coconut, cocoa powder, and popcorn are also surprisingly good sources of fiber for weight loss. 

Use your non-dominant hand 

Studies show that people who use this technique reduce their food intake by an average of 30 percent. “It’s not as easy as it sounds, and the disruption to our normal behavior causes us to be more mindful of how much we are eating. 

Be a sugar sleuth 

“Sugar is the hardest to monitor in our food system and, leads to weight gain and bloating when consumed in excess. “There is no mandatory label for added sugar, and therefore, it’s hard to tell if the sugar occurs naturally in the packaged food, or is being added. A good rule of thumb when choosing foods, is to aim for less than 10 grams per serving.” 

Eat a salad first 

This strategy makes a huge difference when it comes to shedding belly fat. “[Before dinner,] prepare a salad and eat that first. “Do this even before putting the entrée on your plate.” This will give you a fiber-boost before you even start with your main course, as well as flood your body with nutrients from veggies. 

Nosh on some ginger 

“Adding ginger to your foods or beverages is a great way to reduce bloating and get you a flatter stomach. “It soothes the digestive system, helping it to relax, and [it] also works as a natural anti-inflammatory.” 

Befriend cukes 

“Cucumbers contain quercetin, a flavonoid antioxidant that helps reduce swelling, and even bloating of the abdominal region,” says Hayim. They’re just one of the quercetin superstars you should consider incorporating into your diet. 

Eat asparagus 

Just get over what it does to your urine, and dig in, already! “Asparagus is famous for its anti-bloating and diuretic effects,” says Hayim. “It finds the excess water in your body and pulls it out, alleviating discomfort and bloating. It also contains characteristics that help the good bacteria live in your gut for the promotion of healthier digestion and gas prevention.” 

Focus on magnesium and potassium 

Potassium and magnesium are a power duo when it comes to beating bloat. “Both are electrolytes, along with sodium, calcium magnesium, and phosphate. And often, bloating is a symptom of electrolyte imbalance. “Bananas, potatoes, acorn squash, and dried fruits are a great source of potassium, while leafy greens (think spinach, kale, swiss chard) and pumpkin seeds are a good source of magnesium.” 

Put your cell on silent 

And stop tapping on that laptop while you eat dinner. “When you eat, just eat. Turn off the electronics, which make you mindless and unaware of how much you are consuming. “Take the time to savor foods instead.” 

Just wait five minutes 

C’mon, you can muster enough courage to do it when waiting in line at the movie theater or on hold with an airline (ahem, try 60 minutes). “Always wait five minutes before taking second helpings. “Drink your water—you may be thirsty instead of still hungry!” 

And did we mention you should be drinking water throughout the whole course of your meal? This trick works particularly well at the office, too. When you think you’re hungry enough for an afternoon vending machine trip, wait five minutes and walk around the block or up and down the stairwell a few times and see if you still want the indulgence. 

Drink water as soon as you wake up 

Your should chug at least 8-16 ounces of water, even before your morning coffee or tea. “This helps to detoxify, wake up your body, and can help digestion and bowel movements. 

“It will help to flush sodium and the bloat that typically comes with it while restoring normal hydration from the fluid losses from sweat and breathing overnight. 

Lunch on your leftovers 

“Pack up your leftovers for lunch the next day. All too often, we commit to cooking a healthy, home-cooked meal for dinner and leave any leftovers for dinner another night. By packing ‘em up for lunch instead, you ensure you keep the healthy eating cycle going into the next day and avoid the temptation of grabbing fast food or unhealthy cafeteria food at the office. 

Eat real and eat clean 

“Eating clean, real food means eating foods that are unprocessed and pure. “When we eat clean, we eat food that can be processed more quickly and more efficiently. We also avoid a ton of sodium that is added to preserve shelf life, and we become more aware of sauces, dressings, and the like that tack on calories, fat, and added sugar.” 

Read labels like it’s your religion 

There are a few easy rules to keep in mind: “When reading the label from top to bottom, the first food will be the ingredient that mainly makes it up, and the last one will be the least present in the product. “Look for sugar to be as low on this list as possible.” Ditto for other bad-for-you ingredients like partially-hydrogenated oils, salt, artificial preservatives, and anything ending in –ose (which is code for “sugar”). 

Author WellnessKichen Categories Healthy Eating, Healthy Habits, Mental Wellness Posted on 0 Comments

Foods That Make Your Depression and Anxiety Worse

Research links these foods to increased instances of depression and anxiety. 

You already know that your emotions can influence what you eat. But what you may not realize is that what you eat can also dramatically alter your mental health. Seriously: some foods worsen anxiety and depression. 

Simple food choices can make the difference between feeling worse and feeling more stable, says research from Harvard Health. Eighteen percent of the population suffers some form of anxiety disorder, and 6.7 percent of the American population over the age of 18 have been diagnosed with clinical depression, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. 

You don’t have to be officially diagnosed (many people aren’t, anyway) to know what an overwhelming burden it can be when you are even marginally anxious or depressed. And while the two aren’t necessarily inclusive of each other, we’ve chosen to focus on them together since we can all relate to how both conditions weigh us down. 

The good news is that while there are plenty of potential causes for either situation, the foods we consume can play a major role in increasing the frequency, depth, and duration of bouts of depression or anxiety, especially if we’re already predisposed to experiencing them. Your best move is to familiarize yourself with some of the foods that have been repeatedly linked with doing more damage to your psyche—and then drastically reduce your consumption of them. 

Want to know more about how 

Foods That Make You More Depressed 

Steer clear of these foods and ingredients that have been found to have a negative impact on your mood. 

Sugar 

We despise sugar at Eat This, Not That! for a variety of reasons; its strong association with depression is just one. A 2015 study of postmenopausal women demonstrated that an increase in added sugars in their diet was associated with an increased likelihood of depression. In the past, scientists weren’t sure why depression, diabetes, and dementia seemed to cluster in epidemiological studies or why having one of these health issues increases your risk for the others. But in a study published the journal Diabetologia, researchers have found that when blood glucose levels are elevated, levels of a protein that encourages the growth of neurons and synapses drops. Translation: The simple act of eating sugar makes your brain work at a suboptimal level—and the more you do it, the greater your risk of depression and the greater your risk of diabetes and dementia, too.  

Artificial Sweeteners 

Don’t think that just because sugar is out that artificial sweeteners will enable you can humor your sweet tooth without elevating your risk of depression. Aspartame, the common (and dangerous) ingredient that’s found in products like diet soda, blocks the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This can cause all manner of neuro maladies including headaches, insomnia, changes in mood—and yes, depression. But it’s not just aspartame: NutraSweet or Equal may also be bad for your mental well-being.  

Alcohol 

Your central nervous system is important, to put it lightly. It’s responsible for taking in information through the five senses, thinking, understanding, reasoning, and controlling motor function. You’ll note that all of these things are in scant supply as the night wears on at your local watering hole. That’s because alcohol is a depressant, and more specifically, depresses the working order of the central nervous system. Oh, and the central nervous system controls how we process emotions, too. Bottom line: Booze is a little too efficient at exacerbating symptoms associated with depression.  

Hydrogenated Oil 

Fried chicken, fried cheese sticks, fried calamari, French fries. You won’t ever see these items marked as an “Eat This.” They cause trouble for your body for a variety of reasons and can negatively affect your weight. But there’s more: They’re also linked to depression. See, deep frying is usually done in partially hydrogenated oil. Hydrogenation is a process that turns vegetable oil into a more solid form, which makes it a more shelf-stable product. Anything that is cooked with hydrogenated oils and contains trans fats could potentially contribute to depression. Saturated fats, like the ones found in deli meats, high-fat dairy, and butter can clog arteries and prevent blood flow to the brain—and optimal brain function is what you want, if you’re trying to stave off the blues.  

Fast Food 

Cheap and easy? In the short term, kinda sorta. But once you factor in the changes it can make to your physical and mental well being, the true price of that cheap stuff gets steep real fast. According to a 2012 study in the journal Public Health Nutrition, people who eat fast food are 51 percent more likely to develop depression than those who don’t. To clarify: When we say fast food, we’re talking about hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and commercial baked goods. Eating a small portion of any one food is unlikely to raise depression risk, but if you see Ronald, Wendy, The Colonel or Popeye on a regular basis, a drastic dietary adjustment would be a great step toward happier feelings and less depression.  

Trans Fats 

Trans fat is the name given to unsaturated fats that don’t usually occur in whole foods. Only in the 1950s did trans fats become commonly used in things like margarine, snack food, packaged baked goods, and oils used to fry fast food. Consuming artery-clogging trans fats can increase your risk of depression by as much as 48 percent, according to a study published in PLoS One. Conversely, plenty of studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet, which traditionally utilizes olive oil rather than trans fats, can lower the risk of numerous health conditions, including depression. 

High-Sodium Foods 

For decades, fat-free foods have been touted as being a weight loss solution—but many of these products contain mini mountains of sodium. Experts say that all that extra salt can totally futz with your emotions because the extra sodium in these products can disrupt aspects of your neurological system. Not only can this directly contribute to depression, but it can also monkey with your immune system response and cause fatigue. An over-taxed body is a way to invite disruption to your emotional state. And, of course, an excess of salt also leads to fluid retention and bloating. Like many of the foods on this list, salt can contribute to weight gain, resulting in a negative body image and snowballing depression even further.  

Caffeine 

There are plenty of experts who will tell you that even a modest amount of caffeine can contribute to depression—and at least one study has found that, among healthy college students, moderate and high coffee drinkers scored higher on a depression scale than others. The reason most experts cite is caffeine’s disruptive effect on sleep. Coffee and black tea make it more difficult to fall asleep and to stay asleep. Sleep is connected to mood and disturbed sleep can seriously mess with your mental state. The one drink to avoid at all costs if you plan on going to bed any time in the next 24 hours? Energy drinks. Some types have the caffeine equivalent of 14 cans of soda. 

Processed Foods 

Processed foods are the perfect storm of several things that can be problematic to your overall health. They’re high in sodium and sugar, and pave the way for an inflammatory response in the body. As reported in an article by Psychiatric Times, the correlation between depression and inflammation has received a lot of attention in recent years, and although not every patient suffering from depression shows signs of inflammation in the body, studies have shown that inflammation has a direct effect on the brain and behavior. It can negatively affect the areas of the brain responsible for motivation and motor activity, as well as areas that control arousal, anxiety, and alarm.  

Soy Sauce 

If you’re sensitive to gluten, soy sauce and other gluten-heavy products can really wreak havoc on your digestive system and overall health. We can only partially digest gluten, which can lead to gut irritation and immune and allergic reactions. And while gluten is a serious irritant akin to poison for those suffering from celiac disease, Psychology Today reports on some studies linking depression and gluten in patients who aren’t suffering from the condition. A 2012 study out of Oslo University Hospital showed that a group of human subjects that was consuming gluten after six weeks of a gluten-free diet reported 90% more depression as a result, compared to the control group that stayed gluten-free. 

Foods That Make You More Anxious 

Avoid these anxiety trigger foods and nourish away the nerves, one meal at a time. 

Wheat Bran 

Touted by health experts and foodies for its impressive fiber content and complex, nutty flavor, wheat bran gets a black mark in the anti-anxiety department for its notoriously high concentration of phytic acid. This anti-nutrient binds to important mood minerals like zinc and limits their absorption. Adequate levels of zinc are especially important for anxious people, as deficiencies are common and have shown to induce anxious behavior and depression. Soaking and cooking can help reduce the anti-nutrient which is found primarily in whole grains and dried beans; so make the extra step a staple of your kitchen when preparing rice, oatmeal, soups, and stews. 

Tofu 

Soy is like that date who demands affection while refusing PDA and cuddling. Even though soy is packed with lean protein, it’s also packed with trypsin and protease inhibitors—enzymes that make the digestion of protein incredibly difficult. Soy is also high in copper, a mineral linked to anxious behavior, and loaded with oligosaccharides, which are known to cause flatulence. (Terrific for social anxiety…Just kidding.) Toss the processed tofu and veggie burgers, and if you must eat soy, stick to fermented varieties like tempeh and miso, which are easier to digest. 

Coffee 

That’ll be a grande latte and a venti panic attack? Coffee is like jet fuel for an anxious brain. It’s one of the highest concentrated dietary sources of caffeine, and research shows that people with social anxiety are particularly sensitive to feeling nervous side effects from just small amounts of the stimulant. Caffeine can also blunt the absorption of key mood-balancing nutrients like vitamin D and the B vitamins. When weaning off the jumpy stuff, naturally decaffeinated herbals teas, especially chamomile, can be a great alternative to coffee and may also provide meaningful antianxiety and antidepressant activity, research suggests. 

Canned Soup 

If grandma wouldn’t recognize it, cook with it, or enjoy eating it, get rid of it. That’s the basic nutrition advice from most anti-anxiety experts who recommend a traditional, whole foods diet. “I have my clients avoid processed foods at all costs,” explains certified nutritionist Trudy Scott, author of The Antianxiety Food Solution. “The foods you choose shouldn’t have labels; and if they do, they shouldn’t read like a chemistry experiment,” she adds. Even the packaging of “convenience” foods may be a cause for—and cause of—concern. Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in most canned food liners and plastic containers, can throw off important mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters by significantly altering genes in the stress-mediating portion of the brain, research shows. A previous study found children exposed to BPA in early childhood were more likely to have anxiety issues, according to researchers at the University of California–Berkeley.  

Apple Juice 

Things may have gone a little differently for Snow White had she been tricked by a witch with a glass of apple juice. She’d probably still pass out—but not before running around the house in a nervous panic. That’s because, unlike whole fruits, juices are devoid of slow-digesting fiber and loaded with refined fructose. The result is a blood sugar spike that triggers a rush of the stress hormone adrenaline, with symptoms that look a lot like a panic attack. In fact, a recent study showed fructose can alter how the brain responds to stress on a genetic level. What’s more, many apple juice brands have tested positive for arsenic — a toxin shown to induce anxious behavior and worsen depression. As a general rule, avoid all sweetened beverages. If water is boring to you, then try one of these detox waters instead! 

Red Wine 

Wine-ing down may only wind you up. While a glass of vino or beer may temporarily help to calm an anxious mind, research suggests the happy hour strategy may backfire long-term. People with anxiety disorders who self-medicate with alcohol or drugs were up to four times more likely to develop a dependency problem within three years than a group who skipped on self-medicating, according to a study in Alcohol Research Current Reviews. Even in the short-term, a few drinks can cause sleep problems, blood sugar swings, and dehydration—all things you want to avoid if you’re anxious. If you feel you “need” to drink, consider swapping your night-cap for a glutamine capsule. The amino acid has shown to reduce alcohol cravings and may be helpful while detoxing from it. 

Fermented Foods 

Fermented foods are really great for your gut health, but they may be linked to increased anxiety in people where no other clinical reason for anxiety and panic attacks exists. During the fermentation and aging process, the proteins in food are broken down, and one of the byproducts of this breakdown are histamines. An excess of histamines can feel like a panic attack in the body, especially if you have a sensitivity to it. Beyond that, high levels of histamine can cause brain inflammation that in turn causes anxiety. 

Author WellnessKichen Categories Healthy Eating, Healthy Habits, Mental Wellness, Nutrition & Diet Posted on 0 Comments

Foods That Boost Your Mood

There are plenty of foods with proven mood-boosting benefits that can help you get happier and healthier with every bite. 

Our brains and our bodies can often feel like they’re operating on two different wavelengths: sometimes, your body tells you to take a nap when your brain knows you’ve still got work to do, or your belly just screams for a candy bar when your brain definitely knows better. However, when it comes to our mood, our food choices and our feelings go hand-in-hand more often than you might think. 

While a greasy plate of fries or sugary snack may temporarily alleviate a bad mood, long-term happiness is rarely doled out at a drive-thru. Fortunately, there are plenty of foods with proven mood-boosting benefits that can help you get happier and healthier with every bite. So, before you dive headfirst into another value meal, add these foods that make you happy to your menu. 

Here are some foods that make you happy and boost your overall mood. 

Black Beans 

Beans are a magnesium-rich food that helps boost the happiness hormone, serotonin, and bloated feeling, too. As if that’s not enough, these small but mighty guys are antioxidant-rich and loaded with other good-for-you nutrients like iron, fiber, copper, zinc and potassium. 

Whole Grain Bread 

When your hormones are all over the place (PMS, stress at work, whatever), you wind up craving carb-rich foods because they help comfort your hormonal rollercoaster. But cookies won’t make you nearly as happy (or thin) as a complex carb like whole grain bread. However, unlike cookies, those whole grains can improve the number of good bacteria in your gut, which can have a profound influence on your mood. When you can’t stand the sight of another sandwich, the healthy sources of carbs will help you fill up and slim down. 

Beets 

It’s hard to beat the amazing beet. Beets contains betaine, which supports serotonin production in the brain, elevating your mood along the way. Beets also have a potent dose of folic acid in them, which stabilizes emotional and mental health, improving your chances of happiness with every bite. 

Seaweed 

Seaweed—yes, like in your sushi or on the side as a salad—is packed with depression-fighting iodine, which isn’t always so easy to find in food (and no, please don’t start downing Spoonfuls of iodized salt to get enough). Iodine is critical for your thyroid to function properly, which influences your energy, weight, and even your brain functions, leaving you feeling blue when you have too little, and a whole lot happier when you’re meeting your goals. 

Blueberry Juice 

Darkly colored berries lead to weight loss, decreasing the formation of fat cells by up to 73%—that alone will improve your mood. But berries also carry heavy doses of vitamin C. Too little C—a possibility when you’re hunkering down on comfort foods and no longer enjoying a summer bounty of tomatoes, peppers, and fruit salads—can lead to fatigue, depression, low motivation, and the general feeling that you’re sloshing around in wet snow boots 24/7. Blueberries just so happen to be a great source of resveratrol, an antioxidant pigment that research published in Frontiers in Endocrinology has linked to relief from depression. 

Red Wine 

A few cocktails may make you feel giddy for the moment, but red wine can help make you happier in the long-term. Red wine is not only good for your heart health, researchers in Spain have also linked drinking the occasional glass of red wine with reduced depression risk. Red wine also happens to be a good source of resveratrol, a pigment found in grapes that has been linked to reductions in belly fat and improved mood! 

Eggs 

Eggs are loaded with mood-promoting omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, B vitamins, and iodide, and because they’re packed with protein, they’ll also keep you full and energized long after you eat them. Need another reason to crack some shells in the morning? A 2008 study in the International Journal of Obesity found that people who ate two eggs for breakfast lost significantly more weight than those who chowed down on a bagel. 

Pro tip: don’t buy into unregulated supermarket-egg claims like “omega-3 enriched” or “free-range.” If you’re looking for the most natural eggs, hit up a local farmer.  

Red Peppers 

Why red? Aren’t all peppers the same? In fact, red bell peppers—which have been allowed to ripen on the vine and not picked when still green—have considerably higher nutrient scores than their underdeveloped brethren—more than double the vitamin C and up to 8 times as much vitamin A. In a recent survey of nutrient density, researchers at William Paterson University ranked red peppers as second only to leafy greens as the most potent of vegetables. The higher concentration of vitamins helps to improve your mood directly, as well as boost your immune system and lessen cold symptoms. 

Stir-fry or roast them if you’re not down with nibbling them raw to get the most of their vitamins and nutrients. 

Coconut 

Coconut is chock-full of medium-chain triglycerides, fats that fuel better moods; a joint study from researchers at Yale and SUNY Albany even found this tasty treat has a neuroprotective effect. And although coconut is commonly found in high-calorie desserts, you don’t have to (and shouldn’t) stuff your face with macaroons to get your fix. Try using some coconut cream in your coffee, adding some unsweetened flakes to your favorite baked good, or just crack a fresh one open and go to town. 

Dark Chocolate 

Turns out chocolate’s delicious taste isn’t the only reason it makes you feel so warm and fuzzy. The cocoa treat also gives you an instant boost in mood and concentration, and improves blood flow to your brain, helping you feel more vibrant and energized. Research conducted by the British Pharmacological Society even reveals that cocoa flavonols can boost your cognitive performance, making it easier to keep killing it at work. Sadly, Snickers bars don’t count. Cocoa is the chocolate ingredient that does your body good, so pure dark chocolate is your best bet if you want the mood-boosting benefits minus the extra belly flab. Just make sure you don’t overdo it: A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that a few ounces of dark chocolate a day is all you need to reap the benefits. 

Pumpkin Seeds 

Pumpkin seeds are like crunchy little nuggets of happiness. They’re one of the best food sources of tryptophan, an amino acid that helps promote the production of serotonin in your brain. Tryptophan can also have a calming effect, making it easier to hit the hay at night and wake up feeling refreshed. 

Mussels 

Mussels are loaded with some of the highest naturally-occurring levels of vitamin B12, a vitamin countless adult are missing out on. So, what’s B12’s mood-saving trick? It helps insulate your brain cells, keeping your brain sharp as you age. Mussels also contain the trace nutrients zinc, iodine, and selenium, which keep your thyroid—a major mood regulator—on track. Another benefit? Mussels are high in protein and low in fat and calories, making them one of the healthiest, most nutrient-dense foods that make you happy out there. 

Yogurt 

This dairy pick is packed with more calcium than you’ll find in milk or regular yogurt, which is good news for your mood. Calcium fires the starter’s pistol for the neurotransmitters in your brain, which can increase feelings of contentment and well-being. As a result, inadequate calcium intake can lead to anxiety, depression, irritability, impaired memory, and slow thinking. Yogurt also contains more protein than regular yogurt, making it a terrific stay-slim snack. 

Asparagus 

Your mom was onto something when she made you finish those green spears at the dinner table. This vegetable is one of the top plant-based sources of tryptophan, which serves as a basis for the creation of serotonin—one of the brain’s primary mood-regulating neurotransmitters. Asparagus also boasts high levels of folate, a nutrient that may fight depression; in fact, research suggests that up to 50 percent of people with depression suffer from low folate levels. 

Honey 

Honey, unlike table sugar, is packed with beneficial compounds like quercetin and kaempferol that reduce inflammation, keeping your brain healthy and warding off depression. This sweetener also has a less dramatic impact on your blood-sugar levels than regular sugar, so it won’t send your body into fat-storage mode the way the white stuff can, or lead to one of those unpleasant sugar crashes that can make you feel like all your energy has been drained. Honey also boasts antibacterial properties, helping you fend off illnesses that can make you feel blue. 

Cherry Tomatoes 

Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant that protects your brain and fights depression-causing inflammation. And because lycopene lives in tomato skins, you’ll get more of the stuff if you throw a handful of cherry tomatoes into your next salad instead of slicing up one full-size tomato. Want to take your happiness up a notch? Drizzle those tomatoes with a little olive oil, which has been shown to increase lycopene absorption. Although it can be a pricey habit, try to go organic whenever possible: researchers at the University of California-Davis found that organic tomatoes have higher lycopene levels. 

Olive Oil 

Enjoying a better mood could be as simple as drizzling some olive oil on your salad. Researchers at Kyushu Nutrition Welfare University found that healthy fats, like those found in olive oil, were more effective at improving the mood of animal test subjects than unhealthy trans fats. 

Spinach 

Iron deficiency—a problem many women face—can sap your energy. “Iron deficiency is common and can result in feelings of exhaustion, weakness, and irritability. Bjork says remedying the situation requires a two-part approach: “If you think your diet lacks iron, focus on eating more spinach, grass-fed red meat, and liver, all foods rich in the nutrient. Then, ensure sure your body can utilize the iron,” she says. “Consuming probiotic-rich yogurt, fatty fish and an L-glutamine supplement can improve gut health and help your body to absorb iron more efficiently. 

Certain foods are more powerful together than alone. Did you know that eating a tangerine with your spinach salad is a brilliant move because the tangerine helps your body absorb the iron from the spinach? Now you do. 

Green Tea 

Swap out that sugary latte for a cup of green tea and you’ll be improving both your physical health and your mood in one fell swoop. Not only can the naturally-occurring caffeine in green tea give you a boost, the epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, found in green tea has been linked to improvements in mood. 

Researchers at Northwest A&F University’s College of Food Science and Engineering found that mice given green tea supplementation alongside a sugary, high-fat diet lost fewer neurons than those who ate the unhealthy diet alone. Over time, this could reduce the risk of memory loss and neuron-death-related emotional health issues. 

Flaxseed 

We’ve got some good news for all you fish-phobes out there: you can still enjoy all the benefits of omega-3s without ever digging into a meal that lives in the briny deep. Flaxseed, whether in its whole form, ground into flax meal, or pressed into oil, is an amazing source of mood-boosting omega-3s, too. 

Just a single one-ounce serving of flaxseeds packs 6,338 milligrams of ALA, as well as eight grams of fiber, which can help improve the health of your gut, making your whole body healthier and happier along the way. 

Salmon 

If you’ve been favoring fish over higher-fat cuts of meat, you might be on track toward banishing those blues. Salmon is a great way to load your diet with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation throughout your body, improving your mood in the process. 

Research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders reveals that depressed study subjects whose diets had omega-3s added to their diets had significant improvements in their symptoms. 

Crab 

A little crab on your menu can make you feel a whole lot less crabby in the long run. This seafood is a serious mood-booster, packing 351 milligrams of omega-3s per three-ounce portion, thus reducing painful inflammation that can sap anybody’s happiness. 

For those whose suffer from depression-promoting anemia, crab is a particularly good choice; it’s high in iron, helping you say so long to that low mood in seconds. 

Bananas 

Satisfying that sweet tooth doesn’t have to mean a sugar high and the subsequent low mood following a crash. Bananas are considered a low-glycemic food, meaning they’re less likely to trigger an insulin spike than your average sugar-loaded treat, and they also happen to be an excellent source of that old happiness helper, potassium. 

In fact, a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2008 reveals that diets with ample potassium helped reduce symptoms of depression and stress.  

Peas 

Whether you like them mushy, whole, stir-fried, or just eat them right out of the freezer, peas are a pretty great way to put happiness back on your menu. Peas are a vegan-friendly source of iron, which can help you combat those bummed-out feelings that often accompany iron-deficiency anemia. All that iron can also help reduce feelings of exhaustion, a surefire happiness killer. 

Brussels Sprouts 

You might have side-eyed Brussels sprouts as a kid, but as a savvy adult, you should know that they’re a potent prescription for a better mood. Brussels sprouts are not only a good source of potassium, which has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression, they also pack more than a day’s worth of vitamin C per cup, supplementation with which a study published in the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences has found effective at combatting stress. 

Chicken 

When it comes to eating your way to a better mood, chicken is pretty hard to beat. Chicken is a great source of mood-boosting, energizing nutrients like B6, potassium, and zinc. Better yet, Australian researchers at the University of Adelaide and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital found that high-protein diets, like those with plenty of chicken on the menu, improved self-esteem and reduced depression in female study subjects. 

Raisins 

Giving your mood a makeover is as easy as adding some additional iron to your diet, and luckily, raisins just so happen to be a great source of the stuff. Just one itty-bitty box of raisins packs four percent of your daily iron requirement, as well as plenty of magnesium, B6, and vitamin C. 

Oysters 

Oysters may be best known for their purported aphrodisiac properties, but they’re also pretty stellar at making people happy north of the navel, too. This mollusk is loaded with omega-3s, iron, potassium, and magnesium, all of which have been shown to have mood-boosting benefits. 

Avocado 

Sure, millennials are allegedly spending cash that should have been used to buy real estate on avocado toast, but hey, at least they’re some of the foods that make you happy. Fortunately, all those monounsaturated-fat-rich avocados are doing more than just pleasing palates; research published in Physiology & Behavior reveals that diets loaded with healthy fats decreased symptoms of anxiety in rats. 

Apricots 

Apricots may be small, but they’re a mighty weapon when you’re waging war on a bad mood. These stone fruits are loaded with vitamin C and beta-carotene, which researchers in India have linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. 

Chia Seeds 

Whether you’re tossing them in a smoothie or using them to add some extra crunch to your favorite salad, chia seeds are a way to get happy in a hurry. Chia seeds pack more depression-busting omega-3s per ounce than salmon, and their high fiber content can help you enjoy a healthier gut (and a happier mood along the way).  

Broccoli 

Getting happier could be as simple as adding some broccoli to your next stir-fry. Those teeny-tiny trees are not only a good source of anemia-defeating iron, they also pack more than a day’s worth of that old immune system defender and mood-booster, vitamin C, per cup. 

Lemon 

Listening to “Lemonade” isn’t the only way citrus can make you happier. The results of a Japanese study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reveal that just the scent of citrus fruits, like lemon, can improve a person’s mood. When you couple that with the high vitamin C content in lemons, you’ve got a prescription for a happier you. 

Tuna 

Tuna is one of the foods that make you happy because it’s nutritionally good for you and it’s good for your wallet (it’s cheap!). This fatty fish is more than just a sandwich staple; albacore tuna just so happens to be one of the best mood-boosters on the market. Research published in European Neuropsychopharmacology has found that omega-3 supplementation has a significant effect on mood, and luckily, tuna just so happens to pack more than 1,000 milligrams of the stuff in a three-ounce serving. Just make sure you’re limiting your tuna consumption to a few sandwiches or sushi rolls a week; it’s recommended that men eat no more than 14.5 ounces of the stuff, and that women consume no more than 12.5 ounces to keep mercury levels to a minimum. 

Walnuts 

Crack open a few walnuts and you might just crack the code for happiness in the long term. Walnuts are a source of happiness-promoting omega-3 fatty acids, as well as being loaded with heart-healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Even better, researchers at the University of New Mexico found that young men who added a half-cup of walnuts to their daily meal plan experienced significant improvements in their mood over just eight weeks. 

Mushrooms 

Vitamin D, AKA the sunshine vitamin, can make your disposition a whole lot sunnier too, thanks to its happiness-boosting effects. Luckily, each cup of chanterelles boasts nearly a third of your daily vitamin D, a deficiency in which has been linked to depression and fatigue. While many vitamin D-rich foods are meat- or dairy-based, Mushroom also have the added benefit of being vegan-friendly (and delicious, too). 

Clams 

Steam up a batch of clams and you’ll be as happy as one in no time. Clams are a surprising source of happiness-promoting, immune-boosting vitamin C, as well as being loaded with more than 1000 percent of your daily vitamin B-12. Considering that a lack of dietary B-12 has been linked to everything from brain fog to depression, there’s no time like the present to gear up for an old-fashioned clam bake. 

Coffee 

Your daily Starbucks habit may be making your bank account sad, but it’s sure to brighten your mood. A 2016 study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry found that caffeine consumption was inversely correlated with symptoms of depression and anxiety.  

Lentils 

Making lentils a staple on your menu is the first step toward a happier you. Lentils are a good source of anemia-fighting iron and energizing B-6, and they also happen to be a great way for vegans and vegetarians to boost the amount of protein in their diet. Studies have linked high-protein diets to reduced anxiety and depression, so there’s no time like the present to break out your best dal recipe. 

Brown Rice 

The first step on the path toward a happier you could be swapping out some of your favorite gluten-laden carbs for brown rice. Research published in BMC Psychiatry reveals that study subjects who adhered to a gluten-free diet enjoyed relief from their depression and anxiety. Brown rice can also help fight mood-depleting conditions like iron-deficiency anemia, thanks to its healthy helping of iron. 

Oranges 

Have a craving for something sweet? Try grabbing an orange: one of the most popular foods that make you happy. Not only will you satisfy your sweet tooth, you’ll be loading your diet with vitamin C. This vitamin has been linked to reduced anxiety and depression. In fact, a 2016 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found a connection between citrus consumption and depression. Women who consumed two or more servings of citrus daily reduced their risk of depression up to 18 percent. 

Author WellnessKichen Categories Healthy Eating, Nutrition & Diet, Weight Loss Posted on 0 Comments

Weight Loss Mantras by Nutritionists

We guarantee that this is the best weight loss advice you’ll ever get—and it’s free! 

Negative thinking when you’re trying to lose weight can send you down the junk food rabbit hole quicker than you tripping over your own feet while meeting your Tinder date. It’s time to combat that detrimental self-talk and turn to the empowering and inspiring weight loss tips that top nutritionists want you to keep on the top of your mind. These pros get paid to nurture others’ nutrition goals, but you get their words of wisdom for free. 

’90 Percent Fuel, 10 Percent Fun’ 

“This is a great one for helping people keep a good perspective on healthy eating,” shares Frances Largeman-Roth, RDN, nutrition expert and author of Eating in Color. “You don’t need to count every calorie. Just try to keep a mental tally of what you’ve eaten in a day, week, etc. Kale, quinoa, almonds, and all the rest of the healthy stuff should be the crux of what you’re eating—but there’s still a little room for champagne and chocolate!” 

‘Eat to Nourish Your Cells’ 

We’re gonna go out on a limb and guess you don’t think about your neurons and mitochondria when you’re diving into your burrito bowl. “We often talk about eating in terms of weight loss, and we forget what eating actually does,” emphasizes Lisa Hayim, registered dietitian and founder of The Well Necessities. “But when we visualize eating to nourish our cells, we begin to see the true purpose of food, and can’t help but want to honor its ability to thrive.” 

‘Aim for Progress Not Perfection’ 

There is no such thing as a perfect diet. “Keep making positive changes in your diet and you’ll reap the rewards. When you stray from a healthy eating plan, instead of throwing in the towel on healthy eating altogether, simply acknowledge that you wandered off track and simply wander back on.”  

‘Everything in Moderation. There Aren’t Bad Foods, Just Better Foods!’ 

“There are many factors that go into everything we eat, each time we eat: Freshness, nutrition, seasonality, culture, comfort, taste, appearance. “That said, denying yourself something that fulfills other needs ends up creating an unhealthy relationship with food. Denial is not a sustainable ‘diet.’ You can and should indulge, just do so responsibly.” Dieticians recommends viewing those kinds of foods as treats; you can still eat them, just less often and in smaller portion sizes. 

‘Delicious Can Mean Nutritious’ 

Making a commitment to healthy eating doesn’t mean drab slabs of grilled protein and endless pots of brown rice simmering on your stove. “Healthy doesn’t mean tasteless,” stresses Dieticians. “Learn how to make some super simple meals that take minutes, taste fabulous, and are good for you!”  

‘Going on a Diet Means Going off a Diet’ 

“Don’t diet. Resist the urge to be ‘on a diet’ with weight loss as the expected payoff. ‘On a diet’ means that ‘off a diet’ is not far behind,” says Dieticians. “Your routine should be something you can—and will—live with indefinitely. Expect to act healthy for its own sake, regardless of your weight.” 

‘Change How You Eat Before You Change What You Eat’ 

“Studies show that people are more satisfied and eat less when they eat mindfully and without distractions such as the TV or cell phone. Do yourself a favor and make your kitchen table an iPhone-free zone when you nosh. 

‘Snack Like a Two-year-old!’ 

You officially have our permission. “Snacks are necessary throughout the day because they provide continuous energy and fuel. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about snacking,” says Dieticians. “If you choose to snack on those so-called ‘healthy’ 100-calorie snacks, you are doing yourself a disservice.” Dieticians goes on to explain that those particular snacks are generally high-calorie (very crunchy and full of salt, sugar, and fat) and very addictive. Instead, choose to snack on more nutrient-dense whole foods such as apples, bananas, grapes, and other low-calorie foods that fill us up. 

‘Learn to Love the Process’ 

“Lifestyle change should not be short-term,” advises nutritionist Kayleen St. John, RD at Natural Gourmet Institute, a health-supportive cooking school in New York City. “If you’re changing your life, you need to find ways to make it enjoyable so that you find happiness in your everyday. Hate kale? Don’t eat it! Hate spinning? Don’t do it! There is no one-size-fits-all meal or exercise plan that makes everyone happy. Find foods and activities that you genuinely enjoy and learn to love the process.” Amen to that! 

‘I Am Breathing In, I Am Breathing Out’ 

Namaste, folks: “This one might sound a bit silly, but works wonders. Food causes all sorts of emotions to arise, and many of the situations in which we eat (family dinners, holidays) trigger binging or overeating. “The second you begin to feel hot, nervous, or anxious, I recommend removing yourself from the situation for a minute, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and repeat this mantra at least five times. When we slow down our breathing, we stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming us down.” 

‘Scales Are for Fish’ 

If you giggled a little bit at that one, you’re not alone! But there’s something empowering about not acting like the scale is some master truth. “I prefer my clients to keep count of their weight loss in terms of their self-confidence and the way clothing can fit,” explains Dieticians. “Scales can be misleading and checking in too frequently can easily become obsessive, leading to feelings of negativity.” And speaking of our underwater fishie friends, make sure not to drink like one, either. 

‘A Treat Doesn’t Have to Be Something That You Eat’ 

“When you ‘reward’ yourself, it doesn’t always have to be with food. A lot of my clients like to relax at the end of the day and treat themselves with food or a glass of wine, whereas treating yourself to an hour of reading good book or taking a relaxing bath are healthier ways to spoil yourself,” offers Dieticians. We prefer that good book in the bath with a lovely cup of tea. 

‘Mistakes Are Proof That You’re Trying’ 

This is particularly great to remind yourself of on days when you’re feeling down. “To be successful in anything, you can’t let perfection be the enemy of good. “Changing your lifestyle is no exception. Don’t expect to eat ‘perfectly’ or hit your exercise goals everyday because it likely won’t happen. When you slip up and make a mistake, all that means is that you’re trying, which is more than you can say before you began your journey. Mistakes aren’t mistakes; they’re stepping stones.” And ditto for that ex you met three beers deep at that tailgate last Fall. 

‘Don’t Love It? Don’t Eat It’ 

“Don’t waste your calories on foods you don’t love. “For example, if you try a dessert that isn’t very good, stop eating it! This works great when you are going to parties or out to eat at a restaurant. When you get food and don’t love it, don’t feel like you need to eat it all.” Dieticians says this also helps with portion control since people think they need to clean their plate or get the most for their money, which leads to overeating. Bonus mantra: It’s going to go to waste, either way. 

‘Color Your Plate’ 

You should try to always have a variety of different colors and hues of foods on your plate, according to Ben-Asher. “It is important to have a balance of plant-based foods consisting of fruits, vegetables, and unrefined carbohydrates. The more colors and the deeper the colors, the more vitamins and minerals and antioxidant phytonutrients a food possesses—which is important in disease prevention and health promotion.” 

‘Finish Eating by Sundown’ 

Here’s an interesting study Hartley shared with us: Mice that ate after 7 p.m. gained weight, even when it was the same amount of calories as the mice that didn’t. “Current scientific knowledge maintains that it doesn’t matter when you eat, as long as you stay within your daily calorie requirements to maintain a healthy weight. But I expect those recommendations to change in time.” And ever notice how when you eat late at night you feel crummy the next morning, skip breakfast, and then wind up overeating later? That’s a vicious cycle that’s worth breaking tonight, by 6:59 p.m. 

‘Cook at Home, Take Control of Your Health’ 

“More than 50 percent of the average American’s food budget is spent on foods prepared outside the home. “We have a heavy reliance on foods that are higher in calories, fats, sugars, and sodium. On the flip side, when foods are cooked at home, they are inherently healthier because you get to decide every ingredient that goes into what you cook.” Dieticians says that being connected to the food you are cooking creates a better awareness and mindfulness of what you’re putting into your body. (You’ll save a ton of money from not dining out.) 

‘Work on Your Spiritual Growth and Weight Loss Will Follow’ 

“Instead of measuring progress in terms of pounds gained or loss, look for signs that mark your emotional growth,” recommends Dieticians. “Do you nourish your soul, cope well with stress, persevere through setbacks, and love your body and yourself? Emotional health usually produces physical health.” 

‘Don’t Eat Unless You Are Truly Hungry’ 

“Learn to monitor your hunger-fullness level,” advises Dieticians. “Eat when you are one-fourth full and stop when you are three-fourths full. Adjust the amount and type of food you eat so that hunger occurs every five hours of so.”  

‘Have Faith in the Set Point Theory’ 

This one best applies to those who have had recent weight gain, such as post-pregnancy or from stress, as opposed to struggled with weight their whole lives. “The set point theory is the theory that an adult’s body is maintained at a stable level over long periods. “It suggests that your weight is predetermined and that you have a feedback mechanism that will ultimately bring you back to your original weight.” In other words, don’t freak out; everything will be okay. 

‘Every Day is a Brand New Chance to Start Taking Care of Yourself’ 

“This is one of my favorite mantras. “Lots of people get down on themselves because they went crazy and ate and drank too much on their birthday, vacation, etc. I really try to encourage folks to look at every day as a new chance to start fresh and make the choices you want to make. 

‘Quality and Quantity’ 

“Yes, it is possible to have too much of a good thing; you don’t need three cups quinoa. “While a calorie-restricted diet full of processed foods isn’t the way to go either, both quality and quantity of food need attention for long-term health and wellness.” Yes, even dark chocolate can be too much of a good thing. 

‘Looking and Feeling Amazing is the Best Revenge’ 

When all else fails, this is one heck of a mantra to remember when you don’t feel like holding that plank any longer. “After a bad breakup or a job loss, it can be so tough to motivate. “But if you look at your health and fitness as a project and attack it that way, you can find the motivation to move past the pain and disappointment of a failed relationship or career setback. I personally have used this one several times in my life!” Because yes, even nutritionists get tempted to reach for Ben & Jerry when they’re bummed out. 

‘There Will Always Be Another Meal’ 

Many people overindulge in their favorite foods as if they’ll never get to eat them again, say The Nutritionist. “This mantra is perfect for helping our clients remember to slow down, enjoy their food, and realize that they will have many opportunities to appreciate this food again. They can choose smaller portions or pass on certain foods now, and know that they can also enjoy them in the future.” 

‘Motivation Gets You Started; Habits Keep You Going’ 

The Nutritionists explain it well: “Once you get started, your changes become a way of life, you form good habits, and you no longer need motivation—it simply becomes a lifestyle. Once it’s routine, it’s a way of life, which makes it easier to keep following the healthy track.” Take comfort in that it gets easier! 

Author WellnessKichen Categories Drinks & Beverages, Health & Fitness, Healthy Eating, Mental Wellness, Nutrition & Diet Posted on 0 Comments

Life-Changing Diet Hacks for Weight Loss

Selfies, mood lighting, and more fresh tips that will help you drop pounds. 

Ten years ago, we all thought the secret to weight loss was eating less and moving more—that’s what doctors told us, after all. And that’s true, but there are some secret weight loss tricks that can score you bonus points. 

We now know that everything from our environment and mentality to our stress levels and biology influence the size of our fat cells—and our pants. Thankfully, a pool of forward-thinking experts have made it their mission to devise solutions to counteract newly-discovered weight loss saboteurs—and we’ve brought them right here to your screen. 

Read on to discover these fascinating and effective weight loss tricks you probably haven’t tried before. One of them could be the key to that lifelong flat belly you’ve been looking for.  

Keep a diary 

 And nope, it’s not about keeping a food or workout journal. A recent study revealed that when women who were unhappy with their weight completed a one-time, 15-minute writing exercise about an important personal issue, they went on to lose at least 3 pounds over a three-month period, while their counterparts who wrote about an unimportant topic gained 3 pounds. “Researchers believe that reflecting on values can serve as a buffer to the stress and uncertainty that leads to emotional eating and help in maintaining self-control in difficult situations. To reap the benefits at home, Forberg suggests pulling out a journal, setting the timer, and free-flowing about what’s important to you. “Write as though no one else will read it. Come clean with what’s bugging you. It may surprise and enlighten you. 

Reorganize your plate 

 Most people think of their protein or meat as their meal’s main event, but it’s time to change the way you think. “Place flavorful vegetables front and center on lunch and dinner plates, accompanied by sides of protein and whole grains,” suggests Dietitians. By simply rearranging your plate, you’ll automatically consume fewer calories and take in more health-protective vitamins and nutrients. 

Take a selfie 

It turns out that a picture can be worth a lot of lost pounds. A recent study from a nutrition clinic in Colombia revealed that people who took routine photos of themselves while on a weight loss plan were more likely to finish the plan than the non-selfie snapping participants—and a whopping 71.3 percent met their goal weight. So instead of waiting for that one exciting “After” pic, get snappy with yourself right away and throughout the process. 

Practice self love 

 Beating yourself up over food is a knowledge-behavior gap many unsuccessful dieters fall into. It’s important to try to stop the negative self-talk, says Dietitians. “I often suggest imagining that your desire to overeat is a lovable 5-year-old child. “You don’t want to berate or shame your appetite—that only leads to more dysfunctional eating.” Instead, treat yourself with respect, understanding, and affection, as you would that child.  

Display the grocery store receipt 

 Post your grocery receipt on the refrigerator door. “This visual reminder will help you eat healthy items before they go bad,” says Dietitians. “Cross off the items you’ve eaten so you know what you have left waiting for you. “This is a really effective way to encourage yourself not to let things go to waste. 

Order off the kid’s menu when doing carry out or delivery 

 Over the last two decades, restaurants have grown our portions all out of proportion. And we’d like to believe all restaurants will let you order off the children’s menu while dining in-house, but it’s not always that simple; it really is against some management policies—and you may never even see the mini menu in the first place. To skirt around the awkwardness, order off the kid’s menu when you’re doing carry out or delivery; it’s a great trick at lunch when you can pretend the meal is for your child or someone you’re a nanny for. 

Chant a mantra 

 When it seems near impossible to have the willpower or to not get down on yourself about your efforts, try chanting a mantra that has a personal meaning to you, suggests Jen Comas Keck, personal trainer and Owner of Beauty Lies In Strength. If you’ve been working on your fitness, for example, something like “I feel stronger and healthier every day that passes” may be effective. While some mantras can be almost like yoga phrases, others are rules to live by. 

Listen to music when working out 

 Sure, your time on the treadmill may seem like a great time to catch up on the news and your favorite sitcom, but doing so might make your cardio session less effective. According to a Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology study, fast-paced, motivational music that includes phrases like “push it,” “I believe,” and “work it” can help you move faster and subconsciously motivate you to keep at it, which will supercharge your weight loss progress. 

Do your grocery shopping online 

 “One of the easiest ways to ensure your pantry is stocked with healthy foods is to shop online. I can order everything from gluten-free oats and organic mustard to raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar and have them delivered to my door without rummaging through 10 health-food stores. It has changed my life and has allowed me to use that saved time for taking care of myself.” 

Make one small grocery swap every week 

 Whether you’re shopping online or at your local grocery store, commit to making one healthy swap each week. Always buy a bag of chips as a treat? Leave them on the shelf and pick up one whole-food ingredient you’ve never tried before. “Not only is it good for your body, it’s good for your brain—plus, it will encourage you to get a little creative with your meals. “And who knows, you may find a new ingredient you love!” Some of favorite “risks” include nori (seaweed sheets) and jicama, a juicy and slightly sweet Central American root vegetable that looks like a potato! 

Make healthy food super convenient 

 When we’re in a hurry or about to pass out from hunger, we’re going to grab whatever we can get our hands on first. For this reason, it’s important to make healthy foods like fruits and veggies the most convenient foods in your kitchen to pick up and consume, says Dietitians. Place pre-cut veggies in the front of your fridge, put a bowl with fresh, grab-and-go fruit on your counter and store treats like cookies and chips on a high cupboard shelf so they are out of sight and of mind. Better yet, keep these treats out of your home altogether. This makes giving into a passing temptation—or feeding a rumbling tummy with junk—much more difficult. 

Set a carb curfew 

 If you love pasta, giving up carbs altogether can lead to progress-derailing binges down the line. Not to mention, giving up the food you love is no way to go through life—no matter how badly you want to drop a size. Instead of cutting out carbs totally, give yourself a carb curfew. “If they have a post-dinner snack, they stick to protein-rich, high-fat foods like almonds or 2% milkfat string cheese,” he explains. This is because, he adds, axing carbs at night flips the fat-burning switch by increasing the amount of fat-burning hormones released while we’re asleep. 

Variety is the spice of life. The more variety we have, the more we eat. If you must keep packaged foods like cereal or crackers in the house, limit yourself to one kind. It’ll help you consume it more slowly. 

Mentally binge 

 A recent Science study found that fantasizing about eating an entire packet of your favorite candy before indulging may cause you to eat less of it. For the study, researchers asked participants to imagine eating 3 or 30 M&Ms, and then invited them to help themselves to some of the candies as a “taste test.”  

Pack on the protein 

 In addition to fiber, protein is another important player in the weight loss game because it requires more energy to burn than carbs or fats and thus keeps you fuller longer. In fact, in a study in the journal Appetite, researchers from the University of Missouri compared the satiety effects of high-, moderate-, and low-protein yogurts on 24 to 28-year-old women, and they found Greek yogurt, with the highest protein content, to have the greatest effect. For an added boost of protein and flavor, consider swapping Greek yogurt as a savory ingredient in some of your favorite recipes (it’s easier than you think!) and topping your Greek yogurt with some fresh berries. 

Choose the high top table 

 If you’re noshing at a bar or simply have a tiny urban apartment, eating at a high top doesn’t seem like a big deal. But it’s all those other times it can make a difference. Instead of settling into a big cushy booth, skip the best seat in the house for a scientifically-proven better-for-you-seat at a high top. As it turns out, people with tables deep in the restaurant are 73 percent more likely to order that triple-fudge chocolate cake. Dietitians finds that people at these tall tables are inclined to eat a bit more healthily by ordering more salads and fewer sweets.  

Open the blinds 

 Instead of dragging yourself through the dark to the coffee pot when your alarm goes off, open all the blinds! Studies show that people who get direct exposure to sunlight in the mornings between 8 a.m. and noon reduce their risk of weight gain, regardless of how much they eat. Researchers think it’s because the morning sun helps synchronize your metabolism so you burn fat more efficiently. 

De-Motorize your life 

 Public transit and elevators may save you time, but they also prevent you from burning calories. Research shows that habits, like using a dishwasher rather than washing dishes by hand, using a leaf blower instead of a rake, and taking the elevator instead of the stairs results in the average person burning 111 fewer calories per day. That adds up to a whopping 10 extra pounds a year! The takeaway here is a simple one: de-motorize your life whenever possible—your gut is sure to thank you. 

Redefine what m&m means 

The best M&M ever? Meditation and magnesium. Chronic stress prompts a surge in the “fight or flight” hormone cortisol, which can tear down muscle fiber, impair blood-sugar metabolism, and boost the brain chemical neuropeptide Y, which sparks cravings. To keep cortisol levels down, meditate for 10 to 30 minutes daily. Calming practices normalize cortisol levels and boost levels of the appetite-suppressing hormone serotonin. To boost the benefit further, pop 250 milligrams of magnesium daily. The mineral aids muscle contraction and relaxation and has been shown to boost lipolysis, a process by which the body releases fat from its stores. 

Know the 3-day rule 

 Eating like Gwyneth all week and then turning into the Cookie Monster on the weekend can make you worse off than you might expect. Here’s why taking a “vacation” from your healthy eating is so bad: Only eating unhealthy food for three consecutive days will not only cause you to gain weight and eat more unhealthy calories, but it can also shift your gut microbiota towards the same pattern that has been associated with obesity, revealed a study by Australia’s University of New South Wales. So be sure to keep cheat meals as cheat meals (not days!). 

Never eat if you’re feeling emotional 

 To lose weight, you need to first learn the difference between emotional hunger, which comes on suddenly, and physical hunger, which comes on gradually and is often accompanied by physical cues like a growling stomach. First, realize that although a bad feeling will eventually go away; the calories you consumed while you were feeling down, will not. And the next time you’re feeling emotional, don’t try to mask your emotions or distract yourself. Experts say that truly experiencing your emotions will teach you that it’s possible to tolerate them head-on. Once you’ve done this exercise, it’s time to find a new, healthy coping strategy. Hitting the gym or calling a friend to vent are both solid options. 

Invest in a good water bottle 

 Drinking more water can help fill you up and subsequently consume fewer calories, but if you’re sipping the stuff out of a BPA-laced plastic water bottle, you may be doing your figure a disservice. A 2011 Harvard study found that adults with the highest concentration of BPA in their urine had significantly larger waists and a 75 percent greater chance of being obese than those in the lowest quartile. To aid your weight loss efforts, steer clear of products that may contain BPA in the lining. Also, be particularly leery of plastics that sport a #7 recycling symbol on them—that’s a good indicator that BPA may be present. 

Be careful about your produce 

A similar situation as above holds true for fruits and veggies. If you aren’t eating organic or taking the time to rinse off the pesticides on conventionally grown crops, you could be derailing your valiant weight loss efforts. Research suggests exposure to pesticides may impair metabolism. “They have been shown to poison the mitochondria so it cannot burn fuel. “Fuel that is not burned turns to fat.” 

Dine with a dude 

 It may not surprise you that women eat smaller portions when dining with male company, but what may shock you is the same is true for men with other guys. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology, women ordered items with 15 percent fewer calories when eating with men as opposed to women. Surprisingly, when men sat with other men (think: beer-and-wings night), they also ordered fewer calories—22 percent less, in fact! Researchers say the results speak to unconscious scripts about how men and women think they should behave in each other’s company. 

Try active acts of kindness 

 If you have trouble motivating yourself to move more—which is one of the most effective ways to burn calories—commit to doing one active act of kindness daily. Knowing someone else’s happiness and wellbeing is on the line is a great motivator. Not sure where to start? Return your shopping cart to the store rather than leaving it in the parking lot and log those extra steps, pick up your own coffee instead of asking an intern to grab it for you so you stay moving during the sedentary workday, or give up your seat on the bus or subway so you can actively stand. Every bit of movement can get you one step closer to success! 

Pick Green tea more often 

 We simply adore green tea for several well known reasons.  

Makeover your Netflix and chewing 

 You’re on your fourth episode in your Netflix binge, but this time it’s going to be different. Forget digging your hand into a bag of chips or cookies. To lose weight, make sure you plan your snacks rather than reaching for whatever you feel like in the moment. This is critical because a University of Houston study found that the more TV people watched, the worse their food choices became. Plus, research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who eat while distracted eat 10 percent more in one sitting than they would otherwise. 

Switch your cut of meat 

 Next time you find yourself craving a cut of beef, ask your butcher for a sirloin tip side steak instead of the filet mignon. Although the former isn’t naturally as tender as the latter, it’s a very flavorful cut of protein that your taste buds will love. Plus, the swap saves you 132 calories every 3.5-ounce serving to help with your weight loss! Use a chef’s secret and salt your meat for an hour at room temperature before cooking it. The salt draws out the juices of the cut and tenderizes the protein, making it more flavorful and tender. 

Dim the lights before eating 

 Have trouble eating reasonable-sized portions? Try dimming the lights and putting on some soft music. According to a study published in Psychological Reports, soft lighting and music leads noshers to eat less and enjoy their food more. That’s what we call a win-win. 

Use smaller bowls 

Researchers found that people who were given larger bowls served and ate 16 percent more than those given smaller bowls. Take advantage of the visual illusion with belly-friendly mini bowls or ramekins. 

Have soup as an appetizer 

 Eating an appetizer of a broth-based soup or even an apple can reduce total calorie intake over the course of the meal by up to 20 percent, according to a series of “Volumetrics” studies at Penn State. Make sure you grab for the red, not the green, apple—researchers find that red versions are one of the best fruits for weight loss. 

Nix Morning Snacks 

 A recent study found that mid-morning snackers tended to snack more throughout the day than afternoon snackers, resulting in compromised weight loss efforts. Instead of looking for a mid-morning snack, make sure your morning meal is one of High protein meal. 

Author WellnessKichen Categories Healthy Eating, Nutrition & Diet Posted on 0 Comments

Know your Fiber Rich Foods For a Healthy Diet

These healthy fiber-rich foods help you feel full, support your digestive system, and make achieving your weight loss goals a lot easier. 

These healthy fiber-rich foods help you feel full, support your digestive system, and make achieving your weight loss goals a lot easier. 

Thanks to the highly-refined, modern American diet, the average American isn’t getting enough of one of the most important nutrients: fiber. Without a consistent intake of healthy, soluble and insoluble high-fiber foods in your diet, you’ll experience dips in energy, have difficulty losing weight, and also increase your risk of diabetes and inflammation. 

What Is Fiber? 

Fiber. Dietary fiber is a class of complex carbohydrates described as an indigestible long chain of sugar molecules. Fiber is naturally found in complex carb foods such as fruits, veggies, grains, and legumes. 

Fiber is a class of carbohydrates can be further broken down into two different forms: soluble and insoluble. 

Soluble Fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water. When it does, it combines with water to form a gel-like substance that creates bulk. This gel-like fiber helps to slow digestion, keeping you fuller longer and helping to balance blood sugar. Soluble fiber is also the type of fiber most closely associated with helping to lower cholesterol levels. Chia seeds, for example, are particularly rich in soluble fiber. 

Insoluble Fiber. Rather than dissolve in water, insoluble fiber moves through your digestive tract undigested. This bulking feature of insoluble fiber helps to move food through your body, adding bulk to stool. 

Daily Fiber Intake 

Americans should consume 28 grams of fiber per day if they’re following a 2,000 calorie diet, according to the FDA. 

Unfortunately, we’re getting nowhere close to that amount. A report from the Food and Drug Administration says that the average American woman eats only 15 grams of fiber a day, while the average adult man consumes just under 19 grams per day. 

Luckily, following a few smart swaps and intelligent additions of high-fiber foods to your diet can help you reach these suggested intake goals. 

The Best Fiber Foods 

The following foods are considered to be an “Excellent Source” of fiber, which means they provide more than 20% of your DV. That translates to more than 5.6 grams of fiber per standard portion size. 

Here are some of the best high-fiber foods. 

Black Beans 

Fiber per ½ cup (cooked): 8.3 grams 

Yes, the grammar school rhyme is right—beans are great for your heart, thanks to their 15 grams of fiber per cup, which work to lower bad cholesterol and fight against heart disease. “Beans are a great source of nutrition—they’re high in protein and fiber, so don’t forget about them! Add them to your salad at lunch or add them to a dish at dinner. 

Chia Seeds (Subza) 

Fiber per 2 Tbsp (24 g): 8.3 grams 

Anything with greater than 5 grams of fiber per serving is considered high. One ounce, or 28 grams, of chia seeds has double that amount! Sprinkle a spoonful of these nutrient-rich seeds into smoothies, yogurt, or on top of salads to boost your fiber intake and reap the digestive benefits.  

Split Peas 

Fiber per ½ cup (cooked): 8.1 grams 

Yep, they’re different than green peas even when they look the same! With over 16 grams of fiber in one cup, a serving of split peas will get you to that recommended 10 gram meal mark and then some. You can stick with the age-old classic split pea soup, or use this as an opportunity to look up some fun new recipes and experiment in the kitchen. 

Raspberries 

Fiber per 1 cup: 8 grams 

Fruit, in general, is a great source of this macronutrient. And with 8 grams in one cup, raspberries steal the sweet spotlight. Mixing this antioxidant-rich berry in with your morning oats or cereal will fill you up, carry you through your morning, and push you to hit that daily 30 grams in no time. 

Lentils 

Fiber per ½ cup (cooked): 7.8 grams 

Beans and legumes will always be standouts in this category. If you opt for a full cup of lentil soup, you could consume upwards of 16 grams of fiber, which can help keep your energy steady throughout the day. “Fiber helps to keep our blood sugars more stable, so that we’re not feeling highs and lows in our energy levels. 

Blackberries 

Fiber per 1 cup: 7.6 grams 

Like its pretty little sister, raspberries, blackberries contain 8 grams of fiber per cup, towering over strawberries and blueberries (which contain less than half that amount). Make sure to keep these dark-hued berries where you can see them; you’ll be more likely to reach for them when sweet cravings kick in. “I store all my fruits and vegetables at eye level to make sure that i’m consuming them on a regular basis. 

Green Peas 

Fiber per 1 cup (cooked): 7.2 grams 

You may have pushed them around your plate as a kid—but that stops now. These little green poppers contain a hefty 7 grams of fiber per cup! That same cup also boasts a hefty 8 grams of protein. “I highly suggest trying to micromanage your meals so that you get 7-10 grams of fiber at each meal. 

Kidney Beans 

Fiber per ½ cup (cooked): 6.5 grams 

Like most beans, kidney beans are very high in fiber content. These beans have almost 7 grams of fiber per serving, as well as 7.7 grams of protein. 

Chickpeas 

Fiber per ½ cup (cooked): 6.2 grams 

One half-cup serving of chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) contains over 6 grams of fiber. So, pouring some over your salad will help you hit your daily requirements with minimal effort. Just be sure to keep portions small so that you don’t overload on calories, especially when they are not the main event of your meal; a ¼ cup serving contains close to 200 calories in total.  

Flax Seeds 

Fiber per 2 Tbsp: 5.6 grams 

Although they’re not quite at chia seed status, whole flaxseeds offer up to 7 grams of fiber per two tablespoons—which is actually more than those two bites of broccoli can claim. Use them just as you would chia seeds by sprinkling over salads or mixing into yogurt for a super-satiating snack. 

Parsnips 

Fiber per 1 cup (cooked, sliced): 5.6 grams 

They may be unfamiliar to you now, but this root vegetable is worth getting to know. Parsnips are closely related to the carrot family and one cup (sliced) of this mildly sweet veggie contains a steady 7 grams of fiber. Try roasting parsnips as you would potatoes, or dice up and toss into a veggie stew to help kill off hunger pangs. 

Pomegranate Seeds 

Fiber per seeds in ½ pomegranate: 5.6 grams 

Pomegranate is another superfood that’s packed with fiber. And on top of this gut-friendly nutrient, pomegranate seeds are also teeming with polyphenols, a class of antioxidants that have been shown to shrink fat cells! 

Pears 

Fiber per medium fruit (with skin): 5.5 grams 

One medium pear contains around 5.5 grams of fiber, but in order to get all those grams you need to keep the skin intact because that’s where most of the nutrient is concentrated. This same rule applies to apples, potatoes, and even that white stuff you love to pick off of oranges after you’ve peeled the outer layer off! 

Apple 

Fiber per medium apple (with skin): 4.4 grams 

Apples may trail behind pears in this category, but they’re still a good way to sneak more fiber into your day—as long as you don’t peel them! One medium apple contains around 4.4 grams of the belly-friendly nutrient and can help ward off junk food cravings between meals.  

Oranges 

Fiber per large orange (peeled): 4.4 grams 

If you can resist picking off every last bit of that pesky white stuff on the orange segments, you’ll retain more of the waist-whittling nutrient. 

Avocado 

Fiber per ¼ avocado: 3.4 grams 

It’s not the spinach leaves that are going to fill you up, but rather that creamy avocado you slice on top of them. On average, one medium avocado contains around 10-13 grams of filling fiber and adding it to your meals or finding a few awesome avocado recipes can increase satiety tremendously. 

Banana 

Fiber per medium banana (peeled): 3.1 grams 

If you’re craving something fruity, bananas are one of the best fiber-rich fruits to have. One banana has a little over 3 grams of fiber, and also contains a high amount of potassium, an essential nutrient that helps regulate blood pressure. And there are more health benefits of bananas beyond their high-fiber power. 

Dried Figs 

Fiber per ¼ cup (dried): 3.7 grams 

Dried figs are a very portable and very palatable source. One little, dried fig contains nearly one gram of fiber and about 20 calories. Mix a few in a bag with some nuts, and you’ve got yourself a healthy and wholesome snack for when you’re on-the-go and starting to run out of fuel. 

Canned Pumpkin 

Fiber per ½ cup: 3.6 grams 

You should be eating this fall-favorite vegetable year-round for its high fiber content. Despite being pureed, each half-cup serving of delicious pumpkin has almost 4 grams of fiber. If you want to incorporate more of this tasty veggie into your diet. 

Cocoa Powder 

Fiber per 2 Tbsp (unsweetened): 4 grams 

You don’t have to cut chocolate out entirely to have a healthy diet. If you’re craving chocolate, some cocoa powder in a protein shake could kick your cravings without adding excess calories. 

Broccoli 

Fiber per 1 cup (cooked, chopped): 5.1 grams 

Broccoli is one of the best vegetables to add to your next dinner or lunch for some fiber. It has some of the highest-fiber content of most vegetables at over 5 grams per cup. 

Artichoke Hearts 

Fiber per ½ cup (cooked): 4.8 grams 

Unfortunately, spinach artichoke dip will never make it onto any diet-friendly list—but some of its main ingredients certainly do. These juicy, tender artichoke hearts are just teeming with fiber. “I believe the weight loss benefits associated with greater fiber intake are tied to feelings of fullness and satiety. 

Potato 

Fiber per 1 large potato (baked, with skin): 4.8 grams 

Potatoes have gotten a bad reputation, and they’re actually a great source of fiber. Just one large russet potato has nearly 5 grams of fiber, and you can easily add them to just about any dish you make. Just don’t forget to eat the skin! 

Sweet Potato 

Fiber per 1 medium sweet potato (baked, with skin): 3.8 grams 

“Fiber has no magical fat-burning properties; simply put, it helps you feel full without adding a lot of extra calories to your diet,” explains Crandall. “When you have a baked potato (with skin) instead of a bag of potato chips, for example, you’re not only eating fewer calories, but you’re less likely to feel hungry again an hour later.” Sweet potatoes, in particular, boast around 6 grams of fiber per large baked potato for only 160 calories. 

Carrots 

Fiber per 1 cup (raw): 3.4 grams 

Believe it or not, this Bugs Bunny favorite can actually increase feelings of fullness post-snacking—much more than any pretzel sticks can. Throw a bunch in a small baggie and pull them out mid-afternoon when the munchies kick in.  

Bran Flakes 

Fiber per ¾ cup: 5.5 grams 

If you’re not a warm porridge person in the morning, fear not. A 1-cup bowl of bran flakes can provide you with nearly 6 grams of fiber. Skip the raisin bran and add-in your own fruit to keep sugar counts under control and fiber totals even higher. 

Steel-Cut Oats 

Fiber per ¼ cup (dry): 4 grams 

Steel cut oats contain almost double the amount of fiber than rolled oats, which is why you should be opting for these instead. Try one of these overnight oats recipes to give yourself a morning fiber boost with these tasty breakfast treats. 

Whole Grain Bread 

Fiber per slice: 3-4 grams 

One slice of a true whole grain bread can contain around 4 or 5 grams of fiber and upwards of 16 grams of inflammation-reducing whole grains. Recently, though, brands are doubling up on fiber content and boasting over 10 grams per slice in some cases. “When you’re looking at your bread, look for that first ingredient that says whole grain,” Crandall recommends. “You want to stick with whole grain, not multigrain, which simply means that there are different types of grains present.” 

Whole Grain Pasta 

Fiber per 1 cup (cooked): 3.8 grams, penne; 5.9 grams, spaghetti 

Not all pastas are created equal; some are actually pretty good for you! “I really have people look at their brands and read their labels to determine what is considered a good source of fiber because it really is going to vary from brand to brand,” says Crandall. On average, whole wheat pastas contain 6.3 grams of fiber per one cup cooked serving. 

Bulgur 

Fiber per ½ cup (cooked): 4.1 grams 

Bulgur is another high-fiber wheat you should be adding to your diet. For a delicious side salad, combine bulgur with cucumbers, chickpeas, red onion, and dill and dress with a lemon vinaigrette. 

Rolled Oats 

Fiber per 1/2 cup (dry): 4.1 grams 

With 4 grams of fiber per serving, starting your day with a hearty bowl of oatmeal is sure to set you on the right track. A study published in the Nutrition Journal found that participants who consumed oatmeal on a regular basis experienced a drop in bad cholesterol (and waist size!) due to their increased fiber intake. 

Popcorn 

Fiber per 3 cups (air-popped): 3.5 grams 

When you think of whole grains, chances are this movie theater favorite doesn’t come to mind—although it should. Since popcorn is considered a whole grain, it consequently is relatively decent in fiber. Just be sure to stick to air-popped to avoid unwanted calories or artificial flavors.  

Pearled Barley 

Fiber per ½ cup (cooked): 3 grams 

Incorporate this healthy grain into soups and stews, or even feature it as a side dish with some added spices. The dietary fiber found in this grain “helps you extract and remove cholesterol, which is correlated with heart disease,” explains Crandall.  

Refried Beans 

Fiber per ½ cup (canned, fat-free): 5.4 grams 

Who knew you could get a good source of fiber from one of your favorite taco sides? Don’t pass on these beans on your next trip to your local Mexican restaurant. 

Almonds 

Fiber per ¼ cup (roasted): 3.8 grams 

Nuts and seeds are always great while you’re on the go. Snack on roasted almonds, which have nearly 4 grams of fiber per quarter-cup serving along with 7 grams of protein. If you want even more fiber, pick up almonds labeled as raw, natural, or unroasted to get more fiber bang for your buck. 

Pistachios 

Fiber per 1 oz (raw): 3 grams 

These tiny nuts are filled with fiber, which helps keep your digestive system running smoothly. A one-ounce serving of pistachios will give you 3 grams of fiber, along with 6 grams of protein. 

Health Benefits of Fiber 

Many different studies have highlighted how eating a diet high in fiber can boost your immune system and overall health, and improve how you look and feel. Some of the benefits of a high fiber diet include: 

  • Digestive health. The most commonly-cited benefit of fiber is its ability to support healthy bowel movements. Dietary fiber bulks up stool to help move waste through your body. Eating a diet rich in high fiber foods can help to prevent constipation, reduce your risk for diverticulitis (inflammation of the intestine), and provide some relief for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 
  • Diabetes. An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study found that fiber acts as natural protective armor against C-reactive protein (CRP), a sign of acute inflammation. When CRP is circulating in the blood, you are more likely to develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease down the road. 
  • Cancer. There is some research to suggests that a high-fiber diet can help prevent colorectal cancer, although the evidence is not yet conclusive. High-fiber diets have also been connected to reducing your risk of breast cancer, as fiber helps to reduce levels of circulating estrogen. 
  • Skin Health. Due to fiber’s cleansing effects, it can help remove toxins in the blood, eliminating through your digestive process rather than your skin. Besides this, high-fiber foods tend to be high in antioxidants which can protect your skin from DNA-damaging free radicals. 
  • Heart Health. “By improving cholesterol levels and decreasing inflammation, fiber can help to reduce heart disease risk and decrease blood pressure levels. 
  • Body Weight. Fiber’s bulking properties can help you feel fuller, which promotes weight loss by creating a caloric deficit without hunger. 
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Health Benefits of Magnesium

Find out all the health benefits magnesium has to offer from reduced headaches to more energy. 

We all hear about the importance of vitamin D, calcium, and omega-3s every day, but it’s not that often we hear about the body-boosting benefits of magnesium. That’s a shame because magnesium benefits are really wide-ranging. This mineral can help alleviate—or even prevent—many of the problems that many of us experience. 

Find out more about 19 magnesium benefits and how to fit more magnesium into your life. 

There’s a reason magnesium is called ‘essential.’ 

It might be hard to believe, but magnesium is responsible for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including brain and muscle function, according to Medline Plus. Ignore your body’s need for it and you’ll feel crummy; headaches, muscle aches, and overall fatigue are common indicators that you’re not getting enough magnesium in your life. 

You need more magnesium than you realize. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, people need quite a bit of magnesium every day to maintain proper levels. 

  • Adult females need 310-320 milligrams a day 
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women need as much as 360 milligrams 
  • Men need the most: At least 400 milligrams a day to stay balanced 

Hard water is a good source of magnesium. 

Few of us drink hard water anymore, thanks to the water purification process. This process gives us clean water, but it takes out the natural minerals—namely magnesium and calcium—found in hard water. According to a report by the World Health Organization, native communities who consume hard water showed fewer problems with cardiovascular disease when compared to natives who moved into more urban settings. 

It’s best to get magnesium from food. 

You’ll reap the most magnesium benefits if you get it from whole foods rather than supplements. Foods high in fiber are great sources. Good magnesium-rich foods include: 

  • Dark leafy greens 
  • Nuts 
  • Seeds 
  • Fish 
  • Beans 
  • Avocados 
  • Bananas 

And don’t expect to get much from your favorite snack foods: the food processing techniques used by manufacturers take out most of the vitamins and minerals in foods, including magnesium. 

Pumpkin seeds and kelp are great sources of magnesium. 

Believe it or not, just a half cup of pumpkin seeds provides nearly 100 percent of your daily magnesium needs. Kelp, a type of seaweed, might not be the most common food on your menu, but one serving of the green stuff contains 780 mg of magnesium. Also, bananas are a great source of potassium, but one medium piece of the fruit also provides 15 grams of magnesium. 

Craving chocolate? You may need magnesium. 

We all love a delicious piece of chocolate now and then, but if you can’t get enough? Time to get some magnesium. According to a study by the University of Arizona Medical Center, chocolate lovers might be obsessed because their bodies are craving the body-boosting benefits of magnesium. Chocolate—especially dark chocolate—contains about 24 percent of your daily magnesium needs, making it a good (and yummy!) source. 

You may need to take a magnesium supplement. 

It might be best to get magnesium from food, but it’s not always possible. That’s where supplements come in, but not all are created equal. According to the National Institutes of Health, magnesium in aspartate, citrate, lactate, and chloride forms is better absorbed by the body than magnesium oxide and sulfate forms. 

It’s best to pair magnesium with calcium or vitamin D. 

Magnesium and calcium are best buddies because the magnesium helps draw calcium into the bones, keeping them strong. This helps prevent osteoporosis and some forms of arthritis. In addition, magnesium and vitamin D work well together. That said, there’s a school of thought that recommends taking magnesium separate from other vitamins because it’s usually taken in large doses. The best bet? Get a recommendation from your doctor. 

…But not with zinc. 

Zinc is another important nutrient, but it’s best not to take large doses with magnesium. According to a study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, high doses of zinc (over 142 milligrams a day) can throw off the balance of magnesium in the body and keep it from absorbing correctly. 

…And not with certain antibiotics. 

It seems odd since magnesium is essential for the body, but you shouldn’t take extra supplements if you’re on certain antibiotics. Antibiotics that contain aminoglycosides affect the muscles and, since magnesium affects the muscles, it might cause problems. Also, some antibiotics—like Quinolones—can affect how much magnesium the body can absorb. Magnesium can also bond to Tetracycline antibiotics, reducing the healing powers of the medication. 

It’ll help you sleep better. 

Feeling restless when you try to sleep? You probably need magnesium. Magnesium helps the function of the GABA receptors in the body and nervous system. GABA is the neurotransmitter that helps calm the body—without it, we stay tense and awake. This calming factor is why many opt to take magnesium supplements before bed for better sleep. 

Magnesium can help ease migraine pain. 

Migraines are one of the most confusing conditions in the world, but it’s believed that at least some of them—especially premenstrual migraines—are caused by low levels of magnesium. The reasons aren’t thoroughly understood, but it’s believed that magnesium helps relax muscles and the brain’s blood vessels. 

And helps beat belly fat. 

Can’t seem to lose belly fat? It might have something to do with your magnesium levels. Magnesium plays an important role in insulin function, allowing the body to effectively convert glucose into energy. If your magnesium levels are in check, you’ll reap a host of benefits including more energy and less belly fat. Count us in! 

It helps keep your heart strong. 

Heart disease is a huge killer of both men and women, but adequate magnesium has been shown to help keep it away. A study of people participating in the Honolulu Heart Program found that men who took more than 320 mg—less than the daily recommended intake—showed that only four out of 1,000 participants developed heart disease. On the other side, seven men out of 1,000 who look less than 320 milligrams developed heart disease. 

Caffeine is magnesium’s enemy. 

There are a million-and-one benefits to cutting out soda, but here’s another one: It can make you deficient in magnesium. The reason: Excessive caffeine makes it more difficult for the intestines to absorb magnesium. You can counteract that by consuming more magnesium, but at some point, you won’t be able to get enough to make up the difference. 

If you work out a lot, you need magnesium. 

Magnesium is important for athletes because of its heart health benefits, but it’s also shown to help the body rebuild adenosine triphosphate (ATP) that’s broken down during exercise. It also helps the body burn that energy more efficiently, lowering the amount of lactic acid that builds up post-exercise. Less lactic acid means less muscle soreness. In addition, the muscle-relaxing properties of magnesium also help soothe pain post-workout. 

It helps regulate your mood. 

Magnesium affects many neurological processes, including parts of the brain responsible for mood levels. According to the National Institutes of Health, the true connection between magnesium levels and depression isn’t totally understood, but a report in Magnesium in the Central Nervous System states that magnesium supplementation was as effective as the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine in treating major depression. 

It cuts down your risk of cancer. 

Magnesium, at its very core, helps prevent inflammation in the body. Inflammation is shown to be a leading cause of a number of diseases, including cancer. Cells low in magnesium are weaker, leading them to be more susceptible to other invaders. A meta-analysis in Magnesium Research found that low magnesium negatively affects the permeability of cells, which has been shown to initiate carcinogenesis (or the formation of cancer). 

Magnesium helps your bowel movements to be more regular. 

One of the more unknown magnesium benefits is that it’s often used as a stool softener because it helps draw water into waste, making it easier to pass through. Also, it’s effectiveness as a muscle relaxer makes it easier to, well, relax the muscles responsible for waste elimination. Relaxed colon muscles mean it’ll be easier to push things through. 

 

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Take Precautions While Eating if You are in 40s

The best part about being a grown-up is having the freedom to do—and eat—whatever you want. But it’s time to start fueling your body, the right way now that your thirties are here! 

Even if you don’t feel any different than you did in your teens and twenties, the body changes in ways that make it harder to lose weight and remain in good health. To help you age gracefully into a body you’ll want to flaunt no matter how many years go by, the Eat This, Not That! research team dug into the science of aging and nutrition to uncover the foods that should never pass your lips after you’ve celebrated the big 40. Read on to find out which foods to chuck from your pantry, and then learn how to age even more gracefully with the help of these ways to get healthy after 40. 

Flavored yogurt 

Even if you’ve started slathering on the wrinkle cream, no product changes the fact that your skin is beginning to age. After 40, collagen production slows and elastin—the protein that keeps skin firm—begins to break down, causing fine lines to form. Although it’s impossible to stop the aging process, it’s possible to keep your youthful complexion later into life by cutting back on sugar, a nutrient that’s been shown to accelerate wrinkling and sagging. 

Already cutting back on candy and cookies? Don’t assume you’re in the clear. Many sources of the sweet stuff are hiding in less obvious places like bread, ketchup, and flavored yogurts. Dannon’s Fruit on the Bottom flavored yogurt line, for example, has about 22 grams—or an entire day’s worth—of sugar in each 6-ounce container. That’s more sugar than you’d find in an entire pack of Dark Chocolate. 

Calm your sugar cravings by snacking on a sweet piece of fruit. We’re fans of all produce, but bananas are, hands down, one of our favorites.  

Canned soup 

A cutting-edge study by Cambridge University researchers found a connection between high blood pressure and skin aging. Compared to their older-looking counterparts, female study participants with fewer wrinkles also had lower blood pressure. Although the connection between the two issues remains unclear, there’s no harm in cutting back on sodium, a mineral that’s known to raise blood pressure. Not sure how to start scaling back? Head to your pantry and take a hard look at your shelf-stable soups. U.S. guidelines call for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day, but many popular cans carry 40 percent of the day’s recommended salt intake in just one serving. But that’s not the only reason you should stay away from the stuff. Many soup cans are laced with BPA, a chemical that’s been linked to cancer, infertility, and weight gain. Our suggestion: Next time you’re craving something warm and comforting, head to the kitchen and whip up one of these best soups that burn fat instead. 

Pop-Tarts and breakfast pastries 

Put your hands behind your head and step away from the Pop-Tarts—and all of those sugary muffins and scones, too. You’re a grown up now; it’s time to start eating like one. Most sweet a.m. treats pack over a day’s worth of sugar into a standard sized serving that spells trouble if you want to become a parent one day and live to see your kids grow up. Sugary diets cause a slew of health problems, including insulin resistance, which can lead to PCOS, a condition that’s been linked to female infertility. And if you’re lucky enough to start a family despite your diet, your sugar habit may lower the odds you’ll live long enough to see your little one grow up. People who consume between 17 and 21 percent of their daily calories from added sugar have a 38 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease, compared with people who consumed 8 percent or less of their calories from added sugar, according to recent findings. To stay safe, ditch the junk and kick off your day with some of these best breakfast foods for weight loss instead. 

Special Protein Bars 

Fructose, dextrose, glycerin, sorbitol, zinc oxide, whey protein, palm oil. No, that isn’t the recipe for your niece’s Silly Putty, those are just some of the ingredients that go into Special meal replacement bar. Appetizing, right? “While younger folks can get away with skipping breakfast or simply eating a starchy ‘weight loss’ cereal or bar, research suggests that eating 20 to 30 grams of protein at each meal is ideal—especially as we age. Aside from its some ingredients and high sugar count, Special Protein Bars are not-so-special bar only packs 10 grams of protein, which won’t do much in terms of keeping you full and satisfied until lunch. If you typically reach for a bar like this, swap it out for a homemade protein shake. All of these best protein shake recipes are sure to satisfy your tastebuds and help you stay lean and fit for life. 

Cola 

If you and your spouse are thinking about starting a family, consider soft drinks like Coke and Pepsi your archenemies. The reason? They’re laced with potentially cancer-causing dyes and are the primary source of added sugar in the American diet. And not only does sugar negatively impact ovulation, but it’s also been linked to poorer sperm motility, too. Simply put, sipping the stuff may make it more difficult for you to conceive. 

Oreos 

Whether you like Red Velvet Oreos, the Birthday Cake variety or can’t live without the Mega-Stuff, all of these cookies have one thing in common: They’re filled with empty calories and waist-expanding fat. “When we’re younger, eating healthier seemed pointless when you could just go to the gym 24/7 to lose weight,” says registered dietitians. “Unfortunately, as the body ages, exercise still has plenty of positive benefits, but weight loss is often not one of them.” When it comes to dropping pounds, staying away from calorie-dense, hard-to-put-down snacks like Oreos is key. 

Cocktails and beer 

As we age, the body doesn’t metabolize alcohol as efficiently, and drunk junk food cravings become harder to ignore, warns dietitians. “It’s also increasingly difficult to get a good night’s rest with alcohol in your system. While you may have been able to get away with minimal sleep in your 40‘s, that’s not the case in your 40’s and beyond. Sleepless nights lead to carb and sugar cravings the next day, which can contribute to further weight gain. What’s more, alcohol sucks the moisture out of your skin, which temporarily makes fine lines more noticeable and, over time if you continue to booze, causes the skin to lose elasticity and form wrinkles. 

White bread 

Unless your go-to bread is made with whole grains, consider it a “Not That.” Though you may not think of the popular breakfast carb as a sweet indulgence, the body converts refined carbohydrates into sugar and then glucose, a nutrient that damages collagen and other wrinkle-fighting proteins. What’s more, when it comes to bread, bagels and even pasta, picking whole grains over refined will help keep your blood sugar levels even kneeled, aiding weight maintenance and weight loss, giving you a more youthful figure. 

Veggie burgers 

Finding your first gray hair is a day you’ll never forget. It’s one of those pesky reminders from Mother Nature that you’re a full-blown adult—and an unwelcome one at that. The best way to keep early graying at bay is to ensure you’re getting enough vitamin B12, a nutrient naturally abundantly beef. So unless you’re a vegetarian don’t cut the cow out of your diet. Worried about the fat and calories? Go for grass-fed. It’s naturally leaner than conventionally raised meat and packs higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce the risk of heart disease and turbocharge fat loss. 

Iced coffee 

Drinking a caffeinated beverage out of a straw—how most of us down our daily iced coffee—is a skin-aging double-whammy. During the day, we’re exposed to skin-stressors like UV rays, but while we sleep our cells repair themselves. However, downing too much caffeine can interfere with sleep quality, cutting into this rejuvenation time and prematurely aging the skin. What’s more, researchers have found that repetitive facial movements, like sipping through a straw, can cause fine lines and wrinkles. 

Instead of sucking down your daily iced coffee with skim, sip on hot green tea, which may ward off wrinkles by fighting inflammation and improving the skin’s elasticity. 

Sugar-free snacks 

If you’ve become thicker around the middle since turning 40, it may be a sign that your liver isn’t functioning optimally. Avoiding toxins like artificial sweeteners will help the vital organ work more efficiently, and in turn, slim your middle. To jump-start the detox process, kick foods make with fake sweeteners (like sugar-free gum, candies, and snacks) to the curb. And for more ways to slim your middle, check out these weight loss tricks. 

Produce loaded with pesticides 

Reaching 40 means that you’ve had four decades to accumulate toxins from food, which can negatively affect metabolism and hormone balance, explains Smith. Researchers have also found that men who consume the most pesticides through produce have far fewer motile sperm than guys who’ve eaten the least—not good news if you’re trying to start or expand your family. The most popular produce that has the highest amounts of pesticides and should be organic whenever possible include: apples, strawberries, grapes, celery, peaches, spinach, bell peppers, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.  

Margarine 

Butter alternatives like margarine are often made with partially-hydrogenated oils, one of the most common trans-fats. You may have heard that this type of fat is linked to heart disease, but what most people don’t know is that it may also accelerate the skin’s aging process by making the skin more vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation. When the skin gets damaged by the sun, it breaks down the skin’s elastin and collagen. But that’s not all, studies have also found that eating margarine can cause chronic inflammation, which may also accelerate wrinkle formation. 

Healthy Choice Pineapple Chicken 

“When you were younger, you may have been able to starve yourself to drop a quick ten pounds before bikini season, but this is almost impossible once the age ‘odometer’ turns to 40. Not to mention, it’s really unhealthy, ” warns a registered dietitian. Skip the unappetizing microwave diet meals—they tend to lack satiating nutrients like fiber and pack excess salt, sugar (this meal has almost an entire day’s worth of the stuff) and chemical additives your body simply doesn’t need.  

Bacon 

Bad news, bacon lovers: This beloved breakfast food may make your skin start to sag well before your AARP card arrives. The reason: Sixty-eight percent of bacon’s calories come from fat, with almost half of that being the saturated variety. Besides contributing to weight gain and increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke, saturated fats can cause inflammation that accelerates skin aging. Bacon and other processed meats also contain sodium nitrate which, according to a 2013 study published in the journal European Cytokine Network, enhances oxidative stress. 

Oxidative stress can cause structural changes in collagen and elastin (the proteins that keep skin looking young), resulting in premature wrinkles, explains St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology researchers. Luckily, you don’t have to give up bacon altogether to keep your skin smooth. Just switch to a nitrate-free variety with less than 2 grams of fat and no more than 1 gram of artery-clogging saturated fat (like Applegate Natural Good Morning Bacon) and cut yourself off after two slices.  

Skinny coffee drinks 

When it comes to drinks laced with artificial sweeteners, just say no! Researchers say these Frankenfoods confuse our bodies by making us expect calories that aren’t there which interferes with our body’s ability to regulate what we eat. The result is what they call “metabolic derangements” like poor insulin response and elevated glucose levels, which can lead to fat storage and a host of illnesses like metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. “If drinks with artificial sweeteners are a staple of your diet, it’s best to kick the habit to maintain health and prevent diseases throughout the aging process. 

Butter Popcorn 

In it’s purest form, popcorn is a healthy snack filled with energizing whole grains. But like many things, the food industry has managed transformed something wholesome into something harmful to our health. Butter Popcorn, for example, has three grams of artery-clogging trans fat per bag. That’s particularly alarming since the FDA has required trans fats to be removed from foods by 2018. 

Soy sauce 

Puffy, dark circles under the eyes tend to become more pronounced with each passing birthday—and being dehydrated makes matters even worse. To wake up looking refreshed, steer clear of moisture-sucking salty foods like soy sauce (a mere tablespoon of the stuff has a whopping 879 milligrams of sodium) and drink plenty of water. 

Salami and hot dogs 

Meat may be considered the ultimate man food but if you gobble down the wrong kinds, your sperm may pay the price. A 2014 study published in the journal Epidemiology found an association between eating processed meats like salami and hot dogs and lower sperm count. And interestingly enough, the meat’s saturated fat content—a nutrient previous associated with poor sperm quality—wasn’t to blame. The study authors hypothesize that there’s something that happens during processing that’s detrimental to sperm quality—they’re just not quite sure yet what that is. 

Coffee ice cream 

An after-dinner scoop of coffee ice cream—which has the caffeine equivalent to a half-shot of espresso—may have never messed with your sleep before, but once you’re in your 40s, caffeine can take more of a toll on the body. “As we age, our circadian rhythms change, as do our hormones, which can make us more sensitive to caffeine and affect our ability to sleep soundly,” says Smith. What’s wrong with getting a little less sleep? In a recent study of more than 500 participants, researchers found that losing a mere 30 minutes of shut-eye increased their risk of obesity by 17 percent! Yikes! Metabolism slows down as we age, so slacking on shut-eye will only add fuel to the waist-expanding fire.  

Doritos 

With each passing year, the body requires and burns fewer calories. This makes it all the more important to eat reasonable portions as you journey further into adulthood. Sounds easy enough, right? Sure. Until you pick up a bag of Doritos. Everyone knows that when you open a bag, you’re bound to polish it off—and it’s no surprise, really. The recipe for the popular chip was specially designed so that no single flavor overpowers another. When foods lack a dominant flavor, people are less apt to feel full and, in turn, consume more, say researchers. What’s more, one of the first ingredients on the food’s label is monosodium glutamate (MSG), an additive that’s been known to increase appetite and make foods taste more appetizing. With all of these factors working against you, it’s really no wonder you’re defenseless when Doritos come around 

Sports drinks 

Whoever invented the Gatorade Drink—the tradition in which winning sports teams dump coolers of the stuff on their coaches—was really on to something. One scan of the nutrition label and it’s clear: The sports drink is better off seeping into the sidelines than your stomach. Sure, it provides critical post-workout electrolytes, like sodium and potassium, but it also serves up a hearty helping of calories and sugar. And the fact is, you likely don’t need the extra calories and sugar found in the sports drinks—no matter how hardcore your Crossfit or barre class may be. “As we age, our metabolism slows, we’re also less active and more stressed which can change the way that the body metabolizes calories and sugar.” The less sugar you have in your system, the better it is for your abs and overall health 

Coffee creamer 

Coffee creamer and sunblock have more in common than you might think. They both contain titanium dioxide, an ultraviolet radiation blocker that doubles as a whitening agent. Besides lurking in many conventional creamers, it’s also found in seemingly ‘healthy’ bottles like So Delicious’ coconut milk-based varieties. The additive has been proven to cause liver and tissue damage in mice, and may also have health implications in humans, according to a recent review of the chemical. Coffee creamer is also typically packed with trans fats, often hiding under its lesser-known name: hydrogenated oil. Pretty much all of Coffee Mate’s products have this scary ingredient that has been shown to diminish memory in adults under 45 years old. If you’re working hard or don’t want to forget where you parked your car, this is one ingredient you should steer clear of. Need another reason to stay away? Nutritionists say trans fats can cause inflammation, which can exacerbate aches and pains, brought on as the result of a sports injury and aging. 

Author WellnessKichen Categories Healthy Eating Posted on 0 Comments

Common Mistakes You’re Making When Cooking Veggies

Carrots? Check! Broccoli? Got it! If the drawers in your fridge are filled with vegetables that actually find their way to your dinner plate, give yourself a pat on the back. All those years of mom telling you to “eat your vegetables” are finally paying off—and she’s probably so proud! But boosting your health and the quality of your diet isn’t as simple as putting salad fork to mouth. If you want to get the most nutritional bang for your calorie buck (which you should), how you prep and cook your vegetables makes a big difference. Here, we reveal ways you may be taking vital nutrients right out of veggies without realizing it. Plus, get the easy ways to remedy each mistake so you can stay on track to better health and know how to cook vegetables, the right way. 

 

Mistake: You don’t stray from the recipe. 

You may have followed the recipe step-by-step, but that doesn’t mean you cooked your vegetables the right way. One of the most common culinary errors? Exposing vegetables to heat for too long. Doing so destroys the majority of vegetables’ nutrients. Boiling them is also a no-go. This method causes water-soluble micronutrients like riboflavin, folate, and B and C vitamins to leach out into the water—which most people then pour straight down the drain. Another surefire way to nix all the nutrients in your veggies? Throwing them into a deep fryer. No matter how healthy your veggies are, they can’t undo the damage that comes along with all the excess fat 

The solution: Skip the boiling and long cooking times. Instead, steam your veggies for five minutes and then finish them in a saucepan over medium heat. If you want to make homemade “fries,” stay far away from the deep frier and bake your crunchy sticks on a metal tray instead. 

 

Mistake: You’re smoking them out. 

While you may love the slightly-burnt flavor that your grill lends to veggie kabobs, the hot and dry environment can deplete your produce’s nutrients. What’s worse, if you leave them on the grill long enough that they develop a blackened, charred appearance, that’s a sign the veggies could have been exposed to benzopyrene, a carcinogenic chemical found in cigarette smoke. Another recipe for nutritional disaster? Slathering veggies in oil rather than cooking them over extra-high heat in an attempt to sit down to the dinner table sooner. When oil is exposed to extreme heat, it creates smoke that can break down the antioxidants in vegetables. 

The solution: Next time you’re BBQing outside, ditch the kabobs and cook your vegetables in a grill basket instead. This tactic eliminates the risk of consuming dangerous char, while helping the veggies retain their moisture, vitamins, and minerals. Whipping up dinner indoors? Stick to medium-high cooking heat and skip the olive oil drizzle before heating your veggies. Cooking them dry and adding the fat after will help cut back on antioxidant-depleting smoke. 

 

Mistake: You toss out the good parts. 

How many times have you chopped the stalk and leaves off your broccoli and tossed them into the trash? Or peeled off cucumber and potato skins? Don’t be embarrassed if you do it quite often—it’s a common error. But now’s the time to change your ways and stop throwing out the healthiest parts of the veggies. Skins, leaves, and stalks have unique nutrients not found in other parts of the vegetables. They also have higher concentrations of vitamins than parts more commonly consumed. 

The solution: Step away from the peeler and chill with the chop-n-toss. Use broccoli stalks and leaves in stir-fries, soups, and salads to get a hefty dose of health-boosting nutrients. 

Mistake: You use and abuse them. 

Vegetables should be the star of your meal, not a vehicle for calorie- and fat-laden sauces. There are some people who think something is healthy just because it incorporates veggies, when it winds up being one of the worst “healthy” snacks out there! All of you cheese sauce and onion dip lovers out there know exactly what we’re talking about! You may have convinced yourself that your condiment choices are irrelevant when paired with something as low-cal and healthy as vegetables, but that simply isn’t true.  You’re likely loading up on three or four times that, which turns your 20-calorie serving of bell pepper slices into a 470-calorie disaster loaded with 48 grams of fat! 

The solution: When you’re snacking on raw veggies, opt for hummus over dips. Opting for the Greek-inspired spread will save you 60 calories per serving—which really adds up when you’re downing a lot of the stuff. As for you cheese sauce lovers, look for sauce recipes that incorporate cheese—just not as the primary ingredient. We like versions that pair Parmesan with balsamic, garlic, and lemon juice. 

 

Mistake: You skip the sink. 

Conventionally-grown, pesticide-laden vegetables like celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, and tomatoes all made appearances on the 2018 Environmental Working Group’s annual Dirty Dozen List. If you tend to quickly rinse these veggies—or not wash them at all—you’re likely ingesting chemical residues that can cause stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea. The worst part is, these chemicals don’t just come and go. They hide out in our fat cells until we go on a diet and start losing weight. According to researchers, when the pounds start to come off, the chemicals come out of hibernation and shoot into the bloodstream, slowing energy expenditure and metabolism. 

The solution: Even if you always buy organic, soak your veggies in a pot of water for 10-15 minutes before eating them. Then give them another quick rinse under some running water to make sure they’re clean. 

 

Mistake: You’re not pairing them with fat. 

If you stick with low-fat veggie dip to stay trim, you may be doing your health a disservice. According to Iowa and Ohio State University researchers, pairing a little bit of fat with red, yellow, orange, and dark-green vegetables helps the body absorb cancer-fighting and heart-healthy nutrients like lycopene and beta-carotene. Study findings show that you’ll need to consume six grams of added fat with your veggies to reap the maximum nutritional benefits. While that may seem like a lot, dietary guidelines actually suggest that healthy adults consume no more than 35 percent of total daily calories from fat—which is up to 70 grams a day if you’re consuming a 1,800-calorie diet. 

The solution: Pair your veggies with healthy sources of fat. Typically eat a salad for lunch? Add a half cup of avocado (11 g fat) or two tablespoons of Cucina Antica Organic Caesar dressing (8 g fat) to your plate to hit the nutritional mark. 

 

Mistake: You only eat them raw. 

There’s nothing better than the sweet, crispy crunch of a fresh carrot, but munching on this orange vegetable raw isn’t the best way to get your daily dose of vitamins. According to an International Food Research Journal report, boiling the orange vegetable best preserves its nutrients. If learning this was a bit of a shocker for you, it’s understandable; many other veggies lose their water-soluble vitamins once they’re boiled. Tomatoes also get healthier under the heat. A Cornell University study found that cooking them boosts the amount of lycopene, a disease-fighting antioxidant in tomatoes. Researchers believe that heat softens the plant’s cell walls, allowing more nutrients to be released and then absorbed by our bodies. 

The solution: In the Cornell University study, lycopene absorption rose 35 percent after tomatoes were cooked for 30 minutes at 190.4 degrees F. Follow suit if you want to reap the benefits at home. If you prefer to add carrots to your plate, boil, drain, and transfer them to a bowl and toss with a drizzle of olive oil, a bit of pepper, and dried rosemary to pump up the flavor.  

 

Mistake: You’re juicing away their fiber. 

Yes, juicing is better than eating no veggies at all, but when produce goes through the juicing machine, its fiber-rich skins and pulp that help boost satiety get left behind. The good news is, veggies’ vitamins, phytonutrients, and minerals still find their way to your cup.  

The solution: Toss out your juicer! After removing the seeds and rinds, throw your veggies into a blender instead. This method retains vegetables’ healthy fiber. There are plenty of juicing companies that bottle blended versions, so you can grab a juice on the go without missing out on crucial fiber. If your drink comes out too thick when blending at home, add some water to thin it out a bit. 

 

Author WellnessKichen Categories Mental Wellness, Weight Loss Posted on 0 Comments

Best-Ever Weight-Loss Secrets From Thin People

Padma Lakshmi, Maria Menounos, Shaun T. and more tell you how to stay slim—for life! 

Whom would you rather take financial advice from: a money coach or a self-made billionaire? Whose take on love and happiness is most appealing: a friend who’s built a close, successful family, or a marriage counselor who specializes in other people’s dysfunctional relationships? When it comes to getting it done, we trust the people who’ve gotten it done. That’s why, when Eat This, Not That! went in search of the most authoritative ideas on how to lose weight and stay lean, we sought out people who actually do it—people like Maria Menounos, Padma Lakshmi, and Insanity trainer Shaun T., who stay lean all year round, through the fat-trap holidays and the cold, comfort-food-craving nights. 

And we discovered exactly the kind of outside-the-box secrets and strategies you won’t hear from nutrition gurus and weight-loss doctors. Here are the rule-breaking tricks that work for skinny people. Why not join their ranks? 

They’d Rather Be Healthy Than Thin 

Maria Menounos lost 40 pounds. Now she wants to help you get lean and healthy, too, with her new book, The EveryGirl’s Guide to Diet and Fitness. So we asked her for your first tip: “Let’s face it,” she says, “the entire diet industry as well as the messages we get from Hollywood, the media, and pretty much our entire country revolve around weight and size. Lose more pounds. Fit into smaller clothes. Get thin!…The main thing I want to convey, though, is that thin cannot compete with healthy. Health is the most important thing in your life.” 

“Hey, if you can be healthy and thin, then more power to you,” she continues, “but risking everything to be thin is not worth it and makes no sense in the big picture. I know more than a few thin people who are unhealthy. They smoke cigarettes, starve themselves, live on gallons of diet soda and energy drinks, or use drugs or other such unhealthy means to stay thin. As a result, some of them will not live long lives, and those who do may not live quality lives. Many, if not most, are also unhappy. Keep health your goal and it will naturally result in being trim.” 

They Know It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint 

Continues Maria: “When I was forty pounds heavier and decided to lose the weight, I took a long-term, gradual approach. I didn’t have the willpower to go on an extreme diet and drop all the foods I loved. And with work, paying bills, my family and friends and my relationship, I certainly didn’t have the time to exercise two hours a day. It took a year or so, but I lost the forty pounds. Little did I know that slow and steady was not only the most realistic way to lose weight, but also the smartest. It’s the main reason I never gained the weight back… The changes you make in your lifestyle can be slow and gradual and still get you where you want to go!” 

They Drink Tea Every Morning 

“I always start with ginger tea, which is black tea with milk, honey, ginger, and cardamom,” Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi tells Eat This, Not That!, about her breakfast ritual. “Then I’ll have a green juice with kale, beets, mint, apple, carrots, and ginger or a three-egg-white, one-yolk scramble. If I’m hungry, I’ll add half a cup of 1 percent cottage cheese to the eggs.” 

They Take Their Coffee with Heavy Cream
If you’re looking to lose weight, opt for heavy cream in your coffee. Yeah, seriously. “I keep it simple at Starbucks with a plain cup of coffee, and I ask for it with heavy cream—the good stuff that’s kept behind the counter and not out with the milk. “Heavy cream is a healthy fat that helps keep your blood sugar stable between meals and snacks, which means consistent energy and brain power—not to mention, it makes your coffee taste decadent!” Just don’t go too far: A drink like the Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with Whipped Cream (venti, shown above) has more calories and saturated fat than two slices of deep-dish sausage and pepperoni pizza from Domino’s. 

They Crack The Color Code 

 The pigment of produce can provide you with information about its nutritional value. Check out how each of the five different color categories of fruits and vegetables can benefit your health. Then mix and match for a total of five servings every day. One serving equals 1 cup raw or 1/2 cup cooked.
Blues and Purples: Blueberries, blackberries, purple grapes, plums, raisins, eggplant. Benefits: Keep memory sharp and reduce risk of many types of cancer, including prostate cancer
+Greens: Kiwi, honeydew, spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce, brussels sprouts, cabbage. Benefits: Protect bones, teeth, and eyesight
+Whites: Pears, bananas, mushrooms, cauliflower, onions, garlic. Benefits: Lower LDL cholesterol and reduce risk of heart disease
+Yellows and Oranges: Oranges, grapefruit, peaches, cantaloupe, mangoes, pineapple, squash, carrots. Benefits: Boost immune system and help prevent eye disease
+Reds: Watermelon, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, cherries, tomatoes, radishes, red apples. Benefits: Help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and improve blood flow to the heart 

They Play With Squash 

 “Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to pasta,” Shaun T, The Insanity trainer who hosts a new podcast, Trust and Believe, tells Eat This, Not That! “I love pairing it with homemade spaghetti sauce so I feel like I am eating noodles, but am getting a dose of vegetables instead!” 

They Go Wild 

 People who want to cut down on calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol—while still indulging their inner carnivores—might want to play games. No, wait, that’s not it. They say people might want to prey on game. Ah, yes. Meats like ostrich, bison, venison, and elk typically contain as much protein and iron as beef or pork, but have less fat and fewer calories. According to the USDA, while a 90%-lean hamburger may average 10 grams of fat, a comparatively sized buffalo burger rings in at two grams of fat with 24 grams of protein, making it one of the leanest meats around. 

They Pour Pinot Noir 

 Multiple studies have demonstrated that red wines like pinot noir consistently contain the highest levels of resveratrol among wines—and resveratrol has been shown to blast fat. While it has the lightest body and tannins of the classic red grapes, pinot can possess a haunting variety of flavors: berries, cola, tea, mushroom, even hints of barnyard. 

They Crack Open a Guinness 

Pulling significantly ahead of the pack in the Eat This, Not That! Light Beer Taste Test, Sam Adams Light (at 119 calories) was lauded for its discernable nutty flavor and relatively full body. One tester even noted that it “tasted like something I might find in a nice beer garden!” As for what not to drink: Most beers carry fewer than 175 calories, but even your average extra-heady brew rarely eclipses 250. That makes Sierra Nevada’s Bigfoot the undisputed beast of the beer jungle. Granted, the alcohol itself provides most of the calories, but it’s the extra heft of carbohydrates that helps stuff nearly 2,000 calories into each six-pack. For comparison, Budweiser has 10.6 grams of carbs, Blue Moon has 13, and Guinness Draught has 10. Let’s hope the appearance of this gut-inducing guzzler in your fridge is as rare as encounters with the fabled beast himself. 

They Skip This Soda 

Wait… but aren’t all sodas equally terrible? It’s true they all earn 100 percent of their calories from sugar, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still varying levels of atrocity. Despite the perception of healthfulness, fruity sodas tend to carry more sugar than their cola counterparts, and none make that more apparent than the tooth-achingly sweet Sunkist. But what seals the orange soda’s fate on our list of worsts is its reliance on the artificial colors yellow 6 and red 40—two chemicals that may be linked to behavioral and concentration problems in children. 

They Make PB+Js 

…after a workout. The perfect post-weight training repast has about 400 calories, with 20 to 30 grams of protein (to build new muscle) and 50 to 65 grams of carbohydrates (to repair old muscle). Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or a small bowl of pasta with meat sauce fit that formula. Lean meats are a great low-calorie source of protein, and a study in The Journal of Nutrition found that people who ate 125 grams of protein per day were able to lose more weight and had less body fat than those who ate 68 grams per day. 

They Power Up Their Pasta 

 Pasta dishes falter most often not because of an excess of calories, but because of a lack of substantive nutrition. To get more out of red sauce dishes like this, consider adding any of the following ingredients to the mix to power up your next plate of pasta.
8 ounces of grilled or shredded rotisserie chicken
8 ounces of sliced button or cremini mushrooms added to the pan along with the onions and garlic at the beginning of cooking
8 cups of baby spinach in place of the basil, stirred in with the pasta and sauce at the final moment until just wilted 

They Know Organic Isn’t Healthy 

When it comes to packaged and processed foods, “organic” does not equal “healthy.” As Michael Pollan quips in his “eater’s manifesto,” In Defense of Food, “Organic Oreos are not a health food”—they’re still heavily processed cookies filled with fat and sugar, and your body metabolizes organic fat and sugar the same way it does conventional. In fact, some clever companies use organic as a marketing smoke screen, only to load up a cup of yogurt or a box of crackers with unhealthy amounts of organic high-fructose corn syrup (yes, HFCS made from organic corn fits under the FDA guidelines for organic). 

They Never Buy Bottled Spices 

 What all those TV chefs say is true: You should try to refresh your spice cabinet as often as possible—at least once a year. Over time, spices’ essential oils fade, and with them goes the flavor you’re looking (and paying) for. So what’s a savvy cook to do, pay $6 for a bottle of star anise you’re only going to use twice a year? Absolutely not. Instead, shop at stores like Whole Foods and ethnic markets where you can buy all your spices from bulk containers that allow you to choose the amount. Fifteen grams of fat-blasting cardamom or cumin or coriander will cost you about a quarter of what a normal supermarket charges for a small bottle and will last you the better part of a year. Plus, high turnover ensures you’re getting potent spices—not something that’s been sitting on a shelf since Reagan left office. 

They Choose The Right Cut 

 This is consistently one of the most expensive cuts of beef, but all you’re buying is a little bit of tenderness. In fact, tenderloin isn’t a particularly flavorful steak. So why does it cost so much? Because there aren’t many tenderloin steaks on a cow, and because demand from diners looking for beef that cuts like butter tends to be high. Switch to skirt or flank steak instead. They’re both lean cuts that pack far more rich, deep, beefy flavor. Marinate for at least 4 hours in a 50/50 solution of balsamic vinegar and soy and you’ll have a steak you can cut with a spoon. Most importantly, it will cost you about half of what you would pay for that tenderloin. Remember this next time you’re at the steakhouse, too. 

They Don’t Need Fancy Crackers 

Old-school as they are, Triscuit is a cracker as a cracker should be: whole wheat with a touch of oil and salt. That gives you all the fiber and flavor you need to satisfy a snack craving. For more substantial hunger pangs, try dipping them in peanut butter or guacamole.  

They Don’t Just Count Calories 

 Calories fuel our bodies, right? Actually, they don’t. A calorie is simply a unit of measure for heat; in the early 19th century, it was used to explain the theory of heat conservation and steam engines. The term entered the food world around 1890, when the USDA appropriated it for a report on nutrition, and its definition evolved. The calorie we now see cited on nutrition labels is the amount of heat required to raise 1 kilogram of water by 1°C. Here’s the problem: Your body isn’t a steam engine. Instead of heat, it runs on chemical energy, fueled by the oxidation of carbohydrates, fats, and protein that occurs in your cells’ mitochondria. “You could say mitochondria are like small power plants. “Instead of one central plant, you have several billion, so it’s more efficient.” Your move: Track carbohydrates, fats, and protein—not just calories—when you’re evaluating foods. 

They Divide And Dine 

 Until all restaurants become BYOP (bring your own plate), you’ll need to shrink your serving in a different way: When your entrée arrives, dive in and eat half, then wait at least 10 minutes before coming out for round two. While you chat and sip water, your stomach will have a chance to digest and decide whether you’ve had enough—no matter what the plate’s saying. 

They Go For 100 

Be small-minded about snacks. In an experiment at the Cornell University food and brand lab, researchers gave study participants either a single bag containing 100 Wheat Thins or four smaller bags holding 25 Thins each, waited for the munching to subside, then did a cracker count. The tally: Those given the jumbo bag ate up to 20 percent more. Outsmart your snack habit by sticking with the tiny 100-calorie packs now being used for everything from Doritos to Goldfish. 

They Work The Perimeter 

Supermarkets are designed like casinos: clockless and nearly windowless expanses flooded with artificial light and Muzak, places where time stands still. Casinos force guests to navigate a maze of alluring gambling opportunities before they reach essential destinations: restaurants, bathrooms, exit doors. Same goes for the supermarket: The most essential staple foods—produce, bread, milk, and eggs—are placed in the back and along the perimeter of the supermarket to ensure that customers travel the length of the store—and thus are exposed to multiple junk-food temptations along the way. work the perimeter, and only dip into the middle when necessary. 

They Check Themselves Out 

 Impulse purchases drop by 32.1 percent for women—and 16.7 percent for men—when they use the self-checkout aisle, according to a study by IHL Consulting Group. Eighty percent of candy and 61 percent of salty-snack purchases are impulse buys. 

They Come Prepared 

 The prepared-foods section of grocery stores has grown in recent years as consumers demand more quick, low-cost alternatives to restaurant meals. One QSR survey found that 64 percent of people had purchased a ready-to-eat meal from a supermarket in the previous month, and experts estimated that the sector would grow to $14 billion by the end of 2011. Unfortunately, markups can be steep and nutrition is scarcely a concern for supermarkets looking to maximize profits. Your best bet on a busy night? A rotisserie chicken—healthy, versatile. 

They Scan For New Brands 

As with the music and movies, sometimes the best stuff is the most obscure. Not only can bigger manufacturers afford bet 

To the food’s caloric content, that is, when choosing frozen meals. Coming up with exact calorie counts for full dinners is trickier than averaging out what you’ll get from a serving of a single food, like a cereal or a soda. And since packagers want to look as nutritionally appealing as possible, they’re likely to err on the low side: When Tufts University researchers looked at 10 frozen supermarket meals, they found that the calorie counts reported by the food companies averaged 8 percent less than the researchers’ nutritional analyses. 

They Drink Away Heart Attacks 

Visceral fat around your internal organs unleashes compounds within your body that cause inflammation and higher triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels—the bad stuff that leads to heart disease and stroke. So, how do you start reaping all these benefits? Remember that almost all sodas, bottled teas, energy drinks, sports drinks, juice drinks, and “vitamin” waters contain sugar. Your goal is to replace these spare-tire-pumping potations with lean liquids.
So, what should you be drinking?
+Water. You’ll burn more calories and boost overall energy and concentration. Keep a pitcher by your bed and at your desk, and you’ll drink up naturally.
+Coffee. But not the sweet, syrupy specialty drinks. Coffee can rev up your metabolism in moderation, but gourmet coffee drinkers consume 206 more calories on average than folks who drink regular joe.
+Tea. It not only contains antioxidants that may help protect against heart disease and cancer, but also is nearly calorie free, as long as you don’t fall for the sugary kind.
+Milk. About 73 percent of the calcium in the American food supply comes from dairy foods, and calcium is critical for fending off weight gain and keeping bones and muscles healthy. 

They Shop on Wednesdays 

Most people leave their grocery shopping for Saturday or Sunday mornings, when the supermarket looks more like a ravaged battlefield than a center of commerce. Consider making midweek evening runs, instead. According to Progressive Grocer, only 11 percent of Americans shop on Wednesdays, and on any given day, only 4 percent shop after 9:00 p.m. So if you’re shopping at, say, 9:00 p.m. on a Wednesday, you’re able to get in and out quickly, which means you’ll spend less time fighting impulse items in both the aisles and at the checkout line. As a bonus, you’ll free up your Saturday morning for something more enjoyable, like cooking a healthy breakfast. 

They Push a Cart 

Pushing a shopping cart instead of carrying a basket may help you make smarter supermarket choices. A study published in the Journal of Marketing Research found that, all other things being equal, the strain of carrying a basket made shoppers more likely to reach for quick-grab impulse items—like the crackers and chips concentrated at eye level in the aisle. If you’re lugging around a heavy basket, you’re not taking the time to read labels and reach for more nutritious foods. 

They Read Between the Lines 

Take two popular menu items: A Carrot Walnut Muffin or the Chocolate Croissant. Which one’s healthier? Surely your health-conscious conscience jumps at the thought of starting your day with carrots and walnuts, yet the truth is fuzzier. Au Bon Pain’s healthy-sounding muffin offering packs 540 calories—plus 7 grams more fat, double the carbs (73 g vs. 34 g), and the four times the sugar of a 300-calorie Starbucks Chocolate Croissant! Remember, “muffin” is just a way to get you to eat cake for breakfast. Best Defense: Find the unhealthiest word on any menu item, and let that be your guide. After all, the calorie count of a fish fry is not about the fish, it’s about the fry. 

They Avoid ‘Low-Carb’ 

Anything “low” in one thing is usually high in something else. Consider Applebee’s Low Carb Breakfast Bowl, which is super low-carb but starts your day with 52 grams of fat—nearly an entire day’s worth. This 660-calorie meal is like dumping an entire farm’s worth of animals into one heart-stopping combination of eggs, sausage, bacon and cheese. Their Ham, Egg & Cheese Biscuit won’t make Dr. Atkins happy, but it will save you 210 calories and 28 grams of fat. Eat for balance. Don’t be fooled by eating only “low-carb” or “low-fat.” 

They Don’t Call Snacks ‘Meals’ 

Your restaurant may call it a “snack,” but your dietician would call it “dinner.” Earlier last year, Dunkin’ Donuts made headlines after calling a 660-calorie bacon ranch chicken sandwich a “snack,” part of a rebranding campaign—”We’re not moving into lunch,” the CEO told AP. “We’re in snacking.” (With a snack like that, who’d need lunch?) Meanwhile, Arby’s offers a “Snack and Save” menu with alleged snacks like the 550-calorie Crispy Onion Mighty Minis, which also come with 30 grams of fat and half a day’s sodium. Snack, but snack healthy. An Advances in Nutrition journal study found that nutritious snacks promote weight loss. The key word there is nutritious. Fruit and nuts are snacks, but two mini onion burgers? Not so much. A good snack is in the 100-250 calorie range. All of these filling snacks under 100 calories are safe bets. Pick two of them to hit the nutritional mark. 

They Recognize Salad Decoys 

Restaurants have discovered a brilliant way to get you to order cheaper, more caloric food—they give you the option to order something else. It’s called “decoy marketing” in the restaurant trade. The idea is that punctuating a menu with healthy items like salads gives customers permission to order larger, junkier, more caloric meals than they would otherwise. A University of Chicago Press Journals study demonstrated how this worked; researchers saw French fries orders increase when salad was also an option. It’s a phenomenon experts have dubbed “vicarious goal fulfillment.” In other words, by simply acknowledging a healthy option, diners feel they have satisfied their dietary goals and can order whatever they want. Remind yourself before you look at the menu that you’re on a mission to eat well. Remember that a burger has the same calorie count whether it’s next to the spring salad or the spring lamb. 

They Stay On Top of Toppings 

When a restaurant chain makes its mark serving massive slabs of fat and calories, even their attempts at “lite” foods can be corrupted by an instinct to slather and garnish. Take, for example, Ruby Tuesday’s Avocado Grilled Chicken Sandwich. How bad could this be? Well, by serving you a jumbo portion and topping it with bacon, Swiss and mayonnaise, the chain has built a 1,311-calorie monster with 2,833 mg of sodium and 64 grams of fat. So customize it. If you like the sound of a grilled chicken avocado sandwich, then ask them to serve you exactly that—and maybe ask for a little mayo on the side. 

They Make Sure Grilled Means Grilled 

“Grilled” chicken at your local chain may be healthier than the breaded and fried option, but it’s nowhere near as healthy as the same version made on your own backyard grill. Most restaurants use a “grill” that’s actually a griddle—basically a giant frying pan, which requires a generous oil slick to prevent sticking; often it’s the bacon fat saved from breakfast. If you’re on a strict diet and “flame grilled” options aren’t available, ask for your food to be prepared to your liking. Best Defense: Ask if “grilled” means “flame grilled.” If not, ask for it broiled, which will give you a similar effect—with less of the grease. 

They’re Wary Of Au Natural 

Wendy’s Natural-Cut Fries are promoted as a healthy alternative to typical fries—the chain’s website boasts that they’re “naturally cut from whole Russet potatoes” and seasoned with “a sprinkle of sea salt.” But there’s more to it than that. A quick skim through Wendy’s ingredient statement is all it takes to expose these fraudulent spuds. They contain preservatives, added sugars, and hydrogenated oil. Last we checked, there was nothing remotely natural about infusing vegetable oil with hydrogen. Technically, Wendy’s isn’t lying when it says that these fries are “natural-cut.” But it makes one wonder: What would be the unnatural way to cut a potato? Understand that the word “natural” does not mean “organic” or “no additives” or, in fact, anything, either in the restaurants or the supermarkets. Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Frito-Lay have all faced lawsuits over their use of the term. 

They Sometimes Skip the Veggies

In order to satisfy their need to offer nutritious-sounding foods, many restaurants put veggie sandwiches on the menu. Yet in more than a few cases, you’re better off opting for red meat. At Quiznos, a large Veggie Guacamole Sub (served with heapings of mozzarella and cheddar) weighs in at 1,060 calories and an insane 2,210 mg of sodium. That’s 80 calories more than their Double Swiss Prime Rib! Remember: It’s all about the toppings. Remember that even a healthy dish can be drowned in a sea of bad calories. 

They Speak French 

“Mise en place” (pronounced meez a plas) is the fancy French phrase that basically means “have all your ingredients ready before you start cooking.” For serious cooks, it’s not just a suggestion, it’s a religion. Nowhere is that dictum more essential than with stir-frying. Mince, dice, and chop your way through all the vegetables and proteins you’ll need, then arrange on a plate or cutting board in the order you’ll need them. Have sauces and condiments measured out. And, most importantly, always have salt and pepper at arm’s length. This way, you’ll reduce bloat by keeping sodium counts on track. 

They Add Umami 

Salty, sour, sweet, bitter.. .umami? Considered the fifth main flavor group, umami can best be described as an intense savory flavor found in tomatoes, mushrooms, Parmesan, and more. The Japanese in particular prize umami, and many of their staples contain big doses of it, from soy sauce to dried seaweed to miso paste. A good rule of thumb: The more umami in your food, the better it will taste. 

They Hurry With Curry 

At the heart of Indian curry powder is one of the world’s most potent elixirs: curcumin, an antioxidant known to fight cancer, inflammation, bacteria, cholesterol, and a list of other maladies—large and small—too long to publish here. Curcumin resides in turmeric, the bright yellow spice that gives curries their characteristic hue. Don’t limit the healing powers to recipes like this, though. Stir curry powder into yogurt for a vegetable dip, slip it into mayonnaise for a powerful sandwich spread, or rub directly onto chicken or white fish before grilling. 

They’re Wrap Artists 

Koreans love to use large lettuce leaves to house grilled meats, rice, kimchi, and sauces. In fact, it could be anything: grilled steak, pork loin, chicken chunks, even grilled vegetables. It’s like eating a delicious burrito for a quarter of the calories.  

They Use a Secret Weapon: Harissa 

The hot sauce of choice in Northern African is a fiery red paste made from piri piri chiles, garlic, and, depending on who’s making it, a variety of spices like cumin and coriander. As addictive as the burn may be, it’s also good for you: Research has shown that capsaicin—the chemical in chiles that gives them fire—actually increases metabolism. Mix with yogurt and use as a dip, a sandwich spread, or a meat marinade; stir into curries or stir-fries. 

They Blend Plant-Protein Smoothies 

Bryan Wilson, a 29-year-old accountant was a test panelists for Zero Belly Diet, the new book from Eat This, Not That! creator David Zinczenko, lost 19 pounds and an astounding 6 inches from his waist in just six weeks on the program, and he attributes his success to the Zero Belly shake recipes. “I love the shakes. I added them to my diet, and almost immediately I lost the bloat,” Bryan said. “I’m a sweet craver, and the shakes were an awesome alternative to bowls and bowls of ice cream I would have had.” 

Protein drinks are great ways to get a monster dose of belly-busting nutrition into a delicious, simple snack. But most commercial drinks are filled with unpronounceable chemicals that can upset our gut health and cause inflammation and bloat (Don’t believe it? And the high doses of whey used to boost protein levels can amplify the belly-bloating effect. The Zero Belly solution: Try vegan protein, which will give you the same fat-burning, hunger-squelching, muscle-building benefits, without the bloat. 

They Take a Walk Before Breakfast 

Zero Belly Diet panelist Martha Chesler did just this as part of her Zero Belly program, and the results were astonishing. “I saw changes immediately,” she reports. In less than six weeks on the program, Martha dropped over 20 pounds and an astonishing 7 inches from her middle by combining the Zero Belly Foods with a pre-breakfast walk.This easy a.m. ritual works on two levels. First, a recent study found that exposure to sunlight in between the hours of 8 am and noon reduced your risk of weight gain regardless of activity level, caloric intake, or age. Researchers speculate that the morning light synchronizes your metabolism and undercuts your fat genes. 

They’re Never Thirsty 

“Since thirst is often mistaken for hunger, I never go anywhere without a bottle of water,” says a Chef. “I also always carry a healthy snack. Walnuts and low-sugar protein bars are two of my go-tos. These tactics have helped me maintain my 70-pound weight loss. 

They Need Their Cheese 

“My philosophy on healthy eating is to enjoy everything in moderation,” says Fabio Viviani, chef and Top Chef alum. “For instance, I love cooking with fresh herbs and spices instead of heavier cheeses and butter, but I can’t live without my favorite Grana Padano Cheese. Cooking and eating should be fun; add your own personality, flavor and twist to it, but make sure it aligns with your lifestyle.” 

And Their Champagne! 

“I’ve always been a big believer in balance: Train hard, work hard and live hard—and sometimes that involves a bit of bubbly,” says Dan Roberts, author of the fashion model workout, Methodology X. “Indulging once and while in a bit of something that’s bad for your health is often extremely good for the soul!”  

They Have a Carb Curfew

Though starchy and sugary carbs—like quinoa, potatoes and fruit— aren’t totally off limits, participants on Extreme Weight Loss never consume them after dark. “For dinner, contestants always have a high-protein, high-fat meal with plenty of fibrous veggies,” trainer Chris Powell tells us. “If they have a post-dinner snack, they stick to protein-rich, high-fat foods like almonds or 2% milk-fat string cheese,” he explains. This is because, he adds, axing carbs at night flips the fat burning switch by increasing the amount of fat burning hormones released while we’re asleep 

They Are Ready for Everything 

We asked Chris Powell to tell us his number one diet tip. His response: Basically, meal prep is everything. “Prep your meals in advance, and always have ready-to-eat healthy snack foods with you,” he suggests. Chris and his Extreme Weight Loss participants bulk-prep their proteins (chicken, turkey, fish) and starches (potatoes, whole-wheat rice and noodles) every four days and store them in plastic containers. This prep allows them to grab healthy eats quickly before they leave the house. “We always carry protein powder with us,” he says about snacks, adding, “You’ll never catch us without almonds in our bags! They’re filled with healthy, satiating fats and protein and don’t need to be refrigerated, so they’re really easy.” 

They Keep It Clean 

“Whether you have ten pounds to lose or 100, the first thing you should do is create an environment for success. That requires removing all temptation from your kitchen. “Collect all of the processed, sugary and fatty foods from your house, and bring them to a local food bank for donation. Then restock your kitchen with healthy groceries—real, natural, whole foods—like fresh fruits and vegetables, almonds and lean proteins like turkey, chicken, fish and eggs. 

They Put Down the IPad 

With laptops, smartphones, and iPods aplenty, we’ve become accustomed to round-the-clock entertainment. But your mealtime may be one time of day we should fight our addiction to amusement. Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that diners who were distracted at mealtime consumed significantly more unhealthy snack foods later on than those who paid close attention to what they ate. One possible explanation: When you don’t pay attention to the meal you’re eating, your brain doesn’t fully register the experience. That leaves you less satisfied and more vulnerable to overeating. 

Learn to Take a Joke 

A 2006 study in the International Journal of Obesity found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes each day can help you burn up to 10 calories, depending on your body size and the intensity of your laughter. That may not sound like much, but there’s also been plenty of research linking happy people to all-around healthier lifestyles, and you, my friend, have an excuse to make @midnight part of your daily diet routine. 

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