Just in time to help with your New Year's resolution to eat more healthily, the government announced its latest dietary guidelines this month. The 2015 guidelines recommend a "healthy eating pattern" with limited sugar and saturated fat, less salt and more vegetables and whole grains. You might remember the food pyramid poster from your grade school classroom, or the "My Plate" icon from your child's cafeteria. Those earnest posters are a boiled-down version of a complicated food science discussion between government-appointed experts and all the other players in this food fight, including … [Read more...] about New U.S. dietary guidelines limit sugar, rethink cholesterol
5 Ways to Eat Healthier Even When You’ve Failed Before
We would all love to consistently have a perfectly healthy diet, but life often seems to get in the way and we are quick to forget our commitment to improving our diet. Maybe you've set ambitious healthy eating goals in the past and you know how overwhelming it can be. But eating healthy is certainly not about being perfect. Most people tend to get much better results when they start small and make incremental changes to their current diet. Here are five ways you can start eating healthier even when you've failed before. 1. Start with the drinks Sodas and processed fruit juices are loaded … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Eat Healthier Even When You’ve Failed Before
5 Simple Tricks That Will Make Your Fitness Resolutions Stick
In January, we have the best intentions for the year ahead. We've made our resolutions and goals. The gyms are packed with enthusiastic people looking forward to improved health and fitness. Sadly, for many, that enthusiasm will soon wear off. But if you follow these simple tips, you can keep those goals in sight and ensure that they don't fall off your calendar by the beginning of March. Put your workout on your calendar. Many people are very good at putting business and doctor appointments in their calendars, but their workouts live on a "to-do" list instead. Unfortunately, this means … [Read more...] about 5 Simple Tricks That Will Make Your Fitness Resolutions Stick
The Best and Worst Alcoholic Drinks for Your Waistline
The holidays are a time when cocktails are flowing. Downing two or three drinks (or more!) at a party can mean you're taking in an excess of 1,000 calories – not counting the food or dessert, which can be an additional 1,000 calories. If you start consuming over 2,000 calories at each holiday party, those pounds will start piling up. Instead of busting your pants button this holiday season, use these tips to help keep those liquid calories under control. How much is too much? According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, women should consume no more than one drink per day and men … [Read more...] about The Best and Worst Alcoholic Drinks for Your Waistline
Sins of your father’s eating habits can affect their children
There is increasing evidence that parents' lifestyle and the environment they inhabit even long before they have children may influence the health of their offspring. A current study, led by researchers from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, sheds light on how. Researchers in Associate Professor Romain Barrès' laboratory compared sperm cells from 13 lean men and 10 obese men and discovered that the sperm cells in lean and obese men, respectively, possess different epigenetic marks that could alter the next generation's appetite, as reported in the medical … [Read more...] about Sins of your father’s eating habits can affect their children
10 products to get you moving at work
You've probably heard by now -- most likely while you were parked in front of your TV or computer -- that sitting kills. In a perfect world, we would spend more time at work and home on our feet. Standing tones your muscles and could reduce the risk of heart disease. But too much of it can hurt your back and feet and reduce circulation. Try to mix moving and sitting, experts say. Going between your seat and your feet is good for bones and muscle, too. Unfortunately this is all easier said than done. "We get busy, and work takes priority," said Alan Hedge, professor of ergonomics at Cornell … [Read more...] about 10 products to get you moving at work
Your Healthy Holiday Survival Guide
How to navigate seasonal office parties, happy hours and travel while watching your weight. Thanksgiving is now behind us and with that, the holiday season officially begins. For many of my clients, this means the start of holiday madness. On the one hand, office parties, celebrations with friends and traveling to visit family can be festive and a lot of fun. On the other hand, the season can be stressful – especially if you are trying to stick with a healthy eating plan. Sure, I could remind you that the holidays are really just three days – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day – and … [Read more...] about Your Healthy Holiday Survival Guide
Need Reasons to Walk? Let Me Count the (9) ‘Whys’
Walking is a free, easy, feel-good gift you can give yourself every day. Even the surgeon general says so. Walking is one of the most cost conscious ways to exercise, it costs you nothing but time. You can do it anywhere, anytime, and with anyone. In this article by Michelle Segar, she discusses the many benefits and reasons why she likes to walk. What is your reason? Here's my confession: I love to walk. I walk into town whenever I can, I walk my son to school as he rides his bike, I walk with friends to catch up on our lives and I walk alone just to have some time to myself. If you've met … [Read more...] about Need Reasons to Walk? Let Me Count the (9) ‘Whys’