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A tipped jelly jar filled with fresh cranberries. The tart taste of cranberry juice means it isn't one of the most popular fruit juices around. But the juice gets plenty of attention in some circles because of its usefulness in preventing urinary tract infections. In fact, research does show the juice can help prevent the infections in older women and those who are pregnant, MedlinePlus reports. Drinking it, though, does not come without the risk of side effects, such as diarrhea....

Raisins' nutritional value makes them good for healthy weight gain. Image Credit: ewastudio/iStock/Getty Images The quality of your diet plays a key role in your health, and setting a goal to gain weight isn’t a license to eat anything you want. While eating any extra calories – even ones from fast food, ice cream and other “junk” – will result in weight gain, following a nutritious diet is a healthy way to add pounds to your frame while also meeting your nutritional needs....

Jump roping is great cardio but these five mistakes can wreak havoc on your back. Image Credit: nattrass/E+/GettyImages No motivational fitness montage is complete without a jump rope scene. And it’s no surprise, considering just a few minutes of jumping in place can leave you out of breath. Advertisement But if you want to channel your inner Rocky and make the jump rope your new go-to cardio machine, you'll want to do everything you can to avoid back pain....

Adding protein powder to a shake after a workout might help you build muscle and lose weight. Image Credit: Getty Images/GoodLifeStudio It’s rare to find a smoothie joint these days that doesn’t offer protein powder as a supplement to your usual blend. Whether you’re plant-based, dairy-free or open to everything, there’s a protein powder on the market for you. But will a protein shake actually help you lose weight? And do you really need to down one right after your workout?...

Exercise may help reduce your risk of coronavirus infection, and (done the right way) can definitely help you recover from COVID-19. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages In This Article Does Exercise Affect My COVID Risk? Can I Exercise With COVID? How Can I Rebuild Lung Function After COVID? What’s the Best Way to Regain Muscle? Is It Safe to Go to the Gym? Flashback to early March 2020: Working out might have meant dropping into a crowded, sweaty SoulCycle class, meeting up with friends for a jog in the park or enjoying a pickup game of flag football on the weekend....

Sitting down doesn't have to be a struggle if you stay strong and mobile. Image Credit: Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision/GettyImages Do you have difficulty sitting in a chair without plunking down or relying on an armrest to help lower you down? You may not give much thought to this motion, but sitting down and getting back up requires muscle (particularly core) strength, flexibility and coordination. Advertisement Being able to get in and out of a chair is an important skill to maintain....

Confused about face masks? Follow these guidelines. Image Credit: Catherine McQueen/Moment/GettyImages By now, you should almost be a face mask pro: Popping one on wherever you go, stashing extras in your car, etc. But with mask mandates changing, it can be tough to know exactly what you need to wear and when. We have some answers. Advertisement Keep in mind that the advice surrounding COVID-19 is constantly evolving. Per February 2022 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), If you're feeling sick, have had a positive COVID-19 test or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should mask up....

Healthy sweet potato toppings include protein foods, such as black beans or shredded chicken, and healthy fats, such as avocado. Image Credit: vaaseenaa/iStock/GettyImages A baked sweet potato is a nutritious side dish or main course if you avoid the common high-calorie and sugary marshmallow, butter and brown sugar toppings. Healthy sweet potato toppings can even turn this orange-fleshed vegetable into a complete meal. Advertisement Healthy fats, lean proteins and even added fruits or vegetables turn your sweet potato into a WOW for your taste buds, waistline and well-being!...

Hemp hearts make a nutritious addition to your diet with their heart-healthy fats, complete protein and other beneficial nutrients. Image Credit: Fudio/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Nutrition Facts Health Benefits Health Risks Recipes and Tips Alternatives to Hemp Hearts Shelling hemp seeds reveals the most nutritious and tender part of the seed — the heart. Hemp hearts have a slightly nutty taste, similar to sunflower seeds or pine nuts. Advertisement Whether you mix them into your smoothie, sprinkle them on yogurt or cereal or add them to your baked goods, hemp hearts are a nutritional powerhouse with outstanding health benefits....

A man performing an upright row with a barbell. Image Credit: Ibrakovic/iStock/Getty Images The high power pull and the upright row are two techniques in weight lifting that work various muscles throughout the body. Although both moves are similar, the upright row targets a specific muscle whereas the high power pull works many muscles throughout the legs, shoulders and arms. Consult your physician before you begin a new exercise program to make sure that you’re healthy enough for weight lifting....

It normally takes up to 2 1/2 days to digest gluten. Image Credit: d3sign/Moment/GettyImages If you have a health concern about gluten and you eat the protein, you might wonder: How long does it take to get gluten out of your system? In people without a sensitivity, it may take two to three days for gluten to be fully digested. But, if you’re gluten-sensitive or have celiac disease, it may take longer....

When and what to eat after your workout depends on the workout. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages If you’ve ever felt completely wiped out after a tough workout, you know firsthand why it’s so important to replenish your body with a post-workout snack. Advertisement Your body uses important resources to power through a sweat session, and if they are not quickly replenished your body's ability to recover is compromised. How soon after your workout you need to eat depends on the intensity of your workout and ranges from 15 minutes to 2 hours....

Most food should be consumed or frozen after being in the fridge for just a few days. Image Credit: Fuzullhanum/iStock/GettyImages While you might not want to be wasteful, you’re risking your health by eating steak that’s been in the fridge for 10 days. Meat is only safe to keep in the refrigerator for a certain length of time, after which you should throw it out. Advertisement This may be costly, but consuming meat that has gone bad may cause you to become ill....

Limiting sugar consumption can help control dumping syndrome. Image Credit: Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images Gastric bypass surgery is performed for individuals who wish to lose a substantial amount of weight. After surgery, your stomach is significantly reduced in size and it is important to monitor your food intake carefully. Eating too much sugar in one serving can lead to several complications such as nausea, vomiting and dumping syndrome. Consult with your health care provider or registered dietitian for your specific nutritional guidelines based on your condition....

Training each muscle group twice a week has been shown to be ideal for muscle gain. Image Credit: fizkes/iStock/GettyImages If you’ve done any amount of research on strength training and muscle growth, you probably already know that muscle grows during your recovery period, not during the actual training. Therefore, adequate rest between workouts is crucial for mass gain. At least 48 hours is a good goal, but how many rest days you need between workouts depends on individual factors....

Walking or running on a treadmill burns a relatively high number of calories. Image Credit: Oppdowngalon/iStock/GettyImages Regularly working out on a treadmill can help you lose weight, but how much depends on the intensity, duration and frequency of your workouts as well as how disciplined you are with your nutritional habits. Advertisement Keep track of what you eat using an online calorie counter or an app on your phone. This is a great resource to help you achieve your goals....

Mangetout, also called snow peas, get their name -- translated from French, it means "eat all" -- from their characteristic edible pods. Technically unripe, the pods and their undeveloped peas are eaten together, either raw and crunchy or cooked to soften and sweeten but still retain a little bite. Mangetout only need to be cooked for a few minutes. Don't overcook these delicate vegetables -- doing so turns them soggy and causes the pods to split open....

You can prepare veal shanks and cutlets, the two most common cuts of veal, in many ways, including grilling, pan-frying and broiling. But few preparations are simpler than baking veal in the oven. Baking veal in the oven also helps to preserve the meat's natural flavor without altering the texture. Serve oven-baked veal with a full-bodied red wine like Bordeaux or Malbec if you are serving red wine, Pinot Gris or an oak-rich Chardonnay if you are serving white wine....

A well-prepared rack of ribs is one of the best arguments for long, slow cooking methods. Whether braised in your slow cooker, slow-roasted in your oven or smoke-roasted over low coals in traditional barbecue fashion, ribs cook to a lush, tender richness. Unfortunately few cooks have that much time at their disposal on a regular basis, so it makes sense to prepare your baby back ribs in quantity and freeze them for later consumption....

Grilling 2-inch steak may take practice to get to the point where adding butter or sauces seems sacrilege. Image Credit: Eugene Mymrin/Moment/GettyImages For the carnivores among us, a thick, flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth steak is high on the list of favorite meals. Grilling a 2-inch steak may take practice to get to the point where adding butter or sauces seems a sacrilege. Advertisement Pay attention to details such as steak grilling times and the quality of meat, however, and soon you'll be grilling like a true grillmaster....