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If you're on metformin for type 2 diabetes, here's what you need to know about what to avoid while taking metformin. Image Credit: Thomas_EyeDesign/iStock/GettyImages Metformin is a first-choice medication primarily prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes to lower their blood sugar. It is both highly effective and generally well-tolerated, and it is the first-line treatment recommended by the American Diabetes Association. Advertisement Unlike other medications, metformin doesn't require a person to avoid any particular foods and it is also not associated with weight gain, like some other diabetes medicines, Elizabeth Halprin, MD, clinical director of adult diabetes at Harvard's Joslin Diabetes Center, tells LIVESTRONG....

The keto diet prescribes an increase in fat intake, while other low-carb diets recommend increasing your protein intake. Image Credit: Aamulya/iStock/GettyImages Reducing caloric intake and increasing calorie expenditure creates the calorie deficit necessary for weight loss. Reducing your carbohydrate intake can also help you reach your goal, says a study published in 2018 in the British Medical Journal — and so can increasing your protein intake, which provides extra satiety. Eating too few calories, however, such as 1,000 calories a day, can leave you feeling fatigued, which will interfere with your ability to exercise — the other important piece of the weight-loss puzzle....

A pile of potato chips. Image Credit: elioxuni/iStock/Getty Images Potato chips make a satisfying snack food—crispy, salty and flavorful, thanks to the deep-fried preparation. However, eating potato chips can cause problems for your fitness and health routines because they’re loaded with fat and calories. Depending on your body weight and exercise intensity, you can definitely plan to work out hard and long in order to burn off the calories from potato chips....

Unhealthy fast food in a take away box. Image Credit: ThamKC/iStock/GettyImages After eating a greasy cheeseburger with french fries, you may find yourself feeling sluggish and ready for a nap. Your body has to work hard to digest fat, which takes up a lot of energy. Advertisement In fact, fat is the most slowly digested macronutrient, followed by protein and then carbohydrate. How long your body takes to digest a fatty meal depends on several factors, including the size of the meal and the exact macronutrient makeup....

Standing burns more calories than sitting down all day. Image Credit: jacoblund/iStock/GettyImages It’s no secret that desk jobs aren’t great for your health. But for many, sitting all day is just a part of reality. But what if you switch things up and stand while working for a change? The calories burned standing up are actually more than you might think. Advertisement Tip Standing instead of sitting all day burns 320 more calories per day than sitting for a 160-pound person....

A fit, muscular woman is stretching prior to exercise. Image Credit: curtis_creative/iStock/Getty Images Body definition occurs when lean muscle mass is increased and overall body fat is decreased. Carrying an excess amount of body fat will result in lack of definition, even if you continue to build muscle. A significant percentage of fat-free mass must be present in order to gain muscle definition. Achieving this look requires time, patience and dedication to workouts and a balanced diet....

Woman's feet walking on treadmill Image Credit: YanLev/iStock/Getty Images If you have overweight or obesity, burning 500 extra calories a day walking can help you shed about 1 pound per week. Even if you don’t have weight to lose, expending 500 calories daily walking will help you stay in shape, reduce disease risks, tone up and prevent future weight gain. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends adults participate in 150 to 300 minutes of cardiovascular exercise – such as walking – each week to maximize health benefits....

references U.S. Department of Agriculture: "The Big Thaw — Safe Defrosting Methods" U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: "Safe Minimum Cooking Temperatures Charts" University of Minnesota Extension: "Slow cookers and food safety" U.S. Department of Energy: "Cooking Up Some Energy Saving Tips" Cuisinart: "Buffalo-Style Chicken Wings" ACTA Scientific Nutritional Health: "Evaluation of Chemical and Physical Changes in Different Commercial Oils during Heating" Harvard Medical School: "Healthier oils make fried food safer" U....

A crayfish boil. Image Credit: tfoxfoto/iStock/Getty Images Many home cooks avoid purchasing and cooking live shellfish and crustaceans because they don’t know how to prepare them, they are afraid of food-borne illness or even because they don’t want to kill the animal during the cooking process. Crayfish are a good place to start your adventure with cooking because they are small and easier to handle than lobster and less likely to have issues with food safety than shellfish....

Pan fry ground sausage just as you would any other ground meat. Image Credit: skhoward/iStock/GettyImages You may cook ground Italian sausage to accompany eggs for breakfast, or you may add it to a number of main dishes for spicy flavor. It’s most commonly made of pork, and seasoned with salt, pepper and fennel. Instead of the pork variety, try the healthier kind made of turkey. Advertisement Tip To cook the sausage, brown it in a pan while breaking it into small pieces....

The hollow body hold targets the deep stabilizing core muscles, as well as the hip flexors, quads and lower back. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com In This Article Instructions Benefits Tips Regressions Progressions Whether you have big goals of rocking pull-ups or hanging leg raises, the hollow body hold is one of the best core exercises to have in your ab arsenal. As one of the hardest ab exercises, this deceptively difficult move torches your core through an isometric hold (no movement)....

To dry sage in the oven, place the leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Image Credit: tycoon751/iStock/GettyImages Sage leaves are commonly used in thanksgiving stuffing recipes or paired with fatty meats like lamb. You can keep fresh sage in the fridge, wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel and placed in a plastic bag, or make dried sage in your oven or using a dehydrator....

You're sure to find a frozen dessert worth spooning into. Image Credit: ArtMarie/E+/GettyImages Ice cream is the quintessential summertime sweet. After all, the average American eats 23 pounds of it — from cones and bars to sandwiches and sundaes — every single year, the International Dairy Foods Association reports. Advertisement Fortunately, there are a lot of better-for-you options on the market, even if you're in search of something lower in fat, sugar, calories or all three....

1 of 10 Overview If you haven't heard of Mark Sisson yet, you soon will. The founder of Primal Kitchen and best-selling author of "The Primal Blueprint," "Primal Endurance" and "The Keto Reset Diet" is quickly becoming the industry's go-to expert when it comes to eating primal and following the keto diet. And for good reason. The former elite endurance athlete with a 2:18 marathon and fourth-place Hawaii Ironman finisher is walking proof that a diet high in fat and low in carbs can be a healthy lifestyle choice....

Low-calorie barbecue chicken pita pizza is an easy dinner win when you're trying to lose weight. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages Low in calories and high in protein, chicken breast checks off all the right boxes when it comes to your weight-loss efforts. But eating healthy doesn’t have to mean bingeing on bland chicken breast all day. Advertisement From burritos and barbecue to pizza and pad thai, these 11 dietitian-approved chicken recipes are anything but boring....

Meal-prep-friendly casseroles make for a quick and filling breakfast. Image Credit: I_rinka/iStock/GettyImages The best breakfasts are simple, satiating and scrumptious. And breakfast casseroles tick off all those boxes. Advertisement You'll find your healthy a.m. fix in one of these fifteen filling breakfast casserole recipes with 11 grams of protein or more — for both savory and sweet cravings. Video of the Day Tip Many of these casserole recipes contain eggs. If you follow a vegan diet or are trying to cut back on animal products, try swapping the eggs for a plant-based substitute such as Just Egg....

Besides upping your energy, an energy drink can provide some added nutritional benefits. Image Credit: Smederevac/Getty Images When you feel a 3 p.m. slump coming on, it can be tempting to reach for a super sugary snack or a giant iced coffee. But while a quick fix might help in the moment, you might regret it later on. Advertisement "People naturally reach for a sugary snack when they're feeling tired or fatigued....

November is a great month to stop and give thanks! Image Credit: DGLimages/iStock/GettyImages What are you grateful for today? Friends, family, job, health, a house, pets, children — those are all great things to start with. Or what about fall foliage, hot sauce, indoor plumbing and a cozy sweater? Just look around you — there’s a lot to be thankful for. Advertisement All that gratitude doesn't just produce a warm, fuzzy feeling, it just might be good for your health too!...

Simply showing up is the most important thing, but you can also offer practical help like walking the dog or picking up dinner. Image Credit: Westend61/Westend61/GettyImages Familiar phrases like “I’m sorry for your loss” and “Sending my condolences” feel inadequate in the face of a loved one’s loss. But there’s a reason people turn to cliches: Knowing what to say to someone who’s grieving, along with what support to offer (and how to do so), is hard....

Marathon finishes make up only about 12 percent of global race results, but completing a marathon is still a bucket-list goal for many runners. Image Credit: David Wood / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages In This Article Global Stats U.S. Stats Age Sex Finish Time Stats Professional Marathoners Health Benefits Historical Facts Both runners and spectators alike would probably agree there's nothing like race day at a high-profile marathon. The streets are packed with bib-clad runners as far as the eye can see and the air buzzes with nervous excitement....