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Nothing wrong with enjoying a straight black cup of coffee, but if you're craving more, these healthy tweaks are for you. Image Credit: Thongsuk Atiwannakul/iStock/GettyImages Coffee beans are high in antioxidants and have enough caffeine to provide that “java jolt” you’re craving bright and early in the day — so, no judgement here if your a.m. coffee of choice is the simple, black kind. Advertisement However, there's never been a better time to want more from your cup of java....

A bowl of fish stew, which can be made with clam juice or a substitute. Image Credit: boyarkinamarina/iStock/Getty Images The clam juice available in stores is the liquid that results from straining clams. It generally includes added salt. Dishes such as clam chowder and seafood soups often include clam juice. Using a lower-sodium alternative for clam juice reduces the sodium in the recipe. Depending on the ingredients in the dish and the reason for the substitution, you have options to make a substitute for clam juice....

Belly flab, spare tire, middle-aged spread. It goes by many names, but the fat that lies under your belly and surrounds your intestines is also referred to as omental or visceral fat by health professionals. While nobody enjoys carrying around excess fat, this type of fat is especially harmful because it may increase your risk of heart disease, dementia, asthma and certain types of cancer, including breast and colon. No one diet can help you lose omental fat specifically, but a healthy, reduced-calorie diet that promotes overall weight loss can certainly help decrease abdominal fat....

Adding boiled chicken to your diet can help build muscle. Image Credit: Torsakarin/iStock/Getty Images Building muscle mass requires a combination of proper exercise and diet. Many bodybuilders eat food that contains the maximum amount of protein countered by a minimal amount of fat. Boiled chicken is an ideal muscle-building food in that it strikes a balance. While it might not be the tastiest method of preparation, boiled chicken hits the spot when it comes to building muscle mass....

The duration and intensity of your workouts is what is most important. Image Credit: Mireya Acierto/DigitalVision/GettyImages Having a full schedule can lead you to cut back on your workout time, and that in turn can make you wonder just how little you can get away with. Unfortunately, this question all depends on a few variables. Advertisement The duration and intensity of your workout, even twice a week, can mean the difference between excellent fitness and very little change....

You may not need vitamin D supplements if you stay in the sun for 10 minutes each day. Image Credit: Siriwachara/iStock/Getty Images Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body to metabolize calcium. Humans synthesize vitamin D by exposing the skin to the sun’s ultraviolet-B radiations, or by obtaining it from the diet. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, excess fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissue. Most healthy people do not need vitamin D supplements....

Duck can be fried, braised, roasted and grilled, just like chicken. Image Credit: margouillatphotos/iStock/GettyImages When it comes to poultry, chicken is king — but globally, duck is the third most commonly produced type of poultry, according to a February 2015 article in ​CyTA Journal of Food​. Advertisement This flavorful, protein-rich bird is generally considered a healthy food. Just keep in mind, though, that duck's skin is often very fatty. Video of the Day Duck Meat Nutrition Facts One cup of chopped roast duck contains the following, per the USDA:...

You can toast waffles or heat them in an oven. Eggo is a popular brand of frozen waffle made by Kellogg Company since 1953. The name comes from the eggs in the waffles which provide a taste that's distinct from a regular waffle. Eggo waffles come in several different varieties and are commonly available from any store that sells frozen foods. Advertisement Preparation The primary ingredients of Eggo waffles are enriched wheat flour, vegetable oil, eggs and baking soda....

If your doctor is monitoring your PSA (prostate-specific antigen ) levels, it's important to know the impact of exercise on PSA testing. Image Credit: Portra/E+/GettyImages If you’ve got a diagnosis that requires ongoing medical monitoring, lifestyle factors can influence your test results — both positively and negatively. If your doctor is monitoring your PSA (prostate-specific antigen ) levels, it’s important to know the impact of exercise on PSA testing. Advertisement According to the Mayo Clinic, a PSA test primarily screens for prostate cancer, but other conditions and everyday activities can also influence PSA levels....

Avocados for sale at a market. Image Credit: mktordonez/iStock/Getty Images A heart-healthy diet that focuses on lowering cholesterol can also help strengthen blood vessels, reports a 1998 article in “American Family Physician.” This type of diet emphasizes foods such as omega-3 fatty acids from fish, monounsaturated fats from olive oil and nuts, and soluble fiber from beans, vegetables and whole grains. You can take this diet a step further and choose from a variety of other foods that contribute to strong blood vessels....

Cups of yogurt with fresh fruit on top. Image Credit: manyakotic/iStock/Getty Images What you eat prior to hitting the field, ice, track or court can make or break your performance. A quality breakfast before a sporting event ensures you have the energy to do your best, but consuming the wrong types of food could lead to bloating, cramping and sluggishness. The composition and size of your breakfast depends on how far in advance of the event you eat....

While more fiber-rich options will help you avoid constipation, white bread is recommended if you're experiencing diarrhea, nausea or loss of appetite. Image Credit: SasaJo/iStock/GettyImages Whole-grain bread and its whole-grain cousins have achieved almost holy status in a world grappling with obesity. It’s true: Whole grains are definitely the go-to carbohydrates when it comes to managing and preventing type 2 diabetes and heart disease as well as losing and maintaining weight....

The Milk of Magnesia dosage that is right for you depends on your age and severity of symptoms. Image Credit: Mohd Hafiez Mohd Razali / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Many people are affected by uncomfortable digestive symptoms, which is why you may be considering a Milk of Magnesia constipation remedy. Both children and adults are affected by constipation, so Milk of Magnesia may be an option since it is safe for people of all ages....

A roasted duck decorated with wedges of orange. Image Credit: Lesyy/iStock/Getty Images Duck is not typical food fare but has become more mainstream in American cuisine. It is a fatty bird because it swims and needs the fat to help keep it buoyant in the water. Duck is considered dark meat since it flies and therefore uses more muscle. Active muscle requires more oxygen, which gives the meat a darker color....

Chicken gizzards are a nutritious, affordable part of a chicken you're probably overlooking. Image Credit: peredniankina/iStock/Getty Images The average grocery shopper may have never even heard of chicken gizzards — despite how nutritious and affordable they are. After overlooking them in the meat department for too long, it’s time to finally learn how to cook chicken gizzards so you can add them to your weekly rotation. Advertisement Read more: Is Baked Chicken Breast Healthy?...

1 of 22 Overview What makes a great lunch? Any meal that's hearty, healthy and filling. But oftentimes, your work schedule keeps you away from the kitchen. Instead of settling for fast food (or going hungry), you can create a quick, easy, on-the-go option. These LIVESTRONG.COM creations can be made quickly each morning — without sacrificing your lunchtime nutrition needs. Image Credit: Adobe Stock/StockPhotoPro 2 of 22 1. Raw Salad Platter Chances are your daily meals are a little lacking in vegetables....

Certain foods and vitamins may help people increase their platelet counts. Image Credit: Siri Stafford/Photodisc/Getty Images Platelets, or thrombocytes, are one of the three main types of cells in your blood, along with red and white blood cells. Advertisement Platelets play an important role in the body: The very small, colorless cells are critical for blood clotting. The process is triggered by an injury to a blood vessel. Video of the Day A low platelet count, known as thrombocytopenia, can arise from a variety of factors and diseases, including a bone marrow disorder like leukemia or a problem with the immune system, per the Mayo Clinic....

The elliptical is a great exercise machine. Image Credit: Milkos/iStock/GettyImages Hop on an elliptical machine regularly, and you’ll start to notice several positive health benefits — from toned buttocks and arms to improved heart health. Use an elliptical for glutes and for overall health as well — keeping five things in mind as you glide and sweat. Advertisement 1. Elliptical Machines Are Versatile The elliptical offers a low-impact workout suitable for a variety of fitness levels....

Saline sprays or rinses can help flush mucous and bacteria out of the nose, easing sinus infection symptoms. Image Credit: puhhha/iStock/GettyImages If you have pesky symptoms like congestion, facial pressure and post-nasal drip, they could be signs a sinus infection is setting up shop in your nasal cavity. Advertisement Sinus infections, better known as sinusitis, affect roughly 31 million people in the U.S. each year, and they spend more than $1 billion on over-the-counter meds to treat them, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology....

Ease into your day with some simple stretching. Image Credit: PixelsEffect/E+/GettyImages Does your heart rate skyrocket when your alarm goes off? Do you break out in a cold sweat as you lie in bed thinking about your day’s to-do list? Relax. Just 10 minutes of stretching can ease your morning stress and set you up for a calmer, brighter day. Advertisement The Sun Salutation is an ancient yoga sequence that can help you slow down, focus on your body and get out of your own head....