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Plantar fasciitis causes significant arch soreness and is extremely common. Image Credit: bymuratdeniz/iStock/GettyImages Sore arches after running — in one or both feet — is one of the most common afflictions distance runners face. While this kind of injury often resolves quickly, it can linger for weeks or even months if you don’t address the underlying cause or causes and take active steps to speed healing. Advertisement In most cases, sore arches in runners result from chronic stress, but pain may also result from a traumatic injury such as stepping in a hole....

Improve the nutrition of your mashed potatoes by making them at home with low-fat milk, olive oil and fresh herbs. Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/GettyImages A common myth maintains that all “white foods,” including potatoes, are unhealthy. With potatoes, though, a lot depends on the cooking method and the additions you make to them. Mashed potatoes, a beloved comfort food, are often less healthy than other types of potato dishes because of ingredients that add saturated fat and sodium....

There are some healthy options on Smoothie King's menu. Image Credit: Tatiana Volgutova/iStock/GettyImages Smoothie King prices and the array of flavors make the smoothie bar an attractive place to eat. While there are several healthy options on the menu, some of the smoothies are more indulgent than others. Fruit smoothies are inherently healthy, but some are not. Advertisement The Smoothie King healthy options depend on your definition of healthy. Many smoothies have added ingredients and macronutrient targets that may not align with your goals....

Close-up of an onion being sliced. Image Credit: anderm/iStock/Getty Images The old adage about an apple a day may apply to the onion too. Both pieces of produce are rich in fiber, nutrients and an antioxidant called quercetin, all of which may contribute to weight loss. Onions also are easy to add to a variety of dishes, bringing the benefit of low-calorie flavoring. Advertisement Calorie Burn Onions are a good source of the antioxidant quercetin....

In certain circumstances, walking can harm your knees. Image Credit: dolgachov/iStock/Getty Images Walking is a form of aerobic exercise that can provide you with a variety of health benefits, including easier weight management and reductions in your levels of harmful cholesterol. It is typically considered a safe, low-impact activity. However, in some circumstances, walking can trigger the onset of significant pain in your knees. Advertisement Overpronation One potential source of walking-related knee problems is overpronation of your feet....

Meat, like this pork, with freezer burn, is safe to eat, but may not look appetizing. Image Credit: Fuzullhanum/iStock/GettyImages It can be hard not to get bummed out if you’ve finally made up your mind to cook the steak that’s been lying in your freezer for months, only to find that it has freezer burns. Here’s what you need to know about freezer-burned meat and whether that freezer-burned steak is safe to consume....

Doctors with a patient. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images If you’re overweight and have just had your gallbladder removed in an operation known as a cholecystectomy, you may be wondering if the operation will make your weight-loss goals tougher to achieve. The good news is, people who have had their gallbladders removed often lose weight naturally. However, you’ll still need to watch what you eat and potentially even count calories to achieve a significant weight loss....

Ankle weights can increase you chance of injury. Image Credit: kicsiicsi/iStock/GettyImages The claims for ankle weights include burning fat and building leg muscles by adding to the resistance of your exercise. Advertisement While there may be some benefit for aerobic and cardiovascular exercises that elevate your heart rate for the sake of burning calories, ankle weights can also increase your risk of injury. For best results, only use ankle weights for controlled workouts that involve strengthening specific leg muscles, such as squats, lunges, kicks and leg lifts....

A strong back is a healthy back. Image Credit: matthiasdrobeck/iStock/Getty Images Deadlifts work your upper and lower back, hips and legs. In addition to improving posture and strengthening your muscles, deadlifts improve your strength and power. Different styles of deadlift exist, so if you have trouble with one style of deadlift, you can experiment with another style. If you have a preexisting back injury, consult your health care provider before attempting to deadlift....

The ingredients in some protein shakes might exacerbate IBS symptoms. Image Credit: andresr/E+/GettyImages If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may have trouble finding foods that won’t cause stomach pain. Can something as simple as a protein shake be on your safe-foods list? That depends on you. Advertisement "There's no easy answer," says Marta Ferraz Valles, RD, LD, a dietitian with the Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore....

A woman running and jumping in full stride. Image Credit: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images Jumping with two feet has the potential to get you higher off the ground than jumping off one – if you’re an elite gymnast. Gymnasts can generate great momentum by, for example, sprinting and doing several back handsprings as they approach the jump. Successively whipping their bodies forward increases the amount of force they apply when they finally launch upward off both feet....

coffee beside creamer Image Credit: Zoonar/O.Kovach/Zoonar/Getty Images Coffee is a popular pick-me-up and morning drink for many people. If you have diabetes and are watching your blood glucose levels, you should be thoughtful about adding sugar and creamer to your coffee. Both of these items can increase your blood sugar level. Include the carbohydrate level of any creamer you use as you calculate your daily carbohydrate levels. Advertisement Diabetes People with diabetes mellitius have difficulty using the sugar in their bloodstreams appropriately....

Acid reflux occurs when acidic digestive juices leak from the stomach into the esophagus. Its symptoms include heartburn, a sour taste in the mouth and a sore throat. Acid reflux can be treated in a variety of ways, but for people whose reflux is related to cow’s milk, soy milk can be a good alternative. Understanding why soy and other plant-based milks might be better may help you make choices that could improve your acid reflux symptoms....

A glass of soy milk and soy beans Image Credit: caroljulia/iStock/Getty Images The notion that vegans and the lactose intolerant cannot get their recommended amount of daily calcium is a myth, says the Produce for Better Health Foundation. Although calcium is closely linked to milk and milk products such as cheese and yogurt, plant-based foods are also calcium-rich. Fortified soy milk gives you just as much calcium as cow’s milk–and it’s also a great source of vitamin D and protein....

scrambled eggs on plate Image Credit: vertmedia/iStock/Getty Images Wrestlers are some of the most weight-conscious people on the planet, because being just an ounce overweight could keep them from wrestling in a match. Many wrestlers need to cut weight to qualify for their weight class, and there are ways to do so without risking your health. When cutting weight, you want to be especially sure to get enough nutrients in the food you eat so that your body has enough energy to wrestle....

Magnesium is often associated with muscle relaxers and reducing stress. Image Credit: 5second/iStock/GettyImages Whether you are a late-night snacker or want to know which foods encourage restfulness, there are certain foods that can help you sleep. Many people are dependent on sleep aid supplements to fall asleep and stay asleep. However, foods that encourage tiredness may do the trick instead. Advertisement Attempting to wake up on time and later attempting to fall asleep on time can be a vicious cycle....

Slip between the sheets while you're fuming, and not only are you unlikely to sleep well, but you might find yourself still angry the next morning. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG Creative One of the old adages you’ve probably grown up with is “never go to bed angry.” But the reality is, you can’t just snap your fingers and ‌poof!‌ watch all that rage and frustration you feel vanish. Advertisement Here's a closer look at how going to bed angry effects both your physical and emotional health....

Control carbs and portions by combining a low-carb diet with Weight Watchers. Image Credit: Vladislav Nosick/iStock/Getty Images Low-carb diets like keto continue to be all the rage, but can you merge this eating approach with a more traditional diet like Weight Watchers (now known as WW)? It turns out, if you’ve hit a plateau in your weight-loss attempts, combining the two just might help you get back on track. Advertisement But before you jump in, you might consider working with a registered dietitian-nutritionist to understand your specific goals and needs — based on your height, weight, medical history, activity level and body composition — because the same plan isn't going to work for everyone, notes Monique Richard, RDN, LDN, an integrative dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight....

Fruits and veggies that are grown locally tend to have more nutrients than those transported over long distances. Image Credit: hobo_018/E+/GettyImages Once a fruit or vegetable is harvested and cut off from its original source of nutrients (plant, vine or tree), that piece of produce begins to lose nutrients, according to the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). Advertisement Different processes cause fruit and veggies to start decaying once they're picked, but there are things you can do to get the most nutrient value from your produce....

There’s a reason why pedometers like the FitBit are all the rage – walking is great for your health. Even a 30-minute daily walk can be enough to help you whittle your waistline. But if you find yourself with several hours to spare, a 10-mile walk can burn anywhere between 650 and 1,200 or more calories, depending on various factors. Use a calorie calculator to work out how much you’re personally burning by uploading information like your height, age and weight....