5 Easy Ways To Cut Down On Sugar

Who can resist a cute cupcake? You can! Image Credit: Getty Images/Westend61 What if you could play a computer game to train your brain to resist sugar cravings? Sounds like the stuff of sci-fi novels, but researchers at Drexel University are working on it. In fact, their first (admittedly small) test of such a game was pretty successful at getting participants to eat less sugar, according to their findings published in the March 2019 issue of the Journal of Behavioral Medicine....

April 8, 2022 · 8 min · 1582 words · Louis Soto

5 Ways To Help Someone With Social Anxiety

Ask how you can be helpful to your friend while they're feeling anxious. Image Credit: Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision/GettyImages For more than a year, we’ve been avoiding most social situations to stay safe from the coronavirus. But with the arrival of vaccines comes the prospect of getting back to our normal social routines, from family gatherings to chatting by the water cooler and going to happy hour. Advertisement While many people are jazzed to jump back into the social scene, others may find themselves overwhelmed by the thought of pre-pandemic-type socializing....

April 8, 2022 · 5 min · 1042 words · Reynaldo Warden

50 Gram Protein Diet

Fish, beans and tofu are good sources of protein. Image Credit: yulka3ice/iStock/GettyImages More than half of the U.S. population is eating too much protein, according to the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The report also highlights a lack of variety of protein sources in the diet and a tendency toward nutrient-poor choices. Advertisement The amount of protein you need each day depends on your age, weight, gender and activity level. If your requirement is 50 grams of protein per day — or per meal — ensure that it comes from a variety of nutrient-rich sources....

April 8, 2022 · 9 min · 1890 words · Andrew Sarni

6 Leg Press Mistakes And How To Fix Them

The leg press is one of the best exercise machines for strengthening your legs and glutes, but these common mistakes can make it less effective. Image Credit: Oleksandra Polishchuk/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Locking Out Your Knees Heels Off the Sled Lowering the Sled Too Far Not Lowering the Sled Far Enough Caving Your Knees Inward or Outward Rushing Through Your Reps The leg press is a great machine for honing in your lower-body muscles, allowing you to replicate the benefits of lunges and squats even if you have mobility issues....

April 8, 2022 · 12 min · 2489 words · Paul Papitto

9 Mistakes When Cooking Chicken And How To Avoid Them

references USDA: “Chicken From Farm to Table” FoodSafety.gov: “Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures” University of Southern California: “Pan-Roasted Chicken With Shallots” From choosing the cut to the temperature you cook your bird at, cooking chicken is almost a science. Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/GettyImages Image Credit: YelenaYemchuk/iStock/GettyImages These 5 Healthy Chicken Breast Recipes Are Anything But Boring by Kelly Plowe, MS, RDN 10 Healthy Chicken Recipes You Haven't Tried by Andie Huber 14 Chicken Breakfast Recipes Packed With Protein by Jaime Osnato USDA: “Chicken From Farm to Table” FoodSafety....

April 8, 2022 · 1 min · 98 words · Cordia Brooksher

9 Strength Training Exercises For Older Adults By Decade

Building core stability and strength can help you maintain good posture in your daily activities. Image Credit: Halfpoint/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Your 50s Your 60s Your 70s and Beyond No matter what you may hear, it's never too late to start a new strength-training routine, especially as you age. Advertisement Although strength training is important for anyone looking to stay strong and mobile, it's a big part of staying injury-free through the years....

April 8, 2022 · 14 min · 2824 words · Kendrick Landwehr

A Diet For A Female Over 45

45 year old woman drinking glass of milk Image Credit: Fuse/Fuse/Getty Images After hit 45, you’re often finally able to find a little time to focus on you and are ready to start eating better. While the diet basics are pretty much the same at any age, a woman over the age of 45 is at a greater risk of heart disease, and as you approach menopause, a greater risk of osteoporosis, so your healthy diet plan should be focused on foods good for your heart and bones....

April 8, 2022 · 5 min · 1030 words · David Gaspar

All About Cucumber Nutrition And The Calories In Tomatoes And Cucumbers

Cucumbers contain vitamin K, fiber and other essential nutrients. Image Credit: Nikolay Zaiarnyi/iStock/GettyImages Crisp and juicy, cucumbers are the basis of a good pickle, but they are also commonly eaten raw. Cucumbers are botanically fruits, not vegetables, and are made of primarily water, with a mild flavor and crunchy texture. Advertisement Cucumbers have a refreshing taste and can be easily added to sandwiches or salads to provide extra nutrition and good crunch....

April 8, 2022 · 4 min · 706 words · Gisela Paker

Are V Ups A Good Abdominal Exercise

Are V-Ups a Good Abdominal Exercise? Image Credit: DenizA/iStock/Getty Images V-ups top the list of hardcore abs exercises that promise to get results. Sometimes called a jackknife or pike crunch, the V-up uses your core to rise up from a reclined position to a “V” shape, touching your toes with your hands. The move effectively trains your abs; it’s a tough exercise that should be reserved for advanced exercisers with healthy spines....

April 8, 2022 · 4 min · 729 words · Beth Reaves

Are Vitamin B12 Shots Safe During Pregnancy

Vitamin B-12 injections are safe during pregnancy. A severe vitamin B-12 deficiency may have disastrous consequences in pregnancy. It may increase the risk of miscarriage and preterm birth or may cause neural tube defects in the unborn baby. Vitamin B-12 injections can treat a deficiency and prevent these effects from occurring. Although these injections are considered safe during pregnancy, talk to your doctor if you have any specific questions or concerns....

April 8, 2022 · 3 min · 639 words · John Pitts

Bath Precautions When You Have Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you should take a few safety precautions before soaking in a hot bath. Image Credit: AStargirl/iStock/GettyImages Love the soothing feeling of a long soak in a warm bathtub? If you have diabetes, you can enjoy its relaxing benefits, but there are a few precautions you should take to stay safe. Advertisement Be Careful With Your Feet Diabetes can cause nerve damage over time, resulting in the loss of feeling in your feet, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)....

April 8, 2022 · 6 min · 1088 words · Francisca Kingore

Can I Cook A Steak With Vegetable Oil

A sliced ribeye steak with broccoli and cherry tomato. Image Credit: Lisovskaya/iStock/Getty Images The perfectly-cooked steak is many people’s idea of the ultimate comfort food. Looking to avoid the expense and hassle of going out to a steakhouse, home cooks – with varying degrees of success – attempt to create the perfect steak at home. If you’ve been frustrated with cooking steak, look to your cupboard. If you’ve got a bottle of vegetable oil, you’ve got something that will help you create a meal you won’t soon forget....

April 8, 2022 · 3 min · 583 words · Jesse Monteleone

Can I Play Basketball In Running Shoes

Running shoe rims sit low on the ankle. The short answer to whether you can play basketball in running shoes is: Yes, you can. After all, running shoes enable you to move and spring off hard surfaces. However, the real question is whether you should wear running shoes for basketball given the negative impact on comfort, performance and safety. Ultimately, if you want to both run and play basketball with the same shoes, you should opt for a cross-trainer....

April 8, 2022 · 3 min · 465 words · Anna Swanson

Can You Eat Bacon If You Re Trying To Lose Weight

Pieces of raw bacon on a piece of wax paper. Image Credit: DENIO RIGACCI/iStock/Getty Images Weight loss can help you look and feel better, and might even lower the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. A diet doesn’t need to be overly restrictive, though, and making specific foods off-limits can potentially make them more desirable. Bacon should not be a large part of your weight loss diet, but including it in an occasional meal might be fine....

April 8, 2022 · 3 min · 539 words · Alexandra Bloomer

Can You Eat Cabbage When You Re Pregnant

A pile of green cabbage. Image Credit: MariaBrzostowska/iStock/Getty Images During pregnancy, you need to avoid certain foods and eat more of other types of foods to ensure both you and the baby get the nutrients you need. Vegetables are generally one of the foods that you should eat plenty of when you are pregnant, and cabbage is no exception. Cooked cabbage is safer during pregnancy than raw, however, since cooking limits the risk of food-borne illness....

April 8, 2022 · 3 min · 617 words · Mindy Farr

Can You Mix Crisco Vegetable Oil Together To Fry Fish

Crisco shortening is a staple in a lot of southern cooking because it has a similar texture, consistency and oil content to lard without the saturated fat. One of the common uses of Crisco is in making crispy fried foods, such as fish. If you find yourself short on Crisco, and are unable to get to the store for more, you may be tempted to mix it with liquid vegetable oil to fry your fish....

April 8, 2022 · 3 min · 467 words · Dorothy Bowen

Clear Soup Definition

Like the name suggests, clear soup is a fully liquid soup that does not contain any solid ingredients. Image Credit: Михаил Руденко/iStock/GettyImages If you have ever been placed on a liquid diet, you may have been told to eat plenty of clear broth. To avoid accidentally consuming noncompliant foods on your liquid diet, it can be helpful to establish a clear soup definition. Advertisement There are many reasons why your doctor may suggest sticking to clear broth or consommé soup....

April 8, 2022 · 4 min · 814 words · Michael Metzger

Do Sweet Potatoes Help With Bloating

A sliced sweet potato on a cutting board. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, an important antioxidant that is not present in regular potatoes. Sweet potatoes can be consumed just like regular potatoes–baked, mashed or as french fries. They present a good way to add more color and nutrition to your favorite side dishes. However, if you are prone to bloating, sweet potatoes, just like regular potatoes, may worsen your problem....

April 8, 2022 · 3 min · 482 words · Robert Gowers

Do Toning Exercises Make You Lose Weight

Woman toning at gym with weights. Muscular toning usually refers to some muscle definition with low body fat without big, bulky muscles. Often people train for "toning" by performing muscular endurance training, using high repetitions with low resistance. While training with high reps and low weight will burn calories and aid weight loss, training with heavier weights and fewer reps will increase fat loss. Advertisement Weight Training for Fat Loss All exercise is going to burn calories and contribute to weight loss....

April 8, 2022 · 3 min · 517 words · Annie Miller

Does An Apple In The Morning Speed Up Your Metabolism

To boost nutrition and satiety, combine your breakfast apple with peanut butter or yogurt. Image Credit: Natalia Ganelin/Moment/GettyImages An apple for breakfast will speed up your metabolism, but don’t expect it to help you lose weight — one apple alone has a small impact. If you really want to crank up your metabolism, keep the apple, and add other protein-rich foods to your morning meal. And don’t forget that to keep your metabolism going at full speed, you’ll need to eat at regular intervals and stick with an exercise regimen....

April 8, 2022 · 7 min · 1310 words · Patsy Campbell