Posts

Foods to Avoid When a Stool Sample is Needed Image Credit: max-kegfire/iStock/GettyImages Sometimes the instructions for collecting stool samples can be very confusing. What foods should you eat and which should you avoid? The recommended diet before collecting a stool sample varies according to the test being performed. Some tests do not require any special preparation or dietary restrictions. Others call for avoidance of specific foods to ensure the test results are accurate....

Image Credit: LUNAMARINA/iStock/GettyImages Cardio is an important part of your workout, especially if you want to lose weight or improve your heart health. It would be much easier to do if so many cardio options weren't so boring. Running on the treadmill, for example, is effective for improving your cardio, but it gets tedious quickly. Advertisement Cardio kickboxing is an alaternative to run-of-the-mill cardio workouts. As opposed to a cardio machine where you do the same motion over and over, kickboxing is fun and interactive....

Visit Page https://futurefitness.pxf.io Future is a virtual personal training app where a coach programs weekly workouts for you and checks in with you multiple times a week. Image Credit: Future/LIVESTRONG.com In This Article How Does the App Work? What Are the Workouts Like? What I Liked About It Potential Drawbacks Should You Try It? I'll be honest: Ever since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, my exercise motivation hasn't been what it used to be....

Too much salt in your diet may cause fluid retention. Image Credit: fcafotodigital/E+/GettyImages Are your hands swollen? Do they look puffy and feel tight? You may be experiencing hand edema, swelling caused by the retention of fluid in the tissues of your body, and not by an injury. Advertisement ​Read more:​ Will Drinking Water Help Reduce My Edema? Video of the Day What's Normal, What's Not “Hand edema is a common complaint,” says Tina D....

A large bowl of hot sauce. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Hot sauce – whether it’s a classic vinegar-based sauce made with cayenne peppers or a blend containing habaneros and fruit – adds pizzazz to your meal. Because hot sauces add flavor without significantly increasing the calorie content of a dish, they can help you meet your weight-loss goals by keeping your calorie intake low. You can use premade hot sauces or make your own at home....

Justin Simpson lost 95 pounds and became a personal trainer along the way. Image Credit: Justin Simpson/LIVESTRONG.com Creative At just 29 years old, Justin Simpson got a not-so-stellar report card on his health. His doctor called his cholesterol level “embarrassing” and said his liver had become so fatty that he was considered prediabetic. Advertisement At that time, he was at his highest weight ever — 305 pounds — but also at his lowest point emotionally....

Talk to your doctor Image Credit: Comstock Images/Stockbyte/Getty Images If you weigh 135 pounds and want to lose a few pounds, it’s important to consult your doctor first to ensure you’re not about to do something unhealthy. If she gives you the OK, expect your progress to be slower than someone who has an excess amount of weight to lose. Advertisement Step 1 Enter your information into a calorie estimator Image Credit: Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images Enter your information into a calorie estimator, such as the American Council on Exercise’s “Daily Caloric Needs Estimator,” to determine how many calories your body needs based on your gender, height, weight and activity level....

Limit unhealthy varieties of carbs in order to avoid fat gain. Image Credit: Eugene Mymrin/Moment/GettyImages Sugar turns into fat when an excess amount is consumed. While carbohydrates are the body’s main energy source, it’s important to eat the healthy complex variety and limit the unhealthy simple variety to avoid weight and fat gain. Advertisement Tip High amounts of unhealthy carbohydrates, such as sugary foods and refined grains, are transformed to triglycerides and stored as fat....

The front squat is part of the movement in the snatch and the clean and jerk Olympic lifts. Image Credit: Mark Nolan/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images The front squat is a variation of the back squat but with the barbell placed in front of the chest instead of resting on the upper back. This shifts your body weight forward and requires you to use your upper-back muscles to keep the bar in position....

Andouille sausage is a smoked meat typically prepared from seasoned pork and fat. Cajun andouille sausage, one of the two main andouille varieties, is a common ingredient in Louisiana Cajun specialty dishes such as gumbo and jambalaya. Smoked over sugar cane and pecan wood, it is rich in garlic, thyme, cayenne and red pepper and is spicier than other types of andouille. Because commercially available Cajun andouille sausage is precooked, it need only be heated through before eating....

Eat mushy peas over mashed potatoes and skip the fried fish and chips for a healthier British dish. Image Credit: clubfoto/iStock/GettyImages Marrowfat peas — peas dried naturally in the field and then harvested — are the main ingredient in the English dish mushy peas, often served with fish and chips. This pub mainstay can be duplicated in your own kitchen. Advertisement One cup of dried marrowfat peas contains approximately 100 calories, 13 grams of fiber and 0....

Noodles with vegetables in a wok. Image Credit: belchonock/iStock/Getty Images For everyday cooking, few methods are faster or easier than cooking in a wok. A wok is a Chinese skillet with a narrow base and high steep sides. Not only can you cook vegetables and meat in a wok, you can also cook noodles. Yakisoba, also known as stir-fried noodles, is a Japanese noodle dish that lends itself well to cooking in a wok....

Pulled pork can be flavored with a variety of marinades and spices. Image Credit: Julie Deshaies/iStock/GettyImages Cooking lunch or dinner for a large crowd can be daunting. The timing must be perfect, the food must be delicious and cooking it should be simple enough to keep you from stressing out before it’s time to eat. Advertisement Thankfully, pulled pork can lighten the load a bit. Rather than worrying about timing, you can make it in advance and heat it up about two hours before mealtime....

Chinese eggplant, is a skinny eggplant compared to other varieties, and has a mild and sweet taste that lends itself well to the strong flavors of Asian cuisines. Chinese eggplant is a skinny eggplant, compared to other varieties, and has a mild and sweet taste that lends itself well to the strong flavors of Asian cuisines. Try using it in other eggplant dishes, such as roasted Chinese eggplant. Advertisement The deep purple skin is rich in antioxidants, and since it is so thin, it can be left on during the cooking process if desired, speeding preparation time and making this vegetable a delicious choice for a quick weeknight stir-fry....

Chicken breast is known as a lean meat that can be cooked in many ways. Image Credit: prakobphoto/iStock/GettyImages Chicken breast is known as a lean meat that can be cooked in many ways. It’s even possible to cook crispy fried chicken breast, though this incorporates several additional ingredients. Typically, you’ll need flour, egg, breadcrumbs and the right fried chicken breast seasoning. Advertisement Making Deep-Fried Chicken Breast To deep-fry chicken breast, you’ll need to prep your chicken first....

Low-calorie diets like the 1250 calorie diet are an effective way to lose body weight. Image Credit: Elena_Danileiko/iStock/GettyImages According to a September, 2016 study published in ​Nutrition & Diabetes​, low-calorie diets like the 1250 calorie diet are an effective way to lose body weight. However, a reduced caloric intake of essential macronutrients like fats and proteins may lead to a decrease in energy and muscle loss. Advertisement 1250 Calorie Diet Nutrition Macronutrients, like the name suggests, are nutrients that the body requires in large amounts....

Starting your day with plain yogurt topped with chia seeds and almonds can help you reach your calcium needs. Image Credit: Elena Gonzalez Hontoria/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Non-Dairy Foods Dairy Foods Getting your fair share of calcium is essential for healthy teeth and bones — in fact, 99 percent of the calcium in your body is stored in your skeleton, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). Advertisement But the body also requires calcium for proper muscle and blood function, and the nutrient helps facilitate the release of enzymes and hormones, too....

Ankle popping isn't usually something to worry about unless it comes with pain or discomfort. Image Credit: spukkato/iStock/GettyImages By now, you’re well-versed in all the strange sounds of the human body. There’s the burps and farts, of course. But also the creaks, cracks and pops, too. And if your ankle is popping, you might be concerned: Is there something wrong? Should it sound like that? Am I just getting older?...

Aluminum can be found in some chocolate-flavored foods but is generally safe to consume. Image Credit: Gemma Escribano / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages While it may sound scary, aluminum does lurk in food — but it’s less dangerous than you think. The amounts of aluminum found in food are minuscule and are generally safe to eat with no adverse effects on your health. So, nope, you won’t find a chunk of metal in your strawberries....

Rib fractures can complicate your workout. Image Credit: eclipse_images/E+/GettyImages You’ve suffered a fractured rib, and now, every time you bend and twist, your rib cage becomes more painful. While the best treatment for a fractured rib is rest and immobilization, depending on how big a crack you’ve incurred, you might be able to continue with a portion of your workout routine. Advertisement Before undertaking any exercise, however, you should consult your doctor and follow her instructions to avoid further complications....