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Lots of store-bought peanut butter brands contain added sugar. Image Credit: NoDerog/iStock/GettyImages Peanut butter is a staple food in the United States and it’s estimated that Americans consume three pounds of peanut butter per person per year, according to PeanutButterLovers.com. The Peanut Institute also reports that eating peanuts regularly, but in moderation, contributes to lowering your risk of developing chronic diseases in addition to helping you manage your weight. Advertisement Whether you spread peanut butter on your toast, apples or bananas, choosing the right brand is important; read the label carefully....

Sugar sticks in a bowl. Image Credit: suksao999/iStock/Getty Images Consuming sucrose and other types of sugar appear to raise energy levels in proportion to the amount consumed. In fact, consuming sugar in large enough amounts can result in a burst of energy known as a sugar high that ends in a sharp drop in energy levels, termed a “crash.” Although these effects are similar to those from chemicals like caffeine, sugar is not a stimulant....

Nonstarchy vegetables can help you get your recommended intake of nutrients while on the candida diet. Image Credit: Denira777/iStock/Getty Images People sometimes try the candida diet in the hope of limiting the symptoms of yeast infections or candidiasis. Although dietary changes have not been proved to reduce yeast, some may feel better after making these changes, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. How long you stay on the candida diet will depend on the version you try and how you feel while you’re on it....

Homemade fries are worth the extra effort. Image Credit: Shaiith/iStock/Getty Images Blanching and freezing potatoes for French fries is a simple process. Blanching is the process of scalding vegetables to halt the action of naturally-occurring enzymes present in all vegetables. Keep a batch of blanched fries in the freezer and you’ll be prepared for unexpected dinner guests or to satisfy a sudden craving for French fries. Large potatoes such as Russets or Irish potatoes are best for French fries, as the potatoes have a higher starch content, resulting in French fries that are crispy, golden brown outside and fluffy and tender inside....

Jackfish are prolific in warm waters. Jackfish are a large family of sleek predators, native to warm and temperate waters around the world. Several varieties are found along the Eastern Seaboard as far north as Nova Scotia, though they become less common as you move away from warmer Southern waters. They're enjoyed as game fish throughout their range, and in some areas they're the subject of a limited commercial harvest. The flesh of jacks is well flavored and firmer than most fish, which makes them suitable for grilling....

Many different brands of frozen corn dogs are available at the grocery or warehouse store. Image Credit: GreenArtPhotography/iStock/GettyImages Recreate the taste of your local state fair in your own kitchen with frozen corn dogs. Cook them in the oven, microwave or deep fryer. Advertisement Frozen Corn Dog Cooking Methods Many different brands of frozen corn dogs are available at the grocery or warehouse store. In general, you should follow the package instructions when preparing frozen food, notes the University of Minnesota Extension....

The inchworm exercise can be added to your warm-up or the main part of your workout. Image Credit: YakobchukOlena/iStock/GettyImages Some exercises are named after the animals that inspired the move. Case in point: the inchworm, which mimics the up-and-down motion of a worm. But don’t let the silly moniker fool you — the inchworm can help you get stronger and more flexible ​inch by inch​. Advertisement Inchworm Exercise Benefits The inchworm is often overlooked as one of the best compound exercises, says Matt Cheng, CSCS, co-creator of Beyond the Movements....

references Dana Greene, MS, RD, LDN, registered dietitian, Brookline, Massachusetts Leigh Tracy, RD, LDN, CDCES, coordinator of diabetes self-management in pregnancy, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland American Diabetes Association: ”Diabetes Overview” American Diabetes Association: “Get Smart on Carbs” American Diabetes Association: “Go Heart-Healthy” American Diabetes Association: “Fats” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Carb Counting” Journal of the American College of Cardiology: “Olive Oil Consumption and Cardiovascular Risk in U.S. Adults” Ochsner Health: “What's the Healthiest Mayonnaise to Eat?...

references American Journal of Preventative Medicine: "Cooking at Home: A Strategy to Comply With U.S. Dietary Guidelines at No Extra Cost" Columbia University: "Does cooking with cast iron pots and pans add iron to our food?" UC Davis Olive Center: "Packaging Influence on Olive Oil Quality" The right set of kitchen tools can help you eat better — and make the experience more enjoyable. Image Credit: Cavan Images/Cavan/GettyImages The Essential Kitchen features our favorite products, tips and recipes to help optimize your cooking space and prep healthy meals quickly and easily....

Get ready to get motivated in 10 seconds or less. Image Credit: Ivanko_Brnjakovic/iStock/GettyImages There are the songs you like and the songs you love. And then there are songs that give you a swift kick in the pants. The best motivational songs inspire you to live a happier, healthier life with a more positive outlook on the world. Here are a 10 songs with unrelentingly upbeat, “go get ’em, tiger” lyrics....

Turmeric breakfast recipes are full of anti-inflammatory properties that will give you a nutritious start to your day. Image Credit: Liudmyla Yaremenko/iStock/GettyImages We know turmeric for its sunshine yellow coloring and its association with Indian and Spanish-inspired dishes, but it’s also full of nutrition and health benefits, too. Advertisement "Turmeric's main active component is curcumin," Mia Syn, RD of Nutrition by Mia says. "Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, and it's been linked to helping exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, arthritic pain and other inflammatory conditions....

All you need is a chair for this at-home barre workout (and maybe a rockin' playlist). Image Credit: Shestock/Tetra images/GettyImages You’ve likely heard your girlfriends gush about how obsessed they are with their favorite barre class. But have you tried it yourself yet? Whether you want to prep yourself to try a class for the first time, don’t live near a barre studio or just don’t feel like leaving the house after a tough day, this workout is for you....

1 of 11 Overview If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, some major cereal producers sure aren't making it easy to start your day off right. Far too many not-so-healthy cereals are lurking on supermarket shelves. Nutritionally speaking, most of the least healthful cereals in America have a few features in common, including artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and highly processed and genetically modified ingredients. But which ones are the worst of the worst?...

Cook with these herbs and spices to help get your gut health on track. Image Credit: klenova/iStock/GettyImages Everyone can agree: Herbs and spices make food taste way better. But you might not know that your spice rack is also a rich resource for remedies you can use to soothe a stomachache or promote healthy digestion. Advertisement Here, gut health nutritionist Amanda Sauceda, RDN, CLT, offers recommendations for six spices and herbs for digestion to sprinkle into your diet more often....

Beef provides alpha-lipoic and conjugated linoleic acids. Image Credit: Barbara Dudzińska/iStock/Getty Images Alpha-lipoic acid and conjugated linoleic acid share a few things in common, most notably the fact that they’re both fatty acids. They both impact blood sugar control in people with diabetes, but only one of them – conjugated linoleic acid – may make it difficult to keep blood sugar balanced. For the most part, they each fill varied roles and offer different benefits....

Squats are a great alternative to leg extensions. Image Credit: Caiaimage/Sam Edwards/Caiaimage/GettyImages Leg extensions are the go-to exercise for bodybuilders looking to build massive quadriceps — but that’s about all they’re good for. Not only do they not build any sort of functional strength (when would you possibly need to lift something heavy attached to your lower leg?) but they also can be hard on the knees. In fact, a study published in March 2012 by the ‌Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy ‌explains that weight-bearing exercises, such as squats, lunges and step ups, put less stress on knee ligaments than open-chain exercises, including leg extensions....

Caffeine should be avoided while taking beta-blockers for heart conditions. Beta-blockers are commonly prescribed for a wide range of medical issues including heart disease and hypertension. The type of beta-blocker prescribed determines whether you should eliminate caffeine and alcohol from your diet while you are on the medication. Consult your doctor for medical advice tailored to your own circumstances. Advertisement Uses of Beta-blockers Beta-blockers are used to treat congestive heart failure, the chest pain known as angina, and the abnormal heart rhythms known as arrythmia....

Pysllium seeds sit on parchment paper with a wooden spoon resting on them. Image Credit: Karisssa/iStock/Getty Images Fat-burners can be a valuable addition to a dietary and exercise program aimed at weight loss, since they boost your metabolism and increase fat-burning. Many fat-burners use caffeine and other compounds that increase blood pressure or may interfere with blood pressure medications. However, certain fat-burners on the market today are effective and safe for people taking blood pressure medicine....

Drinking coffee regularly can lead to a caffeine tolerance. Image Credit: Morsa Images/E+/GettyImages If you’re like us mere mortals, you start your day by stumbling straight to the coffee maker. Once upon a time, that may have given you the invincible buzz you needed to power through emails, to-do lists and a HIIT workout, but now, perhaps you find you need 2, 3 or even more cups of coffee to get the same feeling of alertness....

Interval training boosts calorie burn. Image Credit: Luca Francesco Giovanni Bertolli/iStock/Getty Images Many athletes use interval running for increased performance. However, everyday exercisers utilize this training method to maximize calorie burn. The amount of calories burned during interval running depends on a variety of specific factors including age, weight and gender. Understanding how intervals affect calorie burn during and after exercise will enable you to determine your calorie expenditure. Advertisement Interval Running Interval running fuses short bursts of high-intensity exercise with brief recovery periods of low-intensity exercise....