Diet and Weight Loss + Original Articles

Start the day off right with a nutritious eye-opener. Your mom was right. Breakfast is the day's most important meal, especially for those with diabetes. "Metabolically and nutritionally, breakfast can help with blood sugar control," says Ericka Arrecis, diabetes educator and registered dietitian at the Naomi Berrie Center for Diabetes at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

It dresses up your salads, puts the pucker in your pickles and now, researchers say, vinegar may help you fight body fat. It dresses up your salads, puts the pucker in your pickles and now, researchers say, vinegar may help you fight body fat. Japanese scientists found that laboratory mice who followed a high-fat diet but were also given vinegar grew up to develop less body fat, than mice who were fed a high-fat diet that didn't include vinegar.

Find out what links your diet and your risk for developing this form of cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and the number of cases worldwide is growing. In 27 of 51 international cancer registries, colon cancer cases increased between 1983 and 2002. This rise is more pronounced in areas that are advancing economically, such as countries in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia and South America.

If you can't figure out why the weight won't stay off, perhaps you've been following bad advice. If you can't seem to keep the weight off, you may simply be following bad advice. The fact is, there are a lot of bogus diet claims out there-ones which could sabotage your good intentions. Here, the six most outrageous diet myths of all time. 1. Snacking will destroy your diet.

For flatter abs, bring these foods and drinks into your daily diet. While certain foods can make bellies appear bloated and flabby, there are several selections that can give virtually any stomach a leaner, more toned look. To get started, stock your fridge with this ab-flattening fare. 1. Turkey. A lean cut of turkey offers the protein your body craves without the additional calories that come with many processed foods.

Here, get tried-and-true advice that really works. Don't eat your favorite foods. Never snack between meals. Always avoid the scale. When it comes to shedding pounds, you've probably heard it all. But unfortunately, these tiny tidbits could end up doing you more harm than good. Want tried-and-true advice that really works?  Here, we reveal the five most effective diet tips of all time.

Follow these tips to make smart snacking a part of your daily routine. The snack choices you make really can lead to weight-loss success or sabotage.  Potato chips, doughnuts, and candy bars, for example, can add hundreds of empty calories to your daily intake. Fortunately, there are healthier options. Follow these tips to make smart snacking a part of your routine.

Even if you’re counting calories and eliminating fast food, you won’t reach your goals if you fall victim to certain dieting blunders. Even if you're counting calories and eliminating fast food, you won't reach your goals if you fall victim to certain dieting blunders. Read on to uncover the seven deadly sins of dieting-and to ensure weight-loss success.  1. Depriving yourself.

Four muscle-building foods that help you refine your physique and boost your energy during your workouts. Trying hard to avoid being that infamous 98-pound weakling? Pumping iron will only get you so far. First, you need to increase your total intake of calories. The biggest returns come from filling up on muscle-building foods--those packed with proteins or amino acids, carbohydrates and other nutrients that are particularly beneficial to muscle development.

Men are more at risk for belly fat than women. Check out the dangers belly fat can pose and the quickest way to burn it off. Sure, abdominal fat isn't flattering, but that's the least of your worries. The amount of belly fat--and the type can lead to several health problems. There are two types of abdominal fat--subcutaneous fat lies just below the skin and on top of the abdominal muscles; visceral fat lies deep in your abdomen and wraps around internal organs.

Avoid sipping on these drinks that erode enamel and cause tooth decay. When you need to quench your thirst, think twice about which drink you choose. According to several dental associations around the country, including the American Dental Association, some of the most popular drinks that we consume erode enamel and lead to tooth decay.

New research shows that a weight loss program improves mood in obese patients with depression. Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, loss of pleasure or interest in activities, and even thoughts of death or suicide. Some estimates indicate that depression and other mood disorders are more common among people who are obese--affecting about 25 percent of this group.

The dangers of energy drinks keep piling up. Maybe it’s time to find ways to get a healthier energy boost — especially one that has staying power. Red Bull may give you wings, but apparently, it also increases your risk of several health problems including heart attack and stroke, according to an Australian study. The proliferation of booster beverages such as Red Bull, Rock Star and Monster on the market has health professionals and organizations calling for more warning labels about the dangers of energy drinks.

Find out how this particular way of eating can help you breathe better. As the popular saying goes, 'you are what you eat,' but did you realize that what you eat impacts how well you breathe as well as impacting how you feel? As a matter of fact, some of the latest research reveals that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats is not only very good for you can actually improve your asthma symptoms as well.

Drinking milk isn't the only way to strengthen your bones. Check out these calcium-rich foods. Nearly 10 million Americans are living with dangerously fragile bones that are susceptible to breaks and fractures, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. But as it turns out, osteoporosis is preventable. The first step is incorporating the recommended daily amounts of calcium and vitamin D into your diet.

The next time you head to the grocery store, follow these tips to save money and make healthier choices. The average American family spends $4,300 per year on food, according to the National Grocer's Association (NGA). This may seem like a lot, but don't worry: There are ways to cut down on spending and make healthier choices when grocery shopping. First, you need to be prepared.

You may think you’re doing all you can to keep your metabolism going strong, but chances are, you’re missing a few key steps. You may think you're doing all you can to keep your metabolism going strong, but chances are, you're missing a few key steps.  Here, Nicki Anderson, a National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified personal trainer and president of Reality Fitness Inc.

If you're choosing your meals carefully and exercising on a regular basis but still not seeing the scale move, there's something you may not have considered: Some foods and beverages carry a lot of hidden calories-so you could be consuming hundreds of extra calories a day without even knowing it.

Study finds the traffic light system is the best at helping consumers select the healthiest foods. Credit to the Food Standards Agency There's no question that healthier food choices are priority for many Americans, and they want to know how to make more nutritious choices. Next month consumers will get their first chance to take advantage of the new front-of-package Smart Choices food labeling program.

More consumers seeking out cheap or free plastic surgery alternatives as the economy sags. If you're looking for cheap or free plastic surgery alternatives, you're not alone. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), surgical procedures declined by five percent last year. While minimally-invasive procedures such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels increased by nine percent, they aren't the only options available.

Eat these foods to keep your immune system going strong. Your body's immune system is your natural defense system, fighting off thousands of attacks daily.  While research reveals the important role that nutrition plays in improving immunity, there's still much to learn.  Phytochemicals, which are beneficial compounds found in plant foods, probiotics and omega-three fatty acids all seem to play leading roles in boosting immunity.

Follow these tips to enjoy your outdoor meal without sabotaging your diet. What do you think of when you think of picnics? Fried chicken, mayonnaise-y salads and sandwiches, sweetened lemonade...right? But it doesn't have to be that way. A picnic is simply a meal you eat outdoors. You choose what to bring, and you choose whether to make it healthy or not.

With careful planning and a well-stocked kitchen, you can prepare healthy meals in no time at all. Keeping a well-stocked pantry, refrigerator and freezer helps make healthy meal planning quick and easy.  Imagine preparing healthy meals in as little time or less than it would take to run through a drive-through.  With careful planning, you can.

How do you determine the body weight that's right for you? And how do you maintain it? Determining a healthy weight that's right for you is an important key to feeling your best and living a healthy life.  Achieving and/or maintaining that weight involves a lifestyle that combines healthy eating and regular exercise.  Over the years, there have been many different ways to determine ideal body weight for adults.

Being satisfied with your body isn’t a guarantee of better health. In fact, it can be just the opposite according to new research. Studies on women and body image usually focus on unhealthy ideals, such as desires to be excessively thin or to have the "perfect" body. The obsession with being thin has a profound impact leading to conditions such as eating disorders, depression, or plastic surgery addiction.

Follow these tips to eat smart around all that good food. Buffets offer a seemingly endless array of food choices and by paying one price you can eat all you want or all you're able.  While this may sound great, it can also be a recipe for disaster!  In order to get more for your money (and who doesn't want that?), you eat more than you normally would, which may mean more calories, more fat, more salt and more sugar.

Get tips on what to eat and when to eat—in order to rev up your metabolism. What is metabolism?  Scientifically, metabolism is the sum of all the chemical reactions that go on in the living cells that make up your body.  Energy metabolism includes all the reactions by which the body obtains and spends the energy from food.

See how your local grocery store measures up When you're picking out fresh ingredients to prepare a home-cooked meal for your family, you think you have control over the quality of the food. But due to some supermarkets' poor health and safety standards, you may be getting more than you bargained for.

Looking to shed those extra pounds for summer? These natural weight loss herbs and nutrients may shock you. Water as a natural weight loss supplement? Absolutely. Your body needs water to function properly and to flush out toxins, which can inhibit weight loss. Yet, most of us don't drink enough of it, which is why we need to add it to our diets. A supplement to lose weight doesn't have to be a chemical concocted in a lab-it can be herbs or foods you supplement your diet with.

You might want to think twice before steering towards the drive-thru of your favorite take-out restaurant. It's no secret that most take-out food is dangerous for your waistline, but it can also be downright disgusting. From rats to food stored in unsanitary locations, some restaurants have served up more than just convenient, tasty food. Beware, what you're about to read might make your stomach turn.

Learn about the important link between the three. Our bodies need enough stored energy to go for a jog, but no one wants spaghetti sloshing around in their stomach when they’re bouncing on the pavement. Jogging, though, is a high-impact exercise that jostles the stomach. While you don’t want to exercise on a full stomach, you do want to exercise to help stave off digestive problems stemming from food.

Here, you’ll find diet and exercise tips to help your loved one successfully manage his or her condition If you’re caring for someone with diabetes, you understand the importance of proper disease management. For diabetics, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) suggests a 5 to 10 percent reduction of body weight, which can result in less reliance on insulin or other medications.

Trying to lose weight, save money, or help the environment? Putting a stop to the pop can help with all of these goals and more. Whether you call it soda, pop, Coke, or a soft drink, one thing is standard: it's not good for you. Even so, Americans, on average, drink more than 43 gallons of the stuff each year. That's over 5,500 empty calories a year. No wonder that drinking soda is connected with weight gain.

Combining alcohol and a low-cal mixer gets you drunk faster and can even hinder weight loss. Think that mixing your favorite liquor with a diet soda will keep your weight loss on track? You may want to think again.  Not only can diet cocktails get you drunk faster--they can also hinder weight loss. Research from the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) in Australia revealed that chasing alcoholic drinks with artificially sweetened drinks can get you drunk faster.

Learn quick tips to beat the odds. You’ve probably discovered that shedding extra flab becomes harder to do once you roll past 40. In fact, just keeping your weight steady is now a challenge. Gone are the days when you could inhale four slices of pizza and a large soda and still slide into your skinny jeans the next morning.

Is dieting a thing of the past? Are you always on a diet? More to the point, does your constant food restriction lead to long-term weight loss? There’s a good chance it doesn’t. According to dietitian Frances M. Berg, diets are actually counterproductive. People who watch every morsel they eat and count every calorie become obsessed with food, which can lead to binge eating or other eating disorders.

Learn simple strategies to fit healthy behaviors into your busy day. A common lament among women is that they have no time to take care of themselves. And it’s true that working full-time, raising a family, taking care of a household, and possibly caring for older relatives all can take their toll. Never mind exercise...

Learn more about the science behind the surgery. Obesity is a major epidemic in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), two thirds of adults in the United States are obese. If you’re among these two thirds, your risk factor for type 2 diabetes is great—and in fact, you may have diabetes and be unaware.

Vitamins, minerals and other key nutrients must be included Crohn’s disease affects the intestines, which absorb food that produces energy for your body. When inflamed, it cannot adequately perform this essential function. Furthermore, when patients aren’t feeling well, they may not eat enough to support their body’s increased nutritional needs.

You love your pet. So why would you feet it food that may be unfit for human consumption? Your pet as been loyally by your side for years. You take the time to walk, feed, and bathe your dog. You pamper your cat with gourmet food and fun toys. You put real time and energy into caring for and loving your pet. So, how would you feel if you were feeding your cat or dog hair and bone from decomposing animal carcasses? Would you be glad to hear your cat is ingesting human pain killers? Food safety is as important to the health of your pet as it is for you and your family.

You exercise, eat right, get plenty of sleep and avoid excess stress. Complete your health puzzle by learning your family’s health history. Why is it important to know what maladies your relatives have suffered from? Certain diseases, such as sickle-cell anemia, are inherited, passed down from generation to generation in the form of DNA abnormalities. Others, such as cancer or heart disease, may strike seemingly at random.

From the corner Italian restaurant, to the Chinese takeout joint, to Applebee’s, there are many restaurant choices serving every type of cuisine. As heartburn sufferers, we need to be selective in what we eat. When eating out be aware of what you are ordering, ask the waiting staff what ingredients are included in the dish.  By knowing what aggravates your heartburn, select and order your meals based on what you enjoy that will not trigger any discomfort.

Learn to manage your cholesterol where you spend the most time. Once you’ve come to terms with the fact that you’re among the 17 percent of Americans over the age 20 whose total cholesterol has been clocked at or above 240 milligrams per deciliter, you need to make a plan as to how you’re going to reverse this number and put a stop to the heart disease that is now encroaching upon your arteries with clogging plaque.

Learn how diet and lifestyle changes help eliminate this common problem. Power saws and car horns, at 110 decibels each, are jarring noises that cause you to cover your ears. They’re annoying and obnoxious. Yet neither of them is louder than what an Englishman did in 2001—burped at 118 decibels, the loudest belch ever recorded.

Too much of a good thing can spell disaster for athletes, dieters, and health nuts alike. Read on to find out how. You’ve read it on health blogs, diet websites, and fitness magazines: Drink eight glasses a day—every day. For the majority of us, we struggle just to make this mark, let alone exceed it. But could you actually ingest too much water? The answer is simply: Yes.

Choosing organic products for your little one isn’t about being chic or getting a green award. It’s simply another way to keep her safe and healthy. Choosing organic products for your little one isn’t about being chic or getting a green award. It’s simply another way to keep her safe and healthy. Babies and toddlers take in more pesticides than adults do; opting for organic products can significantly reduce their exposure.

A big part of managing your condition is avoiding certain trigger foods. When a meal must adhere to specific dietary guidelines, a single phrase should sum up the guideline’s essence. Those who suffer from GERD should, above all, remember this: go easy on the fat. The GERD Information Resource Center suggests making a number of lifestyle changes for those with the disease.

Some simple dietary changes can help ward off heartburn symptoms. Cooking in the comfort of your own kitchen should be a painless process: you make and eat what you want. Those who suffer from heartburn need not be sidelined by symptoms—so long as they know which foods are safe. Abiding by a few standard rules limits the chance you will experience heartburn when reaching for a recipe.

Can changing how you eat help ease arthritis symptoms? The jury is out. If you suffer from arthritis, you are in good company. The National Institutes of Health estimates that about one out of every five Americans today have some form of this condition, which causes inflammation of the joints and can make it painful to complete your activities, depending on the severity and type of your symptoms.

Learn simple strategies to prepare meals at home that won’t aggravate your condition. The most satisfying aspect of cooking is when all the time you've put into shopping for ingredients, preparing the ingredients, sneaking the samplers, ruining the kitchen, watching the oven, and working up an appetite finally comes together-because you get to eat it.

Which cooking oils are actually healthy for you and which ones you should steer clear of? Let’s face it: We need oil—cooking oil, that is. It makes food flavorful and moist, and without it, we couldn’t sauté or fry or whip up a cake from a store-bought mix. But it’s our insatiable desire for fried foods and baked goods that has given oil a bad name, one associated with type-2 diabetes, clogged arteries, and hearts strained by love handles gone wild with excess fat.

In 2008 at least six infants in China died and 300,000 other babies became ill after drinking milk that contained melamine. Traces of the chemical were found in infant formula, milk powder and soy products exported from China. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) came under fire after initially hiding the fact that melamine was found in infant formula sold in this country. Eventually, the extent of the problem became apparent: Melamine was present in 90 per cent of the infant formula on the market, including brands from Enfamil, Mead Johnson and Nestlé.

They may be small, but they have big benefits. Seeds--they're for the birds, right? Sure, but they're also great for you. Whether you're a vegetarian, a vegan or a meat-eater, seeds have a place in your diet. You can eat them in larger quantities as a main course, grind them into butters, or use them in smaller quantities as garnishes for other foods.

Can your diet turn your brain into a lean, mean intelligence machine? Read on to find out. The human body is exceedingly receptive to your diet. From your eyesight to your energy, from your weight to your motor skills, what you eat affects all facets of your body. A healthy diet can give you energy, help develop lean muscle, and enhance your sex life.

Learn more about the undeniable relationship between the two. The Link  In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) held a conference addressing the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes-due to the rising numbers of both in the United States. And as recently as the summer of 2008, Congress heard testimony from the American Diabetes Association on the same topic.

Learn more about the undeniable relationship between the two. The Link  In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) held a conference addressing the link between obesity and type 2 diabetes-due to the rising numbers of both in the United States. And as recently as the summer of 2008, Congress heard testimony from the American Diabetes Association on the same topic.

Each year we hear of the latest in medical innovations. Although these improvements amaze us at times, the majority of Americans will never come in contact with the latest breakthroughs…or so you think. In 1928, Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming demonstrated penicillin’s antibiotic properties. However, it was not until 1942 that the now common antibiotic was available for mass production. Likewise, the first approved flu vaccine was developed by the United States military during World War II; however, it was not available for the public until the late 1950s.

Stay beautiful while being good to your body. If you've been carefully reading nutrition labels and making an effort to put healthier, more natural foods into your body, it stands to reason that you also may be rethinking the things you apply to the outside of your body-namely, your makeup, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen and other cosmetics.

Stay beautiful while being good to the earth. If you've been carefully reading nutrition labels and making an effort to put healthier, more natural foods into your body, it stands to reason that you also may be rethinking the things you apply to the outside of your body-namely, your makeup, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen and other cosmetics.

Learn simple strategies for controlling your condition while away from home. If you spend enough time going from home to office to home, soon you'll find yourself dying for a long weekend, or even a month-long vacation. Anything to change the routine. But as we all know, travelling can come with a host of headaches. There's bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway.

Follow these tips on how to start a food diary so that you can increase your weight loss potential. Many studies show that journaling can help you lose weight. From writing down what you eat to expressing your feelings.  According to a 2008 Kaiser Permanente study, keeping a food journal can help dieters double the number of pounds they lose. The American Journal of Preventive Medicine agrees, stating that according to their research, those who wrote down their meals six times per week lost twice as much weight as those who didn't.

Learn about the important role that ethnicity plays in one’s chances of developing the disease. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) suggests that anyone 45 year old or older consider being tested for diabetes. They place a strong recommendation on being tested if you're of age and also overweight. And since the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts the number of Americans that are obese at over two thirds the population, many of us should be concerned about our risk.

When your total cholesterol level climbs above 240, it’s time to take action to decrease your risk for a stroke or a heart attack. Quitting smoking, engaging in aerobic exercise at least three times a week, and eating a diet high in fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables will all contribute to the maintenance of a healthy balance of good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL); if the former is 60 or above, it actually prevents heart disease, while a level below 100 for the latter is desirable for people who have a higher likelihood for developing heart disease.

Learn how the famous deal with their condition. What do Halle Berry, Dick Clark, David Crosby, Jay Cutler, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Garcia, Mikhail Gorbachev, Nick Jonas, B.B King, Larry King, Elizabeth Taylor, and Neil Young have in common? They're all famous actors, actresses, musicians, or politicians-and they all had or have diabetes.

Follow these guidelines to solve the multivitamin mystery. You probably know that taking a multivitamin can be good for your health, but do you know which one is right for you? According to Dr. Ann G. Kulze, author of Dr. Ann's 10-Step Diet: A Simple Plan for Permanent Weight Loss and Lifelong Vitality, "there is perhaps no area of wellness that evokes more confusion and questions amongst consumers than what supplements they should or should not take.

Follow these tips to prevent alcohol from aggravating your condition. Heartburn and alcohol have a unique relationship. A study published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences found that those who drank 12 ounces of red wine with lunch or dinner had higher-than-normal levels of acid in the esophagus. Other studies have shown that of those people who suffer from heartburn, roughly 6 in 10 said alcohol led directly to heartburn symptoms on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

It's best to steer clear of the following fare. If you have diabetes, you may be thinking: why do I have to avoid certain foods while other can eat whatever they want? Remember, though, that the two food groups diabetics should avoid are the same that food pyramids tell everyone else to use sparingly.

Not all fats are created equal. Choose those that are best for your heart. Fat has gotten a pretty bad rap, and in all fairness, much of it is well deserved.  Consuming too much saturated fat can up your LDL (or bad cholesterol) level, while trans fat, once considered to be a healthy alternative to animal fat, not only raises your LDL level, it also lowers your HDL, or good, cholesterol level.

Can eliminating or adding certain foods relieve arthritis symptoms? Many health professionals and respected medical institutes dispute that there's any such thing as an "arthritis diet." Some arthritis sufferers, however, claim that eliminating certain foods from their diet sent their condition into remission. What should you believe? To be healthy in general you need a balanced diet.

The next time you have a craving for a deli meats, think twice. There could be health dangers lurking behind that deli counter. Here is the information you need to know before you make or buy your next sandwich. Meat Menace Your seemingly harmless deli meat may have a secret that could harm your health according to a growing number of health officials and researchers. Processed meats can be bad for your heart according to the American Heart Association due to their high levels of sodium and fat.

Your home is the perfect place to build a foundation of healthy food choices, ongoing physical activity, and regular blood glucose testing. Sir Edward Coke is credited with the famous phrase "et domus sua cuique tutissimum refugium" or "A man's home is his castle." Hundreds of years later, we can apply that same principle to diabetes care. Your home is your diabetes castle, a place where you can feel safe and secure in the knowledge, support, and supplies you have to successfully manage your condition.

A few simple changes can make a big difference. It may not be dinner-table conversation, but sometimes what we eat at the dinner table can affect us in negative ways. If you've ever left a meal feeling bloated, or suffered from heartburn or pain, your digestive system may not be operating at top capacity.

Now may be the perfect opportunity to jump on the organic bandwagon. If you haven't yet jumped on the organic bandwagon, now may be the right time. More supermarkets than ever are carrying organic products, many under their own labels, and the selection of organic foods and other items has expanded greatly. But the array of products and labels can be confusing.

Certain foods really can enhance your memory and overall cognitive function. Are they part of your diet? In general, any food that's good for you is good for your brain. That's because nutritious foods that lower your risk of diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes naturally encourage blood flow to the brain. Your brain, like the rest of your body, needs quality nutrients to work at its highest level.

Sometimes medication isn’t the only answer. Some of us are obsessed with medicine. We get a stomach ache and rush to the doctor, screaming for a prescription; our throat hurts so we down an over-the-counter (OTC) syrup, all the while carrying on with our everyday lives as if the meds will miraculously cure us.

Incorporating certain foods into your daily regimen could do wonders for your bones. Osteoporosis, or bone fragility, is of particular concern as we age. It affects millions of Americans, most of them women in midlife and older, causing fractures and loss of height. But this disease is not an inevitable part of aging-what you eat can make a huge difference in keeping your bones strong and able to support you throughout your life.

Not feeling yourself? Your eating habits could be the reason. We all have them at times-days when life really tests us. Your car gets a flat on the way to work, you flub an important report, you can't help your child with his math homework, and to top it all off, you burn dinner. Your mood? Lower than this week's stock market, and understandably so.

It's best to abide by the Boy Scouts motto: Be prepared When it comes to diabetes, it's best to abide by the Boy Scouts motto: Be prepared. An emergency for a person with diabetes can be as simple as a hypoglycemic episode or as complicated as a natural disaster in which the person has no access to his or her supplies.

A diagnosis of diabetes doesn’t necessarily mean sugar is out of the question. If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, you may be thinking to yourself, "I can never eat sugar again." But that's usually not the case. The pleasure of something sweet can be yours by using moderation and creativity.

Dining out doesn't have to be difficult. Just follow these simple tips. Sharing meals is at the heart of most social activities with family and friends. If you have Crohn's disease, you know firsthand that dining out can be difficult. However, there's no reason your social life should take a back seat. The key to dining out successfully is to plan carefully and be mindful of what you eat.

Incorporate these habits into your daily routine, and your body will reap the benefits. Living well doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing proposition-and it shouldn't be. The little things you do every day, like topping your bread with olive oil instead of butter or taking five minutes to stretch, are what add up to a healthy lifestyle in the long run.

There’s no need to abandon carbs completely. It’s all a matter of selecting the right ones. In the wake of popular protein-heavy diets such as South Beach and Atkins, some people still consider carbohydrates to be the enemy. But it's important to remember that there actually are two types of carbs: complex carbs and simple carbs, otherwise known as good carbs and bad carbs.

Learn more about different types of treatment options. If you suffer from heartburn, one of the first things to determine is how you wish to treat it. When it comes to treatment, there are three over the counter medications available: antacids, H2-receptor antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors. While each is effective in controlling heartburn, each treats the condition differently.

Beware: the following foods may exacerbate your condition. One way to minimize heartburn is to alter your diet. Unsurprisingly, this means healthier eating. Sugars, chocolates, and citrus products are bad for heartburn, and as a rule, fatty foods, by stimulating the over-production of stomach acid, are more likely to lead to heartburn.

With some simple modifications, you can greatly improve your quality of life. It makes sense that we think of heartburn as a pain that results from food. After all, the first step to treating the pain is to identify and reduce your consumption of "trigger foods." These are foods that bring on heartburn symptoms; they include chocolate, citrus, dairy, and anything high in fat.

Sweet tooth or addiction? Find out for yourself. There's nothing wrong with the occasional post-dinner sweet. In fact, some studies suggest that, in moderation, chocolate can be beneficial. One study conducted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) found that the natural nitric oxide in coca can help lower blood pressure and aide in overall heart function.

If you're leaving carbs out of your diet, you may be losing more than just a quick pound. Few would argue the fact that no-carb diets work in the short run. What no-carb dieters may not realize are the effects on other parts of their body. A study conducted at Tufts University in Massachusetts found that diets that eliminate carbohydrates can have a negative effect on memory.

Be savvy on how supplements can (or cannot) help your heart. A slew of research has emerged about the efficacy of nutritional supplements in combating various illnesses, and the overall verdict is not good. In December 2008, a study of almost 15,000 male physicians across the U.S. concluded that vitamins E and C showed no preventative effects on prostate or other cancers.

Long known to help your digestive system, fiber is good for your heart health, too. Find out why, and how you can incorporate more of it in your diet. As the saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." And for those who have high cholesterol or high blood pressure,  this may very well be true. Apples are good sources of fiber, and experts believe that the more fiber you eat, the less likely you are to develop heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack.

It's essential for your health, but are you meeting your daily needs? Something we all remember from childhood is our mom, our doctor, and even our teachers telling us to eat more fiber. But how many of us really knew what they were talking about? Dietary fiber refers to carbohydrates that cannot be digested, which means that when consumed, they fill you up and provide you with energy.

“Fast food” and “healthy”: Is it possible for these two things to go together? If you've seen the movie Super Size Me, chances are, you may not have had a Big Mac since. In his 2004 documentary, Morgan Spurlock, inspired by troubling statistics on American obesity, relied on the shock value of a thirty-day McDonald's diet to show audiences what they already knew about fast food: that it's not healthy.

Spice up your diet with these foods that you might not have known are good for your heart. By now, you probably know that salmon and blueberries are good for your heart. In fact, you're probably sick of hearing that salmon and blueberries are good for you. Fortunately, you can keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels low and still enjoy a more varied diet.

Consumed in moderation, salt is essential to our health. But be careful—too much can wreak havoc on your body. Salt plays numerous roles.  Among other things, it helps balance electrolyte levels and transmits nerve impulses. Unfortunately, a majority of Americans take in too much salt, ingesting an average of 3,500 milligrams each day-1,200 milligrams above the maximum recommended daily intake.

When your total cholesterol level climbs above 240, it’s time to take action to decrease your risk for a stroke or a heart attack. Quitting smoking, engaging in aerobic exercise at least three times a week, and eating a diet high in fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables will all contribute to the maintenance of a healthy balance of good cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL); if the former is 60 or above, it actually prevents heart disease, while a level below 100 for the latter is desirable for people who have a higher likelihood for developing heart disease.

Feeling sluggish? These good eats will give you the perfect pick-me-up. Being tired is no fun at all. You can't concentrate at work, you exercise less, and getting out of bed takes a lot of effort. It's a miserable way to trudge through life. But did you know that having more energy may be as simple as choosing the right foods? Overall, the key is to focus on low-glycemic foods (because they release energy slowly) that are high in complex carbohydrates and low in excess fats.

New research may be changing the way we view fat's relation to diabetes. Think fatty foods are bad for diabetics? A new study suggests that the opposite may be true: that extra fat in the buttocks and thighs may actually help prevent type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that injecting subcutaneous fat (fat just below the skin) into the abdomens of mice helped improve sensitivity to insulin.

Follow these tips on how to actually keep your New Year's Resolutions. Everyone makes them, few keep them. That's right, it's the New Year Resolution, so popular that it has its own Wikipedia entry and a page on the government's Web site. Come January 1, everyone wants to lose weight, pay off debts, and quit smoking. But we're not interested in which resolution you're making or which one is most popular.

Your goals for the New Year shouldn't be costly. Read on for some tips on how to make the most of your resolution without spending a penny. It's undeniable that most of us have made New Year's resolutions that we didn't keep. Along with requiring extra time and scheduling changes, resolutions also frequently entail forking over extra cash-something that is far from easy in our current economical climate.

Spice up your diet with these foods that you might not have known are good for your heart. By now, you probably know that salmon and blueberries are good for your heart. In fact, you're probably sick of hearing that salmon and blueberries are good for you. Fortunately, you can keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels low and still enjoy a more varied diet.

Think these foods are safe? Think again. Whether you've been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, monitoring your blood glucose levels is extremely important. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), what you eat is a key factor in keeping glucose levels in check and managing diabetes.

With these helpful tips, you can enjoy restaurant food while still being good to your body. What should you eat when you go out to a restaurant? Or when you're a guest at someone's house? How about when you stop for fast food with the kids? If you have diabetes, these are questions that might plague you. Diet is a key component to successfully managing diabetes, and eating out can make it difficult to control ingredients and portion sizes.

Sometimes the way to real savings is no more than making a quick swap. In 2008 it may have seemed like most of your monthly budget was spent on astronomical fuel costs. However, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the average American spends approximately 10 percent of his or her yearly income on food.

Poor diet and lack of exercise aren't the only factors that can damage your heart. Your stress levels also play a huge role. In the movies, traumatic news is enough to trigger a heart attack. On TV shows, a dramatic mother tells her rebellious teen son that he's going to give her a heart attack. As it turns out, these situations may not be too far from the truth. Research shows a direct link between stress and an unhealthy heart.

Before you pop open a can, consider these more nutritious choices instead. As John Pemberton brewed up a batch of the first formulation of Coca-Cola in 1885, he probably never dreamed just how popular his drink would become. According to current company estimates, every day, distributors worldwide sell more than 1.4 billion servings of Coke, which Pemberton originally marketed as a health tonic capable of curing everything from headaches to morphine addiction.

Who would have thought that a few simple foods could change the course of history? If we are in fact what we eat, it would logically follow that food would hold significant sway over the course of our history. Without access to Egypt's vast stores of grain, the Julio-Claudian emperors and their successors might have failed in currying the Roman public's favor.

Here, we explore some of the most common misconceptions surrounding the season. Are the holidays really the happiest time of the year? Does everyone really gain at least five pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's? During a season ripe with fantasy, it can be hard to separate myths from reality. Here, we dispel four bogus holiday health myths.

This decadent dessert does more than just please your taste buds—it could benefit your health as well. It may be hard to believe that something as delicious as chocolate could actually be good for you? But it's true. According to a growing body of research, America's favorite sweet treat comes with a host of surprising health benefits-from regulating your blood pressure to reducing your risk of dementia.

When cutting back to lose weight, is it smarter to reduce fat or carbohydrates? Find out. Low-carbohydrate, high-carbohydrate, low-fat, high-fat, low-fiber, high-fibe—and the list goes on and on. Who can keep track of all these diet plans? It seems as though new diet plans, weight-loss promises, or "miracle drugs" are introduced each day.

Keep your waistline in check this holiday season by choosing the cocktails that are least offensive to your diet.   Whether you're toasting at midnight on New Year's Eve, topping off a filling holiday meal, or simply raising a glass to good health, there's a good chance you'll imbibe a cocktail or two this holiday season. If you're washing down sinful treats with equally delicious beverages, you may have to worry about more than just tomorrow's hangover.

Snacks to skip and healthier options when eating at the game. If you've been to a baseball game lately, you know that an afternoon at the ballpark doesn't mean you have to derail your diet. In recent years, major-league ballparks across the country have begun selling lighter fare, including fruit skewers, sushi and vegan dogs, at their concession stands.

If you're having trouble shedding extra pounds, the stresses of daily life could be the culprit. If you've ever polished off a pint of ice cream when you were under pressure or consumed a whole bag of chips when you were worried, it will come as no surprise that stress can lead to weight gain. And according to new research, stress puts people at increased risk for obesity because it not only prompts them to eat more, but also because it releases certain hormones that encourage the body to store fat.

Chemicals, contaminants, trace amounts of pharmaceuticals. Find out if you should rethink what you drink. It's often said that water is the essence of life, and is it any wonder? Seventy percent of the earth's surface is covered in water, and the human body is composed of approximately the same percentage of H2O. Along these lines, millions of Americans rely on tap water every day to quench their thirst, regulate their body temperature, and stay hydrated.

Every year, more than 100,000 people undergo this popular weight-loss procedure. Is it right for you? Over the past decade, a slew of celebrities including singer Carnie Wilson, talk-show personality Star Jones, and NBC weatherman Al Roker have elected to undergo gastric bypass surgery to help manage their weight. The procedure, which involves stapling...

You may be taking unnecessary supplements at a financial and nutritional expense. Read on to find out why. For strong bones and teeth, you need calcium. To boost your immune system, experts recommend iron. Potassium is good for healthy kidneys. These and other nutrients are necessary to help your body function at its best. But if you were to try to take them as supplements everyday, you'd need a bigger medicine cabinet.

You might not have known it when you were young, but according to health experts, Mom was right all along. Remember all those times your mom told you to go to bed early and eat your veggies? You might not have wanted to admit it back then, but as it turns out, she was right--about almost everything. Here, the 10 best pieces of advice that moms give: 1. Wash your hands Think about everything you touched today--toilets, door handles, telephones.

For the rich and famous, staying slim often means going to extremes. Here, we reveal their most shocking secrets. From VIP treatment to box-office bank accounts, celebrities enjoy some amazing perks. But the fame and fortune do come with a downside--namely, an enormous pressure to stay slim. The extremes some glitterati go to? One starlet subsists on baby food, while another actress relies on lemon-juice fasts.

Who says you have to eat rabbit food to lose weight? Check out these tasty low-cal treats. For many people, the hardest part of dieting is dealing with feelings of deprivation. And is it any wonder? In an effort to cut calories, most weight-loss plans restrict or eliminate your favorite foods—leaving you stuck with snacks that taste more like cardboard than the savory treats you once enjoyed.

With these simple subtractions, you won't even notice the calories are gone. Rather than making drastic adjustments to your diet, you may be more successful at losing weight—and keeping it off—by making smaller changes. If you cut 100 calories a day, for example, you could lose a pound a month. It sounds simple enough, but where do those 100 calories come from? Follow these 10 easy suggestions to get started.

When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, some countries are making the grade, while others are falling dangerously behind. Ready for some startling statistics? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 350 million people worldwide are obese--a dangerous trend that may increase their risk for diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers. But fortunately, there's a flip side: Many international hotspots boast extremely low obesity rates.

Concerned about high cholesterol or high blood pressure? Avoid these foods at all costs. You probably already knew junk food is bad for your waistline, but did you ever stop to think about what it's doing to your heart? In particular, watch out for foods high in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol—all of which can raise the risk of heart disease and heart attack, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Mom always said to eat slowly to avoid getting a stomachache. Apparently, these people weren't listening. Although competitive eating has been around since the early 1900s when contestants traveled to their local county fairs to eat pies without their hands, organized eating officially became a sport in 1997. An organization called the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) regulates eating rules and safety standards, unifies international eating competitions, tracks world records, and ranks the world's top eaters.

Tired of fad diets and bad weight-loss advice? These little-known secrets can help you shed big pounds. Your sister fasts on grapefruit, your coworker guzzles caffeine, and your best friend eats nothing but soup for an entire week. When it comes to losing weight, silly strategies abound. And according to experts, these techniques are not only ineffective; they can be downright dangerous.

A diet rich in whole grains can help lower the risk of some serious health conditions. Numerous studies continue to reveal the many health benefits of eating whole grains. While the benefits are most pronounced for those consuming at least three servings daily, according to the Whole Grains Council, some studies show reduced risks of certain conditions from as little as one serving daily.

We all feel a little bummed from time to time, but could your diet be the cause? Find out here. In our modern American society, anxiety, stress, and depression can play a large role with respect to work, relationships, and money. In fact, 33.9 percent of adults report having poor mental health, according to the Kaiser Family Health Foundation. Many people eat when they're depressed, but few realize that what they eat may be at the cause of their woes.

Don't dine out at a restaurant that hurts your bank account and your waistline. Eat in with these recipes that are light on your diet and on your wallet. Sure, we'd all love to be able to take our families out to a gourmet dinner night after night. The truth is, in these tough financial times, cutting corners is paramount. But fear not. Just because you're cutting cost does not mean you have to sacrifice taste or your diet.

Follow these tips to start cutting food costs without compromising nutrition. With dollar menus aplenty, feeding yourself cheaply is rather easy, but finding food that is both nutritious and inexpensive is a lot harder. According to a study published last year in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers at the University of Washington found that at major supermarkets in the Seattle area between 2004 and 2006 the price of fruits and vegetables rose about 20 percent, while the cost of certain junk foods actually decreased.

Knowing the basics about foodborne illness can help keep you and your family free from harm. People aren't the only ones who love cookouts. Because of their unfettered access to outdoor feasts, insects and microbes of all varieties often enjoy them, too. And while you may see no harm in sharing a bit of your bounty with the earth's smallest creatures, you should know that their participation can come at a price-sometimes a rather high one-to your health.

Are French fries dangerous? Can popcorn make you sick? Find out which foods may cause cancer. Don't smoke. Always wear sunscreen. Maintain a healthy weight. These types of preventative measures can protect you from approximately half of all cancers. But what about your favorite foods, like popcorn, French fries, and bacon? According to a growing body of research, what you're eating could put you at a higher risk of developing the disease.

Your bellyaching over your bellyache may be caused by some of your favorite foods. Find out which foods are common offenders. Stomachaches, indigestion, gas, bellyache, agita, heartburn, upset stomach: Whatever you call it, digestive problems can be inconvenient and sometimes downright painful. Indigestion can be caused by a variety of reasons, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a physical condition in which stomach acid flows backward up into the esophagus.

Think eating healthy means eating pricey? Guess again. At fast-food restaurants, dollar menus are plentiful. Choose wisely, and you can probably eat lunch for less than $3. But what happens when you want something healthier than a burger and fries? Can you eat well and eat cheaply? As it turns out, you can.

Stuck in a diet rut? By asking yourself five simple questions, you may just be able to break the cycle. You've tried every diet in the known universe. You've switched from people food to low- or no-calorie everything. You're eating so many salads that you're convinced you could sprout bunny ears. And yet, you're no closer to your goal weight than when you started.

These daily behaviors may be seriously damaging your diet. Relying on fast food. Eating when we're upset. Bingeing until we're full. When it comes to bad eating habits, Americans sure have a lot of them. Fortunately, these no-good behaviors could be doing a number on our waistline and our health. Read on for a list of the five worst eating habits of all time-how many are you guilty of? Eating in front of the T.

Do you want fries with that? How about a side of E. coli? Find out which fast-food restaurants have the longest lists of health violations. When you grab a burger and fries from the local drive-through, you know you're probably not getting the healthiest meal. But if you think trans fats are your biggest concern, you might want to inspect those fries a little more closely. At some fast-food restaurants, the hygiene habits are appalling.

Snacking at the movies may not be as innocent as it seems. A movie theater provides a place to cool off when the temperatures spike in summer and a shelter from the cold during winter, but perhaps most importantly, it allows us an escape from the daily grind, if only for a few hours. Since childhood, many of...

Want younger-looking skin? Try incorporating these six foods into your daily diet. Yes, aging is inevitable, but looking older than you are isn't. Smooth skin can take years off your appearance, and there are several things you can do to keep yours looking young and healthy. Start by avoiding activities like tanning and smoking, which can cause skin to age more quickly.

Sure, breakfast is a great way to start your day, but stay away from the cereals loaded with sugar and artificial flavors. Here, the cereals that are good and bad for your health. Half of all Americans start their day with a bowl of cereal for breakfast, according to the National Cereal Council. And while it is typically a healthy breakfast choice (better than sugary doughnuts, giant muffins, even carb-loaded bagels), your favorite cereal might not be as healthy as you think.

Buyer beware: These six weight-loss products promise big results but don't live up to their hefty claims. In the world of weight loss, there are plenty of reputable products and plans. But there are also lots of schemes, scams, and swindles-programs that promise amazing results overnight or pills that claim they can melt away fat with no side effects. How can you cut through the hype and keep from being a victim? Read on as we expose the six most outrageous diet rip-offs of all time.

Was mom right when she said eating carrots would improve your eyesight? Read on to find out. Urban legends have long been a part of American culture. We've all heard about George Washington chopping down the cherry tree, the hitch hiker who vanished, and the gang members who strike when a car flashes its lights at them. Tall-tales and exaggerations are common—and legends about food are no exception.

Take heed—these common foods could ruin your dinner by making you sick. If you've ever been struck with diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or abdominal cramps after dining out (or in), chances are that you were just one of the millions of "dirty food" victims that this country sees every year.  Foodborne illness, or food poisoning, is the result of consuming food or beverages contaminated with parasites, viruses, or bacteria.

When you turn to these fruits and veggies for a healthy snack, you might be getting more than you bargained for. You'll see it at any major supermarket and its prevalence has been increasing drastically the past ten years: "Certified Organic." The organic movement has been on the upswing, partially due to the health concerns associated with pesticides. Pesticides have long been used by local and commercial farmers to prevent crop losses due to insects and other pests.

Find yourself dozing off at 3 p.m.? These foods may be the cause. Ask your friends to name a food that makes them tired, and there's a good chance they'll say turkey—citing the lethargic feeling associated with the Thanksgiving meal. But is there any truth to the allegations? While certain foods do make us tired, the ones you suspect may not be the most common culprits.

When you're searching the frozen food aisle at your grocery store for fast and easy meals, avoid these diet disasters at all costs. For those watching their waistlines and their wallets, frozen versions of popular restaurant foods are tempting solutions. But think twice before replacing your favorite take-out with its frigid counterpart--the swaps aren't always so diet friendly. Here, a look at the frozen foods that don't do your body good.

What really goes into your burger and fries? The answers may astonish you. A hamburger, fries, and a large strawberry shake. It's the recipe for an all-American meal—one on which we spend a whopping $124 billion dollars a year, according to the National Restaurant Association. In addition to contributing to the country's obesity epidemic, our penchant for fast food may be negatively affecting our health in other serious ways.

Forget fad diets. Instead, follow these tips to boost your metabolism and watch the pounds melt away. You want to lose weight—and fast. But most speedy slim-down plans are not only ineffective, but they can be downright dangerous. How can you shed pounds quickly without compromising your health? According to experts, the key is following a moderate diet and exercise plan and revving up your metabolism to burn more calories.

You may be drinking yourself fat. Check out these seven hefty beverages. The number of people who are obese is itself becoming a rotund figure, and America ranks as the ninth fattest country in the world. Foods high in calories, fat, sugar, and carbohydrates contribute to weight gain, but beverages are often forgotten in America's perpetual weight gain.

If you want to slim down and stay healthy, don't indulge in these seasonal treats. It's summertime, and the living is easy-but eating healthfully can be hard. Some of the season's most popular foods, like potato salad and fried chicken, contain massive amounts of calories and fat, while others, such as hot dogs, boast ingredients that may be downright dangerous.

In a hurry? Don't forget about nutrition. Here, the seven worst convenience snacks and their good-for-you alternatives. When you're time-crunched and starving, pre-packaged foods may seem like a tempting solution. But according to experts, these speedy snacks often come with a high price. Some are loaded with so much sodium that they could send your blood pressure sky high, while others are packed with preservatives, artificial flavorings, and empty calories.

Who knew two tablespoons could be so costly to your diet? Few meals are worse than a dry turkey sandwich or a bland hamburger. Condiments can be a great way to spice, flavor, or moisten otherwise flavorless fare. They can also destroy an otherwise healthy meal. Choosing healthy condiment options can be the difference between nutritious and diet disaster.

Add some spice to your life--and to your diet. These flavorful ingredients could help you shed pounds. Looking for an easy way to burn calories? Well, there's good news: You needn't resign yourself to eating bland foods. Studies have shown that the same spices that add zest to your meals can also boost your metabolism. In fact, many of these metabolism-revving spices can be found right in your own cupboards.

Tired of apples and almonds? Check out some of the healthy new munchies hitting store shelves. Hours have passed since your lunch meeting, and it'll be several more until you can sit down for dinner. It's 4 p.m. and, no surprise, you're hungry for your "fourth meal" of the day--your daily snack. If you're hoping to curb your hunger without losing control of your waistline, you're in luck.

Here, eight foods that are definitely not a part of a balanced breakfast. You'd probably think twice about having an ice cream sundae for breakfast, but it's doubtful you'd question having a bacon and egg sandwich with hash browns to start your day. For many, breakfast is a forgotten meal. While there's plenty of evidence to show that eating breakfast everyday is good for your health and your weight, the bad news is, if you start your day off with the wrong meal, you may be destined for a midday crash.

Want to fall off the weight-control wagon? Just a few of these fattening foods are all it takes. You watch your weight. You cut back on snacks. You even hit the gym twice a week. But no matter how hard you try, the pounds come creeping back. The culprit? It could be one of these inflationary foods. Each is so fattening that just the occasional indulgence could result in major weight gain--even if you do everything else right.

These nine foods simply aren't fair to your diet. A day at the fair conjures up ideas of friends, family, fun...and very possibly, fried foods. Although the fair has much to offer in the way of rides and activities, the truth is, many people come mostly for the food. Some stands may offer healthy choices, but they're often overshadowed by the seemingly endless supply of funnel cakes and corn dogs.

All too often, people lose weight only to gain it back again. Follow these tips to stop the maddening cycle. For many people, losing weight is a source of great pride and accomplishment. After all, dieting can be a grueling endeavor, and the pounds you've shed represent a lot of hard work. Once you've lost the weight, you have both a slimmer body and improved health to show for your efforts.

Late-shift workers put themselves at risk for certain illnesses. Is there anything they can do to protect their health? Trying to get enough sleep while working the late shift can feel like trying to swim upstream. Simply put, the human body is meant to be active during the daytime hours. In fact, humans' circadian rhythms (the body's biological sleep clock) are naturally programmed to promote sleep at night.

New research and real results show the surprising benefits of this practice. Americans expect results, and they expect them fast. Perhaps that's why fad diets and home gyms that promise miracle weight loss are so popular. With all the hype surrounding food diaries, they might seem as though they're just another fad. So the question remains, does recording your food intake actually help you lose weight? Americans spend almost $35 billion on weight-loss products, but studies show that logging your food intake may be one of the most effective methods.

It may seem counterintuitive, but eating more of some foods can actually help you lose weight. Find out how. Eat more food, feel full all day long, and lose weight. It sounds too good to be true, like one of those fad diets that promises to help you shed 10 pounds while you watch TV. But this one is real. It's not that you can eat more Snickers, more pizza, or more sour-cream-and-onion potato chips.

As imports continue to rise, so, too, do safety concerns. Here, what every American should know. Imagine if your toothpaste made you deathly ill or if your dog died because his pet food made him sick. Recent headlines have been littered with stories about unapproved antibiotics in seafood, pet-sickening wheat gluten, and tainted toothpaste imported from China, causing many Americans to raise an eyebrow about the quality and safety of imported food.

When you want to indulge, find out which junk foods are the worst and which are not so bad. You ran an extra half-mile today and want to reward yourself with one of your favorite junk foods. You're craving pizza or ice cream or candy. You know none of these foods are good for you, but do you know which ones would do the most damage to your diet? Keep reading for the best and worst junk foods of all time.

Not all mushrooms and martinis are created equal. Discover the secrets behind these ultra-pricey indulgences. One thousand dollars for an ice-cream sundae? Sixteen grand for a cocktail? Believe it or not, there really are foods and drinks that sell for this much--and there really are people who are willing to pay for them. Here, 10 of the world's most expensive indulgences.

Get the scoop on these supposed weight-loss wonders. According to research conducted by the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 66 percent of Americans are overweight, and we're on track to see that figure reach 75 percent by 2015. In the midst of this troubling epidemic, diet pills have rushed to the marketplace-some promising fairly reasonable results, others claiming they can create bathing-suit bodies in weeks or even days.

The packaging of some of your favorite foods may be hiding crucial information from you. What do you look for when you check a food label? Some people may check for fat content, while other may want to see if the product contains whole grains or meat byproducts. Companies have been required to list the nutritional information on the packaging of food products since 1994; however, what's written on the package may be presented in an intentionally misleading way.

As you age, your body doesn't stay the same. Neither should your diet. When you think about aging well, wrinkle creams, exercise programs and even plastic surgery probably come to mind. But if you really want to make sure you're able to enjoy those later years, experts say you've also got to know something about fine-tuning your diet.

Get the inside scoop on how certain countries manage to stay so slim. When it comes to obesity, it might seem as if America is tipping the scales-and for good reason. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States is the ninth fattest country in the world (second only to Kuwait and some South Pacific isles).

Although obesity is a national problem, certain cities tip the scales more than others. Is your city making you fat? It may sound strange, but where you live probably plays a role in your weight. While obesity isn't confined to any one part of the country, some parts of the nation are heavier than others. In fact, one study by the University of Washington found that researchers were able to predict the prevalence of obesity simply by looking at zip codes.

No one goes to a baseball game to eat healthfully, but some stadium foods are more diet-deadly than others. There was a time when the national pastime was synonymous with peanuts and cracker jacks. Now, the ballpark menu has expanded-to include one fattening item after another. Stadiums often serve foods made famous by their hometowns (such as cheesesteaks in Philly, crabcakes in Baltimore, or pierogies in Pittsburgh), but many of them should come with an exercise plan on the side.

Sure, your diet and exercise schedules can contribute to your weight. But who knew that your job could, too? Ever-improving technology has replaced manual labor at many American jobs, making sedentary lifestyles commonplace. A whopping 60 percent of the population is overweight or obese, and occupations that require little or no movement certainly haven't helped.

When consumed in moderation, this age-old brew can impart a host of health benefits. One of the oldest and most consumed alcoholic beverages, beer has served many roles since it was first brewed nearly 7,000 years ago. It's been featured in religious ceremonies, praised in literature, and prized for its medicinal properties. What the ancients suspected about the health benefits of beer, modern-day science continues to prove.

Gain a spouse...and gain weight, too? Learn why tying the knot can contribute to unwanted pounds. You may have heard of the freshman 15-those inevitable pounds college students are likely to gain in their first year. But what about the newlywed 30? In a recent University of North Carolina study, which tracked 1,200 couples over a five-year period, married people gained six to nine pounds more than their single counterparts.

Research suggests that certain foods can help reduce your cancer risk. While there's no single food that can protect you against cancer completely, a growing body of research suggests that certain edibles can help to reduce your risk. Some of these foods and spices may thwart the onset of the disease, while others can help to limit the spread of cancer cell growth.

Do you find it difficult (and sometimes impossible) to skip dessert? If so, you're not alone. Obesity is on the rise in America, and the following ten desserts may have something to do with this national epidemic. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, more than 66 percent of U.S. adults are currently overweight, and 32 percent are obese. In fact, in 2007, Colorado was the only state that had a prevalence of obesity under 20 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Will you live to a ripe old age? Read on to calculate your odds. We've split the atom, spliced the gene, even sent a spacecraft to Mars. But finding a reliable way to predict a person's life span? That's proven a bit more difficult. In recent years, however, scientists have begun to crack the code-identifying 22 genetic, demographic, and lifestyle factors that can estimate life span with a surprising amount of accuracy.

These ordinary foods might have extraordinary effects on your love life. Most likely because they're rich in the right vitamins and minerals, these foods have been known to help spice things up in the bedroom. Incorporate them into your daily diet or a romantic dinner, and watch the sparks fly. Oysters. Considered to be a powerful aphrodisiac since ancient times, these mollusks contain high amounts of zinc, which is essential for testosterone production and the maintenance of healthy sperm.

You probably already know that food can give you energy, but can it help you fall asleep, too? Here, six that can help you catch your z's. Your eating habits can have a direct effect on your day—emotionally, mentally, and physically. A healthy, balanced breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, giving you energy for the rest of the day. Skipping meals can result in tiredness and irritability.

When it comes to these seemingly healthy foods and beverages, don't believe the hype. Sports drinks, power bars, and natural sweeteners must be good for you, right? Well, just because something sounds healthy doesn't mean it actually is. In fact, according to experts, many of the products currently marketed as nutritious are more hype than healthful.

Think you're having a bad day? If you've made it out of bed and through breakfast without injury, you're doing pretty well. If you don't wrestle alligators for a living or spend your free time doing daredevil stunts, you probably think you live a relatively low-risk existence. Perhaps an average morning consists of hitting the snooze button, taking a warm shower, eating a quick breakfast, and then driving to work.

It's never too early—or too late—to protect yourself from this debilitating disease. Here, a look at osteoporosis by the numbers. Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures. Although any bone can be affected, the most common fractures occur in the wrist, hips, and spine.

Reduce your risks by understanding your condition and the problems that can arise. Although diabetes is a serious disease, it can generally be managed through a combination of diet, exercise, self-care techniques, and sometimes medication. In fact, with proper care, many patients lead long and fulfilling lives. When diabetics stray from their treatment guidelines, however, a variety of problems can result.

From head to toe, we explore symptoms and solutions for some of the most awkward health conditions. At one time or another, an embarrassing malady is bound to fall on everyone. Although some are more debilitating than others, all are at least conquerable, if not curable, with a combination of diligence, patience, and a doctor's supervision. Here, we...

Eating breakfast? Absolutely. Sunbathing? Not so much. Read on as we uncover the best and worst health advice. When it comes to health, good advice abounds. But there are also lots of misconceptions, silly old wives' tales, and even dangerous ideas about everything from UV exposure to treating a common cold. Which suggestions should you follow, and which ones should you kick to the curb? Follow our guide to discover the best and worst health tips of all time.

Afraid weight lifting will make you look like Arnold Schwarzenegger? It won't. Here, we debunk other weight-lifting myths. Trying to lose weight? Put down the cookbook, and pick up some dumbbells. Some common misconceptions deter women from lifting weights, but the truth is weight lifting can help eliminate body fat. One study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, demonstrated that women who strength trained twice a week for two years decreased their body fat by 3.

Simple lifestyle changes can help you to better manage your condition. If you or someone you care about has developed a bladder-leakage problem, it's important to visit your doctor, who will be able to rule out more serious health conditions. But while you wait for your appointment, did you know that there are many things you can do right at home to help control your symptoms? These changes may not solve your problem entirely, but many women claim to have found relief by making some simple adjustments to their lifestyle.

Tired of flabby abs or love handles? If diet and exercise haven't worked for you, abdominoplasty may be the solution. Who doesn't want a trim, flat stomach? Millions strive for tighter tummies, usually starting by improving their diet and exercise routines. However, these changes often aren't enough to achieve desired results. While body fat can be reduced through a healthy diet and workout plan, the loose muscles and skin that frequently result from extreme weight loss, pregnancy, and even aging and heredity aren't as easily eliminated.

When it comes to a healthy body, the number on the scale may not be telling the whole story. What's your pefect body weight? 125 pounds? 150 pounds? Anything under 200? The truth is, a healthy body is defined by much more than what size jeans you wear, how you look in a bathing suit, or even what the scale says. For example, did you know that...

The holiday season offers a cornucopia of choices when it comes to food. Do you make smart selections or pick nutrition nightmares? Let's face it, completely maintaining a guilt free diet is like climbing Everest--next to impossible. Smart holiday dining relies on two factors: eating in moderation and making good choices. Anyone can cut back on second, third, and forth helpings, but can you make the diet-wise decision between pumpkin pie or apple? Here's some assistance to help you choose.

Learn how to pinpoint and fix the seven sneakiest diet blunders. Dieting is a bit like walking a tightrope: easy to start but hard to stay on. And according to experts, the most common diet missteps are caused by things that might surprise you--your schedule, your friends, your shopping habits, even your clothes. While these sneaky saboteurs could derail your efforts, the good news is that you can stop them from undermining your long-term weight-loss goals.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 2,500 Americans each day. Here, a look at heart health by the numbers. Heart disease, known as a silent killer, claims the lives of millions of Americans each year. An umbrella term for multiple conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, heart disease includes coronary artery disease, pulmonary heart disease, and hypertension.

These speedy strategies can trim and tone your body in 12 weeks or less. Maybe you're getting married in a few months. Maybe your high-school reunion is right around the corner. Or perhaps you just want to look and feel better than ever. No matter what your motivation, you need to shape up and the clock is ticking. Although there's no diet or exercise program that can change your body overnight, these six tips can get you slimmer and sleeker in only 12 weeks' time.

Follow these tips to keep minor slip-ups from becoming major setbacks. You started your diet with the best of intentions, but then the inevitable occurred. You went to a party and polished off a plate of hors d'oeuvres. You took a trip to new city and splurged on the local fare. You woke up in the middle of the night and ate a whole pint of ice cream.

Some studies suggest our favorite foods might be as habit-forming as controlled substances. Whether you're constantly craving chocolate or have an uncontrollable urge for French fries, you probably think your food impulses are simply the result of hunger, boredom, or a lack of willpower. And some experts would agree—ultimately, you're in control of what you're eating.

Can a candy bar improve your skin? Can you lose weight and still eat Oreos? Here, we separate reality from hype. Lately, food seems to do a lot more than just provide nourishment. Many products claim to help you concentrate, stay awake longer, or lose weight--but can you believe the hype? Here, a look at some of the new foods being marketed and their claims. Weight-Loss Snacks The products: Special K Bliss bar, Hershey's Sticks, Nabisco and Hostess 100-calorie packs The claim: In addition to the popular 100-calorie packs, other products are promoting a limited amount of calories in their sweets.

Add these little-known superfoods to your diet, and give your health an instant boost. By now, you probably know which foods you should avoid sugary colas, greasy snacks, fatty fast foods. But what about the many nutritious foods nature has to offer? While many people are familiar with the well-publicized superfoods, such as berries, salmon, and spinach, there's an abundance of lesser-known treats that can also do wonders for your health.

If you really are what you eat, your health could be paying a serious price. What did you have for lunch today? If you ate a turkey sandwich and low-fat potato chips, you may have consumed a few unexpected ingredients, too. Perhaps some potassium bromate in your bread or sodium nitrite in your turkey. And those chips, were they made with olestra? The foods currently lining U.

Along with a healthy diet and exercise regimen, certain medications can help get cholesterol levels in a normal range. It seems as though medications for lowering cholesterol are constantly being developed, tested, and enhanced. As a result, it can be difficult to keep them all straight, especially as new research comes out to show that drugs once thought effective don't actually work the way doctors had hoped.

Are you really satisfying your hunger or just feeding your feelings? Learn how to identify and control emotional eating. When you're feeling sad, angry, or stressed, do you turn to certain foods to soothe your feelings? When you're eating, do you feel a sense of comfort that turns to discomfort after you're done? Do you eat when you're not really hungry, consume certain foods in secret, or binge when you're having a bad day? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are, you're an emotional eater.

Proper eating can have an enormous impact on your health. Here, a look at nutrition by the numbers. You are what you eat, but are you giving your body what it needs? An unbalanced diet can result in malnutrition on one end of the scale to obesity on the other. What's more, too much or too little of any nutrient can put you at risk for conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.

Are you consuming lots of calories after dark? Learn how to beat late-night binges.

You finally get home from a stressful day at work. You're looking forward to eating dinner and watching your favorite TV show. After dinner, you sit down in a comfortable spot on your recliner or couch. Without even thinking, you grab some snacks and polish them all off before you head to bed.

Looking for a speedy way to slim down? These quick tips can jump-start your diet in 60 seconds or less. It may seem like the road to weight loss is more like a never-ending journey--fraught with temptation, filled with detours, and paved with sacrifice. And while it's true that there's no eating plan that can make you shed excess pounds overnight, discouraged dieters should take note: You can get on the fast track to a slimmer you by incorporating these quick, painless tips into your daily routine.

Spring is here, and so there's no better time to slim down and shape up. Maybe you want to unveil a sleeker body at the beach. Perhaps you want to get in shape for your favorite seasonal sport. Or maybe you've simply decided that it's time to start improving your health once and for all. Whatever the reason, there's no better time than spring to start slimming down and shaping up.

Losing those last few pounds can be a challenge, even for the most dedicated dieters. Here, five ways to reach your goal weight. When you've got a lot of weight to lose, you may see noticeable, even dramatic, results within a matter of months. But when you want to shed five or 10 vanity pounds, that's when dieting can get tricky. Have you been stuck at the same weight for weeks? Follow these tips to outsmart the scale, conquer that plateau, and shed those stubborn pounds for good.

A diagnosis of diabetes can seem overwhelming. Follow these tips to accept and cope with your condition. Nearly 15 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, and according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), most of them have experienced feelings of denial somewhere along the way. In fact, denial is so common among diabetics that some doctors believe it's a natural part of eventually accepting the diagnosis.

Maple syrup? Green tea? Grapefruit? Can these things really help you lose weight fast? Here, the diet advice to avoid. Maybe you want to lose weight for your class reunion. Or perhaps you're getting married in a few months and want to look your best for the big day. Or maybe you just want to wear those skinny jeans again. Whatever your reason, it can be tempting to believe the get-fit-quick diets that promise you'll lose 20 pounds in two weeks.

High cholesterol puts you at a higher risk for serious health conditions, including heart attack and stroke. Here, a look at cholesterol by the numbers. Cholesterol is found in every cell of the body. This fat-like substance is an important component of cell membranes and a building block in the formation of certain hormones. Too much cholesterol in the blood, though, can cause fatty deposits to develop in blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries.

These simple switches can get you on the road to long-term weight loss. You start every diet with high hopes--and maybe you even lose a few pounds--but in a few short weeks, the weight comes creeping back. Sound familiar? If so, you're not alone. An estimated 95 percent of dieters gain back any weight they initially lose.

Pizza and doughnuts and burgers, oh my! These all-American treats top the nutritional hall of shame. Fried chicken, cheeseburgers, milkshakes, candy bars--these tasty treats are as American as, well, apple pie. Unfortunately, so, too, is obesity. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, more than 66 percent of U.S. adults are currently overweight, and 32 percent are obese.

A healthy diet is essential to managing diabetes. Here, a complete guide to diabetic-friendly nutrition, including shopping tips, quick recipes, and more. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor has most likely stressed the importance of eating right to help keep your disease in check. Most experts agree that although there's no one correct diet for diabetes, people with the disease should follow the nutritional guidelines outlined in the USDA Food Pyramid.

Have you ever wondered why certain people manage to stay so slim? Here, we expose their six best-kept secrets. Are you sick of drinking diet soda with your salad while your skinnier girlfriend gulps down supersize colas and cheeseburgers? You could blame your waistline on bad luck or bad genes, but the difference in your body shapes is more likely the result of your eating patterns.

How important is weight in determining good health? It's no secret that being fat and out of shape is a health hazard. But what if you're overweight and still physically fit? Does the fact that you're active eliminate the health risks of those extra pounds? And what if your best friend is a skinny couch potato? Which one of you is healthier? As it turns out, the "fat but fit" debate is a longstanding source of controversy among experts.

These delicious superfoods can help to lower your levels. If you have high cholesterol, that doesn't mean you have to resign yourself to a bland diet. In fact, a tasty salmon entree, a handful of sweet berries, or even a glass of red wine can all help to lower your levels and improve your heart health. The next time you go grocery shopping, look for these cholesterol-lowering treats recommended by the American Heart Association.

It's often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Find out why it's so important to get off to a good start. When you're hitting the snooze button for the third time, breakfast is probably one of the last things on your mind. After all, you still have to shower and then race to work in time to make that presentation. But according to experts, letting a hectic schedule force you to skip breakfast could compromise your health.

The way you view your body can affect your health. Follow these tips for an instant body-image boost. At some point, most of us have wished that we were thinner, more muscular, or better looking. After all, in today's world, we're constantly bombarded with images of celebrities and models. After a while, many people want to be like them or even believe they're happier because of the way they look.

Rich and creamy seasonal foods can quickly pile on the pounds. Check out these delicious, low-fat alternatives. When temperatures drop, it's tempting to stay indoors, bundled up in cozy blankets, surrounded by satisfying comfort foods. But along with these foods come extra pounds, which can be tough to lose once the weather warms up. Fortunately, there are alternatives to winter's most fattening fare.

Parents can help control their children's weight by fixing their lunches... Parents can help control their children's weight by fixing their lunches as often as possible and keeping tabs on their eating habits at school, nutritionists say. In fact, kids who have lunches prepared by their parents are 25 percent less likely to be overweight than children whose lunches aren't prepared at home.

Want to lose weight, quit smoking, or start saving this year? These simple tips can help you achieve your goals. New Year's is a time for fresh beginnings and lifestyle changes. So, making resolutions and sticking with them may seem easy for the first few weeks of the year. Once February rolls around, however, willpower often lags, and New Year's goals generally fall by the wayside.

Plan ahead to properly transition your baby from breast milk to formula. Deciding when to stop breastfeeding your baby is a very personal decision, and it varies by mother. Some babies make the transition more easily than others. After your baby has switched to formula, another question will surface: When is it OK to introduce cow's milk? Because the choices surrounding breast-feeding and supplementing with formula are very personal ones, pediatricians and doctors usually preface their answers by stating that everyone is different.

Learn how to tell the difference between a healthy weight-loss plan and the latest craze. Have you heard about the latest diet trend? You drink nothing but cranberry juice for seven days and drop 10 pounds. The next week, you go back to your regular eating habits, and the weight miraculously stays off. It sounds too good to be true, right? That's because it is.

Follow these 10 tips to live a healthier lifestyle in the new year and beyond. Many people ring in the new year with the best of intentions. They resolve to hit the gym, improve their eating patterns, and kick their bad habits to the curb. But just a few weeks later, those resolutions are usually forgotten, and they've reverted to their old ways.

Some foods that seem healthy can be just as fattening as their obviously indulgent counterparts. Here are six that may be sneaking up on your waistline. Perhaps you've tried to cut calories by replacing regular soft drinks with diet sodas or by switching from subs to salads, but you haven't noticed any weight loss. You might be surprised by how quickly sneaky extras, such as lattes loaded with whip cream and bleu cheese salad dressing, can add up.

Weight gain is about more than just what you eat and drink. These surprising influences could be making you fat. You might know that certain foods and drinks are loaded with hidden calories, but other unexpected factors such as your friends or your zip code could cause you to gain weight. Here are a few surprising things that might contribute to an expanding waistline.

The demand for organic food continues to grow every year. But is it worth the extra green? The organic food movement got its start in the 1960s, when increasing environmental awareness and concern about pesticides sparked a new demand for "green" products. Over the past 20 years, the market has grown exponentially, as more and more consumers are seeking safer, more eco-friendly food alternatives.

Like many things in life, New Year's resolutions are easy to make but hard to keep. Follow these tips to make lasting changes. This year, you've vowed to lose weight, shape up, and cut back on caffeine. Or perhaps you're determined to quit smoking for good. Maybe you've decided it's time to get to bed early, no matter what. If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone—more than 100 million Americans make New Year's resolutions every year, according to researchers at the University of Washington.

Long hours, a heavy workload, and the office candy jar can all take a toll on your waistline. Follow these tips to stay slim on the job. You worked hard to land that dream job, and now you're looking forward to watching your bank account grow. But instead, it's your dress size that's been growing. Quick doughnuts on the way to work, snacks between meetings, and late-afternoon trips to the vending machine are all taking a toll on your waistline.

Follow these guidelines to prevent heartburn after dark. If you've ever had heartburn, you know how uncomfortable it can beand how difficult it is to treat once symptoms have kicked in. Not surprisingly, experts confirm that preventing heartburn is often a lot easier than trying to deal with it, especially at night.

Are you really aware of what you're eating? Learn about the psychology behind mindless munching and start taking control of your food choices. You've just finished a pasta dinner, and you're stuffed. So you put on your sweatpants and plop down in front of the TV to relax for the night. But before you know it, you've finished half a bag of potato chips. Welcome to the world of mindless eating.

Following these simple tips can help you lower your cholesterol levels and your health risks. Everyone needs a basic amount of cholesterola waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body to function. But if your cholesterol is at an unhealthy level, it could mean you have an increased risk of developing heart disease. What can you do to keep your cholesterol at or reduce it to healthy levels? Try these nine tips: Eat a hearty bowl of oatmeal for breakfast.

'Tis the season for family, fun, and excess. Learn how to enjoy yourself without overindulging. It's that time of year again—and for most Americans, the holidays are the hardest time to maintain healthy eating habits. The good news? There are healthy options, according to Mary Fay, assistant director of patient services at Olean General Hospital in Olean, New York, and a 28-year registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association.

It's one of the hardest things people can tackle, especially as they get older. Here, a look at dieting by the numbers. At any given time, one out of every three Americans is on a diet. Unfortunately, most of them fail, and those who do shed pounds usually gain them back within five years. According to the National Weight Control Registry, people who manage to lose weight and keep it off share some common strategies such as dieting with a buddy and sticking to a strict schedule of meals.

With these healthy eating tips, you can make it to New Year's without the extra pounds or the guilt. A healthy diet can be difficult to maintain at any time of year, but once the holiday season rolls around, the task becomes ten times harder. It all begins at Thanksgiving dinner with freshly carved turkey, mashed potatoes with sour cream, corn-bread stuffing, and of course, the all-American apple pie.

Savor these treats without sacrificing flavor--or your health. At first blush, a heart-healthy diet might sound pretty bland: reduced salt, low cholesterol, limited calories, decreased fat. But luckily, there are a variety of foods that are both delicious and healthy, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Who says losing weight has to be hard? These effortless activities can help rev your metabolismand melt the pounds away. Actor Pete Postlethwaite once said: "I exercise every morning without fail. One eyelid goes up and the other follows." That quote may seem nonsensical, but the sentiment actually makes some sense. Take a closer look at your daily routine, and you'll find plenty of opportunities for easy calorie-burning activities—no gym required.

From entrées and desserts to sodas and sides, Americans are supersizing. Learn how to choose healthier portions. If you think that plate of spaghetti is much bigger than it was when you were a child, you're probably right: Portion size has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. The result? A dramatic rise in the number of overweight and obese Americans. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted several studies and found alarming changes in the number of calories people consume now compared with what they ate 20 years ago.

Diabetes is a lifelong disease, but these tips can make it easier to manage the condition. According to the American Diabetes Association, more the 20 million Americans are living with diabetes. Try these tips to help manage the condition and prevent the serious complications associated with the disease. Follow a balanced diet. A low-fat eating plan with plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help keep blood sugar at healthy levels.

Type 2 diabetes affects more than 18 million U.S. children and adults. Find out more about this growing epidemic, from risk factors to treatment options. Diabetes is a lifelong metabolic disorder that affects more than 20 million U.S. children and adults—about 90 percent of whom suffer from type 2 diabetes. The bodies of those affected by the disease either can't produce enough insulin or have cells that ignore the insulin.

More and more Americans are opting for bariatric surgery to shed major pounds and improve their quality of life. Find out if you or a loved one could be a candidate. As most health experts can attest, the best way to lose weight is to exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet. But that doesn't always work—just ask the 129.6 million Americans, or 64 percent of the population, who are currently overweight or obese.

Everyone needs vitamin D for good health, but a debate continues to burn in the medical community over the best ways to get this important nutrient. Many experts say adults should get 1,000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D per day. One cup of vitamin D-fortified milk provides 100 units, while 3 ounces of oil-based tuna provides another 200 units. But is it wise to soak up UV rays to get vitamin D? The debate is so hot that the Skin Cancer Foundation has called it The D Dilemma.

Skin cancer rates are likely to increase in the coming years. Find out how behavioral and dietary changes can reduce your risk. One out of every five Americans will develop skin cancer during his or her lifetime, and many health experts believe that percentage will increase in coming decades. With global warming on the rise, people are increasingly being exposed to stronger ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which forms free radicals, damages healthy cells, and increases the risk for skin cancer.

There's no one food that can magically transform an overweight body into an ideal figure. But there are foods that are beneficial to eat on the journey to a slimmer body. There's no one food that can magically transform an overweight body into an ideal figure. Eating plans that consist solely of grapefruit aren't realistic or effective, nor are plans that promote eating only cabbage soup or special "weight-loss cookies.

Want to enjoy the festivities without piling on the pounds? Check out our top eight tips. It starts with Halloween and plastic pumpkins full of sugary treats, then continues through Thanksgiving weekend, with plentiful mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, pies, and leftover turkey sandwiches. And December is a minefield of high-calorie traps: office parties, cookie exchanges, and that food-filled week between Christmas and New Year's Day.

Get the skinny on tricks that really work. At any given time, one out of every three Americans is on a diet. Unfortunately, most of them fail, and those who do shed pounds usually gain them back within five years. The good news: It doesn't have to be that way. According to the National Weight Control Registry, people who manage to lose weight and keep it off share these common strategies.

Follow these simple strategies to get your cholesterol levels where you want them to be. You're working hard to eat right so you can lower your cholesterol levels. You're reading nutrition labels, buying fewer pre-packaged foods, and testing yourself often. But you're still struggling to keep your cholesterol down. What are you doing wrong? The answer may surprise you.

Experts warn that our national eating habits come at a price. Here, a guide to healthy eating on the go. In today's fast-paced world, most Americans rely on fast food every now and again. But for many U.S. citizens, these foods are more than just an occasional indulgence--at least 25 percent eat from popular chain restaurants every day, according to Eric Schlosser's Fast Food Nation.

With these 6 easy tips, you can transform your refrigerator and your health. When you run to your fridge for a midnight snack, what do you grab? Leftover takeout? Ice cream? Pizza? If so, your fridge may be in need of an extreme makeover. As most of us know, we are what we eat, and the best way to change the way we eat, look, and feel is by changing what we keep in our kitchens.

Nutrition labels can be deceiving. Learn how to cut though the hype and make healthier choices. If the nutrition label reads, zero grams trans fat, it must be healthy, right? Wrong! As it turns out, federal regulations allow labels to read zero grams trans fat as long as a product contains less than .5 grams of the artery-clogging fat per serving.

Sick of starving to lose weight? Follow these tips to shed pounds. No diet required. For most people, diets aren't enjoyable, and they never seem to yield lasting results either. Although dieters may lose weight initially, most relapse and soon regain the pounds they shed, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Help your kids enjoy the year's spookiest night without sacrificing nutrition. For children, October 31 is one of the most eagerly anticipated nights of the year. And is it any wonder? Not only is Halloween an excuse to dress up in scary costumes; it's also an opportunity to snatch up massive amounts of sugary treats. According to the National Confectioner's Association, 93 percent of U.

Learn how to build strong bones and prevent osteoporosis. At some point—usually around age 30—everyone's bones begin to get thinner. But only some people will develop osteoporosis, a progressive disease that causes bones to become brittle and more likely to break. Your risk for osteoporosis depends on a number of factors, including the thickness of your bones when you were young, as well as the health, diet, and fitness levels you've maintained since.

Keeping up with all your health screenings may seem daunting, but this list can get you started on a year of healthy living. In a perfect world, we'd all know exactly when we need to get our important health screenings. In reality, however, these checkups and exams often take a backseat to work, family, and other obligations. Fortunately, you can get on the right track by making a simple phone call to your doctor.

These friendly bacteria can do wonders for your digestive system. Learn how your body can start reaping the benefits. The literal translation of the word probiotics is "for life." But just what are probiotics, how are they helpful in maintaining digestive health, and how can they be included in daily diets? Probiotics Defined The normal human digestive tract contains over 1,000 types of bacteria that reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and help promote a healthy digestive system.