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Not only is water a calorie-free way to quench your thirst, but it also helps fill you up so you eat less. Image Credit: Michael Heim / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Will drinking water reduce belly fat? It can certainly help. Not only is water a calorie-free way to quench your thirst, but it also helps fill you up so you eat less. Staying hydrated is also key to whittling your waistline. Advertisement Drink Up, Slim Down As much as 60 percent of your body is made of water, according to USGS....

Leftover rice can be safely reused if it's cooled and reheated properly. Image Credit: Vladimir Arndt/iStock/Getty Images From white to brown to jasmine and wild, rice is one of the most versatile foods you can keep in your pantry. It not only adds texture but it’s also a great vessel for foods and holds flavor very well. Think risotto, rice cakes and veggie burgers. Advertisement When it comes to cooking rice, there are many easy ways to do it — and you don't even need a rice cooker....

Roast beef may increase your health risks. The sight and smell of roast beef as it comes fresh from the oven is bound to stimulate your taste buds in anticipation of a succulent meal. Yet after you chew, swallow and digest each piece of meat, your body derives the benefits and risks of eating this food. Roast beef contains proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals that may enhance your intake of certain nutrients, yet also contains substances that may increase your health risks....

A DHEA supplement may help prevent some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormone. As thyroid hormone regulates the metabolic rate of the body, an underactive thyroid often leads to weight gain. Studies show that individuals with hypothyroidism have low levels of the steroid hormone DHEA. Though DHEA cannot treat hypothyroidism, it may be help prevent some of its symptoms....

Heart monitors assist cardiologists in discovering heart arrhythmias. Irregular heartbeat during exercise, known also as a heart arrhythmia, premature heart contractions or colloquially as skipping a beat, can result from a variety of causes. Some of these causes relate to permanent conditions or diseases, while others are temporary conditions. Self-diagnosis of the cause for an irregular heartbeat may delay lifesaving treatment. Consulting a medical professional to determine the cause of the arrhythmia is highly recommended....

Nuts pack a powerful nutrition punch but also come with a considerable number of calories. Image Credit: keira01/iStock/GettyImages Nuts (and their cute little cousins, seeds) are a popular snack food. Whether picked on at parties, eaten out of bags at baseball games or toted to work as an afternoon pick-me-up, nuts — in their array of types and tastes — have won many loyal fans. Advertisement A good thing, as both nuts and seeds are packed with nutrients....

Burning muscles are completely normal during workouts. Image Credit: Hello Lovely/DigitalVision/GettyImages Experiencing burning muscles during a workout is common and no cause for alarm, even if it does create discomfort. Feeling a burning sensation in your body when in the gym is a positive indicator that your body is responding correctly to physical exertion. Advertisement Tip The sensation of burning muscles during strenuous exercise should go away soon after the physical activity is stopped....

Daily gym workouts can help keep you fit, healthy and energized. Image Credit: skynesher/E+/GettyImages Without a doubt, regular exercise can benefit your health, mind and body. Not only does it boost your energy, increase lean muscle mass, decrease your risk for certain health conditions and help you manage your weight, but it also improves your mood and enables you to live longer. Sounds pretty amazing, right? Advertisement Now, all you need to do is figure out how to tap into these life-altering benefits....

A bowl of beef barley soup on a table with a cloth napkin, spoon and salt and pepper shakers. Image Credit: Monkey Business Images/Monkey Business/Getty Images Barley is a grain that has long been used for food, livestock feed, and beer and whiskey production. Using barley as a soup base is a smart idea and makes for a low-fat, fiber-rich source of protein. Advertisement Whether you mix in beef or vegetables, barley soup is an excellent addition to your diet thanks to its nutrient content....

The health benefits of the sweet potato far outweigh any of the disadvantages. Image Credit: Diana Taliun/iStock/GettyImages Sweet potatoes are a low-fat source of many beneficial nutrients important to your health. Particularly rich in vitamins, especially vitamin A, fiber and antioxidants, sweet potatoes should be considered a healthy addition to your diet. Advertisement Although there is some speculation about harmful effects of oxalates in sweet potatoes, it's mainly a concern if you have a history of kidney stones....

Crispy, piping-hot fries are a tasty hit dish on many menus, but they can also be packed with excessive fat, sodium and calories that can have negative effects on the body. Image Credit: gbh007/iStock/GettyImages French fries are a beloved snack or side dish on most menus across the country, and are one of the most popular ways to eat potatoes — here’s how they can affect your body. Advertisement Tip Crispy, piping-hot fries are a tasty hit dish on many menus, but they can also be packed with excessive fat, sodium and calories that can have negative effects on the body....

Since ancient times, the benefits of olive oil and lemon have been known — lauded as both nutritious food and effective folk remedies. In 400 B.C.E., the renowned Greek physician and “Father of Medicine,” Hippocrates, prescribed olive oil for more than 60 medical conditions, calling it the “Great Healer.” He regarded citrus, such as lemon, to be a great energizer for the body, counteracting phlegm and lethargy. Together, these two powerhouse remedies bring time-tested benefits that also stand up to modern scientific research....

Years ago, when I was just starting out in the fitness industry, I had a bad habit of underestimating what made people healthy. I read studies like it was my job (well, it was) and used that information to determine what I thought was the truth about health, fitness, and nutrition. And those who couldn’t follow the techniques, well, they were just making excuses. Bad genetics, expensive food, intimidating gym. I heard them all....

Quinoa is a great vegetarian source of iron. Image Credit: Elena_Danileiko/iStock/GettyImages Brrr! Why does it feel like you’re always cold? It might have something to do with your health. If you’re lacking certain vitamins and minerals, your blood can’t properly transport oxygen to all of your body’s tissues, leaving you with either cold extremities or an inner cold feeling. Advertisement If being cold all the time sounds like you, it might be time to take a look at your diet and figure out what's missing....

Coffee Image Credit: Kenishirotie/iStock/Getty Images It’s no secret that the sugar you’re putting into your coffee isn’t so sweet for your health. The sweetener contains empty calories, and consuming too much of it may contribute to weight gain and cavities. You can switch to artificial sweeteners, which don’t contain calories, but they are made from controversial chemicals that offer no nutritional benefit. Choosing a natural sweetener, like honey or maple syrup, can give you the sweetness you’re after while providing you with some health benefits....

Some treadmills can go backwards. Walking backwards is not just for frolicking kids or teenagers goofing off any more. It actually has some health benefits for sports performance and rehabilitation after surgery or an injury. Walking or jogging backwards is popular in Japan because it burns several times more calories than doing it forwards. Although it may be folklore, it has been said that 100 steps backwards are equivalent to 1,000 steps forwards....

Running isn't all high-fives and hugs. It's also blisters and chafing. Image Credit: jacoblund/iStock/GettyImages Let’s face it: Your non-runner friends may admire your dedication, but when it comes to understanding the perils and pitfalls of being a member of this unique bunch, it’s safe to say that only another runner knows what being a runner is actually like. Advertisement From port-o-potty pitstops and chafing in some very awkward spots to your love for all carbs and training shoes, there are certain things all runners know to be true....

If you're salt-sensitive, eating a lot of salt can make your heart and blood vessels work harder. Image Credit: Julia_Sudnitskaya/iStock/GettyImages If you have salt-sensitive hypertension, eating a salty meal can cause a dangerous spike in your blood pressure. Hypertension (high blood pressure) makes your heart and blood vessels work harder and less efficiently, and it’s a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, according to the American Heart Association (AHA)....

A man measuring his waist Image Credit: oonal/iStock/Getty Images The scale is not the best determinant of a healthy body weight. You may long to see the number go down, but it doesn’t tell you if your body composition – or ratio of lean mass to fat mass – is healthy. If you’ve been exercising as part of your weight-loss efforts, you may notice that your body looks and feels thinner, but that the number on the scale doesn’t budge....

You have options if you love Brussels sprouts but not the gas they produce. Image Credit: Nataliia Sirobaba/iStock/GettyImages With a cupful of Brussels sprouts comes a bounty of important nutrients, including vitamin K, vitamin C and fiber, according to the USDA. But as a food that causes gas and bloating, it can also bring a hefty dose of untimely discomfort. Here’s how to sidestep that pitfall. Advertisement ​Read more:​ Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts — Plus Their Role in Digestion Video of the Day What Causes the Gas Brussels sprouts are part of the cruciferous vegetable family, along with cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, which are all known for being gassy vegetables....