Quinoa & the Glycemic Index Image Credit: sveta_zarzamora/iStock/GettyImages When it comes to planning a diet, one big decision revolves around carbs. It’s not just about choosing the number of carbs to eat. The key is targeting carbs that won’t boost your blood sugar. Quinoa is one carb you can use to fill your daily quota. It’s good for your health because it’s a whole grain, and its low glycemic index means it won’t spike your blood sugar....
Many of the causes of abdominal weight gain can be countered with proper diet and exercise. A spreading waistline isn't uncommon in older women, and the accumulation of abdominal fat is more than a cosmetic issue. It increases the risk or indicates an increased risk for many serious health conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Identifying the reasons for abdominal weight gain can help you and your health care professional treat and reverse the problem....
A bowl of ricotta cheese and some slices of bread. Image Credit: nata_vkusidey/iStock/Getty Images Not everyone can digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy products. This sugar is unable to be absorbed by the body because it is too complex. Lactose needs to simplify into galactose and glucose for it to be successfully absorbed into the bloodstream. Certain cheeses contain less lactose than most dairy products, such as ricotta cheese. If you’ve been diagnosed with lactose intolerance you may find that you can eat ricotta cheese without developing symptoms....
Dexxtrose is simply another name for glucose, a primary source of energy for your body. While the research is preliminary, taking dextrose both before and after you work out may be beneficial. Consuming sugar right before a workout can have a negative effect on your energy levels, however. A doctor or dietitian can help you design a diet plan that supports your workouts. Evidence for Dextrose A 2006 double-blind study published in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine investigated the effects of ribose versus dextrose on athletic performance in a group of female rowers....
Fish oil can help increase appetite. Image Credit: Chaiwiwat Duangjinda/iStock/GettyImages It’s not unusual to experience fluctuations in appetite. But if you have very little desire to eat and it’s affecting your weight and health, then you may be searching for an appetite stimulant. If you’re a health-minded individual, you may be looking for supplements to increase appetite. Advertisement Unfortunately, there's little evidence to indicate that any supplement can improve your desire to eat....
A pool provides the perfect exercise arena for people with overweight. Image Credit: american911/iStock/Getty Images People with obesity often find it difficult to find physical activities in which to engage. Their heaviness makes movement difficult, and they are more likely to experience injury due to their weight than their thinner counterparts. One arena which does provide people with obesity a place to work out successfully is water. Swimming exercises are often ideal for heavy individuals seeking to lose weight and become healthier....
references Turkish Annals of Otorhinolaryngology : "Antimicrobial Activity of Garlic Derivatives on Common Causative Microorganisms of the External Ear Canal and Chronic Middle Ear Infections" Pediatrics: "Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children" U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Nausea and acupressure" Practice Nursing: "Does olive oil prevent earwax build-up? An experimental study" Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews : "Probiotics for preventing acute otitis media in children" NIH: "Pain in the Ear" Pediatrics: "Cost-Effectiveness of Watchful Waiting in Acute Otitis Media" Cochrane: "Pain relievers for children with acute middle ear infection" Cleveland Clinic: "Earwax Buildup & Blockage" Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Ice Packs vs....
Senator Dick Durbin holds up a can of Monster Energy Drink at a tesimony before congress. Image Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images You might grab a Red Bull, Monster Energy or SoBe for a bit of a boost to get you through the day, but these drinks also contain essential nutrients that your body needs for good health. While it’s OK to have energy drinks in moderation, more is not better, especially when there are healthier sources of these nutrients....
Baby bella mushrooms are just one of the many types of edible mushrooms. Image Credit: Lisa J. Goodman/Moment Mobile/GettyImages Baby bella mushrooms are just one of the many types of edible mushrooms. They also go by the names cremini mushrooms and baby portobello mushrooms. Since they are low in calories yet rich in nutrients, baby bellas make for a popular diet food. Advertisement While you can eat mushrooms raw, you can also cook them....
For a 2,000-calorie diet, the daily recommendation is about two cups of fruit per day. Image Credit: Julia Khusainova/Moment/GettyImages If you want to eat a cup of fruit, calories shouldn’t be a reason for concern. Fruits are naturally sweet and can satisfy your cravings without adding inches to your waistline as long as you enjoy them in moderation. Advertisement Tip According to the USDA Food Product Information Sheet for Child Nutrition Programs, 1/2 cup of mixed, canned fruit has about 60 calories....
Roasting and grilling are related cooking methods. Image Credit: Ben6/iStock/Getty Images Roasting and grilling are closely related cooking methods, each using indirect dry heat to cook the food. Both methods are widely used by health-conscious diners because they render fat from foods as they cook and don’t require any to be added. Despite these similarities, there are profound differences between the two methods of cooking. Advertisement Indirect Dry Heat There are different types of heat when cooking....
Hard-boiled eggs are packed with nutrients. Image Credit: kornyeyeva/iStock/GettyImages If you love hard-boiled eggs, you may wonder how that particular kind impacts your cholesterol health, as eggs have long been a controversial food when it comes to cholesterol. Here’s the hard-boiled truth about eggs and cholesterol and whether or not that hard-boiled kind is good for your heart. Advertisement According to the USDA, a single large egg contains 186 milligrams of cholesterol....
A can of sardines provides more than your total daily requirements for vitamin B12. Image Credit: Photosiber/iStock/GettyImages In This Article What Are Sardines? Sardines Nutrition Health Benefits Health Risks We should be eating fish at least twice a week for optimal health. With growing concerns about toxins in the oceans, it's good to know that sardines are the safest choice of fish to eat. Advertisement The fish boasts a wealth of nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to sardines' health benefits, such as reduced inflammation and better bone health....
Consume sun-dried tomatoes as a source of potassium. Image Credit: HandmadePictures/iStock/Getty Images Drying brings out the natural sweetness in tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes lend robust flavor to a variety of dishes. You can find them in many grocery stores, or you can make them at home, either by drying them in the sun under a cheesecloth or by baking them at low heat in the oven. In addition to their aesthetic benefits, sun-dried tomatoes serve as an excellent source of several nutrients, and they offer a range of health benefits due to their nutritional profile....
Spinach contains Vitamin E. Image Credit: Dušan Zidar/iStock/Getty Images Acid reflux refers to the flow of stomach acid back into your esophagus, a connecting tube between your throat and stomach. It is also known as gastroesophageal reflux and occurs as heartburn, a burning sensation in your chest. Acid reflux can progress into gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, a more severe form of the condition. Other symptoms include wheezing, coughing, difficulty swallowing and chest pain....
Vivid dreams might be caused by anxiety, pregnancy or even certain medications. Image Credit: RyanKing999/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Causes When to Worry How to Stop Vivid Dreams Vivid dreams don't always have a clear culprit. But sometimes those weirdly realistic (or just plain scary) scenarios your brain cooks up while you're sleeping can be traced back to something that's going on during the day. Advertisement Vivid dreams are often stranger or more lifelike than the dreams you typically have....
Stomach virus. Image Credit: Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images Anyone who has ever had a stomach virus knows that this type of illness can make a person pretty miserable. Nausea, vomiting and possible fever can deplete the body of nutrients and hydration. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases advises people who have a stomach virus to start eating again gradually. The first step towards regaining strength can be drinking clear liquids....
There is no one speed that works for every beginning runner. Image Credit: Catherine Delahaye/The Image Bank/GettyImages When you’re trying to develop a consistent running routine, it’s not always easy to know where to start. What treadmill speeds are appropriate for a beginner? How long should you spend on the treadmill and on what incline? The short answer is that no runner is the same as another. Advertisement Tip There is no one speed that works for every beginning runner....
Obesity is a disease with a long list of risk factors beyond nutrition and physical activity. Image Credit: Tetra Images/Tetra images/GettyImages Obesity is one of the biggest public health issues facing the world. According to the World Health Organization, the rate of obesity across the globe has tripled since 1975. Advertisement In the United States, 40 percent of adults over the age of 20 now have obesity, and that number climbs to 72 percent when you include people who have overweight....
The pegan diet plan encourages lots of fruits and vegetables like the vegan diet but also incorporates meat and poultry. Image Credit: DronG/iStock/GettyImages If a diet spectrum were to exist, you would think the animal-free vegan diet and the meat-loving paleo diet would live on opposite ends. But because diet culture is nothing if not ever-changing, it appears the two have come together to create the pegan diet. Advertisement How can these two polar opposites coexist within one diet, though?...
