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Crackers with spinach dip. Image Credit: MSPhotographic/iStock/Getty Images Not all spinach dips are healthy, but you can improvise any dip recipe to make it more nutritious. A dip prepared with whole sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise or fatty oils may not be heart-healthy because of the fat content and high calorie count. Using a dip base of low fat or fat-free ingredients and fresh spinach gives you a nutritious spinach dip without compromising taste to serve as an appetizer or snack....

Is Zumba Safe for the Back? Image Credit: GeorgeRudy/iStock/GettyImages Moving your body to the beat in Zumba is a fun way to burn off energy and simultaneously learn how to dance. However, if you have a back injury, you might want to avoid these high-energy workouts. There’s a lot of movement of the spine, especially of the lower back, which is an often-injured area. Advertisement What is Zumba? Zumba is a dance fitness class developed in the 1990s by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto Perez....

Fish, fruits, vegetables and whole grains all fit perfectly into a low-salt, low-fat diet. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages More than 100 million Americans have high blood pressure. The number of deaths associated with this condition increased by 38 percent between 2005 and 2015. If left untreated, hypertension can lead to stroke, coronary heart disease and other life-threatening illnesses. ​One way to bring your blood pressure down is to go on a low-salt, low-fat diet....

Low-Carb Diet and Plantains Image Credit: Blend Images/John Lund/Sam Diephuis/Blend Images/GettyImages A low-carb diet can help you lose weight, but it does limit your intake of a variety of healthy veggies, including the starchy plantain. But if these veggies are one of your favorites, you may be able to fit them in during the maintenance phase of your low-carb diet. If you’re planning on following a very-low-carb diet that restricts many of your favorite foods, consult a professional for help....

Here is everything we know about Best Actress nominee Melissa McCarthy's approach to diet, fitness and self-love. Image Credit: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images Entertainment/GettyImages Despite the fact that she has lost a rumored 75 pounds in recent years, Melissa McCarthy doesn’t think her weight is a big deal. In fact, she finds it is truly bizarre, and extremely sexiest, that people are so obsessed with the way she looks in the first place....

Refusing Bottle Image Credit: Purestock/Purestock/Getty Images Feeding your baby is one of your most important jobs as a parent, and for that reason it can also be a huge source of stress if your baby won’t eat. Around the age of 9 months, some babies show resistance to drinking their bottle. At this age, most babies have started eating solid foods, but should still drink from a bottle most of the time....

references Aging and Disease: "Nitrate and Nitrite in Health and Disease" Nutrients: "Dietary Nitrates, Nitrites, and Nitrosamines Intake and the Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: "Drinking Water Nitrate and Human Health: An Updated Review" EPA: "National Primary Drinking Water Regulations" Cornell University Cooperative Extension: "Nitrate: Health Effects in Drinking Water" National Cancer Institute: "Nitrate" Here's what you need to know about nitrates in drinking water and how to reduce your exposure Image Credit: rclassenlayouts/iStock/GettyImages...

Of those total calories in lettuce wraps, 168 of them come straight from sugar. Image Credit: freeskyline/iStock/GettyImages P.F. Chang’s calls their lettuce wraps their signature dish. They also describe them as a secret family recipe, so they’re not very forthcoming with the P.F. Chang’s lettuce wrap ingredients. The Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps were the original lettuce wrap menu item. Advertisement However, after they became so popular, the Chiang family added Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps and Dynamite Shrimp Lettuce Wraps to the lineup, too....

A bowl of oatmeal with peach slices Image Credit: Lesyy/iStock/Getty Images Oatmeal serves as an excellent source of fiber and protein without a lot of sodium, making it a good choice for breakfast or a midday snack. It is also a source of whole grains, which reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases and aid in maintaining a healthy weight. Add more protein to your diet by enjoying oatmeal with your favorite fruits or spices....

Different bicep curl variations can tire out your forearms quicker. Image Credit: Supawat Punnanon / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages It can be very discouraging to have your workout routine disrupted by pain. There are a number of possible reasons why your forearm hurts after working out. If you perform biceps curls with weights, experiencing a burn as you approach fatigue, and occasionally feeling sore the following day, are normal reactions to exercise. However, injuries caused by resistance training are relatively common, and you should consult your physician if you have pain that is intense or persists....

Learning the percentage of water in fruits and vegetables may be more important than satisfying mere curiosity. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages Learning the percentage of water in fruits and vegetables may be more important than satisfying mere curiosity. Besides their many nutritional benefits, boosting your water intake another good reason to eat your daily fruits and vegetables. Advertisement ​Read more:​ The Benefits of Electrolytes in Water Video of the Day Percentage of Water in Fruits According to the USDA, a whole host of different fruits have very high water content....

Build a delicious lunch sandwich with rotisserie chicken and a few other flavor-boosting ingredients. Image Credit: bhofack2/iStock/GettyImages When weeknights get hectic and whipping up a healthy dinner requires more time and energy than you can muster, reach for a rotisserie chicken. Not only super convenient, but this pre-cooked poultry also provides plenty of nourishment, too. Advertisement Chicken is a great source of protein and other nutrients like blood-pumping iron, immune-boosting zinc and energizing B vitamins, Lisa Moskovitz, RDN, founder and CEO of The NY Nutrition Group, tells LIVESTRONG....

Dress appropriately for winter running. Image Credit: yacobchuk/iStock/GettyImages Winter weather conditions need not hinder you from getting in a quality run. You need the right clothing as well as some common sense to tackle the elements. If you have a lung condition like asthma, or if the air is particularly cold and dry, your doctor may recommend running with a face mask. Avoid certain conditions like blizzards and freezing rain, but with proper preparation, you can take your winter workout outdoors....

An assortment of cheeses Image Credit: matka_Wariatka/iStock/Getty Images Stomach pain and discomfort are among the top reasons people seek emergency medical care. In fact, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey between the years 1999 to 2008 found that visits to the emergency room for abdominal pain increased nearly 32 percent. Advertisement Digestive Diseases The National Institutes of Health explains that when you eat, your body breaks the food down so that it can be digested and the nutrients absorbed....

Staying active through the hectic holiday season can help you better mange your stress. Image Credit: Getty Images/LIVESTRONG.com Creative Healthy habits are built one day at a time. Our monthly fitness challenges can help you stay on track all year long. In This Article Challenge Basics Challenge Calendar How to Join Warm Up Workout Videos Rest Day Ideas December can be overwhelming, and when things get hectic, exercise is often the first thing many of us let slide....

references National Osteoporosis Foundation: "What Women Need to Know" Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: "Special Nutrient Needs of Older Adults" NIH: "Vitamin B12" NIH: Magnesium ConsumerLabs: "Multivitamin and Multimineral Supplements Review" Harvard Health Publishing: "Health benefits of taking probiotics" NIH: "Dietary Reference Intakes" Linus Pauling Institute: "Micronutrients for Older Adults" Office on Women's Health: "Vitamins and Minerals for Women" When you're in your 60s or older, you need to look for certain nutrients in your multivitamins....

Krill oil is made from krill, small shrimp-like crustaceans that inhabit cold oceans, such as the Antarctic and northern Pacific oceans. It is a dietary supplement, primarily used for the omega 3 fatty acids it contains. Krill oil appears to be superior in comparison to standard fish oil in terms of antioxidant potency. Michael Eades M.D., reports that krill oil has an oxygen radical absorptance capacity, abbreviate as ORAC, 48 times higher than fish oil....

Reishi mushrooms are increasingly popular for their potential health benefits. Image Credit: krungchingpixs/iStock/GettyImages In This Article Reishi Mushroom Benefits Reishi Tea Benefits Side Effects When to Avoid Reishi Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a staple of traditional Eastern medicine. You can tell that this mushroom is believed to be a powerful remedy by its name in Chinese, ​ling zhi​, which translates to "herb of spiritual potency," according to PeaceHealth. Advertisement They're included in supplements, extracts, tea blends and even in coffee products....

Many of the health benefits attributed to Cognac are due to its antioxidant content. Image Credit: 5PH/iStock/GettyImages Although alcohol has many naysayers, it can be a healthy addition to your diet — when taken in moderation. Drinking cognac every day may actually have some positive effects. Advertisement Cognac is a type of brandy that comes from the Cognac region of France. Learn how to include the spirit as part of a healthy way of life....

If you completely stop exercising, it can be bad for your health. Image Credit: Photographer, Basak Gurbuz Derman/Moment/GettyImages Skipping the gym one day isn’t likely to have much effect on you, but abruptly halting your regular exercise routine can hurt both your body and your mind. If you’ve been sidelined by a medical condition or injury, you might be feeling “gym withdrawal.” Advertisement Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist about ways you can stay fit without getting hurt....