Diet and Nutrition

Press Release: Bob Greene’s Best Life and DietsInReview

Today we, with TheBestLife.com, the popular online weight-loss program based on Bob Greene’s best-selling book The Best Life Diet, announce a new partnership to exclusively trade healthy living and lifestyle content. TheBestLife.com offers daily inspiration, healthy recipes and a full diet and lifestyle plan based on the principles of Bob Greene’s The Best Life Diet.

Starting today, our two sites will exchange exclusive content covering an array of healthy living topics that you know and trust us both for, including delicious recipes, motivational advice, and fitness tips. The partnership marks the first time The Best Life has embarked on a content swap with another site and is an excellent opportunity for an even larger audience to get to know both of our well-respected brands.

“The Best Life is very pleased to partner with such a revered brand as DietsInReview.com. By combining our efforts to provide the best health information as well as lots of inspiration, we can help an even larger number of people achieve a healthier lifestyle,” said Duane Primozich, Vice President and General Manager of Best Life.

“We are thrilled to be launching this partnership. Best Life is a brand that we’re proud to align with, as our values are in sync and our readers will ultimately reap the benefits of this exchange,” said Brandi Koskie, director of publishing for DietsInReview.com. (more…)

Side-by-Side Comparison of Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Fresh Market

Habit, convenience, and proximity are major factors in shaping where we purchase food and which foods we purchase. The decision to eat a healthier diet can be much easier than deciding which foods to purchase and from where to purchase them. While healthier options are becoming more widely available, where you live may determine what is or is not available. In Indianapolis, the 12th largest city in the United States, we have at least one farmers market year round, as well as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Fresh Market. Proximity plays a major role in where I shop most frequently, but perhaps that is not the most important factor.

Farmers markets may give you the best opportunity for the freshest produce and to speak with farmers about the conditions in which animals and produce are raised, but they are often not available throughout the week and selection of goods can vary. Whether we like it or not, we all visit a grocery at least occasionally, and the majority of Americans buy the majority of their food at a box store. Your farmers market may not offer fresh-made pasta or gluten-free baked goods like mine does, but your Whole Foods is probably a lot like my Whole Foods. (more…)

How to Cook with Lemongrass

Lemongrass is one of those elusive ingredients that I’ve never cooked with myself but have always wanted to. And the best way to get started is to learn where it comes from, how healthy it is, and what kinds of delicious recipes I can add it to.

What is lemongrass? Lemongrass is a unique herb that’s been utilized for its district lemon taste and mild and sweet flavor for hundreds of years – and not just for cooking, but for medicinal purposes as well. The plant is native to south India but is also grown in South East Asia, especially Thailand, Vietnam Malaysia and Indonesia.

Health benefits: Aside from its many medicinal benefits such as treating colds and sore throats, rough or dry skin, acne and even insomnia, it’s also been found to lower cholesterol and help stabilize Type 2 diabetes. Lemongrass oil and tea also been used for relaxation purposes for those who may have trouble sleeping, very similar to the effects of chamomile. Lemongrass also contains many vitamins and minerals including folic acid, vitamin B5, B-6 and B-1, vitamin A and C, as well as zinc, calcium, iron and copper. Lemongrass tea has also commonly been used as a diuretic to help flush toxins and waste from the body. (more…)

Quick Fat Blasting Tips For an Amazing Summer Body

By Stephanie Mansour

With the temperature rising and beach season in full swing, we bet you’re wondering if there are any secrets out there to blast fat effectively to reveal a toned beach body. Well you’re in luck because today we’re uncovering four simple secrets to burning fat without much effort. Whether you’re at home, at the gym or sitting in your desk chair at work, here are some of our favorite ‘Quick Fast Blasting Tips’ to banish fat the smart way.

Change up your cardio
Look at your cardio workout in intervals: sprint as fast as you can for a minute, then back off but increase your incline. If you’re on the elliptical, increase resistance, then pick up the pace for a few minutes. If you are in love with the treadmill, instead of walking for a few minutes to warm up, try out the bike or another cardio machine for your warm up and to move your muscles differently. Muscles have memory and can quickly become conditioned to your favorite form of cardio. Avoid this by making your muscles guess what’s coming next! (more…)

4 Sure-Fire Weight Loss Strategies to Keep You Satisfied

By Lauren O’Connor MS RD for AroundthePlate.org

Weight Watchers has shown us that we can eat cake and lose weight, too! Today there are a variety of weight loss plans and meal planning services that can appeal to our taste buds and keep the promise that (as long as you follow their plan) you’ll lose the weight. Finding your own healthy lifestyle without the structure of a weight loss program can be a challenge. But there are simple things you can do to instill a lifestyle that promotes good health, gradual weight loss and healthy maintenance. And that includes a healthy diet and exercise.

“Not every calorie is created equal – the bulk of your diet should be wholesome, nutritious foods in order to achieve sustained weight loss, improved health and satiety,” says Theresa DiMasi, VP Editor and Chief at WeightWatchers.com. “Eating well and exercising are two key strategies important for long-term success.

Here are some other strategies for weight loss success (and maintenance, too): (more…)

5 High-Fiber Foods You Should be Eating More Often

Foods with high fiber content provide many health benefits for both men and women, including improved digestion and greater satiety. Eating foods packed with fiber can help reduce hunger between meals, making them ideal for managing your caloric intake.

Here are five high-fiber foods you should consider adding to your diet:

Popcorn is one of the most popular snack foods in America. From movie theaters to baseball games, popcorn is easily accessible. Not all popcorn is created equal, however. The buttered popcorn you find at the store and the theatre can be loaded with fat from excessive butter and other unhealthy toppings. Plain popcorn without any additional toppings is the way to go. Because plain popcorn is also low in calories, it’s a great snack for those looking to lose weight. (more…)

Joey Chestnut Starves Himself Prior to Winning Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

July 4th means fireworks, cookouts, and for some the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Every year on July 4th, Coney Island holds Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest where participants eat as many hot dogs as possible in 10 minutes. On Wednesday, Joey Chestnut won the hot dog eating contest for the sixth consecutive year. The man ate 68 hot dogs… sounds appetizing right?

I could barely finish the five BBQ chicken wings I had last night at our family’s Fourth of July cookout. I can only imagine where this man puts his food!

Well, fortunately this morning on the TODAY show Joey offered his secrets to scarfing down 68 hotdogs and buns. Joey’s girlfriend makes him 70 hotdogs and he tries to eat as much as he can within 10 minutes. And he tries to eat a little more each day than his previous attempt. Three days before the big hot dog eating contest Joey does not eat anything to prepare himself for all the hot dogs he will devour. (more…)

Bistro MD Taste Test: Meals Mostly Live up to Taste and Nutrition Promises

Bistro MD is a home-delivery meal program designed for diet consumers who do not want to spend time counting calories or preparing food. The program was specially developed by a doctor, chef, and dietitian to ensure that each meal is nutritionally balanced and satisfying. Bistro MD believes in long-term results, so weight loss is likely to be within or just slightly over the recommended rates of 1-2 pounds lost per week.

One downside to this program is the price tag, with a daily price of at least $25 depending on which plan is chosen. Customers are paying for convenience with Bistro MD, as fresh meals purchased and prepared themselves would be far below the $25/day cost.

Bistro MD promises its foods are scientifically formulated as well as tasty for safe and effective weight loss. We had to know, does it live up to this claim? With our samples, dietitian insight, and our taste buds plenty hungry, we headed to the microwave to see how Bistro MD really stacks up.

Click through to see our in-depth Bistro MD Taste Test

View Bistro MD Taste Test Slideshow

Transformation Diaries’ Simona Owns Her Weight Loss Journey for Herself

On May 23, GNC and Discovery Fit and Health announced the launch of “Transformation Diaries,” a web series following four women with health and weight loss goals through their journey.

One of those women is 31-year-old Simona from Washington, D.C. who is working to lose weight and set healthier habits after the birth of her second child. Simona is on her way to success, despite the complications of being a working mom with very young children, and she took a quick break to answer some of our questions.

What was the most concerning part of the game plan for you when you started?

The plan required a lot of significant change, which concerned me given that we were already introducing so much change to our family with the new baby. It also required me to balance my needs against those of my family, which was difficult for me personally.

How do your children interfere with your goals and plan?

For me personally, children and family come first. That means that I need to think about what my children’s schedules, likes/dislikes, and needs before I think of my own. The lack of a schedule with a newborn in particular kept me from establishing a good fitness routine initially because I could never predict exactly when she would wake for feedings. Additionally, the stress of childbirth was harder this time than it was last time, so I wasn’t cleared by my doctor for exercise until about eight weeks after the baby was born. (more…)

3 Ways to Keep America Beautiful, Healthy, and Vibrant

More than 200 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence we still celebrate with parades on Main Street and decorate with the red, white, and blue. From hot dogs and potato salad to roasted marshmallows around the campfire, Americans do not take the Fourth lightly. As dusk appears, the boom of fireworks and the dazzling spectacle of illuminated ash will light up the faces of generations of people who are proud to call America their home.

With current fire dangers in parts of the southwest, incidences of obesity on the rise, and an environment that desperately needs tender loving care, it might be of interest to those who truly love America to evolve their celebratory behaviors.

We’ve got just a few suggestions to help keep America the beautiful, healthy and vibrant country that we all love so dearly. (more…)

8 Ways to Eat Watermelon – Summer’s Most Perfect Fruit

Happy Fourth of July! If you haven’t lit a sparkler and stocked up on watermelon, you’re just not doing it right.

Watermelon
is so hydrating and so filling that it might be summer’s most perfect food. That bold red hue is a sign that each bite is full of cancer-fighting lycopene, the most of any fruit. Each chin-drowning juicy bite of watermelon also boasts generous amounts of vitamins A, C, and B6. As well, watermelon is a rich source of potassium, an important electrolyte especially during these hottest days of summer.

The best way to enjoy watermelon, one of three super-healing summer melons, is to refrigerate and make thick slices for everyone to eat as-is. However, watermelon’s unique flavor, stunning color, and wide availability make it simple to incorporate in to a number of recipes.

If you’ve got more watermelon on your hands than you know what to do with this summer, start checking off these recipes:

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Watermelon Honeydew Kabobs (more…)