Diet and Nutrition

Chelsie Hightower Offers Healthy Holiday Tips and DWTS Workout DVDs

Dancers are notorious for having some of the best bodies in the world. Hours upon hours of cardio can have that effect! Dancing With the Stars pros Chelsie Hightower, Edita Sliwinska and Kym Johnson came together to create two DVDs just in time for the holiday exercise wall that we all run into.

Fat Burning Cardio Dance and Ballroom Buns and Abs are available now. I haven’t tried either of them yet, but I must say that I’m a big fan of dancing to stay fit! Not only does it provide much needed cardio, but it greatly improves the muscle tone, balance and confidence of the individual practicing.

While filming the DVDs, Hightower says that she was “huffing and puffing the whole time” because of the intense drop in activity she experiences in between seasons for Dancing With the Stars. Hightower also told People Magazine her three favorite healthy holiday tips. Besides dancing your butt off any chance you get, Hightower advises:

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Posted on December 16, 2023 by Theresa

Healthy Lifestyle May Prevent Eye Disease

According to a new study, women who do three of the most important things in health- eat right, exercise, and don’t smoke – have a much lower chance of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Participants in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study, as compared to women who were sedentary, smoked and ate processed and fatty foods, were two thirds less likely to develop AMD.

Age-related macular degeneration is a disease that gradually destroys sharp, central vision, which is needed for seeing objects clearly and for daily tasks like reading and driving. While it causes no pain, AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years or older.

The study was a longtime in the making, as the women who were chosen were recruited from a group of people who provided detailed dietary and lifestyle information over a six year period. (more…)

Posted on December 15, 2023 by Jason

Hungry Girl Lisa Lillien Discusses New Show and Healthy New Years Party Ideas

The holidays are upon us and that means needing an extra hour in every day to shop for presents, hang holiday lights and attend festive gatherings. But for Lisa Lillien, a.k.a. the Hungry Girl, she is busy preparing not just for the holidays, but also for the launch of her new television show as well.

Being the gracious gal she is, Lisa took a few minutes out of her super duper busy schedule to talk about her new show and her Hungry Girl tips for surviving New Years in a healthy and low-calorie way.

1. Tell us eager fans about your new show.

SO excited for it! It will air on Cooking Channel on Saturdays at 4pm ET/1pm PT starting January 8, 2024. It’s called Hungry Girl and I think it’s pretty much exactly what HG fans will expect: Lots of recipes, food finds, survival strategies, shockers and more! (more…)

Posted on December 14, 2023 by heather

Four Healthy Holiday Menus Sure to Please

If you’re planning a holiday party, planning the menu is probably the most stressful part of the event (not counting the post-party clean-up, of course). To simplify your party preparations we’ve put together a menu for several festive celebrations, whether you’re throwing a New Year’s Eve Bash, a holiday cookie swap or an open-house soiree.

Potluck Dinner: If you’ve invited each of your guests to bring a favorite dish, you’ll still want to serve a few versatile staples for early-arriving guests.

Rosemary Skewered Chicken: Simple and tasty, you won’t have one leftover.
Stuffed Mushrooms: A simple, classic appetizer filled with the “good stuff.”
Quick Bake Lasagna: Wow, your guests with an easy, pleasing lasagna.
Goat Cheese Salad with Spinach & Tomatoes: A flavorful combination for a great salad.
Almond Biscuit Ring: A great dessert or snack, even for diabetic diners.

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Posted on December 14, 2023 by Maris

Order Your Healthy Snacks Online

You can buy just about anything online these days – even your favorite snacks, granola and cereals. With the click click click of a mouse, I’ve recently come across a few websites that allow you to customize your own snacks, granola and breakfast cereal.

When you customize your snacks online, you’re getting exactly when you want, made fresh to order when you want it, and most offer up nutrition information so you know exactly what you’re eating before you even order.

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Posted on December 14, 2023 by Maris

General Mills to Reduce Sugar in Breakfast Cereals

A lot of food companies have been working toward improving the nutritional profiles of their products. The latest player, General Mills Inc, is lowering the amount of sugar in its breakfast cereals for children to no more than 10 grams per serving from 11 grams a year ago.

This is a move closer to its goal of reducing to single-digit level the number of grams of sugar per serving in all of its cereals advertised to children under 12.

One of the reasons the company has targeted breakfast cereals made for kids is the growing problem of obesity; more children are developing adult health problems such as diabetes and high cholesterol.

General Mills, which also sells Progresso soup and Yoplait yogurt, said it must reduce sugar in tiny, incremental steps, lest consumers notice the difference and stop buying.

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Posted on December 14, 2023 by Maris

Make Your Own Takeout: Thai Spring Rolls

Ordering takeout can be fun and convenient, but from a caloric perspective, it can be any dieter’s nightmare. To lessen the calorie blow that most take-out food delivers, opt to make your own at home.

While some dishes, like vegetables and stir-fry, can be easy to make on your own, some won’t compare to the restaurant-quality versions you know and love.

If you’re a fan of Thai spring rolls, you’ll love these tips from our friend Lynn who blogs at The Actor’s Diet.

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Posted on December 14, 2023 by Maris

The Lean Belly Prescription Combats Stubborn Belly Fat

If you carry a few extra pounds around your midsection, then you’ve probably already heard about the dangers of excess abdominal fat. Medical experts have suggested that carrying excess weight around your middle, rather than around your hips, thighs and buttocks, can lead to dangerous conditions, including certain types of cancer and heart disease.

One such medical professional is Dr. Travis Stork, who frequently notices patients carrying excess abdominal fat when he treats them in the emergency department. Stork, a practicing physician and host of “The Doctors,” has written “The Lean Belly Prescription: The Fast and Foolproof Diet & Weight-Loss Plan from America’s Top Urgent-Care Doctor,” a guide to help you lose dangerous belly fat for good without feeling like you are on a diet.

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Posted on December 13, 2023 by Maris

Rocco Dispirito’s Holiday Eating Guide on the Rachael Ray Show

Tune in this Friday, December 17 to the Rachael Ray Show when popular chef, Rocco Dispirito shares his healthy holiday eating guide.

If you’re at all concerned that indulging in your favorite holiday foods is going to pack on the pounds, this show is a must-see. On the episode, Rocco will help you devise a plan that allows you indulge without the bulge. From recipe swaps to how to choose the healthiest and most low-cal eats at holiday parties, you’ll feel well prepared after hearing Rocco’s proven strategies and ideas. (more…)

Posted on December 13, 2023 by heather

Kim Kardashian Diet Secrets on the Rachael Ray Show

Tune in this Thursday, December 16 to the Rachael Ray Show when Kim Kardashian stops by the show to share her slimming secrets for the new year.

Kim, one of the Kardashian sisters and star of her hit reality show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” is a spokesperson for the diet pill, QuickTrim. The QuickTrim 14 day system is a product that boosts metabolism and claims to help jump-start a weight loss plan. The mega star credits the weight loss system to helping her lose 15 pounds.  (more…)

Posted on December 13, 2023 by heather

Dr. Oz’s 12 Healthy Days of Christmas

Tune in this Monday, December 13 to the Dr. Oz Show when America’s favorite doctor shows you how to have 12 healthy days of Christmas.

There aren’t any maids of milking on this list, but Dr. Oz will tell you how to beat the holiday bulge, have more energy and navigate your way through the holidays stress and weight gain free. With the holiday just a mere 12 days away, Dr. Oz will provide you with 12 healthy tips you can incorporate into your busy routine. In fact, many of his strategies are so effective, you may just find yourself using them long after the holidays are over. (more…)

Posted on December 13, 2023 by heather