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8 Low-Calorie Cocktails That Help You Stick to Your Healthy Eating Goals
http://bit.ly/2DOlj2V You know the feeling: You're catching up with friends over cocktails, and suddenly as you drain your second drink you're thinking, Whoa, how many calories did I just sip? Cocktails are sugary, and sugar equals calories. The good news is, there are plenty of ways to tweak classic recipes so they won’t ruin your healthy diet goals. Below, we’ve rounded up eight of our favorite low-calorie cocktails, so you can fill your glass and enjoy it to the fullest. RELATED: The Alcohol You Can Actually Drink on the Keto Diet Blueberry mint fizz
Impress any guest by adding fancy fruit-filled ice cubes to this refreshing drink by Waiting on Martha. It’s a simple trick that will make you feel like you’re in a high-class cocktail lounge without ever leaving home. Cucumber cooler
It doesn’t get much simpler than this cocktail by Minimalist Baker. Just add lime, mint, cucumber, tonic water, and, of course, gin. The recipe developer describes it like this: “A sophisticated limeade. An upgraded mojito. Cucumber water on steroids.” Yes, please. RELATED: 6 Mocktail Recipes That Make Happy Hour Way Healthier Rosemary-grapefruit vodka spritzer
Who doesn't dream of sipping a cocktail made of citrusy fruit and fresh herbs while sitting under the sun? Thanks to this recipe by Burrata and Bubbles, that dream can become a reality: It calls for grapefruit juice, half a lime, and muddled rosemary. The combo delivers serious flavor (and antioxidants!) without any simple syrup. Skinny margarita
Even when you’re watching your calories, it’s sometimes impossible to resist a zesty margarita. Luckily, with this recipe by The Cookie Rookie, you can enjoy a lighter version of your favorite cocktail. RELATED: The 8 Best Low-Carb Beers You Can Drink Lime-mint kombucha cocktail
If you’re already a fan of what kombucha does for your gut, you’ll go crazy for this recipe by Joyful Healthy Eats. Kombucha has a strong flavor on its own, so it makes for a deliciously tangy cocktail with a slight sangria feel. Triple berry vodka spritzer
This spritzer by Simply Made Recipes proves fewer calories doesn’t have to mean less flavor. It’s made with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries (we know, we’re thirsty already) and lemon-lime sparkling water. RELATED: Is It Unhealthy to Drink a Glass of Wine Every Night? Strawberry mojito
Traditional mojitos are loaded with calories, but The Delicious Spoon has found a way to dial down the sugar without sacrificing that classic taste. Her secret: adding strawberries for sweetness. Rosé sangria
Yep, this rosé sangria by Yummy Mummy seriously tastes as good as it looks. The combination of strawberries, lemon, orange liquuer, and mint makes it light, refreshing, and not overly sweet. It’s sure to be a crowd favorite at your next get-together. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://bit.ly/2GCRyFt January 31, 2019 at 03:24PM
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Can you lose weight with the 7-day GM diet?
http://bit.ly/2CWJURe The GM, or General Motors, weight-loss diet plan involves eating only specific food groups each day for a total of 7 days. In this article, we look at how the diet works, its benefits and risks, and possible meal plans. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today http://bit.ly/O45xlc January 31, 2019 at 01:51PM
Could blocking these immune cells aid weight loss?
http://bit.ly/2GdAfJb The small intestine harbors metabolism-regulating immune cells that can consign nutrients of digestion to fat storage rather than energy use. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today http://bit.ly/O45xlc January 31, 2019 at 12:51PM
How to Get Rid of Excess Skin After Weight Loss
http://bit.ly/2Tw6kQc Losing weight, and keeping it off, can be hard enough. But many people who achieve their goals of slimming down and finding a healthy weight can then be faced with another frustrating factor: loose, baggy skin left over from their larger selves. Excess skin isn’t a problem for everyone who diets or steps up their exercise routine. But the more weight you lose, the faster you lose it, and the longer you were overweight, the more likely you are to experience this side effect. Plenty of people who have lost weight come to accept and love their skin and stretch marks. But for others, loose skin—which often occurs around the arms, legs, neck, and midsection—are not only embarrassing, but extremely uncomfortable or even painful. So what can you do about it? We spoke with Edward Malin, MD, a plastic surgeon with the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Vein Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Here’s what he says works, what doesn’t, and what people should know before they consider surgery. RELATED: This Woman Lost 312 Pounds—but the Real Change Happened After Her Loose Skin Was Removed Why do some people have excess skin after weight loss?In general, skin has some degree of elasticity that allows it to expand and contract around a person’s changing body frame, explains Dr. Malin. But that degree of elasticity is different for everyone and depends partially on their overall health and the health of their skin. It also depends on how much weight a person loses and how fast they lose it. “We don’t really understand completely why some people’s skin contracts better than others, but we do know that excess skin is a common problem for people who lose more than, say, 20 or 30% of their body weight.” People who undergo bariatric surgery and lose a large amount of weight all at once are likely to have some excess skin afterward, Dr. Malin says. Women can also experience excess skin around their stomach after losing weight post-pregnancy—especially if they gave birth to multiples. But excess skin can also happen to people who lose a lot of weight through improved diet and exercise. “We do believe that a slower weight loss is less likely to cause this, because it allows the skin time to contract,” Dr. Malin says. “But we see patients who have lost weight quickly, and patients who have lost weight over time, so there’s really no guarantee.” RELATED: I Had 7 Pounds of Skin Removed After Major Weight Loss—Here's What You Should Know Are there non-surgical ways to treat excess skin?“The short answer is probably not,” Dr. Malin says. “If a patient really wants to get rid of those prominent skin folds that won’t go away no matter how much they exercise or how they eat, there aren’t many non-surgical things that can be done.” Drinking lots of water and staying hydrated can certainly help keep skin healthy, he says. Not smoking, keeping skin protected from the sun, and using moisturizer are also important for improving skin health and elasticity—which may also improve appearance and help minimize things like wrinkles. But none of these techniques will get rid of extra skin folds due to weight loss, he says. Nor will specially marketed creams, supplements, or exercises targeted at certain body parts. (Strength training may help build muscle underneath, but it can’t shrink skin that’s already been stretched out.) RELATED: These Real Women Showed Their Excess Skin to Make an Important Point About Weight Loss What are the surgical options?Surgery for removing excess skin, also called skin excision or body contouring, should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. These procedures involve large incisions, so patients are generally put to sleep using general anesthesia. The extent of the procedure, and the recovery time needed, depends on the body parts involved. Common surgeries for skin excision focus on the abdominal area (abdominoplasty, also called a tummy tuck), the upper arms (brachioplasty, or arm lift), thighs, breasts (for both women and men), and face and neck. Some patients opt for a full “lower body lift,” Dr. Malin says, which tightens the skin around the thighs and buttocks with an incision that runs around the waist. Surgeries that involve larger incisions, especially those around the midsection, may require several days in the hospital. On the other hand, a patient undergoing an arm lift could be sent home that same day. “The recovery time for an arm lift includes compression garments and limited activity—lifting no more than 20 pounds, for example,” he says. Most skin incisions take six to eight weeks to heal, and doctors and patients should follow up closely with each other during this time. Doctors also won’t perform more than one or two skin excision surgeries at one time, so someone who’s lost weight all over may need multiple surgeries, months or even years apart, to remove all of the excess skin that’s bothering them. These procedures can be pricey and often aren’t covered by insurance. However, carriers may approve some procedures if doctors and patients can make the case that excess skin folds were causing pain, rashes, or infections. Some people, in addition to excess skin, also have extra pockets of fat that won’t budge—no matter how much they diet or exercise. In these cases, Dr. Malin says, liposuction (a procedure that removes fatty tissue) can also be performed along with skin excision. RELATED: 57 Ways to Lose Weight Forever, According to Science What to know before you consider surgery for excess skinIt’s not a good idea to undergo surgery for excess skin if you’re still in the process of losing weight—or if there’s a good chance you’ll gain it back right away. “We look to see that a patient is at a healthy weight based on their body mass index or based on their lifestyle and how they feel,” Dr. Malin says. “I want a patient to be at that stable weight for about six months since their weight loss, which gives the body time to get back to equilibrium.” If patients are still overweight or obese even after losing significant weight, a plastic surgeon may refer them to a nutritionist or a personal trainer to help them lose more weight before they address their excess skin. Doctors will also consider patients’ overall health—and may take body measurements and photographs—when determining whether they’re a good candidate for surgery. Women who might still want to have children should not have any type of skin-removal procedure around their midsection. When a patient gains back weight after skin excision surgery—either because of pregnancy or for other reasons—“the effects can be somewhat unpredictable,” Dr. Malin says. Those effects can include stretch marks, widening of the surgical incision, or fat being distributed in unusual places beneath the skin. RELATED: 17 Things No One Tells You About Recovering From Childbirth Body contouring procedures can be performed either in hospitals or in ambulatory surgical centers. “Making sure the facility is accredited and that the doctor is board-certified in plastic surgery is the most important thing,” Dr. Malin says. “And make sure you understand what your surgeon’s goal is: When I meet with patients, I try to articulate, either through photographs or drawings, what I think we can achieve for them.” As with any type of surgery, there are risks—which should also be discussed with your doctor before you make the decision to proceed. Skin excision surgery can cause swelling and pain, for example, and some patients warn that it’s not the quick fix they expected. For many other people, however, these procedures can be empowering and life-changing. “We know that this can be an important part of the weight loss journey that helps patients get their lives and their bodies back,” Dr. Malin says. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://bit.ly/2GCRyFt January 31, 2019 at 12:24PM
How can a vegan diet improve your health?
http://bit.ly/2G3LLrs A new study adds to the evidence suggesting that plant-based foods can boost your health. Vegan meals, the researchers say, help promote good gut hormones. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today http://bit.ly/O45xlc January 31, 2019 at 11:20AM This Diet and Workout Plan Is Supposed to Help You Hit Your Goal Weight in 80 Daysbut Is It Safe?1/29/2019
This Diet and Workout Plan Is Supposed to Help You Hit Your Goal Weight in 80 Days—but Is It Safe?
http://bit.ly/2Rqiicn If you follow weight loss and fitness accounts on social media, you might have noticed an uptick in posts about a buzzy program called 80 Day Obsession. Created in 2018 by Beachbody trainer Autumn Calabrese, it's an 80-day program that relies on customized meals and workouts to help you burn fat and achieve a leaner, more toned shape. What are the guidelines, and why is 80 Day Obession suddenly so popular? (And why 80 days, exactly?) We took a closer look at this plan and asked a nutritionist to help us break down what it's about, whether it can lead to lasting weight loss, and if it's healthy. RELATED: 7 Dangers of Going Keto How do you follow 80 Day Obsession?Like the name suggests, 80 Day Obsession is designed to last 80 days, or a little less than three months. (Eighty is the number of days it takes your body to create a healthy "foundation for fitness," Calabrese recently told Today.com.) Sign up for the program, and you receive 80 different workouts that last from 30 to 60 minutes each. The idea is to do a different routine every day, with each routine building on the previous one so you continue to challenge yourself. 80 Day Obsession also relies on something called “timed nutrition,” as the plan's website calls it, or “eating the right foods…at the right times” to fuel your daily workouts and speed your metabolism. Instead of counting calories, you consume small meals that include protein, carbs, and fat every two to three hours. Also on the diet's menu are the brand's meal replacement shakes. To make sure you're eating the right amount of food, followers use 80 Day Obsession's color-coded portion control containers. One thing that makes this diet different from keto and other trendy plans is that membership is required; it runs $99/year. You could also buy a package that includes workout streaming, a month supply of Shakeology (the meal replacement shake), plus pre- and post-workout supplements, the portion control containers, and a few small pieces of equipment (like sliders and bands) for $240. What are the benefits—and drawbacks?If you’re shelling out that kind of dough at the outset, you need to know what you’re getting yourself into. True to the plan's name, it's supposed to become an obsession with fitness and nutrition that lasts 13 weeks. Already, that's not a great start. “When it comes to overall health and weight loss, having an obsession with anything can be too much,” says Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, MS, RD. An extreme focus on working out, pushing yourself, and what you eat can drive disordered eating behaviors or overexercising, no matter how honest your intentions were at the start, she points out. In terms of the diet's nutrition component, Beckerman sees a few potential snags. While “there is a benefit" to eating smaller meals more frequently because it can help metabolism and keeps your system fueled, Beckerman is not on board with the meal replacement shake and portion control containers. “This plan doesn’t seem to be individualized for people. Everyone’s body needs a different amount of nutrition, making it hard to say if the portion-control containers are appropriate for everyone,” she explains. The shakes may not give your body the nutrition it needs. Also, “the food portion of this wasn’t created by a registered dietitian, which makes me wary of the idea. RDs have extensive scientific research-based backgrounds in nutrition and go through many years of schooling,” says Beckerman. “It’s important to find out where you’re getting your nutrition knowledge from." RELATED: The Best Diets of 2019—and Why the Keto Diet Ranked So Low The emphasis on physical transformation is troubling to Beckerman, because the overall message is about making your body smaller, not to become healthier or more fit. “When someone just focuses on their body, they lose sight of other important things in life—if this is the case, workouts can start taking priority over loved ones, work, and one’s own personal values,” she says. Finally, consider what happens after the 80 days are up. Maybe you lost weight and your abs are more defined. But Beckerman has her doubts about the chance at long-term success, especially considering the obsessive focus the plan endorses. “When individuals see a time limit on something, they are more likely to do it for that length of time and go back to their old habits because when it comes to weight loss, most people want a quick fix,” she says. The bottom lineWhile 80 Day Obsession may result in weight loss and help you achieve a stronger body, the results can be hard to maintain because it's more of a short-term diet, not a healthy lifestyle change, says Beckerman. If you hate counting calories and love working out, and you like the idea of following rigid guidelines, it could be worth a try. Yet the obsessive focus required to stick to the workouts and eating plan can be tricky for many people to sustain. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://bit.ly/2GCRyFt January 29, 2019 at 06:13PM
The 8 Best Low-Carb Beers You Can Actually Drink on the Keto Diet
http://bit.ly/2TjznXm If you're following the keto diet, or just eating fewer carbohydrates, beer (aka liquid carbs) was probably one of the first things you cut out. But there may be days when you just have to have a cold one, and in those instances, low-carb beer is the way to go. Lucky for you, there's a plethora of options out there. Hoppy craft beers, and deep, dark stouts are typically brimming with carbs (and sometimes calories, too), so focus on the "light" beers. They're always lower in carbs than their regular counterparts. That said, some have more carbs than others. And they vary in calories too. “To be labeled as ‘light’ the product needs to have one-third fewer calories compared to the full-calorie version,” explains Taylor C. Wallace, PhD, principal and CEO of the Think Healthy Group and adjunct professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at George Mason University. To help you choose a brew, we've rounded up eight low-carb beers that clock in at less than 100 calories per serving. Plus, they're easy to find on store shelves. Enjoy! Amstel Light Lager95 calories, 5g carbs, 3.5% ABV At 5 grams carbohydrate per serving, Amstel Light is about middle of the road for this category. It's also light on the palate and quite refreshing. Budweiser Select 5555 calories, 1.8g carbs, 2.4% ABV With an aroma of toasted malt and subtle hops, this beer is the lowest of the low when it comes to calories and carbs. And also the only Budweiser brew that’s under our 100-calorie cap. RELATED: Your Ultimate Keto Diet Grocery List Corona Premier90 calories, 2.6g carbs, 4.0% ABV A little pricier than other light beers, this recently-launched line from the famous Mexican company actually clocks in at fewer calories and carbs than Corona Light (which is 99 calories and 5 grams carbohydrate). Heineken Light99 calories, 7g carbs, 3.3% ABV The lighter version of the famous Dutch-brewed Heineken still delivers on taste. But f you don’t care about the booze, Heineken's brand new non-alcoholic beer—Heineken 0.0—will give you that same classic taste for only 69 calories and 4.8 grams carbs. Labatt Premier92 calories, 2.4g carbs, 4.0% ABV This ultra-light lager has 20 fewer calories and 5.5 fewer grams of carbohydrate than Labatt Blue Light. RELATED: The Alcohol You Can Actually Drink on the Keto Diet Michelob Ultra95 calories, 2.6g carbs, 4.2% ABV You won’t automatically get fit drinking this brew, but thanks to its few calories and even fewer carbs, it won’t derail your fitness goals. If you really want to cut back, pick up their 7-ounce bottle: It’s 55 calories and 1.5g carbs. Miller Lite96 calories, 3.2g carbs, 4.2% ABV The “original light beer” (brewed first in 1975), this light pilsner ranks higher than most other light beers on Beeradvocate. Want even fewer calories and carbs? Try Miller Geniune Draft 64, which has just 64 calories per serving and 2.4g carbs. Yuengling Light Lager99 calories, 8.5g carbs, 3.8% ABV If you’re new to light beer, this brew might be the one to start with, as it seems to sweep the category: Its Beeradvocate rating is the highest of the light beers, and tasters dole out plenty of praise for it. RELATED: What Is 'Dirty Keto' and Should You Try It? Don't see a low-carb beer you like?Unfortunately, there's no good indicator—such as bitterness from hops—that can help you ID other low-carb beers. “Obviously if the product tastes sweet, it likely has more sugar and carbs," says Wallace. "But in general, quantities can vary between even similar products." But it will get easier soon: “Beer industry leaders Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, HeinekenUSA, Constellation Brands Beer Division, North American Breweries and Craft Brew Alliance—which produce more than 81% of the beer sold in the U.S.—have agreed to implement labeling of total calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, and ABV by 2020 to help consumers choose healthier options,” says Wallace. Cheers to that. To get more nutrition advice delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://bit.ly/2GCRyFt January 29, 2019 at 01:12PM
How to do the 5:2 diet
http://bit.ly/2TfDh3f The 5:2 diet is a popular intermittent fasting method. It involves eating regularly on 5 days and severely restricting calories on 2 days. Learn more here. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today http://bit.ly/O45xlc January 28, 2019 at 04:01PM
Defeat cravings for unhealthful food in 2 minutes
http://bit.ly/2CNwVRZ According to a fascinating new study, exposing yourself to the smell of unhealthful food might, in fact, reduce your desire to consume it. Weight Loss via Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness News From Medical News Today http://bit.ly/O45xlc January 28, 2019 at 06:59AM
5 Dangers of Doing Whole30
http://bit.ly/2B3HgsO It’s not surprising that the Whole30 diet has a diehard following. Since 2009, the 30-day elimination diet—which cuts out alcohol, sugar, legumes, grains, dairy, and all processed foods—has helped followers lose weight, up their energy levels, and identify the problem foods that make them feel meh. But like any ultra restrictive diet, Whole30 falls short on multiple fronts. “While I like the fact that the diet focuses on whole, minimally processed foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, it eliminates many healthful foods like grains, soy, beans, and lentils,” says Sharon Palmer, RDN, nutritionist and author of The Plant-Powered Diet. From banning certain superfoods to unnecessarily upping protein intake, Whole30 isn’t without flaws. Here, Palmer explains the top five dangers of doing Whole30, plus what the meal plan gets right. RELATED: I Just Finished Whole30 and Lived to Tell the Tale—Here's How I Made It Through It might mess with digestion“The science on the health benefits of soy foods and pulses like beans, lentils, dried peas is overwhelming,” says Palmer. “They’re packed with high-quality nutrients, such as protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.” What’s more, legumes are basically your gut’s best friend. Rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, beans are critical for a healthy gut microbiome, as they help feed the good bacteria in your intestines. So why does Whole30 ban beans? The theory goes that beans contain “anti-nutrients” like phytates, compounds found in plants that can potentially block the body’s absorption of important minerals like magnesium, iron, and calcium. In reality, the health benefits associated with beans far outweigh this potential interaction, and phytates are largely destroyed by food prep methods like sprouting and soaking. “This is one of my key issues with Whole30,” says Palmer. “There is no science to support eliminating these foods.” RELATED: 10 Bean Recipes Packed With Protein and Fiber It could actually induce food sensitivitiesOnce dieters complete Whole30, they enter a “reintroduction” phase during which they add the foods they’ve avoided for a month back into their diet one by one. The point of this phase is to help people pinpoint the food groups that aren’t serving them. For example, if someone eats a bowl of yogurt post-Whole30 and suddenly gets super bloated, it may be a signal that dairy doesn’t sit well with them. The catch? Once you cut foods out of your diet for an extended period of time, it’s possible you’ll react to them when they’re reintroduced, whether you previously had a sensitivity to them or not. “There is some evidence to show that when you shift your diet, your gut microbiota composition and enzymes shift too,” says Palmer. For example, if you cut out dairy, you may drive down the amount of enzymes you have to digest it. “Our bodies are wonderfully adaptive, but sometimes this has consequences.” RELATED: 6 Hearty Whole30 Recipes That Are Anything but Boring It could make cravings even worseEver told yourself you can’t eat dessert and then all you can think about is...dessert? The Whole30 diet is basically a month-long exercise in this very thought pattern, so don’t be surprised if you start wanting all the sweets (or gluten or dairy or wine) while following the strict plan. Why that’s bad: “When you overly restrict the diet, it can set up unhealthy eating behaviors and attitudes,” says Palmer. “If you feel deprived, the diet encourages you to have a strong desire for 'forbidden' foods.” Not only is it no fun to yearn for off-limits eats for an entire month, but it also means you may be more likely to go overboard on them once the program is over. Womp womp. RELATED: 7 Dangers of Going Keto It could heighten your risk of chronic diseasesUnlike plant-based protein sources such as beans, soy, and even whole grains, animal proteins like red and processed meats have been linked to a whole host of chronic diseases. “Numerous studies have documented health risks associated with high meat diets, such as increased risk of type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and heart disease,” says Palmer. Since the majority of Americans already consume about two times more protein than they need on a daily basis, Whole30’s recommendation to swap black beans for bacon is at best unnecessary and at worst dangerous. RELATED: The Best Diets of 2019—and Why the Keto Diet Ranked So Low It's not sustainableWhole30 isn’t meant to last forever. Head to the program’s website and you’ll even see the tagline, “It’s only 30 days.” On the one hand, this one-month focus makes sense: No one should have to ditch grains, legumes, and dairy forever. But Palmer says the 30-day program is problematic as it fails to impart sustainable healthy habits. “A diet needs to be a way of eating that you can maintain for your whole life,” she says. “It should set you up for a healthful, more vibrant life, not just for a period of time of weight loss.” Since it’s pretty much impossible to go through life without ever having bread, pizza, or cookies again, most long-term Whole30-ers end up abandoning the meal plan. Instead of taking an all-or-nothing approach, Palmer recommends simply applying the core principle of Whole30 to your lifestyle whether you’ve tried the elimination diet or not: Eat more whole, unprocessed foods. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter Weight Loss via Weight Loss - Health.com http://bit.ly/2GCRyFt January 25, 2019 at 11:21AM |
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