Certain foods, such as caffeine or alcohol, have the potential to trigger AFib. A diet that promotes heart health may help manage and reduce the symptoms of this condition. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a type of arrhythmia that affects the upper chambers of the heart. The electrical impulses that control these chambers fire in a disorganized way, leading to an irregular heartbeat. AFib itself is not a life threatening condition. However, it can increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, […]

Maintaining a heart-healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for people in the United States. What are heart-healthy foods? Beyond individual foods or nutrients, heart-healthy dietary patterns can significantly boost your cardiovascular health. What you eat can influence many aspects of heart health, including blood pressure, inflammation, cholesterol levels, and triglycerides. A heart-healthy eating style emphasizes minimally processed vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans. […]

If you’re borderline diabetic, paying attention to what you eat and limiting the amount of sugar you consume is crucial. In some cases, the culprits are obvious; you likely know not to overindulge in sugary desserts and candy. However, there are some seemingly “healthy” options that could actually raise your risk of diabetes. In many cases, fat-free foods are actually loaded with sugar. For this reason, it’s always important to be conscious of the ingredients in everything you’re consuming, especially […]

The most important thing when losing weight is establishing a healthy, sustainable calorie deficit while maintaining adequate nutritional intake. Limiting the intake of high calorie, low-nutrient foods can help people reduce calorie intake while maintaining a healthy, balanced diet. Below are examples of common foods that people may wish to limit. Sugary beverages Many beverages, such as sodas, sports drinks, and fruit juices, are very high in added sugars but often low in other nutrients. Consuming these beverages adds calories […]

Getting rid of a not-so-trim midsection can seem like an uphill battle. From diet to exercise to all-around healthy lifestyle choices, losing weight and slimming down your belly takes hard work and dedication. There’s no need to deprive your body of the foods you love most or spend countless hours in the weight room, but you do need to come up with a sustainable game plan that works best for you—and stick with it. Making tweaks to your shopping list, […]

As per a study published in the journal, PLoS One, obesity is increasing at a high speed and with the way things are looking, more than 30% of males and 27% of females will be overweight by the year 2040. While the percentage of those in the Obese category will be 9.5% males and 13.9% females. In fact, as per a recent report by the World Obesity Federation, “More than half of the world’s population would be overweight or obese […]

Looking at nutrition labels can be confusing, as foods with high amounts of total fat won’t necessarily make you fat. Saturated fat and trans fat are two artery-clogging types that you should severely limit in your diet, but monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats (with the latter including heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids) are actually good for your health, as they may lower bad (or LDL) cholesterol levels and raise good (or HDL) cholesterol levels. To help you differentiate between the types, […]

A low carb diet typically has you limit bread, sweets, and starchy vegetables. Certain types of fruit may also be high in carbs. Carbs are an important source of energy and one of the three main macronutrients in our diets, along with fat and protein. Not only do carbohydrates fuel your brain and cells throughout your body, but they also regulate digestive health, appetite, cholesterol levels, and more. Still, many people choose to limit their carb intake. Researchers have linked […]

The DASH diet is a nutritional intervention for lowering blood pressure. “DASH” stands for “Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.” The DASH diet generally emphasizes a high intake of fruits, vegetables, low-fat or nonfat dairy, nuts, seeds, lentils, beans, and whole grains. It limits the consumption of red and processed meat, sweets, soda, and sodium (salt). This article will explore the ins and outs of the DASH diet, including its health benefits and how it compares to the Mediterranean diet. A […]

Comment on this story Comment Q: How do I know if my salad is actually healthy? Which ingredients should I add to my salads, and which should I avoid? A: Salad is usually a healthy food, but only if you add the right combination of ingredients and stay away from store-bought bottled dressing. To build a great salad, start with lettuce or leafy greens. It may surprise you to learn that the type of greens you choose doesn’t really matter […]