Healthy diets
Learning Center
Are you a step ahead of athlete's foot?
The fungus that causes athlete's foot thrives in a warm and wet environment. To stay a step ahead of it, follow these tips: 1. Wear well-ventilated shoes that allow your feet to breathe. 2. If your feet get very sweaty, change your socks twice a day. 3. Wear waterproof sandals or shoes around public pools, showers and locker rooms.
Check your weight-loss readiness
Weight loss requires commitment. Ask yourself the following questions to help you determine your readiness: 1. Am I willing to change my eating and activity habits? 2. Do I have the time to spend on making changes? 3. Or am I too distracted by stress and other pressures? Talk to your doctor if you need help addressing stressors or emotions that seem like obstacles to your readiness.
Solutions for weight-loss setbacks
Everyone who successfully makes changes in his or her life has experienced setbacks. It's better to expect them and plan for dealing with them. Identifying potential roadblocks — a big holiday meal or an office party, for example — and brainstorming strategies to overcome them can help you stay on course with your weight-loss goals.
Stressed out? Skip the late show
Getting enough sleep can help you handle the demands of daily life. For most adults, seven to eight hours a night is the right amount. If you're drowsy during the day, your bedtime routine may need a tuneup. Try these tips: 1. Don't go to bed hungry or stuffed. 2. Create a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as taking a bath. 3. Limit daytime naps. 4. Keep your bedtime consistent, including on weekends. 5. Jot down worries and set them aside for the next day.
Trans fat substitutes: Not a slam dunk
Avoiding trans fat? Good for you. But just because a food is free of trans fat doesn't mean it's automatically good for you. Some trans fat substitutes, such as coconut and palm oil, contain a lot of saturated fat. A little saturated fat is OK, but too much raises your bad cholesterol. Monounsaturated fat, found in olive, peanut and canola oils, is a healthier option.
Perfect holiday? Forget about it!
Adding extensive preparations, such as shopping, baking and entertaining, to your usual daily demands can take the joy out of the holidays. Instead, consider scaling back. Focus on the holiday traditions you enjoy most, and skip the rest. Accept imperfections in yourself and in others. Embrace the holiday season with peace and good cheer.
Dreading a family holiday gathering?
Family tension often runs high during the holiday season. Consider this a time to set differences aside. Try to accept loved ones as they are, even if they don't live up to all your expectations. And be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress too.
Holidays don't have to break the bank
Before the holiday shopping season starts, decide how much you can afford to spend. If money is tight, try these alternatives: Suggest drawing names for a family gift exchange. Make gifts, such as certificates for a home-cooked meal or an evening of baby-sitting. Donate canned goods to a local food shelf in lieu of gifts. Remember, the best parts of the holiday season rarely come wrapped in a box. Treasured memories are the gifts that last.
Learn to say no and enjoy the holidays
The holidays can be a stressful time, with many additional events and obligations. Choose your commitments wisely. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and family will understand if you can't participate in every activity. If it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.
What are added sugars?
Beverages such as soda and fruit drinks are a major source of added sugar in the U.S. diet. Added sugars contribute calories but no essential nutrients to your diet. Dietary guidelines recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10 percent of total calories. That's 200 calories for a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet. Consider that a 12-ounce can of soda has upwards of 100 calories from added sugars.