The Leaf | Healthy Weight Loss Blog

Weight loss experts used to warn us that on average, Americans gain seven pounds over the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year. Fortunately, more recent studies have dialed that number back to what looks like a more manageable pound or so. For example, one 2016 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that in the U.S., we put on an average of 1.3 pounds after the holidays. (For those who are already overweight, other studies have found it can be as much as five pounds or more. We are not alone. The researchers, from Tampere University of Technology in Finland, found that packing on pounds over the holidays isn’t a uniquely American problem. Germans gained 1.8 pounds and the Japanese put on an extra 1.1 pounds over Christmas. Everyone also overdid it on national holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Easter and Golden Week, a Japanese holiday that occurs in May. But it’s actually worse than it sounds. A full half of the pounds that Americans and their friends p

If you’re like most people, you would love to know how to lose 10 pounds in a month… or even how to lose more weight than that. What you need to remember is this: Reaching your weight loss goal isn’t a sprint—it’s a steady jog that brings you across the finish line at your own pace. But when you start the journey, you want to know right away that you’re making fast weight loss progress with your smart choices. Waiting weeks or even months to see a difference can be so discouraging. “Studies have shown that early weight loss is a predictor of long-term success,” says Courtney McCormick, MPH, RDN, LDN, Nutrisystem Corporate Dietitian. Ready to learn how to lose at least 10 pounds? Click here to get started with Nutrisystem today! With Nutrisystem’s Body Reboot week, you move right into the fast lane and begin passing milestones immediately. The Body Reboot week is a quick-start weight loss diet plan designed to help speed up your results from the outset. In a clinical study, subjects

You’ve surely heard that fiber is good for you when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. However, you might still be wondering why you should be so diligent about including it in your diet to lose weight. We’ve rounded up the latest science and are here to tell you how fiber and weight loss are connected. What You Need to Know About Macros & Weight Loss Read More What is Fiber? The truth is, there is quite a bit of research connecting fiber to weight loss that should be on your radar. But first, it’s important to understand what fiber is. According to The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, dietary fiber is a carbohydrate found in plant foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. However, unlike other carbs, fiber is unable to be digested by the body. This causes it to pass through the digestive system without causing blood sugar to rise. There are two main types of fiber that we will discuss later. There are some really great ways to sneak more fiber into your

If you haven’t tried an air fryer yet … what are you waiting for? Unlike other TV gadgets that say they slice and dice but don’t, the air fryer is the real deal: Using superheated air instead of oil, the countertop wonder turns out cripsy fried chicken, crunchy potato chips and other fried food favorites with fewer calories and fewer ingredients than store-bought or other homemade options. Meals like these Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks use just three ingredients. So get your hands on an air fryer and start making your favorite fried food for less the calories. Need a place to start? We’ve got you covered with PLENTY of delicious “fried” recipes right here on The Leaf . Did you come from Instagram? Scroll down to the bottom to leave your comment! 11 Instant Pot Recipes You Need to Try This Instant Read More Try these 9 no-sweat recipes (with zero guilt!) that are inspired by fried food favorites: 1. Air Fryer Crab Wontons > Calories per serving: 60 On Nutrisystem, count

Winter can be a harsh time of year for you and your waistline. With shorter days, extended darkness, and frigid temperatures that keep us inside and generally less active, it’s only natural that we seek out comfort in food. Research from the American Society for Nutrition shows that a major percentage of American adult’s weight gain comes during the winter months. Although the New England Journal of Medicine puts the average winter weight gain at just one pound, studies have proven that we can’t seem to shed this added weight post-winter, which can lead to a gradual yet substantial build-up over the years. So if the winter diet doldrums are upon you, just remember that winter and weight gain don’t have to be synonymous. Follow these easy tips to avoid packing on the dreaded winter weight gain: Stay Active. Dear couch potato: Get up! Fight the urge to melt in to your couch when you get home from work. Instead, create an exercise routine, plan it into your day and stick to it. Persi

For many, today is a day full of celebrations. And although a celebratory spread will no doubt be present, it’s important to remember what the holidays are really about. Regardless of what you celebrate, there are certain aspects of all holidays that you shouldn’t take for granted. Here are five things to focus on besides the food this holiday—and every one thereafter: Loved Ones How often do you get to have your distant cousins, your college-age niece and your brother’s new baby all in one room? The holidays have a way of bringing us all together and there’s something really special about that. Take a minute to bask in the beauty of your family. No amount of dessert can make you feel quite as good as they can. Holiday Cheer Ever notice how the world seems a little nicer this time of year? People are doing good deeds and budding you happy holidays. Even during your gatherings with family and friends, there is an air of good will. A year from now, you probably won’t remember what si

Thought you couldn’t enjoy the holidays and keep losing weight? Think again! These easy to assemble festive treats aren’t just adorable, they’re diet-friendly, too! Prep a big batch of them and bring them to holiday gatherings, or have all the ingredients on hand and spend some time with the kiddies or grandkiddies creating them together. Either way, we know you and your fellow party-goers will absolutely adore these perfectly themed holiday eats. So, without further ado, here are nine festive holiday recipes sure to keep you on the “Nice List” this year: 1. Santa’s Cheese Belts > With all the holiday hustling and bustling, who has time to spend hours in the kitchen preparing festive food? If you’re looking for a last minute treat to bring to your holiday gatherings, we’ve got you covered with these adorable Santa Cheese Belts, which couldn’t be any easier to make… or to eat! Requiring just three “ingredients” and taking mere seconds to prepare, these thematic treats are the pe