The Leaf | Healthy Weight Loss Blog

We’re all different. From our head to our toes and everything in-between, humans are all individuals with unique qualities that make us who we are. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss. How and where you carry your weight is an important factor to consider when trying to drop pounds and reach your goals. That’s why Nutrisystem has created personalized plans that consider your personal body type. “Pear shape” and “apple shape” are two of the most common body types. Keep reading to learn more about the pear body shape and what it means for the weight loss journey. What Does Your Body Type Mean? Read More What Does Pear-Shaped Mean? If you’re the classic pear shape, most of your weight is below your waist in your hips, buttocks and thighs. Your waist may be more defined and narrower than your hips and thighs. While body type depends on many factors, women are more likely to be pear-shaped then men, says ScienceDaily. Men

Water does much more for your health than just quench your thirst. It keeps your metabolism working steadily, so you’re burning calories all day—even when you’re “at rest.” It also helps fill you up, so that you’re less likely to mistake dehydration for hunger. Nutrisystem dietitians recommend you get about 64 ounces of water every day. But, that doesn’t mean you have to chug down glass after glass to keep yourself hydrated. The hydrating foods you eat also contribute to your daily intake. Water makes up more than 90 percent of the weight of 10 very popular vegetables. All of them are non-starchy sources of your greens, meaning you can enjoy as much of them as you want and stay on track with your Nutrisystem weight loss plan. Eat them raw or lightly steamed to really maximize their moisture content. Fill up on veggie nutrition with these 10 hydrating foods: 1. Cucumbers Water content: About 96 percent Try this: Substitute juicy “cuke” slices for lettuce in your favorite sandwi

Noticed a lot of cauliflower recipes popping up in your social media feeds lately? It’s no wonder: In June, Time magazine declared that cauliflower is the new “It” vegetable. That’s quite a step up for a vegetable that, for decades, has been broccoli’s boring cousin. Turns out, cauliflower is extraordinarily versatile, which is why cauliflower recipes are all the rage these days. You can mash it like mashed potatoes; rice it like, well, rice; turn it into pizza crust, sandwich bread, faux buffalo wings, “tater” tots, mashed “potatoes,” even grilled “steak.” Suddenly, its mild flavor and interesting texture—crunchy when raw, soft when cooked—has made it the go-to replacement for higher-calorie, high refined-carb foods. Like broccoli and cabbage, cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable. One cup of raw cauliflower has only 25 calories and a filling 2.5 grams of fiber. One serving also supplies 77 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C and it’s a good source of folate, a B-v

Diet gurus, news stories and social media posts tout the latest hype about the right foods to eat when you’re trying to shed extra pounds. Portion control doesn’t get a lot of sexy headlines, but it is as important to your success as what you consume. That’s because excessive amounts of even healthy foods can load you up with more fat, sugar or carbohydrates than you need. The best way to avoid eating too much is to measure out the right size portion every time. Here are seven healthy foods you should always measure: 1. NUTS AND NUT BUTTERS Peanuts, almonds and other kinds of nuts are handy snacks. Creamy nut butters make convenient sandwich spreads and tasty dips. Both are good sources of non-meat protein and healthy fats, supplying you with energy and helping you feel full long after you’ve eaten. Nuts, however, are concentrated sources of fats, so it’s very important you measure them since eating more than a serving at a time loads you up on extra calories. The recommended ser

A good night’s sleep is just as important as a good diet and home exercise plan to help you lose weight. Many studies have found a link between lack of sleep and weight gain. One big reason: Your hormones—specifically the ones that regulate hunger. One study, for example, found that sleep-deprived people had higher levels of the appetite-boosting hormone ghrelin and lower levels of leptin, the hormone that tells you when you’re full. You know what happens when those two are out of balance. Another reason: When you’re tired, your energy levels are likely to make the couch—and not the walking trail—look like the perfect place to be. In fact, a 2008 review study in the journal Obesity found that sleep-deprived people spent more time watching TV than doing something active. 10 Ways Sleep Deprivation Affects Your Health Read More Most sleep experts recommend that you maintain a consistent sleep routine: Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on the weekends; exercis

If you want to make your Saturday super sweet—and super fancy—have some pineapple. Those yellow rings have been a universal sign of the good life and hospitality since the 1700s, according to Southern Living. They’re also a great way to show yourself (and your health) some love, as the benefits of pineapple are countless. One cup of pineapple chunks or rings provides more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin C, which won’t just help you fend off colds, but fight fat: A 2006 study from Nutrition & Metabolism found that exercisers who didn’t have enough Vitamin C burned 25 percent less fat during their sweat session compared to those with the full complement of C. And pineapple can help your post-workout meal go down easier, too: Bromelain, an enzyme found in the fruit, helps with digestion. Best of all, pineapple packs lots of sweetness without blowing your calorie budget: One cup has just 82 calories, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and counts