The Leaf | Healthy Weight Loss Blog

Losing weight in the summertime can be tough. From unhealthy picnic food to drinks at the beach bar, it can be hard to resist the warm weather temptations that try to sabotage your success. However, with a little planning and some simple swaps, you can stay on track with your weight loss goals while still partaking in some summer fun! All you need is some healthy recipes for the grill , some summer-inspired sweet treats and a go-to, weight loss-friendly cocktail that you can sip on all season long. For us, that cocktail is Ranch Water; the refreshing beverage that’s easy to make, easy to enjoy and easy to incorporate into your weight loss plan! What is Ranch Water? In short, Ranch Water is the trendy summer cocktail that’s perfect for chilling out and staying cool in the summer heat. It’s a super simple drink that only requires three ingredients to make: Tequila Lime juice Topo Chico Mineral Water 1 Never had Topo Chico? This refreshing water is a naturally carbonated minera

If green foods scare you, you’ve never had an avocado, or found the right ways to use avocado. There is a reason for all the guac-induced madness that exists in American society today. Little omega-3 pushing miracles, these fruits—yes fruits, not vegetables—pack all of the right nutrition and flavor into any meal. Avocados dish out heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. And, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), a study by researchers at Ohio State University found that the fat from avocados helps people better absorb carotenoids, a type of antioxidant found in many veggies, like carrots, sweet potatoes and spinach. Plus, avocados are a good source of fiber. Talk about a superfood! Avocados have a very delicate taste, making them a versatile addition to any dish. Even if you absolutely despise the color, you’ll find yourself surprised and impressed with how they can rise to the flavor occasion. An eighth of an avocado (or one tablespoon pureed) counts as one Extra o

Cheesecake on a diet? You think of it as the richest, most decadent weight loss no-no you can imagine. But you can give these recipes a big “Yes!” They’re rich, they taste decadent, but you can enjoy them with zero guilt. All of these ridiculously good recipes are absolutely perfect for the cheesecake-lovin’, healthy-livin’ people out there—that’s right, you can literally have your cake and eat it, too, while on your Nutrisystem meal plan! That’s a diet win if you ask us. Check out these five ridiculously good recipes for cheesecake-lovers: 1. No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bites > This is one of the most ridiculously good recipes of all—Cheesecake, chocolate and no baking! Two count as one PowerFuel, so this recipe can be dessert or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up with a cup of tea or coffee. And it’s sooo easy to make. Using a blender or food processor, combine raw almonds, cocoa powder, sweeter-than-sugar medjool dates and sea salt to serve as the crust which you press into c

For about 70 million Americans, a good night’s sleep is as mythical as the tooth fairy and Big Foot. 1 For them, it just doesn’t exist. At any given time, between 10 to 30 percent of the population suffers from insomnia—an inability to fall or stay asleep or poor quality of sleep when they do finally doze off. A good night’s sleep is defined as seven or more hours a night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2 Stress Drives Poor Sleep There are many causes of poor sleep, but stress leads the list. So it should come as no surprise that the coronavirus pandemic—with its deadly combo of health concerns, economic anxiety, disruption of normal routines and isolation—triggered a 37 percent rise in insomnia, along with stress, anxiety and depression, according to a study of almost 6,000 people published recently in the journal Sleep Medicine . 3 The American Psychological Association found in its 2020 annual survey, Stress in America , that stress is not

You hear so much about weight loss these days, whether you’re watching TV, scrolling through social media or talking with friends. Lots of the information about what to eat and not to eat, what to do and not to do, can be confusing or even wrong. These misconceptions discourage too many guys from trying to shed excess pounds or keep them from succeeding. The truth is that the key to weight loss for men is not a secret formula. Here are eight dieting myths and men’s weight loss tips that guys often hear, plus the facts you need to know about them. 1. Myth: I have to sweat extra weight off. Fact: Daily physical activity is an essential part of a healthy weight loss plan. However, exercising alone without changing how you eat is not effective, according to a study, published in the Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders . 1 A 185-pound guy can burn about 250 calories in 30 minutes of vigorous weight-lifting or 330 calories running 3 miles, for example. 2 That’s less than half