The Leaf | Healthy Weight Loss Blog

Waking up after a restful night’s sleep is one of the most pleasant feelings. But when times are stressful, many of us don’t get enough sleep. Being sleep-deprived increases our risk for a variety of serious health problems. Even in the midst of unsettling circumstances, building healthy bedtime habits can help you fall and stay asleep, so you stay well and ready to face whatever challenges come your way. Before we get into the expert advice on sleeping better, let’s explore why it is so important. Sleep may look passive from the outside. However, inside your body many processes are underway. While you snooze, your brain is organizing and storing new information, damaged cells are repaired and replaced throughout your body, essential hormones are replenished and much more, says John Hopkins Medicine. To be sure your body has the time and resources to manage these processes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting seven to eight hours of sleep every nig

This Groundhog Day, Phil saw his shadow—meaning we’ve got six more weeks of snow, shoveling and shivering to go. A steaming bowl of chili is the perfect remedy for this long, chilly winter. And it will do more than just warm you up. Studies have found that eating spicy foods like chili peppers may help you live longer , decrease your risks of heart attack and stroke , and could even help with your weight loss efforts . Spicy chili can increase your body temperature, increasing the amount of calories you burn. And it may also control your appetite over time, so you don’t get hungry again as soon after your spicy meal. Get all these benefits—and a big bowl of flavor—with one of these 13 recipes for chili that are perfect for curling up on the couch as you wait for spring. 1. One-Pot Ground Beef Chili > On Nutrisystem, counts as: 1 SmartCarb, 1 Vegetable, 1 PowerFuel, and 1 Extra One of the best resources for weight loss tips and healthy recipes is you—our Nutrisystem members.

Did someone say sandwich? It’s the classic, go-to lunch item that checks off all the boxes; filling, delicious and easy to make. From ham and cheese to a BLT, the possibilities for sandwich recipe creations are truly endless. However, with so many options to choose from, you also run the risk of turning this lunchtime novelty into a not-so-healthy meal that can derail your diet plan. To avoid overdoing it, we’ve created a guide of tips and tricks for making a healthy sandwich so you can still enjoy your favorite lunch with zero guilt during your weight loss journey! Ready to become a sandwich pro? Check out these seven easy tips for making healthy sandwiches: 1. Make it Open Faced Lessen the calorie and carb load with this simple trick—make the sandwich open-faced. Simply remove the top piece of the bread or bun for a sandwich on the lighter side. You are cutting the calorie count for the bread in half by enjoying your healthy sandwich in this unique way. And what makes this simpl