The Leaf | Healthy Weight Loss Blog

You likely already know that eating a diet that is varied will help you to naturally get a wide range of important nutrients. But are you also fitting some fermented foods into that variety? If you’re like a lot of people, the idea of fermented foods might be new to you. However, research continues to point toward fermented foods being good for gut health and your immune system. That makes this a food type absolutely worth fitting into your diet. Fermented Foods for Gut Health and the Immune System In recent years, scientists have been learning more and more about the importance of gut health. We already know that the gut is made up of trillions of microorganisms that participate in digestion as well as overall health and wellbeing. In a new study out of Stanford School of Medicine and published in the journal Cell , researchers found that a diet rich in fermented foods enhances the diversity of gut microbes. So what are fermented foods? According to researchers, “Eating foods s...

Are you a potato lover? The truth is potatoes get a bad rap but they actually offer many wonderful nutrients that can make them a great addition to a healthy diet. They’re packed with vitamin B6, vitamin C and fiber, says Healthline. Plus, they are a great source of potassium. Make those potatoes sweet potatoes and you’ve got even more vitamin C, B6 and fiber, plus an abundance of vitamin A. Despite being nutritious, those health benefits can quickly become negated when potato recipes are fried or prepared with butter, full-fat sour cream or cheese. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to prepare potatoes to keep the health factor intact and not sacrifice any of the flavor! Here are 20 of our favorite and unique “spudtacular” potato recipes that can be baked, mashed or roasted for a healthy weight loss meal. 6 Budget-Friendly SmartCarbs to Stock Up On Read More 1. Roasted Rosemary Sweet Potatoes > Roasting brings out some absolutely delicious flavor in vegetables by cara...

Looking good is great, and as good a reason as any to get in shape. But feeling great is even better. Keeping up with your kids, an increased stamina and smiling in strength rather than wincing in pain are all amazing rewards. And the commitment to moving your body is more important every year. That’s because as we age, our bodies start to, well, change. As men hit their late 30s and early 40s, testosterone levels fall one- to two-percent per year . Your bones , while not as susceptible to osteoporosis as women, become weaker and more susceptible to breaking. You lose muscle, too—as much as three to five percent per decade after age 30. According to Harvard Health Publishing , “Most men will lose about 30% of their muscle mass during their lifetimes.” And, of course, we stiffen up: According to the National Institutes of Health , about 80 percent of adults experience lower back pain during their life. So we sit a lot more—and that can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke ....

Handling the temptations of Thanksgiving? No sweat. You got this. You have your plan and your recipes—nothing is going to send you off the rails this season. Except for one thing. You’re not in charge of the Thanksgiving meal this year. You’re going to someone else’s feast, someone who is probably not going to be giving a thought to the fat, sugar and calorie content of the meal except to think “more is better.” On the plus side, you won’t be nibbling and tasting while you’re cooking. That may save you some sneaky calories. But there’s no getting around it: Thanksgiving dinner is almost always a calorie bomb. Without drinks and dessert, the average Thanksgiving meal is about 3,000 calories, according to the Calorie Control Council . That’s about 500 calories shy of what you have to consume to gain a pound. So how are you going to lose weight when just one meal of the day seems designed to go directly to your thighs? Have another plan. This one will involve Nutrisystem’s Flex meal...