sugar

While sugar substitutes (like stevia, Splenda, Equal and Sweet’N Low) may seem like an enticing way to save calories, there’s still a great deal of confusion and a lack of consensus about their purported health benefits. No-calorie sweeteners are typically hundreds of times sweeter than regular...

About half of bloating and gas woes are caused by swallowed air — the other half is due to what you’ve had to eat or drink. When the gastrointestinal tract can’t move food through efficiently, or is unable to digest a particular nutrient, gas builds up in the lower intestine, causing bloating...

When trying to eat healthier, one common strategy is opting for more nutritious versions of foods you already eat. For example, you might choose whole-grain bread in lieu of traditional white, or swap sweetened yogurt for plain protein-rich Greek yogurt topped with fruit. And since sugar and...

If you insist that everything you consume must be interesting, delicious, and pleasing, then you will never feel, look, and perform the way that you want to unless you’re willing to change your diet. I should probably say that again in a different way: if we want to create change, we must...

Every now and then a regular or diet soda can be an enjoyable part of a well-balanced diet that doesn’t put anything off limits. But regular soda often gets a bad rap for its added sugar content, while diet soda has health risks due to artificial sugars, so it can be confusing to decide between...

When trying to lose weight or manage insulin resistance, you may think it’s important to avoid any type of sugar. However, unlike sodas, candy and other highly concentrated forms of sugar, naturally occurring sugar found in fruit has been linked to decreased chances of obesity and other...

Entering a coffee shop these days can be complicated — there’s at least four different kinds of milk to choose from, varying brews, hot or iced and just when you think all of your decisions are made, a plethora of sweetening methods. The latest on which artificial or natural sweetener is...

Most dietitians will tell you that, generally speaking, it’s easy to get enough protein from whole foods alone. But sometimes — if you’re struggling to meet your protein needs on a plant-based diet, trying to build more muscle or are crunched for time, protein drinks offer a handy solution...

Many people instinctively reach for something sweet to start their mornings, whether it’s streusel-topped muffins, maple-brown sugar oatmeal, honey-clustered cereals or even vanilla and pumpkin-spice flavored lattes. These options can provide a quick burst of energy, but often leave you crashing...

Sugar is often maligned for a host of chronic health problems, most notably heart disease. Not only can consuming too much stand in the way of your goal to lose weight, but it can also crowd out good-for-you, nutrient-rich foods from your diet. Despite the warnings, many people still overdo it...

Many people who commit to healthy eating also indulge in a cheat day, where they take a break from regimented eating. While some experts say they can help keep you on track (especially as part of an 80/20 mentality where you eat more nutrient-dense foods 80% of the time and enjoy indulgences the...

If you’re trying to lose weight and eat healthier, chances are you’re well aware of the benefits of logging your food. While setting calorie goals and balancing macronutrients are largely tried-and-true tools, one metric is a bit more controversial. Enter net carbs, aka “impact carbs” or...

Right now, advertisements for fad diets are everywhere, promising quick results if you overhaul your diet and take drastic action for a few weeks. Real talk: It’s a trap. Shed pounds too quickly, and it’ll come back, which can affect your metabolism, making losing weight even more difficult...

While there’s nothing wrong with indulging in a craving for a scoop of ice cream or margarita every so often, too much sugar has negative health effects and can be detrimental to weight loss. The FDA recommends getting no more than 10% of your daily calories from added sugars, and defines them...

Is what you drink affecting your ability to lose weight? The short answer is yes. Liquid calories play a huge part in our health, and the amount you consume is directly related to your ability to control the number on the scale. Beverages go down quicker and easier than food. But that’s also...

If you’re regularly feeling “off” and struggling to lose weight despite your best efforts, one sneaky culprit might be your blood sugar levels. “Your blood sugar plays a big role in how you feel day-to-day. It can affect your stress response, sleep, appetite and energy,” explains Krista King...

Most dietitians will tell you that, generally speaking, it?s easy to get enough protein from whole foods alone. But sometimes ? if you?re struggling to meet your protein needs on a plant-based diet, trying to build more muscle or are crunched for time, protein drinks offer a handy solution...

Sugar. It’s an ingredient long demonized by physique-conscious athletes, but is it always as bad as it’s made out to be? After all, you’ll find added sugars on nutrition labels for everything from sports drinks to energy gels and protein bars, all of which are geared toward athletes. While...

Diabetics are often advised to exercise to lose weight, yet working out can often be a double-edged sword for people with the condition. On the one hand, weight loss can help lessen the severity of some of the symptoms and, in some cases, put diabetes in remission. On the other, exercise...

Sugary beverages are, without a doubt, one of the leading causes of the ever-growing obesity epidemic—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states more than half of Americans drink a sugary beverage, defined as a drink that’s 5 percent or more sugar, every day. How bad is that for your...