Snacking Yourself Thin

Snacking has an undeservedly bad reputation. The right kind of snacks can actually help you lose weight by keeping your metabolism moving and preventing you from overeating at mealtime. Women’s Health offers a great set of suggestions for snacking in a healthful, yet tasty way. Check out these specific recommendations for air-filled, thick and spicy snacks at http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-snacks.

Sowing Your Oats

Even plain, oatmeal provides everything you could ask of a meal. It’s a healthy comfort food that also prevents obesity, diabetes and heart attacks. Women’s Health has taken this breakfast stalwart one step further, with four great recipes that add tasty, healthy ingredients to pack even more power into your breakfast. Read the whole thing at http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/delicious-oatmeal-recipes.

Fabulous Fiber

Believe it or not, fiber isn’t just for your grandparents. In fact, fiber can increase health and decrease your waistline. Here’s how: as the indigestible part of natural foods, fiber moves through your system slowly and without depositing significant calories. This makes you feel fuller with fewer calories. To add a little fiber to your diet, eat green salads, beans, brown rice, raspberries, or other high-fiber fruits. In addition to weight-loss benefits, fiber reduces risks for type II diabetes, breast cancer and heart disease.

Spice it up for a Healthy Kitchen

Just a little bit of spice can positively impact your health in a big way. Cinnamon, peppermint, ginger, crushed red pepper, sage and curry can—even in very modest amounts—lower bad cholesterol, raise HDL and decrease blood pressure. Other low-stress, high-impact foods (and drinks) for your health include blueberries, olive oil, red wine or grape juice and nuts.

Healthy Winter Recipes

With winter approaching in the northern hemisphere, many people turn to warm, comfort foods to keep mood and energy high. While there’s nothing wrong with eating hearty foods, you can also make sure those foods are healthy. Epicurious provides a comprehensive offering of winter-friendly, yet healthy foods at http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/healthy/nutritiousdishes/wholesomewintermeals?mbid=rss_epilf.

Heart Healthy Nutrition

The latest issue of Fitness Magazine offers a great recipe for heart health. Featuring foods such as blueberries, oatmeal, spinach and red pepper, this article provides a multifaceted approach to total vascular wellness. Check it out at http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/health/conditions/heart-disease/eat-for-heart-health/?page=1.

Healthiest Foods

Fitness this month offers a profile on the ten healthiest foods on the planet. Among the winners are lemon (for vitamin C), broccoli (for vitamins C and K) and walnuts (for cancer-fighting omega-3 fatty acids). Check the whole article out here: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/the-10-healthiest-foods-on-the-planet/?page=1.

Healthy Breakfast on the Go

Real Simple offers a great, interactive list of healthy breakfast choices for busy people—meaning all of us. Options include a fruit and cheese plate, a low-cal strawberry “shake,” and mini-bagels with fresh ricotta and tomatoes. Check the whole article out at http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1626111-1047596,00.html.

Eat Healthy; Eat Japanese

Japan has a four percent national obesity rate, compared to more than 30 percent in the U.S.A. While a myriad of cultural factors play a role, a low-fat, high-protein diet certainly helps. If you are eating out at a Japanese restaurant, try the following tips from the American Heart Association to get the most out of your healthy choice: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1099. If you’re staying in, Women’s Health this month offers five, great Japanese recipes: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/japanese-food-recipes?cm_mmc=Newsletter-_-2008_Sept_18-_-Nutrition-_-5.Fat.Burning.Recipes.Top.1.

Muffin Comfort

With fall and winter approaching in the northern hemisphere, it’s time to talk muffins. Women’s Health has a great repository of recipes, tips and tricks that help feed the morning sweet tooth. Check it out here: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/healthy-muffin-recipes?cm_mmc=Newsletter-_-2008_Sept_03-_-Nutrition-_-Quick.and.Simple.Muffin.Recipes.Top.1.