Lately, it is becoming more common to see restaurants offering heart-healthy menu options. Subway offers subs and meals approved by the American Heart Association; Applebee's offers a Weight Watchers section on their menu; and TGI Fridays lists "better-for-you" options to guide diners to better choices. However, fast food menus are less likely to provide healthy options, and this can make eating out harder for those trying to follow a heart healthy lifestyle.]]>
Is it really worth the extra cost to lead a more healthy lifestyle? A recent Harvard study found that it costs about $1.50 more each day, or $550 more each year, to eat a “healthy” meal plan. This may seem like a lot if you are already on a tight budget. But if you compare it to the cost of being unhealthy, it may seem more like something you want to do.]]>
Everywhere you turn these days, it seems like someone is talking about all the different things you need to do to take care of your body. With so much attention given to diabetes and other health problems in the United States today, it’s not hard to see why there is so much talking of this kind.]]>
Waistlines these days are bigger than they ever have been. This is true not just in the United States, but around the world. In 2008, there were about 500 million obese and almost 1 billion overweight adults globally.In the US today, about 1 in 3 people are obese, whereas in the rest of the world only about 1 in 10 people are. In addition to being a risk factor for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, and stroke, being obese can increase your risk for dying young.According to a recent study, the larger your waist size, the greater your risk of an early death.]]>
There are many different ways to treat high blood pressure. Like so many other conditions, the best place to start is by eating healthy food and moving more. If this is not enough to lower your blood pressure, you might need to take medicine. Sometimes, more than one medicine will be needed to help your each your target blood pressure number.]]>
Did you know that billions of dollars are spent every year caring for obesity and obesity-related health problems? Plus, being obese makes it more likely that you will die at a younger age or suffer from chronic health problems during your life.]]>
With the increasing rates of diabetes and obesity in the United States today, and the fact that heart disease is the number-one killer, it’s not hard to see why healthy eating trends have become headline news. Some of the most common health news stories are about foods that you “must avoid” if you want to lead a happy and healthy life. Sometimes it’s hard to know what and who to believe.]]>
Do you worry about the health of your heart? Do you want to do something good for your heart and your overall health? To get your heart healthy can start with a single step! Research has found that if you walk just 2,000 extra steps a day it can lower your risk of heart disease.]]>
Is your energy drink pick-me-up putting too much stress on your heart? Energy drinks are widely available, and if you don’t like coffee or soda, energy drinks provide a fruit-flavored way to kick start your day, or keep you going until evening. But, recent research has shown that drinking too many energy drinks can place unnecessary stress on your heart.]]>
Did you know that diabetes medicines work differently for every patient?How your body responds to a medicine can depend on how long you have had diabetes, if you have other diseases, or whether you experience side effects from some of theingredients.But did you know that your sex can alsoeffect the way diabetes medicines work?Recent research has found that one diabetes drug, metformin, may have very different effects in men and women.]]>
There is a lot of talk these days about all the different health problems that are becoming more common in the United States. You might already know some of these facts—heart disease is the number one killer in the US, and rates of diseases like obesity and diabetes are at an all-time high.]]>
People who feel stressed sometimes eat too much and put on weight. Your stress levels may also affect the health of your children.]]>
If you are trying to eat healthy or lose weight, you probably think that you shouldn’t have oil in your meal plan. After all, oil is full of fat, and fat is bad, right? Well, it turns out that not all oil is bad for you, and you actually need good oil in your heart healthy eating plan. Research has shown that corn oil may actually lower cholesterol levels even more than olive oil, the oil popularly known for being “healthy.”]]>
If you’re like most Americans, you probably have your cell phone with you for most of the day. You can call your friends and loved ones, check your email, and even usethe Internet on your phone. Butdid you ever think texting could help you lose weight? A recent study has shown that a texting program that sends healthy tips to your phone could make you more likely to make healthy lifestyle choices.]]>
You’ve probably heard a lot about “health foods,” but have you ever wondered if they really are healthy? Many of these foods may seem healthy at first glance. But, if you don’t read the label, you don’t really know what you’re getting, or whether the food is healthy or not. By learning to read a food label, you can take control of the food you eat and your overall health.]]>