Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD

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7 Foods to Eat for Muscle Support

As you try to lose weight, you don’t need to focus solely on the scale. Maintaining healthy muscles and preserving muscle mass also play a crucial role in weight loss, as strong muscles can boost your metabolism.

“Simply stated, muscle burns more calories than fat,” says Katrina Mattingly, MD, a board certified obesity medicine specialist and chief medical officer of Options Medical Weight Loss. Dr. Mattingly also says your metabolism can slow down as you start to shed extra pounds. Building or...
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What Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Order at Starbucks

Starbucks may be best known for serving up coffee in its signature cup, but it also boasts a massive menu filled with sandwiches, snacks, and desserts, and offers more than 170,000 ways to customize your drink, according to Starbucks itself. So when you’re looking for healthier options, navigating the many available choices can get confusing.

Though some Starbucks items are high in sugar and calories, there are plenty of bites and beverages on the menu that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced...
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How to Eat Pizza While Trying to Lose Weight

Cheesy, chewy, and full of flavor, fresh-from-the-oven pizza is one of few dishes that is universally adored and delicious. Unfortunately, it gets a bad rap as being “unhealthy” and is usually one of the first foods cut from most weight loss diets.

Luckily for pizza lovers, there’s no need to give up your favorite pie, even when you’re looking to lose weight. Here, we take a closer look at how you can include pizza in your regular rotation without derailing your diet, according to experts.

In...
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6 Essential Tips for Healthy Grilling

Many people love grilling on a summer day — especially on holidays such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or Labor Day. But while grilled meats are tasty, you may want to ensure they also align with your health goals. 

We asked Michelle Rauch, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and Laura Isaacson, RD, senior director of clinical dietetics at Vida Health who is based in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, to share how you can stay healthy when you fire up the grill this s...
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7 Healthy Carbs That Can Help You Lose Weight

With the rise of popular eating patterns like keto, you might think you need to avoid carbs completely if you want to lose weight. Yet many healthy carb foods can fit into a balanced diet.

So, what are these “good carbs”? Let’s take a closer look at seven good carbs for weight loss, according to registered dietitians.

Carb count: 39.4 grams (g) in a 1-cup serving size, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

With over 8 g of protein in each cooked cup, per the USDA, quinoa doubles as a
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Mercury Levels in Fish: What to Know and How to Choose Wisely

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, fish can be an awesome addition to a balanced diet. It’s also low in calories and rich in satiety-boosting protein, which can be helpful for managing your weight.

Yet some types of fish contain more mercury than others, which can be harmful to health. Varieties like king mackerel and swordfish have the highest amounts, whereas popular choices like salmon, pollock, and hake rank as the lowest in mercury.

Whether you’ve been advised to limit y
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Dietitians on How to Increase Protein in 7 Popular Breakfasts

Increasing your protein intake at breakfast time can be helpful if you’re looking to lose weight. Consuming high-quality proteins that contain the essential amino acids your body needs (from foods like meat, eggs, or milk) can increase feelings of fullness, studies show, as well as give you more energy and boost your metabolism to get your day off to a good start.

“I always advise my patients to eat at least 20 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast, which will also help to balance blood sugar and
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Your Guide to Plant-Based Diets for Weight Loss

Plant-based diets prioritize plant foods while reducing your intake of animal products, such as meat, eggs, and dairy. In this guide, we take an in-depth look at plant-based diets and whether or not they can help you lose weight.

The term “plant-based diet” refers to any eating pattern that puts plant foods (like fruits and veggies) front and center. Vegan and vegetarian diets are specific plant-based diets, and there are less restrictive approaches as well, like the flexitarian diet.

How ofte
Forbes •

5 Supplements To Reduce Cortisol, According To Experts

Several supplements may help maintain healthy cortisol levels and manage stress. However, before starting any new vitamin or herbal regime, it’s important to speak with your doctor to make sure there are no contraindications with certain medications you may be taking.

Below are a few of the top supplements to lower cortisol, according to experts.

“Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that has been linked to lower serum cortisol levels and a better sense of stress management,” says Dr. DeCesaris.
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Is Calcium a Micronutrient?

It’s no secret that calcium can help build strong, healthy bones. What else can it do? And what, exactly, is calcium? A micronutrient, a vitamin, a mineral, or something else altogether?

Here, dietitians break down why calcium is important, what its role is in weight loss, and how you can increase your intake while staying on track with your dietary goals.

Calcium is a mineral, similar to other minerals you might have heard of, like phosphorus, iron, and sodium. It’s found naturally in a varie
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Which Nut Is the Highest in Protein?

If you want to lose weight, you may want to snack on nuts. Versatile and full of flavor, many nut varieties are packed with protein, which has many benefits. “Not only does research show that [protein] keeps you satisfied and less likely to overeat, but it also helps preserve and even build muscle mass as you lose weight,” says Lose It! in-house registered dietitian Anna Smith.

However, the nutritional value of nuts does range quite a bit, making some a better choice than others. While peanuts
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9 Healthy Staples to Have in Your Pantry at All Times (and How to Use Them)

Whether you’re looking to lose weight, improve your health, or simply round out your diet and simplify meal prep, keeping lots of nutritious ingredients in your kitchen is key. Stocking up on affordable pantry staples is especially important; not only do these items typically boast a longer shelf life, but they’re also easy to include in a variety of recipes, from snacks to side dishes to mains and more.

Below, dietitians reveal their top 9 must-have healthy pantry staples, along with how to ad
Forbes •

Weight Loss Plans For Women To Try In 2024

What Weight Loss Plans Are Available for Women? There is seemingly an endless amount of weight loss programs available for women, from pre-packaged meal delivery services promising quick results to bootcamp-style workout routines and diet regimens. Some popular plans, such as the Mediterranean diet, plant-based diet or low-carb diet, provide general guidelines of which foods you should eat and avoid to support weight loss and overall health. Meanwhile, commercial programs like Weight Watchers (W
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Why Your Support System Is Key to Weight Loss, Plus How to Build One

Weight loss can often be a long and challenging process, filled with ups and downs — but you don’t need to face it alone. In fact, research suggests having more people in your corner can help you stay motivated (1) and set you up for long-term success (2). Here’s a closer look at how having a strong support system can help you lose weight, plus a few ideas on how you can build your own.

How Support Systems Help With Weight Loss

If weight loss is your goal, having a solid support system in plac
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7 Best Substitutes for Chocolate Candy This Valentine’s Day

Love is definitely in the air, isn’t it? It’s easy to tell Valentine’s Day is approaching from the heart-studded cards, roses, and teddy bears popping up everywhere — not to mention the boxed chocolates.

Yet even though chocolate candy is a staple this time of year, this sweet treat can also be high in calories, fat, and added sugar. So what can you substitute for chocolates on Valentine’s Day?

Luckily, there are plenty of other options to help you celebrate, all of which are every bit as deli
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Can Allulose Help With Weight Loss? Plus Benefits, Downsides, and Safety

If you’ve ever wished you could partake in your favorite sweets while still shedding pounds, you’re definitely not alone.

Enter allulose: a sugar substitute that may help you do just that. With just 10 percent of the calories found in table sugar (along with about 70 percent of the sweetness), allulose may seem like every dieter’s dream.

Not only that, but this sweetener is naturally found in several food sources — including raisins, figs, and molasses — and may even be tied to a few possible
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The 7 Most Sustainable Diets to Start in 2024, According to RDs

Have you ever started a new diet only to give up because it left you feeling hungry, drained, and defeated? You’re not alone. The truth is there are tons of eating plans out there, but few are sustainable, easy to follow, and effective.

A “sustainable diet” is one you will stick with for a lifetime, so it should offer all the nutrients your body needs. It should also bring other benefits to the table, whether that be weight loss, disease prevention, or simply a better relationship with your foo
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6 Weight-Loss-Friendly Winter Foods

Trying to lose weight in winter is tough — nonstop seasonal celebrations and seemingly endless treats make it hard to stay on track. And let’s be honest, as the weather turns chilly, wouldn’t we rather just bundle up inside with our favorite indulgent snacks and put off weight loss until spring?

Yet, plenty of healthy foods come into season during winter that can make wonderful additions to your menu without completely derailing your diet. Below, two nutrition experts recommend the best winter
Forbes Health •

Best Multivitamins For Teens Of 2024

Multivitamins can be a simple and effective way to help round out a teen’s diet and provide important nutrients that they might be falling short of. This is especially important for teenagers with increased nutrient needs, strict dietary restrictions or picky palates. Fortunately, there are several multivitamins on the market tailored specifically to teens, which can help them get all of the vitamins and minerals they need.

To determine our best multivitamins for teens ranking, the Forbes Healt
Forbes Health •

Best Iodine Supplements Of 2024

Iodine is an important mineral necessary for the production of thyroid hormones. While most people are able to get enough iodine from food sources, some individuals—including vegans, people who are pregnant and those living in certain areas with low levels of iodine in the soil—may be at a higher risk of deficiency. If you’re at risk of an iodine deficiency, an iodine supplement might be worth considering—but how to choose amid the myriad of options on the shelves and online?

Forbes Health is h
Forbes •

Does Forskolin Help You Lose Weight?

Does Forskolin Help With Weight Loss? “Forskolin is often highlighted for its potential in aiding weight loss by stimulating fat release from cells,” explains Praveen Guntipalli, M.D., a board-certified physician in internal medicine and obesity medicine and owner of Sanjiva Medical Spa in Dallas. Forskolin is believed to work by activating an enzyme called adenylate cyclase, says Benjamin Gibson, Pharm.D., a pharmacist and certified functional specialist based in San Antonio. This can increase
Healthline •

Black-Eyed Peas (Cowpeas): Nutrition Facts and Benefits

Black-eyed peas are highly nutritious and offer many health benefits, including weight loss, heart health, and digestive health. Black-eyed peas, also known as cowpeas, are a common legume cultivated around the globe. Despite their name, black-eyed peas are not peas but rather a type of bean. They’re generally very pale in color and feature a large black, brown, or red spot that resembles an eye. Black-eyed peas have a strong, savory flavor and are often considered a staple in both Indian and tr
Forbes •

What Is Water Fasting? Benefits, Risks And More

Water fasting is a practice that requires abstaining from food altogether and consuming only water, sometimes for up to several days at a time. Some people try water fasting to improve or maintain health. Other purported health claims include reduced inflammation, decreased oxidative stress and increased lipolysis, which is the breakdown of lipids. Who Should Not Water Fast? Water fasting is not recommended for everyone, according to Kaytee Hadley, a Richmond, Virginia-based functional medicine
Forbes •

8 Best Substitutes For Heavy Cream, Recommended By Experts

Whether you’re fresh out of heavy cream or are looking for a vegan or lower-calorie alternative, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are a few of the best heavy cream substitutes, according to experts.

“Greek yogurt is a healthier alternative to heavy cream that can add richness and tanginess to a dish,” says Allyson Brigham, a registered dietitian and founder of The Sweetitian, a small-batch macaron bakery in Thousand Oaks, California. In addition to enhancing the texture of dishe
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