Slow and sneaky weight gain usually happens over time — on average one pound a year — so it’s not always obvious at first, especially if you don’t regularly weigh yourself. But if this weight creep goes unnoticed year after year, by middle age, your middle may lose the sleek look you had when you…  read on >

If you’d like to lighten up on carbs without compromising the taste of dishes you love, make cauliflower “rice” your go-to substitute ingredient. Cauliflower is among the healthiest of all vegetables, high in vitamin C, fiber and folate. “Ricing” it simply means pulsing it in a food processor until chunks become the size of rice…  read on >

Socializing with friends is great for physical and emotional well-being, but if all of your get-togethers are at restaurants or bars, it can be hard to stick to a healthy eating plan. Try these ideas for having fun without placing the emphasis on food. Both you and your friends will benefit. Turn your brunch group…  read on >

Cooking with your child will help build confidence in tasting the unfamiliar, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. By exposing your child to different types of food, you will boost the child’s willingness to try new dishes. The academy mentions these additional potential benefits: You can help your child boost senses besides taste. Use cooking…  read on >

MONDAY, Jan. 28 2019They’re cute, but cuddling a pet hedgehog could transmit potentially deadly salmonella, U.S. health officials warned Friday. As of Jan. 23, “11 people infected with the outbreak strain ofSalmonellaTyphimurium have been reported from eight states,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nobody has died, although one person needed…  read on >

When counting calories, don’t forget those in beverages. You might not realize how many you’re drinking. For instance, if you have a fancy coffee to start your day, a large soda with lunch and sweet tea with your afternoon snack, you could tally up hundreds of calories before you factor in your first bite of…  read on >

American parents aren’t sure whether their teen and young adult children should be prescribed opioid painkillers, and many don’t know there are other ways to get pain relief, a new survey finds. The poll included more than 1,000 parents of children aged 13 to 24, one-third of whom had been prescribed opioid painkillers. While more…  read on >

If you have arthritis, there are foods that may help you feel better. A diet that’s rich in vitamins and minerals, and includes fruits, lean proteins, fish, vegetables, nuts and healthy oils may be most beneficial, the foundation says. But it cautions against changing too much, too soon. Gradually swap out ingredients at each meal,…  read on >

Weight loss wisdom suggests chewing every bite 15 or more times to give your brain time to process what you’re eating and send the signal that you’re full. Now a group of studies has found that counting the bites themselves could be an effective way to lose weight. Knowing that dieters often underreport how many…  read on >

Just because a medication is available over the counter doesn’t mean it won’t have side effects or pose other dangers. One example is PPIs, a popular type of heartburn medication that can harm the kidneys, especially when taken long-term. Heartburn is the result of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, the tube that goes…  read on >