Has your favorite tabby gotten a tad tubby? You can help that fat cat slim down safely. But be forewarned: It won’t happen overnight. Researchers at the University of Illinois put eight overweight neutered male cats on a diet for 18 weeks. They wanted the cats to lose enough weight to be noticeable but not…  read on >

Highly caffeinated energy drinks aren’t safe for children and teens, and should not be marketed to them, a leading sports medicine organization warns. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) on Friday released an official statement about the beverages. “Energy drinks are extremely popular, and concerns about their consumption are coming from every sector of…  read on >

Does it seem as though the second you try to cut back on calories all you can think about is food? It’s even harder to minimize the role of food in your life if you’re using tasty treats to manage emotions, according to a Finnish study published in the journal Eating Behaviors. People who lose…  read on >

Fruits and veggies are great ways to get important nutrients, try new tastes, and add low-calorie sides to your meals. When fresh isn’t available or affordable, frozen is a healthy option. Look for fresh-frozen fruits and vegetables that have been properly stored, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends. Packages should feel firm. They shouldn’t be…  read on >

Super Bowl Sunday is synonymous with greasy chicken wings, calorie-laden chili, salty potato chips and sugary brownies — but experts say there’s no reason you can’t enjoy tasty fare without sending your body into a nutritional tailspin. “On any given day, you normally consume 7 percent to 10 percent of fat as part of your…  read on >

You may not want to sit down for this. New research finds the mere act of standing burns more calories over time compared to sitting, and anyone bent on weight loss may want to remain upright a few more hours each day. In fact, standing for six hours each day — at a ‘standing desk’…  read on >

Chewing gum has been around since ancient times. Originally made from natural products, today’s gums are combinations of synthetic materials. Some chewing gums may help protect your teeth, the American Dental Association says. The organization says it grants its Seal of Acceptance to companies that provide scientific proof that their products are safe and effective…  read on >

Obesity can change how prescription drugs work, but many medications used to treat children don’t say so on their labels, researchers report. Federal lawmakers offered drug manufacturers incentives to study how drugs affect kids, but many have not provided safety guidelines for those who are obese, the researchers found. In the United States, one in…  read on >

Taking steps to eat a healthier, more balanced diet should be a gradual lifestyle change and shouldn’t be too difficult. The American Heart Association suggests: Do not attempt to change all of your eating habits in one day. By setting smaller goals, such as eating more vegetables and fruit, you are more likely to be…  read on >

Could the so-called Mediterranean diet boost success of infertility treatment involving in vitro fertilization? Maybe, a very small study suggests. Greek researchers report that younger women who followed this heart-healthy eating plan in the six months before trying IVF had better odds of a successful pregnancy than women who didn’t. IVF is the process of…  read on >