July 23, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC Hot take: The Mediterranean diet is basically Taylor Swift circa “You Belong With Me.” Trendy eating plans like keto are the short skirt-wearing cheer captains in this scenario, while the Med diet is definitely wearing t-shirts and sitting in the bleachers. It’s been here all along, and (this is where my Swift analogy ends) it comes with a laundry list of science-backed benefits. So even if it’s not always at the top of mind, the Mediterranean diet will, to quoth Swift again from a different song, never go out of style. When I think of a typical meal on the Med diet, I imagine just like, a ton of salmon. So following a Mediterranean-style ethos when you’re also vegan may not seem particularly intuitive. But lo! It actually makes a ton of sense. “The Mediterranean diet is a great plan to follow if you’re vegan since the diet focuses mostly on plants, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables anyway,” says Rachel Berman, RD, general manager at Verywell. That’s because the popular eating plan is “more of a lifestyle than a diet, just like being vegan is,” she says. “It’s all about enjoying your food, paying attention to your hunger and fullness cues, and eating a variety of locally sourced wholesome foods.” ad_intervals[‘409544_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409544_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); That said, there are some things you should keep in mind when trying to combine the two eating plans. Here,
Category: 2019 Health
The best IT band exercises to help you avoid injury
July 23, 2019 at 02:06AM by CWC One second you’re running with your hair blowing in the breeze, pump-up jams on repeat, without a care in the world. Then the next, you have pain on the outside of your knee that throbs every time your foot hits the ground. So what gives? It’s likely you’re experiencing one of the most common overuse injuries: ITBS, or iliotibial band syndrome. And spoiler alert: It’s not even a little bit fun to deal with. “The IT band runs from the outside part of the hip across the hip joint and across the knee joint. When that tendon gets too much pressure put on it—and after a combination of too much force and excessive rubbing on the outside of the knee—it gets irritated and inflamed and causes the sharp pain on the outside of the knee called iliotibial band syndrome,” says Jordan Metzl, MD, author of The Sports Doctor’s Complete Guide to Staying Healthy and Injury-Free for Life. “As a sports medicine doctor, this time of year—as people are in marathon-mode—I see at least two or three cases of ITBS a day. It’s a very common injury in runners—ones who are trying to do long-distance running.” ad_intervals[‘406606_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406606_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); While ITBS is common in runners, that’s not the only group it affects. According to physical therapist Danielle Weis, PT, DPT, it’s often seen in individuals who do any sort of repetitive knee bending and
Here’s what to eat on a really long flight, according to a nutritionist
July 22, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC When you’ve been looking forward to your vacation for weeks, the last thing you want is to end up feeling gross once you get there because the flight threw your digestion off. And when your destination is farther than a quick jaunt to the next state over? Forget about it. What’s the deal with that anyway? Why does stepping foot on an airplane automatically equal digestive distress for so many people? According to Sophia Malek, MScN, culinary nutritionist for Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods, there are a lot of factors at play. “A lack of hydration, prolonged sitting, and eating fewer fiber-rich foods can all wreak havoc on your digestion.” “Any time we remove ourselves from our scheduled lives, we open up the possibility of the dreaded traveler’s digestive woes,” Malek says. “A lack of hydration, prolonged sitting, and eating fewer fiber-rich foods can all wreak havoc on your digestion—and that’s if you choose not to have a libation or two.” ad_intervals[‘405226_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405226_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’);}); } }, 100); So before you order that in-flight mimosa or break into a packet of mixed nuts, listen to Malek’s tips for what to eat to keep your digestion happy, no matter how far away you’re flying. Keep reading for the healthy travel snacks and meals Malek recommends for better digestion while flying. Photo: Bob’s Red Mill What to eat First thing’s first: Identifying why your digestion rebels against you as
Is eating raw kale *actually* bad for you? Here’s what the experts say
July 22, 2019 at 04:02PM by CWC Kale is America’s superfood sweetheart, and it’s easy to see why. It’s anti-inflammatory, has been shown to help protect against both heart disease and cancer, and is packed with digestion-boosting fiber, as well as plenty of vitamin C, calcium, and vision-benefiting lutein. It also just so happens to be one of the most versatile foods on the planet. But should you avoid eating raw kale? As a food that’s known for its impressive nutritional profile, there’s really no wrong way to use it. Kale has made its way into salads, smoothies, green juices, tacos, pasta dishes, and more. You can even find it in the chip aisle. And while eating as much of the leafy green as possible isn’t a problem for most people, a handful may need to watch their intake when eating raw kale. While kale itself is an all-star, one thing that gives it its bright and shiny gold star in the health world is also something that can lead to health issues in certain individuals. ad_intervals[‘406617_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406617_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); “Kale gets its super healthy reputation in part because of compounds called glucosinolates,” says Brierley Horton, MS, RD. (Found in all cruciferous vegetables, gluconsinolates are the subject of intense research centered on cancer prevention.) “However, it’s that exact same compound that also can pose a problem for your metabolism.” Glucosinolates can impact your thyroid, which keeps your metabolism under control. It’s
Can you wear out your Birkenstocks, or are they totally invincible? A podiatrist weighs in.
July 22, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC I don’t like feet. I am heavily grossed out whenever people post pictures of their pedicures or whatever on Instagram stories—like, I’m gonna need you to give me a warning so that I can skip your stories for the rest of eternity. This is also probably why I have such strong thoughts about flip flops (and sandals in general, TBH). But weirdly enough, I have been convinced that I definitely need a pair of Birkenstocks. Without a doubt these shoes are ugly, but are they also kind of… secretly cute? Team W+G has differing opinions about this, to say the least. So how did this happen? I am still asking myself this question. Did I suddenly become someone who chooses practicality over aesthetics? (I can hear my entire family LOL-ing as I type this.) My motivation to live la vida Birks isn’t totally clear, but I can tell you that podiatrists love these shoes. “The bottom of your feet is a very small surface area and it, and it supports everything above it, so the more we can stabilize your foundation, the better,” says Dr. Cary Gannon, podiatric surgeon and founder of Aila Cosmetics. “It’s like the foundation of your home—you build the foundation of your home at a cinderblock because it’s got to support everything above it. So if you think of the Birkenstock like a nice supportive foundation, it actually is an incredible shoe.” ad_intervals[‘408027_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready)
Laura Dern’s secret to staying radiant all day is about as low maintenance as it gets
July 22, 2019 at 12:58PM by CWC Laura Dern is radiant. I meet her on a terrace smack in the middle of a New York City heat wave, and I was dripping in sweat, but she was beaming—and wasn’t wearing any makeup. In real life, she’s the complete opposite of Renata Klein (her character on Big Little Lies, if you aren’t familiar). As in: Dern is low-key, super friendly, level headed and warm… and, well, not screaming. (Though she does tell me that she stays sane by “playing characters like Renata Klein.”) So I’m really not surprised to learn that her beauty routine is as low maintenance as she seems. “I’m all about keeping it simple and pure, and saving time,” she tells me, which is why her new partnership with the brand True Botanicals (which is all about using pure, simple ingredients that pack a punch) is such a fit. “I am from a Southern grandmother, and she loved really simple products. She loved using natural herbs and curatives and honey to heal things, so I was raised in that environment. But—she loved her lipstick.” ad_intervals[‘409721_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409721_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); A bold lip is Dern’s go-to… and she pairs it with nothing other than a face oil. “Since I was a teenager and even in my early twenties, I did a film where basically I’m in no makeup and red lips—Wild at Heart—and that was very me,” she says. “I can have no
When people travel to the U.S., they bring an extra suitcase for these beauty buys
July 22, 2019 at 10:57AM by CWC Beauty fanatics are always gushing about how they need to travel to France to shop their famous pharmacies, and to Korea to buy up bottles with innovative textures and trendy ingredients and to Germany for science-forward clean-beauty buys. And yes—it’s true that overseas you can score some pretty cool skin-boosting products, but American beauty is nothing to sleep on. The United States is home to a whole slew of MVP beauty brands and must-have products—think gems like Covergirl mascara, Glossier Boy Brow, Drunk Elephant skin care, and many more. I guarantee that whenever beauty aficionados from other countries visit the states, they turn into the heart-eyes emoji immediately upon glancing at our skin-care and makeup selection, bred in the U S of A. With that, we’re rounding up the absolute staple American beauty buys to find now. Keep scrolling for the 12 best beauty finds that hail from the U.S. Photo: Neutrogena Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Water Gel Moisturizer, $17 I can wax poetic about Neutrogena’s full line of Hydro Boost products, but this moisturizer is the one that started my love affair. The line is known for using rockstar hydration ingredient hyaluronic acid, and this particular moisturizer has a jelly consistency that leaves my skin soft and glistening all damn day. ad_intervals[‘388779_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘388779_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Photo: Glossier Glossier Boy Brow, $16 Since the brand launched in 2014, it’s catapulted into cult-fave status. My personal must-have
How 2019 became the year of burnout—and effectively ended performative wellness
July 22, 2019 at 10:07AM by CWC We called it… but did we get it right? Back in December, the Well+Good editors gazed into their crystal balls (aka a year’s worth of research, scouting, and reporting) in order to name what we were sure would be the buzziest trends in wellness for 2019. Now, halfway through the year, we’re checking in to see how we did. Here’s where we were right on the money and what we never saw coming. At the end of 2018, Well+Good predicted that performative wellness was as good as dead—or at least on a steep decline. The sense that to-do lists inclusive of self-care acts that skew stressful in execution weren’t serving us was all but palpable, as evidenced by each forgone workout-studio selfie and streamlined (or totally skipped) skin-care routine. While we certainly felt a collective farewell percolating to any kind of emotional, physical, and technological clutter masquerading as self care when we named the trend, we didn’t pinpoint the cause of all of our Kondo-ing. That underlying cause, though, quickly emerged as the slogan of sorts for 2019: burnout. As it’s become crystal clear, so many of us are simply too tired to deal with literally and figuratively picture-perfect meals (or nutrition plans), morning routines, schedules, or lives in general. ad_intervals[‘408534_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408534_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); The smoke was visible as early as January, when BuzzFeed reporter Anne Helen Petersen tackled the issue head-on in her piece
The 14-minute resistance band workout that will set your buns ablaze
July 22, 2019 at 08:22AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TODHg9NL_1k] Welcome to Trainer of the Month Club, our fitness series, where we tap the coolest, most in-the-know fitness leaders to create a month-long fitness challenge. On Mondays, we have our “sweat drops” where you’ll get access to the week’s workout that you can follow along at home. This week, Bec Donlan’s firing up your glutes with a 14-minute butt workout. Butt exercises are the only moves I can do while feeling cute at the same time. Like, I’m not checking myself out in the mirror when I’m doing crunches at the gym or knocking out some chest presses. But(t) if I’m doing squats or donkey kicks, a glance over to the mirror certainly happens now and then. I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m doing butt-sculpting exercises, I blast my fave pop star of the moment and put some groove into my moves, making sure to secure a spot right by a mirror. And that’s exactly what I’m doing with this month’s Trainer of the Month Club workout from Bec Donlan. Her week-four installment is all about the peach, and it’ll have your rear fired up by the end of the first round (there are three rounds, mind you). ad_intervals[‘409692_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409692_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); The best part of it all? You don’t need much floor space. Just your resistance band and some Beyonce playing in the background. Keep scrolling to try Bec
There’s never been a better time to go plant-based
July 22, 2019 at 08:14AM by CWC At the end of last year, Well+Good predicted that 2019 would be the year of cauliflower mania. Boy were we right. Between Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi to cauli-bread, the veggie has gone from taking over the frozen food aisles to expanding into the middle of the grocery store. But it’s certainly not the only plant-based food that’s become, well, cool. Consider this sampling of statistics: The demand for plant-based beverages (like oat milk) is predicted to have a compound annual growth rate of six percent through 2028, people are so hungry for vegan burgers that Beyond Meat’s worth has skyrocketed to $21 billion, and Burger King is now selling the Impossible Burger. Oh, and the plant-forward Mediterranean diet was deemed the best eating plan of the year (sorry, keto). The evidence is even clearer than when we called the trend at the end of last year: Plants are here to stay. ad_intervals[‘408516_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408516_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Why now? “There are a few reasons why I think so many people are interested in a more plant-based diet right now,” says Mark Hyman, MD, author of Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?. “Number one: people are stepping up to the realities of climate change, and factory-farmed meat and the way we grow most of the food in this country is damaging our land, our air, our water, our communities, and our bodies,” he says. He has