July 17, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC If you’re committed to eating healthy but can’t imagine a life without chips and fries (seriously, that sounds terrible), then you’ve likely already discovered the miracle that is the air fryer. It’s a clutch kitchen tool for creating snacks that satisfy your hankering for a crunchy snack—without using a ton of oil. But while the recipes for kale chips and onion rings are definitely appreciated, you’re not using your air fryer to its full potential if you stop there. You can use the kitchen tool to prep a healthy dinner, too. One Reddit user shares that he uses the air fryer to make hard boiled eggs for egg-based dishes (oh hi, keto eaters), such as egg salad sandwiches or Cobb salads. 5 healthy air fryer dinners that are easy to make Photo: Natasha’s Kitchen 1. Air fryer chicken wings Baked chicken is good and all, but sometimes you just want to bite into something crispy, am I right? Use your air fryer to make these “fried” chicken wings and round it out with a bed of veggies for a complete meal. This recipe uses garlic and pepper for seasoning proving you really don’t need much to punch up a chicken dish. ad_intervals[‘408459_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408459_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Photo: Noble Pig 2. Air fryer salmon If you’re looking for a Mediterranean diet-approved dinner, this one’s for you. Guess what: you don’t always have to have your salmon
Category: Keto
When it comes to alt-sweeteners, monk fruit is officially the new stevia
July 15, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Here’s a healthy eating pop quiz: What’s 150 to 200 times sweeter than sugar, hails from a Southeast Asian fruit, and is in what seems like every single healthy food product launching this year? If you guessed monk fruit, you get an A. No, it’s not exactly new: Jessica Cording, R.D., says that she first saw monk fruit extract three to four years ago, around the time when the Paleo diet became popular. (We’ve been talking about it at Well+Good since 2016.) Ever since, the sweetener has billed itself as a natural sugar alternative rivaling other popular choices like Splenda and stevia. And it has a lot going for it: It’s a plant-based option, isn’t associated with side effects, and some research has shown that it has antioxidant properties. And of course, it isn’t sugar. However, as interest in low-carb eating plans like keto has surged and the world is getting more and more mindful to the ill-effects of excessive sugar consumption, monk fruit seems to have beaten erythritol, stevia, and Splenda to be the alt sweetener du jour. It’s popping up as a selling point on healthy products, was a major buzzword at ExpoWest 2019, and is fueling some interesting innovation in the food space. But how did the ingredient come out on top in the midst of a very crowded field? ad_intervals[‘408229_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408229_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); One huge reason: taste. Some alternative sweeteners offer
9 keto-approved muffin recipes that pair perfectly with buttered-up coffee
July 15, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC When making the switch to a new eating plan, there’s inevitably some growing pains. If you’re going vegan, it might be figuring out what veggie burgers actually hit the spot. New to the Mediterranean diet? So begins your Google search into more creative ways to cook with fish (or what to eat when you’re sick of seafood). And then there’s the ketogenic diet, which nixes carb-filled foods of all types including pizza, pancakes, and, yes, muffins. Sometimes a plate of scrambled eggs just isn’t going to cut it when you’re really craving a warm, soft, muffin. Fortunately, you can still have a muffin with your Bulletproof coffee—without breaking ketosis. Wondering how? The key is using smart, keto-approved ingredients. Rounded up here are nine muffin recipes that do exactly that. Keep reading to see how it’s done. Scroll down for 9 healthy keto muffin recipes. Photo: My Keto Kitchen 1. Keto chocolate muffins Yep, you can still satisfy your cravings for sweets *and* muffins without breaking ketosis. Almond flour, plus lots of butter and heavy cream give these muffins their dense, cake-y texture while sugar-free chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, and erythritol, a sugar alternative, give a similar sweet taste to the traditional stuff. ad_intervals[‘407003_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘407003_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Photo: I Breathe I’m Hungry 2. Keto lemon sour cream muffins As this recipe from I Breathe I’m Hungry shows, sour cream is a keto savior for
A Registered Dietitian Explains How A Keto Diet Could Boost Fertility
July 14, 2019 at 12:04AM Its positive effect on hormones, for one. Continue Reading… Author Ali Miller, R.D., L.D., C.D.E. | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
A dietitian’s definitive ranking of the 10 most popular protein cookies
July 13, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Growing up, my dad always rewarded himself for working out by buying himself a junk food snack at the gas station down the street. “Dad, you’re totally undoing your workout!” I would nag him, rolling my (heavily) eyelined eyes at him. But he didn’t care. He just ran three miles and he wanted some dessert, damnit! He’s definitely not the only one who craves sweets after a workout, and brands have caught on. Behold the rise of the protein cookie. This isn’t just a one-off; there’s a whole slew of different protein cookie options out there. Which of course begs the questions: Exactly how healthy are protein cookies? “I believe all foods can be included in a healthy diet, though some protein cookies are definitely healthier than others,” registered dietitian Jessica Bouchard, RD says. “When I look at something to see how healthy it is, I primarily look at the ingredients being added, and also the sugar content.” Which is exactly what I asked her to do for the 10 most popular protein cookie brands on the market. Here, she ranks them based solely on nutrition (in other word, taste was not taken into account). ad_intervals[‘405975_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405975_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Curious about the best healthy protein cookies on the market? Keep reading for the full run-down. Photo: BHU Fit 1. Best overall: BHU Fit Vegan Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie ($30 for 10) Protein: 10 grams
Why experts say it’s not the best idea to try and cut out *all* sugar from your life
July 12, 2019 at 10:38AM by CWC Throw a (virtual) stone on the internet, and you’ll hit dozens of stories from influencers and health writers about the evils of sugar and how their lives changed when they cut it out completely. Hell, even J.Lo and A-Rod went sugar-free for 10 days earlier in the year. Pretty much every health expert agrees on the fact that sugar in excess can be majorly problematic for health. It’s been linked to inflammation, unhealthy weight gain, and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. Sugar consumption also has a surprising link to the body’s stress response and anxiety levels. Generally, most of us could stand to eat less sugar—which is why sugar “detoxes” and other ways to cut down on sugar intake seem like a good idea. But is it ever a good idea to cut out literally all forms of sugar from your diet? We asked some experts to get their take. Is there anything good at all about sugar? In order to answer this question, it helps to understand a bit more about how sugar works. There are two types of sugars: simple sugars, which are naturally occurring and become carbohydrates (like those found vegetables, fruits, and grains), and refined sugars, which come from the sugar cane plant and are used to make processed and sweetened foods, like baked goods, cereals, and white flour products, says Brigitte Zeitlin, MPH, RD, CDN. ad_intervals[‘407617_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘407617_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); }
How to eat healthy at Wendy’s, according to a registered dietitian
July 12, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC As a kid, dinner at Wendy’s meant the chance to dip French fries into a big ‘ol chocolate Frosty. It’s truly the stuff fast food memories are made of. Both are still on the menu for whenever a craving hits, but the burger chain has plenty of other (read: healthier) options for adult you to enjoy, too. If you’re vegetarian, gluten-free, or follow the ketogenic diet, eating out can be a challenge—especially at a fast food joint. But Wendy’s actually comes though for all three eating plans. The key is walking in (or driving up) being prepared. That’s where registered dietitian Erica Ingraham, RD, comes in. Here, she gives tips on the healthiest foods to order for each of the aforementioned eating plans—which come in handy even if you have a more general goal of eating healthy. Keep reading for all the intel. Scroll down to see how to follow a vegetarian, gluten-free, or ketogenic diet at Wendy’s. Vegetarian Order picks: Sour cream and chive baked potato; Berry Burst chicken salad (with no chicken) ad_intervals[‘402420_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402420_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); What an RD says: Wendy’s has chili on the menu—usually a solid pick for vegans and vegetarians—but, alas, it has beef in it. A better meat-free pick according to Ingraham: the sour cream and chive baked potato. “Wendy’s has a few different baked potatoes, but this is the only one without meat,” Ingraham says, adding that
A registered dietitian reveals the 10 cheap healthy foods she always snags at Whole Foods
July 09, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4aGeQEf0_I] Want to shop like a dietitian at Whole Foods? Watch the video. No matter how many times your mom says “don’t go grocery shopping while you’re hungry,” we all still do it. A bajillion dollars and 675 snacks later, you’ve got enough to ensure you never feel hunger again…at least, for the rest of the week. So your next trip doesn’t break the bank (and offers some better-for-you fare to boot), Tracy Lockwood-Beckerman, RD, reveals her favorite healthy Whole Foods buys—all for under $30—in our newest episode of You Versus Food. 1. 365 Creamy Organic Peanut Butter, Unsweetened and No Salt ($3.99) “This jar of goodness needs to have a permanent place in your pantry ASAP,” Beckerman says. The only ingredients? Dry roasted peanuts. Beckerman explains that peanut butter is packed with vitamin E, healthy monounsaturated fats, and a bit of iron. (She loves PB so much, we dedicated an entire episode of You Versus Food to it.) ad_intervals[‘406797_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406797_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); 2. Perfect Bar ($2.99) These bars are so fresh that they’re stored in the refrigerated section, Beckerman says. “They have a solid balance of healthy fats, whole food proteins, and carbs,” Beckerman says. “And they provide high-quality vitamins and minerals at your convenience.” Bonus: They’re a low glycemic index food, so they cause a slower, lower rise in blood sugar. (Read: No sugar crash!) 3. Hilary’s World’s Best Veggie Burgers
“Lazy keto” may be easier than regular keto, but don’t count on getting the same benefits
July 09, 2019 at 10:30AM by CWC Whether it’s from people in your virtual fit squad, your neighbor, or an influencer you follow on Instagram, it’s highly likely that you’ve heard someone going on and on about the benefits of the ketogenic diet. Keto devotees credit the low-carb, high-fat eating plan for everything from weight loss and better cognitive function to decreased anxiety. Here’s the thing though: There’s debate amongst health experts over whether sticking with the ketogenic diet long-term is actually healthy. And admittedly it’s not the easiest eating plan to follow. (Must…Not…Eat…Bread.) It’s no wonder many are starting to look into a tweaked version called “lazy keto.” Basically, lazy keto eaters cut carbs to less than 20 grams a day, but don’t follow any hard and fast rules when it comes to protein or fat intake. This means followers don’t have to keep a strict macros ratio in mind, which theoretically makes the eating plan easier. But what do health experts think of lazy keto? Here, a registered dietitian and a ketogenic expert both give their insight as to whether the tweaked eating plan is worth it—or too lazy to work. ad_intervals[‘406609_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406609_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); How lazy keto compares to going all-out ketogenic The big question many have when comparing a traditional ketogenic diet to this more simplistic version is which one is healthier. As with any eating plan, Kristin Kirkpatrick, RD, says the answer depends on your eating
It’s chard season—here are 8 ways to eat it that go way beyond steaming
July 08, 2019 at 04:01PM by CWC I rarely eat chard. Not because I don’t like it, but I’ve just never been sure how to prepare it properly. I regularly use spinach, kale, and other greens in my dishes, but most chard recipes call for steaming—and, TBH, even the stunning rainbow variety no longer looks appetizing once it’s turned into a pile of soggy mush. You’ve probably spotted Swiss chard, red chard, or rainbow chard at the farmers’ market or grocery store, but it certainly doesn’t get as much attention as other produce. With crunchy, slightly-sweet, celery-like stalks, and big veiny leaves, the plant is often said to taste similar to beet greens or spinach—just not as bitter. And no where near as earthy as kale. For anyone who’s still trying to add more veggies into their diet, it’s a tamer way to do so that still brings on the benefits. Chard is the definition of a superfood. It contains high amounts of vitamins K, A, C, and E, magnesium, iron, and potassium. And according to Tufts University, its impressive nutrition stats also give it plenty of health benefits. It helps regulate your blood sugar levels, prevent heart disease, lower blood pressure, improve digestion, boost the immune system, and even fight off cancer—no biggie. So how do you go about making it at home? Start with these tasty recipes. ad_intervals[‘406326_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406326_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); 8 delicious chard recipes that taste like summer