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Boost Energy and Fight Cramps with These Potassium-Rich Foods

December 2, 2015 by

If you engage in high levels of activity, you already know that potassium from foods like bananas prevent cramps and stabilize your energy supply. Potassium is a vital mineral that also helps prevent hypertension and can be found in many other foods. Here are two other foods that are high in potassium:

  1. Potatoes. Grab a few spuds to get a huge boost of potassium. Red, white, or sweet, they make great sources of this nutrient. One medium potato contains 751 milligrams of potassium.
  2. Yogurt. This quick and delicious snack contains 531 milligrams of potassium in a mere eight ounces. For the healthiest choice, go for plain yogurt to avoid extra sugar hidden in the fruit.

Top 10 Foods Highest in Potassium [Healthaliciousness]
15 Foods That Are High In Potassium [Health]
Food with More Potassium than a Banana [Huffington Post]
Potassium and Your CKD Diet [National Kidney Foundation]

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Healthy Recipes That’ll Curb That Chocolate Craving

October 6, 2015 by

Any chocoholic will tell you how difficult it can be to kick a chocolate craving. If you frequently dream about ice cream, chocolate bars, and decadent brownies (and just as frequently give into those cravings), you’ll appreciate these healthier chocolate recipes.

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Cherries [Whole Living]
The combination of chocolate and fruit is a true classic, and it tastes great in just about any pairing. This recipe uses tart cherries and rich, dark chocolate to satisfy your chocolate craving while still providing heart-healthy antioxidants and cancer preventative anthocyanins.

Chocolate Avocado Mousse [Fit Pregnancy]
It may sound strange, but the thick, creamy consistency of avocado makes a great base for an untraditional chocolate mousse. The dark cocoa inside masks the flavor of the avocado and leaves you with the chocolate-y taste that you know and love.

Chocolate Souflee [Eating Well]
These individual sized chocolate souflees help you to quiet your chocolate craving without overindulging. They also look as professional as a gourmet dessert, which makes them perfect for dinner parties.

Peanut Butter & Pretzel Truffles [Eating Well]
Few things go together better than peanut butter and chocolate, and this recipe is a wonderful example of that fact. These truffles are incredibly easy to make, and they also incorporate a salty taste from the crunchy pretzels.

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Three Iron-Rich Foods You Might Not Know About

August 4, 2015 by

Consuming the right amount of iron each day prevents anemia, a condition that can lead to fatigue. This essential mineral also helps cells transport oxygen throughout the body. Adding more iron to your diet isn’t difficult when you know which foods to look for; here are three of them:

  1. Beef liver. Meat eaters have some delicious options when it comes to eating iron, with beef liver containing 5.8 milligrams per serving. Beef liver also boasts the lowest fat count in comparison to other beef products.
  2. Clams. Enjoy a tasty seafood meal while also getting your daily value of iron. Twenty small clams contain 53 milligrams.
  3. Pumpkin seeds. A great source for iron, pumpkin seeds contain 4.2 milligrams per serving. Eat them as a healthy snack in between meals.

Best Foods For Iron: 20 Foods Packed With Iron [Huffington Post]
Top 10 Iron Rich Foods [WedMD]
Top 10 Foods Highest in Iron [Healthaliciousness]
Iron Rich Foods [American Red Cross]

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Meet Your Fitness Goals With These Plateau-Busting Tips

July 7, 2015 by

The dreaded exercise plateau is something that almost all people experience during their workout routine. You start seeing positive results after months of dedicated workouts, but then seemingly out of nowhere, the results just stop and you’re left wondering what to do next. If you’re in the middle of a workout plateau, use these simple tips to get back on track toward meeting your fitness goals.

  • Track your meals. If you used to eat whatever you wanted but started seeing results once you started eating a bit healthier, you might hit a plateau after you eat in a moderately healthy way for a few months. You’ll need to monitor your calorie intake a bit more thoroughly to continue losing weight.
  • Add intensity. When you continue doing the same workout for a few months, it will start to get easier as you become more fit. Ramp up the intensity of your cardio workouts and you’ll continue seeing results.
  • Elongate workouts. If your current workouts are 30 minutes or less of vigorous physical activity, try working out longer to increase results.
  • Cross-train. Many people love cardio while others love strength training, so combine the two into a cross training program to break out of your plateau.
  • Rest. Instead of working out every day, add a couple days of rest per week to let your muscles rebuild and become stronger as a result of your workouts.

Overcoming a Fitness Plateau [American Heart Association]
11 Reasons You’re Not Breaking Training Plateaus [Men’s Fitness]
What To Do When You Hit a Plateau [Nerd Fitness]
How to Break Through a Strength Training Plateau [Greatist]

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Check Out These Interesting Facts About Chocolate

December 2, 2014 by

You know that you love the way that chocolate tastes, but aside from that there’s probably not much else that you know about this sweet treat. Here are two interesting chocolate facts that every chocolate lover should know.

  1. Dark chocolate and milk chocolate differ because of their amount of cacoa, or the beans that chocolate is made from. Dark chocolate also doesn’t have as much milk or sugar, which makes it much healthier but also gives its signature bitter bite.
  2. Some chocolate is actually good for you. Very dark chocolates contain a large number of antioxidants that reduce blood pressure and improve your entire cardiovascular system. They also widen your arteries, promote healthy blood flow, and prevent the buildup of plaque that can block the arteries.

11 Facts about Chocolate [Do Something]
10 Interesting Chocolate Facts You May Not Know [Lindt]
10 Fascinating Facts About the World of Chocolate [Listverse]

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