Featured Post
Why Spending Just Two Hours a Week in Nature Is Good for You
By | March 17, 2023 |
Spark blog
Current Filter: food
-
How to Use Food to Help Your Body Fight Inflammation
The term "anti-inflammatory diet" gets thrown around in nutrition conversations a lot these days. But why is inflammation bad for ...
By: Staff | February 19, 2020 | Mayo Clinic Health Information Library
-
3 Foods You Should Pitch (and Why)
Cleaning out the fridge? Think beyond those shelves that need scrubbing, our dietitians advise. Consider tossing three popula...
By: Digestive Health Team | September 05, 2018 | Cleveland Clinic
-
The 10 Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Weight Loss
Gaining weight or being unable to shed excess pounds may signal that you've got underlying low-grade inflammation in your body. Wh...
By: Carolyn Williams, Ph.D., R.D. | February 19, 2020 | EatingWell
-
How Long Does it Take to Digest Food?
“Digestion is the process of breaking food down into the nutrients your body can use. It starts at your mouth and finishes at the ...
By: Staff | May 12, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
5 Food Myths to Avoid
With so much information out there on the most effective nutrition and weight loss trends, separating fact from fiction can be dif...
By Staff | January 19, 2018 | Real Appeal
-
Bad Food Habits at Work? Get Back on Track in 5 Steps
Does it feel like your workplace is conspiring against your aims to eat healthier? You're right. It probably is. And you're not al...
By: Staff | April 14, 2021 | Mayo Clinic
-
20 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Food Waste
Food waste is a bigger problem than many people realize. In fact, nearly one-third of all food produced in the world is discarded...
By: Jillian Kubala | November 20, 2017
-
7 Time-Saving Hacks That Make Healthy Home Cooking a Breeze
Always scrambling for time in the kitchen? Or swapping your meal plan for take-out menus, when time runs tight? We feel you. Yet&n...
By: Kate Rockwood | July 27, 2018 | Rally Health
-
How to Gain Control of Emotional Eating
Sometimes the strongest food cravings hit when you're at your weakest point emotionally. You may turn to food for comfort - consci...
By: Staff | February 17, 2021 | Mayo Clinic
-
Winter Blues? Try These 10 Food Tips to Help Ease Symptoms
Alter your diet, improve your mood Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s believed to be caused by the ...
By: Brian Krans | September 17, 2018 | Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C
-
Make Healthy Choices at Any Restaurant
You can eat away from home without sabotaging your weight-loss plan. You just need to be menu-savvy about making decisions. When ...
By: Staff | September 08, 2021 | Mayo Clinic Health Information Library
-
The Trick to Cooking Quick and Easy Sheet-Pan Dinners
Sheet-pan suppers. You’ve seen the cookbooks, the blogs, the artfully arranged Instagram snapshots. It can be easy to roll your ey...
By: Becky Krystal | July 18, 2019 | The Washington Post
-
6 Tips to Lose Weight on a Budget
You don't need to spend a lot of money to hit your weight-loss goals. These inexpensive, and sometimes totally free, expert tips w...
By: Jessica Migala | October 29, 2021 | EatingWell
-
The Protein You Should Always Have in Your Freezer
To be clear, I am not a vegetarian. I had a long stint with veganism late in high school and early in college. Though I can totall...
By: Jessica Ball, MS, RD | April 28, 2021 | EatingWell
-
Eat These Foods to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
If you’re trying to lower your stress levels, you probably already know to start with the basics: self-care, sleep management, and...
By: Staff | October 06, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
4 Easy Ways to Sneak in More Vegetables
Pop quiz: How many vegetables do you eat in a day? If you’re well below the two to three cups that doctors recommend, well, y...
By Staff | March 28, 2018 | Real Appeal
-
5 Strategies to Help You Stop Emotional Eating
You stand at the freezer, steaming over a fight with your spouse and searching for some ice cream to cool your emotions. You sit o...
By: Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, LD | February 17, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Eat These Foods Every Day (Or at Least Once a Week)
Improving your diet can seem like a lofty goal, one that people often think requires rigid self-discipline and sacrifice. Cupcakes...
By: Kelly Bilodeau | August 06, 2018 | Harvard Health Letters
-
4 Exciting Reasons to Rotate Your Foods
Ugh, you’re sitting and picking at that same grilled chicken salad and pasta every day and frankly, you’re getting bored of it. Ha...
By: Staff | April 27, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
A Crunchy, Flavorful Salad Makes Great Use of Cauliflower or Any Leftover Roasted Vegetables
One of my key life-hacks is to cook extra of whatever I am having for dinner so I have the makings of a quick meal the following d...
By: Ellie Krieger | January 14, 2021 | The Washington Post
-
Chia Pudding Recipes
If you haven’t tried chia seed pudding yet, you’re in for a real (and very healthy) treat. There are so many reasons to love chia,...
By: Staff | March 31, 2021 | Cleveland Clinicf
-
7 Foods to Satisfy Your Thirst and Hunger
When heat and humidity soar, keeping your body hydrated matters more than ever. Did you know you can hydrate with what’s on your p...
By: Staff | March 31, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Leeks and Fresh Dill Take Cozy Split Pea Soup From Drab to Fab
This soup isn't supposed to excite me, but it does. It's pea soup, after all, typically a metaphor for drab and boring. While it m...
By: Ellie Krieger | January 06, 2021 | Washington Post
-
Healthy Muffin Recipes Under 200 Calories
Muffins seem to make just about everyone happy. Whether it’s enjoying fresh out of the oven for breakfast with a steaming cup of c...
By: Ann Milanowski | April 14, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Easy Hack to Make Oatmeal Taste Way Better
This 2-minute trick will totally change your oatmeal's flavor, no milk or sugar required. For most of the year, I'm a savory brea...
By: Maddy Sweitzer-Lammé | April 27, 2021 | EatingWell
-
5 Foods to Avoid for a Better Mood
Turns out, certain foods can affect your mood. Here's what to eat—and avoid—to feel a little better. Much has been sa...
By: Katy Spratte Joyce | October 06, 2021 | EatingWell
-
7 Shelf-Stable Protein Foods
Loading up a pantry with quality food is always a wise idea. Being able to put together a snack or meal with what you have on hand...
By: Christopher Mohr R.D., Ph.D. | July 08, 2021 | EatingWell
-
What to Eat Before and After a Workout
It’s the age old fitness question that many people often ask – what should you eat before and after a workout? Despite all of the...
By: Staff | June 30, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
5 Tips To Help You Snack Healthier at Work
Eating healthy doesn’t apply solely to what you consume for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That is, unless the only time you eat is ...
By: Staff | April 14, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
5 Worst Lunch Foods
Your healthy breakfast is long gone. Your stomach is starting to growl loudly enough for coworkers to hear. You have an hour for l...
By: Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, LD | February 10, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
10 Best Lunch Foods
While lunch is often an afterthought when it comes to meal planning, what you eat midday can make a big difference in how you feel...
By: Sarah Anzlovar, MS, LDN, RDN | February 16, 2021 | EatingWell
-
How to Build a Healthy Breakfast for Weight Loss
Even if you’re trying to cut calories to lose weight, that doesn’t mean breakfast has to be a measly, dry piece of toast and a har...
By: Staff | September 28, 2020 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Healthy Lunch Ideas
Whether you eat lunch at home these days while WFH or pack it to take along, having a healthy (and tasty!) lunch you feel good abo...
By: Ann Milanowski | February 10, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
What Are Cruciferous Vegetables, and Why Are They So Good for You?
A few years ago a patient came into my office complaining of migraines. He said, “You might think I’m crazy, doc, but I get headac...
By: Staff | March 17, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Things That Can Happen to Your Body When You Cut Out Sugar
Data suggests that daily sugar intake for 90% of Americans regularly exceeds the Dietary Guidelines' recommendation, a statistic t...
By: Carolyn Williams, PhD, RD | March 31, 2021 | EatingWell
-
6 Ways to Snack Smarter On the Go
Whether you're traveling by plane, train or automobile, take your healthy-eating habits along by using these tips: Take these sna...
By: Staff | July 08, 2021 | Mayo Clinic Health Information Library
-
This Fruit Salad Favorite Is Great for Your Heart
Raspberries are one of the most popular berries in the world. This delicate fruit boasts a sweet-tart flavor and a velvety texture...
By: Andrea Mathis, LD, RDN, MA | January 27, 2021 | EatingWell
-
How to Make Healthy and Delicious Smoothies
Smoothies may seem like a no-brainer. Just fill a blender with fruit, ice and milk or juice, and let ‘er rip. But upset the smoot...
By: Staff | April 27, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Can a Juice Cleanse Help You Lose Weight?
Overindulging during the holidays or on vacation can make us feel like turning to something drastic to make up for less-than-healt...
By: Katherine Wohl, RD, LD | January 11, 2019 | Cleveland Clinic
-
6 Incredibly Filling Foods for Weight Loss
Can you be calorie conscious while still feeling satisfied? It’s possible! The trick is to prioritize foods that are relatively lo...
By: Amy Wilkinson | July 09, 2021 | Real Appeal
-
A 12-Minute Workout You Can Do Anywhere
The verdict is in on spot-training: Conditioning a specific area of your body — your outer thighs, say — won’t make th...
By: Kristen Mascia | July 16, 2020 | Real Appeal
-
8 Easy Tips to Avoid a Grumpy Gut While Traveling
Travel can be stressful for your mind and body. But following these simple tips can help you keep your gut happy and healthy while...
By: Cathy Cassata | July 09, 2019
-
8 Techniques to Beat Your Cravings
The foods you crave are likely to be high in sugar, fats and carbohydrates -- such as pizza, chocolate, cake, chips and ice cream....
By: Staff | March 31, 2021 | Mayo Clinic
-
10 Expert Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget
Some love to do it and others absolutely hate doing it — we’re talking about grocery shopping. When it comes to food ...
By: Family Health Team | August 13, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Cheers to a Healthy St. Patrick’s Day!
Green beverages, traditional food, parades, and Irish music—the perfect combination for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. St...
By: Mary Arguelles | February 22, 2023
-
How to Restart Healthy Eating Habits
Midway through cleaning out your car after another on-the-go week, a growing pile of crumpled fast food wrappers reveals a harsh r...
By: Staff | June 08, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
3 Tips to Get Back on Track (and 3 Pitfalls to Avoid)
Things were going great — you were losing a pound a week. Then, suddenly, the number on your scale wouldn’t budge … a...
By: Digestive Health Team | November 14, 2018 | Cleveland Clinic
-
How to Eat Mindfully in the Real World (Distractions and All)
There’s a Zen proverb, “When walking, walk. When eating, eat.” Unfortunately, modern society seems to follow this adage: “When wal...
By: Carrie Dennett | November 15, 2018 | The Washington Post
-
15 Ways to Eat Less Sugar — Without Missing It
A life without any sugar is a life we don't want to live. And thankfully, experts say you don't need to eliminate it from your die...
By: Rachael Moeller Gorman | October 20, 2021 | EatingWell
-
Getting Back to Weight Loss Basics
Despite all the diet strategies out there, weight management still comes down to the calories you take in versus those you burn of...
By: Staff | July 23, 2021 | Mayo Clinic Health Information Library
-
4 Harmful Habits That Get in the Way of Weight Loss
If you’re hoping to lose weight, don’t let problematic eating habits get in your way. Four behaviors can prevent you from mak...
By: Digestive Health Team | July 16, 2018 | Cleveland Clinic
-
5 Ways to Stop FOMO From Stalling Your Weight Loss
After a very weird, very difficult, and very isolating year and a half, people are starting to socialize again. The invites for br...
By: Brigid Sweeney | September 08, 2021 | Real Appeal
-
5 Sneaky Reasons You're Hitting a Weight Loss Plateau
You've lost 10 pounds! Then the dreaded scale stops and nothing you do seems to move that number down, ugh. It's not you; it's you...
By: Lainey Younkin RD, MS, LDN | August 06, 2021 | EatingWell
-
Healthy Game Day Snacks
As game day celebrations ramp up, so can the desire to overindulge at the party food table. Here are three snacks that can help yo...
By Staff | September 07, 2017 | Real Appeal
-
5 Myths About Cravings That Might Be Holding You Back
Imagine you’ve been on a healthy-eating kick. Everything is going great. You’re skipping the drive-thru, you’re passing up that se...
By: Kate Rockwood | January 03, 2019
-
Are You Eating Your Vegetables the Right Way?
We all know we need to eat our veggies. But is it better to eat them raw or cooked? Is a fresh broccoli slaw, for example, better ...
By: Michelle Konstantinovsky | July 20, 2018 | Rally Health
-
What to Eat to Reduce Inflammation (and Feel Better Post-Workout)
Can’t shake the soreness after starting an exercise program? Or maybe you’re constantly reinjuring a muscle or tendon? You put a l...
By: Wellness Team | June 30, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Make This Year’s Resolution Stick!
Every new year, we tell ourselves, "This year I'm going to …" Then the year ends without achieving our resolutions, and we ...
By: Melodie Krecisz | January 18, 2023
-
17 Healthy and Delicious Alternatives to Candy
Candy is popular worldwide but mostly made from sugar, artificial flavors, and food dyes, which provide calories but very little n...
By: Ariane Lang, BSc, MBA | September 18, 2019 | Medically reviewed by Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN (Ice)
-
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
We believe that comfort food can be both healthy and delicious - and this Irish classic is the perfect example. You can even mix i...
By Staff | March 16, 2018 | Real Appeal
-
What’s Worse for You: Sugar or Artificial Sweeteners?
Americans consume an average of 22 teaspoons of sugar every single day. Teens consume up to 34 teaspoons a day. One reason is a...
By: Mark Hyman, MD, Director, Center for Functional Medicine | May 10, 2018
-
Sweet and Sour Turkey Meatballs
This recipe offers a tangy sweet and sour taste but calls for ground turkey breast instead of ground beef, cutting down on calorie...
By: Digestive Health Team | March 30, 2020 | Cleveland Clinic
-
10 Holiday Tips From Real Appeal Coaches
The added stress of the holidays is real, and it can make it that much more difficult to stay on track with your goals. Our Real A...
By: Mary Arguelles | November 09, 2022
-
Turkey Sloppy Joes
This healthier re-do of an all-American classic is perfect for an upcoming family dinner. If there’s leftovers, they’re great to f...
By Staff | May 04, 2018 | Real Appeal
-
Want to Cut Sugar, Salt, or Fat? Retrain Your Taste Buds
We don’t usually overeat on salmon and broccoli, but many of us find it hard to say no to another slice of pizza or cake. That’s n...
By: Kate Rockwood | August 02, 2018 | Rally Health
-
How Better Habits Helped a Mom Drop 60 Pounds [Video]
Christina Shahan is a supervisor at work, and a mom at home. “I’m always having to worry about being in charge of others,” she say...
By: Caroline Roberts | August 11, 2020 | Rally Health
-
Herb-Friendly Egg Salad With Tofu
Greek yogurt and tofu pack protein into this picnic favorite. Turmeric gives this dish its pretty yellow color, and along with gar...
By: Wellness Team | July 23, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Meatless Beet Burgers
Using beets in these meatless burgers gives them a red-meat look without the beef. They also have a chewy texture due to the quino...
By: Staff | January 08, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
5 Ways to Stay Healthy During the Holidays
The holiday season is here and planning celebrations with the ones we love are top of mind. It’s also a time when maintaining your...
By Staff | November 16, 2017 | Real Appeal
-
How to Shake Pandemic Weight Gain
As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, the weather turns warmer and we see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, it’s a...
By: Staff | June 08, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
The Best Ways to Fuel Your Workouts
You’re committed to regular workouts, hitting your groove with daily cardio. Perhaps you’ve discovered the joy of rushing endorphi...
By: Family Health Team | September 27, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Recipe: Pumpkin Bars
These dense, moist bars are sweet enough to satisfy a craving but they won’t send you into a sugar rush. Bonus: There are no refin...
By: Digestive Health Team | December 20, 2018 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Mango Almond Celebration Cake
Even one slice of regular cake — no matter how harmless you feel it is — reintroduces bad sugars and fats into your di...
By: Ann Milanowski | October 20, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
5 Ways to Break Through a Weight Loss Plateau
Most people experience a plateau at some point during their weight-loss journey. Plateaus may last a few days to a few weeks and s...
By: Jessica Holst | March 03, 2021 | Mayo Clinic
-
7 Top Weight Loss Tips
Struggling to shed weight and keep it off? We asked a registered dietitian, Nicole Hopsecger, RD, LD, for the top weight loss tips...
By: Staff | September 08, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Four Things Men Can Do for Better Health
Taking care of your health is important and it’s something everyone – including men– should make a priority. Especially if you wa...
By Staff | October 30, 2017 | Real Appeal
-
Turkey Burger
Just in time for summer cookouts! For a learner recipe that still delivers on the great flavor of a traditional burger recipe,...
By Staff | July 09, 2018 | Real Appeal
-
11 Reasons Why Too Much Sugar Is Bad for You
Sugar is fine for you in small amounts, but too much can lead to weight gain, acne, type 2 diabetes, and can increase your risk of...
By: Jillian Kubala, MS, RD | September 26, 2022 | Amy Richter, RD, Nutrition
-
The Definitive Guide to Healthy Grocery Shopping
As a dietitian, I am well aware that grocery shopping can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience for many people. For exam...
By: Jillian Kubala, MS, RD | July 01, 2021 | Jerlyn Jones, MS MPA RDN LD CLT
-
Beet Muhammara
This surprisingly sweet dip — made from delicious raw beets — is great with vegetables or whole-grain crackers or as a...
By: Ann Milanowski | June 09, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Recipe: Spaghetti With Fresh Tomato Sauce and Roasted Vegetables
This recipe includes steps to make your own tomato sauce, whether to use with the other ingredients listed or for other dishes as ...
By: Heart and Vascular Team | November 29, 2018 | Cleveland Clinic
-
7 “Healthy” Foods That Probably Aren’t
Even when you think you’re eating healthy, you may want to think again. There are some foods pretending to be healthier ...
By: Wellness Team | November 20, 2019 | Cleveland Clinic
-
Rainbow Veggie Pizza With Chickpea-Cauliflower Crust By
What if your guilty pleasure didn’t have to feel so guilty? That’s right, pizza that tastes just as delicious, but without the g...
By: Sara Quessenberry | September 02, 2021 | Cleveland Clinic
-
How to Outsmart Your Hunger Hormones
We tend to think of weight as a matter of simple math: Eat fewer calories than your body burns in a day, and the scale will slide ...
By: Brigid Sweeney | September 02, 2021 | Real Appeal
-
Top 5 Healthy Eating Tips
When it comes to making healthy changes it can be hard to know where to start. Nutrition advice can be overwhelming and confusing....
By: Lisa Valente, M.S., RD | September 27, 2021 | EatingWell
-
In It Together - How a Diet Partner Helps You Lose Weight
For years, the M&M’s on a secretary’s desk at the Trumbull County courthouse in northeastern Ohio were Claudia Cabot’s downfall. C...
By: Courtney Rubin | October 30, 2019 | Rally Health
-
Best Recipes to Reheat
We all want to enjoy a delicious dinner every night, but who has time to cook all those fabulous meals? And if you work from home,...
By: Lauren Salkeld | January 20, 2021 | EatingWell
-
Daily Intake of Sugar — How Much Sugar Should You Eat Per Day?
The amount of sugar that is safe to eat per day may depend on your total caloric intake, activity level, and other factors. In gen...
By: Kris Gunnars, BSc | June 10, 2023 | Kim Rose-Francis RDN, CDCES, CNSC, LD, Nutrition
-
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Stick to Their Routines
During times of stress, we can get stuck in zombie mode, but if our routine includes healthy habits, we’re less likely to jump int...
By: Brian Krans | May 28, 2013
-
Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet
Eat more fiber. You've probably heard it before. But do you know why fiber is so good for your health? Dietary fiber -- found mai...
By: Staff | May 12, 2021 | Mayo Clinic
-
Maintaining a Healthy Weight Can Help You Live Longer
New research from Harvard University found following these five habits could extend the years--and quality--of your life. By now,...
By: Lauren Wicks | March 17, 2021 | EatingWell
-
Your Relationship with Money Is Affecting Your Health
Chances are, stress and anxiety about money are a part of your daily life. From rent and mortgage payments to health expenses and ...
By: Cathy Cassata | July 18, 2017
-
3 Easy Ways to Practice Body Positivity Right Now
When it comes to weight and body image, the American public is on the receiving end of a lot of mixed messages. The body positivit...
By: Leslie Goldman | May 04, 2021 | EatingWell
-
Those January Blues Are Real. Here’s How to Avoid Them
Acts of kindness, self-care, and gratitude are some of the ways you can beat back depression during the cold month of January. If...
By: Constance Gustke | January 09, 2018
-
What Experts Say to Do After Overeating
Step away from the juice cleanse... Whether you ate one (or several) more hot dogs than you had originally planned at that weeken...
By: Karla Walsh | November 18, 2021 | EatingWell
-
3 Eating Resolutions to Keep, and 3 to Ditch
Plenty of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, especially those that pertain to weight, diet and health. But how long do resolut...
By: Breana Killeen M.P.H. R.D. | December 20, 2018 | EatingWell
-
10 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress
Tips to manage stressful situations It might surprise you to learn that biological stress is a fairly recent discovery. It wasn’t...
By: Nathan Reese | July 03, 2019 | Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD
-
How to Be Happy: 27 Habits to Add to Your Routine
Regardless of your version of true happiness, living a happier, more satisfied life is within reach. A few tweaks to your regular ...
By: Ann Pietrangelo | July 13, 2022 | Medically Reviewed by Lori Lawrenz, PsyD
-
18 Terrific Foods to Help Relieve Stress
If you’re feeling stressed, it’s only natural to seek relief. While occasional bouts of stress are difficult to avoid, chronic st...
By: Jillian Kubala, MS, RD | June 08, 2020 | Kathy W. Warwick, R.D., CDE, Nutrition
-
How to Make a Self-Care Checklist That Actually Works for You
Life doesn’t always proceed smoothly, to put it mildly. When challenges you face prove difficult to handle, it can tax your emotio...
By: Crystal Raypole | July 13, 2020 | Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST
