Healthy Eating

Whipped Toppings: The Cream of the Crop When it comes to indulging in the fluffy delight of whipped cream, many of us instinctively reach for our favorite canister, oblivious to the fact that not all whipped toppings are created equal. While the airy texture and sweet flavor can elevate treats from hot chocolate to apple pie, many store-bought options contain little to no real cream. However, the good news is that there are brands that prioritize quality ingredients. Here’s a guide to seven whipped toppings that actually use…

The Transformational Power of Protein Shakes for Breakfast When life gets busy, crafting a balanced breakfast can feel like an overwhelming task. For many of us, mornings are a whirlwind of getting kids ready, commuting to work, and squeezing in those last few minutes of sleep. As a result, breakfast often falls by the wayside or is replaced by a quick grab-and-go item, which may not always provide the nutrients our bodies need to kick off the day. But what if a simple protein shake could change that? Many health…

Indulge in Real Vanilla: Your Guide to the Best Vanilla Ice Creams When it comes to ice cream flavors, vanilla often gets a bad rap as being bland and boring. But let’s set the record straight: made with the *right ingredients*, vanilla can be a mouth-watering experience. Many brands are now turning to natural sources, crafting delicious vanilla ice creams that are anything but ordinary. Welcome to your ultimate guide to the seven best ice creams that feature real vanilla. Dive into this creamy journey and discover how these…

High-protein breakfast foods often seem like a smart, nutritious choice to jumpstart our day. They're hailed as morning heroes, offering sustained energy and keeping you full until your next meal. From protein shakes to egg white omelets, there are a variety of options that make it easy to add more protein to your mornings. But despite all their benefits, some high-protein breakfast foods can have hidden pitfalls that may compromise our weight loss efforts. Many high-protein foods that seem healthy often hide ingredients…

If you want to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way, it's essential to get adequate levels of protein in your daily diet. For one, consuming healthy protein helps you feel satiated for longer periods of time and reduces your hunger hormones, which can prevent overeating or snacking between meals. Protein also has a higher TEF (thermic effect of food) than fat or carbohydrates, meaning it helps your body burn more calories when you eat it. And on top of that, protein can help you build muscle mass. But while it's…

Thanksgiving is almost here, which means you'll soon be indulging in all your favorite dishes. While the main course of turkey or ham is important, it's the Thanksgiving side dishes that usually get people talking. Either you're hosting dinner yourself or heading to someone else's house and need something to bring, but either way, you probably need an idea or two for delicious sides to bring. If you get tired of cooking the same recipe over and over and want to change it up this year, you've come to the right place. From…

Deciding how to prepare a turkey for Thanksgiving is a real mission. Cooking this traditional holiday poultry comes with a handful of potential difficulties, such as finding the right size turkey for your group, adding enough flavor, leaving enough time to thaw, and avoiding one of the most common turkey-related problems: making sure it makes t dry out. One way to avoid a dry turkey is to brine it, but exactly how do you properly brine a turkey? Brining involves immersing the turkey in a salt water solution, which not only…

Protein is really having a moment these days. From protein-based pastas, breads and yogurts to more traditional powders, bars and shakes, protein shows up big in a variety of foods. And for good reason. Protein keeps you going fuller longerhelp weight loss goals and help maintain and build lean muscle. But how much protein do you really need? In this piece, I've got you covered. I share how to calculate your individual protein needs and whether 150 grams of protein is right for you. Plus, I'll show you how to create a…

A major goal for me this year has been to eat more protein. After learning about the benefits, such as building muscle, reducing cravings, supporting the immune system, and boosting metabolism, I knew I needed to incorporate more protein into my daily diet. After talking with a nutrition coach about my health goals, we set a goal of consuming at least 100 grams of protein a day. This number sounded like a lot at first, and I was worried I would never be able to reach it. However, I quickly realized that reaching 100 grams…

Growing up in the Midwest, it should come as no surprise that cheese is one of my favorite foods. Americans share this love of cheese, consuming about 42 pounds per person per year, according to Statista. The US is one of them top cheese producing countries globallywith Wisconsin, California and Idaho leading US production. While many consider cheese a healthy dairy food, some advise against it due to its saturated fat and sodium content. With over 1,500 types of cheese, the nutritional content can vary greatly. Here's a…