ArcaMax

This is the time we dust off the slow cooker and bring it center stage. It's perfect for those long-cooking stews and soups that make coming home from work a delight, knowing that dinner is ready.

Use your slow cooker to make an overnight oatmeal, dip or even layered lasagna.

For most of us multitaskers, a slow cooker is a dream come true: ...Read more

Every now and then I come across a research article that makes me say, "Wow." Here's one of those on the benefits of fiber for cancer patients -- and all of us.

Researchers found that every 5-gram increase in daily fiber was correlated with a 30% lower risk for cancer progression or death among patients with advanced melanoma. In addition, 82% ...Read more

As the omicron variant moves across the country, infiltrating our very homes and families, here are a few proactive things to do as we start 2022. Not only are they good ideas to fight the virus, but just to stay healthy as well. If you're struggling with a New Year's resolution, here's one that is sustainable: Do everything you can to boost ...Read more

Ever heard of sarcopenia? It's the gradual loss of muscle mass that can occur with aging. Some 15% of people over the age of 65 and 50% of people over 80 suffer from it.

But you or your loved ones don't have to be included in that group.

Here's what happens: As we lose muscle mass, we lose strength. If we lose too much, our legs and arms get ...Read more

It's the holiday season, and your blood pressure may be rising -- maybe it's the holiday stress; maybe it's the relatives. But whatever the reason, having a little yogurt every day may help lower your blood pressure.

Add a dollop of yogurt to your morning cereal, make a smoothie with a half-cup or have a quick yogurt cup on the go. New research...Read more

Oh, that holiday weight gain -- does it have to happen? Too many portions, constant nibbling, high-calorie recipes and inactivity can derail us quickly. A piece of pumpkin pie has 350 calories; a cup of mashed potatoes adds another 257; a 6-ounce serving of wine is 120 calories; 1 cup of stuffing, 350; a half-cup of cranberry sauce, 220; and an ...Read more

Who knew our sleep and snack habits were so intertwined? It turns out sleep influences two key hormones that are linked to appetite. Ghrelin makes you feel hungry, and poor sleep increases this hormone. Leptin makes you feel full, and poor sleep decreases this hormone.

So, when you don't sleep well, you're more likely to feel hungry. And ...Read more

Most of us don't give much thought to osteoporosis because we're healthy, strong and can do what we set out to do. But an estimated 10 million Americans have this bone disease that occurs when the body loses calcium from bone faster than it builds new bone. That results in low bone density, which increases the risk of a broken bone. That happens...Read more

Holiday Strategies

Some would argue that the words "healthy" and "holidays" don't belong in the same sentence. I disagree. While the holidays may offer more temptation to overeat, they don't have to sabotage our efforts to eat healthy foods. Turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and green beans all fit into a healthy eating plan. The key is to eat ...Read more

November is National Diabetes Month, a month set aside to focus on this disease that affects the more than 34 million Americans who live with diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed.

In all forms of diabetes (Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes), the body's ability to make or properly use insulin is affected. Insulin is a hormone that is ...Read more

I often get asked if eating after 8 p.m. makes you gain weight. The truth is, when you eat isn't nearly as important as what you eat after 8 p.m. -- and what you've eaten throughout the day.

Some 65% of us eat at least one snack in the evening, according to the 2021 Food and Health Survey by the International Food Information Council (IFIC).

...Read more

Dairy seems to get a bad rap these days. As the popularity of anti-inflammatory diets rises, dairy seems to be the first thing people recommend you eliminate. But it shouldn't be.

I'm often asked if dairy foods cause inflammation. Actually, the opposite is true. Based on the body of science, dairy foods like milk, yogurt and cheese do not cause...Read more

Here's happy news for coffee drinkers: Up to three cups a day may be beneficial for your heart. But there's a catch -- if you're adding sugar and cream, coffee's benefits may be canceled out.

A recent study on middle-aged coffee drinkers without existing heart issues found that drinking up to three cups per day was associated with a lower risk ...Read more