The Healthiest Food Choices at a Barbecue

There’s nothing more fun than a classic summer barbecue. Just the thought of the food, fun and summer vibes can instantly make you happy and hungry. While all these things are good reasons to get together, the food table might leave you stumped as you look for healthy options. Fortunately, though, most barbecue spreads offer hidden healthy gems if you know what to look for. Here are the best choices...

Happiness Is Finding Joy in the Little Things

When we think about the things that make us happy, we tend to think big — measuring happiness based on major life events like getting married, landing the perfect job or buying the perfect home. Focusing our happiness on relationship milestones, financial success or personal achievements may create joy temporarily, but it isn’t a great strategy for lasting, long-term contentment. The true joy of...

Label Lingo: Organic, All-Natural, Low-Fat and More

Food labels got you loopy? This guide should help you get label literate. ORGANIC This is the big one. It is a verified and meaningful label regulated by the USDA. Standards for organic labeling vary by product, and some states have stricter standards for their labels. Organic fruit, vegetables, nuts and grains are non-genetically modified (non-GMO), grown without synthetic pesticides or synthetic...

Simple Green Protein Smoothie | Recipe

This smoothie delivers a great amount of protein to get your day going, and it’s easy to put together! This breakfast is perfect for after a morning workout. It’s also easy to throw in a travel mug and head out the door to start your morning commute. To log this recipe, search the food database for: MyFitnessPal Simple Green Protein Smoothie     Print     Simple...

Research Says: Go Camping for Better Sleep

Everything from jet lag to social media to an eventful weekend full of late nights (otherwise known as social jet lag) can wreak havoc on your circadian rhythm — that natural schedule your body keeps when it comes to sleep. Once your schedule is off, it can seem next to impossible to get it back on track. But new research out of University of Colorado-Boulder found all it takes to get your body...

Volleyball Pros Perform Their Favorite Beach Exercises

“Baywatch” bodies are not exclusive to the silver screen. In fact, the AVP is bringing some of the most beautiful beach bodies to an oceanfront near you. With the pro beach volleyball league’s season in full swing through September, the fittest athletes may be kicking up sand near you during their eight-stop tour, which includes Seattle, San Francisco, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Chicago and...

Mini Whole Wheat Egg Sandwiches | Recipe

Try this mini whole wheat egg sandwich by 24 Carrot Life that you can make ahead of time and reheat for a quick breakfast. Cheesy egg and ham patties baked and sandwiched between a flaky whole wheat, green onion biscuit will surely make you smile. You can also add tomato, spinach, avocado or any of your favorite veggies to the mix.     Print     Mini Whole...

How This Southerner Fought off Fried Food & 250 Pounds

Two years ago, when he was in the middle of a bad divorce after 20 years of marriage, Greg Ellis walked into a weight-loss clinic. He weighed 456 pounds. “I knew there was a possibility that I could be single for the rest of my life,” he says. “I needed to figure out how to take care of myself.” At the clinic, the staff took his measurements and asked about his diet. “It was terrible,” Ellis says....

Breaking Up with a Workout Buddy

Working out with a friend has plenty of benefits, from keeping you more motivated and accountable to inspiring you to try new classes or routines. Science backs up the claim, too. A recent study found that getting a new exercise partner can increase how often you workout and give you a sense of emotional and social support you might have lacked otherwise. But that’s only if the partnership is working...

Grilled Chicken with Tomato Avocado Salad | Recipe

This 450-calorie dinner is full of flavor (and 39g of protein!). Cooking Light’s Grilled Chicken with Tomato Avocado Salad uses homemade buttermilk dressing to balance the heat of the chicken. Chicken is a high-quality protein that is naturally low in sodium. Avocado delivers twice the amount of potassium than banana and is a good source of folic acid, vitamin E and B-vitamins.     Print     Grilled...

Everything You Want to Know About Sweat and Sweating

If you work out, you break a sweat because when you exercise, you’re increasing your body’s core temperature. Sweating is the body’s way of cooling itself down, so while it may not always be pretty, it’s completely normal — and healthy, too. But does the amount you sweat matter? What if you’re dripping after a run or an indoor cycling class, and the person on the bike next to you is perfectly dry?...

9 Practical Weight­ Management Tips Inspired by Japan

When it comes to living the longest, and the healthiest, the Japanese are Number 1 — quite literally. Children born in Japan today enjoy the best life expectancy of any country in the world: 84 years, according to the World Health Organization. Think the U.S. is close behind? You’d be wrong: The average life expectancy stateside is 79 years. And you’d have to drop down the list by nearly three dozen...

Best Thing to Eat if … You Need a Midnight Snack

Breakfast was at 8, lunch blew past you at noon, and dinner was unsatisfying at 6. Alas, it’s bedtime and that monster in your gut is gurgling feed me in a full-blown snack attack. What’s a calorie-counting guy or gal to do — without breaking the calorie bank? For one, don’t judge yourself. Hunger happens, sometimes even after you’ve brushed your teeth. A late-night snack can actually help you sleep,...

Am I Eating Too Few Calories to Lose Weight? | Ask the Dietitian

We cover a lot of ground when it comes to nutrition at MyFitnessPal. Some of the topics can be tricky and deserve further explanation from our experts. That’s why I’m here! We asked you for your burning questions on our Facebook page, and we got more than 140 responses. Every few weeks, I’ll pick a few of your questions to answer in detail. This installment is all about calories. Cutting back on...

7 Ways to Survive Workouts on Brutally Hot Days

Ah, summer. The moment you step outside, it feels like you’ve walked into an oven — it’s a lot easier to stay indoors or choose the comfort of an air-conditioned gym. But what happens if you have to train outdoors? In those situations, you need special strategies to withstand brutally hot days while still maintaining your highest level of performance. We’ve compiled the best tips to keep you as...