Blog Posts by SHAPE magazine

by Jessica Smith for SHAPE.com

In a hurry? Grab one of these nutritionist-approved lunches from your favorite fast food joints.

Healthy lunch options from Chipotle1. Chipotle: "I love Chipotle's 'food with integrity' philosophy and their fresh, high-quality ingredients," says Cynthia Sass, R.D., author of S.A.S.S! Yourself Slim: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches. Her favorite menu item? A simple salad with only lettuce, black beans, fajita veggies, tomato salsa, corn salsa, and guacamole. "This meal is delicious and will leave you feeling satisfied but also energized," she says. And the nutrition facts are impressive: 400 calories, just 2g saturated fat, 23g fiber, and 15g protein.

Not in the mood for a salad? Order a burrito made with only beans, fajita veggies, and romaine lettuce (the beans provide enough protein on their own) and ask them to hold the rice, meat, cheese, and sour cream, says nutritionist Amy Hendel, author of The 4 Habits of Healthy Families. A healthier alternative to traditional

by Locke Hughes for SHAPE.com

Fresh new ways to enjoy the best summer produceWhile the first official day of summer isn't until June 21, we're more than ready to start devouring the delicious summertime fruits and veggies that hit their prime this time of year. Try these 12 healthy recipes for mouthwatering ways to enjoy this month's most flavorful produce.

Arugula
This peppery, leafy green tastes best when picked in warm summer months. Chock-full of vitamins and antioxidants, arugula is slightly more tangy tasting than its milder peers such as spinach or romaine, so it holds up well in heartier recipes in addition to being tossed in salads. Stir the leaves into pastas, add them to scrambled eggs, or scatter them on top of pizzas.
Garlicky Tomatoes with Ricotta and Arugula on Multigrain Toast
Gruyere, Wild Mushroom, and Arugula Pizza

Summer Squash
Yellow squash and zucchini are some of summer's most bountiful crops-a good thing, considering they're one of the most versatile veggies to use in your cooking. Low in calories and

by Cristina Goyanes for SHAPE.com

Facebook revises policy regarding mastectomy picsWhen internationally-known professional photographer David Jay posted stark, bold portraits of young women revealing their mastectomy scars on Facebook as part of "The Scar Project" in late May, the social networking website immediately took them down and banned him from the site for 30 days for violating their strict policy on nudity. Jay, who created the special series after losing a dear friend to breast cancer at age 32, told the NY Daily News that the images were meant to be very supportive to women--in other words, nothing pornographic or disrespectful at all.

Soon after being kicked off Facebook, Jay tweeted about what happened and got the attention of 53-year-old Susan "Scorchy" (her screen name) Barrington, a New York City-based woman with stage IV breast cancer and founder of the blog The Sarcastic Boob. The next day, Barrington put together a petition asking Facebook to reconsider their policy and, with the help of Change.org, secured more

by Charlotte Andersen for SHAPE.com

7 healthy foods with bizarre side effectsPlus, one adverse reaction, that's not just strange--it's downright scary! Read on for seven healthy foods with super weird side effects.

1. Cilantro: Often called the Great Cilantro Divide in culinary circles, people generally either love cilantro or they hate it-as in, they describe the herb as "smelling like death," "eating hand sanitizer," and "gargling with Palmolive." So why does cilantro taste superb to some but soap-like to others? While genetics may play a part-identical twins often rate cilantro the same way-the big difference is how sensitive your nose is, according to Dr. Danielle Reed, a scientist from the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. People who love cilantro are apparently able to smell a compound in the fragrant herb that haters cannot. Plus, those repulsed by cilantro can keenly smell the unsaturated aldehydes that give it that soapy scent.

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2.

by Diana Kelly for SHAPE.com

Expert tips to beat boredom and end a sex drought...tonight!For the first few months, you two couldn't keep your hands off each other and did it everywhere and anywhere. Now? You're starting to forget what he looks like naked.

According to a study by the Center for Sexual Health Promotion, about 10 percent of married women in their 30s and 17 percent of those in their 40s haven't had sex in the last 90 days, and the numbers for unmarried couples living together are even higher. While it's reassuring that you're not the only one, many couples misinterpret that shift from crazy, electric passion to steady, calm feelings as falling "out of love" when, in reality, they are moving into a deeper, habit-forming love, which is where true love begins to take shape, says Ava Cadell, Ph.D., founder of Loveology University and spokesperson for TheExperienceChannel.com. Chemically speaking, the brain releases oxytocin, the "cuddle" hormone, which packs a double punch by generating a sense of relaxation while also lowering

by Keri Gans, R.D.N. for SHAPE.com

Are Chipotle's vegan sofritas a healthy option for non-meat eaters?On Monday, Chipotle Mexican Grill began offering sofritas, shredded tofu braised with chipotle chilies, roasted poblanos (mild chili peppers), and a blend of spices, at its California locations. The only source of protein for vegetarians and vegans at Chipotle in other states right now is beans, and while I am a huge fan of beans, having more than one option never hurts.

Like other fillings, sofritas can be added to burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads with other ingredients, and at 145 calories and 1.5 grams of saturated fat per 4-ounce serving, they sound pretty good for you. And while I'm glad Chipotle has a new vegan option and would hope that meat-eaters would try it too, there are many surprises on their menu that you need to watch out for, such as:


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1. Just a burrito's tortilla-before adding any fillings-sets you back 290 calories and 670mg sodium.

2. Normally I would not

by SHAPE Diet Doctor Mike Roussell, ph.D, for SHAPE.com

Is the alkaline diet healthy or hype?Q: What's the science behind alkaline versus acidic foods? Is it all hype or should I be concerned?

A: Certain people swear by the alkaline diet, while others say worrying about if your food is acidic or alkaline is worthless, citing the fact that hard evidence of its importance in humans is lacking. Although I don't recommend that you base your diet primarily on this premise, the core message of what it takes to eat an alkaline diet is worth adhering to.

Alkaline, Acidic, and PRAL Scores
What makes a food acidic or alkaline isn't what you'd think.

Take a second and think of a common acidic food that we eat. Lemons might have popped into your mind. Lemons are acidic in that they contain citric acid, but when we are talking about your body's acid/base balance, what makes a food acidic or not has to do with what happens in your kidneys.

When the nutrients in the food reach your kidneys, they produce more ammonium (acidic) or

by Krista Bennett DeMaio for SHAPE.com

Do you need to change your skincare routine this summer?When the warm weather hits, you gladly trade your sweaters for tank tops, swap your boots for sandals, and strip the heavy comforter off your bed. One more thing you may want to change: your skincare routine.

If your face isn't showing any signs of distress, no need to do anything, says Paul Jarrod Frank, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City. But if it's excessively oily, acne- prone, or extra sun-sensitive this time of year, tweaking your usual regimen can help you score clear, glowing skin again.

Try these five summer makeovers and prepare for everyone to ask what your beauty secret is.




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1. Clean up your cleansing act: When your skin is oily, a creamy, hydrating cleanser just won't cut it, says Gervaise Gerstner, M.D., consulting dermatologist for L'Oréal Paris. "Your cleanser should have some sort of de-greasing effect-especially at night, when you're left with a day's worth of buildup,"