Blog Posts by Healthy SELF, SELF Magazine

Sarah-Jane Bedwell, SELF magazine

I admit it, I have total hair envy of the Victoria's Secret Angels because they have such full, shiny locks--and their strands seem to only gleam brighter and bounce more while strutting their stuff. (Looking incredible in just lingerie, too.) And while I've spent my fair share of cash on hair products trying to get that star-like hair (Yes, I own travel-sized dry shampoo!), as a dietician, I believe that healthy, shiny hair starts from the inside out. The supermarket may just become your new beauty shop, because these five foods have the nutrients your mane needs.

See more: 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss

STEAK: Go ahead and enjoy that juicy steak--it's an an excellent source of both zinc and vitamin B5, both essential nutrients for healthy hair. Studies have shown that vitamin B5 may help to prevent hair from going gray, and if you don't have enough zinc in your diet, you may be more prone to hair loss.

See more: Foods That Fight Belly Bloat

Sarah-Jane Bedwell, SELF magazine

You know those creamy lattes you may find yourself seriously jonesing for during the Christmas season? Well, some of those bad boys have the caloric equivalent of a small meal. Seriously. Check out these three flavorful and low-cal options--at least one will have you singing "Jingle Bells" in minutes flat.

See more: 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss

Eggnog Light: The heavy cream and eggs in traditional eggnog results in a beverage that's high in saturated fat and calories, but combining a cup of vanilla almond milk with 2 tbsp of sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix, then chilling, yields that cravable rich and creamy flavor and cuts the calories by more than half. Serve sprinkled with ground nutmeg and cinnamon to taste.

See more: Yoga Moves for Flat Abs

Calorie-Free Peppermint Mocha: Traditional versions of this bevie are packed with excess sugar, but, I'm going to make your day by telling you that a delicious calorie-free peppermint "mocha" is

Sarah-Jane Bedwell, SELF magazine

Superfoods are foods that are jam-packed with nutritional benefits. If you want to be fit, healthy and full of energy, you should make it a point to eat at least one of these amazing superfoods every single day. Here are a few with the best benefits.

See more: Foods That Fight Belly Bloat

BERRIES: Eating a cup of berries everyday can help to reduce your risk of many types of cancer due to their high antioxidant content. Plus, since they are high in fiber and relatively low in calories, they are a great food to add to your diet when you are trying to lose weight.

See more: 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss

NUTS: Eating a handful (about 1.5 ounces) of nuts each day may reduce your risk of heart disease, research suggests. Studies have also shown that snacking on nuts daily could possibly promote weight-loss due to their fiber content and healthy fats that lend a feeling of satiety.

OATMEAL: This whole-grain contains soluble fiber, and studies

Sarah-Jane Bedwell, SELF magazine

I know it seems sorta counterintuitive, but there are several types of flour for those who have been diagnosed with Celiac design, are into the whole gluten-free trend or are just interested in cool, different food stuff.

Whether you're a carbaholic or not, you have gotta see these flours.

See more: Foods That Fight Belly Bloat

ALMOND FLOUR: Made from grinding blanched nuts, this flour works best in recipes for moist or light, fluffy cake-like results. And just one serving of almond flour has a whopping six grams of protein and a hefty dose of healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber and vitamin E. Try these oatmeal banana cookies.

OAT FLOUR: Since it's super similar to its wheat cousin, oat flour is made by grinding certified gluten free oats in a blender or food processor. Try replacing a portion of the wheat flour with rich, nutty oat flour in your favorite cookie recipe for a soluble fiber boost.

See more: 20 Superfoods for Weight Loss

BROWN RICE

Courtesy of SparkPeopleDana Meltzer Zepeda, SELF magazine

Not everyone is genetically blessed with mile-long gams but, luckily, you don't need to be a 6-foot-tall supermodel to get sexy legs in time for holiday dress season. Instead of logging long hours at the gym, try these sneaky leg toners, inspired by one of our faves, Coach Nicole, and her latest workout DVD, SparkPeople: Total Body Sculpting for fast and dramatic results. The best part? Do 'em at your desk, on your cross-country flight or even while watching TV. For real, you guys!

See more: Foods That Fight Belly Bloat

"These moves can be done right from your desk chair while you type, read emails and talk on the phone," she says. "You literally have no excuses!" Just incorporate the workout below into your regular routine 3 times a week to tone up your quads, abs, thighs, hamstrings and glutes faster than you can say "Happy 2013."

HIP FLEXION: Sit at the edge of a chair, back straight, not leaning against the chair. Engage abs

Gourmet, Romulo YanesSarah-Jane Bedwell, SELF magazine

Just by being more mindful of how you eat this year at Thanksgiving, you can still enjoy ALL your favorite dishes without wishing you didn't when you are done. Try these tips and tricks for navigating the Thanksgiving spread to enjoy the stuffing (and dessert!) without that overstuffed feeling.

START WITH BREAKFAST: It may be tempting to skip breakfast on Turkey Day, but this will only make it more likely that you will overeat. Instead of skipping breakfast, try a light yet filling meal like lowfat yogurt, fruit and a piece of whole-wheat toast. This will help jump-start your metabolism and prevent you being overly hungry and thus overeating when it's time to enjoy the feast.

See more: Foods That Fight Belly Bloat

LOOK BEFORE YOU FILL: Our eyes tend to get bigger than our stomachs when we go through a buffet line, and Thanksgiving spreads are no different. But before you begin to fill your plate with food, survey your options and choose just the

Amanda MacMillan, SELF magazine

Big news, ladies: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG; a companion organization to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) announced yesterday its official recommendation that oral contraceptives should be sold over the counter, without a prescription. Plenty of paperwork still stands in the way of this monumental moment in women's health, but it appears as though the United States is one step closer to granted broader access to contraceptive for all women.

In a video on the ACOG website, Gerald F. Joseph, M.D., says The College's recommendation was based on the unintended pregnancy rate in the United States, which has hovered around 50 percent for the last 20 years. By providing greater access to contraception without a prescription--as is already done in many other countries around the world--ACOG hopes to finally make a dent in this number.

See more: Foods That Fight Belly Bloat

So even