Blog Posts by DietsInReview

By Mathue Johnson and Brandi Koskie - DietsInReview.com

Like many other holidays on our calendar, St. Patrick's is one that can quickly become a consumption fest if you're not careful. Traditionally green-dyed beer is consumed; for that matter, any variety of cold suds are consumed. This is one of those times when the phrase "all things in moderation" can be your ally. You can drink (responsibly!), enjoy the holiday and not feel guilty about it. Just don't forget that alcohol packs a punch of empty calories; calories that impact your daily consumption and any weight loss goals.

Without sacrificing the calories for wholesome foods throughout the day, build a drink or two in to your calorie budget on March 17 if you plan to imbibe with friends. While Irish favorites like a Guinness Extra Stout will set you back 104 calories and a Harp serves up 153 calories, not to mention the pub food, you might be wishing for a lower calorie option from the bar.

Try these lower-calorie beers for St.

By Jason Knapfel - DietsInReview.com

It has been a long and snowy winter. But thankfully, spring is just around the corner. Can't you feel it? While it may not be as significant as New Year's resolutions, spring is also a time for renewal. With the fresh aroma of flowers filling the air, we start shedding our layers of clothing and find that winter hibernation left us with a few extra unwanted pounds.

Do you have some extra weight that you need to shed before bathing suit season arrives? Then use this spring break to to start adjusting your habits. For starters, spring clean the kitchen.

Here are five ways that will re-shape your eating habits, and your waistline along the way.



1. Grocery Shop Wisely. If it's not in your kitchen, you won't eat it. While a simple mantra, its importance is profound. Don't shop for food when you are hungry, and even better, try going after a meal. Also rethink the pattern in which you shop. Shop the outer perimeter of the store first, where the

By Rebecca Scritchfield MA, RD, LD - DietsInReview.com

One of our favorite sayings is "Nothing changes until you do." If you've ever complained about not eating right, being overworked, not having time to workout, or not taking care of yourself the way you should then you have probably spent some time hoping things could change. Instead of hoping, start doing. With spring break starting for many this week, try these five ideas to help get you started and make more productive use of your week off.

1. Make a plan. Without a plan, you're left with good intentions that aren't executable. With any extra time this spring break do some personal reflection and goal setting. Think about one behavior at a time. For instance, what you'd like to change about nutrition. Write it down. Continue this until you have a list of changes that have been on your mind. Then, prioritize by what are the most important behaviors to change and easiest to change? Start there. Be consistent. Don't think about how

By Mathue Johnson - DietsInReview.com

You've probably heard or even used the expression "bingo wings." It's slang to describe the excess fatty tissue that hangs under the arm and waves to and fro, like when a member of a Tuesday night bingo club wins and shakes the winning card over-head. It's not the most flattering term, but it does offer some comic relief for a body issue that plagues many women.

This particular problem area is known as the triceps brachii muscle. The triceps is a three-headed muscle that comes together to join at the elbow. Extending the forearm and adducting the shoulder are the two main functions of the triceps.

So if you've caught yourself enviably staring down Michelle Obama's or Jennifer Aniston's sleek, fit arms, then maybe it's time you got a pair yourself. Here are a few ways to help tone those so called "bingo wings" in time to don a tank top for the warm weather months ahead.

1. Add an early morning, mid-day, and/or evening walk or jog to your daily

By Rebecca Scritchfield MA, RD, LD - DietsInReview.com

Love agave? Maybe you should think twice about how much "love" you give it. If you aren't familiar, agave nectar (ah gav ee) is a sweetener that ranges in color from light to dark, depending on the processing time and amount of minerals in the product. It is less thick than honey or maple syrup and it tastes sweeter too. The agave sweetener comes from various species of the agave plant. After the juice has been extracted, it is heated to create simple sugars. The final product is some percentage of the sugars glucose and fructose.

So far agave should remind you of typical sugar sweeteners - maybe even high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), right? But the reality is agave has been given a "health halo" in the last couple of years. Since agave is vegan and can be processed at lower heat temperatures to satisfy raw food enthusiasts, it is an obvious desirable sweetener for some. But people have been flocking to use agave more and more

By Rebecca Scritchfield MA, RD, LD - DietsInReview.com

February is American Heart Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and stroke, the number one killer in the United States. One way to reduce your risk of heart disease while maintaining a healthy lifestyle is with the DASH Diet, of which many people are not aware. The National Institutes of Health recommends this diet plan, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.

In recent studies for the DASH Diet, the addition of fruits, vegetables and dairy products lowered blood pressure - even when sodium was as high as 3,000 milligrams each day! Every millimeter the blood pressure falls reduces the risk of heart attack and strokes for people with high blood pressure. It's worth believing that small changes will garner big results. Your everyday decisions really do matter.

The DASH "diet" focuses on an eating plan that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and low-fat or non-fat dairy.

By Chef Devin Alexander for DietsInReview.com

During the months of February and March, you'll find me filling in as the featured guest chef at DietsInReview.com. I'm excited to share some of my favorite tips, tricks and ideas for getting out of the drive-thru, back in to the kitchen and making healthy cooking fun and accessible.

One question people frequently ask is "What do I need in my pantry to live a healthy lifestyle?". Obviously this can vary by person based on goals or preference. However, there are definitely items I'd consider "must-haves" to set yourself up for success. In my upcoming book "I Can't Believe It's Not Fattening!" you'll find I use all of these ingredients to create delicious dishes that are family favorites, they're just light on the fat and calories.

The following 12 items are what I consider must-haves when stocking a healthy kitchen.

1. Strong-flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Since you only need a little, I like to use an olive oil with a robust flavor,

By Rebecca Scritchfield MA, RD, LD - DietsInReview.com

February is American Heart Month. It's a time to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, the number one killer in our country, that way you and the people you love don't become a statistic.

Do you know your numbers? Your cholesterol numbers that is. You should have your cholesterol measured annually after age 30, especially if there is a family history of high cholesterol or heart problems. High cholesterol can double the risk for heart disease. It can be possible for your body to produce too much cholesterol, even if you take steps to lower your cholesterol.

However, many people successfully lower their cholesterol with some simple changes. There are three ways to improve your cholesterol levels.

1. Diet: Start by eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Use low- or non-fat dairy. Replace olive, grapeseed, canola or safflower oils for butter, lard or margarine. Avoid foods that contain saturated, hydrogenated,