Blog Posts by DietsInReview

By Carmen Staicer - DietsInReview.com Chief Mom

Excuses are one of the primary obstacles that stands in the way of getting into shape. (Sorry, but round isn't a shape!) Some of the excuses are legit: time is short, work and family obligations pile higher and higher, and exercise is often seen as a burdensome expense. So instead of resting on these, let's take a look at the most common diet excuses and blow them out of the water. Your best body is closer than you think!

1. There's no time. Make time by thoroughly reviewing your schedule. Somewhere in there is a chunk of time just waiting to be burned. Find it.

> Do you watch television? Maybe during a can't-miss show you can run or walk the treadmill instead of sitting.
> Or, do squats, sit-ups and lunges during commercial breaks.
> Take a walk during your lunch break.
> Run the stairs at home three times a day for ten minutes each.
> Wake an hour earlier and fit in a workout.

2. I can't afford it. Exercise can be as expensive

By Heather Ashare - DietsInReview.com

You might be surprised to learn that in shunning dark meat turkey at Thanksgiving, you're actually shunning some important nutrients. True, we've been told for a long time to stick to the white meat and avoid the dark meat because of the fat content, but really, the difference is so slim, especially when you look at the nutrition gain.

Take a look at the nutrition facts of white and dark meat turkey, and you'll find some surprising facts that might have you elbowing your way in to a drumstick this year.

The following information is for a 3.5 ounce serving of turkey meat without skin, a portion about the size of a deck of cards.

Calories per serving:
White meat = 161 calories
Dark meat = 192 calories

Fat per serving:
White meat = 4 grams
Dark meat = 8 grams

Protein per serving:
White meat = 30 grams
Dark meat = 28 grams

Iron per serving:
White meat = 1.57 mg
Dark meat = 2.4 mg

Zinc per serving:
White meat = 2.08 mg
Dark meat = 4.3

By Brandi Koskie - senior editor at DietsInReview.com

Thanksgiving is equally as much about counting our blessings as it is indulging in great food. No one questions when you've filled your third plate with stuffing and pumpkin pie, no one asks why you consumed your weight in turkey and chose a nap over a walk, and no one laughs when you're most thankful for grandma's homemade macaroni and cheese.

So it's up to each of us to watch our own backs, and bellies, on Thanksgiving. And the one sure-fire place to avoid the calorie conundrum is to mindfully prepare your recipes for a healthy Thanksgiving.

1. Choose recipes that are rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein sources. Fresh or frozen vegetables are ideal; if choosing canned, be sure the sugar and sodium content is low.

Simple Thanksgiving Swaps:

> Instead of slathering fresh fruits with whipped cream for a fruit salad, drizzle with honey.
> Instead of baking vegetables soaked in butter, steam them or lightly

By Rebecca Scritchfield, RD - DietsInReview.com

Did you know that 54 million Americans are living with pre-diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and they may not even know it. November recognizes National Diabetes Awareness Month, and it's a chance for all of us to take a second look at our health so we don't become a statistic. As the daughter of a type 2 diabetic, I know first-hand what life is like with the disease. With all the medications, finger sticks, foot checks, vision tests, and daily grind of nutrition and exercise, it can be a lot for people to manage, especially after a lifetime of unhealthy habits.

Wouldn't it be ideal if you knew exactly how to control your diabetes, or better yet, prevent diabetes altogether? Well, you can, and I'm going to explain the three steps you can take to reverse or prevent type 2 diabetes.

1. Eat More Nutritiously

If you already have type 2 diabetes, then you should know the importance of keeping

By Carmen Staicer - Chief Mom at DietsInReview.com

So you made plans to workout. You did all the prep work: packed gym clothes, grabbed a water bottle and a healthy snack, cleared your schedule, and then, boom! Something happens and your carefully constructed plans vanish in smoke. What's an intrepid gym rat to do? Don't worry, there are many things you can do to workout at home that will give you a great workout, even if you don't have access to your usual weights, machines or trainer.

The Power of 50 - Do a session of 50 squats, 50 push-ups, 50 sit-ups and 50 lunges. It's guaranteed to get your blood moving!

The Birth Date Dash - Add up the numbers in your birth year. So, 1969 would be: 1+9+6+9 = 25. Now, run that number of flights of stairs.

Wall Work - Create a rotation of push-ups and triceps dips, facing away from the counter, and then rotate it with jumping lunges. Aim to do each set for a minute without stopping, and do 3-5 sets.

Burpees - Start by standing, drop to a squat,

By Heather Ashare - DietsInReview.com

Halloween and its homage to sugar is lurking just around every corner. As the temptation mounts each time we go to the grocery store to purchase enormous bags of candy bars and suckers, remember these surefire ways to treat yourself during this spooky time without tricking your diet plans before the holidays. You can survive Halloween on a diet.

Plan Ahead.

Before going to the store, determine how many bags of candy you will need, not how many you want. That way you know the stockpile of candy is for the little goblins and gremlins at your door.

Don't Play Favorites.

Avoid buying candy that you love, and select only the candy that you are not tempted by. If you know you'll lose all self-control around a certain candy-covered chocolate, do yourself a favor and opt for something you're not likely to crave.

Skip the Candy.

It might feel like you're violating some code, but more and more people are opting to hand-out healthy snacks or non-edibles

By Brandi Koskie - DietsInReview.com

This week, three new fitness video games were released for use with the Nintendo Wii (or Nintendo DS). With the creation of the Nintendo Wii an entirely new genre of video games has been born, and it's probably the best thing to ever happen to video games. These games don't allow you to immerse yourself in the cushions of the sofa, glassy-eyed and crumb-covered for half a day. These games force you to get up on your feet, raise your heart rate and get your blood pumping. You'll have fun, get in a workout, burn some calories and feel entertained, all in the comfort of your own home, by yourself or with a friend or family member.

Nintendo's Wii Fit Plus, Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010 and the first Biggest Loser Wii game are now available for you to purchase, and put to good use. These aren't meant to gather dust.

Learn more about each of these new games and see if one, or more, is a good fit for your at-home fitness regimen.

Nintendo Wii

By Carmen Staicer, Chief Mom - DietsInReview.com

Most days you probably scramble out the door with kids hovering around both legs, make-up half done, and five minutes to spare. This daily scenario is happening in homes across the country, and it's not helping our moms get any healthier.

Take a deep breath, and if you can make these five healthy habits part of your routine, you'll start and end each day feeling better.

1. Get Plenty of Sleep. Getting enough sleep each night is an important key to maintaining a healthy weight and having plenty energy to get through work, exercise and managing the household.

Learn the importance of sleep for good health.

2. Make Breakfast a Priority. Studies have shown that a healthy breakfast helps jump start your metabolism, with the best choice being a complex carbohydrate and protein combination. Eggs and bacon might taste yummy, but it's a higher fat choice.

Try these healthy breakfast ideas for an on-the-go lifestyle.

3. Carry a Water Bottle.