Blog Posts by SHAPE magazine

By Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD

Mac and CheeseLast year, Twitter started a tradition of publishing a "Year in Review," a look at the hottest tweets, topics, retweets, and stories of the year, including a category on food.

And of the top seven "hot food topics" this year, none were healthy. In the number one spot was McDonald's McLobster, a menu item not currently available nationwide. The second: fried Kool-Aid, enough said. Coming in third: Starbuck's Trenta, the chain's new mega-sized 31-ounce option. The fourth and fifth spots both belong to beer (Devassa and Guinness); at number six, three simple letters: BBQ; and rounding out the bunch: good old mac and cheese. So why is it that unhealthy food gets so much buzz? Why aren't the hot topics things like exotic fruits, ancient grains and ethnic spices? Here's my take on why we're so taken with unhealthy fare:

RELATED: Artery-Cleansing Foods You Should Be Eating

It represents reckless abandon
In my private practice work, some of my clients are

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The Paleo DietA healthy diet and regular exercise may be the standard advice when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off, but there are a lot of different ways to approach both. With new research on exercise and weight loss coming out every day, it pays to stay on top of the headlines. But don't worry: You don't need to go digging through Google news archives. We've rounded up the top 10 exercise and weight-loss trends from 2011 from the best to the worst to the weird. How many have you tried?

1. The Paleo Diet: Neanderthals never looked so modern as variations on primitive diets and exercise plans have gained mainstream acceptance. The Paleo Diet, a diet heavy on meat and vegetables and devoid of grains, in conjunction with a focus on lifting heavy stuff and sprinting away from predators is the newest old trend.

Acupuncture2. Alternative Therapies: Hypnosis, acupuncture, meditation, and herbal remedies used to be seen as placebos at best and voodoo at worst, especially when it came to the high-stakes

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wear high heels without the painThat pain that you feel at the end of a long night-no, it's not a hangover and it's not exhaustion. We're talking about something worse-the pain that's caused by a seemingly evil and malicious pair of high heels. But, believe it or not, not all high heels are created equal. In some cases, they can actually be healthier for your feet than flats. "Excess pronation is a condition that affects 75 percent of the population and has been related to many conditions, such as heel pain (otherwise known as plantar fasciitis), knee pain, and even lower-back pain," says podiatrist Phillip Vasyli.

RELATED: 15 Sneakers to Die For
SHAPE mag
In this case, doctors actually recommend wearing shoes with a slight heel, as opposed to our trusty flats. "The popular trend of ballet flats has caused us to see an increase in many of the aforementioned conditions due to a lack of overall support and flimsy shoe construction," Vasyli says.

Generally, there are a few things to look for when you're shopping for stilettos.

Read More »from The Secret to Wearing High Heels Without Pain

Build your perfect home gymBy Jessica Smith

Do you dream of having your own home gym but don't think you have room-in your home or your bank account ? Think again! Here, your step-by-step guide to building the perfect home gym for any space on any budget.

Step 1: Find a space in your home that you can dedicate to your workouts.
First, you need to decide where you want to set up your home gym. The spare bedroom, office, or even a back porch or patio, are all great spaces for exercise. And if you don't have a spare room, a small area in your home (like the living room) that can double as your workout space will do.

Step 2: Give it good fitness feng shui.
To help boost your energy level during your workouts , make your space as light and airy as possible. An ideal fitness space has lots of natural light coming in from windows or doors, says fitness expert Ellen Barrett, star of the Ellen Barrett Live: Grace & Gusto DVD. And while adding in windows may be impossible, you can add in more light

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Ice your cupcakes with Matcha green teaGreen tea is really pretty awesome. Not only is it an antioxidant-filled superpower, but you can pretty much put it in anything, thereby adding a blast of free-radical fighting goodness and caffeine to any of your daily snacks or meals. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy green tea:

1. Ice your cupcakes: Two tablespoons of matcha powder in your favorite light buttercream frosting add vivid color to your cupcakes and impart a sweet, flowery taste to the decadent desserts.

2. In oatmeal: Spice up your everyday oatmeal with a blast of antioxidants. Steep a green tea bag in boiling water, then mix your favorite instant oats in it and prepare as you normally would.

3. Zest your eggs: Dr. Seuss got it right with Green Eggs and Ham. Mix a teaspoon of matcha with coarse sea salt and generously sprinkle the nutritious seasoning over poached or scrambled eggs.

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4. Get creative with cookies: Mix a heaping spoonful of green tea powder into

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Is it ever okay to tell someone you love they need to lose weight?"I'd ask him how much he weighs, and then I'd shed him!" exclaims Aileen Zsenyuk, a woman who recently lost 115-pounds. While her partner wasn't the catalyst for her weight loss, for some women, it's one of the worst things you could ever imagine coming out of a loved one's mouth: the words "you're fat."

Hurtful, maybe, but in some cases, absolutely necessary for the person's own health and well-being. In cases where one is morbidly obese, it could even save their life. But for some people, excess weight serves as a shield, one that they aren't quite ready to shed. According to certified health coach Holly Stokes, "Weight can be a way of hiding who we really are from others so they don't reject us or get too close, and often, it's a way of insulating yourself from a partner's criticism."

So instead of coming off as critical, try a more positive approach. Caryl Ehrlich, a weight-loss coach who helps people beat food addiction says that if you decide to tell someone they

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By Kate Rope

Are you a germaphobe?My name is Kate, and I'm a germaphobe. I won't shake your hand if you look a little peaked, and I'll discreetly move away if you cough on the subway. I'm an expert at elbowing open a swinging door, as well as knuckling my way through an ATM transaction. The arrival of my daughter four years ago seems to have shifted my functional phobia into overdrive. One afternoon, as I sanitized every page of a children's board book from the library, I began to worry that I'd crossed a line.

It was time for professional help. I met with Philip Tierno, Ph.D., the director of clinical microbiology and immunology at the NYU Langone Medical Center. Teirno told me that, "germs are everywhere-but only 1 to 2 percent of the known microbes can do us harm." Plus, most of these germs are beneficial. So how can you protect yourself from the bad guys without sterilizing everything in sight?

It's possible with some smart strategies. Since some 80 percent of all illnesses are passed by

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delicious brunch recipesThinking of hosting Sunday brunch this weekend? Treat your guests to some of these delicious recipes!

1. Steamed eggs: This high-protein , low-calorie recipe will keep your guests feeling satisfied for hours-for less than 300 calories. Serve the eggs sans English muffins , and you'll cut 135 calories and 422 mg of sodium per serving. Get the steamed eggs with vinegar and herbs recipe.

2. Cinnamon-wheat pancakes: These low-calorie pancakes are packed with nutrients and flavor. In other words, they're the perfect way kick off your day. Get the easy recipe for cinnamon-wheat pancakes with hot boysenberry compote.

RELATED: Healthy Lunch Recipes Under 300 Calories

3. Pumpkin-gingerbread waffles: From the name to the taste , everything about these waffles screams indulgence. But it's all a façade. You can enjoy these pumpkin-gingerbread waffles without guilt . Get the low calorie recipe here.

4. Frittata muffins: Perfect for Sunday brunch or a light supper, this savory treat can be served

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