Blog Posts by Marie Claire

Bloat Beating FoodsMore than 10 million Americans regularly complain about being bloated. That uncomfortable sensation - the result of air passing through your intestines - is often caused by a tempting culprit: salty and fatty foods. So, what's safe to eat to keep women from unbuttoning those skinny jeans? We researched the top fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices that will save any stomach from an uncomfortable expansion.

1. Oranges and Watermelons: Because water flushes waste and excess water out of your system, enjoying water-rich foods is ideal. Watermelons, as their name suggests, are almost all water - 92 percent. Oranges too are approximately 80 to 90 percent water.

2. Yogurt: Not only does yogurt have a high water content, but it promotes the growth of good bacteria in the stomach. This bacteria is responsible for the reduction of excess gas that accumulates in the organ over time.

Related: 10 Surprising Foods That Pack On The Pounds

3. Garlic: This plant helps reduce the levels of fat in the

Closet Organization

A modern single girl is constantly updating her wardrobe, so things in her closet can get out of control pretty quickly. These simple tips will allow you the room you need to keep your closet filled with the most up-to-date styles without overflowing!

1. First thing's first: Go through your coats, clothes, and shoes to weed out things you don't wear anymore. You know the drill: If you haven't worn it in more than a year, or if it doesn't fit you anymore, it goes. Separate the items into boxes to give away to charity, recycle, or toss.

2. Use all the space available to you. Install a second closet rod like this simple metal one from the Container Store. If you don't want to go permanent (after all, so many of us live in apartments that we don't own), use a tension rod. Install the second rod halfway between the floor of your closet and the existing closet rod. Hang skirts and pants there. Longer items (dresses, cardigans) stay on top.

Related: 6 Ways Your Closet Might Be

Foods for StressReach for these items next time you're feeling under pressure, under the weather, or just too close to that breaking point. Munching on these stress-free foods will help pull you back into the game.

1. Oranges
A German study in Psychopharmacology found that vitamin C helps reduce stress and return blood pressure and cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. Vitamin C is also well-known for boosting your immune system.

2. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes can be particularly stress-reducing because they can satisfy the urge you get for carbohydrates and sweets when you are under a great deal of stress. They are packed full of beta-carotene and other vitamins, and the fiber helps your body to process the carbohydrates in a slow and steady manner.

Related: 10 Surprising Foods That Pack On The Pounds

3. Dried Apricots
Apricots are rich in magnesium, which is a stress-buster and a natural muscle relaxant as well.

4. Almonds, Pistachios & Walnuts
Almonds are packed with B and

What is in a closet? Heaps of unworn clothing, dresses with tags still on them, an ex-boyfriend's sweaters, or jeans that are too tight? Often what we find in a woman's closet gives us a peek into her personality, emotional state, fears or desires. How does a closet project who you are to other people, and more importantly, is your wardrobe covering up your potential? We spoke with Tracy DiNunzio, the CEO and founder of Tradesy, to give us a little insight about what exactly is lurking in our closets. By Liana Satenstein

Logos1) Your Closet is Filled With...Logos
If almost everything you own is logo-ridden, you may be trying to hide your true identity.

"I definitely see women who will only buy stuff if it has the designer logo on it. That's always a really interesting personality type because there is so much about what you want the world to see and what you don't want the world to see when you put someone's name front and center on your body. It is really a form of hiding. Again

Boost Your MetabolismIt's no secret that the key to successful weight-loss and healthy weight maintenance is to keep that metabolism revving, fueled by energy and nutrition-rich foods, dietary supplements and an active lifestyle. And, "a little strategy can go a long way toward keeping a diet and weight-loss initiative on track - particularly when the going gets tough," notes Dr. Britta Zimmer.

Follow these steps to kick your metabolism into high gear and keep those temptations in check:

1) Eat mostly vegetables with lean protein: Half your plate should be brightly colored vegetables (spinach, kale, red peppers, broccoli) because those with deep colors contain the most nutrition. The other half should be good quality, low fat protein sources, such as eggs, tofu, fish, chicken and turkey, which will give you a feeling of fullness for a longer period of time and, thus, better hold those cravings at bay.

Related: 10 Surprising Foods that Pack on the Pounds

2) Keep blood sugar stable: Losing weight is very

Healthy FoodsThe new trend among the weight conscious? Eating more. Don't focus on consuming less of the "bad" foods - aim to incorporate more of the good foods into your diet. Not only will you feel less deprived, but you'll also end up being too full to crave the junk. Try these five nutritional superstars for a result that's even greater than the sum of its wholesome parts.

1. Spinach
For $1.50, the price of a large bag of spinach at most grocery stores, you can reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis, lower your cholesterol, and raise your I.Q. Spinach is an excellent bone-builder, containing vitamin K, calcium, and magnesium. It's also high in flavonoids, plant molecules that act as antioxidants, which have been shown to prevent breast, stomach, skin, and ovarian cancer. Spinach is a great source of vitamin A and vitamin C, which not only keep you from getting sick in the winter, but also de-clog your arteries and reduce heart disease.

Spinach contains antioxidants that neutralize free

Foods to AvoidWhen you're trying to maintain your weight, it can be difficult to decipher which foods should be on our daily menus, and which we should ditch for good. With all of the trendy diets, health "buzzwords," and deceptive packaging we deal with on a day-to-day basis, the foods you once thought were figure friendly could actually be causing you to slowly pack on pounds. We consulted Lisa Drayer, a nutritionist, author, and spokesperson for Nectresse all-natural sugar substitute, who gave us the rundown on what we should - and more importantly, shouldn't - be snacking on this summer.

Related: 9 Foods That Reduce Stress

1. Dried Fruit: This common snack can be highly caloric. When fruit is dried, there is less water so sugar becomes more dense - like grapes dried into raisins. Portions should be limited to a quarter of a cup.

2. Peas and Corn: These vegetables are considered to be a starch because they have a high carbohydrate count. Consider them as bread-carb portions.

Related: Top 10

Healthy HeartHeart disease isn't just your mother's problem. Doctors have found artery-clogging plaque buildup in the bodies of people as young as their teens and 20s. Stare down the number-one killer of women by getting smart about fat.

SAVOR GOOD FATS
You can protect your heart by filling up on fats that boost good cholesterol, including monounsaturated fats (found in olive oil, canola oil, and nuts) and polyunsaturated fats (found in fish). Cut saturated fats (found in meat and cheese) to 7 percent of calories or less, and keep transfats (found in many baked goods and fast foods) to less than 1 percent of calories. So, for an 1800 calorie-a-day diet, you want less than 14 grams saturated fat and less than 2 grams transfats (a McDonald's Quarter Pounder with cheese has 12 grams saturated fat and 1.5 grams transfats).

Related: 5 Health Move Musts

DON'T GO TOO LOW
Eating 30 to 35 percent of calories from fat may be better than eating a low 20 or 25 percent from fat. Recent research found