Blog Posts by The Editors at Sharecare

It's true: You can learn to enjoy chocolate in moderation.The holiday season means temptation is everywhere, from chocolates at the office to cookies from the neighbors. If you're prone to binge eating and food cravings - which can be a real addiction that affects the same areas of the brain as drug cravings - this is a particularly tough time of year. But with a little planning, you can outwit your appetite.

Eat a protein-rich breakfast. Some protein - like eggs, yogurt, or nuts - in the morning helps prevent overeating later in the day, a new study from the University of Missouri finds. Protein keeps you satisfied so you'll beless tempted by goodies.

Eat this to fend off a snack attack and flatten your belly.

Get moving, especially when you crave chocolate. A quick walk will curb even major chocoholic cravings in just 15 minutes. It works by stimulating feel-good brain chemicals.

Avoid trigger foods. You're less likely to be tempted by the foods you crave if you keep them out of your environment. Banish them from your house.

Read More »from 9 Ways to Outsmart Food Cravings

Bad doggy! Keep your dogs -- and cats -- away from holiday treats.Holiday feasts mean plenty of tasty temptation for you -- and your dog or cat. Though you may not plan to give people food to your pets, they'll still be cruising for handouts. Ask guests not to share their chow with pets, and keep food out of a sneaky paw's reach. Watch out for that box of chocolates on the coffee table, beware of counter-surfing cats and dogs, and keep your Dumpster-diving pooch out of the trash.

There are plenty of people food no-nos for pets, but these six items are common on tables this time of year, and they're bad news for both cats and dogs.

Is your cat having trouble getting around? Here's how to spot arthritis in Fluffy.

Onions, garlic, and chives. These members of the allium family (including onion and garlic powders) can cause tummy upset in cats and dogs. Very small amounts probably won't do any damage, but if animals eat a lot of onions, garlic, or chives over time, it can cause red blood cell damage that leads to anemia.

Grapes, raisins,

Read More »from 6 People Food No-Nos for Pets

You'd don't have to sacrifice flavor to trim calories and fat from your Thanksgiving feast.Does Thanksgiving have you loosening your belt before the pumpkin pie is served? You're not alone: The average American gobbles a whopping 3,500 calories on Turkey Day. These eight steps will save you more than 2,000 calories and put a healthy spin on the feast.

1. Ask for white meat. Turkey breast is super lean: just 44 calories, 1 gram of fat, and no saturated fat per skinless ounce (yep, leave the skin behind). Plus, the big bird is a great source of iron, zinc, potassium, and B vitamins.

Watch this video for tips to roast a perfect bird.

2. Make low-fat gravy. It's easy to slash the fat in traditional gravy. Pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a measuring cup, and pop it in the freezer for about 15 minutes. The fat will rise to the top so you can skim it away and use the tasty juices to make your gravy.

3. Stuff the bird with whole grains. Try the slightly nutty flavor of quinoa, wild rice pilaf, bulgur, or even barley. You won't save calories, but

Read More »from 8 Ways to Skip Thanksgiving Weight Gain

Can all those greenbacks make you happy?Black Friday, with all its tempting steals and deals, is just about here, and that means the official launch of the holiday shopping season. Despite the tough economy, the National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts we'll spend $465.6 billion this holiday season, up almost 3 percent over last year.

That got us wondering: Can money buy happiness? We asked the RealAge Facebook community. On its own, money doesn't equal happiness, our fans said. But it sure can help. Here's how:

1. Spend on others.

When it comes to money, it really is better to give than to receive. "The only time money really makes you happy is when you're giving it away to someone who needs it," said one of our fans.

She's not alone. A Harvard Business School study revealed that spending money on others makes people happy, regardless of where they live or how much money they have. Turns out, humans are hard-wired to derive pleasure from acts of generosity. Researchers at the University of Oregon found that

Read More »from 3 Ways Money Can Buy Happiness and Health

Diabetes does a number on more than your blood sugar.It's American Diabetes Month, and if you don't have diabetes, you probably know someone who does. The International Diabetes Federation just released the fifth edition of its Diabetes Atlas and predicts that one in 10 adults on the planet will have diabetes by 2030.

Sadly, we've already reached those numbers here in the United States, and experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention forecast one in three American adults will have diabetes by 2050. With those stats come some scary potential complications - heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, to name a few.

But diabetes takes a deep personal toll, too, as we found when we analyzed data from 1 million RealAge members. Here are three ways diabetes does a number on your marriage, finances, and emotional health:

Is your blood sugar quietly hurting your health? Take this quiz to find out.

1. Relationships

People with diabetes are more than twice as likely as those without diabetes to say

Read More »from Beyond Blood Sugar and Heart Health: 3 Ways Diabetes Takes a Toll on Your Personal Life

The holidays are just about here, and between errands and travels, you may have to hit up a fast-food joint or coffeehouse in search of breakfast. The bad news: There's plenty of junky temptation out there. The good news: Lots of franchises have jumped on the health bandwagon and now offer better alternatives. Here's what to avoid, as well as better-for-you choices:

Starbucks

What to skip: Like most coffeehouses, Starbucks' bakery menu has plenty of obvious calorie and fat bombs: donuts, fritters, croissants, and the like. But their Zucchini Walnut Muffin is a wolf in healthy sheep's clothing. It has a whopping 490 calories, 28 grams of fat, and 490 milligrams of sodium.

What to order: The Strawberry & Blueberry Yogurt Parfait has 300 calories and just 3.5 grams of fat (none of it saturated), along with a satisfying 7 grams of protein and 3 grams of fat. Crave a hot breakfast? The Starbucks Perfect Oatmeal clocks in with 140 calories, 2.5 grams fat, and 4 grams of fiber.

4 Read More »from 5 Worst Fast-Food Breakfasts (and What You Should Order Instead)

A roller-coaster economy and languishing job market mean burnout's spreading faster than disgust with Congress. Whether you've lost your job, are scared you might be downsized, or are still employed but doing the work of two, you're probably more stressed than ever.

In a disturbing new survey, nearly half of all employers said their workers are emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted. Several recent studies have linked the shaky global economy with higher rates of depression and anxiety among people of all ages.

That makes it even more important to take good care of your health. But recharging emotionally and physically doesn't require a week-long escape to a pricey spa (though that would be nice!). Here are six free ways to boost your spirits and take care of your body.

Take this quiz to pinpoint what's causing your financial stress.

1. Reach out.

Isolation boosts stress. You're at extra risk if you telecommute, are home all day searching for a new job, or

Read More »from Got the Recession Blues? Here Are 6 (Free!) Ways to Recharge

Get more health tips from RealAge:

Are you living as young as you could? Take the new RealAge Test and find out.
Is your city keeping you young? Check out America's top 10 youngest cities.
Try our 60-day Feel Young Plan
4 therapies to help beat back chronic pain.
Try this low-impact exercise to lose weight.Read More »from You Can Be a Love Machine! 8 Steps to Hot Sex