Blog Posts by Everyday Health

By Sharon Tanenbaum

British chef Jamie Oliver is out to revolutionize school lunches once again. After taking over the school cafeterias in Huntington, W.Va., last year in the first season of his Emmy award-winning reality show, "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution," now he's knocking on the doors of the Los Angeles school district for the second season, which premieres April 12 on ABC at 8 pm ET.

Last year, Oliver stormed the schools of Huntington, which was named the unhealthiest city in 2008 based on statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). He overhauled school menus, convinced children to eat (and enjoy) more vegetables, and opened a community kitchen to serve healthy meals to families. More than a year later, Oliver's nutrition lessons have had a lasting effect. "Everything that we set up and everything that we did is still running there," he said in a telephone news conference. What's more, the Naked Chef author has gotten the whole community - including

By Sharon Tanenbaum

Yes, it is possible to be healthy, pregnant and vegan. But still, Oscar winner and famous vegan Natalie Portman is not one to let her strict diet get in the way of pregnancy cravings.

The Oscar-winning actress, who is expecting her first child with fiance Benjamin Millepied, revealed that she's no longer a vegan.

"I actually went back to being vegetarian when I became pregnant, just because I felt like I wanted that stuff," the 29-year-old said during an interview with Atlanta's Q100 Bert Show (via UsMagazine.com).

So what finally did her in?

RELATED: Does Vegan = Weight Loss?

"If you're not eating eggs, then you can't have cookies or cake from regular bakeries, which can become a problem when that's all you want to eat," she revealed. "I actually wanted eggs at the beginning and then they grossed me out after awhile."

Vegetarianism can have many health benefits for Portman and her baby. Vegetarian sources of protein are easier on the kidneys, and being a v

By Sharon Tanenbaum

In a recent study published in the journal Psychology of Women Quarterly, 93 percent of college-age women admitted they fall into the fat-talk trap - picking apart their own body flaws among friends, possibly to elicit those "no, you look great!" responses.

But bashing their belly bloat isn't the only harmful thing that women routinely say aloud. From "I'm soooo stressed out" to "Yikes, I'm sorry about that," many seemingly harmless everyday phrases are actually more loaded than you think - and they have the power to whittle down your self-confidence and raise your levels of anxiety and depression, says Shoshana Bennett, PhD, a Sonoma, Calif-based psychologist.

Chances are you may not even realize you're making such statements, or that they're self-deprecating, Dr. Bennett says. "You should talk to yourself as you would to a very close friend. Most of us wouldn't dream of uttering to someone we adore the little putdowns we say to ourselves."

Everyday

By Sharon Tanenbaum, Everyday Health's celebrity news editor

Congratulations are in order for everyone's (or at least my) favorite funny woman, Tina Fey!

The 40-year-old star of 30 Rock announced she is expecting her second child with husband, composer Jeff Richmond, during a taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show on Wednesday, according to People. The couple have a five-year-old daughter, Alice.

Related: The Secret to Picking the Best Baby Name

Fey, who said she's five months along, seems to be right on trend: The Centers for Disease Control announced last week a 6 percent rise in the birth rate of women between 40 and 44, whereas birth rates among every other age group actually fell.

Related: Tips on How to Lose Weight Fast

With her announcement, Fey, whose book, Bossypants, was released on Tuesday, put to rest that nagging, cocktail-party question of "Are you going to have more kids?" In fact, she recently mused about in a story she penned for The New Yorker:

"This is rude. Especially

As the FDA reviews the possible link between artificial food coloring and behavior problems in children, you may not realize just how many everyday foods contain artificial tints. Artificial food dyes - and their suspected link to behavior problems like ADHD in some children - are under fire again, as an FDA expert panel re-examines their safety in a two-day review. The panel will look at studies on the links between artificial coloring and health problems and possibly recommend policy changes, including warning labels on foods that contain them.

Controversy over artificial food colorings, many of which were first approved by FDA in 1931, is nothing new. The debate dates back to the 1970s when California pediatrician Benjamin Feingold claimed a link between dyes and hyperactivity in children and suggested a diet that eliminated them.

True or False? 7 Myths About ADHD

FDA has weighed in on artificial food coloring in the past (in 1982, in 1986, and in 2007) and concluded that further

The obesity epidemic is boarding America's buses: The Federal Transit Administration recently proposed regulatory changes to account for the increased weight of the average passenger (175 pounds instead of 150) and the floor space that standing passengers occupy (1.75 square feet instead of 1.5).

It's no secret that the United States is struggling with a seriously weighty issue: 34 percent of U.S. adults are now obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); adults are on average 25 pounds heavier than they were in 1960. Even worse, obesity rates are skyrocketing among children. Over the last 30 years, the rate among preschoolers age 2 to 5 doubled, to 10 percent, and among adolescents 12 to 19, more than tripled, to 18 percent.

But obesity - defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater - isn't just affecting our bus system. Here's a look at surprising ways it's impacting everything from ambulances to bras.

RELATED: Tools for Healthy Living

They call it comfort food for a reason - you feel good when you eat the foods you love! Unfortunately, a lot of those dishes are packed full of calories, fat, and cholesterol. Rather than giving up your favorite recipes, try making healthy substitutions - you'll maintain the flavor and a healthy diet.

1. Peach Cobbler

Fruit cobblers are a great dessert. The secret to keeping calories and cholesterol low is in how you prepare the batter - only a little margarine is necessary, and you'll never miss the eliminated sugar with sweet peaches to fill the void.

Try Everyday Health's 1-2-3 Peach Cobbler
271 calories; 4 grams of fat; .5 mg cholesterol

2. BBQ Chicken

Barbecued chicken can be made year-round - either on the grill or under the broiler. Some recipes call for oil, while others call for salty condiments, but you can create a tangy marinade without adding fat or sodium. Our recipe is simple but results in savory, succulent chicken.

Try Everyday Health's Barbecued Chicken
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By Sharon Tanenbaum
As March Madness sweeps the nation, fans everywhere may be surprised to learn that the NCAA tournament isn't just fun and games - it can actually have a significant impact on your health.

Most of the effects seem positive. "Being involved in a social group with shared values and interests is demonstrably healthy," says Chris Peterson, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. "Being a sports fan is an excellent example of that."

But the tourney may not be a health slam dunk. Certain factors, such as whether your team wins or loses or how riled up you get during games, can take a negative toll on your health and safety too.

So will this year's tournament be a boost or bust your health? Read on to find out.

12 Amazingly Good for You Green Foods

1. Health Boost: Self-Esteem Spike

Among garden-variety (as opposed to hardcore) fans, cheering on your alma mater can lift your self-esteem and lower levels of anxiety and