Rachel Johnson on Shine

Survive the holidays without gaining an ounce

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I love a glass of wine or a cup of hot cocoa when it’s cold out—but since I don’t want to gain weight, I’ll need to count the calories I drink. Americans tend to put on weight over the holidays and sugar-sweetened beverages are a key contributor to excessive weight gain and obesity. Find out how you can eat, drink and still stay skinny this holiday season, and get a delicious low-cal cocktail recipe to sip on.

Can you eat to beat breast cancer?

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Even women with extensive health knowledge, who seem to get everything right, get cancer. We know there are some things we can’t control. We can’t change risk factors like our family history; scientists predict that just over one-quarter of breast-cancer risk is due to inherited factors. But it’s clear that eating well is part of doing everything you can to tip the odds in your favor.

So what can we do (or not do) to lower our risk? Here are 5 simple strategies:

Why Mediterraneans don’t get fat

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I was invited to lecture in Italy and my husband, Mark, tagged along. After my work was done, we hiked a scenic trail and afterward we settled into a small café for a leisurely lunch: a small plate of pasta with pesto, fresh fish drizzled with olive oil and a platter of grilled artichokes and peppers, along with a carafe of the house red. With plenty of exercise, delicious Mediterranean food in reasonable portions and a relaxed pace, I experienced the Mediterranean lifestyle in its home base—and felt wonderful.

Lose 10 pounds in 10 days?

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“Lose 10 pounds in 10 days!” As a nutrition professor, I know better than to believe the ultra-fast weight-loss claims that proliferate as bathing-suit season peaks. I admit, some of the ads sure sound compelling. EatingWell has written extensively on healthy weight-loss strategies, but I’ve long wondered if any of the products that promise to “zap fat like magic” might have a kernel of truth. My friend Jane nips weight gain in the bud with a once-a-year three-day juice fast; it seems to work for her—but what does the science say? Full of hopeful skepticism, I recently sorted through the more enticing claims.

What’s in your veggie burger? The truth behind mystery ingredients

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A trip down the frozen-food aisle of any major supermarket confirms that the nonmeat burger is more mainstream than fringe these days. With dozens of choices at your fingertips, navigating the world of burger alternatives can be challenging. Moreover, what are all those ingredients listed on the package of your soy-based veggie burger? Rest assured, they’re not as scary as they sound. We explain the purpose of some mysterious ingredients commonly spotted on the labels of meat-free burgers.

6 Diet Busters: Healthy-Sounding Foods That Really Aren’t

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Don’t be fooled by health halos. Here are some of the worst offenders: