by Keri Gans, R.D., for SHAPE.com

Are you making this mistake at the grocery store?Something I have been telling my patients for years is finally backed up by research: Do not go food-shopping hungry!

Researchers from Cornell University had 68 adults fast for five hours and then gave some of them crackers before setting everyone loose to grocery shop. Those who didn't have a snack bought about 19 percent more food, including more higher-calorie foods. The study also found that healthier food choices were made between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. and 4 and 7 p.m.

Clearly this means it's best to grab a snack before shopping. But there are more things you can do to pre-empt the purchasing of high-calories foods and make healthier choices when you stroll down the aisle.

RELATED: The Top 20 Artery-Cleansing Foods

1. Make a list. This seems like a relatively easy thing to do; however, I cannot tell you how many of my patients don't do it. Start by looking to see what you already have and don't have in the house, and then plan your meals and snacks

Add flair to a bureau or side table with these easy DIY medallion knobsBy Woman's Day Staff

Materials
• Wooden knobs
• Paintbrush
• Primer
• White paint
• Printer and copier
• 8½" x 11" paper
• Omni Gel Transfer Medium ($11; Joann.com)
• Mod Podge Gloss
Photo by Alison Gootee/Studio D;
craft & prop styling by Shana Faust

Related: Discover 15 clever uses for common household items.

TIME 30 MIN, PLUS DRYING TIME
COST $17 FOR 4 KNOBS

1 Paint your knobs with 2 coats of primer; let dry after each coat.

2 Paint with a coat of white paint; let dry overnight.

3 Download the design and print it out. Make a color photocopy of the printout (inkjet printers will not work), enlarging or reducing the design to fit your knobs.

4 Following the manufacturer's directions, brush several coats of the transfer medium onto the front of your photocopy; let dry between each coat.

5 Cut out each design to fit your knob. Soak the cutouts in a bowl of water for 10 to 20 minutes.

6 While the paper is still wet, use your fingers to rub the paper backing in a circular

Follow these guidelines to minimize your exposure to allergens outdoors and to avoid bringing them home By: Danielle Blundell

Stop the sniffles this season

While many of us eagerly await spring, for the 60 million Americans suffering from allergies, April-with its mold-friendly moisture and pollen-bearing blossoms-is one of the toughest times of the year. Experiencing sneezing, a runny nose, or itchy, watery eyes? Follow these guidelines to minimize your exposure to allergens outdoors and to avoid bringing them home.

Garden Smartly. Pollen levels peak between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., so save yard work for later in the day. Keep grass cut short, and consider wearing an air-filtering mask, goggles, and gloves while mowing the lawn. Avoid planting high-pollen-producing flowers such as amaranthus, juniper, and peonies, especially near windows or doors.

Clean Your Gear. Don't hang fresh laundry out to dry, and shake out clothes after they've been worn outside. Shower as soon as possible after spending time outdoors. Pets

We've all been there: Despite exercising and watching what you eat, the elastic in your workout shorts seems to be as tight as your hamstrings. "Ninety-five percent of the active people I work with want to lose some weight," says Cassie Dimmick, M.S., R.D., a sports dietitian and running coach in Springfield, Missouri.

Getting lean requires the same trait that makes you get up at 5 a.m. for a workout: discipline. You need to be vigilant about your diet and consistent with exercise so that you maximize calorie burn, increase muscle mass, and decrease body fat. Luckily, it's easier than it sounds when you employ these tactics from dietitians and coaches. Here, we present the top 10 eating habits that'll help you get lean. Get ready to lose (plus, check back later this week for our list of the top exercise tips)!

RELATED: Your Aisle-by-Aisle Supermarket Survival Guide

1. DON'T DRINK SUGAR
A study out of Tufts University in Boston looked at the association between sugar-sweetened drinks and