A simple addition or substitution can make a profound difference in the overall quality of your diet. If you enjoy freshly made juice or homemade smoothies, you can very easily improve the nutrient density of these beverages by tossing a handful of raw spinach into the mix. The beauty of this strategy is that you’re Related posts: Medical Myths and Smoothies Juice Supplements Red Beet Juice Power Wheatgrass Juice Research

If 30 minutes of continuous cardio activity is too strenuous for you or you can’t commit to the time frame, researchers in Canada have found that a 20-minute workout consisting of one-minute intervals followed by one minute of recovery is an effective method for improving your overall health and fitness level . To experiment with the concept yourself, complete a one-minute interval at 90 percent of your maximum heart rate ( calculate your max heart rate here ) and then follow with a minute of recovery. Complete 10 one-minute intervals with one-minute breaks in between. The whole workout will take you only 20 minutes, yet researchers have found that even this small amount of exercise will help increase your energy and oxygen production as well as regulate your blood sugar. From jump rope to battle ropes, we’ve gathered seven ways you can try out the one-minute intervals yourself. Do each exercise at your maximum for one minute, then follow with one minute of recovery; repeat ten times. Click here to see our interval ideas.

How to catch Zs if your partner is a snorer or blanket hog – HuffPost Healthy Living Reasons the Nike+ Fuel Band might be worth the hype – Blisstree Easy dinner ideas, all under 400 calories – Health Booty-blasting workout to whip your backside into shape – Fitnessista How to start a love affair with fitness – Shape Kate Upton’s Sports Illustrated cover may have been Photoshopped, but how much? – The Stir How your healthy eating might be making you fat – Prevention

Eighty-eight percent of U.S. children and adults consume more sodium per day than the amount recommended by federal dietary guidelines, according to a new report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And most Americans aren't just exceeding these guidelines; they're shattering them. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend that adults and teens limit their daily sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams, but according to the report the average intake is 3,513 milligrams – 53% above the suggested limit. Health.com: 25 foods with tons of hidden sodium The picture is even worse among the subpopulations for whom the daily recommended limit is 1,500 milligrams: people over 50; blacks; and those with high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease. Members of these groups, which account for nearly half of the U.S. population, tend to be especially sensitive to sodium, yet 99% of them exceed the recommended intake and the average person more than doubles the 1,500-milligram limit. "We're consuming far more [sodium] than is recommended, no matter what group you're in," says Janelle Peralez Gunn, a coauthor of the report and a public health analyst with the CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. The researchers weren't surprised by the data, but the findings underscore that health officials "have work to do" in educating the public about the dangers of excess sodium, Gunn says. Consuming too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension), which can in turn contribute to life-threatening health problems such as heart attacks and strokes. Health.com: Natural ways to lower blood pressure For most people, locking away the saltshaker won't be enough to lower their sodium intake to healthy levels, since three-quarters of the sodium consumed in the United States comes from packaged foods and restaurant meals. "A lot of people tend to think…'I don't add salt to my food,' without realizing that they've probably already exceeded—and in some cases probably doubled—their [recommended] intake before they've even picked up the saltshaker," Gunn says. Reducing sodium intake on a population-wide level will almost certainly require partnerships between government and the food industry to reduce the use of sodium during food processing, Gunn and her colleagues suggest. A public-private partnership of this sort has led to an estimated 10% reduction in salt intake in the UK, the report notes, and New York City is spearheading a similar partnership in the U.S. inspired by that effort. More than two dozen food manufacturers and restaurant chains—including Kraft, Heinz, Goya, and Subway—have already signed on to the program, known as the National Salt Reduction Initiative. These companies have pledged to reduce the sodium in their foods by up to 25% by 2014. Health.com: The 10 best foods for your heart The new report is based on a nationally representative survey conducted by the CDC between 2005 and 2008, which included a detailed diet questionnaire. Public awareness of excess sodium has likely risen since 2008, thanks to increased media coverage and public-health campaigns such as the New York City initiative, but the results would not be much different if the survey were conducted today, Gunn says. "Given that the intake is fairly high, even if we've had some impact in more recent years the vast majority of people are still going to be consuming more sodium than is recommended," she says.

Were loving how easy it is to make this healthy appetizer from the FitSugar community! FitSugar reader HealthyDiva posted this recipe for mango tuna bites in our Healthy Recipe group . If you can’t find mango pico de gallo, make our recipe for mango red pepper salsa . Mango Tuna Bites www.healthydivaeats.com So much flavor in one bite! Perfect Summer appetizer for a party – fast, easy, and healthy! Ingredients Mango Pico De Gallo Tuna (I used albacore Starkist tuna in a bag) Your choice of healthy crackers (I used whole grain crisp ones) Directions Take a cracker and spoon a little mango pico de gallo on it and then top with a little tuna. Print recipe with images | without images Warm weather has us ready for even more fresh, delicious recipes! Share yours in the Healthy Recipe group in the Fit Community.

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Traditionally, St. Patrick’s Day is heavy on the Guinness , whiskey , potatoes, and corned beef. Together these things are not a picture-perfect recipe for health. Don’t fret; you can still get into the spirit of today’s celebration by eating a bevy of healthy, green foods. With this kind of diet, you won’t need luck – you’ll have good health on your side! Source: Getty Images View Slideshow ›

Online sites, chain stores, drug stores and salons all sell beauty supplements or cosmeceuticals as they are also called, that offer “beauty from within”. This is a growing trend according to reports. Hair skin and nail supplements are a $520 million market and were up 10% in the past year. A society obsessed with youth and attractiveness, finds these cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals or nutricosmetics to be very alluring. But there is the question of actual efficacy of these products, and their safety as well. Requiring no prescription, one wonders if these trendy seeming items are a good idea. On the one hand they can make sense particularly for those who are not getting sufficient nutrients through their diet. Many of these products are celebrity endorse d and many are “doctor brands” that may offer legitimacy of a specious kind, tempting people to try them. While supplements could offer results, it is important to sift through the marketing jargon to the real results and also pay attention to safety issues. Are the possible benefits such that they counter weight the possible impact of long term use; are also questions that ought to be looked at. It is also important to understand if supplements that you take cause interference with medications that you may be taking. Digg this! Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on del.icio.us Tweet This! Share this on Facebook Share this on Blinklist Buzz up! Post on Google Buzz

The announcement came the night before J&J’s 3rd-quarter earnings report.

As if fruit wasn’t delectable enough on a hot Summer day, you can make it even more appealing by enjoying it with this creamy sweet, protein-rich dip. It literally takes seconds to prepare, but you’ll want to enjoy this treat slowly, one dipped piece of fruit at a time. To whip up this delicious recipe that can be shared as a party appetizer or enjoyed by yourself as an afternoon snack, read more. Maple Cinnamon Fruit Dip original recipe Ingredients 6-ounce container of nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon 1 tablespoon of maple syrup Directions Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. Serve with cut up apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, grapes, or cantaloupe and enjoy! Print recipe with images | without images Check out the nutritional info below. This dip is super healthy! Serving Size 1/4 of the dip Calories 44 Total Fat 0 g Sat. Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg Sodium 19 mg Carbs 7 g Fiber 0 g Sugars 6.3 g Protein 4 g Love this fruit dip? If you’re a pineapple fan, try this pineapple ginger fruit dip . Or if you have a snack recipe to share, post it in the Snack Attack community group.