It may be normalized to complain of low energy, but chronically low energy levels are certainly not normal and there may be a nutrient deficiency causing fatigue. While specific nutrient deficiencies are associated with low energy, you’ll want to consider whether or not you are taking in enough energy—literally, from calories—first.

As logical as it sounds, many people make the mistake of jumping into the world of micronutrient deficiencies before considering whether or not they have been in a calorie deficit for an extended period of time. Even if your calorie deficit has been unintentional, it can be affecting your energy levels in a big way. Some simple questions to consider first are whether or not you eat three square meals, regular snacks, and drink plenty of water every day. These are the bare minimum requirements to make sure that you are nourished and not in a calorie deficit.

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Craving sweet food is natural, but consuming lots of added sugar isn’t. Too much of it in your diet can lead to poor digestion and moodiness and negatively impact your overall health. So if you’re cutting down on added sugar, learning how to use bananas as a sweetener can go a long way.

Ripe bananas contain over 14 grams of sugar, making them one of the sweetest fruits we eat, but they also come packed with fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar.

Plus, thanks to their creamy texture, and how well they hold up to freezing and baking, bananas are an incredibly versatile and inexpensive way to sweeten food without refined sugar.

Using bananas as a sweetener in treats is just one way to eat more dessert and make them fit into a healthy eating plan.

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A new study suggests following a healthy plant-based diet after a diagnosis of prostate cancer may help prevent the disease from progressing or recurring. Click here to continue reading. 

 

How many times have you heard or said “Clean your plate?” It started with the formation of the Clean Plate Club in 1917. During World War I, food was too scarce to waste. The problem is, eating more food than you need adds inches to your waist. That’s even worse for us.

Currently 36.5% of adult Americans and one in six children and adolescents are affected by obesity. Cleaning the plate when we’re no longer hungry adds to those numbers and hikes the costs of health care. The answer is to reduce food waste while you reduce your waist.

Here’s how.

Eat smaller portions. One way is to use smaller plates. They fill faster with less food yet still look like a full meal.

Another way is to take ONE spoonful of everything, eat it all, and then see if you want seconds. Chances are you won’t.

Dining out? Share a plate with someone. Most restaurant servings are plenty for two. If that’s not possible, divide your food into two halves and take half home. That way you get two meals for the price of one.

Putting food on your waist really is the biggest waste!