Staff Editor, Author at Healthy Smart Living

3 Supplements for Fat Loss (and One To Avoid)

April 1, 2021

If you have ever looked for a quick way to lose weight, you’ve surely encountered the following. Restrictive diets Detoxes and cleanses Extreme workout plans Miracle foods Overhyped supplements The list of fat loss hacks that over promise and under deliver is endless. But there are some supplements with a good track record that can “nudge” your body in the right direction when it comes to fat loss. Now keep in mind that these supplements are not going to “blast the fat” off of your body — no supplement can. But if paired together with reducing your overall food intake and maintaining an active lifestyle, they can provide a little bit more fat loss than you would have got without them. Here are our top 3 suggested supplements...

fat loss

Gym Terms 101

Staff Editor

March 24, 2021

Fitness

Supersets, drop sets, bulking, cutting, HIIT … what does it all mean?! Starting out as a newbie at the gym can often lead you to face a flurry of new confusing terminology. Don’t let this scare you away! Learning gym lingo can be like learning a new language (but it’s way easier to pick up). We’ll take you through 5 basic gym terms you need to get your exercise routine on track. 5 Core Gym Terms Reps Reps, or repetitions, are the basic unit used to define the number of times you raise and lower weight during an exercise. Just crushed 5 pull-ups? That’s 5 reps. Sets The number of reps you complete of a specific exercise is considered one set. In many exercise plans, you may see instructions like “Leg...

gym terms

4 Natural Sleep Aids

Staff Editor

March 13, 2021

Wellness

By now, most of us know how important getting a good night’s sleep is. The downsides of being sleep deprived (especially if you are constantly sleep-deprived) are numerous. Poor focus Fat gain may go up Your risk of injury goes up Inflammation can increase Immune function can be depressed Long-term heart health can be negatively affected We could go on! From a habit’s standpoint, you should try to get enough sleep, create a bedtime routine, and avoid computer, TV, and phone screens at least 20 minutes before bed (but preferably an hour). Sometimes, taking a supplement can help nudge your sleep habits or quality in the right direction. They aren’t a substitute for good sleep hygiene, but they can play a supporting role. But with so many...

sleep supplements

What Do You Really Know About Organic Foods?

Staff Editor

February 24, 2021

Nutrition, Top Picks

Since it landed in the aisles of Whole Foods, organic foods’ meteoric rise in sales has been seemingly unstoppable. If organic food was a company on the stock market, you would be kicking yourself for not investing earlier. When asked why they prefer organic, many respond by saying “It’s healthier” or “it’s just better for me”. But what do we really know about the organic foods we eat? Let’s dive into some lesser-known facts about organic foods. What You Should Know About Organic Foods The organic standard is relatively young. Before the organic standard was established in the US, any company could slap an “organic” label on its product. The confusion this caused consumers eventually led to an official standard being set by the USDA in February 2001. Is organic...

organic food

Examining the Whole30 Diet: Can It Identify Food Sensitivities?

Staff Editor

February 12, 2021

Nutrition

Since its inception in 2009, the Whole30 diet has become a staple among the New Year's resolutioners trying to get their eating patterns back on track after indulging over the holidays. Search traffic for this program reliably see’s a big spike at the beginning of each new year for those seeking a nutritional “reset”. The Whole30 officially codified their rules and rationale for the diet in 2012 when they published the book, It Starts with Food. The diet promotes itself as an accurate and reliable way to help you identify food sensitivities. But do these claims hold up? Let's take a look! Whole30 Rules As its name implies, this is a 30-day elimination diet where you must avoid the following: Added sugar (real or artificial) Alcohol (not even...

whole 30

5 Food Myths Debunked

Staff Editor

January 14, 2021

Nutrition, Top Picks

Myths and misinformation about food are like the 3-headed Hydra of the diet world — you knock one down and two more pop up! But we’re certainly still going to try and bring you the best information possible so you can make informed decisions about your own health. With that in mind, here are some food common myths we have routinely seen pop up over the years. Dietary supplements are safe Dietary supplements can be safe, but not all of them are. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is primarily responsible for regulating supplements, but the regulations are such that some less-than-reputable products can find their way into the hands of unsuspecting consumers. The best way to ensure you’re getting a high-quality supplement is to purchase...

food myths food tips

How to Find a Quality Supplement

Staff Editor

December 30, 2020

Nutrition

If you have ever tried to shop for a supplement — either in person or online — you are familiar with the anxiety-inducing amount of options you have to choose from. Which brand do you buy? Is it safe? How do you know this is a good product? With more than 80,000 products on the market, it's easy to get lost and overwhelmed in the sea of choices. This article will walk you through some simple steps to take to ensure you can find high-quality supplements that meet your specific health needs and goals. The Problems With Supplement Regulations In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for checking a supplement’s label claims, evaluating any new dietary ingredient introduced into the market, inspecting manufacturing facilities,...

supplements

5 Nutritious Shelf-Stable Foods for Your Pantry

Staff Editor

November 26, 2020

Nutrition

Winter is coming! And with it has come an unfortunate increase in Coronavirus cases. Some areas are already discussing the need for another round of lockdowns. Hopefully, this will not come to fruition, but if it does there are some steps you can take now to bolster your food stores. Having a bit of extra food on hand can be also helpful if you find yourself needing to isolate or quarantine. If you are concerned about potential food shortages, know that there are some highly nutritious and highly shelf-stable items you can pick up now at any grocery store. Great shelf-stable foods Apples Rich in potassium and vitamin C, apples come in numerous varieties, each with its own flavor profile — from tart to sweet. Apples boast culinary versatility...

quarantine food shelf stable food

Prebiotic vs Probiotic: What’s the Difference?

Staff Editor

November 11, 2020

Nutrition

There is no shortage of research on how our gut microbiome influences our health. With over 35,000 research articles published to date, the use of prebiotics and probiotics have been implicated in treating a host of issues — allergies, anxiety, sleep, skin conditions, and diseases that affect the intestines (Crohn's, IBS, ulcerative colitis, etc). Prebiotics vs Probiotics: How do they differ? Maintaining a healthy balance of the 1,000+ different species in your microbiome can play a central role in your overall health. While both pre- and probiotics work to support your gut health, they do so in slightly different ways. Let's dive in and see the difference between prebiotic and probiotic and how they each work to help your gut health. 1. Prebiotics Prebiotics are mostly plant fibers that...

gut health

How to Deal With Job Loss During Covid-19

Staff Editor

August 3, 2020

Wellness

A lot of people are dealing with unemployment due to the effects of COVID-19. During this stressful time, it’s important to nurture your body and mind so that you can best prepare for whatever is to come. Here are 5 tips on how to ease some stresses you might be facing from losing your job. Take time to process what is happening Take the time to process what is happening and all of the emotions that are bubbling up. You will go through various stages of grief, so just be sure to give yourself time to mentally deal with what just happened. Cry if you want, shout if you must, just don’t keep it all bottled in. Focus on gratitudeCounting your blessings is one of the most...

job loss