Sugar tastes oh so sweet, but do we really need it? And is that spare tire around your waist, your neck jowls and upper arm flab caused by eating too much sugar?

Research in recent years has shown that your sugar intake can have a definite effect on your body weight, over time. So how much is too much, and just exactly how does sugar make you fat?

Let’s take that second question first. Sugar, as well as high fructose corn syrup, is made up of glucose and fructose. You need glucose to live.

Your body produces it naturally, and it is used to give your cells energy. But fructose is unnatural, and your body does not produce it. Of all the cells in your body, only your liver cells can process fructose. Continue reading →

Did you know there are foods that can help you burn fat? The secret is to eat foods that take a lot of energy to digest. That way, more of the food’s calories are used in digesting it and you don’t have to “work off” all the calories.

Here is a partial list of some of the better-known fat-burning foods:

Low-Fat Dairy Products

Foods like low-fat yogurt (without added sugar), reduced-fat cheese, and skim milk are reputed to help you burn fat. Studies have shown that those who eat low-fat dairy products not only tend to lose weight, but they also tend not to gain weight over time. So low-fat dairy products may be helpful in preventing weight gain, too. Continue reading →

We can all use a metabolism boost once in a while. Sometimes we just feel sluggish or heavy and other times we’re ready to embark on a fitness routine and need a little “oomph” to get us going. Whatever the situation, these tips will help you kick-start your metabolism into its optimum point.

1 – Eat little and often. When we eat overly large meals we slow our system down. This is because our digestive system is working overtime to digest all the extra food. Once your system is finished doing all that hard work, it simply wants to slow down and rest.

It makes perfect sense then, that by eating small meals regularly throughout the day, you keep your system running at its optimum. Your body is better able to quickly and easily digest the smaller amount of food andwill be ready to get to work once you eat again. Continue reading →