Choose Organic Herbal Henna Powder For A Chemical Free Hair Colouring Experience

The primary symptoms include itching, redness or swelling around eyelids or eyes in the said respect. But the continuous use of chemical dyes might lead to severe damage of the scalp and tresses which ultimately results in baldness, excessive hair loss and damaged and dull hairs.

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Unfit to Fit Body

Nobody around the world wishes to live with an unfit body. Every other human being is striving and working day and night for a better health and life. Hence, when achieving perfect body goal is such a difficult task in today's arena, then this particular article will help you to get a body shape of your choice while you're home.

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Weight Loss - Finding Your Trigger To Boost Your Motivation to Lose Weight

If you are like many people, you may find you struggle to maintain optimal motivation levels from time to time. You go about your program and sometimes, you are sufficiently motivated and ready to work as hard as possible. Other times, the opposite occurs. You cannot get yourself to do what you know you need to. What gives? When this takes place, it is essential to identify your triggers.

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The Best Ways to Properly Shave Down There

Shaving pubic hair is always a great way to ensure that you stay cool and fresh all the time. It is also a good way to take care of yourself, so that you don't have to smell due to sweat. You don't need to have any appointments for anyone to come and shave you.

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If You're Choosing Not to Have Kids, You'll Want to Read This

Never Had an Orgasm? Here's How to Give Yourself a Giant O

When I first started having sex, I was never quite sure if I'd had an orgasm—a sure sign that, in fact, I hadn't.

In my 20s, I was oddly committed to seeking out my orgasms from other people (a notoriously unreliable source). It wasn't until around age 30 that I really got into masturbation and learned how to reap its ultimate reward: the Big O.

EDITOR'S PICK

It's been a few years, and I've gone on countless solo expeditions since then. I'm proud to say I'm now the Magellan of exploring my body. I understand having to work through shame and body issues before becoming completely comfortable with self-pleasure, but I really recommend doing whatever unblocking you need to start to pushing your own buttons ASAP. Trust me, it's worth it.

Don't worry if you're stuck on climax mountain and can't seem to get to the top—I've recruited two sexperts to help get you there. Follow their instructions and you'll soon be getting yourself off any ol' time you like. (But you have to promise to control your inner Cersei; a person can get drunk off this much power.)

And just to note, these instructions are geared toward women and some trans and non-binary folks, but we've got this other story right here that can help basically anyone get off.

1. Give yourself permission.

The first tip comes from sex researcher and neuroscientist Debra W. Soh, Ph.D. She says, "It's important to feel comfortable with your body and to know that sex and orgasms are a healthy part of life. As women, we receive all kinds of contradictory messages about sex and our sexuality, but there shouldn't be any shame around female pleasure."

It's true—trying to make sense of our cultural conditioning is like navigating a minefield. There are so many puritanical ideas that get downloaded on girls when they're young and then reinforced with slut-shaming as they get older. Combine that with our absurd beauty standards and "sex sells" mentality, and you've got a hotbed for hypersexed-yet-prudish objectification that's hard not to internalize.

Trying to make sense of these dissonant ideals will make your brain explode, so just get out of your head and listen to what feels good to you—not your culture's idea of what you're supposed to want or be.

2. Start without an end in mind.

We've all been undone by our own orgasmic expectations at one point or another (or perhaps more points than not), but it doesn't have to be that way!

According to Emily Morse, sexologist and host of the Sex With Emily podcast, "When we remove the pressure to orgasm, our minds can relax into the experience and be open to those feel-good sensations. That practice in and of itself can actually lead to orgasm because you'll be less wrapped up in your head."

This definitely rings true for me. Playing around without worrying about the outcome is how I finally learned to make it rain, and you can too.

3. Practice makes perfect.

You don't need an orgasm whisperer; you just need to commit to getting your hands dirty on a regular basis. "While I don't have the power to guarantee orgasms, I can tell you that women who master their own masturbation routine will come closer to reaching the Big O every time," Morse says. "My top tip is to take pleasure into your own hands and become the expert of your own body. When exploring your self-love routine, it's best to be patient and go slow. Start with the goal of exploring your body in search of those epic hot spots or erogenous zones instead of orgasm."

4. Experiment. Experiment. Experiment.

Location rules when it comes to real estate, but when it comes to masturbation, experimentation reigns supreme. Each one of us is a special snowflake with our own unique sensitivities. What works for me might not work for you and vice versa.

For example, I have a friend who always masturbates on her stomach, but that has never worked for me, not one single time. This is why Morse recommends experimenting with different pressures, touches, and positions to unlock your winning combination.

5. Lube it up.

Would you dive onto a Slip'N Slide without water? I didn't think so. Similarly, Morse says, "Always start with some water-based lube, like System JO's H2O line."

And yup, I could not agree more. Adding lube to my masturbation regimen was an absolute game-changer. If you only take one thing from this article, let this be it.

6. Play with toys.

If you think sex toys aren't for beginners, then it's time to take the training wheels off, baby, because they will rocket your solo sex game into the stratosphere, no doubt about it. And if you've ever listened to an episode of Sex with Emily, you know Morse is an aficionado. In terms of self-pleasure, she says, "Toys are a great accessory to add to your sexual health repertoire—especially if you've been close to orgasm but never crossed over that climatic threshold."

EDITOR'S PICK

For indirect clitoral stimulation (especially for those who are on the more sensitive side), Morse recommends the womanizer2go. According to the company's private testing (which is admittedly pretty biased), 98 percent of women reached orgasm in less than five minutes. The product has an adorable faux lipstick design, and more importantly, uses its trademarked Pleasure-Air Technology to mimic a suction feeling similar to oral sex, pulsating to stimulate the clitoris indirectly.

In the market for more direct clitoral stimulation? Morse suggests the Magic Wand rechargeable as a great go-to because it's durable and strong. "It's called the Cadillac of all vibrators for a reason," as she puts it.

Morse says it tends to be easier for women to unlock an external orgasm before an internal one, but if you're looking to unlock both—or want to experience a blended orgasm—the We-Vibe Nova would be her vibrator of choice. She explains, "It's a rabbit-style vibe, so it gives you internal and external stimulation. Plus, you can control it with the We-Connect app, which makes it a bit easier to use and enables you to create your own patterns for a custom vibration."

Soh gives her nod to the Queen Bee by Hot Octopuss, pointing to its patented 'piston'-like PulsePlate Technology, which claims to induce stronger orgasms than a typical vibrator via higher-amplitude oscillations than typically found in sex toys. While I'm not sure if that's exactly true, it's certainly a great claim… and one worth exploring.

Click your way to O-town.

Looking for more sexy info and resources? Soh recommends OMGYes, which uses scientific research to help women embrace their sexuality and have better orgasms.

Alright, ladies, that concludes your self-pleasure primer. Now all that's left to say is, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Courtney Kocak is a Los Angeles-based writer and host of the sex and love podcast Reality Bytes. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @courtneykocak.



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25 Low-FODMAP Recipes That Won’t Make You Feel Limited

Benefits of Using an Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream

Aging The first benefit of the Anti wrinkle eye cream is that it is going to be able to postpone some of the signs of aging. Therefore, you are going to need to start the eye cream as early as possible. It is going to be a lot easier to treat the problem before it happens instead of afterwards.

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Mom! Do I Have To Eat That?

Vitamins and Minerals You know, I may be barking up the wrong tree but if you are a type B personality (more on that later) then chances are you need to take the vitamins and minerals given to you. But will you take them? Probably sporadically at best!

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Healthy And Fast Weight Loss Tips For Real Success And A Slimmer You

There are multiple individuals out there who are trying to find rapid weight loss. They want to lose belly fat fast and be able to shed the health and self-confidence concerns that originate from extreme weight. It is essential to recognize the advantages and the threats of this kind of rapid weight loss. While there are several health benefits, there can be health risks to those who attempt to lose too much weight too quickly.

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Type 2 Diabetes and Weight Loss - Tracking Calories Versus Portion Sizes

If you have been around the diet block more than once, you have likely counted calories a day or two in your life. You know one of the requirements of losing weight is taking in fewer calories than you burn off over the course of the day. Therefore tracking calories seems to be the smart thing to do. But for some people, tracking calories is more headache than it is worth. They become overwhelmed by figuring out how many calories are in every food they eat and they never venture into trying new recipes as they feel it is more hassle than it is worth.

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20 Foods That Are Good for Healthy Bones

Our body is composed structurally of bones as the primary support. Bone health is considered essential for everyone since weak bones make our life miserable. Essential nutrients for healthy bones can be obtained through various natural foods.

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Strange but True: Barre Class Cured My Chronic Headaches

I hate group exercise. As a longtime fan of solo running (which I find clears my head), the idea of stepping into a class with choreographed movement, music set to a remixed beat, and
(most problematically) other people has always sounded completely unappealing. Which is why, as dramatic as it sounds, I signed up for a Pure Barre class last February out of pure desperation.

A post-birth pelvic injury had left me unable to run, and I was determined to find something that would help get me back to a place where I could hit the pavement again. If someone had told me Prancercising would help (and yes, that's a thing), I probably would have tried that too.

EDITOR'S PICK

After reading a friend's post about how Pure Barre helped her recover after her pregnancy, I thought, "Why not?" So I signed up—and two months later, found myself running again, which was proof enough for me that barre workouts had helped re-establish the core strength I'd lost during pregnancy.

But even though I was back to running, I kept going to barre classes for another reason:

Barre had unexpectedly helped my chronic headaches.

But how is this possible—or was it just psychosomatic?

"Barre workouts focus on core strength, which can measurably improve posture," says Lauren George, co-creator of the Enhance Barre Above Program and owner of Clemson Fitness Company in Clemson, South Carolina. "Research has shown that good posture can help prevent tension in the head, neck, and shoulders."

I figured I must have a muscular imbalance due to my injury, which my physical therapist confirmed during months of pelvic rehabilitation.

"I would say that there is a correlation between those who have increased amounts of upper-body strength and a decreased frequency of headaches," says Jason Kart, a physical therapist and owner of Core Physical Therapy in Chicago, Illinois. "I treat patients with headaches routinely, and the demographic is mostly women ages 18 through 50."

Kart says many of those women discover their pain stems from decreased upper-body strength. "The big thing to remember is that much of this pain can actually be from upper cervical joint instability that refers out to the head and eyes—think of it as sciatica for the head."

Oh, man, can I relate to that description. I've suffered from chronic head pain since I was a teenager and came to rely on a heavy rotation of ice, over-the-counter medicines, massages from my mother, and the solace of a dark room. Today, at 34 years old, each bout sends pain radiating from the back of my head through the right side of my body and leaves me thinking the same thing: I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

But were these awful headaches I had come to think of as migraines actually migraines? The answer is yes and, well, no.

See, it's quite easy to confuse a tension headache with a migraine and, if you're like me, you can indeed experience both of them. Lucky us.

The difference between tension headaches and migraines, however, lies in the location, frequency, and nature of the pain, according to Daniel Franc, M.D., a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. Migraines, which affect approximately 20 percent of adults, are typically episodic, affect one side of the head, and are often associated with nausea and a visual aura, such as the appearance of flashing lights prior to the head pain, Franc says.

"The management of migraine headaches often starts with the identification of particular triggering factors," he says. "These factors include foods and beverages, including processed meats, cheeses, and alcohol (particularly red wine or beer). Other factors notorious for setting off headaches are poor sleep and tension. Women frequently have migraine headaches that are associated tightly with reproductive hormone levels and the menstrual cycle, and hormone-related migraine headaches frequently will improve at menopause."

So that explains why my migraines typically occur around my period or when I indulge in a glass of wine (one of my triggers), leading me to lean on my prescription for Imitrex, a popular drug that falls into the triptan class of medicines used to treat migraine and cluster headaches.

On the other hand, chronic tension headaches are typically less irregular than migraine headaches—and can even occur on a daily basis, according to Franc. "These frequently occur in the bilateral forehead, neck, and back of the head," he says. "Tension headaches are frequently associated with stress, sitting at a desk or at a computer, driving, poor posture, and neck strain in sleep."

So that explains why my pelvic injury paired with a job that requires me to sit at a desk for hours were the perfect ingredients for chronic tension headaches.

Figuring out exactly what type of pain I was in was critical.

"Pain is your body's best way of telling you that something has gone wrong," says Aideen Turner, a physical therapist and the CEO of Virtual Physical Therapists. "But not all pain is the same. Knowing what type of pain you have is of utmost importance so the appropriate therapy may be administered."

Pain originates from one or more of three types of pain receptor stimuli—mechanical, chemical, and thermal, Turner says, and headaches and migraines are caused by one of the first two (thermal pain is brought on by excessive heat or cold).

Turner explains that mechanical pain happens when your normal tissue experiences abnormal stress or abnormal tissue (usually a body part that's injured) is confronted with normal stress. "For example, bending your finger backward," she says. "Pain is the result, but once you stop, the pain abates quickly."

On the other hand, chemical pain is caused by the body's inflammatory response. "It's constant and doesn't get better or worse if you change the position," Turner says, noting that this is the kind of pain you get if, for instance, you hit your thumb with a hammer.

This is where most people confuse the migraine and cervicogenic (a.k.a. tension) headache.

Migraines are caused by changes in blood flow—hence their throbbing nature. "The changes in blood flow are thought to be caused by chemical changes in the brain, such as hormonal changes—which is possibly why migraines are more common in females," she explains. "Migraine sufferers are two to five times more likely to have major depressive disorder, so other chemical imbalances in the brain that also lead to mental illness can trigger headaches."

Tension headaches, on the other hand, are rooted in an underlying mechanical cause. "When you are stressed or concentrating on your work, like if you're using a computer, reading, using fine motor skills, driving in bad weather, your posture is usually with your chin forward," Turner explains. "When this position is maintained, it places mechanical stress on the upper cervical spine and creates aching and throbbing in the back of the neck around the top to the front of your head."

These headaches are not only regularly confused with migraines but are also very common after trauma, such as whiplash, when the soft tissue in the upper neck heals in a shortened position.

This is why when I began to see an improvement with barre exercise, I began to wonder if some of the "migraine" pain I was dealing with was instead a headache based on a structural issue with my body. After two decades of dealing with head pain, I had done enough research to know that there was indeed a difference.

When I asked my physical therapist about it, she confirmed that the pain I was explaining to her was indeed the result of an ongoing structural problem—perhaps an old injury that had been waiting around for just the right thing to set it on fire—and not related to something I ate or roller coaster hormones. Hello, pregnancy and birth-related pelvic injury.

Like I said, I'm one of those rare birds who gets to experience tension headaches and migraines. Because of that, it's important to know how to go about finding the right relief for both.

So, what's an extremely headache-prone girl to do, right?

In addition to prescription drugs, Franc says migraine sufferers might find relief from over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories as well as naturopathic treatments such as magnesium, riboflavin, and herbal medications such as butterbur and feverfew.

As for chronic tension headaches, Franc notes the most effective treatment is the reduction of neck tension through techniques such as physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, and relaxation.

"I find that meditation and mindfulness is a particularly good intervention for chronic tension headaches," he says. "Typically vigorous physical activity will make acute tension headaches worse, but daily exercise including relaxation-related exercises such as yoga can be preventative for chronic tension headaches."

Kart says studies have also shown manual therapy—including joint mobilization and manual neck stabilization exercises—give patients "the best chance to get better."

"I have found that migraines and neck pain are largely a behavioral issue," he says. "Patients are spending way too much time sitting at computers. This causes accelerated breakdown of ligaments, discs, and joints of the neck."

Guilty as charged.

And George maintains that exercise like barre workouts can also be the ticket to strengthening those upper-body ligaments and muscles. "Barre workouts focus on building muscular endurance in the upper body through targeted exercises with minimal impact," she says. "This allows participants to build strength in the upper body with lower chances of injury."

The truth is, she's right. As much as I never dreamed of signing up for a group exercise class like Pure Barre, I also thought there would never be an end in sight for my tension headaches (formerly known as migraines). Turns out, I was wrong about both things.

These days, I've incorporated other strength exercises at home and the gym, as well as yoga and Pilates. But I still take regular barre classes too—because, believe it or not, I might have come for the overall body strength, but it turns out I kind of love those Rihanna mixes after all.



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There's a Connection Between Gut Health and Depression

Everybody's into guts these days. Well, not having a gut, but promoting intestinal health as a solution to a wide variety of health problems. On the other side of the coin, everybody's depressed! Depression and anxiety are on the rise, so doctors are beginning to look beyond the brain to learn what might be causing this wave of sadness.

For years, doctors found that patients with depression often suffered from constipation, diarrhea, and other poop-related problems. Now some scientists think that the bowel issues might not be an effect of depression—but the cause.

EDITOR'S PICK

My gut's making me depressed?

At first, this sounds crazy: How can your stomach and intestines make you depressed? Is my stomach telling me that I'm a failure and I'll disappoint my family and friends? Are my intestines controlling my Facebook feed to show another governmental horror, making me wonder if there's any good left in the world? These might be, ahem, slightly personal examples, but they're still legit.

Although your thoughts and emotions are controlled in the brain, the brain and gut actually have a very powerful connection. "The gut and brain are intimately connected by a bi-directional pathway called the gut-brain axis," says Boston-based registered dietitian and gut health expert Kate Scarlata. This axis is connected through the vagus nerve. "The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body—it is the key route for communication between the gut microbes and our brain."

All the millions of microbes in the intestines have a direct line to the brain—which is why people actually refer to the gut as the "second brain." You know how you might pee yourself if you get really scared? That's emotion having a direct effect on your digestive system. But the calls aren't always from the brain to the gut. In fact, the gut might hog the line more often than we thought.

"We've long known that the neurotransmitter serotonin plays a crucial role in the biology of anxiety and depression," says Donald N. Tsynman, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Manhattan Gastroentorology. "Furthermore, we know that the gut has a higher concentration of serotonin receptors than the brain does. That being said, we have hypothesized for years that the connection between the gut and depression is a real and strong one."

And this hypothesis is proving to be a sound one—studies about the gut/brain connection are being published regularly (and we'll get into some of these below).

What do I do to change my gut?

As with most gut problems, the answer doesn't lie in a pill or a shot, but in the scariest medicine of all—dietary changes!

Sadly, a steady dose of Taco Bell and raw cookie dough is not the diet of choice to heal intestinal issues—so while they might make you feel better in the moment, these foods won't do much to help with gut-related depression. But you don't necessarily have to do a total dietary 180 and do the Whole30 to feel a difference—and there's growing evidence that even moderate dietary changes do relieve depression.

"From my clinical experience working with IBS patients, diet changes that result in a calmer gut appear to impact overall quality of life," Scarlata says. A study from the University of Michigan found this exact idea to be true. As patients ate a low FODMAP diet, their self-reported anxiety and depression went down, while quality of life went up.

The SMILES trial, published in BMC Medicine, found that a healthy diet (lots of fruits and vegetables, increased intake of fish and whole grains) had a significant impact on depression. For the study, patients were treated with either social support or a healthy diet. In the healthy diet group, more people stayed to finish the study, and in a number of patients, depression went into remission—a marked difference from the results of the control group.

It's important to note that these were both very small studies and the results don't prove a direct connection between gut health and depression. Eating healthy food does generally make you feel better, but that doesn't necessarily mean that your gut was causing the problem in the first place. And maybe people who don't have to run to the bathroom all the time are generally happier and less anxious.

I'm not trying to rain on the gut parade. Between these studies—and the fact that the intestines are a primary producer of serotonin—make a real case for a gut-depression connection. We'll just have to wait for more studies (and BMC alone has quite a few more in the works) before there's a solid scientific foundation.

In the meantime, it might be worth trying a modified diet if you're looking to decrease depression and anxiety.

OK—so what delicious foods do I have to give up?

With no definitive proof of gut-induced depression, there's no definitive answer for which diet works best. But there is something that all the experts said to avoid.

You've probably heard it a million times by now: Avoid processed food. Yes, Pop-Tarts are extremely tasty. And yes, it's so much easier to heat up a Stouffer's Mac and Cheese than to make an actual meal. But the high salt, fat, and sugar content in most processed foods is really just the worst for you.

"Several studies have shown that eating foods high in sugar and fat can change the chemical activity of the brain, making it more dependent on such foods," says colorectal surgeon Lynn O'Connor, M.D. "When those foods are withheld, people can suffer from withdrawal symptoms, have difficulty dealing with stress, and feel depressed."

EDITOR'S PICK

O'Connor isn't saying that junk food causes depression, but it does cause something close to addiction, which makes depressive and anxious symptoms even worse.

In addition to cutting out junk food, Tsynman recommends lowering alcohol intake (since alcohol is a depressive, it's only going to make you more depressed in the long run) and moderating caffeine (and possibly eliminating it, for people with heightened anxiety).

O'Connor says you should eat sources of selenium, which has been demonstrated to reduce depression and improve mood. Selenium can be found in whole grains, fish, and Brazil nuts—fish pull double duty because they're also sources of omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient that helps protect the coverings of the brain's nerve cells, which can improve cognition and reduce depression, according to O'Connor.

Of course, depression isn't all in the gut—getting enough exercise is also a critical part of mental health. But if you want to boost your gut health, a study from the University of Wales Swansea suggests that probiotics might improve your mood too: Participants drank a probiotic-filled drink, and by the end of three weeks, people who rated themselves towards the depressive end of the scale jumped up towards the "elated" end of the scale. That's not to say they were filled with constant glee, but the drink did seem to improve their moods, especially among people who were initially depressed.

Thankfully, these dietary recommendations aren't crazily strict—mostly, you should eat vegetables, whole grains, omega-3s, kefir or other probiotics... and maybe throw in some Brazil nuts for good measure.

Though you should avoid eating a bunch of processed food, not drink a ton of alcohol, and watch your caffeine, the experts mostly recommend moderation. According to Tsynman, "Moderation is the goal when it comes to healthy food choices to ensure that people can continue to have well-balanced meals."

Any other weird gut stuff I should know?

Yep! Depressed people could one day eat poop to feel better.

I realize that's a wild sentence. But fecal transplants (i.e., eating a capsule of a healthy person's poop) has been shown to relieve intestinal problems. And if relieving intestinal problems reduces depression, using a fecal transplant instead of Prozac isn't such a crazy idea.

There haven't been any human tests to show the efficacy of fecal transplants as a depression treatment yet, but a paper published in the Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience Journal shows the potential of fecal transplants to treat neurological disorders. If you're worried that your doctor's going to hand you a prescription for poop the next time you're feeling down—don't stress. Fecal transplant studies aren't there yet, and it'll be quite a while before any such treatment would be approved, especially for depression.

On the flip side, if you're thinking of taking a little bit of a happy person's poop and doing an at-home transplant, please, please don't. Oh for the love of God, please don't do that. It won't work, and it'll be ever-so-gross.

Though there isn't hard proof to show that depression and gut health are connected, it's pretty likely that what you eat does affect how you feel.

I know that's a real "no duh" statement, but we're not talking about, "I just ate a salad and I feel so great." We're talking about diet reversing the dread, apathy, and pain that depression and anxiety can cause. And if we can relieve some of the most common mental health issues through eating healthier food, that's pretty good news.

Amber Petty is a freelance writer in Los Angeles. If you like easy crafts and Simpsons gifs, check out her blog, Half-Assed Crafts.



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The One Part of Weight Loss You're Ignoring—and Shouldn't Be

It's been a decade since I left my career as a business reporter to work in the health and wellness industry. Back then, I was a 20-something who had lost 45 pounds and discovered a passion for healthy living as a way to keep it off. Today, I'm a health coach, yoga instructor, and best-selling author who (literally) wrote the book on what works and what doesn't when it comes to weight loss.

When I started my health-coaching practice back in 2014, I initially stuck with what I knew: the traditional "calories in, calories out" and "move more, eat less" advice. But weight loss is more complicated than that for a number of reasons, so a couple of years ago, I started to shift away from that model.

EDITOR'S PICK

With some of my clients who had been struggling to lose weight, I began to suspect that there was more going on than met the eye, so I encouraged some of them to ignore the goal of weight loss entirely.

Instead, we focused on managing the stress they'd been ignoring, and soon, losing weight became a whole lot easier. Other healthy habits started to come more easily too—like sleeping through the night, finding the energy to exercise, and cooking a healthy meal after a long day of work.

This is what happens when you start to work with your body instead of fighting yourself every step of the way. When you're buried underneath stress, everything seems harder. But when you prioritize emotional health, strategically say "no," and find ways to cope that don't involve diving face-first into a bag of dill pickle potato chips, you can free up the space and energy you need to feel truly healthy and lose weight, if that's what your goal is.

When you're stressed, nothing else really matters—not according to your body.

If you're trying to lose weight while you're chronically stressed, it's like trying to run a marathon while giving someone a piggyback ride. Sure, you might make it across the finish line, but you made it a lot harder than it needed to be.

"I see patients all the time who have high stress levels, and they struggle with weight loss," says Rachel Goldman, Ph.D., FTOS, a licensed psychologist specializing in health and wellness. There's a reason for this: When your sympathetic nervous system is stuck in "on" mode, it's like your body's smoke alarm is constantly going off. In this state, it's hard to pay attention to anything else, and it's hard to determine when something is truly alarming.

Here's why you might want to focus less on counting calories and more on managing stress if you're trying to lose weight.

Stress makes everything seem harder.

We have a finite amount of energy and hours in the day. When we have to deal with stressful situations or cope with their aftermath, we have less time for healthy habits. We might struggle with sleep, we don't meal-plan as frequently, we skip workouts—which only adds to our stress.

And if we are doing those things? "It's going to be harder to lose weight," Goldman says. "Stress produces the hormone cortisol, and cortisol has also been linked to triggering cravings for comfort foods." In addition, stress increases insulin levels, which impacts your ability to burn off those comfort foods.

Whenever you start to plateau, it's a good idea to take a step back and see where you are in life. Sometimes the scale gets stuck even if you're eating a nutritious diet and keeping up with your workouts. Your body thinks that you need to hold onto those extra calories to deal with the stress.

Stress erodes self-control.

Stress depletes the energy you would otherwise use to exert self-control. Let's say your boss is being a pain all day, and someone offers you a cupcake in the afternoon—you'll find it a lot harder to say "no." Our impulse control takes a hit when we feel distressed, so we look for ways to feel better—and cupcakes are an easy answer.

If you're chronically stressed, your self-control will repeatedly come under fire from any number of sources: traffic, spilled coffee, crossed signals over school pickup… you name it.

"We all deal with daily stressors (life happens!), but if we have our stress levels kind of under control, then when something stressful does happen, it's just a little bump and comes back down," Goldman says.

And here's how you can start to deal with stress to help your healthy habits feel more manageable.

Admit that you're stressed.

You can't pour from an empty cup, and chronic stress drains your cup—once you start to manage it, all your health goals may feel easier. "If you feel like you have a well-balanced life and you're happier, it's easier to be able to follow through with other types of behaviors," Goldman says.

Hold steady—or scale back.

During hectic times, I often recommend clients do less. By scaling back slightly—to three runs a week instead of five, 30 minutes of yoga instead of 60, or cooking at home every other night—you can set yourself up to succeed, which builds self-confidence and helps alleviate the stress of trying to fit too much in. "By doing that, you're participating in good health behaviors that also promote weight loss and maintenance," Goldman says.

Shift your focus to stress relief.

Weight is just a number, and giving it too much power can be stressful. "If we take that piece of the equation out, and we look at health behaviors—water consumption, what we eat, our activity level, our sleep and stress levels—we're going to lose weight, if that's our goal," Goldman says. "If we're completely focused on a number that's out of our control, then we're just going to be creating more stress."

EDITOR'S PICK

Make time for play.

Self-care can ease stress, but we sometimes forget it can include more than fitness and nutrition. I often recommend clients take up a hobby that has nothing to do with weight loss. Hobbies can reduce stress, and studies have shown that participating in leisure activities is linked to a lower body mass index.

Start and end your day with calm.

Goldman encourages patients to set the tone for the day with a few minutes of relaxation, like yoga, meditation, or diaphragmatic breathing, all of which can help lower stress levels. "If we're not participating in the daily coping mechanisms, relaxation techniques, or "me time" that helps us keep our stress level down, our stress keeps adding up," she says. Winding down at the end of the day can help you sleep, which in turn will help tomorrow feel a little less stressful, she adds.

Stepfanie Romine is an ACE-certified health coach, fitness nutrition specialist, and registered yoga teacher based in the mountains near Asheville, N.C. She has co-authored several books about healthy living, including The No Meat Athlete Cookbook. Her first solo cookbook, Cooking with Healing Mushrooms, is out now. Find her at The Flexible Kitchen or connect with her via Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.



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9 No-Cook Lunches You Won’t Have to Work At

The Natural Way to Get Longer Lashes (That Actually Works)

There are a lot of claims about DIY tricks that can improve hair growth, speed up your metabolism, or increase the negative ions in the air around you, but what does science have to say—what actually works?

If you're looking to ditch the fake eyelashes and eyelash extensions, there are several methods for how to make eyelashes grow. Latisse lash serum is a popular solution to help you grow longer eyelashes, but studies have shown that it can cause irritation to the eye for certain people. The FDA warns that in addtion to eye irritation, Latisse can also cause skin discoloration and even potentially change your eye color permanently. Yep.

Unfortunately, other over-the-counter products that promise eyelash growth aren't much better.

EDITOR'S PICK

"Grande Lash, Neulash, and others have a similar active ingredient called isopropyl cloprostenate," says Anna Guanche, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Bella Skin Institute. "It works in the same way as Latisse but possibly with more variable results and potency—OTC products are not as highly regulated as actual FDA-approved drugs."

This means that using an over-the-counter eyelash serum could cause some of the same issues as Latisse, and it's not well-regulated by the FDA. Still, Latisse is FDA-approved, while many of the lash serums on the market aren't, which is why dermatologists still recommend it to their clients—as long as you understand the risks.

Instead of gambling with potential side effects, many people are turning to DIY eyelash growth remedies to help get long eyelashes without, you know, risking changing something as personal as your eye color. And while they may not be quite as effective as an FDA-approved eyelash growth serum like Latisse, some of them do actually work.

Castor Oil and Vitamin E

While castor oil has been used in everything from laxatives to skin care, there isn't much research that supports the claim that castor oil can spark hair or eyelash growth, but preliminary studies are promising. One study suggests that one of the chemical compounds that makes up castor oil might have potential as a treatment to reverse hair loss, but further research is needed. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, castor oil remains a popular DIY remedy for eyelash growth—even among dermatologists.

"Castor oil has been shown to induce brow and lash hair growth," Guanche says. "However, it is oily—some people break out from it, and there are also some people who are allergic to it. But generally, it works."

Michele Green, M.D., of RealSelf is also a fan of castor oil for eyelashes. She suggests creating your own DIY eyelash growth serum recipe by mixing aloe vera with castor oil and applying it to lashes at night.

"This combination stimulates hair growth and makes the lashes dense, which makes them appear thicker," Green says.

Another popular solution for a DIY lash growth serum is Vitamin E oil, but research is limited on whether or not it actually works to give you longer and thicker eyelashes. There is one study that suggests Vitamin E oil can help boost hair growth in individuals with hair loss, but researchers believe it's related to Vitamin E's ability to reduce oxidative stress on the scalp rather than stimulate hair follicles. In fact, another study suggests that consuming too much Vitamin E can actually have an adverse effect on hair growth.

"Vitamin E oil alone doesn't really induce hair growth," Guanche says, "but castor oil is rich in vitamin E, hence the confusion."

Coconut and Almond Oil

Lovers of coconut oil and almond oil claim they help with longer eyelashes, but—like many other home remedies—there isn't much science to back it up.

However, that doesn't mean coconut oil isn't beneficial for your lashes. One study suggests that coconut oil helps prevent protein loss in hair. This means that while we don't know if coconut oil helps stimulate hair growth, it does help keep hair healthy, which could in turn help with appearance.

Some claim that using sweet almond oil helps moisturize the hair follicles and prevents them from falling out, but—much like coconut oil—there simply hasn't been enough research regarding almond oil and eyelash growth.

How to Use DIY Eyelash Serums

The first step to applying any DIY eyelash serum is to make sure you are using a quality product and that you're not allergic to it—which means that it's best to do a skin test before you start.

"You want to be careful when applying anything close to the eye area," Green says. "You should use a clean, disposable applicator with each use."

Make sure your skin is free of any dirt or makeup before you apply. Then carefully use an applicator, like a clean cotton swab, to lightly coat your lashline. Be sure not to get any oil in your eye and always wash your face in the morning before applying any makeup.

Remember, eyelashes are actually *meant* to fall out. Just like hair follicles, the eyelash growth cycle has three main phases. It's normal for eyelashes to shed, especially at the end of the growth cycle, to allow for new, healthier eyelashes to come in. If your eyelashes aren't quite as thick as normal, it might be worthwhile to find the root cause of your eyelash loss.

Sometimes eyelash loss can be caused by a disease or underlying condition, but other times it can be related to your diet, drug side effects, allergies, skin inflammations, or even the makeup you're wearing. If this is the case, you'll want to address any potential causes—otherwise, the problem might continue despite any DIY treatments.

Remember, some cosmetics can be totally harmful for your skin, and just because something is "natural" doesn't necessarily mean it's safe. If all else fails, we're big believers in following a killer skin care routine and rocking the au naturel look—learning to embrace a positive self-image is the best DIY imaginable.

Jandra Sutton is an author, historian, and public speaker. After graduating from Huntington University with a B.A. in history, she went on to receive a master’s degree in modern British history from the University of East Anglia. In her spare time, Sutton enjoys fangirling, running, and anything related to ice cream. Pluto is still a planet in her heart. She lives in Nashville with her husband and their two dogs. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

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3 Proven Ways to Make Your Partner Orgasm Every Time

Despite having the only organ in the human body whose sole function is pleasure, people with clitorises can find it notoriously difficult to have an orgasm. Consistently giving someone with a clitoris an earth-shaking orgasm is a mystery that ranks among the Bermuda Triangle, Scotland's beloved Nessie, and the quandary of missing socks. Many people pretend to be experts, but in truth, only a selected few crack the code.

EDITOR'S PICK

However, sex researchers have been asking some smart questions, and with their help, we're lifting the veil and revealing practical tips for orgasmic success (and for people with penises too—they tend to have an easier time of it, but that’s not true for everyone).

Depending on the study, the numbers vary, but about 95 percent of heterosexual men have an orgasm during sex. But straight ladies? It ranges between 50 and 70 percent, more often on the lower end.

Unexpected Benefits of Orgasm

Orgasms offer a host of benefits beyond the rosy glow and bounty of passion—there are perks aplenty for everyone to enjoy. Here are a few of the bonus rewards orgasms bring into your life.

So, why are men soaking up all the satisfaction?

Barriers to Orgasm

Science has been trying to answer this question for a long time.

Part of the issue is the different types of orgasm, for women (and other people with clits) in particular. Some women reach orgasm easier through clitoral stimulation, while others prefer vaginal sex. And some women can only achieve orgasm if they have both.

Many people have psychological or physical barriers, especially if they've experienced sexual trauma or uncomfortable complications, and some people simply get stuck in their head, ruminating on insecurities or fears.

Many women fake orgasms, and while many women fake with positive intentions, it can create problems as a result of miscommunication and unrealistic expectations—as evidenced by the fact that 85 percent of heterosexual men say their partner orgasmed last time they had sex, but only 64 percent of women report actually having one.

But most of these obstacles can be overcome—thanks, #science!

Keys to Unlocking the Secret

Plenty of studies are being done with the objective of offering tangible advice to help folks achieve a better sex life.

A study in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy indicates that 36 percent of women reach orgasm through clitoral stimulation. Compare that to the 18 percent of women who orgasm from vaginal sex. Sounds simple, right? Yeah, not so much: They also found that specific types of clitoral stimuli are better than others, with up-and-down motions getting better results than circular movements overall.

Turns out, most women prefer a gentle touch to firm pressure on their clitoris (... which most women could have already told you), and almost half of the women in the study said there's one specific touch that sends them to orgasm. So just ask! (We're not leaving you hanging, but you also need to do some of the work yourself.)

The Golden Trio

An innovative study in the Archives of Sexual Behavior offers a little more clarity into our most burning question: What leads to orgasm? Using data from a diverse group of almost 53,000 people, researchers sought to discover who orgasms—and why. This study reports on people who identify as straight, gay, and bisexual, but didn't get into issues of trans and gender non-conforming individuals.

They uncovered three significant factors that are most likely to result in orgasm. This "golden trio" can help ensure your partner is never disappointed:

More oral.

This one is for the ladies: Women who receive more oral during sex are much more likely to reach orgasm. They won't necessarily get there through oral sex alone, though: The key to orgasm is to incorporate oral with a variety of other sexual techniques. As is so often the case, variety is the spice of life (and sexual satisfaction).

More time.

Both men and women say they're more likely to orgasm if sex lasts more than 15 minutes. Women are even more likely to orgasm if the sex is longer than 30 minutes (or an hour). Quickies have their place, but reaching orgasm might not be the best primary goal—especially if you plan on including oral. Proper foreplay just takes time.

More happiness.

Women who are happy in their relationship are more likely to orgasm (a novel idea, no doubt), and relationship satisfaction is one of the highest predictors of orgasm for women. This is a tricky one, though. It's unclear which came first—does a happy relationship promote a healthy sex life, or does a great sex life contribute to relationship satisfaction?

These are the main findings from the study, but the researchers also stumbled on a few other things that lead to orgasm.

Women who frequently orgasm do more of these things.

  • Try new positions
  • Act out their fantasies
  • Ask for something they want during sex
  • Show expressions of love during sex
  • Praise their partner for something they did during sex
  • Wear sexy lingerie
  • Include a variety of sexual acts
  • Sext their partner
EDITOR'S PICK

A whopping 80 of women orgasm as a result of this magical combination.

  • Oral sex
  • Vaginal sex
  • Manual (hand) clitoral stimulation
  • Deep kissing

Men who have more orgasms tend to do these things.

  • Wear sexy underwear
  • Receive a massage or back rub
  • Ask for something they want during sex
  • Praise their partner for something they did during sex
  • Take a bath or shower with their partner
  • Sext their partner
  • Set aside time for sex

Practical Tips You Can Learn From Science

How does this help you make sure your partner orgasms every time?

Next time you're getting lucky, take your time and mix things up. Go down on your partner (and stay down there)! Try something new, bring back the eroticism of kissing, and ask your partner what they want.

Men don't struggle as much with orgasms, but some do. If you're having trouble getting a guy off, take your time. Offer him a back rub. Make sure you're setting time aside for romance, so he knows it's not a chore. Provide an environment where he can ask for what he wants and explore fantasies.

Most importantly, work on your relationship. You're both more likely to orgasm if you're happy. One great way to make sure that happens is to communicate—you can build a healthy habit in your relationship as well as your sex life. Communication is an essential tool in the success of orgasm, and if your partner knows what touch sends them into rapture, you'll find out much faster by asking. If your partner is unhappy, you'll achieve more through a supportive dialogue.

Nicole was trained as a sex and relationship researcher, but as a writer, she works to bridge the gap between academia and the masses by making science enjoyable. When she's not writing, she's climbing mountains and photographing her adventures. You can find her at nicolematkins.com.



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9 Expert Meal-Prep Tips to Save Serious Time

7 Expert-Approved Strategies for Losing Weight (Beyond Just Diet and Exercise)

On paper, it seems like weight loss should be so simple: Calories in through food; calories out through activity. It doesn't take a Ph.D. in nutrition or exercise science to understand this basic equation—and for some people, weight loss follows this tried-and-true path. But many dieters find themselves hitting a wall, unable to achieve their weight-loss goals through this strategy, and research increasingly shows that a one-size-fits-all approach may set us up for failure.

As seasoned professionals, registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) have an arsenal of info at the ready to use as starting points for clients, regardless of their individual weight journey. But when these approaches don't achieve the desired results, they can also help clients explore other avenues. We spoke with several nutrition pros to get the lowdown—what general advice works for most people, and which factors might be standing in the way of weight loss? Faced with these obstacles, how do dietitians tailor their advice to the individual?

EDITOR'S PICK

Weight-Loss Tips for (Nearly) Everyone

Be mindful.

Many dietitians begin by asking clients to access the organ with the most powerful effect on weight: the brain. "I always ask my clients to monitor their food intake by keeping a food journal," says Karolin Saweres, RDN, LD. "I often find that my clients are not aware of how many meals, snacks, nibbles, or handfuls of food they eat each day." Becoming aware of our actual intake may initially be an uncomfortable surprise but can lead to more mindful eating throughout the day.

Jenifer Tharani, MS, RD, also encourages mindful eating as a general strategy. Eating slowly, bringing attention to flavors and textures of foods, and checking in frequently for fullness all promote a feeling of satiation—even when cutting back on portion sizes. "I ask patients during follow-up weight management sessions whether they felt satisfied with eating smaller portions, and they always say yes," she says.

Tharani also educates clients on reading nutrition facts labels, not skipping breakfast, and choosing complex carbs like whole grains and vegetables instead of simple ones like refined grains and sugary beverages.

Focus on protein and fiber.

Others RDNs emphasize a focus on individual nutrients. "Oftentimes, the first place I start is to help someone get adequate protein throughout the day," says Megan Ostler, MS, RDN. "This can help with appetite control. Second, I focus on fiber." In addition to curbing appetite, Ostler says fiber helps stabilize blood sugar and improve gastrointestinal health, important factors that can correlate with healthy weight. Combine good sources of fiber and protein with choices like beans, lentils, and certain grains, such as quinoa and oats.

But what's keeping on excess pounds—and what can you do about it?

Get calorie-specific.

"Getting into a calorie deficit can be more difficult than you might think," Ostler says. "Our bodies have a number of metabolic adaptations to keep us from losing weight. Gender, age, the microbiome, and genetics seem to each play a role."

While we can't control our gender or family background, achieving weight loss may simply be a matter of playing with (but not going too low in) daily calorie levels to find the sweet spot, since, according to Saweres, "Older adults usually require fewer calories to meet their needs—and even fewer calories to lose weight."

As for cultivating healthy gut flora, taking a daily probiotic and consuming fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi make for a weight loss-friendly microbiome.

Sleep better—and work on lowering stress levels.

When the scale won't budge, dietitians often take the focus off diet and exercise entirely, exploring issues of stress and sleep instead. "Both lack of sleep and high cortisol levels are associated with lower levels of leptin, a hormone that is key in energy metabolism, weight, and our hunger signals," says Jen Scheinman, RDN. "Individuals must tackle sleep and stress to succeed in weight loss."

Tharani agrees: "For some patients, I don't even talk about food, because food is not their main barrier to weight loss. Instead, stress and lack of self-care are what keeps them from losing weight." Tharani recommends practicing yoga and meditation to decompress. When stress levels are under control, restful sleep tends to follow.

Practicing healthy sleep hygiene can also aid the process. Try turning off electronics an hour before bedtime, developing a soothing bedtime routine, and going to sleep and waking at the same time each day.

Consider other health factors.

Health conditions (and the medications that treat them) also influence the body's ability to shed pounds through diet. "Some clients with chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or hypertension will need to be monitored and have their medications checked prior to starting any weight loss or exercise plans," Saweres says.

Certain meds may promote weight gain or adversely react with foods that are normally part of a healthy diet. Some blood thinners, for example, are infamous for requiring patients to limit foods that contain vitamin K—the nutrient found in leafy greens and other vegetables. If you suspect medications or health conditions are hampering your efforts, it's worth a discussion with your doctor or dietitian.

Use other means of measure.

When you've hit a weight-loss wall, it may be time to change your thinking. "For some, I recommend focusing on forms of measurement other than the scale, such as body composition changes, energy levels, performance, etc.," Ostler says. "I personally like to have people focus on establishing healthy behaviors that can improve many aspects of health, instead of just weight, which isn't always the best measure of health."

Take a look inside.

Finally, some of us may simply not be emotionally ready to take on a weight-loss journey. Hang-ups from our past, stress in our home or work environment, and other lifestyle or psychological issues may crop up as roadblocks on our journey. "It's not about the food," says Lauren Artise, RDN. "I've found that individual challenges and perceived barriers most often keep patients from reaching their health goals."

Before embarking on a weight-loss journey, do a bit of soul-searching. Time spent in mindful consideration may help you decide if can you fully commit to pursuing a healthy weight—whether or not a traditional path of diet and exercise can get you there.

Sarah Garone is a nutritionist and freelance writer in Mesa, AZ. Find her sharing (mostly) healthy recipes and down-to-earth nutrition info on her blog, A Love Letter to Food, or on Twitter.



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The Type of Workout You Should Be Doing If You Can’t Stay Motivated

What Are FODMAPs and Should I Be Avoiding Them?

There’s a not-so-new term making waves in the nutrition world. Pronounced exactly as it reads, ‘FODMAP’ refers to different types of carbohydrates that cause gastrointestinal distress in some people. If it sounds like another diet craze, it’s not—the low-FODMAP diet has been shown to ease the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you're considering going low-FODMAP, here’s what you should know before you go all-in.

FODMAP 101

Coined by researchers at Monash University in Australia, 'FODMAP' is an acronym for:

Fermentable: gut bacteria break down undigested carbs to produce gas

Oligosaccharides: a type of carbohydrate found in wheat, rye, onions, legumes and pulses

Disaccharides: lactose, found in dairy

Monosaccharides: fructose, found in honey, apples, and high-fructose corn syrup

Polyols: sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol

“These short-chain carbohydrates are difficult for many people to absorb and digest,” says Harvard-trained gastroenterologist Sarina Pasricha, M.D., MSCR. She adds that these undigested foods can lead to increased fermentation, which can cause abdominal bloating and discomfort. Specifically, FODMAP-rich foods are problematic for the following populations:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Sufferers

According to E.A. Stewart, MBA, RDN, the low-FODMAP diet was originally developed by researchers to help reduce symptoms of IBS, which affects around 15 percent of the world's population. Typically, these symptoms include a combination of abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Scientists have studied how reducing FODMAPs in the diet may diminish fermentation and gas production. “Studies have shown that patients with IBS who follow a restricted FODMAP diet have significant improvement in abdominal pain, flatulence, and bloating,” Pasricha adds.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Sufferers

IBD refers to two specific gastrointestinal conditions—Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both are characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, and they have similar symptoms to IBS—diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fatigue. “Many individuals with IBD are prone to IBS symptoms as well, and the low-FODMAP diet has been shown to help manage symptoms in these individuals,” says Kate Scarlata, RDN, LDN, author of The Low-FODMAP Diet Step by Step.

However, one review mentions that malnutrition is common in IBD patients—so the restrictive nature of the low-FODMAP diet may put these people at further nutritional risk. As a result, while the low‐FODMAP diet may be a useful tool for IBS-like symptoms, it requires careful supervision.

Athletes

According to Scarlata, many runners have a tendency to fuel up with FODMAP-rich foods, like wheat, bananas, apples, yogurt, honey, and sports products. “Interestingly, a large number of endurance athletes are prone to GI distress, and their FODMAP intake may be higher than the average person's,” Scarlata says.

A study of more than 900 athletes found that 55 percent actually omit at least one high-FODMAP food, and 83 percent see digestive improvements from that elimination. Scarlata suggests low-FODMAP foods, such as rice, oranges, blueberries, and lactose-free yogurt for those athletes who regularly suffer from stomach troubles.

Low-FODMAP Foods

Unfortunately, there's no FODMAP listing on most nutrition labels. But there are a few online tools available, like Scarlata’s FODMAP diet checklist and FODMAP Registered Dietitian Registry, which can help determine which foods are FODMAP-friendly. For meal inspo, Scarlata also has some low-FODMAP recipes and meal plans. And if you're looking for quick, on-the-go support, there's an app for that—Monash University has a low-FODMAP diet app.

If you're interested in more convenient options, several companies have started to create products that fit into a low-FODMAP lifestyle. Here are some of our favorites:

FODY foods
“FODY foods offers delicious snacks, like bars, trail mix packs, and chips,” Scarlata says. She also recommends the onion and garlic-free salsa, ketchup, and chicken broth.

Green Valley Organics
This lactose-free yogurt and kefir are perfect for those who love dairy—but dairy doesn't love them back. Plus, it's certified low-FODMAP.

Rachel Pauls Food
Advertised as “low-FODMAP food," this brand offers great snacking options, like gluten-free, low-FODMAP bars and jerky.

Casa de Sante
These gut-friendly products for IBS include a wide range of low-FODMAP spice blends, granola, and more.

Going Low-FODMAP

If you think you might want to go low, consider working with a dietitian. According to Pasricha, eliminating FODMAPs can be a challenge since it entails a pretty restrictive diet. Plus, if you do it right, it's an intense process.

“Trying a low-FODMAP style of eating is a three-phase approach," adds Scarlata, "including the elimination of high-FODMAP foods for two to six weeks, systematic re-introduction of FODMAPs to learn about trigger symptoms, and, lastly, the personalization phase."

In other words, a low-FODMAP diet isn't something you can easily try at home. Schedule a consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian to get more information and do appropriate testing to see if and how the FODMAP diet would work for you. (As always, it's important to have guidance and supervision when following new diets to treat medical ailments.)



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27 Whole30 Fish Recipes for When You Can't Eat One More Piece of Chicken

Beauty Tips to Stop Having Oily Skin

It could seem an insignificant reason or you might even think that it is absurd and exaggerated that someone commits suicide for only a few bars, but the reality is that in Mexico it is estimated that one of the main causes of suicide or attempted suicide, among young people of 16 At 22, it's acne. In addition, this dermatological problem is causing bullying and, therefore, low self-esteem in the victims. Therefore, as a trigger for severe depression, the most common and annoying skin condition has turned on alerts worldwide. An important factor that aggravates acne is stress. When it occurs, cortisol levels increase; This is a hormone that sits in the sebaceous glands and causes more fat to be produced. In the same way, stress causes the sweat glands to "activate" and the secretions to become exacerbated in the face. Later, that fat will turn into pimples and pimples that hurt, hurt the skin and go against what most consider aesthetic.

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If You Need To Lose Weight Fast, Here's Some Tips And Suggestions To Perhaps Flatten The Belly

There are numerous approaches to individual weight loss goals. Losing too much weight too rapidly, or losing weight through unhealthy means, can actually damage your body and your objectives. This handful of pointers will help you to experience rapid weight loss as fast as possible through healthy methods.

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How to Lose Weight Fast: 3 Tricks That Work

There are many health problems associated with being overweight. Such problems include Asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, menstrual problems and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, it's very essential for you to watch their weight.

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Belly Fat and Its Ill-Effects on Health

Belly fat is an accumulation of excessive fat around the stomach and abdomen up to the extent that it is likely to have a negative impact on health. Abdominal obesity is not confined only to the elderly and obese subjects. On the other hand, one can be thin and still have abdominal fat if one is not fit.

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