The average American consumes a daily sodium intake of 3,400 mg, so keeping your sodium content to 200 mg a day is considered a low sodium diet. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for sodium is less than 2,300 milligrams per day. The American Heart Association recommends people with hypertension, kidney and heart disease limit their sodium consumption to 1,500 mg/day,...

While both margarine and butter contain saturated fats, margarine is the healthier option since it also contains “good” unsaturated fats, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Both margarine and butter contain saturated fats. Hence, why neither of them is a healthy option. However, it is better to use healthier (unsaturated) fats, such as canola, safflower and olive oil, while cooking. If you...

Natural sweeteners are not only less harmful than refined sugar, but also have health benefits. Here are 6 alternatives to sugar Added sugar is probably one of the most problematic ingredients in the modern diet and has been linked to serious diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Fortunately, you can add sweetness to your foods with healthy alternatives to...

Boosting your metabolism may help you lose weight to a certain extent. Here are 7 ways to speed up your metabolism While boosting your metabolism can help you lose weight, everyone’s metabolism is completely different. For example, some people inherit a fast metabolism. Men tend to burn more calories than women. And most people experience a slowdown in metabolism as...

The best diet to lose weight is one that is both nutritious and sustainable. Here are the 5 best weight loss diet plans There is no diet that has single-handedly proven to be effective for weight loss. Each person has a different body type that reacts differently to each diet plan. Effective weight loss requires consistent long-term healthy changes in...

How many calories are in a cup of coffee depends on the coffee brewing process and the addition of whole milk, syrups, vanilla and creamer. Black coffee contains no significant amount of carbs, fats or proteins and, hence, has very few calories. While a plain espresso cup contains 5.4 calories, when you add cream, sugar or milk, the calorie content...

Bitter orange contains synephrine, which is similar to ephedra — a chemical the FDA banned because it raises blood pressure and was linked to heart attacks and stroke. Although some studies have reported that bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) can aid in weight reduction when used in conjunction with diet and exercise, the risk is probably not worth it due to...

Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day. Here are 6 of the healthiest breakfast options to start your day off right Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day. After a night of sleep and fasting, your body needs to be replenished with nutrients and energy it needs to function throughout the day....