LiveWell Vermont

It is a common belief that eating healthy is expensive. A recent study conducted by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), however, found that healthful eating can actually be inexpensive depending upon one's food choices. The fact is, if you continue to buy all the non-nutritious foods on top of the healthful foods, you will most definitely be spending more money. The key, however, is to transition you and your family to buying nutrient-dense foods that will keep you feeling full and satisfied all day long. You will therefore be eating less, feeling healthier AND saving money!  Here is a list of ten healthy foods that cost you under a dollar: 1. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables They are not only nutritious, but are naturally delicious. They contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that provide benefits for the entire body. According to the USDA, the average cost of fruits and vegetables is approximately 40 to 50 cents per cup. The least expensive fresh ...

Did you have a nice summer? Did you go away? Did you also move away from healthy habits? Chances are you ate, drank, relaxed and perhaps ate some more.  It was fun. It tasted good. But now it's time to get back on track.  Many individuals adopt less-than-healthy habits while on vacation leading them feeling puffy and bloated, having achy joints and their clothing feeling tight. Is this you? If so, here are 5 steps to get you back on the health and wellness track after your vacation:  Step One: Focus & Commit You had a great vacation. You enjoyed eating foods that you knew weren't good for you, you drank a little too much and you didn't move your body enough. Vacation is over. Decide for yourself that these unhealthy habits stop NOW. If you're truly serious about your personal health and wellness goals, then it is important that you see your vacation as the exception, not your every day. On the other hand, don't beat yourself up for things in the past. You had f...

One of the top foods that is sure to lead to weight gain is refined sugar. As a society, we have been eating more and more sugar over the past 200 years, which has led to rising obesity numbers. In 1822 the average person consumed 6.3 lbs of sugar per year. In 2012, this number rose to a whopping 130 lbs of sugar. This is more than 20 times as much sugar in our modern diet! No wonder we are bigger than ever…   Our diets are filled with refined sugar - especially since it is included in virtually every processed food out there. This is yet another reason that it's important to cut those processed and packaged convenience foods out of our diet.  Cutting sugar from your diet is easier said than done. This is because once it is a part of your daily diet, cravings strike, causing you to eat it even more frequently. This doesn't mean, however, that there's no turning back. The following tips can help to reduce your consumption and get you back on track when it comes to ...

Here are 8 reasons to get your 8 hours of sleep: 1. Sleep Deprivation Makes You Hungrier Research shows that sleep deprivation leads to increases in grehlin (the hunger hormone) and decreases in leptin (the satiety hormone, that tells the brain “I’m full”). This hormone imbalance leads to more hunger and cravings. 2. Lack of Sleep is Linked with Hypertension Researchers from the American Heart Association have found a link between sleep quality and resistant hypertension, which is a form of high blood pressure that is difficult to treat with drugs. 3. Lack of Sleep is Linked with Diabetes Diabetes and sleep problems are often linked. One reason why is because when your blood sugar levels are high, your kidneys try to get rid of it by urinating, and getting up to use the bathroom all night obviously disrupts your sleep. Another problem is that when you’re not sleeping well, you may eat sugary foods for quick energy, which then leads to high blood sugar. So you can see how...

Burgers on the grill are tasty, but unfortunately they're not so great for our health when eaten on a regular basis. Have no fear; there ARE healthy and tasty options out there! Check out the following ideas to support your health while still keeping your taste buds happy: Asian Salmon Burgers Salmon is full of healthy omega-3 fats. Research shows that eating more fish actually improves immune function, which may help avoid colds and infections by fighting inflammation and stimulating germ-fighting cells. Wheat germ is a great ingredient to use to replace white bread crumbs. Wheat germ is rich in fiber and nutrients, including B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and the antioxidant selenium. Top your burger with grilled pineapple for a sweet, juicy addition that will give you a healthy dose of vitamin C and manganese, a mineral required for proper carbohydrate metabolism and bone formation.  Preparation:   In a food processor bowl, combine ½ pound skinless boneless salmon, ...