Nutrition

Are Detox Diets an Effective Weight Loss Tool?
There is a common debate over whether detox diets aid in weight loss. Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett says detox diets are designed for rejuvenation, not weight loss. Detox "diets" throw your body into starvation mode, and within 24 hours, you can begin to lose muscle mass and water, not fat.

Maximize Your Metabolism
Smart food choices and regular low impact exercise can increase your metabolism and maximize calorie burn.

Guilt Free Comfort Food
When emotions take over and threaten to derail your diet, turn to these healthy comfort foods and stay on track.

Trim Calories During Holiday Season
With Thanksgiving behind us, Christmas and New Year's are the next calorie spiked minefields. Read these tips and learn how to trim calories and make healthy holiday choices to avoid sabotaging your health and fitness goals.

Eating Healthfully during the Holiday Season
With a simple game plan for healthy holiday eating, we can enjoy all our favorite holiday cravings and still keep our figures in check. If you are bringing food to a party or hosting an event, here are some tips to make your holiday offerings more healthy while being tasty as always.

Delicious Healthy Fruit that Packs a Healthy Punch
The warm days of June are punctuated by sweet flavors of fresh fruit that ripen during summer months. But did you know that in addition to tasting delicious, summer fruits are remarkably good for you? Fruit is one of the best sources of antioxidants, which are substances that help keep our bodies healthy and strong.

The Benefits of Olive Oil
Medical experts tell us that all oils are not created equal, and although all of them contain fat, some fats are better for us than others. Doctors and other health professionals recommend using oils that are low in saturated and trans fats, such as olive oil, canola or other vegetable oils, in place of butter, margarine or shortening.

Yolk it Up – Eggs in Our Diets
As Easter approaches, our thoughts turn to eggs – for decorating, hunting and eating in a chocolate form. Eggs are also the quintessential breakfast food. You can eat them with bacon, with toast, with sautéed veggies or as an omelette with all your favorite trimmings. But should you eat the yolk, the sunny yellow center of the egg that contains many nutrients required for our bodies?

Joy of Juicing
Would you like a quick and tasty way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables in one convenient glass? Try making fresh juice at home. This way, you get to choose exactly what flavors you enjoy most. Experiment and create new recipes by modifying the ingredients a bit each day based on the produce you have on hand.

Meatless Protein Sources: Delicious and Nutritious
When you need a physical boost, especially after an intense round of exercise, try eating some protein. As a building block for our muscles, eyes, teeth, skin, blood, nerves, lungs, brain, hair and nails, protein is a crucial element for strong, healthy bodies. Traditional sources of protein for those of us in the United States have largely been from animal sources: beef, chicken, pork, fish and eggs. But meatless protein sources are just as good – or even better – for our bodies.

Color Me Healthy
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, dreams come true, and phytochemicals bring about good health. When you eat colorful fruits and veggies, the phytochemical power brings a vast array of healing properties to your body. Check out these benefits of adding some color into your diet.

Get Vitamin D, Get Happy
Why do most of us feel happy when the sun is shining? While it's warming our bodies and allowing flowers to bloom, the sun's rays are also providing healthy doses of Vitamin D, a nutrient that studies have shown helps elevate our mood.

Vitamin D also helps our bodies function properly in lots of other ways. A healthy dose of Vitamin D daily promotes bone and muscle health, immune system response, and can help our bodies absorb calcium, according to studies across the United States.

Beat the Energy Slump
It's 3 p.m. You're exhausted. You head towards the vending machine for a sugary pick-me-up. When you get home, you dive into bed at a reasonable hour. If you're logging 7-9 hours of shut-eye every night, yet you still find yourself downing four cups of coffee to get through the day, then there may be another culprit for your energy slump. Take a look at these tips for boosting your daily energy. You may be surprised to find that a simple alteration in your daily habits can make a big difference.

Seven Deadly Diet Sins
You read food labels. You avoid dining out. You eat plenty of veggies with every meal. So, why aren't the numbers changing on your scale?

Unfortunately, most of us aren't eating as healthy as we think we are. The basic rules of keeping calorie counts low, eating plenty of fruits & vegetables, and limiting refined sugars are vital. But, they're just the beginning.

If you feel like you're doing everything right, but the numbers on the scale still aren't budging, check out these seven deadly diet sins to see if one of them is your culprit.

Nutrition Myths Busted
Everybody is giving nutrition advice these days. The clerk at your local drugstore, the radio DJ, and your friends on Facebook all have their favorite tips when it comes to healthy eating. The problem is that much of the nutrition advice we get from those around us is inaccurate. Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett busts five of the most common nutrition myths. Take a look at these myths to help you separate fact from fiction.

Are You Going Nuts?
Walnuts, peanuts, pecans and almonds. Nuts are all around us, and according to the newest research, these nutritional powerhouses can be genuine lifesavers. Just last month, researchers from Loma Linda University published an analysis of 25 studies, all of which link nut consumption to a healthy heart. Whether you toss a handful of almonds on your cereal in the morning or spread some low-fat peanut butter on a celery stalk before a workout, nuts are a great way to satiate your hunger and nourish your body.

Fresh Fruit – Your Summer Shopping Guide
Plenty of women across the globe feel dazed and confused when it comes to selecting just the right melons and berries. Do you select a fruit by its color, texture, or smell? How do you know if one nectarine is better than another? Use these simple tricks, and you’ll be the hit of this year’s summer picnic, even if your watermelon thumping skills aren’t up to par.

Is Protein Power Overrated?
Most of us get sufficient protein, without even making a conscious effort. Some of us even pack our bodies with excess protein. And while protein is an essential part of a healthy diet, it should not overpower the other components of your daily nutritional regimen.

In an effort to clear up common misconceptions about protein, Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett answers your protein related frequently asked questions.

All Carbs Are Not Created Equal
The National Academies Institute of Medicine is singing carbohydrate praises these days. The institute recommends that 45-65% of an adult’s daily calories should come from carbohydrates, with the remaining calories coming from proteins and monounsaturated fats. If carbs are so good for us, then what’s all the ruckus about?

Snack Attack
A little bite here. A small spoonful there. Just a taste, pinch, or lick. It seems so innocent. But, all that snacking can lead to an ever-expanding waistline and diet disaster!

Snacking isn’t bad. Actually, snacking is a healthy habit, since most dieticians and healthcare professionals recommend eating four to six small meals throughout the day. So, the question is not whether you should or should not snack, rather the question is, “What are you snacking on?”

A Spoonful of Sugar
A spoonful of sugar may help the medicine go down, but Mary Poppins might just change her mind if she knew how much sugar Americans are actually consuming these days. Cutting out sodas and sugary snacks is one surefire way to minimize your sugar intake. But, how do you satisfy that nagging sweet tooth when refraining from the sweet stuff?

Going Vegetarian
Want to try an all vegetable and fruit diet? There are a few guidelines that should be followed when going vegetarian. Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett makes these suggestions for new or would-be vegetarians.

Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
It’s turkey time! That means family gatherings, football games, and hours logged at the dining room table. The average Thanksgiving dinner packs a whopping 3,000 calories. Here are some tips to avoid holiday weight gain, as we head into a long season of temptation.

Organic Foods – Are They Worth It?
It seems there is an organic version of nearly every product in the grocery store these days, but how do you know which organic products are worth the extra cost? We find these organics to be worth the splurge.

Cancer Fighting Foods
Have you heard about the anti-cancer diet? Find out about the five nutritional powerhouse foods that have been proven to minimize your risk for various forms of cancer.

Healthy Summer Picnics – From A to Z
Summer picnics often go hand-in-hand with fried chicken, potato salad and all the fixings.  Here’s how to give your picnic basket a healthy makeover.

Summer Fruits Serve Up Big Health Benefits
Long summer days mean it’s time for a variety of new seasonal fruits. Read how a healthy serving of fruits in your diet will help you power through workouts and stave off sweet-tooth cravings.

Good Nutrition on a Budget
Wondering how to eat healthy on a budget? Read this article for nutritional choices that won’t break the bank. 

Cut the Fat: The Battle Against Childhood Obesity
The obesity epidemic is wreaking havoc on our children’s health. Obesity rates have doubled among children in the past 20 years, and tripled in teens. Here’s how to battle it at home.

How to Stay Young at Heart
Aging is inevitable but some say fitness is the fountain of youth…read on to find out how to keep your vitality into your 70s, 80s and beyond.

Detox Diets – Friend or Foe?
While Detox diets seem to be the current trend, are they more effective than old-fashioned healthy eating and exercise habits? Read on to weigh the pros and cons…

Top Ten Diet Myths
With all of the diet advice, tips and tricks available these days, how do you know which ones to follow? Take a look at these top ten diet myths and learn how to separate fact from fiction.

Stop the Sugar Rush
Sugar is creeping its way into every part of the American diet and Americans are consuming more of it than ever before. Ward off this diet foe before it wreaks havoc on your body.

Vitamin C Lowers Stroke Risk
In addition to boosting your immune system, you can substantially reduce your risk of a stroke just by increasing your intake of Vitamin C. Here are some ways to get your daily dose.

Office Makeover – Escape Workplace Weight Gain
Don’t let office potlucks and coworker candy jars sabotage your weight loss goals. Here are some tips to avoid office temptation from 9 to 5.

The Fab Five
When it comes to fueling your workouts, sometimes it is best to get back to basics. Here are the top five all-star foods that will help you maximize the effectiveness of your workout.

Smart Holiday Shopping For Weight Loss
‘Tis the season for cookies, egg nog, and diet sabotage. These steps for smart shopping will help you ward off holiday pounds.

The FAQ for Vitamin D
There’s a new powerhouse vitamin that is just starting to get the recognition it deserves. Here are some ways to maximize the benefits of Vitamin D.

Cooking The Right Way
The latest research shows it’s not only what you eat but how you eat that counts. Here’s how to prepare nutrient rich foods.

Size Matters – Getting Food Portions Under Control
Over the past couple decades portion sizes have been steadily increasing in America, along with our waistlines. Here are a few portion control tips.

Write Your Way to Weight Loss
Having a hard time maintaining your weight loss? Studies show keeping a food journal is a surefire way to effectively lose weight.

Mindful Eating
Did you know how you eat may be just as important as what you eat? Read on to find out how mindful eating can actually improve digestion.

Are Your Friends Making You Fat?
Everyone knows that common colds and flu bugs are contagious, but who knew obesity is contagious? Discover how choosing the right friends can impact your waistline.

Liquid Calories
Next time you hit the Starbuck’s drive thru or grab that afternoon soda, beware of the hidden dangers of liquid calories.

Sneak Greens Into Your Diet
The health benefits of green vegetables are undeniable but are you getting the proper daily dose of veggies? Here are some tips to increase daily vegetable servings.

Food Labels Made Easy
Do food labels seem to be in a foreign language? Take the guesswork out of your grocery choices as we demystify food labels.

Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
Too much gobble, gobble making you wobble, wobble? Here are five tips to avoid holiday weight gain.

A Weight-Controlled Thanksgiving
If weight gain is part of your annual Thanksgiving tradition, it’s time to break the cycle by adopting healthy holiday habits.

Childhood Obesity: America's Big Fat Problem
Over the past 20 years, obesity rates have doubled among children. It all starts at home. Here are some ways to battle the childhood obesity epidemic.

Hold the Sweet Stuff
The hidden dangers of refined sugar are often overlooked. Here are some tips to keep these empty calories from tipping the scale.

Increase Your Veggie Intake
The health benefits of vegetables are undeniable, but do you get the recommended daily dose? Here are some tricks to sneak more veggies into your diet.

Healthy Eating While Dining Out
Americans are eating out more frequently than ever before. Here are some healthy restaurant options and tips for resisting temptation.

Stay Hydrated in the Summertime
During the hot summer months, proper hydration is vital to keep your energy levels up. Here are some tips for avoiding dehydration.

Metabolism 101
What is the secret to burning more calories? The “M” word. Rev up your metabolism with a few simple lifestyle changes.

Power Fruits: Packing a Nutritional Punch
Have you heard of power fruits? Often ignored, these antioxidant rich fruits could save your live someday.

Health Benefits of Fiber
Fiber is being touted as the new dietary all-star, responsible for countless health benefits. Here’s how to lose weight by increasing your fiber intake.

Eat Your Heart Out
Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of American women? By adding heart healthy foods to your diet you can substantially reduce your risk of heart disease.

The Truth About Fat
Excess belly fat can be toxic to your heath. Here are some ways to battle the bulge.