Do protein shakes aid weight loss? Drinking a whey protein shake 20 minutes before a meal seems to support weight loss and preserve muscle mass.

A 12-week study on weight loss from the Minnesota Applied Research Center in Minneapolis found that a pre-meal protein shake helped decrease appetite during lunch or dinner. (more…)

The ad for Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal says the following:

“Quaker has a new way to take weight off your mind. Now Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal comes in Maple & Brown Sugar flavor. It’s specially formulated to help fill you and help you lose weight.”

The fine print reveals the real story behind Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal. Here is what it says:

“Research shows that Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal, when eaten as part of a reduced-calorie diet with moderate exercise, can help you lose weight.” (more…)

Eating whole grains may help you lose belly fat, according to a new study from Pennsylvania State University.

People who ate five servings daily as part of a low-calorie diet lost more belly fat and had lower levels of C-reactive protein, which predicts heart disease, stroke and diabetes, than those who only cut calories.

Researchers believe a diet high in whole grains may help shrink fat cells and reduce inflammation. Experts recommend consuming at least 48 grams a day. Below, three delicious ways to get your fill. (more…)

Switching to whole grains can melt away your belly fat. Penn State researchers compared two groups of overweight dieters: One group swapped white bread and pasta for whole-wheat products, while the other ate the same number of calories as the first group but did not make the switch.

Although all the dieters lost about 10 pounds in 3 months, the whole-grain eaters dropped twice as much belly fat.

The study authors credit the extra fiber and antioxidants in whole grains, which help control inflammation and insulin (a hormone that tells your body to store belly fat). (more…)

New diet dishes and flatware promise to make weight loss easier. But do some serve up self-hate instead?

The Diet Fork This sporklike utensil, Diet Fork, features tiny prongs that fit less food in every bite, forcing you to pace yourself. Coincidentally, a study from the University of Rhode Island at Kingston found eating slowly can help you consume less and enjoy your food more.

A fork that ups the yum factor for every meal while preventing overeating? That is cool! But would you ever use the Diet Fork? Are you going to carry the Diet Fork with you when you go out to eat? Probably not.

Personalized plate Customize your plate with a diet motto; write your own or select one of the sometimes shocking prefab versions “No seconds, fat ass” – hey, whatever works for you, but I think this one is a little mean. (more…)

You have probably never heard of the type of soluble fiber called glucomannan. According to a recent study, just 1 gram of glucomannan fiber may help your body slow the absorption of sugar after you have eaten a carb-heavy meal. (more…)

Stock up on Tabasco sauce. Eating hot peppers could help you lose weight, or so one Australian study claims. According to the study, overweight people increase their chances of burning fat after a meal that contains hot peppers.

How can hot peppers aid weight loss? It is all about controlling your insulin levels from going on a wild ride after consuming a meal. As you probably already know, insulin is a hormone responsible for fat storage in your body. In this study, participants who consumed hot peppers with a meal were observed to have significantly lower insulin levels. (more…)

1. Being unprepared Without healthy foods in the fridge, you are more likely to nosh on high-calorie foods. Stock up on low-cal foods like fruits and veggies, string cheese and yogurt and have an eating plan in mind. If you just grab the first thing that comes to mind, you are more likely to end up eating something unhealthy. (more…)

Are you a hot chick? Maybe you are, maybe you are not, but the question is: Would you like to know how to eat like a hot chick? Do you even care what hot chicks eat? If you are a hot chick, it seems reasonable to assume that you know what other hot chicks eat or maybe you do not, in which case you may find How to Eat Like a Hot Chick informative.

Here are some meal ideas from NutriFit founder Jackie Keller, combined with fun tips from How to Eat Like a Hot Chick author Jodi Lipper and Cerina Vincent. The trick: Eat three balanced meals a day and have two smart snacks (like string cheese, yogurt with granola or fruit and almonds). (more…)