That's Fit

Summer is the perfect time for hot dogs at the family BBQ, big pretzels at the county fair, and cold treats straight from the ice cream truck. Although these foods can be less-than-perfect options for our kids who love them so -- think lots of salt, sugar, and fat -- WedMD says they can be not so bad, really. Check them out.

• Nachos & Quesadillas
• Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
• Ice Cream
• Frozen Yogurt
• Waffles and pancakes
• Marshmallows
• Popcorn
• Watermelon
  
  

Hot dogs? Healthy? I never thought so. Try light and reduced-fat dogs and you'll be OK, says Sarah Krieger, an American Dietetic Association (ADA) spokeswoman.

There's a reason why olive oil was treasured by the ancient Greeks and chocolate was considered sacred by the Aztecs, although that reason may escape the modern day dieter. Each contains a great deal of fat, which is why these foods -- as well as others like them -- may never find a place in a person's diet today. The mere mention of the word "fat" is enough to send shivers up some people's spines. Too bad, really, because these same people are missing out on some of the best flat-belly foods you can eat.

WebMD recently listed what they consider to be among the best flat-belly foods, and it may come as a bit of a surprise to some of you that they are all high in fat. But hold on, not just any fat, monounsaturated fat. Good fat. The type that lowers LDL cholesterol and cuts disease risk. And, the type that, if eaten in moderation, can help you lose weight -- hence their flat-belly food designation.

For a more comprehensive look at each of these foods, click here to check out the full WebMD article. In the meantime, take a quick look below at the the foods that made the cut.

An eye-opening study from the University of Miami revealed that by ages 12 to 14, half of obese children have metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that predicts type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

This information is cause for concern, as the numbers of obese children has continued to rise steadily since the data for this study were collected (between 1999-2002, at which time more than 17 percent of chidldren aged eight to fourteen were obese).

As these children age, their chances of facing a lifetime with a chronic illness escalates if they're weight is not reined in. As one researcher from the University of Miami study states in a WebMD article, "If a kid is age 8 with metabolic syndrome, it will take 10 years or less for that child to become a type 2 diabetic or develop heart disease."

The study analyzed data data on some 1,700 children as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Money can't buy you happiness. That's how the saying goes, anyway. But has anyone ever subjected to this theory to any kind of scientific method? As a matter of fact, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have, and their findings seem to support this popular tenet.

According to the research, money does play a role in the initial stages of happiness -- to the point where basic needs are met. Beyond that point, however, the affect money has on happiness appears to be far less significant. So, if money doesn't bring joy into people's lives, what does? Family ties, say researchers. Surveys on this topic indicate that while happiness is less strongly tied to changes in income, there is a strong association to changes in the quality of family relationships over time.

However, just as you still might disagree with these findings, so do some economists. As stated in a recent WebMD article, polling data from rich and poor countries reveals that satisfaction is highest among people living in the richest countries. And, within those countries, people with higher incomes tended to be happier than those with less money. In the U.S., for example, 90% of people in households making at least $250,000 considered themselves "very happy," compared to just 42% of people in households with incomes below $30,000.

Thanks.

Ms. Fitness, Chicago, Illinois

When it comes to feeling barely blue or downright depressed, women tend to ask for help more than men ask for help, say the experts at Ladies Home Journal. With WebMD reporting that nearly six million men will have at least one major episode with depression each year, it's clear a good bunch of men -- while they might not ask for it -- need a good dose of help. In order to draw these guys out and get them the assistance they need, let's be on the lookout for these eight signs of trouble.

• Withdrawing from others and spending more time alone, watching TV, playing video games, or pursuing other solo activities.

• Increased drinking or use of mood-altering drugs.

What seems more like something out of a 1950s science fiction movie is actually a growing concern for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Six young men died last year after swimming in lakes or pools infested with a brain-eating amoeba known as Naegleria fowleri or N. fowleri, and guarding against another infection of these microscopic predators remains a hot issue as summer approaches.

According to an article featured on WebMD, the amoeba thrive in warm, fresh water all over the world. In the U.S., it inhabits the relatively hot waters of lakes, hot springs, and poorly maintained pools in Southern or Southwestern states. And, equally as unnerving as its ability to thrive in such environments is the fact that its moniker is in no way an understatement -- the amoeba literally feeds on the human brain.

WedMD reports that victims usually die seven to 10 days after infection, although symptoms may not appear for up to 14 days. Initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. Later-onset symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. Death follows the first symptoms by three to seven days.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.

Americans are being hit in the wallet at almost every turn these days. Between exorbitant gas prices and rising food costs, it's becoming increasingly difficult to eat healthy. While most people would much rather purchase lean meat and poultry, for example, the disparity in pricing between such foods and highly-processed foods makes the decision based more on personal finances than on personal health.

Fortunately, there are some healthy foods that won't break the proverbial bank. WebMD recently listed ten of them, in fact, in an article titled 10 Healthy Foods for Under a Dollar. Check 'em out!!

1 - Apples

2 - Banana

3 - Baby Carrots

4 - Canned Beans

5 - Canned Tomatoes

For all the women out there who are trying really hard, but for some reason can't seem to shed any pounds (or, worse yet, still continue to put on more pounds!), there may be some other factors at play.

WebMD recently listed 5 Surprising Reasons Why You're Gaining Weight. Each represents a possible explanation for why the numbers on the scale keep rising, in spite of your concerted effort to eat right and exercise.

Could any -- or all -- of these possibly be what's holding you back?

1. You're Not Sleeping Enough.

2. You're Stressed Out

3. You're Taking Certain Medications That May Cause Weight Gain

4. You Have a Medical Condition That Can Contribute to Weight Gain

5. You're Going Through Menopause

For a more detailed explanation of each of these potential reasons why your efforts may be falling short, read the whole WebMD article by clicking here.

If you're feeling sore from yesterday's heavy workout, conventional wisdom dictates that you should take the day off. Not necessarily, says a recent report in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.

In a study of 18 volunteers who performed intense workouts over a fourteen day span, 9 of them also performed lighter sessions the next day. Researchers found that both groups reported equal amounts of muscle soreness, indicating that performing the light workout did not cause any additional pain or damage to the body during its recovery from the heavy workout the day prior.

Some doctors actually suggest doing a light workout to help alleviate muscle soreness, as keeping your muscles in motion may provide some relief.

Whether you choose to take the day off, or ease the soreness through light exercise, just make sure that you don't perform a heavy workout on consecutive days (unless you are working completely different body parts on each day).

There are a number of ways to drop some pounds, many of which require a change to your current diet. We know that extreme, crash diets don't work, so avoiding them altogether is a smart move. That leaves the more sensible approach: eating foods that are lower in calories, fat, and simple carbs.

This can either mean a dramatic change to what your current food intake consists of, or it can be a more subtle effort. The former usually involves eating skinless chicken breast, healthy fish, copious amounts of vegetables, and so on. Clearly, this is the healthiest and most effective way to get the job done. But, not everyone wants to deviate from their current diets to this degree. The latter, however, requires that a person change their current diet slightly, but enough to make consistent, noticeable change to their health. Will it work as fast as the more hardcore approach? Probably not. But will you stick to it? Most people will.

To help the casual dieter along, WebMD has compiled a list of the 17 Best Foods For Dieters. Nowhere on this list will you find measured portions of buckwheat or protein supplement shakes. Instead, what you'll find are a list of lower-calorie and lower-fat options of foods you may already be eating. Over time, this reduction in calories and fat will help you get closer and closer to your goal weight.

Americans had more niping and tucking done in 2007 than in any year prior. According to a WebMD article, around 11.7 million people had nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed last year, representing a 2 percent climb from 2006. Two percent may not seem like much of a jump, but to put things into perspective, the number of procedures has climbed by 457 percent since 1997.

According to statistics promulgated by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 91 percent of cosmetic procedures were performed on women. And a growing number of men, who made up only a small percentage of the total number of people who had work done, are turning to cosmetic surgery (up by 17 percent since 2006).

Here are the total numbers of the top five cosmetic surgeries for 2007:

1. Liposuction: 456,828
2. Breast augmentation: 399,440
3. Eyelid surgery: 240,763
4. Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): 185,335
5. Breast reduction: 153,087

Here are the total numbers of the top five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures for 2007:

1. Botox injection: 2,775,176
2. Hyaluronic acid: 1,448,716
3. Laser hair removal: 1,412,657
4. Microdermabrasion: 829,658
5. IPL laser treatment: 647,707

Hospitals, insurance companies, and other organizations are leaping into the world of consumer fitness. And with good cause. Medical costs are skyrocketing, so it only makes sense to be proactive about health. One program that you may have access to is LEAP (Lifetime Exercise Adherence Program) sponsored by WebMD. The program helps you design a custom fitness program and track your progress for 13 weeks. The program "responds" to your needs and progress by sending you timely messages. (Such as a reminder if you haven't logged progress in a while.)

You can check on your local hospital's web site and with your medical insurance provider to see if they have any similar fitness programs. You may also find online nurses, nutrition programs, and other helpful tools.

Why is that if our cars does something even slightly out of the ordinary, we are on the phone withe mechanic almost right away; yet, when we feel a pain in our bodies and something doesn't feel right, we are hesitant to call the doctor? I know I am guilty of having followed this backward logic myself on a number of occasions, which is why an article I just read on WebMD gave me pause.

Highlighting The 7 Pains You Shouldn't Ignore, the article takes a look at what exactly a pain in your abdomen, an excruciating headache, and five other physical maladies could potentially be. True, in some cases these pains may turn out to be nothing worth great concern. But, you don't want to be taken by surprise the one time it turns out to be something serious.

To read the full WebMD article, click HERE.

It wasn't long ago that the prevailing wisdom for protecting your heart was to eat a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. That's not to say that this advice was wrong; rather, it fell somewhat short only because it focused on what you shouldn't be eating instead of what you should be eating.

To keep your ticker ticking, there are many foods that can provide protection against such threats to your heart as inflammation, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.

WebMD recently listed 15 foods you can eat to help protect your heart. Click HERE to read the full article, or just breeze through the list below.

1. Swiss Chard

2. Fresh Herbs

3. Low-Fat or Non-Fat Yogurt

4. Garlic

5. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

6. Almonds

7. Barley

8. Cayenne Chili Pepper

9. Carrots

10. Broccoli

11. Oranges

12. Lean Pork

13. Salmon

14. Black Beans

15. Dried Cherries