The 30 Most Effective Weight Loss Stories of the Year
Every Menu Item at McDonald's—Ranked!
If I said you could eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at McDonald's for three months straight and lose a ton of weight, no doubt you'd laugh me out of the room.
But that's exactly what John Cisna did earlier this year. The science teacher challenged his students at Iowa's Colo-Nesco High School to think about everything they eat—showing them that, with smart choices, you could turn any establishment into a healthy one while meeting all your nutritional needs.
Call it the McDonald's Diet. Cisna, who also walked 45 minutes a day, lost 37 pounds. Talk about weight loss!
In that spirit, Eat This, Not That! embarked on the ambitious journey of ranking every single McDonald's Menu Item, so you can still enjoy MickeyD's without the guilt. It wasn't easy. In a normal world, you can pretty much tell which foods are good for you—fish, chicken, and salads—and which aren't. But in McDonaldLand, a chicken sandwich can pack twice as many calories as a double hamburger, and a salad can deliver more sodium than a Big Mac.
So to help you unwrap (sorry, unMcWrap) the truth about what Ronald is serving up, and to avoid your becoming supersized, we've examined each and every item and ordered them by calories and nutritional content. Which favorites do you look for when you hit MickeyD's? Click here to read Every Menu Item at McDonald's—Ranked!
The 22 Best Teas for Weight Loss
For most Americans, tea is tea. Forget black teas, white teas, greens, and reds; tea is that finely ground gunpowder that comes in bags from Lipton, or that over-sweetened sludge sloshed into plastic bottles and sold in between the Coke and the Mountain Dew.
However, in places like Japan, the UK, and large swaths of Southeast Asia, as reported in our new book, The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse, tea leaves are as diverse and nuanced as wine grapes. Not only does the flavor profile change dramatically between one tea variety and the next, but so do the health benefits. Not only can certain brews fight off various diseases, select teas have also been shown to rev the metabolism, quell hunger, slash waist-widening stress and shrink fat cells. When Taiwanese researchers studied more than 1,100 people over a 10-year period, they determined that those who drank tea had nearly 20 percent less body fat than those who drank none!
To ensure you brew the best cups for your weight loss goals, we've rounded up the most potent waist-whittling teas from around the world. Read on to discover The 22 Best Teas for Weight Loss.
Melt Fat Drinking Delicious Tea on The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse! Test Panelists Lost Up to 10 Pounds in One Week!
The 48 Worst Frozen Foods in America
Familiar with this scenario? You head to the frozen food section of your local grocery store, weight loss in mind. You plan to grab some frozen kale for a dinner side and frozen berries for your post-workout shake. You emerge ten minutes later with frozen low-cal pizzas and low-fat ice cream.
Those tantalizing options are marketed as nutritious and convenient, so we can't say we blame you. But many of them are healthy-eating enemies in disguise. Before your next trip down the aisle, see what nutritionists consider the worst "healthy" frozen foods, and what to swap them for instead. Read on for The 48 Worst Frozen Foods in America.
The Top 38 Diet Sodas—Ranked!
It's true. The name of that product: Diet soda.
In fact, daily diet soda drinkers grow 2 ½ more inches of belly fat each decade than those who don't drink the stuff, according to a recent study. Even if you're consuming fewer calories, you may still gain weight thanks to diet soda.
"Diet drinks cause insulin to be released in your gut because their artificial sweeteners are sweet like sugar, and that actually prevents weight loss," Miriam Jacobson, RD, CDN, told us. "Insulin is your body's primary fat-storage hormone, so it will have the body hold onto any extra fat."
Diet sodas also harm the immune system because their acidity causes havoc with our gut bacteria. And the caramel coloring in many sodas contains an artificial form of phosphorous that's been shown to leach calcium from our bones.
But while every diet soda is bad for you, some are clearly worse than others. The team at Eat This, Not That! took 38 brands into our Food Lab, and pored over the ingredients of the most popular diet sodas in America. Read on to discover where your favorite cola landed—and discover our surprising #1 pick, which might become your new go-to. Click here for The 38 Top Diet Sodas—Ranked!
Lose Up to 10 Pounds in One Week on The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse! Makes a Great Gift!
44 Ways to Lose 4 Inches of Body Fat
Fat: It's the stuff that gives ice cream its creaminess, pizza its dreaminess, and Nicki Minaj her twerkiness. In the right places and in the right amounts, fat is the stuff that makes life worth living.
But when your curves start crashing over the bulwark of your beltline, it's time to start thinking seriously about reducing body fat. Not losing weight per se, but burning off the soft, jiggly stuff and replacing it with firm, lean muscle. Too much fat isn't just an aesthetic issue, it's a health issue: belly fat in particular is linked to everything from heart disease and diabetes to liver failure, depression and dementia.
So to help you be less large and more in charge, the team at Eat This, Not That! surveyed some of the most sought-after fitness, nutrition and health experts in America to find out what's happening on the cutting edge of weight loss. Select any of these insider tips: 44 Ways to Lose 4 Inches of Body Fat!
The 50 Best Overnight Oats Recipes for Weight Loss
Ready-to-eat cereal isn't the most waist-friendly variety on supermarket shelves. As it turns out, oatmeal is a much better way to ward off weight gain and slim down. In fact, people who eat oatmeal for breakfast feel full longer—even four hours after they put spoon to mouth! That's sure to keep you out of the snack drawer mid-morning, boosting your weight loss efforts.
But before you rush off and buy the first box of oatmeal you see, understand that not any type will do. The instant varieties often have added sugars and artificial flavors and making slow-cooking oatmeal on the stove can add stress to your already rushed morning routine. The solution: overnight oats. All you have to do to whip up a bowl is fill a mason jar or Tupperware container with grains, toppings, add-ins and a liquid like milk or water. Then you throw it in the refrigerator overnight. While you're sleeping, the flavors fuse together so all you have to do is scarf it down next morning—no cooking required! Click here for The 50 Best Overnight Oats Recipes for Weight Loss!
21 Amazing Things That Happen to Your Body When You Give Up Bananas
What if I told you there was a groundbreaking new tool to help you lose weight, reduce bloat, fight cancer and increase your energy—all for just 19 cents a piece. And bonus: Each one comes with a free carrying case, so you can grab it and go!
You'd call us bananas. And we'd say you're right.
The humble fruit—botanically, actually a berry!—is perhaps the least-heralded supermarket staple, a superfood more associated with kids, monkeys and slapstick comedy than with steel-cut abs. But its powers are proven, and to investigate just how impactful they can be, Eat This, Not That! consulted our team of nutritionists to determine exactly what eating one banana does to your body. (Cool pro tip: The riper the banana the more nutrients it has!)
Here are the most b-a-n-a-n-a-s things that will happen! 21 Amazing Things That Happen to Your Body When You Give Up Bananas!
26 Six-Pack Secrets From The World's Fittest Men
"I hate to lose," my friend Jim told me the other day. He was talking about being down 35-33 during a pick-up game of basketball, but he might as well have been talking about his weight.
"Losing" weight is almost against a man's mindset: Most men are more interested in gaining–gaining muscle, gaining strength, gaining money, gaining experience. And unfortunately, most guys are better at gaining pounds of flab than they are pounds of muscle.
Yet all of us want to "lose" the flab around our midsection—and expose our six-pack. So to get the world's best fat-melting, muscle-building tips, Eat This, Not That! reached out to some of the fittest men on earth, including Terry Crews, Hugh Jackman and Liam Hemsworth. How do they do it–and how can you?
Read their workout, nutrition and motivation advice here: 26 Six-Pack Secrets From The World's Fittest Men!
The 50 Best Snacks for Weight Loss
In fact, snacking throughout the day is actually one of the best ways to avoid an expanding waistline. In a recent study, researchers found that participants lost significantly more body weight when they added low-sugar, high-protein snacks to their daily food routine. Why? Because consistent snacking helps maintain blood-sugar levels, keeping you full and preventing your body from storing excess fat. Look for something that's around 130 to 250 calories. Or just close your eyes and pick any of these essential 50 best snacks for weight loss, compliments of the new Eat This, Not That 2015 book, available now—we've studied the nutritionals for you, so you can enjoy each and every one guilt-free: The 50 Best Snacks for Weight Loss!
Fit into Your Favorite Jeans, Compliments of The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse! Test Panelists Lost Up to 10 Pounds in One Week!
30 Foods You Should Never Eat After Age 30
The best part about being a grown-up is having the freedom to do—and eat—whatever you want. Pizza for breakfast? Yolo. But when the muffin tops and man boobs start to appear, it can be a rude wake-up call that many foods aren't without consequence.
Even if you don't feel any different than you did in your teens and twenties, the body changes in ways that make it harder to lose weight and remain in good health. To help you age gracefully into a body you'll want to flaunt no matter how many years go by, the Eat This, Not That! research team dug into the science of aging and nutrition to uncover the foods that should never pass your lips after you've celebrated the big 3-0. Click here for the full list!
The 23 Best Protein Shake Recipes for Weight Loss
They're also packed with additional essential nutrients that keep your skin, hair, bones and heart healthy. Better yet, there's no prep work or cleanup, and they're easy to sip on the go. But not just any drink will do. Protein shakes from local gyms and juice shops often carry more added sugar than a dozen donuts and the same holds true for some recipes you'll find on the web. Sorry to say, slugging those back every day won't get you any closer to your summer body goal.
To help you stay on track, we searched the web for the most mouth-watering weight loss shake recipes out there. Below, you'll find something to satisfy every craving from refreshingly fruity to a milkshake-inspired dessert. Since we've taken care of finding the nutritional winners, all you have to do is pick a recipe, start up the blender and enjoy. Click here for The 23 Best Protein Shake Recipes for Weight Loss!
The 29 Best Proteins Weight Loss
You already know that eating protein is key when it comes to weight loss. Doing so boosts satiety and helps build flubber-frying lean muscle mass, after all. But it seems that many of us have gotten into a rut, relying on just a few primary sources of the stuff. Not only can this cause taste bud fatigue, it can also deny your body of health-boosting nutrients found in protein-rich foods you're overlooking.
To help you break free of your oh-so-boring grilled chicken and egg routine, we've compiled a list of the best-ever proteins for weight loss across every food category. Whether you're a fan of fish, can't deny your love of dairy or stick to a meat-free meal plan, we've got the best options for your waistline.
Read on to get in the know and be sure to pick a few of our suggestions up next time you head to the grocery store: The 29 Best Proteins Weight Loss.
Melt Fat Drinking Delicious Tea on The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse! Test Panelists Lost Up to 10 Pounds in One Week!
31 Skinny Secrets from the World's Sexiest Women
That's why the world's sexiest women come in all shapes and sizes, from the ultra-curvy Kardashians to the lean and limber Taylor Swift to the big, beautiful, cover-of-Vogue-modeling Adele. When a woman carries herself with confidence, she's got the world–and men–on a string.
But no matter what your body shape, having the best body for you can help you feel stronger and more in control. And sometimes that means undoing some recent damage and getting back into the shape you love the most. Eat This, Not That! reached out to sexy women of all shapes and sizes to uncover their personal tips for getting their best bodies! Click here for the 31 Skinny Secrets from the World's Sexiest Women!
The 40 Habits That Make You Sick and Fat
You look and feel great! But even though you're fit and healthy right now, that doesn't necessarily mean your daily so-called "good" habits will help you maintain your well-being into the future. Read on to learn about the mistakes you may be making, and how you can avoid them. Your future self is sure to thank you: The 40 Habits That Make You Sick and Fat!
The 24 Most Insane Nutrition Myths—Busted!
I was sorry to hear about his dilemma. What was driving him to financial ruin? What sort of nettlesome money-sapping addiction had my friend in its grasp?
"Trying to eat healthy," he explained. "For example, every Saturday I go to the farmers' market and shell out $24 a pound—for kale! It's costing me a fortune. But if you want to eat right, you gotta shell out for the good stuff, no?"
I shook my head. At Eat This, Not That!, we spend a lot of time unmasking health imposters. And the truth is, the superpowers of kale, like the dangers of the Bermuda Triangle, have been highly exaggerated. Sure, it's good for you, but the ranking of kale as our greatest green is just one of many word-of-mouth myths that drive our nutritional decision-making, often in the wrong direction. Much of what we believe about food is really just hearsay, a game of nutritional telephone handed down from science journals to newspapers to television to your Aunt Phoebe to your mom and then to you, with marketers in between.
Well, we had the research team at Eat This, Not That! track down the truth. Learn how to separate fact from fiction and you might finally shed the habits that are silently sabotaging your weight loss efforts. But I must warn you: The truth can hurt. Click here for the top 24 Nutrition Myths—Busted!
14 New Ways to Lose Your Belly in 14 Days
I didn't want to spoil the good mood, so I didn't tell Gary the truth: Having even a small beer belly like his makes you twice as likely to die of any cause as actually being obese—not to mention, sabotaging any chance of rapid weight loss. That was the recent finding of a study involving more than 15,000 adults, which also discovered that people with round guts were more likely to have heart disease, and more likely to have lost valuable muscle tissue, than those who had fat in other places.
Why is a big gut so deadly? When you carry weight around your belly, you have a high percentage of what's known as visceral fat, meaning it's right up there inside your abdomen, cuddling next to your liver and other internal organs. Unlike the unsightly but mostly innocuous fat found in other parts of the body, visceral fat is a living, toxin-spewing organism, one that climbs up into your lap and stays there, causing diabetes, heart disease, liver failure and all sorts of other problems.
That's why fighting belly fat is so important. If you're feeling stretched at the waist, there's nothing more important you can do for your health than to start losing your belly today. Here are 14 Ways to Lose Your Belly in 14 Days!
Lose Weight for Just Pennies a Day on The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse! Test Panelists Lost Up to 10 Pounds in One Week!
The Best Protein Powder for Every Goal
The varieties available have radically expanded from whey into beef and egg on one end of the spectrum, and a garden's worth of plants on other: pea, hemp and rice just to name a few. First, know this: Plant protein is more slimming than milk-derived proteins. Next, different varieties have qualities that make them the best choices depending on your lifestyle needs. Take a look: The Best Protein Powder for Every Goal!
The 50 Best Chia Seeds for Weight Loss
Acclaimed but mysterious, chia seeds are the Tesla of superfoods: You've probably heard a lot about them in passing but don't fully understand what they're all about. Well, in short, they're something you should run-don't-walk to the store to get.
One ounce of chia seeds provides 11 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, with only 129 calories and 9 grams of fat. They're one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which quell inflammation through the body and can help you lose inches of belly fat. The seeds' rich fiber content can suppress appetite and prevent afternoon hangries and midnight snacking. Their unique balance of protein, fats and fiber give you long-lasting energy. Coolest of all: They absorb water, expanding to up to 10 times their weight in liquid, helping you feel full and fueled. (They're a great pre-workout food.) As chia seeds are digested, they actually release water, keeping you hydrated!
Pretty sci-fi, huh? Now it should be clear why we call chia seeds a superfood. The best part: They're incredibly versatile. Yogurt and smoothies are natural companions, but you can put them in literally anything, even drinks. We surveyed Instagram for our favorite chia seed recipes that combined chia seeds with many of our favorite superfoods. Get inspired. Click here for the ultimate The 50 Best Chia Seeds for Weight Loss!
The 40 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet
The same goes for your diet. You know that candy, bacon and diet soda aren't the best bets for your health, but you likely didn't realize that, beyond adding flab to your frame, these foods are also laced with additives and chemicals that can harm your health. Then there are the more stealthy waistline saboteurs. You know, the foods that you think are really healthy, only to discover years later that they're anything but.
Read on to discover some of the unhealthiest foods on the planet—and alternatives for each that will satisfy without tanking your health or derailing your weight loss efforts. Think of them as the dietary equivalent of that one, non-threatening cocktail: The 40 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet!
How to Get Abs Without Doing One Sit-up
How is this possible?
I realized a long time ago that the largest role in seeing any abdominal definition was diet. The only way get your body fat levels low enough to see muscle definition in your abdomen is by watching what you eat, doing countless hours of cardio, or a combination of both.
Because I don't have the time or attention span to do any more than 30 minutes of cardio one to three days a week, and only have time for another one to two full body workouts per week, I know my diet has to be on point.
But once my body fat levels are low, how do I sculpt a visible 6 pack?
You would think the answer is: By doing countless sit-ups. WRONG. Click here for the answer!
