Categories
Nosh

7 Deceptive Terms Food Marketers Use To Manipulate Shoppers

We live in an age when packaging counts as much as, if not more than, the actual product itself. Food packaging is the first thing we see when we’re grocery shopping, and clever marketing terms can easily fool even the most careful person into believing they’re making a healthy choice.
While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly regulates the type of language that can be used to market food, there are enough loopholes that certain terms can be used with few, if any, consequences to the manufacturer.
HealthyWay
So, have you been duped into buying a product you thought was healthy, only to take a look at the nutrition label on the back once you’re home and realize that it’s full of preservatives, sodium, and refined ingredients?
You aren’t alone.
Research shows that the more label conscious you become, the more likely it is you’ll be fooled into buying a product via deceptive labeling. It can happen to the best of us; these days water is being labeled “gluten-free” (which, while technically true, isn’t a health claim that needs to advertised), and sugary smoothies are advertised as “low in sodium” without mention of the fact that fruits and fruit juices are naturally low in sodium, but very high in sugar.
HealthyWay
The frustrating thing about deceptive labeling is that it isn’t just one or even a dozen brands that use this form of marketing. Cristel Moubarek, a registered dietitian and owner of food consulting business nutriFoodie, explains:
“Almost any brand can have false advertising and there’s no one brand or food that would be specially identified as such always. There’s some branding that looks at what others do and copies them, which is just a form of bad marketing efforts. Marketing also constantly changes, and it’s really hard to attack a specific brand or food item of a specific label, as that won’t be a sustainable stance. It may be applicable today, but completely unrelated tomorrow.”
HealthyWay
So what’s the best strategy for successfully navigating deceptive food packaging?
Educating yourself and being aware of marketing tactics is a great place to start. As part of her services, Moubarak offers guided grocery store tours that aim to empower shoppers to make healthy choices for themselves without getting distracted by deceptive labeling.
Her most important piece of advice?
Pay attention to the labels on the back of the packaging, not the front!
HealthyWay
Any information found on the back label is what the company is legally obligated to tell you, including nutrition facts and ingredient lists. Pay special attention to the first three ingredients. These are the ingredients that weigh the most and make up the bulk of the product.
Unless you have the time to study every single label, Moubarak suggests using this technique when trying out new products or picking out old favorites.

1. Gluten-free

One of the biggest health crazes over the last decade has been the increase in gluten-free products. For people who suffer from celiac disease or who are sensitive to the effects of gluten, this has been an amazing time to grocery shop for new products that are safe to eat.
HealthyWay
FDA packaging laws cover two types of gluten-free products—those that have been manufactured to be gluten-free and those that are naturally gluten-free. A tricky marketing problem arises when products that are naturally gluten-free, such as water or vegetables, are marketed as specialty products. Because gluten-free is still such a trendy term, companies sometimes slap that terminology on there and charge more for products that never contained gluten in the first place.

2. Probiotic

We’ve all seen Jamie Lee Curtis on TV telling us about how great she feels and how “regular” she is because of all the probiotic-laden yogurt she’s been eating. Yogurt with added probiotics is marketed as a healthy cure for almost any stomach ailment, no matter what it happens to be.
HealthyWay
And while brands like Activia do have probiotics, they can also contain cane sugar as a second ingredient and rely on several thickeners to keep the texture creamy while maintaining their low-fat status.
Although plain Greek or Balkan-style yogurt may not be advertised as special probiotic yogurt, they are both cultured, which means by definition they’re teeming with gut-healthy probiotics (as are all fermented foods).

3. Organic

Over the last 20 years the organic food market has exploded into the mainstream. In 2016 alone, U.S. consumers spent $43 billion on organic products, accounting for 5.3 percent of all food sales combined. The good news is that organic products are more affordable and accessible than ever before.
HealthyWay
The bad news? Food marketers have jumped on this opportunity to overcharge and make overblown health claims about products that are naturally organic but still unhealthy despite their organic ingredients.
For example, a package of organic gummy bears might sound healthier in theory, but a package of gummy bears, organic or not, is still just a package of sugary candy.
HealthyWay
If choosing organic is important to you, whole foods such as produce, dairy, and canned goods are your best bet.

4. No Added Sugars

The “no added sugars” label is about as deceptive as they come if you’re someone who has high blood sugar or diabetes. According to FDA guidelines, any food can be labeled “no added sugars” or “without added sugars” as long as sugar or any ingredient contained sugar isn’t added during processing.
HealthyWay
What does this mean for the concerned label-reader? Essentially any product, whether it’s ice cream, ketchup, or applesauce, can contain as many naturally occurring sugars as needed to keep the product tasting sweet, as long as more sugar isn’t added while it’s being made. If excess sugar is detrimental to your health or you’re just trying to cut back, it’s always a better idea to read the back nutrition label and look for low-carb (and therefore low-sugar) options instead.

5. Natural

A 2016 Consumer Reports survey found that over half of the participants purposefully sought out food that was marketed as being natural or containing natural ingredients. Food marketers are well aware of this bias and exploit it as much as possible.
Why would they do that? The answer lies in the fact that pretty much any product can be labeled “natural.”
HealthyWay
What’s worse—many of the survey participants were convinced that the term also meant organic, preservative free, and made without genetically modified ingredients. The term is so controversial that the FDA has recently asked for suggestions from the public as to how it could be better regulated. After all, a bag of potato chips can be made from natural potatoes but it’s still a bag of potato chips that’s high in fat and sodium.

6. Low-Fat and Fat-Free

Low-fat and fat-free foods were all the rage throughout the ’90s and early 2000s. Ask anyone who had an interest in eating a healthy diet about this time period and you’re sure to hear tales of horrible-tasting low-fat ice cream and worst of all, fat-free cheese. Although perceptions on the nutritional value of healthy fats have shifted, there are still plenty of foods that are marketed as being low-fat or fat-free to the detriment of the buyer.
Fat is very flavorful, so it’s important to take a look at the nutrition label on the back of the product to find out what’s been added in place of fat to make the product taste good.
HealthyWay
Moubarak gives the example of low-fat or fat-free peanut butter. While the idea may look good on paper, it’s likely that a ton of sugar and stabilizers have been added to keep the peanut butter palatable. Try to choose food that’s as close to its natural state as possible, and pay attention to serving sizes. The fat content may be higher and the serving sizes smaller, but the payoff in quality of texture and flavor will be huge.

7. Multigrain

Choosing the multigrain option whenever possible has been drilled into the heads of anyone remotely interested in eating for wellness. Fast food restaurants and grocery stores alike advertise multigrain bread as vastly superior to white bread.
HealthyWay
The problem is that the term multigrain, although it sounds straightforward, doesn’t actually mean much of anything in terms of accurate food labeling. Multigrain bread, for example, often lists refined flour as a primary ingredient. It may very well have been made with a variety of grains, but all of them have had their highly nutritious germ and bran removed during processing.
Instead of searching for multigrain on the label, look for baked goods that advertise whole grains instead. They might still contain refined flour, but they’re legally obligated to also include whole grains, making them higher in fiber and ultimately more satisfying.
HealthyWay
As consumers, it can be frustrating to know that the majority of our information about the food we buy comes from marketers rather than unbiased dietitians or doctors. But, as Moubarak explains, being able to identify what we want from food both in terms of nutrition and value empowers us as consumers to make healthier choices for ourselves and our families.

Categories
Nosh

The 6 Healthiest Items You Can Order From Your Favorite Fast Food Restaurant

Despite best-laid plans, the reality is that almost all of us rely on fast food on days when there isn’t enough time to prepare a meal from scratch. We’re in good company. According to a Gallup poll conducted in 2013, 28 percent of Americans reported eating fast food at least once a week, while 16 percent reported having fast food several times a week.
The good news? Fast food chains have more healthy options than ever, and a nutritious and filling meal is now just a quick drive-thru trip away.

If you were to go by the lunches seen on social media and food blogs, you’d think that everyone else is going to open up picture-perfect Mason jar salads and intricately composed bento boxes once noon rolls around. As idyllic as this seems, the reality is that people—particularly millennials–are working longer hours and spending more money than ever on food outside the home.
Fast food chains are scrambling to benefit from this trend, and we can leverage that to the advantage of our schedules and our bodies.
Studying the effects of fast food consumption has traditionally produced some grim statistics; a study conducted over a period of 15 years by researchers at the University of Minnesota found a correlation between fast food consumption, weight gain, and insulin resistance leading to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and obesity. That same study also concluded that people who ate fast food two or more times a week were at a higher risk than those who didn’t eat fast food.

A post shared by Niki Devlin (@macrodad) on

But eating fast food isn’t all bad news. In fact, this is the time to be seeking out healthy menu items. Popular chains that were once thought of as entirely unhealthy are introducing menu items that cater to a more health-conscious audience.
The New Yorker article “Freedom From Fries” describes how consumer trends such as the demand for food transparency and quality ingredients have been driving the fast food industry’s shift toward healthier food options.
Gone are the days when being health conscious while eating fast food meant a small order of fries and a sad side salad made of limp lettuce and slimy cucumber slices. But it is still important to do some research before buying what you think is healthy. What appears safe in terms of calories and fat can often be the complete opposite.

A post shared by Chick-fil-A, Inc. (@chickfila) on

So how do you choose the healthiest option at your favorite fast food restaurant? Registered dietician Lindsay Pleskot specializes in teaching and inspiring her clients to make healthy choices and was able to offer HealthyWay some practical advice on how to get the most nutritional bang for your buck from fast food menu items.
Pleskot explains that ironically, some of of the most deceptive items on fast food menus are salads. Fast food entrée salads are notorious for being marketed as healthy choices when in reality they often have sky-high calorie counts and large amounts of saturated fat and sodium.
The problem, Pleskot says, is that “we seem to automatically associate salads with health and nutrition but often they are loaded with tons of dressing and toppings that will add up quickly; think cheese, nuts, croutons, and bacon, to name a few.”
HealthyWay
Pleskot also gives a few general rules for keeping your fast food on the healthy side. She advises keeping a close eye on sauces and condiments when possible, seeking out grilled instead of deep-fried items, and asking for the dressing on the side. A spritz of lemon juice on a salad is a calorie-free way to stretch out the dressing so that you aren’t stuck using the whole packet.
Whether you’re a Starbucks kinda gal or a devoted fan of Taco Bell, there’s something at every major fast food chain for anyone in need of a healthy meal in minutes.
Here we break it down by some of our favorite big names in the fast food game.

Starbucks

There are some mornings when your alarm clock fights a losing battle against a few extra precious moments of sleep. When even a bowl of cold cereal takes too much time, the food menu at Starbucks includes healthy options that will leave you feeling satisfied and full until lunchtime. Pleskot advises skipping the lemon loaf and ordering the Spinach, Feta, and Cage Free Egg White Breakfast Wrap to start your day.

With only 290 calories per serving, this savory wrap contains a very filling 19 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. Still feeling hungry? Pleskot suggests adding a fruit cup or veggies and dip to round out the meal.
Not all of Starbucks’ breakfast sandwiches are equally as healthy though. Be wary of their Sausage, Cheddar, and Egg Breakfast Sandwich,which has 500 calories and 28 grams of fat per serving.

McDonald’s

Although entrée salads from fast food restaurants have a bad reputation for being full of empty calories and saturated fat, there are definitely healthier options to be found if you do your research.

A post shared by McDonald’s (@mcdonalds) on

For example, McDonald’s Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken contains an impressive 350 calories, 11 grams of fat, 37 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fiber, which, as a whole, should keep you feeling satisfied for hours.
Compare the grilled chicken salad to McDonald’s Southwest Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Salad for an eye-opening example of how food preparation and high calorie salad toppers can make a huge difference.

A post shared by McDonald’s (@mcdonalds) on

Thanks to the deep fried chicken, shredded cheese, and fried chili-lime tortilla strips, this salad comes in at 520 calories and 25 grams of fat.

Taco Bell

Any item off of Taco Bell’s Fresco menu is guaranteed to have less than 350 calories and 10 grams of fat per serving. The Fresco Bean Burrito is a great vegetarian option for anyone looking to cut back on their meat intake.

A post shared by Taco Bell (@tacobell) on

With 350 calories, 9 grams of fat, 13 grams of protein, and a whopping 9 grams of fiber, this unassuming burrito packs a filling and nutritious punch for those days when you have no time to stop and eat.
While the Fresco menu at Taco Bell offers several healthy options, be wary of their regular menu items, as they can contain astronomical amounts of calories, fat, and sodium.

A post shared by Taco Bell (@tacobell) on

For example, the Cheesy Gordita Crunch Supreme contains 520 calories and 55 percent of the recommended daily intake of saturated fat.

Wendy’s

As many health-conscious Wendy’s customers will know, this fast food chain has had quite a few diet-friendly side options for a while now. Their side salads, baked potatoes, and chili are all smart choices even if you’re aiming for a complete meal.

A post shared by Wendy’s ” (@wendys) on

Ordering an entrée, however, takes a little bit of research. Pleskot advises always “looking out for anything deep fried and breaded. For example, opt for sandwiches made with grilled chicken breast instead of a crispy chicken sandwich … it offers just as much protein without all of the extra fat, calories, and salt.”
Wendy’s Grilled Chicken Sandwich fits the bill perfectly, with 360 calories per serving, 8 grams of fat, and 35 grams of protein.
Compare this grilled chicken sandwich to Wendy’s Asiago Ranch Chicken Club. This deep-fried chicken breast sandwich is smothered in a creamy Asiago cheese sauce and topped with bacon. The damage? 660 calories, 33 grams of fat, and almost double the sodium.

A post shared by Wendy’s ” (@wendys) on

In need of something more? Add a side salad or baked potato for extra energy without a ton of calories.

Dunkin’ Donuts

The key to eating a healthy meal at Dunkin’ Donuts is to make a healthy food selection and then stick to drip coffee, an Americano, or a cappuccino made with skim milk as an accompanying beverage.
The Turkey Sausage Wake Up Wrap contains a satisfying 280 calories and 15 grams of protein to get your day started.

A post shared by Aleks (@caloriesandcoffee) on

Looking for a meatless but still filling alternative? Dunkin’ Donuts’ Veggie Egg White Flatbread is a vegetarian option that still contains plenty of protein with very little fat.
On the other hand, the Sausage Egg & Cheese on Croissant from Dunkin’ Donuts is an example of a nutritionally catastrophic breakfast menu item. With 700 calories per serving, 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of saturated fat, and sky-high sodium levels, this is one breakfast sandwich to steer clear of.

Burger King

Are you craving a burger but worry it will hinder your healthy eating goals? Believe it or not, a classic cheeseburger from Burger King is a relatively healthy choice when the need for a burger strikes. A single cheeseburger contains 270 calories and is fairly low in fat and sodium.
If you want to be even more virtuous and skip the cheese, a plain hamburger has only 220 calories and 8 grams of fat as is super low in sodium.
Feeling like a splurge? Pair a Burger King hamburger with a small order of onion rings to complete your traditional fast food meal with gusto.

A post shared by Burger King (@burgerking) on

While a Burger King cheeseburger may be relatively healthy option, beware the Bacon & Cheese Whopper Sandwich at all costs. Unlike a regular cheeseburger, this sandwich weighs in with 790 calories per serving and 51 grams of fat per serving.
It’s important to recognize that the problem with fast food isn’t that it’s fast; the issue is with how the food is prepared and the extra ingredients that are piled on for extra flavor. If fast food is a regular part of your diet, then stick to the tips in this article.
But, if it isn’t, take Pleskot’s advice about occasionally treating yourself to the real, greasy deal: “I think the first thing to consider when eating fast food or eating out in general is whether or not this is something you do all the time or is this a once in a while treat? If it really is just once in a while, enjoy your favorite and eat it mindfully!”

Categories
Wellbeing

How Your Brain Tricks You Into Sticking With Bad Habits

Old habits die hard.

The very nature of habits is that they stick. In fact, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines habit as “a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior.” Meaning: Habits are kind of a part of who you are unless you know how to break them.

It makes sense then, that so many people are in the throes of kicking habits they’d rather have said goodbye to long ago. Despite ample evidence that a smoking habit can do damage to nearly every part of the body, 36.5 million people living in the United States were still smoking regularly as of 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

You develop those areas of the brain that support that habit.

Even though strict laws have been implemented to curtail texting and driving, thousands of people are killed each year because of distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

So, what gives? Do people simply not care that their bad habits are killing them and the people around them?

HealthyWay

It isn’t that simple. The truth is that breaking a habit that is etched into our routine is pretty complicated because the brain has a way of tricking us into maintaining the tendency, even when we don’t want to.

Understanding how your brain is working against you is the first step in finally saying sayonara to those irksome tendencies you’ve been plotting to kick to the curb.

It’s all in your head.

Perhaps the most frustrating reason habits are so hard to break is that they are literally all in your head. Habits are actually etched into your brain, according to Dr. Deborah Norris, neuroscientist and psychologist-in-residence at American University.

“When you use areas of the brain, that area of the brain grows. So when you have a habit, particularly a mental habit or way of thinking and behaving, you develop those areas of the brain that support that habit,” Norris explains to HealthyWay.

HealthyWay

As a result, the more we engage in a certain habit, the more the areas of the brain that encourage the habit—good or bad—become stronger while the areas not associated with the habit go less used or even stagnate.

It’s all about the reward.

Unfortunately for us, most of our bad habits were formed because we experienced a reward for a certain behavior. Positive reinforcement is in part to blame for especially sticky habits, even when the rewards seem overshadowed by negative effects. These rewards are often predicated on how a habit makes us feel in the moment, even if it has negative long-term consequences.

The first job I have at my clinical practice is getting them thinking about what they do want.

Habits are a part of a loop that has three parts, according to an NPR interview with business writer Charles Duhigg. The first part of this loop is a trigger—something that reminds our brain it’s time to switch to autopilot. After the trigger is the behavior itself, which happens in response to the trigger. Last is the reward—whatever happens that tells our brain the habit has a positive consequence.

HealthyWay

It’s amazing, really, our brain’s ability to complete complicated tasks without much thought, but it can also be frustrating when we want to eliminate repetitive, go-to thought processes or actions from our lives. According to Duhigg, to have more power over our habits, we must work to understand the different factors that are parts of the trigger–routine–reward cycle of whatever habit we’re trying to tackle.

It’s a part of who you are.

Norris shares that before we ever engage in a bad habit, there is a way we think about the tendency that sets us up for failure when it comes to quitting. We tend to see our bad habits as parts of of our identities, and in some cases, we don’t even have the appropriate language to disrupt the belief that this is “just who we are.”

For example, Norris referred specifically to the habit of smoking, pointing out that people who smoke see themselves as a person who smokes. There isn’t actually a positive label for someone who doesn’t, either, we have a smoker and a non-smoker, but our language stops there.

HealthyWay

This can mess with our beliefs about our identity, and Norris suggests the first step to fighting back against the idea that a bad habit is part of who we are is creating a label for the type of person you want to be without the habit in your life.

“When people come to me and want to quit smoking … the first thing we have to do is establish their identity as who they would be if they didn’t do this negative habit that they don’t want. The first job I have at my clinical practice is getting them thinking about what they do want. Because when we stay focused on what we don’t want, that’s what we generate.&rdq
uo;

HealthyWay

Want to quit smoking? Try “free breather” on for size. Ready to ditch overeating for good? See what happens when you start calling yourself a “healthy eater” instead.

You don’t have the time.

Another challenge when it comes to breaking a bad habit is the amount of time it takes to solidify the change. Even though a commonly held belief is that habit change takes 21 days, that actually isn’t true. Instead, recent research has found that the time it takes to break or make a habit varies greatly from person to person, according to the European Journal of Social Psychology.

I have more energy. I have more stamina. I feel better getting dressed in the morning.

Just how much time does it take? The lucky ones can solidify a habit change in as little as 18 days, but others require as many as 254 days to make a new behavior automatic. When it comes down to it, the proven key to developing a habit is repeating it over and over and over again in response to a specific trigger or cue, according to the study’s authors.

You’re not connecting the dots.

If you’re having trouble ditching a bad habit or getting a new, beneficial one to stick, it might be because of a disconnect in the way you think. Amazingly, our brain has a strange way of thinking about who we are now and who we will be in the future that makes it hard to weigh the consequences of our actions accurately.

In fact, research published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Science revealed that how we think about our future self greatly influences how we behave in the future. The less connected we feel to who will be in the future, or our needs in the future, the more likely we are to make choices that only benefit our present self.

HealthyWay

It’s as if we look at a massive doughnut and think to ourselves, “Increased risk of diabetes and heart disease for my future self? Who cares about that schmuck? My present self wants a treat!”

You’re not infinitely powerful.

As much as we’d like to pretend it isn’t true, we’re only human. We don’t have infinite willpower at our disposal, and that makes it hard to make big changes. Our limited power has a bigger effect on our choices than we might think, according to a study by Roy Baumeister in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

HealthyWay

We actually run out of willpower easily. So if we make a great decision that requires a lot of strength, the very next good decision is going to be significantly harder to make. This was discovered by tempting participants with the smell of fresh baked cookies.

After smelling the cookies, half of the group was instructed to eat only radishes and the other half was asked to eat only cookies. (This sounds downright cruel, in my opinion!) Both groups were told they were participating in research on taste perception, not willpower.

Breathing, expelling carbon dioxide out of the body, literally, physically deactivates the hypothalamus.

Before participants left for the day, they were asked to refrain from eating chocolates or radishes for 24 hours, when they would report back for the second half on the study.

Upon their return, the participants were required to participate in a problem-solving activity that was actually impossible to solve. Those who had been allowed to eat chocolate were more likely to stick it out, whereas those who had been required to eat radishes wanted to quit early on.

HealthyWay

The researchers involved in the study believe that the reason behind these behaviors is a depletion of willpower. Sticking it out is hard, and when you’re presented with decisions that require self-control over and over again, your brain simply gets tired of the doing the “right” or “hard” thing.

How to Trick Your Brain Into Letting Go of Habits

There are a lot of strategies for breaking bad habits (or picking up some new ones), but Norris said there is one that stands out above the rest—mindfulness.

In a clinical setting, clients who are trying to make changes are asked to identify the positive dimensions of the change they want to make and are then instructed to imagine what it will feel like to live life without that habit. They’re asked to spend time imagining who they feel like they will be once they’ve made the change.

HealthyWay

“People will say, ‘Oh, I have more energy. I have more stamina. I feel better getting dressed in the morning.’ So we begin to explore mindfully what that feels like and that is a very powerful tool in action.”

The reason this works so well, according to Norris, is really similar to how repeated habits strengthen the parts of the brain they use. Mindfulness has a similar effect. When we use mindfulness to engage new parts of the brain, we strengthen those parts, gradually becoming equipped to let go of the bad habit entirely.

So, how does someone use this approach outside of a clinical setting?

“I suggest that people start with an open mind. They’re not trying to accomplish something, they’re exploring the opportunity. …We encounter our frustration [with the habit] and we allow it to be there.”

Moving forward with an open mind, Norris says the second step is proceeding with curiosity about the physical experience they have with or without the habit. This can be done with a body scan, which is a widely practiced mindfulness exercise that involves practicing self-awareness from head to toe. Those who are just beginning to practice meditation can find a guided body scan meditation on the UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center website.

HealthyWay

Finally, use deep breathing as the final element of your new mindfulness practice. This isn’t some woo-woo practice; there are actual physiological benefits in the brain that result from deep breathing.

“It allows the brain to shift more rapidly. So, if we’re trying to let go of old pathways in the brain and build new pathways, that breathing, expelling carbon dioxide out of the body, literally, physically deactivates the hypothalamus, it deactivates the stress response and that allows more rapid transformation,” Norris explains.

Categories
Wellbeing

10 Clever Gadgets That Make Everyday Tasks Easier

When you’re juggling work, family, and health, efficiency is key. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day, so you can’t afford to waste time.
Fortunately, by working smarter, you can cut down on the time you spend cleaning, organizing, and kitchen prepping. These products should help.
1. Window Blind Dust Cleaner
You could dust your blinds with a single rag, but you’ll end up spending a ton of time on this relatively minor task. Instead, pick up one of these clever dusters and cut your cleaning time down dramatically.

HealthyWay
Amazon

Buy it from Amazon.
2. Cherry Shaped Toilet Brush Set
This is a cute design, but there’s added functionality, too; an extra brush lets you easily clean the hard-to-reach places on the edges of the bowl.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Get the brush set from Amazon.
3. Angry Mama Microwave Steam Cleaner
Stop using harsh chemicals to clean your microwave. Simply pour some vinegar and water into the Angry Mama Steamer, then microwave for seven minutes. The steamer does all the hard work, then you can easily wipe out the formerly stuck-on food with a paper towel.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Buy your own Angry Mama from Amazon.
4. iRobot Roomba Vacuum
Okay, the Roomba is pretty well known, but if you don’t have one of these robotic vacuums already, it’s time to upgrade. While you’ll still have to occasionally break out the mop, the robot takes care of most minor messes. If you’ve got pets, be sure to spring for one of the upgraded versions.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Buy your own Roomba from Amazon.
5. Clean/Dirty Dishwasher Magnet
To keep your home clean, you need to stay organized. Clear up any dishwasher confusion with this dishwasher magnet. Attach the magnet to your appliance, and you’re good to go.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Get your magnet from Amazon.
6. Zacfton Rotary Grindern Rotary Grinder
Quickly grate cheese, blend spices, and cut vegetables with this handy little grinder and mandoline combo. It’s dishwasher safe, so cleaning is easy, and you’ll quickly find dozens of ways to use it to save time and effort in the kitchen.
HealthyWay
Get it on Amazon.
7. Microfiber Cleaning Slippers
Why mop when you can mull around the house in your pajamas? These are easy to clean, and they’ll give you an excuse to shuffle your feet on your way to your first cup of coffee. While you’re at it, pick up a couple of pairs for your kids.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Buy your own pair on Amazon.
8. VOFO Herb Scissors
Cut your fresh herbs evenly in a matter of seconds. These scissors simplify meal prep, and thanks to an included cleaning tool, they’re pretty much hassle free.
HealthyWay
Get them on Amazon.
9. Snap ‘N Strain Colander
Made from high-quality silicone, this strainer snaps onto your pot, allowing for safe, easy, and efficient pours. It’s ideal if you’re working with limited counter space.
HealthyWay
Get it on Amazon.
10. BUTEFO Kitchen Tools
Why get one kitchen tool when you could get eight? This set keeps all of your cooking essentials in one convenient place. With a spice grater, egg separator, cheese grater, can opener, squeezer, funnel, measuring cup, and egg masher, it’s pretty much everything you need to quickly cook a meal (other than, uh, food).
HealthyWay
Get it all on Amazon.

Categories
Motherhood

Busy Mom Must Haves

Being a mom is hard. Not only do you have to regularly think about cooking your family’s meals, trying to pick up after them, and balancing your own hobbies and interests in between, but you have to keep track of your kids while doing it all. Hey, you’re a supermom, though—it just comes with the territory.
Wish it could be easier? The good news is that it can be, because there are plenty of products out there to help you juggle your already-busy life while keeping an eye on your kids.
1. Cozy Cover
No high chair or booster seat? No problem. This flexible harness hooks over the back of any chair to keep your baby secure no matter where you are.

HealthyWay
Amazon

Buy the Cozy Cover here.
2. iBaby Monitor
Say goodbye to traditional walkie-talkie baby monitors. This upgraded device has all of the features you want, and even allows you to use your smartphone to check in on your kids while you’re out of the room.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Get yours here.
3. The Mommy Hook
As a mom, you’re probably used to juggling lots of things at once, and that includes carrying things, as well. From carrying in the groceries to transporting all of your baby’s necessities around each and every day, it can get a little hard to keep a firm grasp on everything you have to lug with you.
HealthyWay
Amazon

The Mommy Hook makes transporting everything you need just a little easier, and can also help you keep track of various bags while you’re out and about. You can use it as a clip on the stroller to keep all of your shopping bags in one place, or even hook all of your grocery bags onto it so you can go from car to house in just one trip.
Get it on Amazon here.
4. Mom’s Besty Back Seat Organizer
Keeping kids entertained while you’re in the car isn’t the easiest task, for a lot of different reasons. It seems like they only stay interested in one thing for just a short amount of time, and there’s not much you can do to distract them while you’re trying to drive.
HealthyWay
Amazon

This backseat organizer keeps everything your kids could want right at arm’s length so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of it during the ride. There’s a see-through window for the iPad, multiple pockets to hold snacks and toys, and even a large velcro pouch that’s large enough to hold a book or a pack of wet wipes.
Get it from Amazon here.
5. Responsibility Star Chart
Teaching children about the importance of responsibility can be challenging—as any parent has probably found out by now, kids don’t do things they truly don’t want to do without putting up some kind of a fight. To help your kids learn about setting goals and being responsible for achieving them, this magnetic reward chart will come in handy.
HealthyWay
Amazon

The chart has spaces where each child can write in their goal and a reward or experience they’d like to have when they reach their goals. They can add stars to the chart when they do things like pick up their toys, help with chores around the house, or do something to take care of the family pets. The system will help the kids adjust to having more responsibility in their lives, and we’re sure you’ll love having them help you out from time to time.
Get it from Amazon here.
6. Toy Storage Baskets
Every kid’s room needs a good space to house their toys, but traditional toy bins can be bulky, a little unsightly, and take up too much space. Not to mention that you have basically no hope of finding a toy that’s made its way to the bottom—at least not without taking out every single toy that’s on top.
HealthyWay
Amazon

With these flexible toy crates, you can divide up the toys in your child’s room and make them much easier to find—for both your kid and for yourself. They’re also small enough that you can easily move them from room to room if you need to without much trouble, and can even be used as a small laundry hamper or even as storage throughout the rest of the house.
Get a 2-Pack from Amazon here.
7. Bath Caddy
Bath time can be a hectic time, especially with toddlers around. Babies are usually easy to keep in one spot, but toddlers are able to stand and move around quite a bit more, which also makes it more likely for them to accidentally slip and hurt themselves while in the tub.
HealthyWay
Amazon

With a good bath caddy, you can keep everything your child needs while in the bath in one convenient spot, meaning they won’t have any reason to stand up and walk around while they’re in the slippery tub. Because the tray sits on the top of the bathtub, you can also use it to divide the tub and keep your child away from certain spots, like close to the hard metal spout.
Get it from Amazon here.
8. Bath Kneeler
Kids in the bath require constant attention, especially when they’re too little to move on their own or old enough that they can move wherever they want. They need mom to be there to support them, but it’s not always an easy job—in fact, kneeling on the floor for so long can actually get pretty rough on your knees fairly quickly.
HealthyWay
Amazon

The Aquatopia will become any mom’s best friend when it comes to bathtime. The padded mat is comfortable to kneel on, so you won’t need to rush bathtime just so you can get some relief, and it also has two built-in mesh pockets so you can keep the shampoo and soap you need within arm’s reach, and out of the hands of your toddler. The material can be wiped down easily once bathtime is done, and the mat folds easily so it can be stored virtually anywhere.
Get it from Amazon here.
9. BRICA goPad Diaper Changer
Pretty much every public restroom has a changing table of some kind, but we wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to trust some of them with holding your baby. Not only can they be unsanitary, but they don’t always feel completely sturdy after what’s probably been years and years of continuous use.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Whether there’s no changing table around or you just don’t trust the one that’s there, this large and cushy changing pad will become a must-have in your diaper bag. The pad folds up into a compact shape for travel, and then unfolds to reveal everything you’ll need to make diaper changing a breeze. Featuring a headrest, built-in trash bag dispenser, and zippered pouch for wipes, this changing mat will be your new favorite for camping trips, picnics, and even just everyday travel.
Get it from Amazon here.
10. Stroller Organizer
Maybe you love your stroller, but maybe you also wish it had just a few extra features. If you’ve ever found yourself wishing one of those features was a little extra storage, this ingenious stroller organizer will give you just that, and even a few cup holders, too.
HealthyWay
Amazon

As a bonus, this organizer is universal, designed to fit virtually and brand of stroller you can think of. It simply hooks over the handle of the stroller with adjustable velcro straps, so you can even move it from stroller to stroller without any worries about whether or not it’ll fit. With one main compartment and a few different pockets throughout, you’ll be able to fit in all of the essentials along with your favorite drink with no problems at all.
Get it from Amazon here.
11. OXO Tot On-The-Go Travel Drying Rack with Bottle Brush
Traveling with a young child is almost guaranteed to be somewhat of a hassle, especially when they’re young enough to still use bottles. The bottles on their own are enough trouble to travel with—they not only have multiple pieces, but also have to be cleaned out thoroughly to avoid anything gross growing inside them.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Make bottle cleaning easier no matter where you are with this portable bottle drying rack and bottle brush. The brush consists of two pieces that can be disassembled for storage, but they still fit together sturdily when you’re ready to clean. The carrying case also opens to become a drying rack with a lined interior that’ll help keep moisture away from the bottles as they dry. Mothers can also use the kit to clean and dry the pieces of their breast pumps if they frequently pump on-the-go.
Get it from Amazon here.
12. BeBe Bottle Sling
Ready for hands-free feeding? This convenient sling loops over the top of your carrier to hold your baby’s bottle in just the right position—it may even help them learn to hold their own bottle faster.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Juggle one less thing by getting yours here.
13. BEABA Babycook Pro Baby Food Maker
Making baby food has never been easier than with the Beaba. This all-in-one device can cook, blend, and reheat your homemade baby food, all in a mere 15 minutes.
HealthyWay
Buy Buy Baby

Get yours here.
14. Infantino Squeeze Station
Your kids love squeeze packs, but buying them over and over again can get expensive. Why not package their favorite purees yourself with this simple gadget?
HealthyWay
Amazon

Buy the Squeeze Station here.
15. Boon Food Dispensing Spoon
Feeding your baby can be troublesome, especially when you wish you had one free hand. Fortunately, you can with this genius spoon that’s essentially a utensil and baby food jar all in one.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Easier feeding awaits you; buy your Boon Spoon here.
16. Infantino Play and Away Cart Cover and Play Mat
Whether you’re keeping your kid entertained while shopping or need a clean mat for them to play on while you’re out, this colorful and padded cover does both.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Get one here.
17. Baby Brezza Pro
Never deal with another difficult late-night feeding again. This device is essentially a Keurig for babies, mixing formula perfectly with just the touch of a button.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Get your own Baby Brezza Pro here.
18. Lollaland Lollacup
Kids love sippy cups, but they easily to drop and spill. Help them out and save yourself the mess with this spill-proof cup, complete with easy-to-grip handles and a weighted straw.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Buy your Lollacup from Amazon here.
19. Bentgo Leakproof Children’s Lunch Box
This sturdy lunchbox can provide your child with a varied lunch throughout the week, but it can also be thrown into a diaper bag as a snack time sampler pack during the weekend.
HealthyWay
Amazon

Get yours from Amazon here.

Categories
Sweat

7 Ways To Trick Yourself Into Living A Healthier Life

If you’re a health-conscious person, you’ve probably heard the research showing that simply eating from a smaller plate can help you consume less food overall.

HealthyWay

Life hacks like these are what give us faith that anyone can learn better habits, even if we think we don’t have time or can’t will ourselves into making changes. The truth is that many of us feel we’re already doing our best when really we could be doing a lot more for our health.

So here’s an idea: We know it’s not that hard to manipulate the human brain, so why not turn the tables and trick ourselves into better living? The genius of the smaller plate self-trickery got us thinking: How else can science teach us to dupe ourselves into making healthier choices?

If you truly want to upgrade your habits but are…um…realistic about your willpower, it’s time to hack your lifestyle and make the human brain’s gullibility work in your favor. Try these seven science-backed ways you can literally trick yourself into healthier living today.

1. Keep your kitchen clean to cut calories.

Good news for neat freaks, bad news for the rest of us. It turns out that chowing down in a cluttered, chaotic kitchen can actually lead to eating extra calories.

A chaotic environment can create a vulnerability to making unhealthy food choices.

A 2016 study found that women who were asked to spend time in a clean, organized kitchen before making food choices ate significantly fewer calories than a group of women who waited in a chaotic, messy kitchen before snacking.

So what’s going on? “A chaotic environment can create a vulnerability to making unhealthy food choices,” study authors say. So if only we had the power to turn down all the chaos in our lives, we’d be sitting pretty. If you’re looking to trim your calorie consumption, you could set yourself up for success by giving your kitchen a deep clean makeover.

HealthyWay

But if you’re among us mere mortals who can’t overhaul our kitchens into a perpetually peaceful place, the authors suggest that taking a short moment to reflect and remind yourself that you’re in control before you eat could help you achieve similar results.

2. Turn up the lights on your dining habits.

What’s the difference between sitting down to dinner in a dark corner booth and eating your meal in a well-lit restaurant? Besides the potential for romance, eating in a dim dining room may be making you put on extra pounds.

HealthyWay

A study conducted by food psychology researchers at Cornell University found that not only are brightly lit restaurant-goers nearly 25 percent more likely to choose healthier menu items, those who chowed down in a darker atmosphere ended up ordering 39 percent more calories. Yikes.

But before you break up with your favorite low-light cafe, the scientists involved say that how much attention diners are paying is the real variable.

HealthyWay

For instance, when the low-light eaters were given caffeine to perk them up first, they were just as likely to side with the well-lit healthy eaters. So being alert—through light levels, caffeine, or just mindfulness—is the real takeaway trick here.

3. “Crowd out” unhealthy foods.

No doubt you’ve tried deprivation diets before. Cut out sugar, cut out fat, cut out gluten, cut out dairy…it’s hard to get yourself to stick to a plan when so much of the strategy has to do with what you can’t have. This tactic can backfire by perpetuating a deprivation and binging cycle.

Instead of cutting everything out of your diet … focus your attention on adding good foods into your diet

Instead, experts like Integrative Nutrition–certified health coach Christiana Hill recommend tricking yourself into consuming fewer unhealthy things by consuming more healthy things, so there’s no longer space in your diet for the things you shouldn’t have so much of. She calls this a “crowding out” strategy, and the philosophy behind it is deceptively simple yet effective.

“Instead of cutting everything out of your diet (processed food, sugar…etc.),” Hill tells HealthyWay, she recommends “… focus[ing] your attention on adding good foods into your diet first without [worrying about] removing any of the less healthy options.” Makes sense, right?

HealthyWay

“When you eat healthy [things] first, you naturally ‘crowd out’ the unhealthy foods,” Hill shared via email. “When you approach dieting this way, you learn to make this more of a lifestyle vs. a quick fix.” Say goodbye to yo-yo dieting.

4. Out of Sight, out of Stomach

The results of a study published in Appetite demonstrated that when unhealthy snacks are within convenient reach, we tend to overeat them far more than if we have to get up and seek out more helpings.

So if you’re trying to control portion sizes, instead of leaving serving dishes out during meals, a good practice is to dish out your dinner then put leftovers away or leave them in the kitchen while you nosh.

HealthyWay

The good news is that you can use this out-of-sight, out-of-mind phenomenon to trick yourself into making better choices. By storing nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables in plain sight and in close proximity to your chair, you’ll consume more of what’s good for you.

And by keeping treats like chocolate or chips hidden behind the highest cabinet in the kitchen (or not buying them at all—ahem), you can dupe yourself into eating well.

For example physical and integrative medicine specialist Dr. Zarinah Hud explains to HealthyWay that she recommends a “prep and pretty” strategy to help clients imbibe more of the healthy stuff and less of the junk.

She likes to set out a glass pitcher of water at the beginning of the day that’s spiked with wholesome and pretty combos like cucumber, mint, and berries—and then keep it in clear view and easy reach throughout the day.

HealthyWay

“Before you know it you have tricked yourself into getting all of your daily required amount of water, plus the added health benefits of the fruit and herbs,” Hud explains.

5. Spend more time with your fit friends (even if it’s just online).

Did you know that peer pressure can be a good thing? Sure, mob mentality is to blame for lots of rough stuff, but if you align yourself with the right “mob,” you can actually reap the benefits of their good influence.

You probably know that making plans with a running buddy is a great way to ensure you get out on the road in the morning, but research says even just online exposure to posts about your peers’ exercising habits can subliminally encourage you to jump into the challenge.

HealthyWay

Recent studies carried out at the University of Pennsylvania have shown that people paired up with groups of “exercise buddies” (anonymous or not) on a social media platform showed clear improvement in frequency and long-term commitment to exercise classes.

After noting these initial results that online exposure to peers’ activity causes a spike in exercise, the studies’ authors have turned to examining whether “social support” or “social comparison” is a better motivator. According to results so far, it turns out, a little friendly competition could be the kick in the pants you need to commit to getting more exercise over time.

6. Set smarter goals.

You’ve heard the saying “life is about the journey, not the destination.” But did you ever think to apply this mentality to your physical fitness? Most of us probably focus on an image of the sweet six-pack we’d like to have in the future instead of trying to motivate ourselves by visualizing all the hours on the treadmill it’ll take.

But maybe that’s an outdated way of setting fitness goals. A study published in International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology is turning this old thinking upside down with its findings that “process goals” are strikingly more helpful in adherence to an exercise program than “outcome goals” over a six-week testing period.

HealthyWay

In plain speak, this means that people who focus on how they feel while pursuing an exercise program (instead of obsessing over the results they want to achieve) stick with it at a remarkably higher rate than their outcome-focused peers (not to mention reporting much more enjoyment and lower pressure or tension).

7. Buy workout clothes you love.

Are you still working out in your old school “gym clothes,” even 10 or 15 years (or more) since you’ve left school? It may be time for an update if you want to get more exercise. If your only workout clothes are frumpy sweats you don’t really like, then how do you expect to feel your best and feel energetic when you put them on?

Wearing flattering and fun workout clothes can increase your confidence, and in turn, your overall performance

According to Meghan
Kennihan
, a National Academy of Sports Medicine–certified personal trainer and Road Runners Club of America/USA Track & Field run coach, “The act of putting on workout gear [especially] for those new to exercise” spurs what she calls “the physical side of a mental shift” toward healthier habits, and she’s not talking about your old torn college t-shirt either.

“Wearing flattering and fun workout clothes can increase your confidence, and in turn, your overall performance, so you get the most out of your workout,” she explains.

HealthyWay

We’ve all experienced that strange phenomenon where dressing the part for an occasion can change your whole frame of mind for the better, and it just so happens there’s a name for that: “enclothed cognition.” This means there’s scientific backing to support that you’ll feel better and perform better when you’re wearing what you perceive to be cool workout duds. That’s one good reason for a trip to the mall.

What It All Means

Sure, living a “healthy” lifestyle sounds like a great general plan, but a recent Mayo Clinic study uncovered the truth that less than 3 percent of Americans actually meet all the standards for healthy living (including frequent exercise and good nutrition) laid out by the study’s scientists.

It seems there’s a major disconnect between how healthy we think we’re being and how healthy we really are.

HealthyWay

Living a “healthy lifestyle” is a complicated balancing act to be sure, and it’s impossible to achieve without at least a bit of effort. Still, why work harder than you have to? Institute a few of these research-backed hacks today, and over time it’s quite possible you’ll see measurable results.

Categories
Motherhood

12 Box Subscriptions Kids Will Love

Looking for the perfect birthday or holiday gift? These family and kid-themed subscription boxes are full of exciting activities and wonderful books that are fun and educational.
1. MyEduCrate
MyEduCrate is tailored to stimulate your child’s mind with high-quality, hands-on learning materials curated by certified teachers. Your kids will have so much fun they won’t even realize they’re learning.

HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Sign up for your box today from CrateJoy for $39.95 a month.
2. My Garden Box
With My Garden Box, kids will learn the joy of developing a green thumb. Each box contains three live plants or bulbs with various care and decor items, too.
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Sign up today from CrateJoy for just $29.50 a month.
3. Creation Crate
Get amped about electronics with the Creation Crate! Each month, the company ships a new electronic project right to your doorstep. With this crate, anyone (and we really mean anyone!) can put together these cool gadgets and learn more about how electronics work while they’re at it.
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Start creating today by signing up at CrateJoy for $29.99 a month.
4. Club Scikidz Labs
Release the mad scientist within with the Club Scikidz Labs monthly subscription box. Each box contains challenging science, technology, and engineering experiments, plus supplies to build a home lab.
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Get your own Club Scikidz Labs box today by signing up on CrateJoy for $34.95.
5. The Magic Box
Start learning magician’s secrets today with the Magic Box. Each month you’ll receive the equipment needed to perfect three to five new tricks, complete with access to video tutorials and instructions.
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Become a master of illusion by signing up on CrateJoy for $29.00 a month.
6. Little Bookish Wardrobe
Jump-start your child’s imagination with the Little Bookish Wardrobe. Every box contains a new book and a costume to match the story. Enhance your costume collection and grow your library!
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Sign up today on CrateJoy for $32.99 a month.
7. Bookakary Box
Get your kids having fun in the kitchen while learning how to cook and read with the Bookakary Box. Each month you’ll receive a new book, a delicious and kid-friendly recipe, and a baking tool.
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Sign up today from CrateJoy for $29.95 a month.
8. SpaceMail Pal
Get excited about space with the SpaceMail Pal box. Not only will you receive fact cards and beautiful photos of our universe, each monthly delivery includes a personalized postcard from Astronaut Neil and Robot Sally.
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Sign up today from CrateJoy for $2.99 a month.
9. Slime Box
If you love slime, you’ll love the Slime Box. This box is perfect for kids and even adults who refuse to grow up. Each month you’ll get four to six different slimes delivered right to your door.
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Get slimed today by signing up on CrateJoy for $11.00 a month.
10. Hagrid’s Hut
Hagrid’s Hut is the perfect subscription box for Harry Potter fans. This box brings confections and trinkets from Diagon Alley right to your doorstep.
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Sign up at CrateJoy today for $39.99 a month.
11. Post Pal Club
With the Post Pal Club, your kids will get four postcards a month, each one personalized with their own name and face incorporated into the art. Each card is pre-stamped, so all you need to do is add a message and drop them in the mail. Practice penmanship and keep in touch with loved ones, wherever they are.
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Sign up today from CrateJoy for $10.95 a month.
12. Reading Bug Box
Get a monthly delivery of books tailored to your kid’s personal interests and tastes with the Reading Bug Box. This box is perfect for children up to age 13.
HealthyWay
CrateJoy

Get your box from CrateJoy for $29.99 a month.

Categories
Wellbeing

The Most Common Reasons Marriages Fail, According To Divorce Lawyers

When someone walks into Adam Dodge’s law office and asks the attorney to begin drawing up divorce papers, the first thought that goes through his mind is “Why?”
“I’m wondering how did they get to this point?” the co-author of the book The Empowered Woman’s Guide to Divorce: A Therapist and a Lawyer Guide You Through Your Divorce Journey tells HealthyWay. “People can arrive at this decision in a variety of ways, and the path taken will often dictate the steps moving forward. Was there infidelity? Did they come to this decision yesterday? Or was it a long time coming? Every case is the same, but every case is different.”
[pullquote align=”center”]“Basically, it wasn’t a partnership anymore, but I realized this in hindsight. At the time I just would have said, ‘I’m really lonely.’”[/pullquote]
Divorce rates have been climbing steadily in the past 50 years, and no one knows that better than the divorce attorneys whose job it is to help dissolve a marriage. The way Dodge looks at it, it’s also a divorce attorney’s job to figure out what caused their clients’ marriages to fail, so they can help them along the path to divorce.
HealthyWay
But knowing why people divorce doesn’t just help a lawyer help their clients. It also presents them with the opportunity to tell couples what not to do in their own relationships so they can avoid winding up in a courtroom.
As New Jersey divorce attorney (and sometimes matchmaker) Shlomo Bregman tells HealthyWay, knowing what causes divorce can help couples “reverse engineer” the problems before they crop up in their own marriages, preventing a trip to his office.
So what common marriage blow-ups should you be looking to avoid?

No Connection

Candice Kilpatrick’s marriage didn’t end with a bang. It was more of a whimper.
“We weren’t fighting, but we didn’t have a relationship beyond logistics with the kids,” the New York mom says of the final years of her 11-year marriage. “Basically, it wasn’t a partnership anymore, but I realized this in hindsight. At the time I just would have said, ‘I’m really lonely.’”
[pullquote align=”center”]“It’s like that old song, you’ve lost that loving feeling”
—Shlomo Bregman[/pullquote]
Her story is all too common and all too familiar for attorneys like Bregman. Many people walk into his office saying things like “I’m unhappy.”
“But if you probe, usually they say their spouse is giving them high doses of inattention,” Bregman explains. He chalks this one up to disconnection and a lack of communication between the two partners.
HealthyWay
Sometimes it’s because the partners have gone in different directions, sometimes because one is taking the other for granted. Often, Bregman’s clients will use phrases like “we’ve grown apart” or “the romance is gone,” to describe their feelings of loneliness.
“It’s like that old song, you’ve lost that loving feeling,” he says. “They’ll say ‘He changed’ or ‘She changed.’ ‘That is not the person I married.'”
No one likes being ignored, but it’s particularly frustrating when the person doing the ignoring is the one you’ve pledged to be with in sickness and in health. If a couple can’t find a better way to communicate and show each other they care, Bregman says it can lead to at least half of the couple feeling like they’d be better off alone. And often, they make that happen with a trip to a divorce lawyer.
HealthyWay
Bottom line: If your partner uses terms like “lonely,” or “unhappy,” start talking. Immediately!

Recommended books for communication:

Money Matters

Money can’t buy happiness, but it can ruin a marriage. No matter how much a couple has, it can still weigh heavy on a relationship. Watch the video below to see an example of how money matters, if handled improperly, can take their toll on a family:

Somebody got (too) social.

Couple meets. Couple falls in love. One half of the couple cheats on their spouse.
Infidelity is a tale as old as time, and it’s one of the leading reasons people end up in North Carolina divorce lawyer Angela McIlven’s office.
But while affairs are responsible for about 40 percent of all the divorces she handles, McIlven tells HealthyWay she’s seeing a modern twist on the old story of late. “With the popularity of social media, we have seen an increase in people having affairs,” she notes. “Or perhaps, they just get caught more often!”
[pullquote align=”center”]“I found a suspicious E-ZPass transaction.”[/pullquote]
Amanda Warner (name changed) knows all too well that this can happen. Her 10-year marriage was undone by online connections seven years ago.
Unbeknownst to her, Warner’s toddler had shoved her credit card into the CD drive of a computer, leaving her scrambling to find the card. When she asked her credit card company to issue a new one, Warner did an account review that turned up something strange.
“We had just had a very sad and miserable 10th anniversary,” she recalls. “And I found a suspicious E-ZPass transaction.”
After Warner confronted her husband, he eventually admitted to meeting a woman online and breaking their marriage vows. The couple’s marriage never recovered, and if scientific research is any indication, the growth in social media use could only mean more divorces.
HealthyWay
In one study published in 2014 in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, researchers from Boston University and Chile’s Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile noted a negative correlation between social media usage and “marriage quality and happiness.” Researchers also tied use of social media to “experiencing a troubled relationship and thinking about divorce.”
Social media may not be avoidable, but staying alert to the lures of infidelity offered by the internet may be wise.

Them’s fightin’ words.

When someone is contemplating divorce but isn’t quite sure if they’re ready to end a marriage, legal threats can be the thing that pushes them right over the edge, says Dodge.
[pullquote align=”center”]“Clients must set about verifying the threat’s accuracy, and often the best place to do that is in the office of a divorce attorney.
—Adam Dodge[/pullquote]
Dodge often hears from clients that their spouse said things like “You’ll have to get a job immediately!” or “You’ll never see the kids again.”
Another popular threat is “I’m going to take everything.”
HealthyWay
“Legal threats require very little effort by the party making them but can intimidate an uniformed recipient into acting against their own best interests,” Dodge notes. “Clients must set about verifying the threat’s accuracy, and often the best place to do that is in the office of a divorce attorney.”
Threats may be blurted out in anger with no real intentions to carry through, but it turns out even empty threats can have very serious consequences for a marriage.
HealthyWay
Feeling heated? Find a healthy way to blow off steam and choose your words wisely.

Categories
Motherhood

12 IVF Truths No One Tells You About

“Where do babies come from?” is a question that can make anyone blush, because we all know from a relatively young age exactly how babies get here.
That is, until we grow up and realize many couples have trouble making a baby the old fashioned way. Wanting to have a child and not being able to get pregnant is heartbreaking, but luckily, parents who aren’t able to conceive on their own now have a decidedly modern option: using medical technology to help them get pregnant.
HealthyWay
Any process that involves a woman’s egg or embryos (fertilized eggs) being handled falls under the umbrella term assisted reproductive technology (ART). In 2015, the most recent year for which data is available, nearly 73,000 babies were born in the United States with the help of ART. The most common type of ART is in vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF. During IVF a woman’s eggs are removed from her body and fertilized in a lab. Once they’ve started to grow, the embryos are returned to the woman’s uterus or frozen for use in the future.
Of course, that’s a very basic overview of a process that is long and complicated. The details of how IVF works will vary depending on the ages and health of the hopeful parents, so only a doctor can tell you exactly what the process would entail for you.

Getting pregnant is the easy part, and there’s almost always a good chance for success there. But live birth is really what every father wants.

However, there are some common IVF experiences that no one talks about. With more and more hopeful parents seeking the help of assisted reproduction to start or grow their families, it’s important that people know what the IVF process entails, and that means all of it—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
HealthyWay spoke with parents and doctors about IVF so that you can be better prepared to consider whether IVF should be part of your family-building journey.

1. It’s no guarantee.

Many people think that once you start the process of IVF it’s only a matter of time until they’ll be holding a little bundle of joy. Unfortunately that isn’t the case.
“IVF does not give you a 100 percent chance for pregnancy,” says Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, an OB-GYN and fertility expert from San Ramon, California.
The chances of pregnancy will depend on the age of a woman’s eggs and many other factors particular to a couple, but on average, only 37 percent of assisted reproduction cycles for women under 35 result in live births. The chances of success decrease with age.
HealthyWay
Success rates also vary between clinics, so it’s important to discuss this with whatever fertility specialist or clinic you choose. Be sure to ask about live birth rates rather than just pregnancy rates.
“Oddly enough to me, I assumed those meant the same thing,” says Alan Gore, a father from Kansas who went through IVF with his wife at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine. Unfortunately, miscarriage means that conception don’t always result in bringing baby home.
“Having gone through it all, getting pregnant is the easy part, and there’s almost always a good chance for success there. But live birth is really what every father wants.”

2. It takes a long time.

A woman’s cycle is normally about 28 days long, but an IVF cycle can take much longer than that.
“People don’t realize the sheer amount of time it takes,” says a mother who has had two children through IVF.
Once a family has decided on IVF, the woman must call the fertility clinic on the first day of her period, according to Shahin Ghadir, MD, a founding partner of the Southern California Reproductive Center in Los Angeles.

It takes approximately four to six weeks to prepare the lining of the uterus before the embryo can be put into the uterus.

On day two or three the woman must visit the clinic for blood work and an ultrasound. At that appointment she’ll be given a prescription for birth control, which she usually takes for about two weeks.
Then come the shots. Typically a woman will give herself a shot every day for 10 to 12 days. Those shots are a hormonal stimulant designed to help her body produce more mature eggs.
The eggs are then retrieved and fertilized.
HealthyWay
The embryos grow for one week in the lab before being sent for genetic testing (if the couple chooses), which takes another week. Then, the woman usually waits until the next month for the embryos to be implanted in her uterus, which hopefully leads to pregnancy.
“Basically it takes about six weeks from the start of the menstrual cycle to know how many genetically normal embryos a patient has,” Ghadir tells HealthyWay. “The following month, it takes approximately four to six weeks to prepare the lining of the uterus before the embryo can be put into the uterus and 10 days later we know if the patient is pregnant or not.”
For eager parents, that’s a very long time.

3. IVF can take a toll on your mental health.

Dealing with infertility and undergoing IVF are hugely stressful events, so it’s no wonder that depression and anxiety are commonly reported among parents—particularly mothers—who are undergoing IVF.
“New mental health issues may arise, or preexisting mental health issues may become more severe or worsen during IVF treatment,” says Dr. Aaron Styer, founding partner and co-medical director of Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine in Boston. Styer advises that patients make their mental health a priority.
“Emotional support and open and honest dialogue about the stressors of infertility should be established. This can be with each other, with close family or friends, support groups, or with therapists.”

4. You might need it after conceiving naturally.

Many people think if they’ve conceived without assistance once that it will happen again. But that isn’t always the case.

The thought of undergoing a workup for secondary infertility and undergoing fertility treatment can be quite a challenge.

Secondary infertility is when a woman who has already delivered one or more children isn’t able to get pregnant again naturally.
“Most people are surprised when they are not able to conceive on their own after having been able to in the past,” says Dr. Sunny Jun, an OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist in San Francisco. “This can still be quite frustrating and anxiety provoking for them.”
Secondary infertility can be caused by age and health changes, or it can be unexplained. For people facing secondary infertility, the decision whether to pursue IVF can be a tough one.
“Once you have one or more children, the thought of undergoing a workup for secondary infertility and undergoing fertility treatment can be quite a challenge,” Jun says.

5. You might end up with too much of a good thing.

The goal for anyone undergoing IVF is to have plenty of healthy embryos to choose from. More healthy embryos means more chances to implant those embryos and a greater likelihood of becoming pregnant and giving birth.
Sometimes patients have too much of a good thing, though, and wind up with a greater number of healthy embryos than they need. In this case, communication is key.
“Talk to your doctor about options if you end up making more embryos, like donating to other families who would love to use embryos to grow their families.” says Eyvazzadeh.
HealthyWay
That’s right, embryos can be donated to other families who are unable to conceive using their own embryos via a process called embryo adoption. That would mean that you and your partner would have genetic children who don’t live with you and that your children would have full biological siblings who aren’t being raised with them.
If embryo adoption isn’t for you, embryos can also be donated to science or destroyed. Just be sure that you and your partner (if you have one) are on the same page about what you’ll do with extra embryos before beginning the IVF process.

6. You’ll be left feeling like a teenager.

All the hormone shots involved with IVF mean that you’ll have lots more hormones than normal coursing through your body. That might leave you irritable, bloated, or even turned on.
HealthyWay
“As you’re hormonal, you may feel like you want to have sex,” Eyvazzadeh explains. However, during certain points in the IVF process, it’s important to abstain, so be sure to talk with your doctor about what’s okay and what isn’t—and don’t be afraid to get creative with other options for adult fun.

7. You might want to think about IVF before you’re ready to have kids.

The quality of women’s eggs decreases with time, which can make it harder to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Dr. Eric Surrey, a reproductive endocrinologist in Colorado, says that his patients often wish that they had thought about their fertility sooner.

We often hear from patients in their mid thirties who are struggling with fertility and they say ‘why didn’t anyone tell me it would be so hard to have a baby?’

“It’s not a bad idea for women in their mid twenties to already be thinking about their fertility even though [having a baby] may be the last thing on their mind,” he tells HealthyWay. “We often hear from patients in their mid thirties who are struggling with fertility and they say ‘why didn’t anyone tell me it would be so hard to have a baby?’”
HealthyWay
According to Surrey, simple tests can help women know if they may have trouble conceiving later in life.

8. It’s more common than you think.

About one in eight couples have trouble getting pregnant.
“More people are probably getting IVF than you realize,” Surrey says.

I connected with others who could absolutely relate.

Breaking down the stigma around IVF has become a passion for Jennifer “Jay” Palumbo, a mom of two from Brooklyn, New York, who blogs at The Two Week Wait.
“The more I spoke out about it and shared my story, the more I connected with others who could absolutely relate,” she says. “People say, ‘You’re not alone,’ but you still feel that way until you meet all the others like you.”

9. Sometimes you just have to laugh at everything.

Palumbo’s IVF experience was full of nerve-wracking moments, but despite that, she she shares that laughter was essential to getting through the process.
HealthyWay
“For me, humor was everything,” she says. “I remember being at a diner once while going through an IVF cycle and the waitress asked me how I wanted my eggs. I answered, ‘Fertilized and implanted!’ It cracked me up and took away the power and pain of what I was going through.”

10. IVF affects the dads too.

Although it’s true that women have to deal with most of the medical procedures associated with IVF, the whole process can be draining for hopeful dads as well.

Men are dealing with some of the same emotions women are, grieving over pregnancy loss, the emotional anxiety over the idea that all this might not work.

“The emotional aspect for men is something that gets broadly ignored,” says TJ Farnsworth, of Houston, Texas, a dad by IVF and founder of Aspire Fertility.
HealthyWay
“I wanted to ‘fix it’ and just make things better for my wife, but that wasn’t helpful. At the same time, men are dealing with some of the same emotions women are, grieving over pregnancy loss, the emotional anxiety over the idea that all this might not work.”

11. You won’t relax when you get the positive pregnancy test.

Having a positive pregnancy test is without a doubt a joyous moment for couples who have gone through IVF. However, that test won’t be the end of your worry.
“There is no relaxing,” says Gore, one of the dads we spoke to. “The only … relief is when the baby cries after delivery. Until that moment, every day is a fear of the unknown.”

12. It’s all worth it in the end.

Okay, this one people probably will tell you. Although the process of IVF is scary, expensive, and emotionally draining, it is all worth it to have the family you’ve been waiting for.
HealthyWay
“The years of making every effort, expending every resource, draining that 401(k), sleepless nights, and stress-filled work days all seem to fade away once the baby’s eyes open and make contact with yours,” Gore says. “A completely new definition of love is written in your heart.”

Categories
Sweat

The Dirtiest Parts of Hotel Rooms: 5 Things You Shouldn't Touch During Your Next Getaway

There’s nothing more inviting than a hotel bed. At home, I consider it a luxury if the bed even gets made with a few flat pillows tossed on top.

A hotel, however, is a magical place where each day I return to a perfectly made bed piled high with blankets and decorative pillows just waiting for me to jump on in. It’s the stuff of dreams—until my husband walks in the room.

HealthyWay

“Don’t touch it,” he commands, approaching the bed as if he’s coming in contact with an alien atmosphere. First he removes the duvet, tossing it to the ground so that it won’t come in contact with any of our belongings. Next to go: the pillows, thrown in a corner of the room. Only when the bed has been stripped of all its decadence will he flop down.

“Ahhhh,” he sighs, relaxed and relieved.

My husband is a bit of a germaphobe. Where I see indulgence and luxury, he sees previous guests, their dirty bodies touching everything in the room that is now ours. I’ve always been both amused and a little irritated by his hotel room routine, but it turns out my husband is right: Hotel rooms are downright dirty.

“I’m crazy paranoid in hotel rooms,” says a former housekeeper with eight years of experience cleaning at hotels.

If the professionals tasked with keeping your room clean aren’t convinced that it’s germ free, you shouldn’t be either. And although no one wants to think about how dirty hotel rooms can be, acknowledging the reality might help keep you away from some nasty germs. Even I have to admit that my husband has probably saved me from a virus or two by stripping away all that beautiful bedding.

Cleaners, doctors, and scientists weigh in on the dirtiest parts of hotel rooms, revealing where the germs lurk and how worried we should really be.

1. Freshly made? Not quite…

It might pain me to say it, but my husband is right about the hotel bed. Sheets and pillowcases are changed between guests, but a cleaner who worked for a major hotel brand for two years tells HealthyWay that in her opinion the bed-making standards weren’t high enough.

“The one thing that grossed me out so much was that the brand standard was to not wash the duvets,” she says.

Instead, cleaners put a flat sheet on top and a flat sheet over with the duvet (the cover for the comforter) in the middle. The idea was that the sheets would keep guests from touching the duvet, but anyone who has tossed and turned in bed knows that sheets get tangled easily.

HealthyWay

“Someone sleeping in the bed could easily sleep skin to skin with the duvet (I know I had) and not realize it hadn’t been washed for quite some time,” the cleaner reports.

Another cleaner from Massachusetts who worked for a different hotel chain had the same experience.

“If we saw someone mostly slept under the sheets and that the duvet cover wasn’t visibly dirty or did not smell, we didn’t wash them,” she says. Yuck!

2. This is the one place you won’t want to relax on your vacay.

When you’re traveling, taking a long and luxurious bath can seem like the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day. You may want to think twice about that plan, though.

“Hotel baths can be filthy, and unfortunately the tubs are cleaned with mops and other cleaning tools that [have] high levels of bacteria,” says Dr. Elizabeth Trattner, who has an integrative health practice in Miami Beach, Florida.

HealthyWay

Women especially want to pay attention, since bathing in a bacteria-filled tub can put them at risk for vaginal infections, Trattner says. If you really want to take a bath, wipe down the tub and be sure to rinse it well before getting in.

“No one wants to relax in a soup of bacteria,” Trattner says.

3. Think before you click.

Now that the bath is out, you might want to spend your evening relaxing in front of the television. After all, when you think of dirty things in a hotel room, the TV remote probably isn’t at the top of the list, but unfortunately, it should be.

HealthyWay

“The germiest … surface we find is usually the TV remote, especially typical remotes with protruding buttons, since it seldom gets clean,” says Charles Gerba, PhD, who’s a professor of microbiology and environmental sciences at the University of Arizona and has studied germs in hotel rooms.

The next time you think about scrolling through the channels, consider this: Gerba and his researchers found that remotes can hold E. coli and other fecal bacteria, and a shocking 18 percent of hotel remotes also have semen on them.

HealthyWay

Just how dirty your remote is will vary. Gerba has found that the number of germs on remotes can range from 2,500 to 430,000. Even the low end of that range is too high for my comfort, so I’ll either skip the television watching or consider bringing antibacterial wipes to clean the remote myself the next time I pack for a hotel stay.

4. Forget about calling for help.

Second to the TV remote, Gerba says the next dirtiest place in a hotel room is the phone. Most people bring their cell phones everywhere these days, but you might still use the phone in your room to call room service or request a wakeup call. Although these are nice conveniences, it’s best not to touch the phone at all, if you can avoid it.

HealthyWay

Gerba notes that his hotel room study was conducted a few years back. Since people use their cell phones so much now, the number of germs on hotel room phones might be lower. Either way, better safe than sorry.

5. Something’s lurking in the bathroom, but not where you’d expect.

It’s no surprise that hotel bathrooms can get pretty nasty.

“People tend to use the bathroom with reckless abandon,” says the hotel cleaner from Massachusetts.

HealthyWay

Of course, the toilet and the surrounding areas can get pretty gross, but Gerba says that the dirtiest part of the bathroom is not where you would expect.

“People might be surprised to find that the sink counter often has more bacteria than the toilet seat,” he says.

HealthyWay

The next time you’re tempted to leave your toothbrush, makeup, or jewelry on the bathroom counter—think twice. It’s better to put your personal items right back into your bag, where the only germs you have to worry about are your own.

Your getaway is a perfect storm for germs.

Wherever you’re traveling, the germs in your hotel room aren’t the only ones you’re going to encounter. There are also the germs in the lobby, the swimming pool, the restaurant, and, well, every other place you go to!

HealthyWay

“Hotels can be challenging in terms of germs because of the large number of people in one place—often from different regions of the world—coming in and out on a daily basis,” Gerba tells HealthyWay.

Even systems like the air conditioning can keep all those microorganisms in circulation, exposing you to new germs throughout your stay. In fact, one of the most common ways that germs spread through a hotel is on the very people who are supposed to be stopping them.

HealthyWay

“We’ve done virus tracer studies where we found that maids move the viruses from room to room during cleaning,” Gerba says.

How worried should you be?

All this information is pretty alarming, but before you go and cancel all the trips you’ve got planned, take a deep breath.

“The fear of germs in general is very overblown,” says Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior associate at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore, Maryland.

HealthyWay

While the thought of other people’s germs is naturally heightened during a hotel room stay, Adalja says that we’re always surrounded by other people’s germs—we just don’t think about it much in the day to day.

“The germs in a cleaned hotel room are really no different than in other setting and likely include many innocuous germs as well as some that could cause disease,” he says.

HealthyWay

“However, we constantly encounter disease-causing germs everywhere, and only [under] special circumstances do they actually cause harm.”

Gerba said that the most harmful germs you’re likely to encounter in a hotel room are the viruses that cause the cold and flu. While those aren’t fun—especially while traveling—they are common enough that chances are just as good that you’d encounter them as part of your daily routine.

In fact, Adalja says you’re more likely to pick up an infection or illness from the person you are sharing a hotel room with than from the previous occupants.

HealthyWay

“The idea of special dangerous ‘hotel germs’ doesn’t make much sense, as our bodies are literally covered with germs and are constantly bombarded with them in all settings,” he tells HealthyWay.

Although that might be alarming to hear, the point is that hotel rooms aren’t that much dirtier than other spaces, especially spaces that we share with strangers.

In the meantime, however, I’ll let my husband keep taking apart the bed when we stay in a hotel—even if I know I’m more likely to catch a cold from him than the duvet on the floor.