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With so many choices, you may be overwhelmed when selecting healthy foods. It's no accident that the design of most grocery stores are laid out in such a way to entice your eye with the most unhealthy foods first. Even though there are many foods that fit into a healthy lifestyle, there are some that might leave you questioning whether or it's healthy or not. In an effort to be healthy, don't be fooled into eating these foods listed below.

Raisins+yogurt=great snack right?
Not so fast. Yogurt covered raisins are the healthy friendly snack you'd expect. Because the yogurt used to coat the raisins is filled with sugar, hydrogenated oil and trans fat, something that is usually healthy can quickly turn into something that is detrimental to your diet. A better option? Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and trail mix (just not the kind loaded with chocolate and sugar coated dried fruit).

Even through there are many lifestyle reasons that may have led to this, there are only 2 physical reasons why your stomach may be a bigger than you want it to be:

1. You've gained weight which caused your stomach to expand

2. You're eating the wrong foods and it causing your belly to bloat

Here's the good news about shrinking your stomach

Both of these issues can be corrected without any major trouble or surgery. However, it will require some effort on your part.

The best way to shrink your stomach is with diet and exercise. However, I have a few shortcuts for you that you can start right now - without exercise.

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Slash 1000 calories a day

In strictly numerical terms, 1 pound is equal to 3500 calorie. So, reducing your calories by 500 a day would equal 1 pound of weight loss each week. That means that reducing your caloric intake by 1000 would equal 2 pounds of weight loss each week. I'm going to show you how to do that without eating less!

Extreme caloric deprivation is not the answer

Most fad diets will generally start women on a very low-calorie diet like 1200 calories per day. This is the absolute lowest you want to go but you probably don't need to go that low anyway. Staying on extremely reduced calorie diets will not only slow down your metabolism but it can affect your mood, energy and all around sunny disposition. All that and you still won't keep losing weight... no thank you.

I have a better alternative for you!

4 steps to slashing 1,000 calories a day

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Cooking your meals at home will not only save you money but it can also save you hundreds of calories... when you cook healthy. Making healthy meals is not as hard as you may think. At home, are already in control of the ingredients. Don't waste calories on frying your foods. Use these simple tips to make grilling, roasting, and sauteing your meals simple and delicious.

Start with a few easy go-to recipes that you love. Plan your meals for the week ahead and go shopping on the weekend. Prep yourself for a healthy week by pre-cooking and chopping the meals you are going to eat during your busy week.

9 simple tips for healthy cooking

How to cook fish

Fish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and packs tons of other healthy benefits. However, there are so many types of fish to enjoy that it can be difficult to know exactly how to cook each. Here are some basic rules of cooking fish.

Salmon is a fatty fish that is less likely to dry out, which makes it great for beginner cooks. The best way to cook this fish is to drizzle it in olive oil on each side (remember, drizzle, not drench), sprinkle each side with some light seasoning of your choice, and bake it at 400 degrees. Check your fish after about 8 minutes to see if it flakes. If so, then it's likely that it's done or close to it. If you're not 100% sure that it's done after the 8 minutes, then allow an extra few (2 or 3) minutes for the fish to bake through and remove from the oven.

Other fish such as tilapia, orange roughy or flounder can be pan-fried (they healthy way to fry). The best way to achieve perfected pan-fried fish is to dry excess water from the fish with a paper towel. Once dry, use a mixture of olive oil and seasonings of your choice to lightly coat each side of the fish. Lay one side into the pan and let it cook until light brown (about 2-3 minutes), then flip to the other side and repeat.

With those techniques you'll be well on your way to making a great fish dinner.

How to stir-fry

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There are so many rules about what you shouldn't eat, when you shouldn't eat, where you shouldn't eat... Well, you can ask my mom - I've never been a fan of rules!

I'll show you how to break these diet rules and still achieve your weight loss goals! Think I'm crazy? That's another story... but here are a few challenges that will get you thinking differently about diets while still losing weight in the process.

For instance, eating is meant to be fun!

You probably forgot that, right? The are so many rules about 'good food' and 'bad food' that the eating experience is riddled with confusion and anxiety - not fun!. Let go of dreaded, calorie-counting event that forces you to exclude all of the yummy things you want but think you can't have.

When you have a mindset of good foods versus bad foods, once you've cross the "bad food" line, you're more likely to continuing indulging in those foods throughout the remainder of the day. Instead, focus on tuning into what you are eating and really appreciate the flavor. Then, enjoy a little bit of the food you are craving. When you take time to focus on enjoying it, it won't take very much to satisfy your craving!

8 dieting rules you should break now!

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Are you having friends over for the big game on Sunday? You'll probably want to serve them some snacks, right? Did you think that they only way to enjoy healthy snacks was to magically turn into a chef? - Not the case.

These days there are a lot more healthier options in the freezer section. We've chosen some classic Super Bowl Sunday snacks you can pull out of the freezer with minimal effort so you spend less time in the kitchen and more time yelling and clapping at the TV with your friends. We have 4 great options here are suitable for a vegetarian and satisfying still for the meat eaters!

Super Bowl Sunday Snack #1: Wings

Lightlife Buffalo Smart Wings These delicious 'wings' are actually vegetarian friendly! Made from faux meat with just 110 calories and 3g of fat for a serving of 4 wings. They come in buffalo and honey BBQ flavors.

MorningStar Farms Buffalo Wings Veggie Wings Another faux wing, vegetarian option. They tastes great for just 200 calories and 8g of fat in a serving of 5 wings.

Sneak some vegetables into your snacks by adding some celery sticks and carrots with a dip made of fat-free sour cream with a bit of ranch dressing

Super Bowl Sunday Snack #2: Pizza

Amy's Spinach Pizza Snacks Amy's great for frozen organic options. These pizzas are made with organic flour, tomatoes and spinach. One serving equals 5-6 pieces and carries 190-210 calories and 7g of fat.

Lean Cuisine 4 Cheese Pizza Cut these single serving pizzas into wedges and share. Slice it into 6 wedges. Each wedge will have about 60 calories and .5g fat. There's also a pepperoni french bread style.

Enjoying the game doesn't have to mean completely falling off the healthy eating wagon. Let these easy healthier options make game day great! And... if you choose to kick back a few beers on Sunday, be sure to check out our lower calorie beer options. Or if you like to play in the kitchen, check out these great Super Bowl snack recipes.

Need some fast and easy ideas for breakfast?

1. Cereal with fresh fruit. Check the nutrition label first - aim for at least 3 grams of fiber and no more than 5 grams of sugar per serving. Then, pour one serving size.



2. Oatmeal with fresh fruit. You can also use oat bran
3. Whole grain carbs with yogurt. A slice of whole grain toast or English muffin with a yogurt on the side. Add some protein by mixing your jam with low-fat cottage cheese, nut butter or Laughing Cow cheese wedges.
4. Greek yogurt with fruit. Berries work best to add flavor to your yogurt. Sprinkle some flax seed mill for added healthy fats.

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Did you set a goal to change the way you eat this year? Choosing healthier foods to eat is a step in the right direction. However, most people will likely give up their burger and fries for dinner and opt for a salad before they even take the most basic of steps to healthy nutrition.

Eat your breakfast

For years, nutritionists and fitness professionals have been telling you breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yet... this seemingly simple bit of advice continues to get ignored. Breakfast is a good time to enjoy some whole grains - but before you load up on cheerios, there's more to a healthy breakfast than that.

Never eat low-fat foods for breakfast

One breakfast label to steer clear of is "low-fat foods." What they don't tell you is that to make foods 'low-fat', they use more additives and sugars to maintain a similar taste to their "full-fat" counterparts. There's a reason people like fatty foods - they taste good! Removing the fat usually takes away from the appealing taste of the food, thus manufacturers add in more sugar to compensate.

That sugar can add up quickly, causing you to gain weight or make it harder to lose weight. Instead of going "low-fat," try foods like fruits and vegetables that are naturally low in fat.

Oatmeal is the new Wheaties

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Holiday time is here and that means gatherings with family, great friends and lots of events with food. There are two types of dieters around this time of year: the ones who throw caution to the wind, eat all they want and resume working out and eating right on January 1st and the ones who cling to a strict diet and turn down everything from cranberry sauce to pumpkin pie. Of course, there is a way to balance healthy eating and enjoying oneself during the holiday season. Below are a few extraordinary foods that taste great and are good for you. Just remember; everything can be great in moderation!

Enjoy these traditional holiday foods that are good for your health

1. Turkey

Unless it's deep fried, covered in brown sugar, molasses and honey, then turkey is a powerful punch of protein. Just one serving of turkey can supply about half of the recommended daily serving of folic acid. Also, it's good source of vitamin B, potassium and zinc. The healthy thing about these nutrients is each of them have been found to keep blood cholesterol low, provide protection against certain types of cancer and heart disease, and energize the immune system. Stick to white meat and you'll keep the calories low. Considering turkey is in abundance this time of year, don't be afraid to eat up!

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If you've ever wondered what foods will help you have great, sexy flat abs, then keep reading. There are definitely some foods that will fight bloating and keep your metabolism healthy. In no particular order, here are the foods that will help you fight belly fat.

Almonds: Of all the nuts you could eat, almonds definitely pack the most punch. They contain protein and fiber, as well as mention vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant. Also, almonds are a hearty source of magnesium, a mineral we all need in order to produce energy, build muscle tissue, and regulate blood sugar. Try keeping almonds handy as a healthy alternative snack during the long work day.

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