Even when people genuinely want to start eating more healthfully, they often doubt whether they can actually do it.  This doubt stems form the mistaken belief they'll need to give up all the foods they like, and start eating foods they don't like.

It's easy to see how people wind up concluding that healthy eating is out of reach.  In reality, however, a healthy diet includes room for the foods you enjoy.  And that includes everyone's favourite treat:  chocolate chip cookies!   

How is that possible?  The secret is baking them yourself from scratch—read on to find out why. 

Did your 50th birthday bring the gift of some unwanted pounds?  Are you struggling to stay on top of your weight, even though you're not eating any more than you used to?  Is it becoming harder to maintain the size and shape you were in before you turned 50?
 
If you answered yes to any of the above, you're not alone.  As you age, a variety of changes take place in your body that make it increasingly difficult to manage your weight.  Your metabolism slows down, hormone levels decrease, and your total body fat tends to increase as your ratio of muscle to fat shifts.

When it comes to essential nutrients that your body needs for optimal health, selenium is a true workhorse and multitasker.  It plays a role in a variety of functions throughout your body, supporting good health and well-being in many different ways.
 
Selenium is a trace mineral, which means your body only contains a tiny amount of it.  You probably have a grand total of less than 1mg of selenium in your body, most of which is contained in your liver, kidneys, pancreas, and thyroid gland. 

In men, selenium is also found in the testes and the seminal vesicles, the glands that produce most of the components that make up semen.  This makes selenium an especially important nutrient in men's health, as it supports fertility by improving sperm production and sperm motility.

There's plenty of evidence that certain dietary habits can increase your susceptibility to depression and exacerbate your symptoms.  On the other hand, certain eating habits appear to have a protective affect on one's mental health and well-being. 

To promote optimal mental health and keep depression at bay, what should you be eating more of?  And what are the foods you should be limiting in your diet?

Can a  one day water fast provide any real benefit to you?  Absolutely!  A day of fasting gives your body a break from the work of dealing with incoming food.  This brief period of rest supports the body's natural capacity for repair, self-healing, and rejuvenation.  

Not eating for a day will also make you aware of just how great of a role food plays in your life.  As they refrain from eating for the day, many people discover that much of their eating has less to do with genuine hunger, and more to do with habit or emotional motivation, e.g.:  turning to food as a source of comfort.

It's well-known that counting calories is not the best strategy for losing weight and keeping it off in the long term.  However, it still helps to be calorie-aware, as this allows you to select nutrient-dense, low-calorie meals when planning your meals. 

These are the foods that will boost your health and help you manage your weight; you can eat them freely without worrying that they'll pack on the pounds.
 
Here are 5 nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods to work into your meal planning.

As people look for ways to improve their health, dietary supplements are growing in popularity.  From eye health to gut health, supplements can serve as a valuable aid to help you achieve and maintain optimal health throughout your entire body.

Usually in the form of tablets or capsules, dietary supplements are nutritional substances that support proper functioning of all your body's systems and organs.  They may include vitamins, minerals, amino acids (the building blocks of protein) or herbal extracts. 

Interested in taking supplements to support and improve your own health?  Here's what you need to know to take them safely and get the most out of them.

You don't have to adopt a strict vegetarian or vegan diet to enjoy the benefits of plant-based foods.  You're probably (hopefully!) consuming some plant-based foods in your diet already, like fresh fruits and vegetables; beans, peas, and lentils; and grains. 

These nutrient-packed foods all work to boost your health and well-being naturally.
 
Here are 10 changes you can look forward to when you start eating more fresh, plant-based foods.

For thousands of years, cultures around the world have used herbs and spices in meal preparation.  Along with adding wonderful flavours and aromas to common everyday foods, herbs and spices contain a wide range of healing and medicinal properties. 

Consuming herbs and spices is an excellent way to support your health naturally, bypassing the harmful side effects of conventional pharmaceutical medications.
 
The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the world's population depends on plants to treat common ailments.  Why not join the billions of people worldwide that are leveraging the power of herbs and spices to support their health and well-being?  Whether your preference is for some mild seasoning that subtly enhances your meal, or a stronger flavour that takes centre stage, there's an herb or spice that will appeal to your taste buds — here are 5 to consider. 

One of the great things about the human body is that it is an excellent communicator.  As you eat, drink, move, and engage with the world around you, your body responds.  If something isn't quite right, your body will find a way, whether subtly or dramatically, to let you know about it. 

This is excellent news, as it provides you with an opportunity to assess what is happening and make changes to improve the situation. 
 
One of the areas where your body sends clear, unmistakable messages to you is pertaining to your diet.  Here are 5 ways your body will let you know that your current diet isn't working for you and needs some changes.