Fitness and Muscle Work

feature by webmd Eggs When it comes to healthy eating, few foods have sparked as much debate as eggs. The latest research suggests an egg a day is safe and nutritious for most adults -- and if you eat that egg for breakfast, you’ll boost your odds of losing weight. The reason: Eggs are packed with protein, which takes time to digest. Eating protein in the morning keeps your stomach busy, so you eat less during the rest of the day . Steak For years, health experts have been admonishing us to eat less red meat. But steak is not always bad for the waistline. In fact, a lean cut of beef has barely more saturated fat than a similar size skinless chicken breast. Like eggs, steak is loaded with protein and can keep you feeling full longer. To get plenty of protein with less fat, choose T-bone, sirloin tip, or other extra-lean cuts -- and limit portions to the size of your fist . Pork Talk about a bad reputation -- the term “pork” is used to describe all kinds of excess, so it’s no wonder diet...

The cholesterol in eggs is no harm to health, scientists say Despite previous studies linking eggs to high blood-cholesterol levels, new research reports that limiting your egg intake—maxing out at three eggs a week—has very little impact on cholesterol and, ultimately, cardiovascular disease. A team of scientists from the University of Surrey in the U.K. analyzed several studies of egg nutrition and found that most people can eat as many eggs as they want without damaging their health. That’s good news since protein-packed eggs are one of the most nutritionally dense foods available. Elevated cholesterol levels (LDL higher than 100 mg/dL) can increase your risk of heart disease, but only about one-third of the cholesterol in your body comes from the foods you eat. The truly guilty parties are smoking, being overweight, and a lack of exercise. If you’re concerned about high cholesterol in your diet, it’s more important to limit your saturated-fat intake. That means cutting back on fatt...

Many of us watch what we eat but not what we drink when on a diet. That’s a mistake. The average American gets a fifth of daily calories from beverages. Choosing the right drinks can tweak your metabolism, curb your appetite, and reduce your total calorie count. Which drinks are spoilers and which are helpers on the path to weight loss? Helper: Light Beer OK, beer is not really going to help you lose weight. But if you’re out with friends and want to share a pitcher, light beer is the way to go. A serving has 100 calories, compared to 150 calories for regular beer. Helper: Water Replacing carbonated soft drinks with water will cut hundreds of calories per day, and the benefits don’t stop there. Drinking two glasses of water before a meal may encourage the stomach to feel full more quickly, so you don’t eat as much. In addition, new research suggests drinking plenty of water may have a positive effect on your metabolism. Helper: Vegetable Juice Vegetable juice is every bit as nutritious...

The best new sports bras for all shapes and sizes About 60% of women experience breast pain during exercise. But don't give up--the right sports bra can eliminate much of the suffering. When British researchers studied 70 women ranging from size A to F, they found that encapsulation bras, which have separate molded cups, reduced pain the most by stopping motion in all directions--not just up and down--for better support and more comfort. We had readers walk, jog, and kickbox in the latest models. Here, their favorites: Best for A-B The Moving Comfort Alexis cuts bounce without flattening like a pancake. "It gave me shape and support," our tester raved. ($34; movingcomfort.com for store locator) Best for B-C The underwire in the Adidas Simia lets it double as a daytime bra--yet its wicking fabric keeps you dry if you take a brisk walk at lunch. "It was so comfy, I fell asleep in it," our tester admitted. ($40; shopadidas.com) Best for C-D The Champion Powersleek ...