Headache, crankiness and low energy. Are you hangry or is something more serious to blame? Oftentimes when we’re experiencing those symptoms, it’s a sign of low blood sugar, which can have more high-stakes consequences than you snapping at your BFF via text message. Fortunately, the issues can be easily prevented once you know what to look for. Read ahead for the most common signs of low blood sugar, how you can quickly combat it and what foods will have you saying “buh-bye” to the problem for good. How do you feel when your blood sugar is low? Having your heart start to race isn’t just an indicator that you’ve run in your gym crush—it could also be a red flag about your health. According to David A. Greuner, M.D., surgical director at NYC Surgical Associates, rapid heart rate, as well as dizziness, headaches, ringing in the ears, cold sweats and other indicators of a “flight or fight” response are signs of low blood sugar. “This is because when your body feels like its sugar levels are …

Do you crave a few ice cubes in your morning cup of java instead of steamed milk? Have you swapped your lunchtime seltzer with a refreshing iced herbal tea infusion?  What nutritional value does your daily ritual have? Which one has more benefits: iced coffee or iced tea? Iced tea nutrition Since its discovery in China, tea has become one of the most popular beverages in the world. Legend says that iced tea was invented at the World’s Fair in 1904 by a tea plantation owner that cooled down samples of his product with ice cubes. Since then, ice tea has evolved from a Southern staple to artisan flavors of different tea leaves such as ginger peach and pomegranate berry. Caffeine in iced tea These  teas have delicate flavors that are tasty sans sweeteners. Iced tea contains about 40 to 50 milligrams of caffeine per 16 oz serving.  Calories in iced tea Plain, unsweetened iced tea has zero calories. The calories of sweetened iced tea will depend on the amount of sweetener you add. Iced …

‘Tis the season, especially when it comes to warming meals like soups. Soups are awesome for diets—they’re filling and satisfying—but there’s a difference between ones that are great and ones that, well, aren’t so great (we aren’t going to say “bad,” because they can be delicious). Is soup healthy? In short, soup can be very healthy! Many soups include a variety of lean proteins and vegetables. The best soups are the ones that are broth-based, whether that’s beef, chicken or veggie broth. They warm your stomach with a serving of low-calorie, low-fat goodness that’s flavored with macronutrients (like protein) and micronutrients (from veggies, like carrot, celery, and onion) as well as spices. These sorts of soups are a complete meal in a satiating cup. That said, it’s worth evaluating the amount of sodium in each of these soups—it can be a surprising amount. The worst soups are the ones that are cream-based or even cheese-based. These start with a heavy dose of fat that can be compared to the amount in a dessert. Whatever the …

Feeling lightheaded is the worst, and it can happen to anyone. I’ve experienced it in my own workouts, running in the park, and I’ve seen my youngest, oldest, heaviest and lightest clients deal with the dizziness in class. What’s important to remember here is that this is not an instance to be embarrassed. Too many people judge themselves for not being able to “power through,” but lightheadedness does not mean you’re weak. It’s a signal from your body that you can help it be stronger. Why do I get lightheaded after working out? We can’t diagnose why you’re getting dizzy after working out without context, but the most common causes of dizziness are dehydration, low blood sugar, low blood pressure and low iron in the blood stream. We do want to note that dizziness is a sign from your body that it needs some support. Follow the tips below as a matter of first defense, but if your symptoms and discomfort persist, it’s time to have a conversation with your doctor. Work hard, stay safe …

Cranky? Not sleeping well? Not making gains in the gym? This could be the reason why. We live in a society where it has been drilled into our brains that the best way to achieve our dream body is with fewer calories and not more. But why is nobody talking about the dangers of severe calorie restriction when there are so many people doing it? And if it worked, why are millions of people in the U.S. still spending millions of dollars on different diets to find their answer even after calorie restriction? The signs and symptoms of undereating Undereating has many negative symptoms such as low energy levels, overactive thirst, hyper focus on food, a lack of hair and nail growth, anger and a lack of ability to sleep. We recognize that many of you reading this love to exercise — and you may be part of a group of people who are at risk for underfeeding, since calories may be restricted paired with a high energy output. Read on to see if you …