When you look at Halle Berry today, it’s hard to imagine the beauty as anything other than 100% healthy. But back in 1989, Berry passed out and fell into a diabetic coma while working on the set of her first television show, Living Dolls. Berry remained in the coma for seven days, and when she woke up, she was told that she had been diagnosed with diabetes and was at serious risk for losing her eyesight or even her legs. Scared into action, Berry took a hard look at her lifestyle and made some serious changes.

Though her doctor wasn’t sure at the time, Berry had developed Type II diabetes. Type I diabetes is associated with the auto-immune system and can’t be impacted by dietary or fitness changes. Most Type I sufferers are diagnosed as children. Type II diabetes, on the other hand, typically affects overweight adults and can occasionally be controlled without insulin, by changing your diet and exercise habits.

Berry immediately put herself on a strict diet and took her health seriously, concerned about cardiovascular complications that plague many diabetics as well as dramatic health threats to her vision, kidneys, and legs. She cut out overly processed foods, red meats, and sugary carbohydrates. She started to eat tons of fresh vegetables and healthy pasta, grilled chicken, or fish. She cut back on fruits due to their high sugar content, and turned to honey or molasses to sweeten her meals. Berry also took charge of the lifestyle habits that could impact her condition.

In a new study out of the Harvard School of Public Health, researchers have found a link between soy consumption and sperm concentration. Although soy-based products such as tofu and energy drinks have become increasingly popular in recent years, there has not been a great deal of research on soy’s impact on the body. Preliminary research with women indicates there may be a link between soy and breast cancer in certain populations, so soy is not recommended as a staple of any diet.

In this study, the team surveyed the eating habits and tested the sperm concentration of 99 men who went to a fertility clinic between 2000 and 2006. The men reported the quantity and frequency in which they consumed products such as tofu, tempeh, soy or tofu meat products, soy-based dairy products, and soy energy bars, powders, and drinks. Then researchers divided the men into groups based on how often they ate soy products. The men in the highest group ate approximately 3-4 servings of soy per week, averaging half a serving per day.

Remember that book that came out a few years ago, “French Women Don’t Get Fat”? Say what you will about the French, but the fact remains that French women are typically very slender and healthy. One of the key points of the book was that French women still indulge in pastries and breads and delicacies – but they know their limits and apply other strategies and routines to retain their sleek physiques. This is all well and good – but how do you know exactly how much to indulge in? Where do you draw the line? If you have trouble figuring out exactly how much you can get away with, the three-bite rule may be the perfect fit for you.

It’s simple, easy, and guilt-free. You can eat your favorite foods, but the quantity will be so small that it won’t impact your waistline. It’s exactly how it sounds – just take three bites of that dessert or favorite dish that’s tempting you. There are a few other rules, of course – you won’t make much progress if you liberally apply the three-bite rule, taking three bites of everything on the table, or if you decide to take abnormally large bites. To make it work, just think about your eating actions before you take them. Do you really want another cookie, or would you feel better if you had celery sticks and low-fat peanut butter, a handful of air-popped popcorn, or a couple of grapes?

However, let’s say you’re at a wedding or family event. Do you really want to sacrifice a delicious taste of your Aunt Sue’s devil’s food cake, which you only get a crack at a couple times per year?

By Sean Hashmi

I came across a very interesting article that I wanted to share with everyone about whether or not chewing slowly helps you eat less. The idea is that eating slowly enhances the taste and enjoyment of food, gives the feeling of being full faster, and allows people to feel satisfied with smaller amounts of food.

Some of you might not be aware, but the origin of this concept came about in 1962, when Ferester and colleagues noticed that obese people ate faster than lean people. Naturally, they made the conclusion that obese people would probably eat less if they were to eat slowly. This certainly seemed logical and quickly became a standard of just about every behavioral treatment program since then. In fact, this advice has even been printed on milk cartons for students in public school cafeterias.

So what could possibly be wrong with such a convincing argument?

By Jamie Yu

Most people who engage in weight loss programs generally keep food diaries as a way of observing what they eat and monitoring the amount of calories they consume. They create reminders of what was eaten and also provide motivation and a give you a better idea of your progress, or in some cases, regression.

However, recently researchers have found that photographing your food before you eat could have a much bigger impact on your weight loss goals.

Are you one of the Mac addicts who’s obsessed with your new iPhone? Do you constantly whip it out, glad to keep track your e-mail, schedule, and multimedia files all at once? Well, there’s even more good news: did you know that you can also use it to help you track your diet and exercise choices – for free?

The new “CalorieMinder” application, from developer Mark Dionne’s new company, offers a free system that tracks your calories, exercise, and generates detailed reports on your lifestyle choices. You can add this app with one simple touch to your iPhone or iPod touch by visiting the CalorieMinder website. CalorieMinder is currently signing up Beta testers who will receive a free one-year upgrade to the premium CalorieMinder service once it becomes available. The standard CalorieMinder will still be free.

Have you ever put yourself in a good mood for no apparent reason at all? Experts from various disciplines now believe that certain foods we eat play a hand in our happiness. Avoid the diet doldrums with these healthy, happy foods:

1. Oily fish – Medical research teams believe that sardines, salmon, and other oily ocean foods can bring you up when you’re feeling down

What does it take to be an Olympic champion? In fact, what does it take to be the most winning Olympic athlete in history? For Michael Phelps, it takes long, grueling workouts and an obscene amount of calories.

The big-footed kid from Baltimore captivated America and the world as he quickly swam to the top of the marquee in Beijing 2008. His record amount of eight gold medals in a single Games gave him the title of most Olympic gold medals – fourteen in all – as well as most medals won during one Olympics.

An unlikely hero, Phelps grew up as a fidgety youngster who had trouble concentrating, problems at school, and was constantly picked on by his peers. Diagnosed with ADHD, he was medicated for a while, but ultimately, it was his intense swimming routine that helped him cope with his learning disability. By middle school, Phelps was off drugs and turned to his swimming schedule to keep him grounded.

Have you ever put yourself in a good mood for no apparent reason at all? Experts from various disciplines now believe that certain foods we eat play a hand in our happiness. Avoid the diet doldrums with these healthy, happy foods:

1. Oily fish – Medical research teams believe that sardines, salmon, and other oily ocean foods can bring you up when you’re feeling down

With our growing obesity epidemic, cities are doing their part to try to promote awareness, public health initiatives, and active lifestyles. Here are three ways Los Angeles is officially becoming healthier:

1. The state has ordered a ban on all trans fats, which clog arteries and lead to heart disease. LA will follow trailblazer New York in the crackdown on fat. The city has forced restaurateurs to rethink menus and ingredients, but hopefully the ultimate benefits will be seen in greater numbers of healthy citizens.

2. The controversial fast food ban: Recently, the LA City Council approved a ban that limits fast-food restaurants in specific low-income areas of LA. While no existing chains will be impacted, no new fast-food joints can move into the area. Critics are claiming unconstitutionality, but proponents of the movement purport that by limiting the fast food presence, the city can attract healthier, more nutritious choices into low-income areas, where struggles with health and diet are more prevalent.

Are you getting ready to go out for a big dinner? The best way to prevent overeating during a night out is, surprisingly enough, to eat more! The trick is to prep yourself with calories before you even leave for the restaurant. One of my favorite ways to do this is to enjoy a delicious, nutritious smoothie an hour or two before the meal.

Don’t be afraid of peanut butter, experts advise. While some dieters avoid the creamy substance at all costs because of its high fat value, everyone should make room for a tablespoon or two of the filling favorite. Don’t let the scary numbers [peanut butter has about 188 calories and 16 grams per fat per serving (2 tbsp)] deter you from adding peanut butter to your diet.

It may seem counterintuitive, but peanut butter consumption has actually been linked to decreases in coronary heart disease, LDL and total cholesterol levels, and triglyceride levels. Experts believe that these results may have to do with the fact that peanut butter is such a satisfying snack - a small amount can quell your hunger and keep you feeling full.

The motto of the Advanced Mediterranean diet is “lose weight, live longer.” When you’re working towards these objectives while eating delicious natural foods, what’s not to like? Written by Dr. Steve Parker, the recent book attempts to provide consumers with dietary information that people don’t talk about with their physicians. To combat obesity, chronic disease, and other weight-related risk factors, the Advanced Mediterranean diet advocates foods that are associated with longevity and vitality. Staples include fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, olive oils, chicken, eggs, and fish.

With the explosion of research proclaiming that omega-3 fatty acids are healthy for your heart, people are consuming more fish than ever. But one popular entrée on many menus may actually do more harm than good. Researchers from Wake Forest University recently revealed the results of a major study that found farm-raised tilapia has more unhealthy fatty acids (omega-6) than certain hamburgers, doughnuts, and pork bacon.

Want to curb your calorie count? Try non-alcoholic wine. It might seem like an oxymoron, but thanks to a new processes, manufacturers are creating wines that are alcohol-free. You may ask, “what’s the point?” Well, the point is to deliver the benefits of wine – the polyphenols that play a role in preventing heart disease – with none of the risks. Since the average glass of wine packs 90 calories per four ounce serving, it could increase triglyceride levels and blood pressure. Therefore, people who are pregnant or have certain health risks have been flocking to companies such as Sutter Home, Carl Jung, and Ariel Vineyards. These companies manufacture a variety of non-alcoholic wines by filtering or vacuuming the alcoholic content out of the wines. Though the alcohol and bitterness are out, a sweet, fruity taste and all the health benefits are in!