(ARA) - From award shows to a simple coffee run, movie and television stars are known for looking photo-ready at any moment. While their appearances may seem difficult to maintain, experts behind the scenes say achieving head-to-toe beauty simply starts with the foods we eat.

Carrie Latt Wiatt, nutrition consultant to Hollywood's elite and author of "Eating by Design: The Individualized Food Personality Type Nutrition Plan" and "Portion Savvy," works daily with celebrities like Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson and other red carpet beauties to ensure their bodies are always ready for high-profile events.

"You can work toward desired health and beauty goals by following a balanced and portion-controlled eating regimen that can be maintained year round," says Wiatt. "A healthy diet can help keep skin looking more youthful, hair more vibrant and waistlines trimmer. No matter the occasion, following this approach offers long-term success."

With so many glamorous events, such as weddings, vacations and dates, dotting the calendar each year, a long-range view on beauty is especially important. One in three women begin to prepare for moments like these a month or more in advance, according to a new poll by the Florida Department of Citrus.

Wiatt fully understands how strongly women feel about looking their best at key moments and says the tips she shares with her clients are the same she would share with others.

"The first thing I tell my clients is to keep a food journal to identify and eliminate diet de-railing habits, such as late-night snacking, sugar addictions or baked goods at the office," says Wiatt.

With increased awareness of daily food consumption, Wiatt then works to integrate the following healthy lifestyle habits into daily regimens:

* Fill up on fiber. Dietary fiber can help keep you feeling full for longer. An entire medium grapefruit has 4 grams of dietary fiber, some of which is soluble fiber (pectin), which helps support healthy cholesterol levels. Enjoy half a grapefruit for breakfast and another half after your evening workout.

* Prepare your portions. Be mindful of portions by downsizing dishes at home. Measure correct portions the first time, so you have a visual blueprint in your mind.

* Shake up snack time. Eating well is all about flavor, texture and variety. For an energizing afternoon snack, try pairing a fruit or vegetable you love with a serving of walnuts to add protein, omega-3 fatty acids and a satisfying crunch.

* Eat your way to great skin. Your overall diet and health regimen may contribute to smooth, supple skin. The vitamin C found in Florida grapefruit and 100 percent grapefruit juice supports collagen production to help keep skin looking youthful, glowing and picture-perfect ready for whatever the day throws your way. Collagen breakdown in the skin may contribute to the appearance of wrinkles.

* Eat smarter. To regulate caloric intake, practice mindful eating instead of automatic eating. First, consult your brain: are you feeling hunger or boredom? Second, wait five to 10 minutes after experiencing diet-derailing cravings to see if they pass. Finally, when its mealtime, take your time and monitor for satiety - then stop when you are satisfied.

"The results of a balanced diet can be rewarding - especially when you reach a point where you're no longer afraid to reach into the closet, try on a favorite outfit and know you'll be ready for those planned or spontaneous special moments," Wiatt adds.

Visit www.GoFloridaGrapefruit.com for more healthy lifestyle tips and delicious recipes featuring nutrient-rich grapefruit.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - To his owners, Moby, a 4-year-old Australian Shepherd, was a very healthy, spry dog, so when his veterinarian told them that beneath his thick, reddish-brown coat he had a weight problem, they were a bit shocked.

Apparently, all that baby food licked off the floor, and the lack of activity that came with the two toddlers who had recently joined the family, added about 10 extra pounds on a normally 65-pound dog. The good news is the veterinarian was able to put Moby on a program of diet and exercise, and he was back in perfect shape within a year.

Studies show that pet obesity is an epidemic in this country. According to a 2005 study, approximately 35 percent of American dogs and cats are obese or overweight, and some veterinarians report that they see even higher percentages now.

"I would say that probably more than 50 percent of the animals that we see are overweight," says Dr. Larry R. Corry, a companion animal practitioner in Georgia and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). "We say that people are 'killing their pets with caring.' They want to give too much food, table scraps and too many treats. They simply don't realize how unhealthy that can be."

Obesity can cause a number of health problems, including diabetes and heart problems. Diabetes in animals can be treated successfully with diet and insulin, but treatments are expensive and difficult to undertake successfully with cats. Diabetes treatments require animals to eat on a consistent basis, and cats don't often enjoy following a schedule. Treating obesity before the animal becomes diabetic is a far simpler solution, Dr. Corry says.

"If we can get pet owners to comply with weight-loss plans, usually we don't have any problem getting the animal's weight under control,"Corry says. "Weight-loss diets generally involve specially formulated pet foods or simply a reduction of the amount of food the animal receives.

"Every member of the family has to be in agreement, because if one person is slipping the dog scraps under the table, the program won't work," he continues.

For dogs and cats on a diet, one little treat can truly be a diet buster. For example, giving a cat one potato chip may not seem like an extravagant snack, but it's equivalent to giving an adult human half a cheeseburger or half a candy bar. And giving your cat an ounce of milk is equivalent to eating four and a half cheeseburgers. Giving your pet pooch one hot dog is equivalent to you eating two cheeseburgers. Needless to say, giving a pet table scraps is a sure ticket to pet obesity.

The AVMA has partnered with Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. to combat obesity by sponsoring the Alliance for Healthier Pets - Obesity Awareness and Prevention Program. The initiative's primary goal is to educate the public on how to recognize obesity and to suggest simple solutions. Visit www.petfit.com to see examples of how common pet treats translate into major calories. Watch as personal trainer Gunnar Petersen teaches pet owners how to exercise with their pets and then take the "Pet Fit" Challenge.

For more information about animal health, visit www.avma.org and visit www.avmatv.org for an informative video about pet obesity.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - When the holidays turn into something to get through rather than something to celebrate, something is wrong. Holidays are supposed to be happy times, so why do so many people get depressed, frustrated and stressed out?

Carolyn Costin, eating disorder therapist and director of Monte Nido Treatment Center, knows all too well how problematic holidays can be. She has spent years helping her clients gear up for the holiday season by helping them rethink and reframe the way they perceive and handle this time of year.

Most people face food issues during the holidays, but for those who struggle with eating disorders, the holidays add additional anxiety and pressure to an already dysfunctional relationship with food. Costin says she goes over the following tips with her eating disorder clients to make the holidays not only less overwhelming, but even fun. These same tips are useful for anyone who wants to make the holiday experience the best it can be.

Tip 1: Don't focus on the food

Make a list of all the other things that you can pay attention to at holiday parties or family gatherings such as seeing old friends, singing together, playing games, decorating things and making gifts.

Tip 2: Put things in perspective

Remember that holiday parties, and holiday gatherings in general, are really just a short period of time. There is an end in sight. Besides, even if you feel like you make mistakes, overeat or don't handle things well, you can use these incidents as lessons to learn from.

Tip 3: Balance is the key

* There are no "bad" foods, just bad eating habits.

* Don't deny yourself, but don't ignore body signals such as fullness.

* Don't be on or off a diet. Instead be on a healthy, balanced overall eating plan.

* Bake with your kids or friends and bring the goodies to homeless shelters or others in need.
 
Tip 4: Plan ahead

* If you are going to attend a party, plan your food accordingly. If you know it will be a problem, for example, you might be able to skip your afternoon snack and have dessert at the party instead. If you are in treatment for an eating disorder, be sure to check this out with your dietitian or therapist.

* Plan special time for yourself to "get away" from the holiday stress. Get a manicure, go to the park, take a bubble bath.

Tip 5: Be on the offense, not the defense

* If your relatives are coming to you, take control and be responsible for the food and activities.

* Have plenty of things to do to take your mind off of food - trimming the tree, movies, walks, holiday shopping, and time at the beach.

* If you have a problem with a relative but have to see them over the holidays, take responsibility for making it better/livable - write a letter or take the person aside and talk.

* Create your own image of family gatherings. Know what is realistic for you and your loved ones.

* Let the people you love know what a gift they are to you already.

* Don't see anything as an obligation, do things differently.

* Instead of going commercial, make your own cards. This is much easier with computers and printers these days. Or get out your old, or your child's, colored pencils or crayons or watercolors and really "make" your own.

* Spend time spreading goodwill and showering people with love.

* Know that peace on earth starts with you and how you handle your relationships.

These rules won't ensure that there will be no problems or that your holidays will be exactly as you would like, but they can help things be more enjoyable and less stressful. It's important to figure out what works for you and to remember that you have a part in making the holidays all that they can and are supposed to be.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Heart failure, high blood pressure and many other common health conditions all have one thing in common - reducing the amount of sodium in your diet. But the problem is that salt is everywhere in foods, even if you personally don't add it to anything served. This makes following a low-sodium diet a challenge.

Frozen dinners, canned soups, fast food restaurants and even fine dining establishments all can feature extra salt, working against anyone with high blood pressure or heart failure. Salt's main ingredient is sodium, which causes the biggest health problems.

If you've recently suffered a heart attack or been diagnosed with heart failure, your doctor likely wants you to reduce your sodium intake because heart failure causes the body to retain sodium. Extra sodium can cause fluid to build up in your body, and extra fluid makes your heart work harder - not a good thing for a muscle already under strain.

A low-sodium diet means restricting your daily sodium intake to just 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams (mg) - a little more than 1 teaspoon per day. You get sodium either from table salt or from other food items. But don't get sodium and salt confused. Sodium is a component of table salt and represents about 40 percent of the content of salt. Certain kinds of salt, like sea salt, have a bit less sodium, but a low-sodium salt does not exist. Beyond table salt, sodium is a mineral found in many foods. FDA-mandated food labels now prominently list the amount of sodium in foods.

So how can you cut back on sodium? The Heart Failure Society of America, an organization aimed at improving quality of life for people diagnosed with heart failure and helping prevent the condition in those at risk, offers a few helpful tips:

1. Lose the salt shaker.

If you stop adding salt while you cook or when you sit down at the table, you can cut your sodium intake as much as 30 percent. Instead of adding salt to make food taste better, substitute more healthful seasonings, like black, cayenne or lemon pepper; herbs like garlic, onion powder, dill, parsley and rosemary; lemon juice and flavored extracts like vanilla or almond.

2. Choose low-sodium versions of favorite foods.

Instead of preparing a country ham - which is very high in salt content - cook a fresh, lean pork roast. Substitute freshly cooked and sliced chicken, turkey, roast beef or pork for lunch meats that usually contain a lot of sodium. Instead of buying salty canned soups, chop up fresh veggies and cooked meats, toss them in the slow cooker and season with herbs and spices. If you must buy canned soups or vegetables, look for labels that say "sodium-free," "no salt," "low sodium," "reduced sodium" or "unsalted."

3. Pick foods naturally low in sodium.

Generally, you can eat as much fresh food as you want without counting the sodium content. Fresh fruits and vegetables, including freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, have very little sodium. The same is true for fresh meat, poultry and fish. If you are not eating fresh foods, choose other low-sodium foods as much as possible, such as canned fruits, plain frozen vegetables and dried beans, peas, rice and lentils.

4. Learn to read food labels.

By reading food labels, you can learn which foods are high and low in sodium. As a rule, most processed foods, whether they are frozen, canned or boxed are high in sodium, but don't rule them out entirely. Some packaged foods are available in low- or no-salt versions.

It can be difficult to change your eating habits, but try introducing changes slowly instead of all at once. It may take weeks before you enjoy the taste of low-sodium foods, but your taste buds will adjust. Be patient. Eventually you won't even miss the salt.

To learn more about heart failure and how to manage your condition, log on to the Heart Failure Society of America's Web site: www.abouthf.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent