This content originally appeared on Everyday Health. Republished with permission. By Melissa Dahl Medically Reviewed by Kacy Church, MD Key Takeaways Cortisol is a stress hormone the body naturally produces that plays an important role in your health and well-being. Chronically elevated cortisol levels can contribute to and worsen some health issues, like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as well as mental health disorders. Taking steps to better manage and cope with stress can help keep cortisol levels in check. If there’s a current health villain, it’s cortisol — at lea ..read more

This content originally appeared on diaTribe. Republished with permission. By Erin Davis Grains are an excellent source of fiber and other vital nutrients, but which are best for diabetes? Here’s why nutritious options like farro, oats, and quinoa are at the top of the list. You’ve heard both sides of the story: watch out for carbs and eat whole grains. Whole grains are indeed carbs. So, do you have to avoid them? The answer is a resounding no. You can enjoy an assortment of whole grains as part of your balanced diet. Grains have a blood-sugar-lowering effect, are extremely versatile, and ..read more

Virtual “telemedicine” appointments with your healthcare team were a saving grace during the COVID-19 pandemic. While video calls with a clinician couldn’t meet all your healthcare needs, it certainly helped at the time.  Today, we’ve returned to routine in-person life but virtual healthcare has become an increasingly normal option when scheduling some of your appointments. Unfortunately, research says telemedicine alone leads to worse health outcomes, emphasizing a need for at least some in-person appointments.  Can your healthcare team truly provide adequate care through a computer ..read more

Medically reviewed by Anna Goldman, MD. Before I came down with a nasty cold last February, it had been years since I’d been sick — not even COVID-19 felled me. So, my medicine chest and I were unprepared with over-the-counter meds when I woke up with a sore throat from post-nasal drip, a bad cough, and a stuffy nose. I dragged myself over to the neighborhood drug store to buy cough medication, cough drops, and a decongestant. But I was in no condition to deal with an aisle overflowing with every triangulation of options, and had no idea what impact any given medication would have on my b ..read more

This content originally appeared here. Republished with permission. Enjoying a low-carb diet doesn’t mean you can’t have waffles: These Keto Waffles are the perfect breakfast. Made with only two surprising ingredients, they are easy and so delicious. Keto Waffle Recipe We love our waffle maker. We love weekend waffles, yes, but we love it so much that we even make waffle omelets and leftover Thanksgiving stuffing waffles. When you think beyond the classic buttermilk waffle, these little machines can really do so much. And yes, they can even make healthy waffles. These two-ingred ..read more

This content originally appeared on Everyday Health. Republished with permission. By Lisa Rapaport Key Takeaways A recent study looked at brain scans of women shown abstract images unrelated to food or images of different sweet and savory foods. Those who felt the most socially isolated had the most activity in brain regions connected to cravings for sugary foods. The study suggests that building new social connections could lead to healthier eating habits. Loneliness isn’t just a mood issue: A new study suggests that people who consider themselves socially isolated may also have more i ..read more

This content originally appeared on Sugar-Free Mom. Republished with permission. Chocolate Lava Cakes or Molten Chocolate Cake is a combination of a flourless cake and a souffle. The decadent, delicious, oozing liquid chocolate center resembles lava in nature, hence the chocolate lava cake name. These chocolate lava cakes are very easy to make low carb using a very small amount of almond flour, sugar-free chocolate, and your favorite keto sweetener. This recipe requires just 7 ingredients and is baked for about 10 minutes. Since they make the perfectly portioned size, you and your partner will ..read more

This content originally appeared on Everyday Health. Republished with permission. By Becky Upham Key Takeaways A study presented this week at a major cardiology conference linked time-restricted eating with an increased risk of cardiovascular death. The study was based on two days of self-reported dietary data, with a median of eight years of follow-up. Limitations of the study make it hard to draw sweeping conclusions, other researchers say. People who follow a form of intermittent fasting called time-restricted eating — specifically, those who only consume calories during an eigh ..read more

This content originally appeared on diaTribe. Republished with permission. By Andrew Briskin As a response to several different factors, some individuals with type 1 diabetes can also develop characteristics of type 2 diabetes. Find out what may put you at risk and how you can try to prevent and manage ‘double diabetes.’ While people are not diagnosed with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes at the same time, those with type 1 may be at risk for also developing characteristics of type 2 diabetes over time. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body no longer produces insulin. Wi ..read more

This content originally appeared on Sugar-Free Mom. Republished with permission. If you’re a lover of tasty keto chicken recipes, you are going to enjoy this quick and easy chicken casserole recipe. The whole family will love this creamy chicken, even the picky ones! Creamy chicken and mushrooms go so well together. Add some fresh herbs and made in just one pan and you’ve got yourself a quick and easy keto meal for any busy weeknight made in 30 minutes. We eat chicken a few times a week in our home, because it’s a cost-effective meal and there are so many varieties and options. Sometimes ..read more