Super-Simple Tricks That Make Your Guilty Pleasures Healthier

We get it — eating healthy all the time can be a real pain in the behind. You want to take care of yourself and live longer, but there are so many delicious and un-nutritious foods out there. Fear not, for there are ways that you can have your cake and eat it too! (Well, maybe not the whole cake.) Here are the tricks to help out your otherwise unhealthy meal.

Bake your bacon 

At 45 calories and 3 grams of fat, a single piece of bacon is one of the most fattening foods on the planet. Not to mention the negative impact it has on your health. But there is a solution if you simply can’t give up this tasty meat! Opt for less fatty cuts of bacon, and bake the strips instead of frying them to reduce your fat intake. You still shouldn’t eat bacon everyday, but this trick will make it less guilty! 

Order thin-crust pizza 

Love pizza night, but hate how terrible it is for your cholesterol? There is a solution to help you have the occasional slice of pie without raising your chances of obesity and risk of heart disease. Opt for a thin crust pizza instead of the fluffy processed dough. Choose more toppings over cheese — and make those toppings vegetables and lean protein like chicken. (Skip the salty, fatty Italian meats altogether.) 

Make your own ‘Caesar’ dressing 

Just a side salad with the popular Caesar dressing contains upward of 362 calories, 26 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, and 913 milligrams of sodium. Thankfully, there is a way to have a Caesar salad without putting your health at risk. Make your own dressing, substituting all the oil and cheese with healthier ingredients. Also consider adding more protein, like white meat chicken, to fill out your salad more. 

Bake French fries at home 

Oh yes, America’s favorite side order. Too bad many people end up having to cut them out of their diet. Sure, potatoes on their own are fine. But all the salt and oil involved in making fries is a one-way ticket to obesity. If you really can’t kick your French fry habit, consider making your own version at home with better ingredients. Slice your own potatoes, and bake them in the oven instead of frying them. Skip the salt and opt for a your favorite couple of spices to give your healthier fries more pizzazz. 

Nix the Oreo frosting 

Even if you don’t eat a whole sleeve in one sitting, you aren’t going to get any nutritional value from eating an Oreo. Especially since that white frosting between the wafers is loaded with sugar. One easy trick, however, is to get rid of the icing altogether. Taking the frosting out of just one cookie cuts a whopping 20 calories. 

Doctor up your takeout 

Chinese food takeout is hailed for its convenience and flavor. But it is also lauded for its unhealthy amount of fat and MSG. If you have to watch your salt intake and are having trouble letting go of your favorite takeout spot, there is a way to doctor the food once you get it home to make it less unhealthy.

Diluting wonton soup with low-sodium broth, adding fresh veggies to your kung pao chicken, and ordering brown rice instead of white are just a couple ways you can make your takeout habit a little less unhealthy. 

Order your drumsticks baked, not fried 

Sure, chicken can be a healthy meal option, with a drumstick containing 17 grams of protein. But that all depends on how the chicken is prepared. And those battered, fried drumsticks that you are so fond of pack in more fat and cholesterol than your body needs. The trick here is to have your chicken baked instead of fried, with the skin removed. (You can make up flavor by adding your favorite dipping sauce.) 

Upgrade your cheeseburger 

It doesn’t take much to make a burger unhealthy. Fatty beef, salty toppings, mountains of cheese … This meal can do a lot of damage to your waistline, and your heart, in just one sitting. (And that’s before you order that side of French fries.)

But instead of giving up this backyard barbecue favorite altogether, use a couple tricks to make it healthier. Go for a leaner meat or chicken patty, skip the cheese, and pile on some vegetables for toppings. 

Opt for whole-grain pasta 

Ever notice that you’re always hungry a couple hours after eating a huge plate of pasta? That’s because run-of-the-mill pastas are made of refined grains, which don’t keep you full. And if you are adding heavy cream sauce, then you are also adding fat, sodium, and cholesterol to your meal. Go for a whole grain pasta instead, which will keep you fuller for longer. Add a healthy tomato sauce or mix of chicken and veggies to complete the dish. 

Choose high-fiber cereal 

Like pasta, many cereals leave people hungry just a couple hours after eating. This is because a basic bowl of cereal lacks the protein and fiber to keep you full, and often packs more unnecessary sugar than you think. If cereal is still your go-to breakfast, opt for a high-fiber variety that will keep you satisfied until lunch. 

Choose your curry wisely 

Curries are tasty, but boy are some of them bad for you. For example, Livestrong.com points out that one cup of lamb curry has roughly 255 calories, almost 14 grams of fat, and 90 milligrams of cholesterol. The trick is to get a healthier, vegetable-based curry that skips the heavy cream. To make it even healthier, skip the naan bread and minimize the amount of rice you eat with it. 

Add spices, not butter to popcorn 

This one’s a no-brainer. Order a small popcorn from the movies, and you will consume roughly 225 calories and more than 10 grams of fat. And that’s just a small! Always go for non-buttered popcorn, whether you are eating out or at home. If you want to add flavor, use some of your favorite spices and skip the salt. For an extra kick, add hot sauce. 

Choose sorbet over ice cream 

Sadly, there isn’t much you can do to your bowl of ice cream to magically make it healthier. You can, however, substitute in cold treats that are just as tasty, but contain less fat and sugar. Swap heavy cream ice cream for sorbet or chocolate-dipped fruit. HuffPost has some healthy options that will inspire you. 

When it comes to candy, go fat free 

That’s right — you can still satisfy your sweet tooth without rotting your teeth or consuming too much sugar. It’s just a matter of buying different kinds of candy. Chocolate fan? Stick to dark chocolate, which is less fattening and also packed with antioxidants. Into gummy candy? Skip the sour worms and opt for a pack of Twizzlers, which are a fat-free food. 

Spices over salt 

As you have figured out by now, loading up on salt is bad for your health. Sodium overload can cause bloating and raise your risk of many health ailments, including heart disease. If your doctor has instructed you to eat less salt, it’s time to look to your spice rack for better options. Spices such as cayenne pepper and turmeric boast health benefits in addition to making your food taste good. So you really can’t go wrong with this salt-replacing trick.

The Terrible Habits Even Healthy People Are Guilty Of

When you think of healthy habits, daily practices like drinking plenty of water and exercising probably come to mind. And while those things are certainly vital to your wellness, you may be guilty of some other things that are surprisingly detrimental to your health. In fact, even the healthiest among us often commit some pretty awful “health sins.”

If any of these habits have wormed their way into your daily life, try dropping them (one at a time, of course), and you just might notice a real difference in your health and happiness over time.

Skipping doctor appointments 

Everyone is busy, and it’s entirely too easy to forego your annual doctor visits or, worse, skip making an appointment even when your body is telling you something is wrong… especially since doctor visits can be expensive, even if you have health insurance. But regular check ups are important for many reasons, and most importantly, it can save you a lot of trouble down the road. 

Showing up late to everything 

Chronic lateness is an annoying trait, and if you make a habit of it, you just might lose your job. Besides, constantly rushing and stressing out is bad for your health and can lead to careless accidents. First, pinpoint the reasons behind your lateness, then work on improving your habits. You’ll keep more jobs and friends that way. 

Following people on social media that make you angry 

Life is too short to follow people on social media who make you miserable. You may have heard of the “hate follow” or “hate stalk,” but everyone you follow on social media should affect you in a positive way. If the person in question is a family member or someone you don’t want to hurt, you can always unfollow them and hide their posts or mute them on Twitter. 

Taking your smartphone to bed with you 

It’s common knowledge that the majority of Americans spend way too much time on their phones. Not only will leaving your phone out of the bedroom of night help you enjoy a much more restful sleep (which will improve your health), it will give you a much-needed “brain break” and allow you more time to connect with your other half distraction-free. 

Rarely cooking at home 

Restaurant food is delicious and convenient. It’s also expensive and often unhealthy. When you cook your own food, you’ll know exactly what’s in it–and, in fact, a recent study suggests cooking at home is the key to a healthy diet. It can also save you some serious cash–Baby Boomers spent an average of $3,100 on dining out in 2016, while millennials spent about $2,946. 

Holding onto grudges 

Most people are holding a grudge or two, and they can be extremely tough to let go of, especially if the “guilty” party never apologized. But grudges are emotionally tough to carry around, and they are bad for your well-being. Letting go of a grudge doesn’t necessarily mean forgiving the other party, but rather focusing on loving yourself for what you’ve lived through. 

Keeping a cluttered home 

Clutter weighs you down emotionally, and it can be bad for your mental health and can even lead to more unhealthy habits. Take the time to declutter your life once and for all. It may involve an investment of your time, but the sense of relief you’ll feel when it’s done will be worth it.

Chances Are You’re Making These Stupid Health Mistakes Every Day

You exercise, eat right, and get your flu shots within the perfect window of time. But there is a strong chance that you are still opening yourself up to major health risks every day. It’s true! You may want to sit down to read this — you’ll be shocked at these daily health mistakes.

Not hurrying to the bathroom when you have to go 

You can thank those horrible elementary school teachers for making you wait to use the hall pass, and letting you think that “holding it” is OK. But this practice actually opens you up to a plethora of problems. Holding in your urine stretches out your bladder, making room for bacteria and raising the risk of a bladder infection or a UTI. Plus, holding it for too long it weakens your bladder muscles, making it difficult to both hold your urine and dispose of it after a period of time. 

Brushing your teeth right after eating 

Wait, what? What’s wrong with brushing your teeth right after you eat?! As it turns out, you should wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth after eating. According to Mayo Clinic, eating or drinking anything acidic — certain fruits and juices, for example — weakens your tooth enamel. Brushing too soon can make the enamel even weaker. 

Microwaving your leftovers in containers 

We’ve all done it — decided to skip dirtying a plate in favor of nuking our leftovers in the Tupperware we put it in the day before. But beware — this habit is bad for your health. Most plastic containers aren’t meant to go in the microwave and can warp, melt, and release chemicals into your food. You’re much better off doing more dishes than shoveling chemicals into your body. 

Consulting the internet instead of a doctor 

We know it’s tempting. Why pay to go to the doctor when you can diagnose yourself online for free? As it turns out, this practice can be incredibly risky. It has been found that most online forums either give you incomplete information or no information at all. This can lead to a misdiagnosis and the possibility of making yourself worse for wear. 

Checking your electronics right before bed 

You’ve probably heard this one a couple of times, but it needs to be repeated. Your electronic devices give off artificial light that messes with the signals in your brain and alters your circadian rhythms. So regularly checking your emails one more time before bed basically guarantees that you won’t get restful sleep. And while we’re on the subject … 

Going to bed late 

Studies have shown that going to bed after midnight on a regular basis, and not keeping a regular sleep schedule period, has health consequences. While you may think you’re a night owl and meant to be up late, you are actually throwing your biological clock out of whack. This can evolve into insomnia and weaken your immune system, leaving you more open to sickness and disease. 

Slumping in your chair  

Standing for too long isn’t good for you — and sitting for too long isn’t much better. Slumping over your computer or slouching in your recliner can damage your organs if you stay in the same odd position for too long. It also puts pressure on your spine and your legs, leading to back problems and poor circulation. It’s imperative to maintain good posture while you are sitting, and to make sure you get up and stretch every now and then. While we’re on the subject of sitting … 

Vegging on the couch for too long 

Darn you, Netflix and your epic TV show marathons! In addition to being a major time suck, all that time sitting on your caboose is ruining your health. Prolonged sitting has even been connected to raising your mortality rate because of all the health problems that are linked to staying in a seated position for too long. The solution? It would behoove you to get up and walk around every so often. 

Listening to music too loud 

Here we have a problem that has plagued our species since the birth of music. When we like a song, we crank it up as loud as we want. And thanks to the swanky new headphones these days, volume has reached all new levels. This is, unfortunately, very bad news for your ears, since listening to anything over a certain decibel rangefor a long period of time can cause long-term ear damage. For example, a person talking at a “normal” volume clocks in at about 40 decibels, while many headphones register 105 decibels. You’re better off turning those headphones down several notches. 

Allowing yourself to become overwhelmed by stress 

It can be hard to keep from getting stressed out sometimes. But not coming down from that overwhelmed state is seriously bad for you. Periods of stress that last for a couple weeks or longer weaken your immune system and leave you unable to fight infections or get the right amount of sleep to recharge your batteries. 

Standing over the stove while you cook 

It doesn’t even have to be the stove — you could be standing over the barbecue. Whatever your method, it doesn’t change the fact that you are inhaling cooking fumes. Even short-term exposure to cooking fumes is bad for your health, as it can have a negative effect on the respiratory system. 

Skipping whole food groups in your diet 

The biggest problem with most diets is that they eliminate whole food groups from your daily menu. While you may find that this helps you reach some short-term weight loss goals — and we do only mean “short-term” — they also cause long-term health problems. Cutting out whole food groups, whether it’s carbohydrates or whatever, means that you are robbing your body of vital nutrients that it needs. It is essential to keep this in mind whenever you adopt a new way of eating so you don’t put your body in jeopardy. 

Touching outside materials, and then touching your face 

There’s a reason hand sanitizer is sold in such small, user-friendly bottles. The outside world — doorknobs, restaurant menus, disposable coffee cups — is teeming with germs from God-knows-where. Trust us, washing your hands a few more times a day won’t make you crazy. It will help you stay healthy. 

Skipping sunscreen 

It’s terrifying — we know the life-threatening effects of not wearing sunscreen. Yet, studies have shown that most Americans still don’t protect themselves. Long story short: Stop exposing yourself to skin cancer and free radicals. Have SPF on hand all the time, no matter what your skin tone is. 

Driving after happy hour 

Just because it’s earlier in the evening and your drinks only cost $2 a piece, that doesn’t mean you’re not too buzzed to drive. According to DrinkingAndDriving.org, you should be waiting 45 minutes to drive after your first drink, with additional time added to that if you drink more.

10 Truths (and Lies) You Should Know About Apple Cider Vinegar

While you may be familiar with the uses of white vinegar around your house for cleaning, or you may find yourself using a little bit of balsamic vinegar on your salad, there is one vinegar that you should start paying particular attention to. If you’re constantly looking for the best way to give your body a health boost and detox, adding a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to your water each day may be beneficial — but you should also be wary of false health claims. While apple cider vinegar can be great for some ailments, it is not necessarily the miracle worker that it’s often advertised as.

Not all apple cider vinegars are created equal, either. Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apples as the name suggests, and you’ll want to ensure that your particular brand of vinegar contains “the mother.” As Dr. Mercola states, mother is an amino-acid based accumulation that is only found in vinegars that have been fermenting for longer periods of time. It shows that the vinegar has been unprocessed and unfiltered, giving you the most health benefits that you can possibly gain — pasteurized apple cider vinegar will not have the same benefits.

Here are 10 facts about apple cider vinegar that can help you determine if you should be adding more of this ingredient to your diet.

1. True: Helps clear troubled skin 

If you have acne woes or dandruff, look no further than your local grocery store for the perfect remedy. While prescription medication can be tough on the skin and cause you flaking, dryness, and bigger skin issues than you had before, a little bit of apple cider vinegar mixed with water on a cotton swab makes for an excellent natural toner. Dr. Karen Hammerman, a cosmetic dermatologist at Vanguard Dermatology in New York City, told InStyle, “Skin is naturally acidic but when vinegar is used as a toner, it helps skin find the ideal balance between dry and oily.” To try using apple cider vinegar to treat your skin, InStyle recommends diluting one tablespoon of it with a few drops of water before applying.

2. True: Strengthens the immune system 

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, and a tablespoon of apple cider a day might have the same effect. Livestrong.com states that combining a small amount of apple cider vinegar in with your water every day may be the key to curing your gastrointestinal issues and ultimately boosting your immune system.

If you’re consuming apple cider vinegar that’s unfiltered and unprocessed, this is even better for your immune system, as the mother can benefit your lymphatic system. If you’re prone to sinus congestion and allergies in the spring, apple cider vinegar may help alleviate those symptoms. There are also probiotics found in unfiltered apple cider vinegar that support a healthy digestive system.

3. True: Helps your digestive system 

Proper digestion is key to an overall healthier you — it’s the way we obtain nutrients from our food, and if your digestive system is not adequately processing the foods you eat, you certainly are not taking in as many nutrients as you should be. Branch Basics describes how hydrochloric acid is incredibly important to our stomach cells, as it is responsible for protein digestion and the absorption of carbohydrates, fats, and certain vitamins and minerals. Without an adequate amount of this stomach acid, you aren’t fully digesting your food and taking these nutrients in.

So, how does apple cider vinegar help? Drinking a glass of water with a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed in before a meal can help you digest your proteins, which can help your HCl stay at a healthy level. Also, marinating your meats in apple cider vinegar can help you digest them better. Be sure to drink this mixture around 20 minutes before you plan on eating. This can assist your digestive system immensely, and you’ll be absorbing even more nutrients than you were before.

4. True: Helps control blood sugar levels 

If you’re a diabetic and looking for a natural way to control your blood sugar levels, apple cider vinegar may be your ticket. Carol Johnston, Ph.D., director of Arizona State University’s nutrition program, states in a WebMD story that apple cider vinegar is comparable to certain medications when it comes to its effects on blood sugar. This vinegar has an anti-glycemic effect that can block some starch from being digested. Starch can raise your blood sugar significantly once digested, so even blocking a bit of the starch is helpful in controlling blood sugar levels.

For this reason, apple cider vinegar may be of particular use for diabetics, but don’t ditch your medication for this holistic approach just yet. While apple cider vinegar is helpful in keeping blood sugar levels balanced, its effect on the increased production of stomach acid can still put a strain on your kidneys and bones. Focus on your overall diet to help with your diabetes at first. Then, consult your doctor to see if consuming this vinegar is a good idea for you.

5. True: Keeps the heart healthy 

Good news for those looking for a natural way to lower cholesterol — taking just one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar diluted with water a day may lower your cholesterol. A study published in the British Journal of Clinical Nutrition and presented on Dr. Axe’s page shows apple cider vinegar can increase bile production and offer liver support, which has an overall effect on your cholesterol levels.

Consuming apple cider vinegar may also reduce your blood pressure — while studies are currently showing that vinegar reduces the blood pressure in rats, some scientists think this may also translate to humans, though more studies are necessary for a concrete conclusion. When rats were given apple cider vinegar, the acetic acid in the vinegar significantly lowered their blood pressure compared to the rats that were not given the substance.

If you suffer from acid reflux and you’re concerned about the acidity when drinking apple cider vinegar, you can combine your apple cider vinegar and water mixture with a teaspoon of baking soda. This vinegar is also available in capsule form if you would rather ingest it this way.

6. False: Great for whitening your teeth 

While scrubbing your teeth with vinegar may seem like the perfect way to remove those coffee stains, you may want to reconsider. The Huffington Post explains that while brushing with apple cider vinegar may seem like a healthy and natural alternative to toothpaste, you’re ultimately doing serious damage to the enamel.

Apple cider vinegar is about as acidic as lemon juice, and even drinking this vinegar is likely to do damage to the teeth. If you are choosing to drink apple cider vinegar as part of a healthy diet, be sure to wait at least a half hour before brushing your teeth, even if you’re using toothpaste. The acidity from the vinegar being in your mouth combined with the brushing is likely to wear away at your enamel. Brush twice daily and use mouthwash recommended by your dentist, but do not rinse with apple cider vinegar.

7. False: Contains many vitamins and minerals  

Many fans of apple cider vinegar also claim that it boasts a heavy dosage of vitamins, minerals, fiber, complex carbs, and amino acids, and this is why the vinegar has such an incredible ability to heal the body. While this is a nice idea, it’s not based on any truth — Sandy Szwarc, a registered nurse, debunks the idea that apple cider vinegar is full of vitamins and minerals. In fact, apple cider vinegar has only trace amounts of any nutrients.

When looking at an analysis of what’s really in a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, there is no protein or fiber and only a minuscule amount of carbs, and there are only trace amounts of calcium, iron, zinc, and manganese. With the average adult needing 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day, the mere 1 gram that apple cider vinegar offers will not be helpful in reaching that goal. The multiple helpful acidic properties of the vinegar are what offer the health boost, but if you’re looking for a way to add more nutrients to your diet, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

8. False: Will worsen your heartburn 

When your chest aches with the familiar feeling of heartburn, you probably think that fighting acid with vinegar will never work, right? Actually, apple cider vinegar can be a safe natural remedy for heartburn, even though it is highly acidic. Though more research needs to be done, Healthline reports a dose of apple cider vinegar may be useful for those dealing with heartburn, but it also depends on what’s causing the problem.

Apple cider vinegar works to fight heartburn by restoring acidity to your stomach. Drinking a tablespoon diluted in water will work better than any antacid because it does exactly the opposite of an antacid — it provides your stomach with what it naturally needs to work properly.

9. False: Works best when undiluted 

Though you may be tempted to reap all of apple cider vinegar’s benefits by drinking it straight up, you could be doing serious damage to your esophagus. Livestrong.com suggests a small amount of this vinegar (from a teaspoon to a tablespoon depending on personal preference) should be diluted in a full 8-ounce glass of water before drinking. The water will help protect your esophagus from the acidic burn.

Don’t go above the recommended dosage, either — though apple cider vinegar has its benefits, drinking too much can cause potassium levels to drop and it can interfere with certain medications like blood-thinners, diuretics, or insulin.

10. False: Fights cancer 

There are various studies that have tested to see if apple cider vinegar could possibly be a natural cancer fighter, but these studies are inconclusive, and they yield slightly conflicting results. Worldhealth.net notes that while consuming apple cider vinegar could lead to a reduced risk of developing esophageal cancer, another study found that this vinegar can lead to an increased risk of bladder cancer. The acidic properties of apple cider vinegar could mean that your digestive tract is cleaner and the chances of colon cancer and prostate cancer are slimmer, but this has yet to be proven as well.

Overall, it is suggested that regularly adding apple cider vinegar into your diet could help prevent cancerous cells from forming, but if you have a history of bladder cancer in your family, then it may be best to avoid it altogether.

10 Health Conditions That Can Make You Gain Weight

There’s nothing more frustrating than realizing you’re gaining weight when you’ve been working extra hard to lose it. And sometimes it’s not your fault at all. Unexplained weight gain could actually be a side effect of a number of underlying health conditions you might not even know you have.

Because an expanding waistline often isn’t the only downside to conditions like these, making an appointment with your doctor at your body’s first signals of distress can save you months, even years, of pain and frustration. A health professional may diagnose you with one or more of the following conditions, then get you started on treatment for any other symptoms you might be experiencing, and even help you manage your weight.

1. Hypothyroidism 

Your thyroid gland, and the hormone it produces, controls your metabolism. But according to Mayo Clinic, when your thyroid stops producing enough thyroid hormone, your metabolism can slow as a result. This condition, called hypothyroidism, often causes fatigue and weight gain. Since these symptoms are also common in conditions like depression, your doctor will check your hormone levels to diagnose or rule out thyroid issues when you present these or similar complaints.

Though there is no cure for hypothyroidism, your doctor can prescribe an oral medication to help supply your body with the right amount of thyroid hormone to get your metabolism back to normal. 

2. Polycystic ovarian syndrome 

Like hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome is a health condition caused by a hormonal imbalance. Symptoms include irregular periods, an increase in male hormones, and ovarian cysts, and Mayo Clinic says women must have at least two of these symptoms to receive a PCOS diagnosis. Unfortunately, many women with PCOS gain weight — which makes their symptoms even worse.

If you’re experiencing irregular periods and unexplained weight gain, head to your doctor for a ruling out or diagnosis. They can recommend lifestyle changes or prescribe medications to help you manage your symptoms. 

3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease 

WebMD says gastroesophageal reflux disease causes the muscle between the esophagus and stomach to relax, allowing the contents of the stomach to flow back into your esophagus (yikes!, often resulting in heartburn. While the condition itself isn’t what causes people to gain weight, common remedies to relieve symptoms often result in added pounds. According to Redbook, many people eat to temporarily reduce the painful consequences of GERD. Food and saliva can counteract the effects of stomach acid in your esophagus, even though it doesn’t last. Eating to temporarily relieve pain is pretty much guaranteed to make you gain weight.

Dietary and lifestyle changes, and sometimes certain medications, can improve GERD symptoms and discourage you from overeating to relieve your discomfort. 

4. Irritable bowel syndrome 

If you constantly feel bloated or experience abdominal pain, or you’ve noticed a recent change in your bowel habits, you could have irritable bowel syndrome. According to Healthline, IBS is a GI disorder that doesn’t actually cause physical damage, but does often cause pain and discomfort. Symptoms often occur in flares, meaning on days you aren’t feeling well, you might eat less. On the days you’re experiencing less severe symptoms, though, you might eat more — which can cause weight gain.

Livestrong.com recommends high-fiber foods and exercise to relieve uncomfortable IBS symptoms. Avoiding red meat and caffeine are also common triggers, though every person is different. Managing your symptoms can help you avoid weight gain, and an appropriate diet and fitness routine can help you lose any weight you may have already gained. 

5. Gestational diabetes 

Most of us are familiar with diabetes, types 1 and 2. There is also a third type, called gestational diabetes. According to HealthCentral, non-diabetic women can develop gestational diabetes during their fifth or sixth month of pregnancy. During this time, your body produces enough insulin — but hormones made in the placenta block the effect it’s supposed to have on blood sugar. Though some women don’t experience symptoms, others notice weight gain, excessive hunger or thirst, and/or excessive urination.

The good news is, gestational diabetes typically disappears after the baby is born. If you’re about halfway through your pregnancy, and you’re gaining more weight than you should be, check in with your doctor to make sure you receive proper treatment to keep you and the baby as healthy as possible. 

6. Prolactinoma 

Prolactinomas, according to Livestrong.com, are benign tumors that develop in your pituitary gland, the area of your brain that secretes a hormone called prolactin. Though they aren’t cancerous tumors, prolactinomas can still cause unwanted side effects. A tumor in your pituitary gland causes it to make more of the prolactin hormone, which might result in unwanted weight gain.

According to Mayo Clinic, prolactinoma treatment focuses on getting prolactin levels back to normal and relieving any signs of pressure on your eyes. In some cases, long-term medication is enough. Your doctor might also recommend surgery to remove the benign tumor, which also fixes the problem. 

7. Persistent depressive disorder 

Persistent depressive disorder, a milder type of chronic depression, can wreck both your emotional and physical health. According to Healthline, PDD causes ongoing sadness and feelings of hopelessness. Those diagnosed often experience changes in sleep and appetite, making overeating and weight gain more probable. If you eat when you’re sad, and this happens on a daily basis, you might want to check in with your doctor and see if they can refer you to a mental health specialist.

A combination of medication and ongoing talk therapy can help you learn to cope with your feelings. Adopting healthier habits replaces the more destructive ones, and can simultaneously promote weight loss. 

8. Menopause 

Maintaining a healthy weight becomes more difficult as you age. Unfortunately, weight gain is much more common — and happens much faster — in women over 50. Mayo Clinic explains the hormonal changes women experience during menopause may cause many to put on extra pounds, particularly in the abdomen.

Thankfully, just because you’re going through menopause doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to struggle with your weight. Eating right, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep are especially valuable for women who are at a greater risk of gaining weight unexpectedly. 

9. Generalized anxiety disorder 

Everyone feels stressed from time to time. Generalized anxiety disorder, however, goes beyond the occasional nervousness. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, if you have GAD, you likely face constant tension and worry about everyone and everything, even if you know it’s irrational. This chronic stress can cause your body to produce more stress hormones. Heightened cortisol levels might encourage your body to hold onto fat. You could also experience more intense food cravings.

Both medication and talk therapy can help you manage GAD symptoms, especially if your first response to a stressful situation is to eat all the chocolate and doughnuts you can find. 

10. Cushing’s syndrome 

While many causes of unwanted weight gain aren’t serious enough to cause too much concern, Cushing’s syndrome is a bit more serious. Cushing’s is caused by unusually high cortisol levels, says Healthline. Depression, stress, and even certain medications can cause this elevation in the stress hormone. In addition to weight gain, Cushing’s may result in acne, high blood pressure, and muscle weakness.

Only about three in a million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Cushing’s every year, so your chances of being one of them are extremely rare. However, if the symptoms above seem familiar, have a medical professional look you over. Untreated Cushing’s can lead to health problems much more severe than weight gain.

NASA attempting to contact satellite it lost contact with over a decade ago

NASA said it has acquired time on the Deep Space Network to focus on the source and determine whether the signal is indeed IMAGE.

 In the year 2000, when NASA launched its first satellite devoted to imaging the Earth's magnetosphere – the region of space controlled by the Earth's magnetic field and containing extremely tenuous plasmas of both solar and terrestrial origin – they didn't expect to lose contact with it five years down the line.

Now, more than a decade after losing contact with the Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) satellite, an amateur astronomer discovered that it is 'possibly alive'.

NASA is now making attempts to contact it once again. "We are attempting to contact the IMAGE satellite via the Deep Space Network after an amateur astronomer reported making contact in mid-January," NASA tweeted.


Scott Tilly, the astronomer who spotted the signs, wrote on his blog earlier this month that he picked up a signal from a satellite labelled "2000-017A, 26113" which he knew corresponded to the IMAGE satellite.

NASA had earlier said that it has acquired time on the Deep Space Network to focus on the source and determine whether the signal is indeed IMAGE.

Now, confirming its identity, the American space agency has said that the signal is certainly IMAGE.


View image on Twitter

NASA Sun & Space
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@NASASun
CONFIRMED! The satellite re-discovered on Jan. 20 is IMAGE, a NASA mission we lost contact with in Dec. 2005! 🛰🎉 Full details: https://go.nasa.gov/2nmV4qQ
10:03 AM - Jan 31, 2018
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31 Jan

NASA Sun & Space
✔
@NASASun
CONFIRMED! The satellite re-discovered on Jan. 20 is IMAGE, a NASA mission we lost contact with in Dec. 2005! 🛰🎉 Full details: https://go.nasa.gov/2nmV4qQ  pic.twitter.com/zpI5lpXxOp

NASA Sun & Space
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@NASASun
On Jan. 30, @JHUAPL collected telemetry from the satellite. The signal showed that the spacecraft ID was 166 — the ID for IMAGE. The NASA team has been able to read some basic housekeeping data from the spacecraft, suggesting that at least the main control system is operational.
10:03 AM - Jan 31, 2018
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31 Jan

NASA Sun & Space
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@NASASun
Replying to @NASASun
On Jan. 30, @JHUAPL collected telemetry from the satellite. The signal showed that the spacecraft ID was 166 — the ID for IMAGE. The NASA team has been able to read some basic housekeeping data from the spacecraft, suggesting that at least the main control system is operational.

NASA Sun & Space
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@NASASun
Scientists & engineers at @NASAGoddard will continue to try to analyze the data from the spacecraft to learn more about its state. This process will take a week or two to complete as it requires attempting to adapt old software and databases of information to more modern systems.
10:03 AM - Jan 31, 2018
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"On the afternoon of January 30, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Maryland, successfully collected telemetry data from the satellite. The signal showed that the spacecraft ID was 166 - the ID for IMAGE," NASA said.

The NASA team was been able to read some basic housekeeping data from the spacecraft, suggesting that at least the main control system is operational.

"This process must take into consideration the vintage nature of the spacecraft, and includes locating appropriate software and commands to potentially operate the mission," the US space agency added.


If IMAGE is revived, its orbit will be well positioned to monitor Earth's northern auroral zone, said Patricia Reiff, a space plasma physicist at Rice University who was also a co-investigator on the mission.

"It is really invaluable for now-casting space weather and really understanding the global response of the magnetosphere to solar storms," Reiff added.

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