That's Fit

How many of you grew up getting a snack before bed? Whether it was because of tradition or more like a bribe to get you to go to sleep, many of us were raised with a little treat before bed and now, as adults, it can be a tough habit to break.

Unfortunately, eating right before you hit the sack can sabotage a healthy eating plan by adding extra calories into your diet (calories that cause you to exceed your daily allowance). If you can't seem to break the midnight snack habit, take a look at these suggestions that may help you wean yourself off the ritual.

Some of the tips include brushing your teeth right after dinner, as a clean mouth may keep you from snacking, avoiding TV in the evening before bed, as all of the food commercials could make you crave something to eat even if you're not hungry and going to be earlier because hopefully you'll end up asleep before you begin to feel hungry once your dinner has digested.

Have you got any other tips to help those trying to break the midnight snack habit?

I know that we all have the best of intentions when we're attempting to stick with a healthy eating plan but obviously it's impossible to be perfect all the time. There are always going to be days when you want to eat or drink someting that doesn't fit into your diet. The key is not to give up altogether on those days by continuing to eat unhealthy food.

What's the best way to make up for a bit of overindulgence? This piece is pretty useful as it gives suggestions for what else to eat on days when you've fallen off the wagon. For example, if in a rush you choose to have a greasy, fast food meal for lunch, the article suggests making up for it at dinner by eating a big salad topped with chicken (to keep you full), beans (they're full of fibre) and oil and vinegar for dressing (low in sodium unlike the burger and fries at lunch).

Or, if you've used up much of your daily caloric intake at breakfast with a high-cal muffin and full-fat latte, for lunch you should try a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with lots of veggies. It's low fat and the the fibre in the bread and vegetables will make up for the lack of fibre in the muffin and latte.

It's best to remember that one little slip isn't an excuse to ruin your healthy eating plan for the rest of the day as well. For more suggestions, check out the article in full.

Let's face it, nobody enjoys going for their yearly Pap test. It's just one of those parts of being an adult that we women do because it's good for our health (and unfortunately way too many women don't bother at all). I assume men feel the same way about prostrate exams. It's not fun, but still we've got to get it done.

The good news is that apparently a new, more effective test to screen for cervical cancer has been developed. A study conducted at McGill University, which is about to published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that the HPV test was able to detect pre-cancerous lesions in up to 94.6% of study participants while the Pap test discovered only 55.4%. That's a pretty major difference, especially where cancer screening is concerned.

Also, according to the article, women who receive negative results from an HPV test, which screens for the HPV virus which causes most if not all cases of cervical cancer, will only have to repeat the exam every 3 years. Unfortunately, those who have the HPV test and receive a positive result will also have to undergo the Pap test to check for pre-cancerous cells. If you want to know more about the study, take a look at the entire article here and for more information on the HPV test, consult your physician.

For any parent out there who has seen any of those To Catch a Predator shows about adults posing as teenagers online in order to make friends and more with unsuspecting kids, this news may be a bit unsettling. Apparently, teens contacted online by total strangers aren't overly concerned about the people attempting to chat with them, and don't question their motives.

According to the report, 44% of teenagers who have posted a profile or pictures of themselves online at social networking sites like facebook and myspace have been contacted by someone they don't know, compared with only 6% of those who do not have profiles. Furthermore, most of those kids aren't worried about why they're being contacted.

I know that when I was a teenager there was no way I would have been allowed to post any information about myself online, and I also think that I would have been freaked out if a total stranger stopped by to say hello. I suppose times do change though and now that these networking sites are the norm, kids are probably more used to making contacts with strangers online. Hopefully, they're being savy about it as well.

What do you parents out there think about your kids making 'friends' with strangers online?

If you've had a heart attack recently but think you're feeling well enough to go back to work, you may want to think again. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Laval in Quebec, for those who have suffered a heart attack, going back to work at a stressful job can lead to another heart episode.

Results of the study showed that both men and women who returned to a high stress work environment were at twice the risk of experiencing another heard attack irregardless of age, marital status and education. Unfortunately, it's isn't realistic for most people not to return their jobs after a significant heart event.

So what should you do if you've had a heart attack and have to go back to work? According to the article, you need to find ways to lessen mental and physical strain at your job. Suggestions include eating healthier lunches, going for walks during breaks, learning how to be assertive when dealing with colleagues and more.

Have you got any tips on how to make work a healthier, more relaxing place to be?

Part of the fun of writing for That's Fit is searching out interesting health and wellness information. Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff we find can be a bit depressing -- it seems like almost everything causes cancer but even that doesn't matter because obesity is going to kill everyone first anyway.

So when I come across something a bit fun, it's nice to be able to share it with readers. For those of you who want some good news, take a look at this short piece that shares why kissing and chocolate are good for you! Apparently chemicals like oxytocin are released when you smooch a loved one and cause a subsequent feeling of calm. The article mentions that German scientists believe people who get a kiss before heading off to work make more money, take fewer sick days and live longer. Not bad for a quick peck on your way out the door.

As for chocolate, did you know that the tasty dark variety can help soothe a cough? Scientists in Britain believe that dark chocolate is more effective than a codeine-based suppressant at keeping a nasty cough at bay. I don't know about all of you but I think it's nice to hear some pleasant health news from time to time!

It's always nice when readers send in interesting health and wellness-related websites for everyone at That's Fit to check out. One of the most recent ones that caught my eye was the website for Dr. Gourmet. According to the site, Dr. Gourmet is both a physician and a chef, making him an expert on healthy but tasty food.

The site includes links to a wealth of resources including a Q&A section, a newsletter, columns and resources for things like body mass index and hip-waist ratio. The highlight of the site though, is Dr. Gourmet's My eatTHIS diet. The free, interactive menu software can be accessed online and gives advice on how to eat healthier, how to eat to lose weight and even how to plan healthy but delicious menus for the whole family.

The diet can also cater to those with dietary restrictions such as lactose intolerance and food allergies. Sounds like something worth giving a try. If you check out the site and decide to try the planned menus, make sure to come back and let us know what you think.

One of the most devastating aspects of fighting cancer can be the long and exhausting courses of treatment. From what I've read and heard, dealing with the physical and emotional after-affects of chemotherapy and radiation can be as difficult as dealing with the disease itself.

A test developed by a scientist at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia promises to ease some of the suffering associated with cancer treatments. Basically, a dye is injected into patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation, and molecules in the die attach to any dead or dying cancer cells, allowing doctors to see whether or not the treatment is actually working.

Until now, patients had to endure entire courses of treatment that could last up to six months before being able to assess whether or not their tumors where shrinking, had stayed the same or were growing larger. If the treatment hadn't worked, patients would have to undergo a new, exhausting course of treatment. The new dye test will hopefully allow doctors to tell right away whether or not the treatment on a particular patient is working based on whether or not there is evidence of dead or dying cancer cells.

Hopefully the test will cut down on the trauma associated with chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

I always worry a little bit after I've spent an hour or more chatting with a friend on my cellphone. I, like many others, have heard the rumor that excessive mobile use can eventually cause brain cancer. I love the convenience of my phone but obviously it's not worth it if I'm going to end up with a tumor.

According to this article that debunks 7 common health myths, I may not have to be so concerned. Apparently, the results of a study conducted by the University of Leeds, the University of Nottingham, the University of Manchester and the Institute of Cancer Research in London, showed that cellphone use isn't associated with and increased risk of developing gliomas, a common and deadly form of the disease.

Other myths that you can learn a bit more about in the piece include the truth about the 'freshman 15', whether soy prevents heart disease, if taking the pill causes you to put on pounds and whether you can use melatonin to cure jet lag.

All of the conflicting information about food that is circulating out there -- what you should eat, what you shouldn't, what's going to make you fat, what's going to give you cancer -- can be a bit maddening. How is anyone ever supposed to know which of the information to believe?

Perhaps this article on nutritional myths may help. Written by a nutritionist who explains that many client's were getting grilled about the foods they'd been recommended, the author tries to set the records straight on a few common misconceptions about what you should and shouldn't be eating.

Five food rules that you should break are discussed in the piece, so if you're interested in reading the nutritionist's information about whether red meat causes cancer, if salt consumption really leads to high blood pressure, whether too much protein will damage kidneys, and why butter isn't so terrible after all, take a look at the full article here.

It's not a secret that pollution isn't good for the planet or the many creatures that inhabit it, but still I find the results of the study reported on here are absolutely mind-blowing. According to a study conducted at Cornell University by a professor of ecology and agricultural sciences along with a team of graduate students, various forms of pollution can be blamed for up to 40% of deaths across the globe.

Numbers that large offer a pretty scary wake-up call. Water, soil and air pollution are the biggest killers, with air pollution alone being blamed for up to 3 million deaths a year. The piece points out that toxins in the environment can lead to a range of potentially deadly health problems including cancer, immune system defects, birth defects and more.

I think that this sort of news really brings home that fact that we all need to think more about not only what we put into our bodies but also what we're expelling into the environment, as eventally a lot of that junk will end up in our bodies anyway. What do you think?

For a lot of people it's tough figuring out what kinds of food to eat as well as how much. But for vegetarians, it can be even harder as a major staple of their diet -- protein derived from eating meat -- is removed from the list of foods they can eat.

If you're a new veggie and you're wondering what exactly you need to consume each day to maintain a healthy diet, this vegetarian food pyramid is a great place to start. Obviously, it's pretty similar to a traditional food pyramid (and shouldn't be confused with a vegan food pyramid) but offers examples of what you should eat to replace meat in your diet.

This article goes into a bit of depth explaining how the pyramid works. Basically, you should eat the foods at the top (vegetable fats and oils, sweets and salts) sparingly, and munch on more of each of the subsequent levels. Staples like whole-grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta are at the bottom of the pyramid, so you should include lots of these in your meals and snacks each day.

Remember though that everyone is different and while the pyramid is a useful general guide, it may be a good idea to chat with a nutritionist about your own personal dietary needs.

Change is good as far as I'm concerned -- especially when it comes to how you wear your hair. I've never really been able to understand why some women on makeover shows go so ballistic when the resident hairstylist comes at them with a pair of scissors. I get that people want their hair to look great, but you never know if a look will work for you unless you try it and the great thing is that hair does grow back.

If you're thinking about taking the plunge and trying out a new hairstyle but aren't sure what to have done, take a look here for some ideas on what's currently in and what's not. Apparently bedhead, a sleek, short bob and heavy, French-cut bangs are very in. Straggly, extra-long tresses, a straight-edge cut and the over-done and excessive lion's mane are out.

For some styling tips on how to create the three currently cool styles, take a look at the article in full here.

We've all heard of the 'freshman 15' -- the legendary 15 pounds that students tend to put on during their first year away at college. Apparently though, that weight doesn't necessarily come from too much partying and late-night study sessions fueled with lots of pizza.

According to the study reported on here, female students who go away to university and live in dorms are three times more likely to develop a binge-eating habit than those who remain at home with their parents. Girls who already had negative body images were also three times more likely to begin binge eating than those who did not.

The many changes that students have to deal with when they first go away to college can be incredibly stressful, and for young people who aren't used to dealing with such heavy levels of stress, binge eating can become a coping mechanism. It's dangerous because it can not only lead to significant weight gain, but developing a binging habit can also eventually lead to bulimia.

If you have a child who has recently gone away for their first year of college and you're worried about how they're coping, take a look at the full article for more information.

Would you be willing to change your diet if it meant you could look younger? It's a pretty intriguing possibility, isn't it? According to this piece, author Dr. Steven Masley who penned the book Ten Years Younger Diet suggests adding a number of food items to your daily meals in order to look and feel younger.

In the article, the items are described in a range of ways:

• cancer-fighters (leafy green veggies and lean proteins, seafood, beans and legumes)
• foods that help you maintain a healthy weight (soy and whole grains, cruciferous vegetables, berries, nuts and flaxseed)
• items that lower cholesterol (garlic, herbs and spices, green tea)
• foods that stabilize blood sugar levels (non-fat yogurt, red wine, cocoa and chocolate)

Everything on the list is relatively easy to find at a local supermarket, and also quite simple to add to your diet. If you want to read more about each of these youthful foods and just why they're so good for you, take a look at the full article here. I think we all know that eating well is the key to healthy insides but I think it's pretty encouraging to know that it's also helpful when maintaining a healthy-looking exterior.