 | | Eat, Drink and Be Healthy May could be the best month of all for getting outside and getting moving. Check out The Checklist for taking advantage of the springtime weather and for being your healthiest self this month.
 The Checkup: Am I the only one who was surprised to learn that Obama bin Laden was just 54 years old when he was felled by the U.S. military? Somehow he always seemed much older to me, not just the same age as my big brother.
Your Health It's springtime and flip-flops are back, much to the frustration of podiatrists (but to the delight of their billing departments). Wearing flip-flops can cause problems ranging from stubbed toes and cuts to overuse injuries such as foot stress fractures. (The MisFits are off this week.)
In The News Liposuction has become an increasingly popular way to remove fat from hips and thighs. But researchers have now ascertained that the fat soon reappears — not on the thighs, but in the upper half of the body.
I'm not sure what we're supposed to do with this news, but recent research has found that people who work long hours have an increased risk of heart disease. A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that, among more than 7,000 British men, those who typically worked more than 11 hours daily at an office were 67 percent more likely to have suffered a heart attack or died from heart disease than those who worked eight or fewer hours a day.
YOU ASKED... |  | | Q: | | My doctor was concerned that I was trending towards a diagnosis of being in the pre-diabetic stage. He recommended the South Beach Diet and I've lost almost 40 pounds since August 20. I am an avid cyclist, and now that my bike is 40 pounds lighter I am training harder. I am hesitant to use eat CliffBars, Power Bars, etc., because of the sugar and carbs. What do you recommend? - Mark | | | A: | | Wow — congratulations on your weight loss, and for training hard on your bike! There's nothing wrong with an occasional energy bar, especially if they taste good enough to you that you can consider them a combined treat and energy booster. But for the most part, I agree that they have more sugar than most of us need. Most experts I've talked with recommend supporting weight loss/maintenance and physical activity with a balance of healthful carbohydrates (not sugar) and lean protein. If you're looking for ideas, check this list of energy-boosters from Men's Health. | | | DID YOU KNOW? Did you know that there's a real "Bob" behind Bob's Red Mill products, which many people rely on as a source of whole-grain products and for gluten-free options? Read all about him here. Also, I didn't know — but apparently many readers did! — that reduced-sodium pistachios are available at Trader Joe's stores. In responding to a reader's inquiry last week, I had noted that no-salt pistachios are pretty easy to find, but I hadn't seen the low-salt kind anywhere. Thank you, Lean & Fit readers, for helping one another out! | | | Have other questions? | | | | |  | | Stephanie Witt Sedgwick When losing or just watching your weight, meals that combine lean protein and healthful carbs can keep you feeling full and energetic for hours. This light salad is built around lean turkey breast and energy-boosting grapes. Cooking Light Red pepper supplies vitamins A and C plus fiber and folate while adding plenty of color but hardly any calories to this dish. Cashews add some heart-healthy fat and fiber, too. When seeking low-calorie seasonings, don't overlook hot sauces such as the Tabasco used here. Taste of Home Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with this lean, vegetable- and fiber-packed meal. Lime juice brightens the flavor while providing a splash of Vitamin C. Gwyneth Paltrow This brown-rice-based savory treat is surprisingly low in sodium; both the nori (a thin sheet of dried seaweed) and kimchi (fermented cabbage) add Vitamin C. Sheryl Crow and Chuck White with Mary Goodbody Roasting vegetables brings out their natural sweetness. This recipe combines brussels sprouts and cauliflower for a fiber-rich, vitamin-packed side dish. Pine nuts contribute vitamins E and K plus manganese, magnesium and copper. Real Simple Fruits provide key vitamins and fiber, but they have more calories and sugar per nutrient than vegetables do. One way to work fruits into your diet is to consider them dessert. Best to eat them plain most of the time, but if you want a treat, try this caramelized pineapple, which even with the sorbet logs in at fewer than 300 calories. | |  | |
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