Author: Ryan

Sweet potatoes are a delicious, nutritious, and versatile veggie. But baking a sweet potato in the oven takes a while — anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes — so you probably don’t think of them as a quick and easy meal option. If you learn how to cook a sweet potato in the microwave, however, it can be ready in minutes without sacrificing flavor. “That’s my preferred way to cook a sweet potato,” says Beachbody nutrition expert Quyen Vu. “It’s so much faster and easier.” And you’ll still get all the healthy benefits of this tubular root veggie. “Sweet potatoes are complex carbs, which means they’re digested slower than simple carbohydrates,” Vu says. One medium sweet potato has 114 calories and provides 4 grams of fiber. Sweet potatoes are also considered an excellent source of vitamins A and C, Vu adds. Want to enjoy a sweet potato ASAP? Here’s how to cook sweet... Read More

There’s no question about it—sugar is totally addicting. When you get into a routine of eating a high-sugar foods each day, your body begins to crave it and goes through withdrawal, where it needs to keep getting another dose to have that “high” feeling. Unfortunately, excess sugar can lead to elevated blood sugar levels on a chronic basis, risk for diabetes and heart disease, and weight gain. That’s why cutting out sugar is key. And when you do ditch the sugary stuff, you’ll notice immediate and long-term changes, as well as health benefits. Here are a few things to happen to your body when you stop eating sugar. You Get Less Bloated Sugar can lead to weight gain and bloating, so if you ditch it, you might notice it being easier to slim down or feel less water retention and puffiness in your skin. Plus skin might glow more, where... Read More

Even if you’ve resolved to clean up your diet, you may struggle with cutting out your favorite pasta and noodle dishes. But here’s some good news: You don’t have to. Simply swapping white refined-grain pasta for ones made of veggies, chickpeas, or whole wheat means you can enjoy the noodle dishes you love while adding nutritional perks to boot. Healthy noodles FTW! “These noodles are more nutrient-dense and contain fiber,” explains Quyen Vu, Beachbody Culinary Nutrition Specialist. “Fiber helps you stay fuller for longer, which may aid in weight management and weight loss.” Plus, many alternative noodle options are lower in calories than traditional pasta, so you can fill up on your favorite dish without blowing your calorie budget. Some of them also have more generous serving sizes. (If you’re following a Beachbody nutrition program, check your guidelines to determine proper serving sizes.) Let’s take a closer look at some healthy noodles to... Read More

Sometimes you don’t have time to make eggs and bacon from scratch or sit down to eat a full meal—but that’s actually not really a bad thing. In fact, eating something simple and pre-made, like a protein bar, can actually be a great breakfast that will give you all the nutrients you need to start your day and can be eaten on the go. Here are a couple of reasons why a protein bar is an easy but smart way to fuel up for your morning meal. It’s Mess Free When you grab a protein bar for breakfast, there’s zero meal prep or clean up. No dishes or utensils required, you can easily open up the bar and toss the wrapper in the garbage when done. There’s nothing worse than eating a meal and seeing a pile of dirty dishes in the sink—and trust us, those dishes can pile up... Read More

Quinoa is one of those powerhouse grains we just can’t get enough of. It’s got a nutty flavor with a fluffy yet hearty texture. Quinoa boasts several health benefits and offers plenty of fiber and protein in every tasty serving. Plus, it’s simple to cook and even simpler in a rice cooker. While other whole grains can take an hour to cook, quinoa is ready in about half that time. Want to learn how to cook quinoa in a rice cooker? Read on to find out how! Why Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker Cooking quinoa in a rice cooker means perfect quinoa each and every time, with no guesswork and no watching the pot to ensure it doesn’t boil over. In fact, even if you feel tempted to peek and see if it’s ready, you shouldn’t, says Jenna Appel, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES, and Owner of Appel Nutrition. “Avoid lifting the lid as... Read More