This shirt is perfect for any girl who likes to eat a well balanced diet. The Food Pyramid Tee ($18) is one of the super creative graphic tees currently available at Forever21. Wearing this shirt will remind you to eat enough fruits and veggies.

Although you're not consuming loads of candy bars and soda, you could be unknowingly eating too much sugar. You'd be surprised how much sugar is found in the least expected food and beverages.  A graduate student at New York University's department of nutrition says " We shouldn't consume more than 40 grams -- about 10 teaspoons -- of sugar a day, based on a 2,000-calorie diet". To me 10 teaspoons of sugar seems like an impossible amount to consume in an entire day, but the truth is that sugar is hidden everywhere and we should all be aware of this.

THE CULPRITS:

• A breakfast muffin could contain 11 tbs. of sugar.
• A Clif energy bar has five teaspoons of sugar.
• A grande vanilla latte from Starbucks contains about 7 grams of sugar
• Tomato sauces and other condiments also contain an abundance of added sugar.
• Fruit flavored yogurts including those labeled "low fat" are loaded with extra sugar.
• Bread and cereals are the least expected sugar-filled culprits.

IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM: 

• Sucrose is essentially table sugar.
• Lactose is a naturally occurring sugar found in milk.
• Fructose is the sugar found naturally in fruits and some vegetables -- it's what makes an apple sweet.
• High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), an inexpensive sweetener used in many processed foods made by changing the sugar in corn starch into fructose.

MONITOR YOUR SUGAR INTAKE:

• Check nutrition information on product packaging for grams of sugar.
• Visit the website, most restaurant's and coffee shops offer nutrition facts right on the website.
• Don't forget about the sugar in beverages. Try drinking more water instead.
• While grocery shopping compare labels. If one brand contains more grams of sugar per serving, go for the brand with less sugar.
• Use less condiments. If you normally smother your burger or veggie burger with ketchup, try using less.

SOURCE

The results of this diet study don't really surprise me, in fact they confirm an pre-existing stereotype; Men eat meat and women eat veggies.

The study of eating habits of American adults -- called the most extensive of its kind -- was a telephone survey of 14,000 Americans. It confirmed conventional wisdom that most men eat more meat than women, and women eat more fruits and vegetables.

But there were a few surprising exceptions: Men were much more likely to eat asparagus, brussel sprouts, peas and peanuts. They also were bigger consumers of frozen pizzas, frozen hamburgers and frozen Mexican dinners.

Women are more likely than men to eat eggs, yogurt and fresh hamburgers.

Men also showed a little more of an appetite for runny eggs and undercooked hamburgers -- two foods that health experts say carry a higher chance of contamination that can make you sick.

SOURCE

I love yogurt so when I decided to go vegan I went on a mission to find the best tasting soy yogurt around. I sampled many different brands and flavors but only 2 of them really do it for me.

1. Turtle Mountain So Delicious Dairy Free Yogurt: I particularly love the cinnamon bun flavor because it tastes like dessert but it's actually very healthy for you.

2. Silk Soy Yogurt: The vanilla flavor is by far the best. It's perfect for smoothies, adding fruit, fruit jam or simply eating alone. I especially love this yogurt with freshly sliced banana and mango.

It truly is the best time to give up animal products because there are so many tasty alternatives available.

MORE ON GOING VEG:

• There's Proof That Vegetarian Diets Cause Weight-Loss
• Bake Tofu For a Firmer Bite
• Skinny Bitch Author Shares Her Healthy Eating & Cooking Secrets
• Get The Best Nutrition As a Vegetarian
• Eat Your Beans, They're Natures Perfect Food
• The Top 5 Must Try Superfoods According to Me
• FROZEN FAVORITES: Boca Chili
• Thumbs Up To Veat Gourmet Bites
• Carrie Underwood In Women's Health Magazine

Some people find that trying new foods is rather scary but for me it's super exciting. I'm attracted to pretty much any food that's cruelty free and good for my body. In the past year since I’ve stopped eating animal products, I’ve added some amazing new ingredients to my grocery shopping list. Here is my pick for the top five must try superfoods of the year.

DEFINE: "Superfood"- A natural food source that is highly concentrated with a complex supply of quality nutrients.

 1. Quinoa: First of all it’s a great lower-cal and gluten-free substitute for brown rice or pasta. It’s also a great source of nutrients including fiber, magnesium, and iron. It tastes great and absorbs flavor too!

 2. Tempeh: If you’re looking for the benefits of soy protein with more texture than tofu, this is a must try. It works as a meat-replacement that’s high in protein and iron. Tempeh holds the firm form and also absorbs flavor easily. I like to add chunks of tempeh to my veggie stir fries.

 3. Kale: This leafy green from the cabbage family is low calorie and full of nutrients. The nutrients provided in just one serving of kale are countless. It’s a great source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, calcium and so much more.

 4. Flaxseeds: These little seeds are a great fish-free source of omega 3 fatty acids. In fact just 2 tbs. of them contain more than your recommended daily intake. I like to take a tablespoon of flaxseed oil or add the milled flaxseeds to a smoothie. They’re not only full of omega-3s; they’re also full of magnesium, fiber and other great nutrients. Flaxseeds are must have for any health-savvy individual.

 5. Goji Berries: The best word to describe goji berries would be; nutrient dense. These little berries are full of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. They contain 18 amino acids including all 8 essential amino acids for a complete protein. They’re perfect for curbing your appetite, providing energy and strengthening your immune system. Goji health benefits are truly endless and they’re tasty too. Don’t buy goji juice for $35 a bottle, that’s a total rip off. Goji berries are amazing for you but you don’t have to pay so much to receive their benefits. You’ll get the best price at your local health food store.