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The most exciting new trend in specialty eggs is the addition of omega-3 fatty acids, which has helped the incredible edible overcome its unfair reputation as a danger to your heart. (One egg has about 215 mg of cholesterol—nearly a day’s worth. But a moderate intake of eggs is still healthy for most of us.) Other specialty eggs, such as the ethical-sounding cage free and the environmental-minded organic, may not confer specific health benefits, but they just might help you feel like you’re making the world a better place (and maybe you are)....

Steer clear of empty calories (Low-carb diet): Low-carb diets like the Atkins or Dukan diets can be hard to maintain and aren’t always the healthiest eating choices to make, since you’re at risk for eating too much saturated fat in lieu of nutrient-rich (but also high-carb) produce like carrots. But what a low-carb diet does teach you is to rely less on refined carbs like breads and crackers, too, which can be the source of many empty calories for lots of people....

EMPTY-CALORIE SNACK Bag of fruity gummy candy INSTEAD TRY 1/2 c unsweetened mixed dried fruit (like apples, nectarines, figs) EMPTY-CALORIE SNACK Slice of apple pie INSTEAD TRY One diced apple tossed with 2 tsp brown sugar and apple pie spices, microwaved and topped with toasted oats EMPTY-CALORIE SNACK Milk-chocolate candy bar INSTEAD TRY Two medium strawberries dipped in dark chocolate EMPTY-CALORIE SNACK Fast-food cinnamon roll INSTEAD TRY One packet of instant plain oatmeal prepared and topped with 1 Tbsp pecans, 1 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp maple syrup

Squelch the French-Fry Frenzy First, consider these great alternatives to eating fries: Eat regular meals. If your hunger is satisfied, you will be less likely to snack on fries or other high-fat snacks. [sidebar] Get the small size, and eat them slowly. Pair them with a fresh salad or grilled chicken sandwich with plenty of lettuce and tomato. That way you will satisfy the craving, while still sticking to your goals....

Or, swap freekeh out for one of these other ancient grains: Millet Media Platforms Design Team Why it’s healthy: This gluten-free grain is rich in minerals. Millet is also a source of tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin, which helps regulate appetite, sleep patterns, and mood. How to eat it: Millet makes a hearty breakfast porridge. Cook as directed, then pair with cinnamon, raisins, chopped nuts, and almond milk for the perfect warming bowl....

While there’s no magic trick for keeping the pounds off, researchers from Harvard showed an association between women who eat more fiber and lower body weight. It may be because fiber-rich foods like whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and legumes help you fill up, making you less likely to overeat. Because the stomach digests fiber-full foods at a slower pace, you’re also less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks between meals....

The small intestine contains as many neurons as the spinal cord, and it produces all the same chemicals as the brain. In fact, the brain and gut are so tightly wired together, scientists sometimes refer to the gut as the body’s “second brain.” The microbiome revolution of the past few years has made it clear that the “gut-brain axis” is a two-way street. The gut isn’t just sending progress reports on the mechanics of digestion....

More from Prevention: Transform Your Body—And Your Life!—In 28 Days

Live Out Your Dreams I knew I wanted to be a great tennis player the night my father took me to the Sparta sports center in Prague, an arena where 10,000 people can watch a hockey game or a tennis match. The big attraction that night was Rod Laver, the redheaded left-hander from Australia. That was around the time he signed a big contract—for $100,000—to travel all over the world to play tennis....

The Prep First step: shampoo and condition. If you have thick or frizzy hair, leave in a hint of conditioner to keep it from drying out. To detangle, rake your fingers through curly or frizzy hair; run a comb through straight hair. Squeeze out excess moisture but don’t towel-dry. Now comes the crucial part for curly hair success. While hair is still sopping wet, coat it with a combo of styling and frizz-control products....

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, found that actors who had been trained to use imitation to perfect their acting skills were significantly more accurate at identifying emotions through facial expression than both regular folks and actors who had been trained in a different style. These finding highlight the fact that reading emotions is something that can be learned—and mastered. “Our mind can shape the way in which we identify others’ emotion in a way similar to athletes,” says Massimiliano Conson, PhD, an associate professor at the Second University of Naples....

There’s evidence that highly palatable food—brownies and ice cream definitely qualify—can activate the brain reward system. In fact, a personality trait called “reward sensitivity” may predispose some people to be highly responsive to cues linked with pleasurable food, like TV ads, according to research presented at an annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior. To turn the tables on your pleasure-seeking brain, create a list of non-food treats that give it (and you) the bliss it seeks, sans sugar....

Weighing in on everything from “fat genes” to bulky thighs, our experts share how you can easily make the most of what nature gave you. You STILL can’t touch your toes Everyone has at least one yogi pal who can do ungodly things with her body while you struggle to so much as touch your toes. You’re better off comparing yourself to your sister or your mom than your contortionist friend, though....

Laparoscopic morcellators are power tools that cut fibroids—uterine growths—into pieces so they can be more easily removed through a smaller (laparoscopic) incision. This is supposed to save women the pain and danger of having to undergo open abdominal surgery. But if there’s undetected cancer in her uterus, which sometimes happens among women with fibroids, morcellation can spread cancerous tissue and make her prognosis far more grim. Since April, multiple studies have come out stating the dangers of the tools are worse than people thought....

Take something like lettuce. Sure, locally-grown will likely be fresher and tastier, but supermarket lettuce can’t be all that bad, can it? It’s not like it’s been sitting in a warehouse in Mexico for two months. It may not be quite that extreme, but the organic bundles from your farmers’ market and the bagged lettuce from your supermarket each take wildly different journeys to reach you, says Carolyn Dimitri, Ph....