The Tano Lifestyle

(Photo cred: Time Magazine) We already know how bad refined sugar and artificial sweeteners are for our health. However, it's hard to stay away from that craving for sweet, especially, on a diet. Low-fat products taste bland without added sweeteners. That's why many dieter's, or those looking to reduce their calories reach for diet soda or treats made with aspartame. According to Xbrain , today, over 6,000 products on the market contain aspartame including health supplements. Now that people are starting to catch on that aspartame is extremely unhealthy and can even cause cancer, a surge in zero-calorie, organic sugar products are making a breakthrough. Aspartame and Cancer Aspartame is made by chemically linking the amino acids phenylalanine and aspartic acid with methanol. This results in a product that is several hundred times sweeter than sugar thus, has negligible calories. Some preliminary studies on rats found that aspartame may increase the risk of blood-rela

(Dreamstime) Panic attacks are a serious thing. I've struggled with anxiety for what seems like my whole life, but I only started having full-blown panic attacks a few years ago. It's frustrating because I feel like people who have never experienced one don't understand how debilitating it can be. It annoys the hell out of me when my husband says "calm down," or "just drink a glass of water and breath." They just don't get it. My first panic attack started when my son was two (he's now 6). Out of the blue for no apparent reason I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. I couldn't stop pacing back and forth and every time I tried to sit down I got right back up again. Nothing made me feel better, I was sweating, and I felt dizzy. The more I kept telling myself I was having a heart attack the worse the panic attack got (and I still do this to myself to this day). I called my mother-in-law to come over because I didn't know what

(iStockphotos) Having a stroke can change you or a loved ones life dramatically. They typically happen out of the blue and the after effects can create anxiety and depression. Certain risk factors of a stroke are out of our control such as gender, age, ethnicity, and family history. Stroke is either caused by blood clots or bleeding in the brain. Symptoms may include difficulty speaking, weakness or numbness in the legs, arms, or face, confusion, and trouble seeing. According to the Population Health Research Institute as posted on Contemporary Clinic , risk factors for stroke include: 1. Excessive alcohol consumption 2. High blood pressure 3. Poor diet 4. Smoking 5. Physical inactivity 6. Obesity 7. Lipids 8. Heart disease 9. Diabetes 10. Stress There are ways you can prevent yourself from a stroke regardless of your family history or age. Researchers believe that 80% of strokes can be prevented. This article addresses how nutrition plays a major role in preve

(WebMD) We all know the importance of hydration and the need to drink water on a daily basis. The first thing I drink when I wake up before my morning coffee is a tall glass of lemon water. I'll admit, I do love my diet soda around lunchtime, but I make sure to drink a glass of water first. Water dissolves vitamins and minerals making them easily accessible to the body after you eat. It's also a crucial part of healthy liver and kidney function. Adding lemon and lime to your glass of water only intensifies the health benefits. Here are the top reasons why I always keep both lemons and limes on hand in my kitchen. 1. Citrus Has Anti-Aging Properties Citrus fruits are jam-packed with ascorbic acid (or vitamin C) that our bodies can't create. This promotes the production of collagen that's responsible for keeping our skin soft and supple. As I mentioned in my article about collagen and aging HERE , we lose 1.5% of our collagen every year after the age of 20. This ca

The sirtfood   diet is becoming the latest craze and is a favorite among European celebrities such as Pippa Middleton and Adele. The diet claims you can lose 7 pounds in 7 days so the question remains, is the sirtfood diet healthy? The sirtfood diet suggests that adding healthy "sirtfoods" into your diet will induce the rate of might loss as if you were fasting or exercising. Polyphenols found in certain foods such as red wine, dark chocolate, and kale trigger sirtuin pathways in our bodies that affect aging, metabolism, and mood. Sirtfood diet experts say that when following this diet you will kick start weight loss without losing muscle and sacrificing your health. Loyal followers claim that the sirtfood diet isn't just a fad, it's effective for sustained weight loss.  How the Sirtfood Diet Works The sirtfood diet is comprised of two phases.  Phase One of the Sirtfood Diet This phase lasts for 7 days. Your total caloric intake is 1,000 calories for the first 3 days

S Starting a plant-based diet is one of the smartest choices you can make. It's the latest trend that's here to stay thanks to its proven results. We all get excited when we start something new especially when it comes to our health and wellness. A new diet can get overwhelming when it's time to hit the grocery store. The key is to start simple and not be afraid to make mistakes here and there. Think of this new beginning as a time for trial and error and to see what foods and flavors work for you and what doesn't. The hardest part of starting a plant-based diet is staying away from processed foods especially snacks. On a plant-based diet you're asked to avoid processed foods. For those that can do it great! I however, cannot no matter how hard I try. I keep only one or two processed snacks for myself that are quasi-healthy. I make sure to read the ingredients carefully and look for non-GMO, organic, and vegan. Typically, I snack on lentil and bean chips which isn

(credit: Eater.com/Getty Images) Since I started cutting alcohol out of my diet, coffee has become my best friend. I used to NEVER go to Starbucks unless I had a serious hangover and needed a Venti green tea. Now I'm finding myself drinking three cups in the morning and my final cup before 5 p.m. Studies show that 4 cups of coffee may be good for your liver and prevent cancer. So the question is, can you drink Starbucks coffee on a diet? Yes, you can! Here are the top Starbucks drinks that are under 200 calories and low in fat starting with my favorite. 1. Skinny Vanilla Latte Whether you order it hot or cold, this is an excellent choice especially, if you're looking for an after dinner drink. It's made with sugar free syrup and nonfat milk. A 16-ounce size has only 120 calories and 0 grams fat. It's my favorite because it's so satisfying and feels like I'm having dessert. 2. Teavana Shaken Ice Passion Tango Tea With any of Starbuck's specialty