Lauren Brown West Rosenthal

I think it’s safe to say that most of us grew up hearing this song on the playground: “Beans, beans: They’re good for your heart! The more you eat, the more you fart!” And be honest—you’ve always thought twice before digging into a bean-heavy meal because of that song, no?

Charlie from Lost. The gang from Trainspotting. Even Iron Man Tony Stark—TV and the movies are filled with memorable addicts. But we’ve never seen one sneaking Peanut M&Ms.
Yet sugar can be addictive, too.

Although the “Soup Nazi” episode of Seinfeld is my favorite one, it took me awhile to get hooked on soup as a staple of my diet. I like to chew my food, you know?
But, my husband, a big fan of soup, turned things around when he started adding hearty portions of protein, the right amount of seasonings I like (for me, it’s all about the garlic) and a good balance of veggies.

I find that whenever I significantly cut sugar from my diet that everything changes—for the better. I physically and mentally feel better. My energy is high, I’m alert and that “fog” in my brain is lifted.

If you live in the Midwest or on the west coast, chances are that when a fast food craving hits, you might consider a Jack in the Box. The chain is known for their vast assortment of choices, including tacos, breakfast, brunch, teriyaki bowls, chicken nuggets, burgers, shakes, fries, and more. But it’s not exactly an easy spot to dine if you’re trying to be mindful of your diet.

Whenever I start a new health and fitness plan, I’m always bombarded with what’s usually unsolicited advice on what I need to do (or not do) in order to be successful. It’s overwhelming. We’re taught to believe you shouldn’t eat before bed, you have to eat after a workout, you need to fuel up on protein and skip the carbs—the list goes on and on. So, it’s hard to know if you’re really screwed if you don’t follow these “rules” or if it’s open to interpretation.

I won't lie: When I need a bit of inspiration to reboot my diet or find my lost motivation to hit the gym, I always turn to Hollywood. It's the job of celebrities to look good and flaunt their progress—and believe it or not, many do follow healthy (and attainable) philosophies that help them look and feel great on the inside and out.

The body of a professional bodybuilder is essentially a work of art. The dedication, time, and care put into sculpting their physique are evident by their numerous muscles, lack of body fat, and shredded definition. And it doesn’t only come from hours of lifting weights in the gym; their strict diets are a huge contributor to their success. So, we asked a group of inspiring bodybuilders about the foods they eliminated from their diets but no longer miss. . .

For me, the easiest way to derail my commitment to healthy eating is when there’s too much prep and too many ingredients involved. Who has the time to make sauces and chop a million veggies or make things from scratch? If you do—more power to you and please keep doing what you’re doing! But for me, my toddler, full-time job, side projects, and a million errands mean that I’m going to order takeout if a recipe takes too long to make.

Celebrity rider requests are always such a fascinating look into which stars are super fancy, which stars are super demanding, and which stars are super strict when it comes to their diets.

Ah, Costco! For my husband and I, making a trip to the store is an event that we look forward to. We're honestly giddy on the way over. We always have a list—albeit a small one—with some essentials that we want to stock up on. But most of the fun comes from doing a "loop" around the store, hitting every single aisle and finding "treasures" we never knew we wanted. And on the way out, we must splurge on a hot dog and soda or a slice of hot pizza.

From personal trainers to fitness experts to healthy eating pros, we look to them for inspiration and that extra boost we need to set our goals, reset our diets, and get on a fitness regime. So it got us wondering about their resolutions. How do these shredded and healthy living gurus top themselves year after year? Read on to find out—and feel free to "borrow" one of their resolutions for yourself.

To eat breakfast or to not eat breakfast—that is the real question that divides us as a nation. There are those who can't start their day without a bowl of oatmeal or a hearty serving of eggs. And there are others who are grossed out by the thought of any type of food passing their lips before lunch. So, who is right and who is wrong? The shocking answer is that both camps make compelling arguments both for and against the meal once known as the most important of the day.

Cellulite is one of those panic-inducing words that has been freaking out women of all ages for years. I remember my mom giving me a look if I added cheese to anything I was trying to enjoy. "Maybe skip it or you'll see it on your thighs," she'd always warn. I'd roll my eyes; but as much as I hate admitting it, my mom was onto something. Cellulite is a pest that causes that dimpled-looking fat on your thighs, hips, butt and belly.

A hot trend among celebrities? Putting their passion for food into a restaurant all their own. And you know what? The offerings are pretty incredible.