So here we are again gearing up for another fun packed Holiday Season, but how can we not fall off the wagon and stick to our healthy eating and training plans? So the presents are wrapped, nestled neatly under the tree and Santa getting ready for his busiest time of the year

I often get asked is there are way to be able to enjoy the holiday season with all the temptation it brings without completely neglect all our fitness and healthy eating goals? The answer of course is Yes We Can Hope you enjoy these festive tips to help keep you in tip-top shape whilst also allowing you to enjoy all the parties and family gatherings that await.

Holiday Season Healthy Training Tips

With all the comings and goings during the holidays it may be almost impossible to stick to your weekly training schedule. But this doesn’t mean it should be abandoned for a couple of weeks and taken up again in the New Year. I was guilty of this years ago but I always found it so difficult to get back into the swing of things when I returned to the gym. An easy solution to this would be work through a reduced routine. What I mean by that is, say you were doing a 4 day split all year (Mon – Chest/Back, Tues – Shoulders/Arms, Thurs -Legs, Fri – Chest/Back) for example. I would modify this during the holidays and do 2 full body routines so that you can hit each muscle group twice each week. This almost takes the form of an Active Recovery Week and coupled with healthy nutrition will actually allow your body to recover and get stronger over the holiday season

What’s great about this is that when you return to your normal routine in the New Year you won’t feel like your starting from scratch and will be super motivated that you didn’t completely abandon you workouts during the holidays. Another great tip would be to take a nice 30 min stroll 3-4 times a week, this will help keep your cadio fitness up. Always leave at least a 90 minute gap after a big meal before heading out for you walk – you’ll be amazed what this little step will make to you metabolic functions and hey isn’t it great to get out with family and friends and enjoy yourself at the same time? Hell yeah it is

Holiday Season Healthy Eating – Watch Your Portion Size

With all the beautiful dishes on the menu it is important to keep portion size in mind. Calories are very important and are what ultimately decides whether we put on body fat or not. Usually holiday foods are very rich and would be higher in calories than our normal diet would be, so in fact we should have smaller portions than normal. If trying to gain muscle then it’s worthwhile to remember to keep the protein intake up. With all the turkey on display over the holidays then that shouldn’t be a problem. Turkey is a great source of protein and will help you keep on top of your nutritional needs during the festive period.
Holiday Season Healthy Alcohol Consumption

You are probably going to be surrounded by temptations in the alcohol department with all the festive parties going on. It’s important to be conscious of the high amount of calories if alcohol and should be enjoyed sparingly. Over indulgence in such empty calories over the holidays will only leave to one thing – and that’s a beer belly for us guys and unwanted body fat for you girls
It’s the Holidays so Treat Yourself

That’s right, you read that correctly – have a treat and enjoy yourselves over the holiday season. It only comes around once a year so make the most of it. I hope by keeping in mind the above tips that you will be able to able to enjoy every minute of the holiday season and enjoy your little treats – whether it be a cheeky glass of wine by the fire or some lovely warm mince pies. Everything in moderation will do you no harm but don’t go overboard. Follow these simple little tips, take some exercise and have a very Happy Holiday

Healthy Holiday Training and Eating Tips to Keep You in Great Shape for the New Year

(PRWEB) October 08, 2011

True Healthy Products teams up with an internationally recognized expert in the field of alternative medicine focusing on diet and nutrition, Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby, and create what is now called the Simple Chocolate Diet.

“Chocolate is made from the beans of the cacao tree, Theobroma Cacao,” says Scott-Mumby. He explains that plant flavanoids are commonly known for their antioxidant activity. “A small bar of chocolate can contain as many flavanoids as six apples, as four and a half cups of tea or two glasses of red wine.”

He developed The Doctor’s Chocolate to utilize the great benefits of chocolate without the unhealthy ingredients that are often included in the common bar. This healthy chocolate promotes weight loss when combined with the Simple Chocolate Diet Eating plan. Eating just one to three pieces can suppress your appetite enough that you will not crave junk food.

Charlotte Palmer started dieting with her husband. She decided that The Doctor’s Chocolate was going to be a treat that she could eat that would help her suppress her appetite. After four months she lost 50 pounds and is continuing to follow her diet.

The Simple Chocolate Diet is a sensible and nutritious eating plan that allows you to eat nutritious healthy dark chocolate along with a flexible and healthy eating plan. We designed The Simple Chocolate Diet so it can lead to healthy weight loss and long term health. This program is simple and easy for anyone to implement. The diet plan is free and can be found at http://www.simplechocolatediet.com.

The Doctor’s Chocolate is a mere 20 calories per piece, is diabetic safe and because it is not weighed down with all the sugars and milk that processed chocolate is famous for, it actually is metabolized slowly and leaves you feeling satisfied after only a couple of pieces.
The Doctors Chocolate is also part of Fat Release System HCG Diet Plan Offered by True Healthy Products. The Chocolate Combined with HCG makes this HCG Diet different from others and having the Simple Chocolate Diet is a simple solution for a long term healthy eating plan.

True Healthy Products is an all natural nutrition company offering a wide range of products from Healthy Dark Chocolate HCG Diet Programs, all natural sports nutrition products, organic skin care and whole food vitamin supplements.

To learn more about the Simple Chocolate Diet and other nutritional products that are all natural and truly good for you, visit: http://www.truehealthyproducts.com

Toll Free: 888-400-2920
Email: support(at)truehealthyproducts(dot)com
2460 N Courtenay Parkway, #210
Merritt Island, FL 32953
USA

Weight Loss with Antioxidant Rich Dark Chocolate Keeps Dieters From Falling Off Their Diets

The most successful, healthy weight-loss plans will require you to eat healthier and do regular exercise to help you lose weight and maintain your new figure. Supplements, diet pills, eating plans and exercise equipment on their own won’t help you lose weight and keep it off long-term, unless you are dedicated to changing your lifestyle for the better.

According to the American Obesity Association, by losing a small amount of weight – around 5 – 10% of your initial weight – you can reduce the risk of serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure arthritis, respiratory disease and even some forms of cancer. Just imagine losing even more weight than this. The benefits and change in your life would be dramatic. But, how do you lose weight the healthy way and benefit from all the health related changes that come with losing weight the best way?

Weight-loss Programs (diets)

Healthy weight-loss programs combine eating nutritional foods with regular exercise to help encourage the body to convert stored fat in the body into glucose to act as fuel, so you are not only losing weight, you have more energy. Often, people get into the bad habit of yo-yo dieting, which is the act of losing weight, then gaining it right back and then start dieting again. By learning a healthy, easy-to-stick eating and exercise plan over a traditional diet, you will not only lose weight the healthy way, you will notice a raise in self-esteem, improved health and learn to keep weight off long term.

The only way that the body can lose weight is to burn more calories than your body is taking in. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because you need to eat fewer calories, you have to eat less food. Healthy eating plans are all about educating yourself on which foods can be eaten in large amounts and which foods must only be eaten in small portions. But, most of all, it is important to remember that when you are losing weight the healthy way, you never need to starve yourself or go hungry. You just need to learn what different foods do to the body.

Some very popular diets these days are the South Beach Diet, the Mayo Clinic Diet and the Cabbage soup diet.

Weight-loss Supplements

There are many supplements available for those who are changing to a healthier lifestyle and want to have some extra nutrition or want a little help along the way. Just remember that no matter how good a supplement is, it will not take the place of proper nutrition and exercise. Diet pills are made to complement your weight loss goals while using a logical eating plan, as well as regular activity.

Vitamin and mineral supplements have become popular over the years to help our bodies get the vitamins and minerals that are lacking in the soil our foods are grown in. Many vitamins and minerals are great complimentary practices and will help to give you energy and an overall feeling of well being, as well as assist in the shedding pounds process.

Some well known diet pills are Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) pills, Phentermine (prescription), and Hoodia Gordonii.

A word of caution, before taking any supplement, make sure that you read the label carefully and speak to your doctor first if you are currently on any medications or suffer from any illnesses.

Healthy Weight Loss

Healthy Eating For Weight Loss

Many people are drawn to healthy eating for weight loss reasons. This shows that you are thinking beyond the main problem, beyond the weight problem. However, maybe you don’t fully appreciate your well guided motives, perhaps your instinctive feelings, that draw you to this area as opposed to any other weight loss plans.

Type 2 diabetes is a common and serious problem for people who are over weight and have been for some time. The condition worsens with age, or how long you have had the problem. So those who are over weight are likely to succumb to diabetes sooner or later.

The medical solution is to treat the effect of the disease, by giving insulin to take daily. Although this undoubtedly helps the condition, what price does it come at – what are you setting yourself up for in the future?

Taking insulin may suit some people, but there is an alternative. And that is to treat the cause of the diabetes, rather than the effect.

Not everyone wants to make changes in their lives. People are notoriously conservative by nature. It seems everyone is happily settled in a rut, for better or for worse.

When you suffer a deterioration in your energy or your health, or when you are diagnosed with a serious, even life threatening disease, then this can shake some people out of their rut (although, sadly, not everyone).

If your condition, such as type 2 diabetes, is a result of your long term weight problem, it seems to be a sensible option to address the cause – the weight. This may be difficult for you. But you also need to think of the future. Not taking action now can lead to further, and more serious, illnesses. Not taking action now can severely interfere with your enjoyment of life, of your family. And being over weight does not set a good example to your children.

Diabetes is really just the start of the slippery slope to more and more serious diseases. Researchers in Finland have found that people with type 2 diabetes have an enormously increased chance of getting Parkinson’s disease – in fact 83% increased chance. And you can guarantee that this trend is not limited to Parkinson’s disease. Gangrene is another complication with diabetics.

The fact that you are draw to healthy eating for weight loss reasons means you have every chance of preventing serious diseases that are attributable to carrying too much weight. The likelihood of curing any weight related illnesses is also extremely high. Now take action

Healthy Eating For Weight Loss

Healthy Eating For Weight Loss Helps Prevent Disease

Here are seven of the most effective, natural ways to stop cravings and lose weight quickly and easily. The first two steps you can do BEFORE getting out of bed in the morning. It’s that EASY

STEP 1: Who Do You Think You Are

Your very first thoughts on waking are what determine your mood and set the course for the rest of the day. As they say, “if you don’t like the song, change the song” This is your chance to change your song. Even if you feel skeptical about this, just give it a try. Do this EVERY morning for a couple of minutes. It’s an extraordinarily powerful technique when practised over time.

Keep warm, get comfy and close your eyes. Take a few deeps breaths to relax. Then simply visualise eating healthy, nourishing and delicious food throughout the day because it makes you feel good. And really FEEL more energised and full of vitality, and how your clothes fit your slim body. Picture yourself with clearer skin, shinier hair, brighter eyes. Visualise looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing your slim reflection. Now open your eyes, get up and go

STEP 2: Water, Water Everywhere

One of the secrets to natural weight loss is to drink hot water with a squeeze of lemon juice – especially first thing in the morning, half an hour before you eat anything. This helps boost the digestive system, reduces the burden on the liver and kidneys, and reduces lethargy and bloating. Also, by rehydrating the body, you are less likely to store water where you don’t want it – in your wobbly bits

Get in the habit of carrying a small bottle of water everywhere you go and drink it regularly. Water is a natural appetite suppressant and is an ideal way to reduce food cravings. If you drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks such as coffee or strong tea, you will need to drink extra water (a glass for every drink) to counteract their dehydrating effects.

STEP 3: If You Skip, You’ll Yo-Yo

It’s important to have breakfast or at least prepare a healthy snack you can take with you for that mid-morning blood-sugar low. Eat foods that release their energy slowly, like no-sugar muesli or oat porridge (oatmeal) with fresh fruit – plain full-fat yoghurt, unsalted nuts (like almonds and walnuts) and fresh sunflower and pumpkin seeds are good additions. Or have a boiled egg with some wholegrain toast and butter.

If you skip a meal, don’t be surprised if your energy levels start to yo-yo. When you run on empty, even for a short while, your body will have you craving ‘quick-fix’ calories, particularly high-sugar, high-fat snacks that release energy quickly. The self-control to resist binging will be almost impossible.

STEP 4: Soup for the Soul

Soup is one of the best weight-loss weapons to help you eat less without feeling hungry. People who eat a daily serving of soup lose more weight than those who eat the same amount of calories but don’t eat soup. Soup has a high water component. When water is combined with food, it slows the release from the stomach better than if you just drink water with a meal. So it keeps you feeling fuller for longer and can reduce snack cravings later on. The best soup is vegetable soup because the vegetable fibre also helps you feel fuller for longer.

STEP 5: Overcoming “Dem Moody Blues”

If you are feeling tired, bored or moody, your resistance to comfort foods is greatly reduced. You need a strategy in place to boost the ‘happy chemicals’, your endorphins, to keep things under control.

One of the best ways is to get moving Go for a walk, climb up and down the stairs, anything to help release those endorphins. If you work, get out at lunchtime and away from your desk. A walking buddy can help. Walk and talk rather than sit and chat. If you usually travel by public transport, walk to the next bus-stop or station before getting on. If music helps you move to the grove while you clean the house then do it Fun = endorphins. Just keeping active throughout the day can burn off 250 calories – about the same as a jog in the park, without the sweating.

STEP 6: The Snack Fix

It’s not that snacks are bad. Think more ‘snack fix’, than a ‘snack attack’. Healthy snacks help control blood sugar swings and reduce cravings when your blood sugar is low, so you don’t yo-yo. Including a little protein, and even fat, in your snack can slow down the release of sugars (from carbs) into the blood stream, keep you feeling fuller for longer and help to keep your blood sugar more stable.

Snack ideas are: a piece of fresh fruit with a small handful of fresh, unsalted nuts, or fresh sunflower and pumpkin seeds (all have protein and fat). Or a humus (chickpea dip) or bean dip with fresh raw vegetables, such as carrot, cucumber, celery and sweet pepper sticks. Or oatcakes with nut butter or a little cheese.

STEP 7: Sumo Wrestling Your Carbs

Having achieved so much throughout the day, don’t blow it by overeating in the evening, especially carbs (the Sumo diet). Balance your protein, fats and carbs. Takeaway or ready meals – like pasta and sauces, curries with white rice, and pizza – tend to be heavy on the carbs and fats. You can still enjoy the flavour of these meals by making your own versions and rebalancing the ingredients. Use less fat and less salt. Less fat doesn’t mean using low-fat substitutes which will push the balance towards excess carbs. Also use more lean protein, more vegetables and wholegrains. You can also try grilled fish or chicken with vegetable sauces or steamed veg. Go for wholegrains such as brown (or red) rice, or high-protein grains like quinoa.

So for your kickstart to healthy weight loss simply follow this seven-step plan. and your body will take care of the rest.

Healthy Weight Loss – 7 Kickstart Booster Steps

More so than ever before, we are reminded daily that the old clich is accurate – we are what we eat That being said, it stands to reason that the role of nutritionists and dietitians becomes more valuable to our overall health going forward. These professionals help treat and prevent illnesses by recommending modifications in our eating habits, and in general, by promoting healthy eating habits.

Dieticians and nutritionists not only make suggestions on what we should be eating, but they can also help us understand how to modify the preparation of our food by eliminating excess salt and fat, making our meals healthier. They also manage food systems for institutions, conduct research, and in general, provide education. Nutrition professionals can be found in hospitals, nursing facilities, and in some community programs, such as weight loss programs.

If you aspire to become a dietician or nutritionist, you should know that at the least, you will need a Bachelor’s degree, with a graduate degree also an available option. Students in these programs can expect to take courses such as: nutrition, chemistry and biochemistry, biology and microbiology, as well as physiology and institution management. Back in 2008 there were 279 Bachelor’s degree programs and 18 approved Master’s degree programs from which to choose.

As with many professional occupations, these are not without licensure requirements. Although requirements vary by state, most require some type of license or certification. Keep in mind that dieticians with specialized training, an advanced degree, and state certification can expect to obtain the best job opportunities.

Employment in this field is expected to grow due to the increased emphasis on disease prevention and increased awareness of obesity and diabetes. Another contributing factor for job growth is increased Medicare coverage to include nutrition therapy for diabetic and renal patients. Hospitals and nursing facilities employ many dieticians and nutritionists, although the latter may see a slight decline due to outsourcing to food service companies.

Also, employment growth could be constrained if employers substitute with other workers, such as food service managers or dietetic technicians, to do the work related to nutrition. In some cases, the demand for these services is related to patients’ abilities to pay out-of-pocket or with health insurance. The good news, however, is that more insurance companies are covering these therapies because of their preventative properties.

In addition to employment growth, additional jobs will result from the need to replace experienced workers who will retire. The best opportunities will be for applicants with specialized training, advanced degrees, and state certifications. Demand for dieticians will be particularly strong in outpatient care facilities, and applicants without a Bachelor’s degree will face tough competition.

Nutrition Experts Help Others Make Healthy Choices

In an effort to promote healthier eating, fast food giant McDonald's is changing the face of their popular kiddie meals.

Starting this fall, the company will add sliced apples to every Happy Meal, while cutting down on the size of the french fry portions. The company's Happy Meal change has garnered praise from first lady Michelle Obama, who has long been on a mission to end childhood obesity.

But is McDonald's change really that big of a deal? A look at rival fast food chains show that they all offer apple slices or some sort of fruit cup.

The difference is that McDonald's is no longer giving customers a choice. The apple slices will be included automatically, thus eliminating that nail-biter of a choice between fries or apple slices (don't kids always pick the fries?)

Meanwhile, what are the other fast food chains doing to promote healthier eating? Here's a look at some of their offerings:

In 2007, Burger King announced plans to roll out a new kids menu that included fresh cut apples (served in a french fry container) and flame-broiled chicken tenders. But the apple “fries” (which are peeled apples slices and not fried) are still just an option at the chain.

In an effort to encourage the apple fries and milk over french fries and soda, BK employees will now ask customers if they would like apple fries or low-fat milk with their meal. The ball is then in the customer's court.

Wendy's has long touted that kids can choose what they want. In addition to the usual burger and fry fare, the company's kids meals options include apple slices and milk that doesn't have added growth hormones. Wendy's also offers baked potatoes, salads and chicken wrap sandwiches, although not on its kids menu.

Sonic Drive-In may offer Coney hot dogs and chili cheese fries, but the kids meal options include apple slices and juice slushies.

Meanwhile, Subway has a Fresh fit menu that includes kid-sized turkey or veggie sandwiches along with — you guessed it — apple slices.

KFC may be the home for finger lickin' good fried chicken, but you can also order sides like green beans and corn on the cob. The kids meals also offer a light string cheese snack option.

And Chick fil-A also gives kids options on their kids menu, with the main decision being a choice between waffle fries or a fruit cup.

Decisions, decisions. That seems to be the problem for consumers. Because the fruit option has always been there, even at McDonald's.

Oh, one more thing about the McDonald's Happy Meal change up: The apple slices will come without the old dipping standby, caramel dip.

Did that just ruin it for you?

Victoria Leigh Miller is a freelance writer. She has been writing about parenting topics since 2001.

Fast Food Chains Offer Healthy Choices, but Do Consumers Make Them?

Healthy Food Choices

Washington, Sep 25 (IANS) The idea of toys being given out as a part of children’s meal deals might be more acceptable if they are tied to healthy, nutrition-rich healthy food choices and part of a collectible set.

The findings come against the backdrop of obesity in the US — about one-third of adults are now obese, as are 17 percent of children aged two to 19 years, noted the Centers for Disease Control.

The belief is growing that toys with fast-food meals only serve to put fatty, calorie-dense selections into the mouths of children, the Journal of Public Policy and Marketing reported.

Researches Anna McAlister and T. Bettina Cornwell of the Universities of Wisconsin Madison and Oregon, found that pre-schoolers aged two to five years can be influenced to prefer a healthy food choice with the help of collectible toy sets.

Besides, 73 percent of the participating parents reported that they would be okay with such an approach while 92 percent strongly opposed pairing collectible toys with traditional, less-healthy fast-food meals, according to a University of Wisconsin statement.

‘The study tells us that the inclusion of a collectible toy influences the children’s perceptions of how the food is going to taste, and whether they will like it,’ said Cornwell, professor of marketing at Oregon Lundquist College of Business.

‘What was interesting to us — even more than we expected — was that the presence of the collectible toy moved the healthier food option up to the point that it was just as likeable as the fast-food offering,’ added Cornwell.

Healthy Food Choices

Collectible toys could foster healthy food choices

CHICAGO (AP) First lady Michelle Obama said Tuesday that parents can’t be expected to give their children healthy food if they don’t have good options for groceries nearby.

Obama, who is leading a nationwide effort to lower childhood obesity rates, spoke at a Chicago Walgreens store that had expanded to include fresh produce and grocery staples. She called it an example for other parts of the city and the country.

“We can talk all we want about making healthy choices about the food we serve our kids, but the truth is that if parents don’t have anywhere to buy these foods, then all of that is really just talk,” Obama said.

Walgreen Co. has tested about a dozen such stores in Chicago and plans to add 19 more soon. They look like mini-grocery stores added onto a traditional pharmacy, with aisles of fresh fruits, vegetables, bagged salads, eggs and milk. There are also pre-made salads and sandwiches for on-the-go meals. Store employees said the fresh food has been popular with customers.

Keica Abrams, who has been a customer for about two decades, called it “imperative” for the store to have fresh vegetables and fruits. She said she’s diabetic and once when her blood sugar was low at the store, she had an apple and juice to get it regulated.

The addition of the grocery also gives parents healthy options for their children, she said.

Obama’s address was the closing remarks to a mayors’ summit on expanding urban food options. She challenged the mayors to look for ways to attract grocery stores and other businesses selling fresh produce for communities in need.

The first lady announced in July that Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Supervalu Inc., and other retailers plan over the next five years to open or expand 1,500 stores in areas without easy access to fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthy foods. She has said 24 million people, including 6.5 million children, live in such areas nationwide.

The number of Chicago residents without access to fresh food has declined nearly 40 percent in five years, but more than 380,000 of the city’s 2.7 million residents still live in areas with few or no grocery stores, according to a report this week by the Chicago-based Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group.

Most of the pockets with few or no grocery stores are on Chicago’s South and West sides, including neighborhoods around the Walgreens store where Obama spoke.

Researcher Mari Gallagher said expanded pharmacies are a good first step, but they don’t replace grocery stores.

“It’s not where you would get your regular three squares, but it will help those that are in a pinch,” she said.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced 17 grocery stores will open in the Chicago area to help address the lack of access to fresh food. Some will sell foods from urban farms, he said.

Emanuel has made eliminating so-called food deserts areas with few or no grocery stores a focus since he took office in May. However, several projects were in the works before he took office, including a task force of city officials and major grocers committed to opening stores on the South and West sides.

Advocates do credit Emanuel with bringing a new energy to the issue. He’s promoted urban farming and brought together mayors on the issue. Those at the summit were from cities including Somerville, Mass., Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Baltimore.

___

Sophia Tareen can be reached at http://twitter.com/sophiatareen

First lady talks about access to food in Chicago

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 7, 2011

MedHelp, the worlds largest health social network, has partnered with GE to create a new mobile health app, Pic Healthy, that helps users make healthier food choices in a fun and social way. Users snap a picture of their meal and share it with their friends, who, by rating how healthy or unhealthy the food is, ultimately encourage better eating habits. The app is available as a free download on iTunes for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, or at http://www.medhelp.org/land/photo-food-app.

Using their devices built-in camera, Pic Healthy users can take pictures of their food, rate how healthy it is, and then upload their photos to Facebook and MedHelps health social network. The users friends can rate how healthy the dish is and whether the user is being honest in rating his own food; this makes the person more accountable for his food choices. Users are also encouraged to eat well by earning points for positive actions: Users earn healthy points for eating healthy foods, honesty points for how accurately they rate their food and participation points for uploading and sharing their food photos. When users want to see if their healthy eating habits have surpassed their friends, they can check the scoreboard feature to see who has taken the lead.

Food diaries have proven to be a successful tool when it comes to developing healthier eating patterns; by simply recording everything you consume, studies show your eating habits will improve, said John de Souza, president and CEO of MedHelp. With Pic Healthy, the ability to review the pictures of what you eat challenges you to become a healthier eater, and the social aspect of posting your photos for your friends and other followers to see and comment on adds that extra pressure to choose healthy foods. Because the app is so visual, social and easy to use, Pic Healthy makes improving your eating habits fun.

Through Pic Healthy, users can tap into their network of friends and family to enlist the support they need to make healthier choices, said Linda Boff, global director of marketing communications at GE. Were aiming to make healthy eating a positive, continued experience. By giving people the opportunity to achieve better health through their food choices, Pic Healthy knits closely to the healthymagination theme of better health for more people.

With Pic Healthy, were leveraging the power of social support to encourage people make choices that will lead to better health, added de Souza.

The Pic Healthy photo food diary app is the fifth in a series of mobile applications that GE and MedHelp are creating for consumers everywhere, enabling them to live better, healthier lives. The first was the popular iPhone pregnancy app, Im Expecting, followed by Sleep On It, a sleep tracker and alarm app, Moody Me, a photo mood tracker app, and My Diet Diary, a weight loss and calorie counter app.

Pic Healthy, My Diet Diary, Moody Me, Sleep On It and Im Expecting can be downloaded for free from the Apple iTunes App Store.

About MedHelp
MedHelp is leading the consumer health revolution by empowering people to take control of their health. As the worlds largest health social network, 12.5 million unique users turn to MedHelp each month to achieve better health. With more than 300-condition specific communities, 150 ask-the-expert forums, partnerships with 7 of the 10 top U.S. hospitals and a robust suite of 50 online health tools, award-winning mobile apps and personal health records, MedHelp is the savvy consumers health destination of choice. For more information, visit http://www.medhelp.org.

About GE
GE is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the worlds toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit the company's website at http://www.ge.com.

About healthymagination
Healthymagination is GEs $6 billion commitment that was launched in May 2009. Our “healthymagination” vision for the future invites the world to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality and efficiency around the world. For more information, visit http://www.healthymagination.com.

Media contacts:

MedHelp

Marta Debski
marta(dot)debski(at)medhelp(dot)org
415-882-4600

Katherine Solem
katherine(dot)solem(at)medhelp(dot)org
415-882-4600

GE
Stacey Tank
stacey(dot)tank(at)ge(dot)com
203-373-2727

MedHelp and GE Announce New Mobile App That Makes Healthy Eating Fun and Easy