Sprout

English

Healthy swaps: salty snacks

Trying to eat a nutritious diet? Making healthier swaps throughout the day will help you meet your goal. Switching from junk foods that are high in empty calories, saturated fats, and simple sugars to more nutritious snacks will also make it easier to consume enough micronutrients. If you’re somebody

English

Do I need sunscreen in the winter?

Most of us don’t think twice about slapping some sunscreen on our bodies on a hot, sunny day. But the question is, do we need to wear sunscreen in the winter months? To answer this question, we need to think about why we wear sunscreen in the first place.

English

Can short walks help improve my health?

Many people think that in order to stay healthy and fit, you need to force yourself to run miles and miles every day. But what if we told you that this isn’t the case? Walking is a sometimes underrated form of exercise because of its lower intensity; however, is

English

3 tips for adding protein to your breakfast

Protein is an essential macronutrient that we all need in our diets. Our bodies need protein to grow new muscle filaments, tendons, ligaments, skin cells, hair strands, and more. Protein is also vital for immune function and hormone production and function. The recommended amount of protein to consume each day

English

Why am I craving sugar?

Have you ever experienced a craving for something sweet? Do you know what was behind that feeling? Your blood sugar levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day when you eat.  Sugar cravings can result from drops in your blood glucose levels. However, there are a number of health conditions that are

English

What are resistance bands? How do I use them?

Resistance bands are elastic bands that you can use either on their own or alongside additional strength training equipment to increase the resistance (and difficulty) of the movement. They’re an affordable piece of equipment that you can use in the gym, at home, or even outside in the park.

English

Sugar withdrawal. What is it and what to do?

According to the American Heart Association, the average adult consumes 2x to 3x the recommended amount of daily sugar.  This doesn’t include the sugars that are naturally found in fruits and vegetables but instead refers to the sugar added to foods and beverages. Consuming too much sugar can increase

English

​​Ready to try strength training? Here's how to start.

Resistance training (also known as strength training) is an important form of exercise. It’s not just great for those of you who want to build muscle! Resistance training can also help promote a host of other health benefits. What are the benefits of strength training? Strength training is a

English

I'm already healthy. Do I still need to set health goals?

If you’re already fit and healthy, is there any point in setting new goals? Yes!. Everybody can benefit from having at least one goal at any point in their lives. Your health goals don’t necessarily need to revolve around improving a part of your body or your fitness.

English

Tips for reaching your long-term goals

Setting goals is important for your physical and mental wellbeing. Having something tangible and meaningful to work towards boosts motivation and achieving your goals will promote confidence. However, many people who set goals never attain them. Why? There are many reasons. Common barriers to success include setting goals that are

English

When should I replace my running shoes?

You might be reluctant to throw your favorite running shoes away, even if you’ve had them for years and they’ve started to show signs of wear and tear. However, running in shoes that are no longer supportive of your feet can increase the risk of pain and injuries.

English

What to do when you’re craving comfort foods

We all get cravings. It’s a normal part of our hunger cues as humans. However, you might find that you are getting constant cravings for certain types of foods, such as sugary treats or high-fat snacks. A lot of the time, cravings for comfort foods increase during winter

English

What causes my 3 pm slump?

The dreaded 3 pm slump refers to feeling tired and drained of energy. Sometimes called the mid-afternoon slump or the mid-day energy crash, the 3 pm slump causes us to lose concentration and motivation. You may also find that your attention span starts to dwindle and that it&

English

Ways to stay active during the winter months

As the weather gets colder and the nights get longer, it can be difficult to find the motivation to stay active. The thought of getting out of bed and going to the gym or running outside can be less than enticing, and we find ourselves staying in the coziness of

English

Tips to beat the post-holiday blues

If you’re feeling down after the highs of the festive period, you’re not alone. Luckily, there are lots of things that you can do to beat the post-holiday blues and make returning to your usual responsibilities a little easier. Below, we’re going to discuss some of

English

Is there a connection between sleep and heart disease?

Did you know that there is a close connection between your sleeping habits and your heart health? Getting adequate sleep can help support your cardiovascular health, meaning a good night’s rest is something we should prioritize. Ideally, adults should get 7-9 hours of undisturbed sleep each night. For

English

How to develop a mindset for change

A fixed mindset is when one does not believe in the possibility of personal change. This can create a barrier to pushing ourselves to try new things and reaching our goals. Adopting a growth mindset can help move us out of this rut and promote positive change. However, it’s

English

Healthy eating goals to try

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to health goals. Your goals are unique to your needs and wants, whether it’s stronger muscles, or better cardiovascular endurance. However, to support these goals, and to help decrease your risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and

English

How does exercise improve bone health?

Bone health is extremely important. As we age, our muscle mass and bone density decrease. Even in healthy individuals, bone density begins to decrease with age. Reduced muscle mass means lower strength and stability. This, combined with lower bone mineral density, means an increased risk of falls, sprains, and fractures,

English

3 types of exercise should everyone be doing

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only does it help with weight management and fat loss but it also has a number of important additional benefits. Regular exercise has been shown to help boost immune function, elevate mood, improve bone density and minimize skeletal muscle loss

English

One tip for helping to reach weight goals

Whether you’re trying to reach a weight loss goal, gain weight, or trying to maintain, there are a number of action plans you can put into place to help empower yourself to be successful. One very helpful trick is meal planning. By planning out your meals a week or

English

Potassium 101

Potassium is a mineral that everybody needs. It plays a number of important roles in the body and deficiencies can lead to a range of health problems. The main functions of potassium include the maintenance of water and fluid balance, nerve impulse conduction, and blood pressure regulation. It mainly functions

English

Snow shoveling tips for your back

Snow shoveling may seem straightforward but it’s important to learn proper snow shoveling form, so you don’t cause upper body or lower body injuries, particularly neck and lower back strain. Snow shoveling can be tough on your back and joints if done incorrectly. To make sure you can

English

Try this tip for improved strength training

If you’ve recently started a strength training program, you might be wondering how to maximize your progress. There is no shortage of tips and tricks for novice gym goers, and this can make it difficult to know which ones to follow. When taking note of important strength training tips,

English

What does "activate your core" really mean?

You’ve probably heard the term ‘activate your core’ many times, especially if you have been researching how to perform different strength training exercises or if you’ve done yoga in the past. What does this term actually mean, and why is it used so often? The term ‘activate your