SparkPeople Editor and Health Educator
Melinda has a bachelor’s degree in health promotion and education and is an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer. Before working as an editor for SparkPeople, she developed and taught health programs for several non-profit organizations. She enjoys writing, interval training, yoga, and cooking with friends. 
Read More of 's Blogs:
Motivation Monday: What Are You Thinking Today?
Inspired by this piece of motivation? Share it! Check out hundreds of inspirational quotes and images on SparkPeople's Healthy Inspiration page.
Posted 8/27/2012 10:00:00 PM By: : 10 comments 31,615 views
Motivation Monday: If It Doesn't Challenge You...
Inspired by this piece of motivation? Share it! Check out hundreds of inspirational quotes and images on SparkPeople's Healthy Inspiration page.
Posted 8/6/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 17 comments 50,451 views
Food Showdown: Know Before You FroYo
It's safe to say that the frozen yogurt trend has taken the US by storm—and it doesn't show any signs of stopping. Several ''FroYo'' franchises have cropped up over the past few years, including Pinkberry, Red Mango, Orange Leaf, and many others with tasty names and even tastier flavor and topping offerings. Some of these yogurt shops claim that their product is a healthier alternative to ice cream, made with ''all-natural,'' wholesome ingredients, including good-for-you probiotic cultures to balance your digestive system. But can you believe the hype? Between two big-name frozen yogurt chains, Pinkberry and Red Mango, which has the most ''natural'' yogurt with the fewest ingredients?
Posted 8/4/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 47 comments 63,338 views
Motivation Monday: Losing Weight is Hard
Inspired by this piece of motivation? Share it! Check out hundreds of inspirational quotes and images on SparkPeople's Healthy Inspiration page.
Posted 7/30/2012 2:00:00 PM By: : 38 comments 64,248 views
Motivation Monday: On Messing Up
Inspired by this piece of motivation? Share it! Check out hundreds of inspirational quotes and images on SparkPeople's Healthy Inspiration page.
Posted 7/16/2012 10:00:00 PM By: : 31 comments 24,966 views
Share YOUR Success Story with SparkPeople's Before and After Sweepstakes!
At SparkPeople, we are dedicated to helping our members reach their goals and live permanent healthy lifestyles. It takes a LOT of motivation and support to lose weight and keep it off, and we love seeing the progress of our dedicated members and hearing about their well-deserved success stories.
Now, it's YOUR turn. You did it. You put in the time, the sweat, and the energy. You persevered through the ups and downs. You've made enough healthy choices to know that your habits are going to stick for the long haul. You look and feel great--and it’s time to share your success and be an inspiration to others by entering our Before and After Picture Sweepstakes!
Posted 7/16/2012 6:00:00 AM By: : 25 comments 17,313 views
Food Showdown: Burgers or Dogs?
This Fourth of July, the odds are high that someone will ask you the classic American question: Hamburger or hot dog? These two cookout staples are equally tasty, hearty and nostalgic, but what about the calories? Is one more waistline-friendly than the other? Today, we put the debate to rest.
When choosing an entrée hot off the grill this Fourth of July, which should you choose to keep your weight in check: A hamburger or a hot dog?
Posted 6/30/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 40 comments 33,804 views
Food Showdown: Which Berry is Higher in Antioxidants?
By now, you've probably heard about antioxidants, the wonder molecules that may help prevent cancer and other chronic diseases. In recent years, many exotic, antioxidant-rich foods like goji berries, mangosteen, and acai have cropped up in the media and have sparked a lot of conversation. However, there hasn't been significant research to back up the hype for these foods, and it's easy for advertisers to make false claims and charge an exorbitant amount of money for them.
Instead of shelling out mega bucks for these crazy fruits and supplements, why not stick to what you know? After all, you can find an abundance of antioxidant-rich foods right in the produce section of your grocery store—without the sky-high prices or unfounded claims.
We know that berries are good for you, but are some better than others when it comes to antioxidant content? If you had to choose between common blueberries and blackberries, both touted as vitamin-rich cancer-fighters, which one would you guess has the highest antioxidant content?
Posted 6/2/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 52 comments 91,766 views
Food Showdown: Battle of the Creamy Side Dishes
Memorial Day is quickly approaching, which signals the official kick-off of the summer barbecue season. While summer can be a great opportunity to enjoy a variety of fresh, seasonal produce, it can also be a recipe for disaster due to all of the high-calorie picnic fare that comes with it. You may know that grilled chicken breast is a healthier choice than a juicy cheeseburger, but what about the side dishes? Many of the old standards are loaded with mayonnaise and salt, and pack in a crazy amount of calories for a very small portion.
However, if you do choose to indulge in a creamy side dish this Memorial Day, which one would be the better choice for your waistline: macaroni salad or potato salad?
Posted 5/26/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 61 comments 39,524 views
Food Showdown: Battle of the Blended Beverages
As the weather warms up, you might take refuge in smoothie shops and coffee houses to cool down. Starbucks has long been a go-to destination for sippable summertime treats, and the chain has come out with some healthier options in recent years. However, some are better for you than others; many of the frozen drinks that are marketed as ''healthy'' are simply glorified milkshakes, even before the whipped cream and extra syrups.
If you were to grab a frozen drink on a hot summer day, which Starbucks pick would be lowest in calories and sugar: the Grande Green Tea Frappuccino® Blended Crème (no whipped cream), made with sweetened green tea and 2% milk, or the Grande Chocolate Smoothie (no whipped cream), made with rich mocha sauce, banana, and 2% milk?
Posted 5/19/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 59 comments 53,744 views
Food Showdown: Which Veggie Packs More Nutrients?
We all know that veggies are good for us: they're great sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Scientific research has shown that cruciferous vegetables in particular may reduce the risk of lung, colorectal, stomach, breast, and prostate cancers. But some cruciferous vegetable varieties are more powerful than others.
When faced with broccoli and cauliflower on a vegetable tray, which tree-like veggie should you choose to get the most bang for your nutritional buck?
Posted 5/12/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 84 comments 80,214 views
Sneak Peek: 'The Weight of the Nation' Documentary Series
This week, I had the opportunity to attend a screening of a documentary about one of the most pressing issues of our time: the US obesity epidemic. The Weight of the Nation will air on HBO as a four-part series May 14 and 15. Here is a description of the project, from HBO's website:
''Bringing together the nation’s leading research institutions, THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION is a presentation of HBO and the Institute of Medicine (IOM), in association with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and in partnership with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and Kaiser Permanente.
The centerpiece of THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION campaign is the four-part documentary series, each featuring case studies, interviews with our nation’s leading experts, and individuals and their families struggling with obesity. The first film, CONSEQUENCES, examines the scope of the obesity epidemic and explores the serious health consequences of being overweight or obese. The second, CHOICES, offers viewers the skinny on fat, revealing what science has shown about how to lose weight, maintain weight loss and prevent weight gain. The third, CHILDREN IN CRISIS, documents the damage obesity is doing to our nation’s children. Through individual stories, this film describes how the strong forces at work in our society are causing children to consume too many calories and expend too little energy; tackling subjects from school lunches to the decline of physical education, the demise of school recess and the marketing of unhealthy food to children. The fourth film, CHALLENGES, examines the major driving forces causing the obesity epidemic, including agriculture, economics, evolutionary biology, food marketing, racial and socioeconomic disparities, physical inactivity, American food culture, and the strong influence of the food and beverage industry.''
Check out the trailer here:
Posted 5/11/2012 2:00:00 PM By: : 32 comments 17,530 views
Battle of the Breakfast Platters
Who doesn't love lingering over a big breakfast or brunch with friends and family? The only problem is that large breakfasts often come with a truckload of calories from all those pancakes, bacon strips, and bottomless drink refills. Luckily, many restaurants that serve breakfast and brunch have developed healthier options so you can still enjoy all the pleasure of this fun morning meal while still staying within your calorie range for the day. IHOP and First Watch have both stepped up their healthy offerings and even devote special sections of their menus to healthier fare. Which lightened-up breakfast dish is lowest in calories: is it IHOP's Two-Egg Breakfast from their ''SIMPLE & FIT'' menu, which includes scrambled egg substitute, two strips of turkey bacon, whole wheat toast, and fresh fruit? Or is it the egg white, turkey, spinach, mushroom, and swiss cheese Power Wrap from the ''Healthier Side'' menu at First Watch?
Posted 4/28/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 56 comments 58,445 views
Food Showdown: Battle of the Breakfast Cereals
When I was growing up, my parents kept our pantry stocked with at least five different kinds of cereal, and I spent many a Sunday morning eating it out of a bowl the size of my head while reading the comics. I got smarter about portion control in college, but cereal remained my favorite sweet and crunchy breakfast and late-night studying snack. I would try to gravitate toward healthier, whole-grain varieties, and two of my favorite old standbys were Kashi GoLean Crunch and Barbara's Peanut Butter Puffins. These seemed to be good choices, as both of them boasted all-natural ingredients and whole grains. However, despite the health claims that these two cereal boxes tout, both of them still contain some sugar—and one contains much less than the other. Out of these two seemingly healthful cereals, which one is the ultimate low-sugar winner?
Posted 4/21/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 186 comments 58,134 views
Food Showdown: Greek Yogurt vs. Cottage Cheese
Over the past few years, Greek-style yogurt has skyrocketed in popularity among health-conscious dairy fans. It's become almost impossible to pass by the dairy case without spotting multiple flavors and brands of the creamy treat. While Greek yogurt has been busy making a name for itself in the high-protein snack category, cottage cheese, its distant, long-lost cousin, has been pushed to the side. But is Greek yogurt really nutritionally superior to cottage cheese? Ounce per ounce, which of these snacks will give you more protein bang for your buck?
Posted 4/14/2012 10:00:00 AM By: : 113 comments 143,494 views
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