Weight Loss & Diet Plans

Eric & Peety (from Humane Society Silicon Valley) Eric weighed over 300 pounds, had type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and his doctor told him he would be dead in 5 years unless he changed. They suggested a dog. Eric went to the Humane Society Silicon Valley and said he wanted an obese, middle-aged dog, so they would have something in common. What happened next transformed their lives. Posted by SFGate on Sunday, March 6, 2016 Eric was an overweight, middle-aged man who realized one day that he needed to make a change. He met with a nutritionist, who told him to adopt a dog because it would force him to go outside and get moving. Eric decided to adopt a dog he had some things in common with - age and weight. He met Peety, an overweight, middle-aged dog, at the shelter and they both knew they were meant to be. Over the course of the following year, Eric and Peety made drastic life changes and got healthier. Watch the touching video of their story above, and make sure ...

If you want to lose weight, what's on your plate is often more important than the minutes you spend in the gym. And if you want to see the most change, a new study from Harvard says you should be cutting carbs , not fat. Related: Low-Carb Dinner Recipes You'll Want to Add to Your Rotation For the study, published in PLoS One , researchers from Harvard and Brigham and Women's Hospital reviewed 53 randomized trials of over 68,000 patients who had been assigned to either low-fat or low-carb diets. They found that low-carb diets were consistently better at helping patients lose weight than low-fat diets; the participants on the low-carb diets lost 2.5 pounds more than those on low-fat diets, with the average weight loss among all groups at about six pounds. This latest study on the weight-loss benefits of a low-carb diet adds further evidence that if you want to lose weight, ditching bread - not olive oil - can help you see success. Another recent study, for example, showe...

I've always been active, but weight loss was never top of mind for me until I was a freshman in college. My first months away from home, I packed on some serious weight, but instead of cleaning up my diet, I started doing two-a-day cardio workouts, barely ate a bite all day, and binged on a calorie bomb late at night. The results? General exhaustion and minor, unsustainable weight loss. I wish I could say that I did my research, talked to a doctor, and changed my ways, but this vicious cycle continued for many, many years. Years later, I would kick my ass with an insane workout four or five times a week, and while I was stronger, I would not see any results on the scale or in my clothes. Things only changed when I was able to fully digest this fitness adage: "Abs are made in the kitchen." Related : Nutritionist-Recommended Foods to Suppress Your Appetite Naturally There's data to back up this claim. In meta-analysis from Behavioural Weight Management Review Group, ...

Just about all women have it, and whether genetics has blessed you with a little more than you'd like, cellulite is just one of those things we have to embrace. What causes that dimply, orange-peel-looking flesh? When fat cells push up against our skin and the fibrous tissue that connects our skin to our muscle pulls down, we're left with that signature bumpy skin. Although you can't get rid of cellulite completely, here are some simple things you can do to reduce its appearance. Related: The Cellulite Workout: 30-Minute Full-Body Burner from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1yOZatz

Even if you follow a fitness routine and you often choose healthier foods, you may not be seeing the weight come off the way you hope. While there are plenty of other healthy accomplishments to celebrate on this journey, it can be frustrating to not see results when you step on the scale. Sound familiar? Chances are, one of these reasons is all that's standing in the way of your weight-loss goals. - Additional reporting by Jenny Sugar, Michele Foley, and Leta Shy from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1r1dy9O

We recently learned all about the power of counting macronutrients, and why it's so much more efficient (and healthy!) for your body than simply focusing on a calorie count. By focusing on carbohydrates, protein, and fat, you can better optimize your diet for your physical, personal needs, whether you're boosting your metabolism, cutting fat, or building muscle. Many of us want to know what it takes to lose weight, right? What's the optimal diet for weight-loss and fat cutting? What does that day look like? Our macro-counting expert, wellness coach Carrie McMahon breaks it down for us, and shows that slight adjustments can make huge differences in weight. "[Counting macronutrients] is a concept that is fairly new to most women," said Carrie. And just like LISS workouts , macro counting has "existed in the bodybuilding world for years, but it can be applied to real, everyday life.". Related : Why You Should Be Counting Macros, Not Calories Counting m...

Eating breakfast can help jump-start your metabolism, but what you choose to eat can help you drop pounds even faster. High-fiber foods help satiate hunger longer, which makes you less likely to reach for bad-for-you snacks later. As a rule, breakfast should contain at least six grams of fiber . Here are some tasty, filling ideas. from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1mVQA8R

The truth about how much food your stomach can hold - Health This workout could be the key to longevity - Fitness How trying to eat healthy is a day-to-day struggle - Shape 8 simple moves for stronger core and abs - Real Simple Read up on the right kind of protein for weight loss - Women's Health Why you should freeze your veggies - Cooking Light 3 simple moves to prevent back pain - HuffPost Healthy Living Can CrossFit actually benefit your marathon training? - Women's Running 1 move that takes your butt from flat to fab - Self Gwyneth Paltrow took a dance class with James Corden - POPSUGAR Celebrity from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1qNF7tt

Women around the world struggle with insecurities about weight and their appearance daily. Many suffer in silence, but in America, there is at least an abundance of access to recovery programs and rehabilitation centers. Women in Japan are not as lucky. Culturally, Japanese women are often afraid to vocally admit their disorder because it is perceived as shameful. According to a woman interviewed by BBC , "They feel they have to hide it. Parents may think they are wasting food so that might stop them seeking help." A staggeringly small amount of Japanese women sought treatment for eating disorders in 2014: 10,000 people compared to the United Kingdom's 725,000. When you consider the size of Japan's population, just over 126 million people in 2015, that is an appallingly low number. The medical system in Japan is clearly failing in some capacity to address the stigma of eating disorders. While the government committed to bringing awareness to the issue in 2014, it on...

If you're no stranger to the struggles of trying to lose weight, the solution might be a few tweaks to your regimen. We enlisted the expertise of three nutritionists - Stephanie Clarke, RD, and Willow Jarosh, RD, of C&J Nutrition , as well as Mitzi Dulan, RD, author of The Pinterest Diet: How to Pin Your Way Thin and CLIF Bar nutrition partner. Check out what they say are the biggest mistakes most people make when trying to slim down. from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1uks82K

In the beginning of a weight-loss journey, pounds melt away like ice cream on a hot Summer's day. But as you get closer to your goal, it's not unusual to hit a plateau. Here's how to keep those pounds dropping and keep the weight off for good. Beef Up Your Workouts If you've been steadily working out and following the same schedule, your body has probably grown accustomed to the routine. Rattle your body's chain a little and kick up the intensity of your workouts to further challenge your muscles. Work out longer or harder, increase the size weights you're lifting, do more reps of strength-training moves and vary the order, or try doing two workouts in one day . Related: Why HIIT Workouts Are Good For Weight Loss Eat More Fiber Since your metabolism is already working pretty efficiently, eat fibrous foods that take longer to digest so your body has to expend more energy to break them down. Fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, and legumes are where it'...

Chock-full of protein, eggs are a quick and easy way to get this essential nutrient anytime of the day. From omelets in the morning to quiche at night, you may be shying away from the yolks to save calories and cholesterol. The yolk may contain all the fat, but it also contains most of the vitamins and nutrients. Take a look at the comparison below to see what you may be missing when you only eat the whites. 1 egg white 1 egg yolk 1 whole egg Calories 16 54 71 Total fat (g) 0 5 5 Saturated fat (g) 0 2 2 Cholesterol (mg) 0 211 211 Sodium (mg) 55 8 70 Carbs (g) 0 1 0 Fiber (g) 0 0 0 Sugars (g) 0 0 0 Protein (g) 4 3 6 Vitamin A (IU) 0 244 244 Vitamin B12 (mcg) 0 0.3 0.6 Vitamin D (IU) 0 18.2 17.5 Calcium (mg) 2.3 21.9 26.5 Folate (mcg) 1.3 24.8 23.5 Potassium (g) 53.8 18.5 67 Selenium (mcg) 6.6 9.5 15.8 Omega-3s (mg) 0 38.8 37 The yolks are where it's at if you're lo...

If you want to lose a few pounds before bikini-season hits, there's one thing you should definitely be eating more of: fiber! Why? This plant-based roughage is a weight-loss wonder. But fear not: you don't need to resort to eating old-school oat bran cereal or adding a fiber supplement to your smoothie in order to up your fiber intake. Some of the most delicious foods, such as raspberries, strawberries, chickpeas, edamame, and sweet potatoes, are also some of the highest in fiber. Read on to get the lowdown on how fiber can help you shed pounds, find out how much fiber you should be eating, and get 10 yummy fiber-rich meal and snack ideas. How much fiber do I need? We all know most Americans aren't eating enough fiber, but how much do you really need? The USDA recommends you eat 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories. So, if you are eating a 2,000-calorie diet, you need about 28 grams of fiber per day. Most Americans get about half that, since the Standard American ...

You work hard to lose weight, but the pooch won't budge. Our friends at Shape share some reasons as to why this is happening. You can work out like a champ, eat virtuously, and get sound sleep but still stay thick around the middle. Blame some newly discovered triggers that undermine your slim-down efforts by making you pack on the belly flab. Take note, and trim down. Living on a Busy Street Regular exposure to traffic noise makes you 29 percent more likely to have a bigger waistline, according to findings in Occupational & Environmental Medicine. (That risk escalates further if you're constantly hearing planes, trains, and automobiles.) (Read more: Living Near Traffic Noise Linked to Higher BMI .) Other research found that such noise may spike your cortisol, a hormone associated with ab fat. Three suggestions for you: Drown out the noise by playing soothing music (studies revealed that such tunes lower cortisol levels), muffle the clamor with a background- noise mac...

Losing weight is a journey, and we firmly believe you're more likely to keep the weight off by making healthy lifestyle changes. The problem is that many of us like the weight to come off fast, but even with the best intentions, weight loss can stall. When this happens, it's time to reassess and tweak your plan of action. Related: The Best Workouts For Weight Loss What's Up With Your Workouts If you are just doing cardio, it is time to add strength training - at least twice weekly. When you lose weight, you're losing both muscle and fat , and you need to build the muscle back up. Muscles burn more calories at rest than fat, so increasing your muscle mass will improve your metabolism. It's time to add some intensity to your workouts. HIIT workouts , mixing vigorous intervals with rest periods, burn more calories both during and after the workout. Also, HIIT workouts target fat and that is what you want to lose, NOT muscle. Related: Lose Weight With These H...

16 of the best weight-loss strategies - Health Portable mason jar meals that save calories and money - Fitness How to make delicious desserts with protein powder - Shape Advanced-level push-up variations - Women's Health The best yoga poses for posture - HuffPost Healthy Living What happens when you stop training for 2 weeks - Women's Running Target your butt and abs in 1 workout - Self 11 stuffed strawberry ideas for Spring - Real Simple Recipes that prove avocado and rice are a perfect food pairing - POPSUGAR Latina from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1rmeJaQ

Meet Julie Ana Kim: we first discovered this beautiful, inspiring young woman via the Kayla Itsines #BBGCommunity , and we've been captivated ever since. She might be one of our favorite progress stories! Julie has been on quite the fitness journey, with some incredible weight-loss benchmarks under her belt. She's on a mission to lose 150 pounds and is over one-third of the way there! Through the Bikini Body Guides, SoulCycle, and a serious commitment to health, she's crushing her weight-loss goals, and we're standing on the sidelines cheering. Take a look at her story - if you were struggling to find weight-loss motivation, we've got it for you right here. Related : Inspiring Total-Body-Transformation Photos From the Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guides from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1SZKXi5

Why cutting down on carbs isn't the best weight-loss solution - Fitness Khloé Kardashian can't stop flaunting her ripped figure - Shape 15 ways to prepare a healthy cauliflower meal - Women's Health Chia recipes you haven't tried yet but should - Cooking Light One superfood ingredient your banana bread has been missing - Health How to maximize your energy after a restless night - Greatist Steal Bella Hadid's athleisure street style ASAP - POPSUGAR Fashion from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1SrKRm2

Interval training is the ultimate fitness mashup, blending the speeds of both the tortoise and the hare. Playing with speed and intensity in your workouts offers so many benefits for your fitness level, weight loss efforts, and overall health. Learn all perks associated with this training technique, then get to the gym and start reaping the rewards of interval training. from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/26dpAUi

During a busy day, carving out an hour to head to the gym can be tough, so the question is this: are you making the most of those 60 minutes? With a few simple tweaks, you can increase your calorie burn instantly. Try these tips the next time you're at the gym to maximize your sweat session. from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1BMbyXe

Wanting flat abs is a seasonless pursuit, and feeling your best often starts in your belly. Get rid of the bloat and sculpt a strong core with five daily must-dos to get flat abs! from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1FBrL5d

Don't let the free snacks at work sabotage your diet. Here are tips from dietitian Julie Upton, MS, RD, of Appetite For Health , on how to snack for weight-loss success. A client of mine gained 10 pounds since landing a great job at a women's athletic apparel company about a year ago. After reviewing her diet, I found those 10 pounds . . . in the office snack cupboard. Free food is a "perk" in most offices, but it may come at a cost: pounds gained. In this case, the options were seemingly healthier choices - miniature dark chocolates, yogurt-covered nuts and pretzels, dried fruit, energy bars, and trail mix - but a daily trip or two to the cupboard added up to hundreds of extra calories . . . and 10 extra pounds. Related: Experts Share the Perfect Snack For Maximum Weight Loss When hunger strikes, instead of bee-lining to the office snack drawer, vending machine, or local Starbucks, opt for one of these six wholesome, natural snacks that have less than 200 calor...

It's almost bikini weather, so now's the time to start thinking about your shape-up plan. Making a few simple changes to your lifestyle now will ensure you're not frantically trying to crash diet a week before a warm-weather vacation. Read our tips to start today for a safe Summer shape-up. Debloat and detox: Start recovering from sluggishness by replacing comfort foods with fresh fruits and vegetables. Drink water with lemon every day, for example, to burn fat and aid with digestion, and make sure every salad contains dark leafy greens like kale or spinach. Read more about 10 detoxing foods you should be eating here . Lose the belly: It's not so easy to hide a belly behind thick sweaters when the temperatures rise. Begin working on that flat belly now with these daily must dos to get flat abs - like eating blueberries, cutting a few calories, and increasing your cardio workout - in order to shrink your belly and reveal your core muscles. Focus on legs: Shorts ...

A cleaned-up diet full of whole, natural foods is essential for weight-loss success. Lucky for us, some of our favorite Summer fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrition that works in our favor. Keep your body working at its top potential with these 10 pieces of produce. Fighting fat has never been so delicious. from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1Rp5Rw4

You've tried everything, but this year is going to be different. This is the year that you're finally getting down to business and losing the weight you've gained, whether it was from too many slices of pizza and beer in college, stuborn pregnancy weight, or that "food baby" you've been growing with pints of ice cream. You've had enough, and although you know there's no easy fix, we asked certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD of Whole Health Nutrition to share the one simple thing you need to do to jump-start your weight loss and start seeing results. We might as well have asked our mothers, because her advice is the same: to "eat more vegetables." There are so many reasons to eat them - they're low in calories and many are also low in carbs. The high-water content and all the chewing it takes to break vegetables down in your mouth can help you feel full faster, so you eat less food overall. Plus the high amount of fiber in v...

Chewing food longer and more thoroughly has several benefits. One of those is potential weight loss. Solid food, of course, requires chewing. In a research study, participants consumed 150 calories prior to serving themselves from a buffet meal. The ones who had been given a pre-meal snack of solid food ate about 150 calories fewer from the buffet, compared with controls. Those given the 150-calorie snack in liquid form, though, did not decrease their meal size. Eating fast, taking large bites, and swallowing quickly after less chewing are behaviors that tend to be associated with overeating and higher body weight. Hard foods (raw broccoli and the like) may decrease bite size, while soft foods (ice cream, cake, pudding) tend to increase bite size. Hard foods also require more chewing, slowing down the meal. Another study compared pizza chewed 40 times with 15 times per bite. Chewing longer left participants feeling less hungry, less preoccupied with food, and with a decreased ...

You're not downing doughnuts or pounding piles of pancakes with maple syrup. You're choosing healthy breakfasts like green smoothies, oatmeal, and homemade baked goods. But the scale doesn't lie - pounds are creeping on, and you're wondering what gives. That healthy breakfast could be the culprit, and here are three reasons why. But Nuts and Avocado Are Healthy Whether you're into smoothies, bowls of cereal, or omelets, be careful about all the high-calorie ingredients you love to add on. We're talking nuts, nut butters, dried fruit, avocado, and cheese - adding these to your breakfast can rack calories up quickly. Don't shy away from these nutritious ingredients; just be sure to keep track of how many you're adding so your breakfast doesn't contain more calories than a cinnamon bun. For smoothies, use water instead of milk, fill up on greens, drink half the smoothie, and follow these other calorie-cutting tips . Yeah, That's a Cup When you...

There are so many reasons we love Kayla Itsines, but chief among them has to be the way she puts the spotlight on others before herself (not a common quality in an Instagram star!). Kayla created the intense workout plan, Bikini Body Guide, which has literally transformed the bodies of women the world over. You can see that aforementioned spotlight on her Instagram in all the before-and-after photos she regrams. Through positivity, encouragement, and inclusion, she's empowered a community of women all over the world who are working for their best lives and best bodies. From extreme weight-loss journeys to post-pregnancy goals to women recovering from eating disorders and getting strong - we've seen it all on Kayla's Instagram, and each story is incredible. These transformation before-and-after photos will inspire you, if not outright leave you in tears. The smiles alone on the after photos are tear-inducing; the pride and sense of accomplishment is palpable. Get ready to...

When you're looking to boost your metabolism and burn more fat, the foods you use to fuel your body can help - all day long! Here are the best fat-burning recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks that all include the nutrients you need to support your goals. Each is made with ingredients known to help boost metabolism to help you hit your goals sooner! [ Breakfast ] [ Lunch and Dinner ] [ Snacks ] - Additional reporting by Leta Shy, Michele Foley, and Jenny Sugar from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1ptNpPO

It is said that picky eating is a characteristic that is in your child's gene. One of the first worries that bothers parents, especially mothers is 'What if my child becomes a  picky eater '? One of the most common problems, picky eating is all the more annoying today since almost everyone is in a hurry these days. The baby has to be fed within a certain time since the mother has to leave for work or has to finish home chores soon. The sheer rush of things makes it worse as babies often take time to eat, especially so in case of nagging and picky ones. Unless resolved at a young age, picky eating can lead to lifelong problems in eating habits which is not desirable. Some measures which you can undertake to restore normalcy in eating sessions include: Not forcing them to eat anything. Children like to be in charge and stop enjoying anything when they are forced to do it. The first trick then should be to not play the emotional tactics and understand that you cannot fo...

If you want to be healthier and lose weight, a fridge makeover may be just what you need. Keeping powerful perishables on hand will help you make a smart choice when you're tired, busy, or just craving junk. Stock up on these 10 foods and watch the pounds melt away. from POPSUGAR Fitness http://ift.tt/1BKsX4m

Want to know how to eat healthy? Most people have no idea how they are slowly committing suicide with what they eat... Why well for 2 main reasons, 1. Because it's easy to just eat whatever comes your way and 2. Because most of the food products sold today are literally poison. But you want to learn how to eat healthy, you decided to read this article because you wanted to know what you're putting in your mouth and be conscious about what you put in your body. And I'm going to deliver... Hot to Eat Healthy for Idiots How to eat healthy: First of all understand what food does for your body and how your body handles food... Contrary to popular belief it's not really about how much you eat but rather what you eat that will affect your health and nutrition. What do you need from food? The things we need from food are energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. Energy Why does your body need energy? Well other than the obvious reasons like being awake... Your brai...

I cry-eat more often than I want to admit. Stressful day at work? Chinese takeout it is! Fight with the boyfriend? Yes, I'll have a second maragarita! I'm not alone in this. Many nutritionists say weight issues and food cravings are less about physical happenings in the body and are closely tied to our emotional state. But life isn't pretty all of the time, so the challenge becomes how to not turn to food when things get out of whack. Beyond practicing mindful eating as much as possible, Nikki Sharp , wellness coach and author of the 5-Day Real Food Detox , recommends that her clients give themselves a detox - of the emotional kind. By pinpointing the reasons you're upset, Nikki says that you can find a better way to deal with the anger that doesn't have to involve turning to food. One of her go-to methods is a cleansing ritiual of sorts. Focus on what's bothering you and find a symbolic way to release it. "Write a letter and tear it up, throw a stone i...

Tempted by the allure of delicious-sounding drinks like Carmalized Honey Latte , it's easy to forget what actually goes into those Starbucks concoctions. If you're not careful, your coffee habit may be costing you over 400 calories and 50 grams of sugar - a day. Before you go and delete your new Starbucks Rewards app , there are some easy tips and tricks you can use to dramatically cut back on calories and sugar content, which we're shared with us by the most reliable experts we know: the Starbucks baristas. Related: The Healthiest Food Items at Starbucks Make it light: The next time you order a speciality drink, ask your barista to make it "light" or "skinny." These drinks are made using sugar-free syrup, nonfat milk, and without whipped cream. This trick even works for Frappuccinos. Less syrup: For drinks that use syrup as an ingredient (think, mochas, vanilla lattes, and cinnamon dolce lattes), ask your barista to use fewer pumps. A grande dri...

Remember when you were told to "finish your green beans" or to "eat all of your spinach"? So you tried to use salt, catsup or just holding your breath to get it all down. After all, no dessert until you obeyed. Next would come the "why" question. Why do I have to eat the stuff that doesn't taste good? The answer: Because it is good for you. A balanced diet is what makes you healthy and do well in school. You may not have bought into this explanation right away, but even your teacher at school would preach about diet and food groups. They would explain how you were supposed to eat from each group to be healthy in mind and body. The main idea that you were learning? Your body needs a variety of nutrients in your diet. Different parts of your body require a particular type of vitamin to fulfill its role in your overall health. A healthy body goes beyond muscles, reflexes and strength. Your diet will influence how you feel, your attitude and state ...

I hopped on the smoothie train and rode that obsession hard. I was all about green smoothies, protein smoothies , and thick and creamy overnight oats smoothies . There really were no ingredients I wouldn't add, and I loved creating new smoothie concoctions in the search of the ultimate perfect smoothie. And aside from loving that they were quick and easy, especially when I made smoothie freezer packs , I was also doing it to lose weight. Smoothies for weight loss was the newest miracle thing, right? But why then was I not losing a single godd*mn pound? Maybe my smoothie was more calories than I thought. I blissfully added healthy ingredients to my blender, not following a recipe, and definitely just eyeballing amounts. So could it be that I was adding too much? I decided to measure out what I was throwing in, and here it is (no judgements!): 2 cups loosley packed baby spinach: 20 calories , 2 grams fiber, 2 grams protein 1 frozen banana: 105 calories , 3.1 grams fiber, 1.3 gra...

Like most people trying to lose weight, I listened to the experts. Instead of eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I started scheduling meals and snacks so I was eating five or six times a day. This worked out to noshing on something every couple hours - 7 a.m. breakfast, 9 a.m. snack, 12 p.m. lunch, 3 p.m. snack, 5:30 p.m. dinner, and sometimes a late-night snack. The purpose was to ensure my hunger was satiated to prevent feeling so famished at each meal that I'd overeat. But then I realized I was eating all day long and never feeling hungry. I was also not losing weight. I was watching the clock instead of listening to my body. So which is better? When I asked certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD of Whole Health Nutrition to answer that question, she said, "It's better to eat when you are hungry. This is the concept of mindful eating." Every time you go to put something in your mouth, ask yourself if you are hungry. She also adds that it's import...

Do you get cravings at night? Are they often for alcohol, or for sugar? Do you have trouble getting to sleep without at least one of them? This post covers a simple plan for handling night cravings. Foods change brain chemistry (and more, but let's stick with brain chemistry for now). Both alcohol and sugar can change brain chem in a big way - and in almost the same way. Serotonin is a brain chemical that makes us feel relaxed. It can reduce rotten moods (dysphoria) from depression, SAD (seasonal affective disorder), PMS, anxiety, and more. At night, we tend naturally to want to increase our serotonin so we can relax. Serotonin is also the precursor of melatonin, sometimes called the sleep hormone (Melatonin is important for many reasons, including its anti-inflammatory benefits, but that's a separate topic). Bottom line, serotonin can help us wind down and get to sleep. It seems logical that, before bed, we'd want something serotonin-boosting to help us do that. ...