Billie S. Dickenson

They Thought They Were Buying Obamacare Plans. What They Got Wasn’t Insurance.

[UPDATED on June 8]

Tina Passione needed health insurance in a hurry in December. The newly retired 63-year-old was relocating to suburban Atlanta with her husband to be closer to grandchildren. Their house in Pittsburgh flew off the market, and they had six weeks to move out 40 years of memories.

Passione said she went online to search for the federal health insurance marketplace, clicked on a link, and entered her information. She promptly got multiple calls from insurance brokers and bought a plan for $384 a month. Later, though, when she went to a pharmacy and doctor offices in Georgia, she was told she did not have insurance.

In fact, it said it right on her card: “THIS IS NOT INSURANCE.”

Passione is one of 10 consumers who told KHN that they thought they were buying insurance but learned later that they had been sold a membership to a Houston-based health care sharing ministry called Jericho Share. The ministry formed in 2021 when House of Prayer and Life Inc., a half-century-old Christian congregation, assumed the name Jericho Share, according to Texas business filings.

Health care sharing ministries are faith-based organizations whose members agree to share medical expenses. The ministries grew in popularity before the Affordable Care Act’s mandate for having insurance coverage was repealed because they offered a cheaper alternative to insurance. But they are not insurance, largely not regulated as such, and don’t necessarily cover members’ medical bills. Massachusetts is the lone state that requires ministries to regularly report data, and only about half of claims submitted to ministries there were deemed eligible for payment. This spring, the Colorado legislature passed similar requirements that await the governor’s signature.

The Better Business Bureau gives Jericho Share an F rating, its lowest, and its website shows more than 100 complaints filed in less than a year. Texas Department of Insurance documents show two complaints, from February and March, about Jericho Share. The department responded to both by saying it regulates insurance, which ministries are not, and forwarding them to the state attorney general’s office. The attorney general’s office did not respond to KHN questions about the status of the complaints.

John Oxendine, a lawyer who was elected four times as Georgia’s insurance commissioner, responded to KHN’s inquiries made to Jericho Share. He is currently facing federal charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud that he said are unrelated to Jericho Share. He denied any wrongdoing. If Jericho memberships are being sold to consumers in misleading ways, “that’s a good way for a broker to get fired,” he said.

“Jericho Share does not tolerate any type of misrepresentation or unethical conduct on the part of its programs,” according to a statement sent through Oxendine. “Whenever we become aware of inappropriate conduct, we take appropriate action to remedy the situation.”

Consumers can always cancel their Jericho Share plans, Oxendine said. Many consumers who spoke to KHN did cancel their plans and receive refunds, but several said the process to do so was frustrating. Some were left to sort out payment for bills they incurred while they thought they were insured. At least seven of the people KHN spoke with said they ended up with Jericho Share after beginning their health insurance searches on Google.

A screenshot of a Google search for "healthcare marketplace" shows three advertisement links before a listing for healthcare.gov, the federal government's health insurance marketplace.
A screenshot taken May 11, 2022, shows advertisements for “lead-generating” websites that popped up after Googling “healthcare marketplace.” The most relevant search result is the federal government’s official health insurance marketplace, healthcare.gov.(KHN screenshot of Google.com)

Encountering such issues while shopping for health insurance is not uncommon, said JoAnn Volk, co-director of Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms. She co-authored a 2021 report that found “misleading marketing practices” were directing consumers to alternative health plans, like ministries, that can cost more than marketplace plans and offer fewer protections.

“It’s especially unfortunate because people have set out to buy comprehensive coverage,” Volk said.

Susan Fauman looks at the camera while taking a selfie. The background behind her is blurred.
Susan Fauman thought she was buying health insurance but learned later that she had bought a membership to Jericho Share, a Houston-based health care sharing ministry.(Susan Fauman)

Susan Fauman, 47, a metalsmith from Germantown, New York, relied on her spouse’s insurance coverage but wanted her own insurance policy before submitting her divorce paperwork last fall. Fauman said her Google search landed her on a series of what the advertising industry calls “lead-generating” websites: nongovernmental webpages that connect insurance brokers to consumers.

None of the consumers KHN spoke with could say with certainty which site ultimately connected them to the brokers who sold them Jericho Share memberships. ObamacarePlans.com and AffordableHealthPlans.org are among the lead-generating websites that show up on Google when someone searches with terms such as “Obamacare insurance” or “healthcare marketplace.” Those site listings are actually advertisements that resemble ordinary Google search results but are labeled with the word “Ad” and are placed above the most relevant search result: the federal government’s official health insurance marketplace, healthcare.gov.

Google spokesperson Christa Muldoon said companies that advertise on searches related to the Affordable Care Act must prove they are licensed to sell insurance via the federal or state marketplaces.

Those marketplaces let consumers shop for comprehensive health insurance, tell them whether they qualify for financial assistance, and connect consumers with enrollment assistance, if needed. By contrast, lead-generating websites typically just sell the personal information provided by consumers to insurance brokers and agents who can sell other types of plans.

Fauman said she unwittingly put her information into what turned out to be several lead-generating websites. She was soon inundated with phone calls from insurance brokers, she recalled.

Eager to get insurance, Fauman said, she bought a plan for about $330 a month, plus a $99 sign-up fee. She said the broker — who, she later realized, never named the plan — said she’d have basically no copays and no restrictions on where to get care. But he did not tell her it was a health care sharing ministry, she said, or that it wasn’t insurance — something she didn’t know to ask about. When she received her Jericho Share card with its disclaimer, she thought, “What the hell did I sign up for?”

Ministries and aggressive insurance marketing practices have raised eyebrows before, and the Washington state attorney general issued a consumer alert last year about “ads and websites posing as the official health insurance marketplace.” But Georgetown University’s Volk said large-scale crackdowns would likely require cooperation by multiple state regulators because states are the default enforcers of insurance rules. The Federal Trade Commission did bring a case against a Florida-based operation in 2018, alleging it collected over $195 million by enrolling consumers in “worthless plans.” The case is ongoing.

And it’s not always clear who can and should be protecting consumers in this complicated space that covers public and private insurance, interstate commerce, websites, and health care sharing ministries.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services manages the healthcare.gov website. “When CMS sees an ad we think is misrepresenting HealthCare.gov, we share it immediately with the search engines,” deputy administrator Ellen Montz said in a statement.

Louise Rasho, a spokesperson for MediaAlpha, which operates ObamacarePlans.com, said in an email that the company’s code of conduct does not allow brokers who buy customer leads to mislead consumers. It periodically monitors calls to ensure compliance. She also noted the site has disclaimers saying that it is not a government website.

Craig Sturgill of Excel Impact LLC, which owns AffordableHealthPlans.org, said that if the company learns a broker has broken the law or used questionable tactics, it terminates contracts and takes “further action” as necessary. “As a digital marketing company, we aren’t necessarily in the business of deeply educating consumers from beginning-to-end about all of their available options,” Sturgill said in an email. “Our role is to connect consumers to advisors who can and should effectively educate consumers.”

The broker callback number that consumer Hemani Hughes said she used to correct the spelling of her name on her Jericho Share plan — before she realized it was a ministry — is listed on the websites of the Better Business Bureau and the Utah Insurance Department as belonging to Florida-based Prosperity Health LLC. In an email, Prosperity Health’s registered business agent, Ahmed Shokry, said it had “never sold Health Shares.”

Hughes, a 49-year-old communications strategist in Kansas, said she was sold a Jericho Share plan in February after specifically telling a broker she did not want a health care sharing ministry plan. Hughes said she realized after her call that the broker never mentioned the plan by name, saying only that she was signing up for a “national PPO” and walking her through the copays.

When Hughes realized it was a health care sharing ministry, she said, she called to cancel her plan. She was met with what she described as “a pretty manipulating and very belligerent gantlet of customer service reps and hold times” over multiple calls.

At one point, Hughes said, the people she was speaking with told her it was irresponsible to go without insurance — even though Jericho Share itself is not insurance.

Tina Passione smiles while taking a selfie outdoors.
When Tina Passione was searching for health insurance online, she entered her information into what she thought was a government website for Affordable Care Act plans. After being inundated with calls, she purchased a plan. But when she went to the pharmacy and doctor offices, she was told she did not have insurance. In fact, it said it right on her card: “THIS IS NOT INSURANCE.” (Tina Passione)

Hughes outlined her story in a complaint she filed with the Better Business Bureau. Jericho Share responded to the consumer watchdog that it was contacting Hughes directly to protect her private health information and said, “We are working very diligently to investigate this complaint thoroughly.” Hughes ultimately received a refund.

Passione said she filed her complaint with the Better Business Bureau after she couldn’t get a straight answer about payment for her doctor appointments and prescriptions. In March, Passione canceled her Jericho Share plan and signed up for COBRA coverage through her former employer for $782 a month.

“A bit expensive, but at least I know what I am getting,” Passione said.

She said she was reimbursed by Jericho Share for one month’s payment and is waiting to hear whether her credit card company can recoup payments she made in January and February.

Fauman, who also filed a complaint, received a refund, too, but spent two months uninsured and avoided calling her doctor while she sorted out the situation.

“I was afraid of what it was going to cost me,” Fauman said.

She eventually got marketplace insurance with the help of a “navigator,” someone trained to help consumers enroll in coverage without earning a commission. After subsidies, Fauman’s premium is around $95 a month, costing her about $2,800 less a year than what she said her Jericho Share plan would have — and her new plan is actually insurance.

Where to Buy Marketplace Insurance
To find a health insurance plan, visit the federal marketplace, healthcare.gov, or call 800-318-2596.

[Update: This article was revised at 11:15 a.m. ET on June 8, 2022, to report lawyer John Oxendine’s unrelated indictment charges.]

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Abbott Nutrition restarts baby formula production in reopened Michigan plant

Shelves normally meant for baby formula sit nearly empty at a store in downtown Washington, DC, on May 22, 2022.

Samuel Corum | AFP | Getty Images

Abbott Nutrition on Saturday resumed baby formula production at its Sturgis, Michigan, plant, a move toward addressing a nationwide shortage.

The company has been given the green light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after meeting "initial requirements" as part of a May 16 consent decree.

The company said it will restart the production of EleCare, a formula for children who struggle to digest other products, along with other specialty and metabolic formulas.

Abbott aims for an initial EleCare product release around June 20 and is working to meet guidelines to resume production of Similac and other formulas.

"We understand the urgent need for formula and our top priority is getting high-quality, safe formula into the hands of families across America," a spokesperson for Abbott said in a statement. "We will ramp production as quickly as we can while meeting all requirements."

While supply problems started early in the Covid-19 pandemic, issues worsened in part due to the February closure of the Michigan plant amid scrutiny over contamination.

FDA investigations began after four infants were hospitalized with bacterial infections from drinking its powdered formula. Two of the babies died.

"The FDA is continuing to work diligently to ensure the safe resumption of production of infant formula at Abbott Nutrition's Sturgis, Michigan, facility," the FDA said in a statement.

"The agency expects that the measures and steps it is taking, and the potential for Abbott Nutrition's Sturgis, Michigan, facility, to safely resume production in the near-term, will mean more and more infant formula is either on the way to or already on store shelves moving forward," the FDA said.  

Abbott Nutrition is the largest baby formula manufacturer in the U.S.

‘Thor: Love and Thunder’: Natalie Portman Workout Routine

Now let's get into it: Here's how Portman got those toned arms.

Natalie Portman holding a hammer



Natalie Portman truly is Mighty Thor.

Marvel


Pendergast noted that they only had four months before shooting started to get Portman to look like Mighty Thor. She said it was the star's dedication that led to the results they got.

"Natalie is a very focused, hardworking, and determined woman, which was the main reason we were able to reach the goal look in time for filming," Pendergast said.

Here's the workout routine Portman did to get her toned arms:

Warm-up:

30 seconds: Marching arms 
30 seconds: Lat stretch 
30 seconds: Beast crawl 
10 reps: Roll down walk outs 
25 reps: Power band kneeling reverse fly 

Main set:

4 sets/12 reps: Banded pull-ups
4 sets/25 reps: Dumbbell straight arm lateral raise
 (rest 1.5 minutes) 
 
4 sets/20 reps: Straight arm raise (palms up) 
4 sets/1 minute: Reverse plank
(rest 1.5 minutes)

4 sets/10 reps: Seated dumbbell Arnold press
4 sets/20 reps: Kneeling banded tricep press
(rest 1.5 minutes)

4 sets/12 reps: Dumbbell bicep curl 
4 sets/20 reps: Banded kneeling rotation 
(rest 1.5 minutes)

4 sets/12 reps: Dumbbell tricep press 
4 sets/1 minute: Squat jumps 
(rest 1.5 minutes)

Cardio:

3 rounds of 2 minutes: Boxing followed by 1 minute of skipping. 
(rest 1.5 minutes then repeat set)

Cool down:

Stretching and release using a foam roller.

Healthier Lifestyle Maintained After Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery patients tended to maintain healthier lifestyle habits compared with peers who were eligible but had not received this treatment, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

People approximately 7 years out of bariatric surgery reported more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than those who were eligible but did not undergo the operation (average 147.9 minutes per week vs 97.4 minutes per week), as well as lower total energy intake (1,746 calories per day vs 2,040 calories per day).

Yet they did not significantly perform better in meeting physical activity requirements (23.1% vs 20.3%) or eating healthy (Healthy Eating Index score 50.0 vs 48.0), according to propensity-matched analyses by Young-Rock Hong, PhD, MPH, of the University of Florida in Gainesville, and colleagues. Their report was published in JAMA Network Open.

The surgical group also fared worse than a nonsurgical group at normal weight in healthy eating and meeting physical activity requirements, the latter defined as engaging in at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.

There was still room for improvement in postbariatric lifestyle, study authors concluded. "Taken together, our findings suggest that postsurgical patients may need more continual support for engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors to maintain the effects of the surgery," they wrote.

Strong support from physicians of those patients may be needed to ensure more success following bariatric surgery. The authors also highlighted issues such as stigma faced by those experiencing obesity while exercising, as well as both physical and mental health challenges following such a major operation.

Hong's group said that over 200,000 people get bariatric surgery per year, and about half gain back about 17-22 lbs within the first 2 years following their surgery.

"While regaining lost weight is not necessarily harmful, a deeper understanding of postoperative lifestyle patterns is needed to help inform preoperative education programs and postsurgical interventions to maximize the clinical benefits of bariatric surgery," the authors noted.

For their cross-sectional study, the investigators relied on nationally representative NHANES data from 2015 to 2018 including validated measures of diet and physical activity-related assessments.

Of the 4,659 participants, the average age was 46.1 years old, 58.8% were women, 12.7% were Black, and 68.6% were white.

Just 132 participants had undergone bariatric surgery. As a group, these individuals were older and more likely female or white compared with their 1,621 peers eligible for bariatric surgery, according to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery guidelines, who did not get the procedure.

The study left room for confounding and recall bias. Another limitation was the authors' inability to adjust for time since surgery and the exact surgery undergone.

Disclosures

Hong had no disclosures.

Co-authors reported personal relationships with WW International and Novo Nordisk and grants from the National Institutes of Health.

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Health insurers to pay $1 billion in rebates to 8.2 million people this year

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There's a chance your health insurance company owes you some cash.

Depending on how you get your coverage, you may be one of the 8.2 million policyholders expected to get a piece of $1 billion in premium rebates this fall from various insurers, according to a preliminary analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The amount is down from $2 billion issued in 2021 and a record $2.5 billion in 2020.

"In the last couple of years we've seen some really large rebates — twice the size of this year's amount," said Cynthia Cox, a vice president at the foundation and director of its Affordable Care Act program. "But I'd say $1 billion is still significant."

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Generally, you're more likely to see a rebate if you have an individual policy (including through a state health exchange or the federal one) or participate in a small- or large-group plan. (Many of the biggest U.S. employers choose to self-insure, which means their plans don't have to adhere to certain requirements placed on insurance companies. Different rules also apply to Medicare and Medicaid coverage.)

So why are the rebates going out?

Basically, insurance companies that sell group or individual policies must adhere to a "medical loss ratio" requiring them to spend at least 80% of premiums paid by enrollees on health-care costs and certain other expenses related to patient health. (For large group plans, the ratio is 85/15.) If that threshold is not met, enrollees are reimbursed the difference.

Each year, the ratio is calculated based on a rolling three-year average. So the rebates this year derive from insurance companies' financial data from 2019, 2020 and 2021.

This year's refunds — which will go to eligible participants enrolled last year — work out to about $141 per plan participant in the individual market, $155 in the small group market and $78 in large group plans, according to the Kaiser analysis. However, that amount can vary widely, depending on your location and insurer.

Insurers typically either send a check to policyholders or deduct the rebate from premiums (and send a check to individuals no longer enrolled but owed some money). Be aware that if you are in a group plan, your employer may split the rebate with you, Cox said.

If you're entitled to a rebate, you should receive it by Sept. 30.

Pregnancy Nutrition: What Foods to Avoid When Pregnant

Pregnancy gives a whole new meaning to food. Not only does what you eat help nourish and grow a human being, but it can also send you running for the bathroom as you discover yet another smell that disgusts you. There's already so much to consider when pregnant that it can hard to remember exactly which foods or beverages you absolutely can't ingest and which are safe in moderation. 

To help you through this exciting yet admittedly stressful time, we rounded up a list of foods and beverages to avoid so you can continue to figure out how best to fill your plate during this important time in your life. We also rounded up a list of foods that experts continue to debate if they are safe to eat during pregnancy. 

Read also: 6 Things Your OB-GYN Wishes You Knew About Pregnancy

Foods to avoid during pregnancy 

Alcohol 

It's not a food, but alcohol continues to sit high on the list experts say to avoid while pregnant. Alcohol can affect fetal development of the brain, facial features and other important body parts as it passes through the pregnant person's blood to the developing fetus. Alcohol can impact a child's life after they're born and cause physical and developmental disabilities, or what's known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there's no safe amount of alcohol to consume at any point during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy and would like help quitting drinking, talk to your doctor or find help near you.

Pregnant woman with a hand on a wine glassPregnant woman with a hand on a wine glass

Experts say to cut out beer, wine and liquor during pregnancy because there's no known "safe" amount of alcohol to drink. 


Jamie Grill/Getty Images

Raw or undercooked seafood and all shellfish

This one might hurt a little, but raw or undercooked fish (like sushi) can contain bacteria and viruses that can be harmful to you and your baby. Importantly, eating raw fish runs you the risk of listeria, which is an infection 10 times more likely to affect pregnant people, and 24 times more likely to affect Hispanic pregnant people, according to the CDC. Listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirths, preterm births and death in newborns. 

Some examples of seafood to avoid include sushi, sashimi, ceviche, raw oysters, scallops and clams, per the Mayo Clinic. You should also stay away from refrigerated seafood labeled nova style, lox, kippered, smoked or jerky, according to the clinic. 

High-mercury fish

The bigger and older the fish, according to the Mayo Clinic, the more likely it is to contain levels of mercury that aren't safe during pregnancy. A buildup of mercury in your body can affect your baby's nervous system. Common fish to avoid include bigeye tuna, king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, swordfish, shark and tilefish, per the Food and Drug Administration.

If you catch your own fish, or eat locally sourced fish, check local advisories for mercury levels and possible pollution.

Raw and undercooked meat 

Pregnant people are at a higher risk for foodborne illness because pregnancy affects their immune system's ability to fight off those infections, according to the FDA. Meat served raw or undercooked can carry harmful bacteria such as listeria, E. coli, salmonella, toxoplasma and make you and your unborn baby (who doesn't have a functioning immune system yet) severely ill. 

So while you're pregnant, it's best to order that burger or steak well-done. 

Aerial photo of a salmon and veggie dinnerAerial photo of a salmon and veggie dinner

There's a long list of fish to avoid while expecting, but well-done salmon or other low-mercury fish are healthy options for you and your pregnancy. 


Aniko Hobel/Getty Images

Processed meat 

Hot dogs, cold cuts and deli meat are all examples of things you might want to avoid eating while pregnant. These "ready to eat" meats can also contain harmful bacteria or viruses. The FDA does say it's OK to eat these types of meat, though, if they're "reheated to steaming hot." Piping hot bologna, anyone? 

Raw eggs 

Undercooked or raw eggs pose the same foodborne illness threat to pregnant people, so it's best to avoid them. Some popular homemade food items that might contain raw eggs include hollandaise sauce, Caesar dressing, aioli dip and mayonnaise (but store-bought dressings and dips are typically safe because they're made with pasteurized eggs, according to the FDA). It's also important to cook your eggs thoroughly. That means firm scrambled eggs and hard yolks. 

Unwashed fruits and vegetables

You can blame listeria and the other common foodborne illnesses again, but the FDA recommends pregnant people wash their fruits and veggies in the case they've been contaminated. You should use plain water, scrub away the dirt with a vegetable brush (if you have one) and remove bruises or cuts that can harbor bacteria, per the FDA

Unpasteurized milk and cheese

If your cheese or milk product has "unpasteurized" on the label, it's best to skip because the potential infection with Listeria could lead to miscarriage, preterm delivery or affect a newborn. Goat cheese, feta, Brie, blue cheese, Camembert and queso fresco or blanco typically contain unpasteurized milk and are best to avoid, Parents reported. 

Hispanic people who are pregnant might be much more susceptible to listeriosis because their diets are more likely to include soft cheeses like queso fresco or blanco, panela and asadero. If queso blanco and queso fresco are made with pasteurized milk, it's safe to eat. (As a note of caution, the CDC says that some cases of listeriosis have been linked to contamination in products that were made with pasteurized milk.) 

Pregnant woman holding a plate of salad and a plate of donutsPregnant woman holding a plate of salad and a plate of donuts

It's best to eat small amounts of highly processed foods during pregnancy because they usually offer little nutritional value. 


Oscar Wong/Getty Images

Raw sprouts

Sprouts, though delicious and healthy, can be contaminated with salmonella -- a bacteria which causes about 1.35 million infections a year in the US, according to the CDC. While pregnant, it might be best to pass on the sprouts. 

Organ meat

Organ meats, especially liver, contain very high amounts of vitamin A which is harmful during pregnancy, sometimes leading to birth defects or miscarriage. Types of synthetic vitamin A like retinol and the acne medication isotretinoin (formerly called Accutane) should also be avoided during pregnancy for this reason. 

'Proceed with caution' foods 

Sugar substitutes

Expert advice for pregnant people on artificial sweeteners and "fake sugar" seems to be a mixed bag. Doctors advise that pregnant people avoid saccharin, the sugar substitute found in Sweet'N Low, because it can cross the placenta and stay in fetal tissue. Others cite a possible link to low-calorie sweeteners and high birth weights or child obesity. But other guidance, like that from the Mayo Clinic, is that artificial sweeteners are fine if consumed in small amounts or in moderation. 

Bottom line: a diet soda here and there likely won't be harmful to you and your baby. But if you think your diet is too sugary, talk to your doctor before replacing the real stuff with artificial or low-calorie sweeteners.

Caffeine

If you're one of the many people who need a cup of joe to start the day, you might be wondering if you need to quit the habit. Current guidance is that, while cutting out caffeine entirely is ideal, moderate consumption of less than 200mg a day doesn't cause miscarriage or preterm birth, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (A typical 8-ounce cup of coffee has about 96 mg of caffeine, for scale, but amounts vary based on the brew). 

In addition to coffee, caffeine can be found in soda, chocolate, tea, energy drinks and other food and beverages. If you're particularly sensitive to caffeine, it might be best to keep your caffeine intake under 100mg, Healthline reported.

Caffeine, like a lot of substances that you can metabolize efficiently, crosses the placental barrier, so it's best to keep intake low for your growing baby. A study found that consuming 200 mg or more of caffeine a day increases the risk of miscarriage, but other research suggests even moderate caffeine consumption has been linked to low birth weight. If you have a history of miscarriage or are concerned about your caffeine intake, talk with your doctor.

A hand sprinkling sugar into a mug with coffeeA hand sprinkling sugar into a mug with coffee

Limit caffeine intake during pregnancy and be careful with sugar substitutes.


Tetra Images/Getty Images

Herbal tea

Caffeine is found in some teas, but herbal tea in pregnancy is a whole separate issue. The Mayo Clinic says to avoid drinking herbal tea while pregnant, unless your health care provider says it's OK, because of limited data on the safety for you and your baby. 

Herbal teas have been used by midwives and other people as cures for morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms, but there's still a lot we don't know about the amount of herbs that are safe for pregnant people. Some herbal teas that might be safe to drink in the first trimester are ginger tea and green tea (which contains caffeine) according to Australia's Department of Health. You might add red raspberry leaf tea to the list in the second trimester (the tea is associated with uterine contractions, so the agency suggests you wait out the first three months). Be careful not to drink too much as drinking three or more cups a day has been linked to an increased chance for spina bifida

Some herbal teas to absolutely avoid during pregnancy include sage and parsley tea, which have both been linked to miscarriage, according to the Australian agency. 

Bottom line: Ask your doctor before you drink, or continue drinking, herbal tea while pregnant. And that includes tea marketed as "pregnancy" tea.

Fish

Fish are an excellent source of protein
and many have other awesome nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids and, despite the long list of fish you can't eat, there are a few you can include as part of a balanced diet. The FDA recommends eating 8 to 12 ounces (about two or three servings) a week of safe-to-eat fish. Some of these fish to consider, per the Mayo Clinic, include: anchovies, catfish, cod, herring, light canned tuna, pacific oysters, pollock, salmon, sardines, shad, shrimp, tilapia and trout. White tuna is also OK, but stick to 6 ounces a week instead.

<img src="https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/242d3a3806aa7c7341cc8b515dbc20f3f9ba99f2/2021/08/13/9bf8d410-ae5b-4daa-bee6-1c2f1242206d/gettyimages-654400237.jpg?auto=webp&width=1200" class=" lazy" alt="Tea pot of herbal tea pouring into a teacup" height="801" width="1200"/>Tea pot of herbal tea pouring into a teacup

There are a lot of unknowns about tea, especially herbal tea, during pregnancy. Check in with your doctor if you're a tea drinker.


ATU Images/Getty Images

That's a long list 

Like every person, every pregnancy has different needs and finding a diet that works best for one person may not be sustainable for you. While it's important to find foods that provide nutrients for you and your pregnancy, asking questions and considering your individual health can make eating healthy during pregnancy feel less restrictive. If you have questions about whether a food is safe to eat during pregnancy, contact your health care provider. 

More from CNET Parenting

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

I tried Kate Middleton’s exhausting workout routine for 14 days – watch








June 26, 2022 - 15:01 BST

Georgia Brown




It's no secret the Duchess of Cambridge has a natural affinity for health and fitness, having given royal fans a glimpse at her athletic talent and competitive streak at many a sporting event in the past.

SEE: Kate Middleton's epic workout routine and healthy lifestyle is not for the faint hearted

Former rugby player Mike Tindall, who is married to Prince William's cousin Zara, even described Duchess Kate as an "engine", claiming his dream rugby team would involve the 40-year-old royal on one wing "because she loves running, she can run all day!"

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI_rL00eQcQ[/embed]

WATCH: HELLO!'s Georgia takes on Kate Middleton's gruelling workout routine

Keen to amp up my exercise habits, I decided to take on Duchess Kate's workout and wellness routine for 14 days to see if I could emulate the royal's enviably lean physique and radiant skin glow. Read on to discover everything I learned after working out like the Duchess of Cambridge…

LOOK: 26 times the royals made us laugh while playing sports - see hilarious photos

What is the Duchess of Cambridge's workout routine?

The royal has been known to incorporate a generous hybrid of cardio and weight training into her lifestyle. From running to weight lifting, cycling to rowing, yoga to HIIT, the sporty Duchess' workout routine certainly isn't for the faint-hearted.

kate-middleton-rugby

The Duchess follows an extremely varied workout routine

I decided to follow a 14-day workout plan incorporating as many of the Duchess' favourite exercises as possible.

Day 1, 3, 5

  • 3km run
  • 45 min weight training

Day 2, 6, 7

  • 45 min spin class
  • 1hr Yoga

Day 8, 10, 12

  • 10,000 step walk
  • 45 min weight training

Day 9, 11, 13

Day 14

How did I find each exercise?

Weight training

Keen to seek some expert advice before delving into weight training, I spoke to Juliana Leonardi, Senior Personal Trainer at David Lloyd Kensington who weighed in (get it?) on the need-to-knows of lifting as a woman.

kate-middleton-tennis

The Duchess has an incredibly lean physique

"The key to achieving a lean, toned body like the Duchess of Cambridge without bulking is to do several reps of low weights," explained Juliana.

MORE: This is what happened when I drank Kate Middleton's green 'pond water' smoothie for a month

READ: Kate Middleton's daily diet: the Duchess' breakfast, lunch and dinner revealed

"I definitely believe the Duchess of Cambridge weight trains," says Juliana. "There are so many benefits to weight training, from making you leaner and stronger to improving your bone destiny, burning fat and helping with posture."

As a total weightlifting rookie, I found Juliana's exercises enjoyable and surprisingly simple - but the burn the following day proved you don't have to lift heavy weights to feel a difference.

Running

Both Kate and her sister, Pippa Middleton, are keen runners. According to the Daily Mail, the Duchess finds the time to run as often as possible when in Norfolk, having enjoyed long runs with the family dog Lupo by her side before he passed away.

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KATE WEARS: Define Jacket, £98 / $118, Lululemon

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WHAT I WORE: Bamboo Base Layer, £42, BAM Clothing

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Getting in a daily run proved to be surprisingly difficult, as I think it requires the most motivation. I find running to be one of those 'love it or hate it exercises', and I'm definitely in the latter category. I always tried to kickstart my workouts with a slow 2 km jog, or finished a sweat sesh on David Lloyd's curved treadmills - which Juliana said are great for building endurance and working the core. 

Cycling

Though I'm sure the Duchess of Cambridge doesn't cycle to pumping Taylor Swift at 7 am like I did in my spin classes, we do know she's a keen cycler. Before she became a Duchess, Kate would regularly cycle near her parents' home in Bucklebury, and has been spotted using the London Cycle Scheme bikes in Hyde Park.

MORE: 13 times the Duchess of Cambridge showed off her enviable trainer collection

I'm not sure if it's just the London cycle scene, but spinning terrifies me. I find the instructors intimating, the strange cult-like atmosphere where everyone in the room seems to automatically know the choreographed bike-ography (yes, that's a thing!) overwhelming, and the Ibizia club playlist often a little too much for a Monday morning. The sweat is real though, so it must do something.

Yoga

I anticipated using yoga as my rest day activity to give my body a break from weights and cardio, but I often left the classes feeling exhausted.

Duchess Kate loves the holistic exercise. Kate invited a yoga instructor from the island of Mustique to her 2011 wedding and also prepared for the birth of Prince George in 2013 with prenatal yoga sessions.

What did I learn from working out like Kate Middleton for a week?

Regular, routine exercise works wonders for your mental health

Once I had nailed the routine of wake up, exercise, work, sleep, repeat, I started to notice a major shift in my focus, motivation and mental health. I started to crave the post-workout endorphins and knowing I had smashed my fitness goals for the day before I'd even started work was a far more rewarding feeling than my usual slog to wake up and drag myself to my desk to begin work (ahem).

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I planned my workouts in a Daily Goal Setter Planner, £24, Mål Paper

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I was also starting to feel exhausted by around 9pm, so I was heading to bed far earlier and clocking in at least eight hours sleep each night - which is far more than I'm used to.

It's not worth injuring yourself

I really had to listen to my body as I neared the final days of the challenge in order to avoid injury. At one point I felt I had overdone it on the cardio, so swapped a weight training session for some slow yoga at home - and I know my body thanked me for it.

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All before 9 AM! No wonder my muscles ached...

It's always difficult to find the right balance between exercise and rest, particularly if you suddenly amp up the amount you're working out.

You have to up your food intake

We hear so much about 'calorie deficit' being the key to weight loss, but very little about the importance of eating enough calories to sustain your energy for exercise. If I had continued to eat the same as usual while tripling my daily exercise for this challenge, I'm certain I would have fainted by day three.

I noticed around day four of the challenge I was starting to wake up extremely hungry, and I was going to bed on what felt like an empty stomach. This is when I knew I wasn't giving my body enough fuel to power through my workouts. On some days, my Apple watch was telling me I'd burned over 3,000 calories in a day, so it's no wonder I started to feel weak and lightheaded when I hadn't eaten enough.

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Wholesome fieldtrays from Farmer J were a lunchtime lifesaver

Still keeping my diet healthy, I added more protein and lots of fresh veg to give my body a boost. And I never denied myself a treat (or two) when I fancied one.

Don't underestimate the power of yoga

Weight training may have left me feeling exhausted and sweating, but it was always after yoga that my body felt it had worked its hardest. Not only was my core on fire by the end of every class, but my upper back and chest muscles were seriously struggling after a sweaty session of Chaturanga Dandasanas (low plank holds).

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Rest days were a great opportunity for yoga at home

Yoga has proven benefits to the body's core, posture, and stability, so it's no surprise the Duchess incorporates yoga into her lifestyle as a way to wind down and promote muscle strength.

All bodies are different

As much as I would love to have woken up with the Duchess of Cambridge's slender, toned physique on the final day of the challenge (a girl can dream), I had to be realistic with my goals.

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Progress in fitness takes a lot of time and commitment

Fitness is a lifestyle, and it requires a lot of commitment and dedication. So although the physical changes in my body were minimal despite my disciplined approach to the challenge, that doesn't mean it was a total failure. I explored new styles of working out, braved the dreaded weights section of the gym, and nailed my first 5k run in months.

Aesthetically, the changes might be small. Mentally, I'm more than ready to take on my next workout à la Kate Middleton and continue exploring the potential of my fitness goals.

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REDTAG promotes fitness and healthy lifestyle with retro sportswear on International Yoga Day

Drawing eclectic inspirations, Activewear adds an element of style to purpose-made exercise clothing, providing an additional reason to get up and pursue fitness and a healthy lifestyle. REDTAG’s dedicated collection also pays homage to vintage sportswear while retaining the contemporary design. In this way, Activewear perfectly encapsulates the spirit of yoga — an ancient practice with timeless significance and practicality.

“The practice of yoga, while rooted in Indian culture, has become ubiquitous, with proponents across the world, especially in the Middle East. Our Activewear pays homage to this ancient practice by empowering practitioners with fit-for-purpose apparel. While also bearing in mind the aesthetics, we have designed them with unwavering dedication and great attention to detail,” said Shehbaz Shaikh, Chief Retail Officer, REDTAG.

Through Activewear, men can relive the ’90s basketball experience with shorts in classic designs. Vintage options also extend to v-neck jerseys. Sleeveless hoodie sweatshirts and shorts with elasticated fastening are available in gentle colours. For those seeking fast-fashion gym outfits, REDTAG has brought enticing tie-dye shorts to go with t-shirts in fun colours like sage green.

Seamless short-sleeve cropped tops with push-up leggings in sober grey and dusky pink are just the yoga essentials that women need for a fulfilling yoga session. Activewear also features vintage, sporty and graphic sweatshirts that redefine comfort fashion. For the yoga regulars, there are relaxed t-shirts, two-piece sets, workout crop tops, and track shorts — all in warm colours.

“Activewear exemplifies REDTAG’s pre-eminence at the intersection of fast fashion and value pricing. Today, it also complements the growing awareness of fitness among all age groups and a rise in associated establishments such as gyms, yoga centres, and pilates studios. We intend to grow Activewear into a household sub-brand that will cater to fitness and yoga enthusiasts across the region,” added Shehbaz.

The value-driven brand recently concluded its Ramadan Bonanza, giving away SUV cars, cash prizes, and free gifts. In addition, REDTAG has been actively expanding across the region, with hyper-convenience value propositions such as ‘Anytime-Anywhere Exchange’, ‘Find Your Size’, ‘Fashion Stylists’, and ‘Free Home Delivery’.

With several such first-to-market services in the Middle East and its tiered loyalty program — RT Rewards — which boasts over 15 million members, REDTAG continues to cement its position as the leading value fashion and homeware brand in the region. Its contributions were recognized by Retail ME through the ‘Most Admired Brand Campaign of the Year’ award 2021.

Oat milk: nutrition facts and health benefits

If you’re considering switching from dairy to plant-based milk, you may be wondering how oat milk compares in terms of nutrition. There are many reasons why you may consider the switch – lactose intolerance, environmental concerns, animal welfare and simple curiosity, to name just a few. 

For many, picking the best milk alternative is a growing challenge. One look at the supermarket shelves will tell you that the range of available options is constantly expanding and more and more brands are offering plant-based products. According to Statista (opens in new tab), oat milk is the second most popular plant-based milk alternative in the US right now, right after almond milk. 

This Yoga Day, Let’s Take Steps Towards a Healthy Lifestyle

The world today is taking huge strides across all fields.This has caused times to be extremely fast paced. In such a scenario it is challenging to maintain physical well-being and peace of mind. It takes planning, efforts and disciplinewhen it comes to maintaining a certain quality of living. Individuals across age groups, school or college-going children, working individuals, homemakers, senior citizens,all of them are now leading a more hectic lifestyle than before. Pace of work has increased, and to-do lists across both, home and work front have been increasing.

Covid-19 pandemic has added a significant amount of stress to our daily lives as well. In these current times, it is essential to take some time off and focus on activities that will enhance your daily life, health and holistic well-being. Self-care needs to be prioritized and what better way to do it than spare a few minutes for practicing yoga for a healthy mind and a healthy body.

Yoga is one form of exercise and self-care which is suitable for all age groups and is one which can be practised from the comforts of your home. It is easy to follow and requires only a few minutes every daywhich can go a long way in improving your overall mental and physical health. You will begin noticing the positive effects and will feel positive energy flowing through your system once it becomes a more regular practice.

In fact, the theme for this year’s International Day of Yoga is ‘Yoga for Humanity’ which emphasises how yoga has served humanity across the globe by promoting the message of a healthy lifestyle, and bringing people together through compassion, kindness, sense of unity and resilience. 

Here are a few ways in which you can take the first few steps towards a healthy lifestyle through yoga:

Self-care
A few minutes of yoga everyday simply means taking some time out for yourself and your good health from the daily demands of your life. Whether you are a homemaker, an entrepreneur or a student, it is the most rewarding form of exercise and self-care you can practise. Taking good care of yourself is the fundamental step to taking care of others in your ecosystem.

Stress Reduction
Yogaheals both the mind and the body. In today’s extra competitive and fast-paced lifestyle, keeping a calm mind has never been more significant. Successful management of stress has a positive impact on your overall health. You also tend to be more relaxed, and you will notice you are able to sleep better with consistent practise of yoga.

Mental Wellness
Yoga leads to mindfulness, healthy eating and promotes healthy metabolism. All these factors combined help the mind to relax and increases vitality. With a calm mind, you are more focused on completing tasks without unnecessary stress – whether those may be work or home related. 

Hearth Health
A calm mind leads to a calm body. Managing your stress levels effectively also helps in maintaining a healthy heart. Yoga helps mitigate body inflammation, and other factors responsible for heart disease such as blood pressure.

Body Strength
Many of us complain about increasing lethargy as time progresses. Consistent practice of yoga helps you overcome this and build muscle strength, helps you get rid of lethargy and helps keep your heart active and healthy. It also helps relieve pains and improves mobility.

Strong immune system
Someasanas help improve the overall functioning of the digestive system. There are times when individuals may choose to have a hearty meal at the restaurant for a change and end up have severe digestion issues post. Regular practice of yoga strengthens your digestive system and your overall immune system, empowering you to fight illnesses better than before. You will fall ill less often and with steady lowering of stress hormones in your body, you will also strengthen your immune system. 

A key part of Yoga is breathing techniques. It improves the respiratory tract and lungs by teaching you to breathe right and breathe better. Time dedicated towards practicing the right breathing techniques goes a long way. 

The most important aspect of yoga is the connection between mind and body. With this ancient form of exercise, you can learn to control your breathing with the movement of your body and train your mind to become calm and peaceful which in turn benefits your physical health. It is a cyclical reaction, and one which individual across the globe need on a regular basis.

The best part about yoga is its ease and simplicity. It does not require fancy infrastructure, just a few minutes of regular dedication and motivation on your part will go a long way in ensuring a much healthier lifestyle for you. It is never too late to take the first step towards a healthy lifestyle.

By Mr. Shharad Dhakkate is the Chief Human Resources Officer for SBI General Insurance