You may have heard how exercise is good for your health in many ways, including helping you to lose weight and to keep your heart strong. But, did you ever think that working out could make you desire healthier foods? A recent study of the brain scans of healthy men found out that those who exercised were more likely to desire low-fat foods after a workout than fatty foods. Therefore, if you add more exercise to your daily routine it could help you to not only burn off more calories, but to eat less of them too!WHAT COUNTS AS EXERCISE? Exercise is any activity that gets your heart beating faster than it does when you are resting—and hopefully it makes you sweat a little too! A group of healthy men were asked to run on a treadmill for one hour. After running, these men had a brain scan while they were shown pictures of high-fat foods and low-fat foods. The reward center of the brain lit up when they were shown pictures of low-fat foods. The reward center had a reduced reaction when the men were shown pictures of high-fat foods. This study suggests that if we exercise and stay active, it makes us more likely to make healthier foods choices. Exercise, therefore, can influence our eating habits and make adopting a healthy lifestyle an easy, natural change! SO, HOW MUCH SHOULD I EXERCISE? Any kind of movement is good, but for the best fitness results it is suggested that you exercise at a moderate level at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. If you are just starting to add exercise to your daily routine, this 30 minute workout could be split into three 10 minute periods. To make sure that it is safe for you, be sure to contact your healthcare provider before starting any exercise plan. THE BOTTOM LINEMove more each day and in turn your mind and body will help you choose the foods you need for a healthy lifestyle.