The Confidence Gap.

http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2014/04/the-confidence-gap/359815/

By Katty Kay and Claire Shipman. 

Evidence shows that women are less self-assured than men—and that to succeed, confidence matters as much as competence. Here's why, and what to do about it.

"Women applied for a promotion only when they met 100 percent of the qualifications. Men applied when they met 50 percent" 

"Some observers say children change our priorities, and there is some truth in this claim. Maternal instincts do contribute to a complicated emotional tug between home and work lives, a tug that, at least for now, isn’t as fierce for most men. Other commentators point to cultural and institutional barriers to female success. There’s truth in that, too. But these explanations for a continued failure to break the glass ceiling are missing something more basic: women’s acute lack of confidence."

"Do men doubt themselves sometimes? Of course. But they don't let their doubts stop them as often as women do "

Addicted to sugar? Concerns and alternatives.

Addicted to sugar? You’re not alone. And you need to know what it’s doing to your heart.

It’s ironic, really, that sugar is so often associated with love and matters of the heart — from Grandma’s famous cookies to boxes of chocolate on Valentine’s Day. But the truth is that sugar is hurting your heart. On average, American adults get 15 percent of their daily calories (based on a 2,000-calorie diet) from added sugar. That’s far more than the 100 calories per day for women and 150 calories per day for men that the American Heart Association recommends. Although questionable food choices account for some of the excess sugar intake, a much greater part of the problem is the hidden sugar in products such as ketchup, salad dressing, cereals, breads, granola bars, spaghetti sauce, and even tonic water, all of which contain lots of added sugar. The resulting excess sugar consumption increases your risk of developing many chronic illnesses, including heart disease. To reduce your sugar intake, check food labels carefully, looking for hidden sugars like the “oses” (fructose, sucrose, dextrose, etc.), corn syrup, nectars and evaporated or concentrated juices. Do your very best to avoid foods that contain added sugar, and focus instead on fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts or veggies for more nutritious snacks.

Adopted from Cleveland Clinic.