Healthy Eating

It can be tempting to feel like it's too late to get in shape. Middle-aged adults who were never self-proclaimed "health nuts" from the start may feel like the time for major lifestyle changes has passed. However, new research from the American Health Association (AHA) suggests that this point in life might be the perfect time to create a healthy meal plan and pick up a new gym routine. Using data from the Framingham Heart Study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the new study revealed that eating…

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but not all breakfast foods are created equal when it comes to your health. According to a 2016 review of research published in the journal Nutrients based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, approximately 6 percent of the U.S. population eats oatmeal on any given day, a choice that's associated with numerous health benefits, from increased satiety to improved digestive health. However, if you're among the countless people ditching…

We think there's a lot to love about yogurt, from the calcium, probiotics, and high protein to the sheer ease of grabbing a scoop when you need something healthy, filling, and fast. One ongoing concern about dairy yogurt is that like some other products made from animal milk, it had been thought to cause inflammation in the body, which can lead to some infections, diseases, and disorders. Now, a study out of Israel has discovered that the probiotics in yogurt products may actually reduce inflammation to make the immune…

The CDC reports that common side effects of getting the COVID-19 vaccine include pain, redness, and swelling on the arm where you got the shot as well as tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea throughout the rest of your body. They recommend using a cool compress to reduce pain and discomfort where you got the shot as well as drinking plenty of fluids to reduce discomfort from fever. We spoke to registered dietitian Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, founder of Nutrition Now Counseling and author of Fueling…

There's no way around it: salt is, well, delicious. Sprinkled on top of popcorn, sticking to steaming-hot, crispy french fries, adding a dynamic flavor to salmon, steak, or other meats, there are many uses for this essential spice. But with anything yummy and thus, potentially addicting, consuming too much salt can lead to problematic health issues. Some of these are incredibly serious, like heart disease, premature death, and stomach cancer. However, one significant short-term side effect worth noting if you're eating too…

When the time comes to get in shape and burn off some stomach fat, picking the right foods to incorporate into your weight loss regimen proves crucial. Even if an item appears healthy on the surface, it might hold some nutritional secrets that hamper weight loss around your midsection. When you have to devise a new weekly menu designed to burn fat, bananas are one of the best foods to melt belly fat fast. According to the Mayo Clinic, we have a ton of reasons to love bananas, especially when we need to diet. The fruit has a…

Scientists and dietitians are now learning many of the health benefits of having a healthy gut. One of the biggest benefits is supporting the health of beneficial bacteria and immune cells that help fight foreign bodies like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Many popular diets that you may have tried or are currently trying can be detrimental to your health—especially the health of your gut. Registered dietitians weigh in on the damage that some of these popular plans may have. And as always, it's best to consult your doctor…

Drinking too many cups of coffee each day may make you feel more anxious, susceptible to acid reflux, and increase your heart rate. If you identify as a woman, it may also make your breasts sensitive. "Large amounts of caffeine can lead to changes in your hormone levels. This may lead to cyst formation and therefore tenderness," Dr. Jill Hechtman, MD, a board-certified OBGYN, and scientific advisor to Nightfood, says. "Caffeine can also dilate some vessels causing swelling and tenderness." In general, Hechtman advises that…

Sleep is vital for your overall wellbeing, playing a key role in important functions like muscle growth and recovery, immune function, and memory. New research even suggests that not getting enough quality sleep may increase the risk of certain conditions such as dementia and heart failure. The question is, when you're trying to get a good night's rest, what's the last thing you should eat as a snack? Aside from avoiding caffeinated beverages like coffee several hours before your head hits the pillow, are there other…

Protein powders are one of the most popular nutrition supplements available on the market, and for good reason. Not only do they make it easy to boost your intake of protein and various other nutrients, but there is plenty of research to support the health benefits of using protein powder, too. From weight management to muscle building, protein powders can be a valuable component of your diet and also make meal and snack time slightly easier. If you aren't currently using protein powder in your daily routine, I have six…