Healthy Eating

You are what you eat—and what you're eating can either prolong or decrease your life span. In fact, the majority of Americans are not consuming a nutritionally balanced diet. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), less than one in ten U.S. adults and adolescents consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables—and about half of adults drink a sugary beverage on a daily basis. Furthermore, Americans have one of the shortest life expectancies compared to other high-income…

While trying new foods is nothing short of exciting, there is something about the classics. Go ahead, let your mind reminisce on all of the beloved, traditional foods you grew up savoring—like burgers, macaroni and cheese, and ribs. If you're salivating by just the sound of this description, this master list of classic American foods is the challenge you've been looking for. You might as well add them to your bucket list of foods to try—why not? We've compiled 50 cherished American foods everyone from coast to coast loves,…

Whether you're sauteing it as a side or using it as a topping on your baked potato, broccoli is among the most popular vegetables in the U.S., with the average U.S. resident consuming approximately 7.1 pounds of fresh broccoli every year. However, it's not just your taste buds that may benefit from adding broccoli to your favorite recipes. Dietitian Carrie Gabriel, MS, RDN, owner and founder of Steps to Nutrition, says that broccoli contains compounds that, by eating it, may help reduce your risk of cancer. When you eat…

Many of us who drink alcohol enjoy sipping on a cold brewski in the late afternoon or evening, especially now that it's summer. Although alcohol is dehydrating, a tall cold glass of beer is wildly refreshing. But, as is the case for just about any beverage, too much of anything isn't good for you. Alcohol especially can pose a threat to vital organs—primarily your liver. This is because one of the liver's key functions is to break down and filter out toxins and other harmful substances in the blood—and alcohol is considered…

Whether you consistently find yourself grabbing a muffin to go with your morning coffee or find that you can't pass by the snack aisle in your local supermarket without tossing a bag of chips in your cart, everyone has their vices when it comes to less than healthy food. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2013 and 2016, 36.6% of Americans admitted to giving into their fast food cravings on any given day. However, new research suggests it's not just your willpower that…

There may have been a time when you ate whatever you wanted without few, if any, health consequences. You might remember that time well! But it's true—nothing lasts forever. "After 50, metabolism slows, estrogen levels drop, and certain nutrient requirements rise," says Hillary M. Wright, MEd, RDN, LDN, co-author of The Menopause Diet Plan, A Natural Guide to Hormones, Health, and Happiness. "At this point, you'll probably need to make wiser food choices to help head off midlife weight gain and prevent conditions that are…

One of the most popular lunch proteins, canned tuna, has some pretty awesome benefits: it's one of the best sources of biologically active, anti-inflammatory, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids; it's a great source of protein; and it's so convenient to eat— making it even easier to have healthy meals in minutes. But despite all the good of this inexpensive protein, there is a catch: One major health complication you have to be cognizant of when eating tuna is mercury poisoning. You ingest small amounts of mercury—a toxic…

Whether you typically eat your last meal a few hours after work or regularly find yourself heading to the fridge for a midnight snack, most people find themselves eating before bed on occasion. However, those late-night snacks may lead to more than just a full belly over time. A significant body of research suggests that eating before bed can have numerous side effects on everything from your weight to your performance at work. Before you start raiding the pantry again, read on to discover the side effects of eating before…

Once the celebrations for hitting your half-century mark fade and you've had a chance to take a good look at yourself in the mirror, maybe, just maybe, you'll think: "Gee, it's time to start taking better care of myself!" You know that the risk for many chronic health problems tends to increase with age. And, after 50, if you're realistic, you're playing on the back 9 of life. Not to bum you out, of course. On the contrary, the years after 50 will be some of your best, especially if, as you said, you start taking better care…

Eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive, despite the price tags you may have seen on the products of some major health-forward brands. The truth is, organic foods often come at a premium in comparison to conventional ones for a number of reasons. For one, the organic food supply is limited compared to its demand. Another factor to consider is the marketing and distribution processes of organic foods—both are costly and inefficient due to the relatively small volume of production. However, you don't need to buy organic to…