Healthy Eating

Your gut is responsible for carrying out a lot of key functions in your body, from breaking down the food you eat to absorbing nutrients that help with hormone balance and skin health. It goes without mention that taking care of your gut is of utmost importance, which can primarily be done through diet choices and regular exercise. However, if you think you may be in need of a little extra support, there are some supplements that could benefit you. But first, let's talk about how to go about choosing the right supplement.…

You're probably asking yourself, what are pulses? Pulses are the edible seeds of plants in the legume family. Pulses tend to grow in pods, and they come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, and colors—and you've probably been eating them your whole life. Common varieties of pulses include dry beans like black, kidney, and pinto beans, as well as other legumes including chickpeas, lentils, split peas, just to name a few. Pulses have found their way into all types of cuisines because they are easy to cultivate in a range…

It's no secret that when it comes to drinks, soda is not the healthiest choice. From an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, tooth decay, and obesity, there are plenty of ways soda negatively affects your health. But it can also impact the health of your liver. To back up, you should first know the function of the liver in your body: "The liver aids in metabolizing the carbohydrates, protein, and fat we consume, and then stores them as glycogen, vitamins, and minerals for later use," says Keri Gans, MS, RDN, CDN,…

Summer's most refreshing drink, lemonade, seems as innocent as a 6-year-old selling 25-cent cups at her makeshift stand on the sidewalk. That is until you realize what's in it that icy cold refreshment. Sure, you get some of the lemon's vitamin C and phytochemicals, but when you consider lemonade recipes, you'll realize how little lemon juice (and the corresponding beneficial compounds) is actually used. Check out mom's recipe: juice from 5 lemons, 1 ¼ quarts water, and 1 ½ cups of white sugar. That's about 30 grams of sugar…

When you start a new diet, sometimes it's easy to get caught up in how your body looks—when it's also worth remembering that losing weight and eating better is ultimately about improving your health for the long-term. That's the precise focus of a particular eating plan that a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic says is transformative for a lot of patients who try it. Not only does this list of foods help a lot of people slim down, but science shows this nutritional approach also slashes the risk of some cancers,…

Oftentimes when people think about taking supplements, they consider the nutrients they need to maintain a healthy body, but what about a healthy mind? Brain health is just as crucial to overall health (if not more), yet it continues to be overlooked. Of course, supplements to improve your skin, give you energy, or help joint pain can be beneficial, but we were curious about the best supplements to keep our brains sharp as we age. We consulted Niket Sonpal, MD, internist and gastroenterologist, Teralyn Sell, Ph.D.,…

Part of the fun that comes with traveling is enjoying the local cuisine. And that's true even if you're staying within the United States—every state has those specialty foods, after all. You know, the foods that happen to taste just that much better because you're in a specific state. (If you've ever had a New York bagel, then you understand why it's just not the same anywhere else!) But when you're thinking about what to eat from a nutrition standpoint, how do classic state dishes stack up? So whether you're going on a road…

Omega-3 fatty acids aren't only beneficial for your brain. In addition to supporting key cognitive functions and reducing inflammation (among other positive effects), new research says some of these fatty acids may also be able to help you combat one of the deadliest diseases out there. A new study recently published in the journal Cell Metabolism finds that one of the three main omega-3 fatty acids, the one called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may kill cancer cells. Yvan Larondelle, Ph.D., who co-supervised the research,…

As a registered dietitian, CrossFit enthusiast, trail runner, and busy, active person, protein bars are a convenient, portable option when I don't have time to meal prep and cook. But eating protein bars as a meal replacement isn't the only reason they're one of my diet staples. Protein bars are also my go-to when I'm traveling, lack protein in my main meals, or when I have to skip a meal due to other commitments. While I love that bars make it easy to add more protein to your diet, because eating natural whole foods that…

You load up your plate, take huge bites, and speed through the meal like it's a contest. Although that might seem efficient, it could also be sabotaging your weight loss or weight maintenance goals, according to research presented at the Nutrition 2021 Live online conference. Researchers served 44 participants macaroni and cheese once a week for four weeks and timed the speed at which participants ate and the size of their bites. The portion sizes were different each week. On average, they ate 43% more when the portion size…