Healthy Eating

Food poisoning cases spike in the warmer months, primarily due to the microorganisms that can grow on food when distractions at outdoor gatherings cause individuals to leave food sitting out in tepid temperatures. In one state, the reason for a sudden increase in food poisoning cases is quite different, as the state health department is calling on restaurants to be more vigilant of food servers' hand hygiene. Food Safety News has reported that health department officials in Minnesota are advising residents of the state to…

With the pandemic coming to a close and the re-emergence into normal, pre-covid life, you could be feeling even more anxious than you were before. Finding solutions to help with these mental health challenges is key, and a great way to support your mental health and feel your best is by considering your diet. In the same way that there are particular foods that can be detrimental to your overall mental health, there are also foods you can eat to help support it. We consulted Sydney Greene, MS, RD, registered dietitian and…

Only 7% of adults in the United States are getting the recommended amount of fiber, according to a new study presented at the Nutrition 2021 Live online conference. Men are especially low, at just 5%, but the majority of women are also lacking, with just 9% getting what they need. Researchers looked at data from more than 14,600 participants of a major nutrition survey, conducted from 2013 to 2018. Health guidelines recommend eating 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories, which means that reaching that goal would involve…

Red, green, or in between, grapes make a tasty snack just about any time. With their sweet flavor and juicy pop, these little round nibbles are basically nature's candy. Tucked in a chicken salad, draped artfully on a charcuterie board, or as a whole-food afternoon snack, they'll add color and nutrients to your diet with a minimum of fuss. Along with antioxidants galore and a bit of fiber, there's one nutrient you might not know lies inside each juicy globe: vitamin K. In a 1-cup serving of raw table grapes, you'll find 22…

There are already plenty of reasons to be mindful of your vitamin D intake. The vitamin's benefits include boosting your mental health and supporting your immune system, while not getting enough of it can lead to a loss of bone density. Now, researchers speculate that people who aren't getting enough of the vitamin may be at higher risk of opioid addiction. Findings from a new animal study published in the journal Science Advances, suggest that not getting enough of the vitamin may cause people to crave endorphins—the…

There are so many different kinds of supplements on the market. The question is, which ones are the best to take and at what time of day? First of all, you may not need any additional supplementation of various vitamins and minerals. A good way to check to see if you could benefit from taking a multivitamin or a supplement for a specific vitamin or mineral is to get some blood work done at your next doctor's visit. If you could benefit from a few supplements, just know that some may be best to take in the morning versus…

Summer is already in full swing, and with your social calendars expanding, your food and beverage choices will be as well. Who can resist a little BBQ action on a summer night? If you happen to be someone with a family history of heart disease, though, trying to stick to a heart-healthy diet during seasons like this can be overwhelming. However, if cardiovascular disease does run in your family, it's crucial to focus on foods that will lower your risk. "The risk of developing heart disease leading to heart attacks is a…

While it is possible to find a low-calorie meal at a fast food restaurant, it likely comes as little surprise that most of what you get at the drive-thru isn't doing your health any favors. However, even among the myriad fried foods, burgers, and oversized desserts at your local fast food eateries, there are some items that stand out as particularly deleterious to your wellbeing—especially considering they're some of the most popular orders. Read on to discover which popular fast food items dietitians say you should never…

Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer, take one down, pass it around—and consider what that brewski did to your body. As with any vice, there are pros and cons to regular beer consumption. Though some people enjoy an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day (or in the middle of winter or anytime), there are some considerations to think about before you have two, three, or more. Here, we spoke with nutrition experts to better understand the secret side effects of drinking beer. Then, be sure to read up on our…

Let's make sure we're very clear about one thing right off the bat: Peaches are an excellent source of several key nutrients. Boasting various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, the fuzzy fruit can be enjoyed by itself as a snack, sliced and put on top of a salad, or incorporated into a dessert. However, there's one pitfall (get it?) to peaches that may affect some groups of people more so than others. Since peaches are so sweet, they're a bit higher in fructose (sugar) than some other fruits, which also means they're…