Healthy

Taking energy supplements like energy drinks, shots, or green tea pills can be par for the course for sleepy-eyed folks who need a little jolt mid-day. Instead of taking a nap, cracking open a can of a caffeine-fueled beverage, or popping a pill chock-full of energy-inducing ingredients seems to be the way many of us are going thanks to our jam-packed lifestyles. In fact, energy drinks are now the fastest-growing product in the beverage industry, highlighting just how many people are jumping on this vitality bandwagon. Most…

How many times did you hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day while growing up? Chances are, too many times to count. However, new research out of The Ohio State University suggests that old saying holds some truth. The study, which was published in the journal Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, found that adults who skip breakfast are more likely to miss out on several key nutrients and make unhealthier choices throughout the day. After analyzing data from more than 30,000 American adults, it became…

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 it comes to looking your best, it's incredibly tough to find the right eating plan that keeps cravings in check. Even if you end up finding a balanced diet that helps manage calories while delivering the right nutrition, it feels extra tempting to take an extra piece of cake or a bag of cakes. Whether you love to snack between meals or include a little less than salty foods in your regular meal plan, your decisions may end up putting back your weight loss goals. Trying to sort a variety of food options can feel…

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…