3 Surprising Reasons Your Gut Health Matters

Close Pictured Recipe:Broccoli, Chickpea & Pomegranate Salad Fun fact: Each of us has a microbiome-some call it our “forgotten organ”-made up of trillions of bacteria living inside our gut. Each busy micro-universe is unique, depending on our own particular mix of bacteria. “It’s just like a fingerprint,” says Kristi L. King, M.P.H., R.D., clinical instructor at Baylor College of Medicine and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics....

January 18, 2025 · 3 min · 578 words · Laura Blevins

3 Things I Check First on the Nutrition Label, According to a Dietitian

Close Photo:Getty Images Getty Images What type of grocery store shopper are you? I’m the one lingering in the produce section, letting my eyes dictate what I put in my cart. After admiring the fruits and vegetables, I become all business as I turn the corner and head for the aisles. That’s because I’m also the shopper who takes nutrition label reading seriously—but in a good way! I typically glance at the entire label first, but then focus on three specific parts:...

January 18, 2025 · 5 min · 918 words · Crystal Barnett

3 Things That Could Seriously Reduce Your Risk for Dementia

Photo: Boonchai Wedmakawand/GettyIt can be heart-breaking to watch a loved one start to show warning signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s, and unfortunately, degenerative brain disease and dementia are on the rise in our country. The number of cases is expected tomore than doublein the next 30 years. The good news is, more research is being conducted than ever before to help prevent and treat these devastating brain conditions.New researchfrom the University of Exeter found that our risk for developing dementia may come down to more than just our genetics....

January 18, 2025 · 8 min · 1550 words · Lauren Dyer

3 Things to Add to Your Diet for a Healthier Heart, According to a Harvard Doctor

Heart disease is theleading cause of deathin the U.S., affecting nearly half of all adults. Thankfully, you can reduce your risk of heart disease and related conditions, such as high blood pressure, with a healthy lifestyle. We asked William W. Li, M.D., physician, scientist and author ofEat to Beat Diseaseabout simple steps we can take to improve our heart health. Dr. Li’s groundbreaking work has led to the development of more than 30 medical treatments that cover more than 70 diseases, including heart disease....

January 18, 2025 · 3 min · 589 words · Jeffrey Mcdaniel

3 Things to Do When You Turn 50 to Help You Live to 100, According to a Neurosurgeon

Turning 50 can be a huge milestone in many people’s lives, and it’s often a cause for celebration. While a 50th birthday party can be fun, imagine the bash you’ll have when you turn 100. Although it might seem futile to think about age 100 as soon as you turn 50, the halfway point is actually the perfect time to start (if you haven’t already), and to begin making changes to your lifestyle, so you can enjoy the second 50 years of your life....

January 18, 2025 · 2 min · 389 words · Judith Williams

3 Tips for Buying the Healthiest Canned Tuna and Salmon

Close Pictured Recipe:Mediterranean Tuna Antipasto Salad We’ve all gotten the memo–we should be eating more seafood. Seafood is a good source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and the USDA and the American Heart Association both recommend eating at least 8 ounces a week (2-3 servings). Don’t Miss:6 of the Healthiest Fish to Eat, 6 to Avoid But eating more seafood doesn’t always require a trip to the fish counter–I can whip up a delicious dinner using canned tuna or salmon from my pantry, and even work it into my lunches....

January 18, 2025 · 3 min · 459 words · Eric Vincent

3 Trader Joe's Products I Never Thought I’d Buy—and Now They’re Always on My List

Close Photo:Melissa Renwick/Toronto Star/Getty Images Melissa Renwick/Toronto Star/Getty Images I’ve been a dedicated Trader Joe’s shopper for years and, as a result, I have a curated list ofmy go-to products. From sliced prosciutto to riced cauliflower, I do my best to stick to the staples I’ve fallen in love with while still allowing room in my budget to try one unexpected product on occasion. But on a recent TJ’s trip, I decided to throw my list out the window and only buy new-to-me products....

January 18, 2025 · 3 min · 508 words · Kelly Smith

3 Types of Cabbage You Should Try, According to a Dietitian

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Is Green Cabbage?What Is Napa Cabbage?What Is Savoy Cabbage?Nutrition Information for CabbageCan I Use Green, Napa and Savoy Cabbages Interchangeably?The Bottom Line In This ArticleView All View All In This Article What Is Green Cabbage? What Is Napa Cabbage? What Is Savoy Cabbage? Nutrition Information for Cabbage Can I Use Green, Napa and Savoy Cabbages Interchangeably? The Bottom Line Close Photo:Images: levkr, chengyuzheng, Andrey Elkin...

January 18, 2025 · 10 min · 1942 words · John Phillips

3 Types of Fish Skin You Can Eat—Plus Types to Avoid, According to Dietitians

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleHealth Benefits of Fish SkinTypes of Fish Skin That Can Be EatenSafety & PreparationTypes of Fish Skin That Should Be AvoidedFrequently Asked Questions In This ArticleView All View All In This Article Health Benefits of Fish Skin Types of Fish Skin That Can Be Eaten Safety & Preparation Types of Fish Skin That Should Be Avoided Frequently Asked Questions Close Photo:Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell...

January 18, 2025 · 7 min · 1282 words · Roberto Smith

3 Ways Chia Seeds May Interact with Your Medications

Close Photo:Getty Images Getty Images Despite their tiny size, chia seeds pack a powerful, nutrient-rich punch. They provide a boost of vitamins, minerals, healthy fat and fiber to whatever food they’re paired with—whether in asmoothie bowl, pancakes or oatmeal bars.That’s because chia provides a good plant source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, includingomega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels and quash inflammation, among many other benefits.Chia seedsare also a good source of antioxidants, which protect against cellular damage linked to chronic disease....

January 18, 2025 · 9 min · 1724 words · Gary Mcdowell

3 Ways Drinking Alcohol Affects Your Bowel Movements—and What to Do About It

Drinking alcohol is something many people across the globe do regularly, but it’s important to keep it in its place. In moderation, alcohol might havesome health benefitslike lowering stress, improving mental health and even improving heart health. But if you overdo it, it can lead to someunsavory consequenceslike dehydration, fatigue, trouble focusing and feeling “off.” And, as if the hangovers weren’t punishment enough, drinking too much alcohol also can pose some problems for your bathroom routine....

January 18, 2025 · 11 min · 2227 words · Jerry Porter

3 Ways Grapefruit Can Affect Your Medication, According to a Dietitian

Close Photo:smartstock/Getty Images smartstock/Getty Images Grapefruit, with its vibrant citrus hues, tangy flavor and uplifting aroma, is a refreshing marvel of the fruit world. It’s like a little burst of sunshine on your plate, providing a tangy punch with each bite of its juicy segments. But with all of the positives that grapefruit offers, it’s crucial to pucker up to the fact that this zesty citrus fruit plays a peculiar role in how the body metabolizes certain medications....

January 18, 2025 · 4 min · 709 words · Jacqueline Nash

3 Ways to Ease Your Stress

ClosePhoto: Getty Images / mixettoWhen things get harried, follow these strategies to calm down.We all get stressed out from time to time. But it’snot good for our healthto be chronically stressed out. Stress can make us crave high-sugar foods and slows down our metabolism. Plus, the hormone cortisol increases when we’re stressed, which causes us to store more belly fat.Enjoy ChocolateNo one has to tell us twice! Adults who sipped a chocolate drink containing 500 mg of polyphenols (antioxidants naturally abundant in chocolate) daily for a month felt calmer than those who drank cocoa with no polyphenols, found Australian researchers....

January 18, 2025 · 6 min · 1125 words · Jared Thomas

3 Ways to Healthy Portions

CloseMost of us-even the experts!-underestimate how many calories we eat. That’s because portion sizes can be hard to judge without measuring or weighing everything you eat on akitchen scale. Use this handy guide to estimate portion sizes and put together a healthy meal using the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) MyPlate model. Mix in a few unexpected calorie-burning activities, and you’re on your way to a healthy day.1. Make It a MyPlate MealThe USDA’s guide for healthy eating-MyPlate-gives us visual guidance for constructing a healthful dinner, breakfast or lunch....

January 18, 2025 · 9 min · 1844 words · Andrea Blair

3 Ways to Limit Processed Foods (& the Ones You Should Keep in Your Diet)

Pictured recipe:Superfood Chopped Salad with Salmon & Creamy Garlic Dressing You’ve probably heard that you should limit processed foods in your diet, but might be wondering exactly what those foods are—and how to cut back on them. Many packaged foods are full of ingredients you can’t pronounce and are loaded with sodium, sugar and questionable ingredients. It’s worth trying to avoid them when possible and instead load up on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins and healthy fats....

January 18, 2025 · 4 min · 671 words · Jessica Andrews