Confused by Coconut Oil: Is it Good or Bad for Your Health? Here's What the Science Says

CloseSeems like everyone is talking about coconut oil-and how it’s no longer amazing for you and doesn’t deserve its healthy halo-because of a new American Heart Association (AHA)advisory report. But was it ever really super-healthy, and did the AHA ever say so? Not really. So what’s all the fuss about?The New Fat Revolution: Are All Fats Really Healthy?Coconut oil became really trendy in recent years. People add it to everything from eggs and coffee to cookies and salad dressing....

January 18, 2025 · 10 min · 2001 words · John Sanford

Connie Crawley, M.S., RD, LD

Title:Contributing WriterEducation:M.S. in Nutrition, Case Western Reserve UniversityLocation:Athens, GeorgiaExpertise:Nutrition, diabetes, health educationConnie Crawley is a diabetes educator recognized for her work establishing the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. Connie worked at the Cleveland VA Medical Center, the Appalachian District Health Department and a rural hospital in southern Indiana before her 28-year career at UGA. Connie is now retired, but continues to work as a volunteer dietitian at Mercy Health Center and as a simulated patient at the UGA medical school....

January 18, 2025 · 2 min · 303 words · Joseph Alvarado

Consumer Reports Found Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic in Some Popular Baby Food Brands—Here's What to Know

Courtesy of Brand 9 Foods Pregnant People Should Eat Every Day, According to a Dietitian The Top 10 Healthiest Foods for Kids CR cautions that babies should not be consuming a full serving of these products due to the amounts of heavy metals. While low exposure to heavy metals is generally safe, it’s important to consider these products in relation to the rest of the diet. “Because heavy metals are so pervasive in foods—and because they tend to accumulate in the body—small exposures from multiple foods can add up,” CR chemist Eric Boring, Ph....

January 18, 2025 · 1 min · 198 words · Robert Norton

Consumer Reports Just Found Arsenic, Lead and Cadmium in Some Popular Spices

It’s no secret that some spices can have serious health benefits (and turn a flavorless meal into something to write home about). We love theanti-inflammatory power of turmericand the blast of flavor that a sprinkle of chili powder or garlic powder offers—buta new investigation fromConsumer Reportsis making us think twice about the spices we use each day.Consumer Reportstested bottles of 126 dried herbs and spices for the presence of arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury and salmonella....

January 18, 2025 · 6 min · 1261 words · Jacob Robinson

Consumer Reports Just Found High Levels of Lead in Lunchables—and Warn About Sodium Content

Close Photo:Courtesy of Brand Courtesy of Brand When you think of Lunchables, the popular lunch snack kits featuring staples like cheese crackers, mini pizzas and more, a few words may come to mind. “Nostalgic,” “easy” and even “tasty” are likely to pop in your head. But now,Consumer Reportswants you to consider two more words: “lead” and “sodium.” “We don’t think anybody should regularly eat these products, and they definitely shouldn’t be considered a healthy school lunch,” saysCRchemist and test leader Eric Boring, Ph....

January 18, 2025 · 5 min · 966 words · Julie Howard

Consumer Reports Just Found Lead and Cadmium in Some Popular Dark Chocolate Brands

Chocolate is a staple in many kitchens. Whether it’s for baking or a sweet treat after dinner, chocolate is the ultimate pantry essential. A recent report fromConsumer Reportssuggests that some popular chocolate brands are higher in lead and cadmium than what’s within the healthy ranges.These two heavy metals can be dangerous for adults and children when consumed in excess. TheConsumer Reportsstudy tested 28 different popular dark chocolate brands to see if they could trace lead and cadmium in amounts that could harm people’s health....

January 18, 2025 · 7 min · 1284 words · Catherine Cain

Consumer Reports Just Found Lead in 12 Cinnamon Products—Here’s What to Know

Close Photo:Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell collage. Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell collage. Cinnamon is a beloved spice that can be found in recipes across a variety of cuisines. Its warm and comforting flavor is a popular addition to everything from cinnamon buns to coffee and even some savory stews. However, a recent report fromConsumer Reportsshowed that the pantry staple has been found to contain high levels of lead. More Ground Cinnamon Products Recalled Due to Elevated Lead Levels...

January 18, 2025 · 3 min · 484 words · Christopher Morales

Consuming Higher Levels of Nitrites and Nitrates May Increase Risk of Type 2 Diabetes—Here Are the Foods to Keep an Eye On

While genetics play a major role in our overall health outcomes, study after study proves that what we eat and drink can move the needle to either spike or slash our risk for a wide variety of chronic diseases. Case in point: Foods and beverages from wine to coffee to whole grains have all been shown to potentially reduce risk for type 2 diabetes. A new study published January 17 inPLOS Medicinediscusses another element that’s in our food, drink and our environment that might play a role in diabetes rates as well;people who consume more nitrates and nitrites may be at increased risk for developing type 2diabetes....

January 18, 2025 · 4 min · 725 words · Dr. Chelsea Hartman

Consuming Olive Oil May Lead to 28% Lower Risk of Dementia-Related Death, According to a New Study

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleHow Was This Study Conducted?How Does This Apply to Real Life? In This ArticleView All View All In This Article How Was This Study Conducted? How Does This Apply to Real Life? Close Photo:Getty Images Getty Images Dementia is an umbrella term for diseases of the brain that affect memory, thought processes, personality and the ability to communicate. Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia....

January 18, 2025 · 5 min · 1019 words · Michael Brown

Consuming Too Many Carbonated Drinks May Increase Stroke Risk by 22%, According to New Study

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat the Study FoundTips for Reducing Stroke Risk In This ArticleView All View All In This Article What the Study Found Tips for Reducing Stroke Risk Close Photo:Getty Images. EatingWell design. Getty Images. EatingWell design. It’s no secret that what you eat affects your health, but your beverage choices can also make an impact. A recent study from the University of Galway, in collaboration with McMaster University and an international network of stroke researchers, has revealed alarming findings linking frequent consumption of fizzy drinks to increased stroke risk....

January 18, 2025 · 5 min · 893 words · Albert Blevins

Conversation Heart Cookies

Close Prep Time:1 hrAdditional Time:2 hrs 20 minsTotal Time:3 hrs 20 minsServings:16Yield:16 cookiesJump to Nutrition Facts Prep Time:1 hrAdditional Time:2 hrs 20 minsTotal Time:3 hrs 20 minsServings:16Yield:16 cookies Prep Time:1 hr Prep Time: 1 hr Additional Time:2 hrs 20 mins Additional Time: 2 hrs 20 mins Total Time:3 hrs 20 mins Total Time: 3 hrs 20 mins Servings:16 Servings: 16 Yield:16 cookies Yield: 16 cookies Jump to Nutrition Facts Cook Mode(Keep screen awake)IngredientsCookies2cupswhole-wheat pastry flour, plus more for rolling½teaspoonsalt¼teaspoonbaking powder10tablespoonsunsalted butter, softened½cupgranulated sugar1ouncecream cheese, softened1largeegg, at room temperature1teaspoonlemon extractIcing3cupsconfectioners' sugar3tablespoonsdried egg whites6tablespoonswater1 ½teaspoonslight corn syrup½teaspoonlemon extractRed, yellow and blue natural liquid food coloring...

January 18, 2025 · 6 min · 1250 words · Kenneth Castro

Cooked Wheat Berries

Close Cook Time:5 minsAdditional Time:1 hr 10 minsTotal Time:1 hr 15 minsServings:9Yield:about 4 1/2 cupsJump to Nutrition Facts Cook Time:5 minsAdditional Time:1 hr 10 minsTotal Time:1 hr 15 minsServings:9Yield:about 4 1/2 cups Cook Time:5 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Additional Time:1 hr 10 mins Additional Time: 1 hr 10 mins Total Time:1 hr 15 mins Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Servings:9 Servings: 9 Yield:about 4 1/2 cups Yield: about 4 1/2 cups...

January 18, 2025 · 3 min · 560 words · Hannah Brown

Cookie Monster Just Shared His Favorite Sugar Cookie Recipe—and It's Perfect for the Holidays

ClosePhoto: Getty / NBC / ContributorSince his debut on the first episode ofSesame Streetback in 1969, Cookie Monster has been one of the sweetest characters on television. From his sweet googly eyes to his infectious laugh to his joy for all things edible……There’s a lot to love about him—whether you’re a kid or just a kid at heart.But the blue-hued monster is far from the only one who loves cookies. Collectively, Americans eat about7 billion cookies each year, with a good chunk of those coming around holiday season....

January 18, 2025 · 6 min · 1142 words · Tammy Lewis

Cooking Skills Every Kid Should Learn by Age 10

Close If you have kids at home, we think it’s important to get them cooking ASAP (we’re talking toddlers here). Sound crazy? While it may try your patience at times, cooking with kids has loads of benefits that carry way beyond the kitchen. It helps builds self-esteem, teaches them the importance of following directions, and (hopefully!) puts them on the path to a lifetime of healthier eating habits. Plus, having involvement in what happens at mealtime can be a powerful tool in overcoming picky eating-something we parents all face at some point....

January 18, 2025 · 8 min · 1494 words · Emily Evans

Cooking spray: should you use it?

CloseIn theEatingWellTest Kitchen, we use cooking spray because it’s a fast, no-mess way to make a tiny bit of oil go a long way so we can keep calories in check. Calorie for calorie, cooking spray is similar to other oils: spraying for 1 second (enough to coat a large skillet) is about 9 calories; 1/4 teaspoon canola oil is 10 calories and would be just enough to very thinly coat a skillet....

January 18, 2025 · 5 min · 935 words · Rebecca Bass