Healthy Eating Archive

Belly fat that won't budge can be more than a cosmetic concern. Learn how to spot risky fat around your waist and key habits to shrink it.

Empty calories are calories from foods that give the body energy but almost no helpful nutrients. Sugary drinks and pastries are common examples. They can quickly add lots of calories to someone's diet and make weight gain more likely.

Most people have heard the nutritional recommendation to eat five servings of fruit per day. But are some fruits better for you than others? Is it okay to eat dried or frozen fruit, or to drink fruit juice? Does it have to be organic?

Like most vitamins, B₁₂ can't be made by the body and must be gotten from food or supplements. A B₁₂ deficiency -- which might stem from a vegan or vegetarian diet, or problems with absorption due to weight loss surgery or aging -- can seriously harm nerves, mood, thinking, energy, and more.

Bone broth, made by slowly simmering animal bones with seasonings, offers rich flavor, more protein than regular broth, and amounts of minerals. Choosing low-sodium varieties or making it at home helps limit additives and salt.

Gut health plays a bigger role in overall well-being than many people realize, affecting digestion, mood, and immunity. Simple daily choices around food, movement, sleep, stress, and hydration can support a healthier, more resilient gut.

Dragon fruit stands out for its striking look, mild sweetness, and a mix of fiber, minerals, and antioxidant compounds. It isn't a magic "superfood," but it's a healthy, colorful way to help people eat more fruit in fun new ways.

Avocados have a mix of fiber, healthy fat, antioxidants, and key minerals that support heart health. But avocados aren't low-calorie foods. They're best added to the diet by swapping them for something else, such as subbing mashed avocado for butter on toast.

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans are a mixed bag. While their advice to choose whole foods, avoid highly processed foods, and limit added sugars is sound, their promotion of animal-based foods like meat and full-fat dairy products is less supported by rigorous scientific research.