At one level, your body is an impossibly complex symphony of electrical impulses and chemical chain reactions fueled by sunshine, the air you breathe, and the food you eat. Food has three basic nutrients: protein, carbohydrates and fats. They are often referred to as macronutrients, and they give our bodies calories, glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids needed for our metabolism and daily functions. Your body also needs a diverse array of vitamins, minerals, and other compounds to function properly. And you’re not just feeding yourself, you also support a community of symbiotic bacteria and fungi in your gut that play diverse essential roles. Unfortunately, we live in the age of hyperpalatable processed foods: cheap, addictively tasty, and high in calories, these foods are linked to the most pervasive killers of our day, from heart disease to diabetes. While fruits, vegetables, whole grains, mushrooms, and meats are the basis of a nutritious diet, processed foods made from over-processed grains, refined sugars, and denatured oils nurture disease. These cheap and tasty foods have great shelf life—and deadly consequences. You can get more nutrients from your food depending on how you cook it. Some foods are healthier if cooked more, chopped more, or eaten at certain times of year. It is also important to grow foods in living soils that can offer a full spectrum of essential minerals and nutrients—without the effects of toxic herbicides and pesticides and the still largely unknown consequences of genetic modification.
The Benefits of Unhurried Shared Meals
In a culture that’s always in a rush, slowing down over a shared meal may nourish more than our bodies.
I’m a TCM Practitioner. Here’s My Daily Coffee Routine.
Enjoying coffee in moderation can benefit your health when you pay attention to how much you drink and when.
Are Any Packaged Foods Actually Healthy?
Not all packaged foods are created equal. While some should definitely be avoided, others offer a convenient way to make nutritious food. Many are only lightly processed—just enough to preserve ...
When Saving Food Becomes a Health Risk: 4 Kitchen Habits to Rethink
Practices such as improperly storing leftovers and reusing frying oil can affect our health.
Chili-Slaw Potato Wedges for a Fun and Easy Whole-Food Dinner
An El Reno tradition of chili-and-slaw hot dogs gets a healthy makeover, with make-ahead potato wedges and double-duty chili.
Why You Should Cook and Chill Potatoes Before Mashing
Chill cooked potatoes to boost resistant starch, then reheat, mash, and serve with savory, gluten-free gravy–made with or without pan drippings.
What Time Do You Eat Dinner? It Could Matter More Than You Think
Your body doesn’t operate the same way over a 24-hour day. A University of Michigan study found that people who ate an hour before bed had more than twice the ...
Infant Formula Rules Are Changing–Here’s What It Means for Parents
The FDA’s first major formula nutrient update in decades is underway.
How Sage Can Support Memory and Soothe Sore Throats
Sage is a traditional Thanksgiving herb with a long medicinal history.
These Shakes Are Called Supplements. So Why Are They Sold as Meals?
Drinks that can be lifesaving for some people might be high-calorie processed foods for others.
What a Study of Nearly 2 Million People Found About Meat and Stomach Cancer
A nutritionist explains what the findings mean for your meat choices.
This Is Your Brain on Sugar
Sugar creates a powerful but fleeting sense of pleasure, and its effects ripple far beyond what we can see.
Fall Foods That Nourish the Body Through Colder Weather
Seasonal produce supports immunity, hydration, and gut health as temperatures fall.
Intermittent Fasting May Help Slow Huntington’s Disease: Pilot Study
In Huntington's disease, where treatment options are scarce, even a small, low-risk intervention is worth chasing down.
Horseradish: An Ancient Remedy With Modern Antibacterial Potential
Long used in herbal traditions, horseradish is drawing attention for urinary tract support—and can be prepared as a simple homemade tincture.
Matcha Is a Healthy Alternative to Coffee—but Quality and Preparation Matter
Matcha combines caffeine and L-theanine for a gentler boost that can support focus.
A 2nd Lung Tumor Changed How This Doctor Approached His Health
Dr. Tsai Song-yen fought back against lung cancer by transforming his daily life, from exercise and diet to sleep habits and emotional well-being.
Smoky Broccoli Cheese Chicken Soup Without the Heavy Cream
Blended potato thickens the broth, while chicken and smoked cheese give every bowl rich, savory flavor and nearly 50 grams of protein.
The Most Important Lifestyle Factors for Autoimmune Disease
Lifestyle and diet have played a critical role in autoimmune diseases.
Why Some Studies Link Fermented Vegetables to Stomach Cancer
Some studies have linked kimchi and sauerkraut to stomach cancer, but the association has less to do with fermentation itself.
The Label ‘Made With Avocado Oil’ May Not Tell the Whole Story
Researchers say some packaged foods may contain cheaper oils, raising questions about how consumers can verify what they’re paying for.
The Packaged Foods That Are Actually Healthy
Eating clean doesn’t mean avoiding all packaged foods—the key is knowing what to look for.
6 Surprising Things Happen When You Stop Eating Hours Before Sleep
Eating late is like delivering a truck of materials to a factory when it's supposed to wind down at night.
Everyday Habits That Could Put Your Kidneys at Risk
Moldy foods and foods contaminated with heavy metals can damage kidney function.
This Saturated Fat Slows Heart Disease
Researchers have found a bacterium is triggering genetic changes that can benefit heart health.
Diet in the First 1,000 Days Shapes Lifelong Health
First foods may affect lifelong risk of developing chronic disease.
How Do Common Sweeteners Affect the Gut Microbiome? Here’s What Researchers Found.
A laboratory study examined how common sweeteners directly affect 25 strains of gut bacteria.