foods

If you’ve ever paid close attention to your eating habits — by keeping a food log, tracking macros, following a meal plan, etc.— you may have noticed that during the colder months you’re hungrier. It’s not just your imagination. Here, a look at the science behind why you crave warming comfort...

Big, dramatic changes to your diet may help you lose weight initially, but those changes usually aren’t sustainable. This can cause yo-yo dieting, which can damage your metabolism, not to mention your motivation. The best way to lose weight and actually keep it off is to make simple changes you...

It can be hard to sift through weight-loss advice and the latest trends to find a healthy eating plan that is enjoyable and will work for life. In fact, even RDs hear tips they find misguided and unsustainable. Here, several nutrition experts discuss six common pieces of advice they believe do...

Whether you’re looking to lose weight or maintain, it’s important to eat a well-balanced diet that includes all three macros: protein, carbs and fats. And while carbohydrates often get a bad rap, certain types contain resistant starch, which can help promote good gut health, reduce inflammation...

Snacking can be a simple and effective way to promote weight loss and muscle growth — if done smartly. Unlike processed options (found in many vending machines), a healthy whole foods-based snack helps regulate blood sugar, sustains your metabolism, elevates mood and provides important...

When it comes to weight loss, you know just about everything you’re supposed to remove from your life — processed foods, a couch potato habit, soda. But losing weight doesn’t have to solely be about subtraction. In fact, the most successful weight-loss plans work well because they include...

Losing weight not only involves scheduling time for physical activity, but it also requires making smart food (and beverage) choices. However, “the problem is the vast number of trends and misinformation out there can make it difficult to navigate and find out what’s true and helpful,” says...

A sudden overwhelming desire for chocolate or a bag of chips — cravings can pop up out of nowhere and be detrimental to weight loss. However, there are both physiological and psychological reasons behind them. The good news is there are plenty of ways to manage cravings. Keep on track and reach...

Proteins are the big guns necessary for the structure, function and regulation of all cells, tissues and organs in the body. The macronutrient is composed of 20 amino acids or building blocks. The body can make some amino acids itself, but there are nine essential ones you must obtain from food...

About half of bloating and gas woes are caused by swallowed air — the other half is due to what you’ve had to eat or drink. When the gastrointestinal tract can’t move food through efficiently, or is unable to digest a particular nutrient, gas builds up in the lower intestine, causing bloating...

If you want to lose weight, gain weight or even just maintain weight, you probably know calories in versus calories out is the key to success. However, the total amount of calories you burn comes less from exercise and more from your metabolism — the process of converting calories into energy —...

Good nutrition sounds simple enough: Eat mostly foods that come from the ground, fill your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables and splurge only on occasion. But realistically, you probably find yourself confused when trying to decipher an ingredient list, label or packaging at the grocery...

The saying “eat everything in moderation” is among the most common diet advice, however, it’s not as straightforward as it may seem. “To me, moderation means that no foods are off limits,” says Mia Syn, RD. All foods can fit in a healthy diet, but that doesn’t mean they all fit all the time. Syn...

You’ve likely noticed the scent of fresh-baked pizza or a warm cinnamon bun is intoxicating on your way into a food court, but after you’ve eaten a well-balanced lunch, it’s significantly less appealing. That’s because your sense of smell is strongest when you’re hungriest. And it’s not the only...

It may seem like a Catch 22: The more you want to lose weight, the harder you try, then the more pressure you put on yourself only to feel discouraged and not see results and then potentially give up. What isn’t normal about that? However, when you’re trying to create better eating habits to...

It may seem like a Catch 22: The more you want to lose weight, the harder you try, then the more pressure you put on yourself only to feel discouraged and not see results and then potentially give up. What isn’t normal about that? However, when you’re trying to create better eating habits to...

Ice cream is a popular dessert logged by MyFitnessPal users — and for good reason. It’s hard to imagine summers or special occasions without a scoop of your favorite hard-packed flavor or a soft-serve cone. Still, you’d be hard pressed to find an ice cream shop, social or truck where you don’t...

Many people begin their fat-loss journey by cutting calories. This is a tried-and-true fat-loss tactic research shows is more effective than relying on exercise alone. However, many people cut calories so dramatically they feel hungry all the time. Not only is this unpleasant, but it won’t...

If you refuse to try quinoa, recoil at the texture of tomatoes — or, gasp, avocados — and insist that certain foods never touch on the plate, you might be a picky eater — and you are not alone. Up to 56% of the population could be labeled picky eaters, a term used to describe those who eat from...

Fiber deservedly gets a lot of attention from nutritionists — “it’s important for everything from regulating digestion to controlling blood sugar and reducing cholesterol levels,” says Claire Virga, RD. “It also feeds the healthy bacteria in our guts, promoting a healthy microbiome.” Moreover...