New thinking about plaque in arteries that feed the brain
Want to prevent shifting teeth? Maybe you need retainers
What you need to know about the new dietary guidelines
Food that’s healthier for people and planet can be cheaper, too
New evidence that polyphenol-rich foods help the heart
8 simple ways to reduce ultra-processed foods in your diet
How to curb your stress eating
How to spot Parkinson’s disease symptoms
Heart failure symptoms in women: How they’re different
GERD diet: Foods to avoid to reduce acid reflux
The Perfect Diet

Many people feel overwhelmed by information on diets, and just want to know what to do. After all, there are so many diets out there right now, most doctors are every bit as confused as their patients. For many years, the American Heart Association has been recommending a low-fat diet with less than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day, and 30% of calories from fat. But while they pursued this heart-healthy diet, Americans got fatter and fatter. About a decade ago, nutrition experts began to wonder whether we were doing something drastically wrong.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
New thinking about plaque in arteries that feed the brain
Want to prevent shifting teeth? Maybe you need retainers
What you need to know about the new dietary guidelines
Food that’s healthier for people and planet can be cheaper, too
New evidence that polyphenol-rich foods help the heart
8 simple ways to reduce ultra-processed foods in your diet
How to curb your stress eating
How to spot Parkinson’s disease symptoms
Heart failure symptoms in women: How they’re different
GERD diet: Foods to avoid to reduce acid reflux
Free Healthbeat Signup
Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!
Sign Up