Skip to main content

Diet and nutrition Archive

Articles

Is it healthier to graze throughout the day or eat three meals?

Meal timing matters less than calorie balance and food quality. For some conditions, though, smaller, more frequent portions may offer advantages.

Why does someone with kidney disease need to be careful about high-potassium foods?

When damaged kidneys can&rsquot clear extra potassium, everyday staples like potatoes, beans, and juice may strain the heart. Learn which foods are risky.

How do vitamin D and calcium work together to keep bones strong?

Calcium gets most of the credit for healthy bones, but another nutrient quietly controls how much you actually absorb. See why balance matters.

Is an active job enough exercise to help you lose weight?

Discover how much job-related activity contributes to calorie burn, and how small changes in routine can jump-start weight loss.

What is a healthy weight for a young man?

Charts offer BMI ranges and waist targets, but they aren't the whole story. Learn how height, belly fat, diet, and activity shape "healthy" weight.

How can I turn my favorite muffins into a healthier treat?

Portion size, flour swaps, healthy oils, spices, fruits, and nuts can all transform a typical muffin into a healthier treat. Explore simple tweaks that boost nutrition.

How many grams of fat can I eat each day as part of a healthy diet?

Daily fat needs depend on your calorie goals and activity level. Learn how to budget fat intake and choose healthier fats over harmful ones.

Are whole grains that important?

Learn how whole grains support a healthy diet and what you should look for when selecting them.

What would explain a craving to eat chalk?

Persistent cravings for nonfood items like chalk can hint at an underlying nutritional problem that needs testing.

Understanding empty calories

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.

Free Healthbeat Signup

Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox!

Sign Up
Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE 32-page gift worth $29.95.

PLUS, don’t miss out on your 25% off promo code.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle—You’ll discover powerful, research- backed strategies for health longevity drawn from Harvard Medical School experts—ways to eat for a longer life, build strength and flexibility to stay independent, protect your bones, heart, and brain as you age, and even cultivate the habits linked with “super-agers” who stay sharp and active well into their 80s and 90s—all delivered to your email box FREE.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of Living Longer, Living Well!.

Harvard Health Publishing Logo

Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School.

Plus, get a FREE copy of Living Longer, Living Well.