Healthy Eating Archive

People can adapt the basic guidelines of the Mediterranean diet to any cuisine they like by choosing mostly plant-based foods and healthy fats. Latin America includes Mexico and more than 30 other countries in the Caribbean and Central and South America. Healthy choices include beans, corn tortillas, plantains, avocados and tropical fruits, as well as small amounts of fish, seafood, and queso blanco (a mild, white cheese).

A diet that includes fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, pollock, and cod, has long been touted to support heart health. Research has found that the health benefit from fatty fish appears to be its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce triglyceride (a type of fat in the blood) and increase "good" HDL cholesterol. Omega-3s also slow plaque buildup in arteries that can cause blood clots and may trigger heart attacks and strokes.

A 2023 study suggests that women who practice many aspects of a healthy lifestyle are about half as likely as women who don't to experience persistent symptoms after a COVID-19 infection.

About one in three Americans engages in gardening, and the activity became even more popular during the COVID pandemic. Research suggests gardening provides many physical and mental health benefits. It can boost movement, improve diet, fight illness, smooth mood, sharpen brain function, and strengthen social bonds. Gardeners should wear a hat and apply sunscreen to protect against sun exposure. They should also wear gloves to create a barrier against skin allergens on plants and bacteria or fungi in potting soil mixes.

Two studies found that managing stress and eating a plant-based diet with at least seven servings of leafy green vegetables per week can help improve cognitive function and protect against Alzheimer's disease, respectively.

GERD, or acid reflux, can lead to heartburn, a bad taste in your mouth, and other unpleasant symptoms. Here are some treatments you can try at home.

I'm 79 years old and have been taking 3,000 mg of vitamin C a day for years. I'm now uneasy about taking this amount and plan to cut back to 1,000 mg daily. Is this the right dose? Will my body be startled by the abrupt change?

While the focus is often on avoiding unhealthy foods, adding in nutritious options can be a means of protecting and improving your heart health. Olive oil, mixed nuts, multicolored fruits and vegetables, fatty fish, and sources of soluble fiber are options to try.

A 2023 study involving 300 people suggested that people who kept a garden for one year ate about two more grams of fiber per day, had less stress and anxiety, and did more moderate-to-vigorous exercise per day than people who didn't do any gardening.