Healthy Eating Archive

A 2024 report suggests that rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and colon cancer would fall substantially if people ate less red and processed meat.

Older adults who consume ultra-processed foods as a substantial part of their diet have a higher risk of early death than those who eat less of these foods.

Intermittent fasting is a weight-loss approach that involves not eating for a designated amount of time over the course of the day. One popular approach is called 16/8. Here, people eat during an eight-hour period followed by 16 hours of fasting. Intermittent fasting is often used to help with weight loss by placing the body in short-term ketosis, where the body burns fat for energy. While the supporting research is mixed, there's not much downside to trying intermittent fasting, and it also may help people manage their eating habits.

Osteopenia is the precursor stage to osteoporosis (weak, thin bones that break easily). Ways to treat osteopenia include taking medications that slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk, exercising, eating protein- and calcium-rich foods, taking a calcium supplement to make up for a lack of dietary calcium, taking a vitamin D₃ supplement to help absorb calcium, and avoiding excessive alcohol intake. Vibration therapy (standing on a small vibrating platform) is not yet proven to be effective.

Carbohydrates include fiber, starches, and sugars. The healthiest sources include whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits, which are rich in fiber as well as vitamins and minerals. Starches, the most commonly consumed form of carbohydrate, make up a large part of cereal grains such as rice, wheat, and corn; root vegetables such as potatoes and sweet potatoes; and vegetables like peas and winter squashes. Low-quality carbohydrate choices include sodas, candy, and sugary desserts.

What we eat plays an important role in health and quality of life — but is there a single best diet? One newer choice is the largely plant-based portfolio diet, which combines aspects of highly regarded eating patterns and focuses on foods proven to lower harmful blood lipids and enhance cardiovascular health.

Following a Mediterranean eating pattern is linked to longer life—a finding at least partly explained by such heart-related improvements as decreases in body mass index, inflammation, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and insulin resistance.

A 2024 study of people ages 80 and older suggested that following healthy habits—like eating a diversified diet that includes high amounts of fruits, vegetables, fish, beans, and tea; regularly exercising; and not smoking—can help people live longer.