Nutritional health is achieved through the therapeutic use of whole foods, safe culinary preparation, and understanding the metabolic impacts of specific dietary frameworks and ingredients.
Folate, also called folic acid or vitamin B-9, is one of the essential B-complex vitamins. It plays an essential role in the development of the precursors to the nervous system during embryonic development, and it also aids in the production of energy within your cells.
Read more →
Dairy, or dairy alternatives, are a key part of a healthy diet, and USDA ChooseMyPlate guidelines recommend that both men and women get 3 cups of dairy each day. Milk, as well as plant-based alternative milk sources such as soy milk or almond milk, all count toward your daily intake.
Read more →
Ginkgo biloba is one of the most common herbal supplements in the United States. Available in capsules, powders, tinctures, extracts, or even teas, there are a number of ways to consume the herb.
Read more →
Whether you like them scrambled, poached or over easy, eggs are welcome in many health-conscious diets. They're relatively low in calories and full of high-quality protein and other nutrients, which means they can boost your health, as well as help you shed pounds.
Read more →
Ginger cookies fall into the category of "empty calories," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's dietary guidelines. You should consume empty calorie foods in moderation. Columbia College recommends that you allot 260 calories in a 2,000-calorie diet to the foods you want, which can include empty calories.
Read more →
Whether you're thin but carrying too much abdominal body fat, which is a condition called normal weight obesity -- or you're relatively fit but trying to lose the last few pounds -- if you want to lose weight, you'll need to make some lifestyle changes.
Read more →
Although oils and fats don't have their own food group in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ChooseMyPlate dietary guidelines, the department still recommends including some oil in your diet each day. Women should aim for the equivalent of 5 teaspoons daily, while men should consume 6 teaspoons.
Read more →
Although the risks of being underweight don't get the same press attention that's attached to being overweight or obese, a low body weight can negatively affect your immunity and fertility, and may slow your rate of recovery after illness.
Read more →
You must consume several servings of vegetables daily to meet the nutritional recommendations for a healthy diet. One way to prepare and serve fresh vegetables is through roasting, a method of dry-heat cooking that allows you to cook the vegetables without added fat.
Read more →
Toned, shapely thighs and buttocks not only fill out a pair of jeans, they'll help you run faster, jump higher and generally be more physically fit. No single food offers the magic bullet for healthy weight gain, though.
Read more →
When you hear about low-carb, you're often told more about the foods you're not allowed to eat -- like grains, potatoes and sweets -- than the ones you are allowed. But eating low-carb doesn't mean deprivation, and you can enjoy a wealth of foods even on a more restrictive low-carb diet.
Read more →
Fish not only incorporate variety into your diet, but they also benefit your heart. The Harvard School of Public Health notes that eating 6 ounces of fatty fish each week lowers your heart disease risk by more than one-third.
Read more →
No single food -- or pair of foods -- has the power to add or subtract pounds from your frame. Weight control is all about your overall activity level and the number of calories you eat, not simply whether you include chicken and broccoli in your diet.
Read more →
Though you might think of it as a childhood "junk" food, chocolate milk can actually fit into an active, healthy lifestyle. It's higher in calories than plain milks, giving it a nutritional advantage when you're trying to gain weight.
Read more →
Dietary guidelines developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recommend making grains a daily part of your diet. Eating two ounces of either multigrain or rye bread boosts your grain intake, so that you can reach the recommended daily intake of 7 ounces for men and 6 for women.
Read more →
Dairy products make up an important part of a healthy diet, and dietary guidelines released by the United States Department of Agriculture recommend consuming 3 cups of them daily.
Read more →
Ahi tuna -- an alternate name for yellowfin tuna -- is often used in raw fish dishes in Asian cuisines, and it's also one of the most common types of tuna used for canning. While it serves as a great source of several nutrients you need for good health, it's also slightly higher in mercury than other types of tuna.
Read more →
Gaining a few pounds when you're underweight benefits your health -- a lower-than-healthy body weight can make it hard to recover from illness, affect fertility and pregnancy. and cause complications if you need to undergo surgery.
Read more →
Gaining weight requires eating more calories than your body needs each day, so the extra energy helps you add bulk to your frame. But if you're already very active and trying to gain weight, it can be hard to get all the calories you need from solid food without feeling too full.
Read more →
Sorghum grain make up one of the major grain crops in the United States, reports Purdue University, and works well as a food for humans and livestock. Because it's gluten-free, sorghum grains offer a safe alternative to wheat if you follow a gluten-free diet.
Read more →