For parents of kids who are picky eaters, introducing any new food item into their diets can be a challenge. That challenge gets even more complicated when parents try to introduce kids to vegan or vegetarian diets—especially when they’re doing it at older ages The good news? There are a lot more options now than in the past. Carolyn Scott-Hamilton, a holistic nutritionist, vegan chef, cookbook author, and television personality, points out that plant-based food products have improved in...

Whether it’s a never-ending to do list, the constant stream of somber news, or trying to focus on that Zoom meeting while the dogs bark and the doorbell rings, the sources of stress in our lives right now are at an all-time high. The good news? There are simple steps you can take to regain some calm in your life. Here are six ways to reduce stress and anxiety in five minutes or less: 1. Focus on your breathing. According to Dr. Marlynn Wei, a psychiatrist based in New Yo...

Just as our bodies tend to atrophy the older you get, so do our brains. We all know you can keep your body physically fit to stave off an inevitable decline, but can we do the same with our minds? Despite what you may think about your brain being a hardwired organ incapable of reinventing itself past a certain age, there are ways to forge new cognitive connections through a concept called neuroplasticity—the ability of neural networks in the brain to establish new connections in response to new...

It feels like I’m constantly checking the metrics of my workout—how much time has passed or how much “distance” I’ve traveled—during virtual spin classes. And it’s no surprise that such a habit isn’t exactly what an expert in exercise psychology recommends. “Attending to the metrics during a workout can be harmful because our reliance on time, pace, or distance can replace our ability to listen to our bodies,” says Amber Shipherd, PhD, CMPC, executive board member for the Association ...

Intermittent fasting, or limiting your eating to a set window of time each day (or week), is one of the biggest trends in nutrition right now. Promising research has linked intermittent fasting with health benefits like weight loss, better blood sugar control, and healthier aging. But it's far from a cure-all for any of these issues, and there are still limitations to the research showing its benefits for humans, experts say. Abstaining from food - even for short periods - can...

What if one of the best ways to feel healthy and confident in our bodies is to shift eating habits in a way that betters the world around us? In 2019, a global group of experts formed the EAT-Lancet Commission and released the planetary health diet as a science-based, accessible solution to the growing population in a struggling environment. For three years, an international team of 37 scientists studied and researched practices around the world and developed a well-rounded ...

Casseroles have long been a dinnertime go-to for many reasons: One, they get a well-rounded meal on the table that doesn't require a ton of active cooking time and only dirty one main dish in the process. Plus, a single casserole yields enough servings to feed a crowded table or produce plenty of leftovers for easy lunches, another perk—especially during busy weeks But who says this time-saving dish needs to be relegated to suppers alone? The healthy breakfast casseroles here can offer the ...

If you think bacteria are synonymous with “germs,” think again. Probiotics, or the live “good” bacteria that hang out in your gut, are the buzziest new word on the block. In fact, about 4 million people used some form of probiotic products in 2012, according to survey data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). But what exactly are probiotics, anyway? While it’s true that certain types of microorganisms can wreak havoc on your immune system, probiotics can actually help ...

Having a strong core is essential to all movement. A strong core helps stabilize your lumbar spine and pelvis, allows you to perform movements like twisting and bending, and can even improve your athletic performance. There are a plethora of ab exercises you can do to strengthen your core, and planking is one of the most popular. But while planks appear in countless workouts, it can be easy to do them with improper form. One of the most common errors people make when starting a plank i...

The body is amazing. Millions of chemical signals are sent throughout the body each day to keep you functioning normally. The body also does a great job providing you, the host, messages about your health as well. Specifically, it tells you when you might be missing something essential from your diet. As a nutritionist, I help people create diets to optimize their health. It's easy to overlook certain vitamins or nutrients, but if your body is in need of something it may let you know. Keep read...