Dietary Essentials - Health Digest

Agnes Erickson

Why You Might Gain Weight When Eating Small Portions

Eating small, healthy portions throughout the day has been touted as beneficial to losing weight, but you might gain weight when following that diet regimen.

Kimberly Smith

Whole Grains Versus Refined Grains: What's The Difference?

You have probably heard that whole grains are better for your health than refined grains, but you may be wondering, how exactly are they different?

Agnes Erickson

Can Eating Spicy Food Give You A Headache?

The reasons many of us develop a headache are so broad, it could be hard to find a place to put the blame. Could a spicy dinner be the culprit?

Catherine Caruso

Is French Press Coffee Bad For You?

While drinking coffee comes with many important health benefits, there are some rumors abound that drinking French press coffee may cause harm to your health.

Agnes Erickson

When You Eat Meat Before Bed, This Is What Happens

If you're smart about bedtime snacking you can maintain good health, but eating fatty cuts of meat or spicy, or sugary foods late at night can disrupt sleep.

Anne Taylor

Avoid Eating This Type Of Rice If You Want A Healthy Liver

Rice is a staple in many cultures, but you'll want to avoid this kind to protect your liver.

A. Sooter

How Long Are Leftovers Still Safe To Eat?

Having leftovers is a great way to save time and money, but it is important to make sure your leftovers are still safe to eat.

Catherine Caruso

Does Chocolate Cause Acne?

If you have a sweet tooth, chocolate can really hit the spot — but can it actually cause you to break out? It turns out the answer isn't very clear-cut.

Erin Marie

Is Accidentally Swallowing A Hair In Your Food Bad For You?

Plastic toys are welcome surprises inside cereal boxes, but a strand of hair in our food -- not so much. But does that necessarily mean it is bad for you?

A woman eats and orange and drinks orange juice

Anne Taylor

Is There Really A Best Time Of Day To Eat Fruit?

We could all use more fruit in our diets. Is it really better to eat it at certain times of the day?

Fresh asparagus on a wooden cutting board

Anne Taylor

When You Eat Too Much Asparagus, This Is What Happens To You

Asparagus is a healthy vegetable, but what happens when you eat too much of it?

Woman rejecting a plate with two donuts on it

Meredith Cooper

7 Foods To Eat During Your Period And 7 To Avoid

It may be surprising, but your diet choices can either help or hurt you during that time of the month. Read on to learn what foods to try and which to avoid.

Anne Taylor

Is Cream Cheese Bad For You?

Lots of people love cream cheese, but is it actually healthy?

K. Cossey

The Unhealthy Mistake You Might Be Making When Cooking Rice

Rice is a dinner table staple for many people. However, you may be making this crucial mistake when cooking it.

Catherine Caruso

Do Carrots Cause Gas?

Carrots have tons of health-promoting nutrients. But what if we feel less than optimal after eating them? Here's how they can impact our gut and digestion.

Catherine Caruso

Can Bananas Help With Gout?

Gout is a painful, inflammatory condition caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body. But can certain foods, like bananas, help reduce the risk of attacks?

Agnes Erickson

Foods You Should Never Wash Before Cooking

Often, it is important to wash off germs, but before you get too scrub-happy, there are a few foods that should avoid the kitchen sink during the prep phase.

Ally Arcuri

14 Signs Your Blood Sugar Is Too High

You don't need to have diabetes to suffer from an imbalance of blood sugar. Here are signs that your blood sugar level may be too high.

Ruth Clark

Is It Safe To Ingest Essential Oils?

Essential oils can be an effective way to alleviate certain health ailments when used as aromatherapy or topically. But what would happen if we ingested them?

Anne Taylor

Does Eating Too Much Salt Cause High Blood Pressure?

We all want to avoid high blood pressure. Can too much salt contribute to this health condition? Here's what you should know.

Valerie Kalfrin

Drinking Dairy-Free Milk Has A Surprising Effect On Your Brain

Milk alternatives such as almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, and rice milk are fortified with nutrients such as calcium, but they lack iodine.

Anne Taylor

This Is What Apple Cider Vinegar Can't Do For You

There are many health claims about apple cider vinegar. While ACV does offer some benefits, many are overhyped.

A man drinks a pre-workout supplement at the gym

Anne Taylor

The Truth About What's Really In Your Pre-Workout

Pre-workout is a sports supplement that claims to increase energy levels and athletic performance. But what's really in it?

Erin Marie

Do Apples Give You Energy?

From fiber to vitamin C, it's no secret that apples are chock-full of health benefits. Is an energy boost one of them? Could apples be an alternative to coffee?

Nicole LaMarco

The Truth About What's Inside Protein Bars

Protein bars can have a long list of ingredients in them, making it hard to know what you're actually eating. We've decoded some of the top ingredients for you.

Zrinka Peters

How Bad Is It To Eat Moldy Fruit?

If it's okay to scarf down blue cheese, do you need to toss moldy berries? While it's normal for certain foods to have mold on them, fruits are different.

Catherine Caruso

The Unhealthy Mistake You Might Be Making When Cooking Vegetables

Eating more vegetables is a great kickstart to a healthy diet. But did you know that various cooking and preparation methods can impact their nutrient values?