Dietary Essentials - HealthDigest

Jorie Mark

Do You Really Need To Count Calories? A Dietitian Weighs In

Adding food scales, measuring cups, and a calorie-tracking app or notebook into your already-packed lunch or dinner plans is seriously cutting into your downtime. But isn't this task necessary to stay at a healthy weight or shed unwanted pounds?

Katherine Alexis Athanasiou

What Detox Teas Are Really Doing To Your Body Might Surprise You

Whether you're active on social media or watch the latest daytime talk shows, chances are you've heard of detox teas. What do they really do to your body?

Woman Adding Artificial Sweetener To Coffee

Nicole LaMarco

Artificial Sweeteners: Are They Really As Bad As You Think?

Artificial sweeteners are also known as sugar substitutes. Artificial sweeteners have zero calories, which might make them look like a good option for anyone looking to lose weight or reduce their sugar intake. But are they safe?

Zrinka Peters

Benefits Of Honey You'll Wish You Knew Sooner

In contrast with white sugar though, which offers no nutritional value, honey contains trace amounts of a wide range of vitamins and minerals, as well as, importantly, bioactive plant compounds and antioxidants.

The Dubrows with their book The Dubrow Diet

Christine Byrne

The Truth About The Dubrow Diet

The Dubrow Diet is an eating plan and popular book created by former Real Housewives of Orange County star Heather Dubrow and her husband Terry Dubrow.

Zrinka Peters

Olive Oil Vs Avocado Oil: Which One Is Better For You?

Olive oil has been used and revered for thousands of years, and the culinary world as we know it would be rocked without it. But there's a new kid on the block. Avocado oil has gained popularity in recent years, and chefs as well as nutritionists are singing its praises.

Brian Good

Strange Diet Trends From The Past You May Not Remember

For centuries, diet trends have been enticing people around the globe. Many such trends are hard to believe.

Zrinka Peters

Why The Keto Diet Could Make Your Hair Fall Out

while no one would bat an eye at cutting back a little on bread and pasta, the health benefits of very restrictive diets — like the ketogenic diet (or keto for short) — are debatable.

Cup of coffee latte with heart shape and coffee beans on old wooden background

Nicole LaMarco

Here's What Really Happens When You Skip Your Morning Coffee

Caffeine is the chemical in coffee that makes you feel awake and energized — and sometimes jittery and anxious. Caffeine has these effects because it stimulates your nervous system. What happens when you skip your daily morning cup of brew?

Phoebe McRae

The Real Reason You're Craving Chocolate All The Time

Chocolate is one of those things that so many of us can't help but love — even though we know it's not the healthiest thing we can feed our bodies. But there's a big difference between simply wanting chocolate and craving chocolate, especially if you're a woman.

Brian Good

Don't Even Think About Eating These Foods Before Having Sex

Not every food is a good match for your libido. You're not even going to want to think about eating these foods before sex.

Kelsie Calderon

You're Drinking Too Much Caffeine If This Happens To Your Body

Before you decide to pick up a second cup of joe -- or third or fourth or fifth -- you should know what all that caffeine is doing to your body.

Karen Veazey

Is Butter Good Or Bad For You?

If you've ever thought twice about reaching for the butter to spread on your bagel, you're not alone. Here's what to know about this popular fat.

Brian Good

What Your Food Cravings Are Trying To Tell You

Food cravings are so common that the average American spends more than 240 hours a year thinking about them. Here's a look at what they're trying to tell you.

Nicole LaMarco

The Bananas-Only Diet Isn't As Healthy As You Think It Is. Here's Why

The bananas-only diet is a fad diet that focuses on eating one food. With this diet, you're allowed to eat as many bananas as you want, as well as maybe some milk. You might lose weight, but your entire body will be starved of nutrients found in other foods.

Phoebe McRae

The Damage Yo-Yo Dieting Is Doing To Your Body

The most important reason why diets aren't sustainable and you should stay away from them is because food and the nutrition it provides is crucial.

Christine Byrne

Fast Food Items With Way More Calories Than You Expected

There are many fast food items out there boasting more calories than you'd expect. Here are some deceivingly high-calorie fast food items to look out for.

Phoebe McRae

Fact Or Fiction: Egg Yolks Are Bad For You

If you've lived most of the last decade (or your entire life) eating egg white omelets because you believed egg yolks were bad for you, we're sorry to say that you may have been giving up the golden yellow goodness for no reason.

Maria Scinto

The Reason Your Vegan Diet May Be Aging You Quicker

Many who switch to plant-based eating may expect to gain a youthful glow, but it may not work out that way. Here's why it may age you more quickly.

Nicole LaMarco

The Dangerous Ingredient You Need To Watch Out For In Coffee

Coffee has numerous health benefits, and you have probably heard of some of them. With all of these health benefits of coffee, why shouldn't you drink it? Well, there is one ingredient that you should be aware of. It's called acrylamide, a potentially harmful chemical found in coffee.

Jorie Mark

The Difference Between Counting Calories And Counting Macros

We've probably all heard that losing weight is about 'calories in, calories out.' But experts have argued that counting calories isn't the best way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Instead, some say we should be focusing on macros. What's the difference?

Phoebe McRae

The Harmful Chemical That Might Be In Your Canned Food

Fans of canned fish, beans, and legumes may be surprised to learn that 10 percent of all canned food contains a harmful chemical. The chemical is called bisphenol A, also known as BPA.

Foods to avoid on low-carb and keto diets

Karen Veazey

The Real Difference Between Low-Carb And Keto Diets

These days it seems as if everyone has sworn off bread in favor of eating a low-carb diet. But that doesn't necessarily mean they're eating the keto way, as there are some notable differences between the two diets.

Christine Byrne

Foods You Probably Thought Were Vegan But Actually Aren't

From some of your all-time favorite cookies to candies to meals, these are some of the foods vegans will want to avoid at all costs.

Maria Scinto

Veggie Burgers Aren't As Healthy As You Think They Are. Here's Why

If you're eating vegetarian because you believe it's better for your health, though, this may not always be true — especially when it comes to choosing veggie burgers over the beef or turkey version.

Lindsay D. Mattison

Desserts That Are Actually Healthier Than You Think

Here's a look at some desserts that are way healthier than you think.

Maria Scinto

The Healthiest Way To Make Tea Isn't What You Think

When it comes to tea, it seems as if everyone has a definite opinion. While some make their tea in a Keurig and some use a French press, the preferred method for most seems to involve boiling water in a kettle before pouring it over your bagged or loose-leaf tea. What is really the best way, though?