Ocean Robbins

Bitterness is the bane of any child (or adult!) told to eat their veggies. And many bitter plants are also poisonous. But it turns out that some bitter foods have a lot going for them — including major health benefits like improved digestion and lower rates of chronic illness. So what is it that makes these foods so special — and how can you learn to love them?

Hazelnuts are a delicious food with a lot of health benefits. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the world’s hazelnuts are grown in ways that degrade the environment, harm farm workers, and end up in unhealthy processed foods. Is there a way to enjoy these fabulous nuts without contributing to harm to ourselves or others?

More and more kids are suffering from food allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, mood imbalances, ADHD, obesity, and a host of other conditions that are profoundly linked to the health of their gut microbiome. This can set them up for a lifetime of compromised health. But there’s also a lot we can do to improve the gut health of the children in our lives. And the sooner we start, the better.

There’s a new environmental trend in the food industry, with a funny name: upcycling. Basically, it means taking ingredients that would otherwise have been thrown out, and turning them into or using them in new food products. But are upcycled foods safe? Are they healthy? Can you actually make good food out of those scraps and byproducts? And can it really help save the planet?

There’s a food shortage going on that’s unlike anything we’ve seen in the last 40 years. Billions of people around the world are now chronically hungry, and tens of millions may face imminent famine and starvation. So what’s going on that’s different from years past? And what, if anything, can we do as individuals to begin to make a difference?

Potassium is an essential nutrient for humans, animals, and plants. In synergy with sodium, potassium plays a role in maintaining the body's fluid balance and the health of your heart and kidneys. In this article, we’re going to look at the benefits of getting enough potassium, how much you need, and whether dietary sources are adequate and safe, especially from plant-based foods.

Oregano is one of the most well-known herbs in the world, thanks to the popularity of Italian cuisine. Now scientists are discovering that this humble herb that flavors pizza sauce is one of the most powerful aids to immunity in our pharmacopeia (and our kitchens). What are the health benefits of oregano, and how can you add this amazing (and delicious!) herb to your diet?

Type a few words and tap or click a button or two, and you can have pretty much anything mailed to you from anywhere in the world. The Internet has transformed how we shop, and this has significant environmental impacts. So is online shopping bad for the environment, with all those warehouses and trucks and vans rushing stuff to us at a moment’s notice? Or might it actually be better for the planet — if we do it right?

Explore three of the most common food intolerances to understand what a food intolerance is, how it’s different from a food allergy, and how you can identify and adapt your lifestyle in order to manage or even heal food intolerances.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints, often leading to fatigue, pain, stiffness, and impaired physical functioning. Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or immune targeting agents like steroids are commonly used for treatment. But it turns out that lifestyle and nutritional changes can help a lot, too. In this article, you’ll discover how adopting a healthy diet and practicing good gut health can help alleviate some of the hallmark symptoms of RA.

Industrialized society moves material on a one-way trip — we buy it new, replace it soon, and throw it “away” when we don’t want it anymore. On a finite planet groaning under the weight of all our waste, this way of living isn’t sustainable. One model seeking to replace it is called Zero Waste. And we don’t have to wait for the whole world to embrace it — we can do our part to take care of the earth by implementing Zero Waste strategies in our homes and kitchens.

Fat is one of the most misunderstood nutrients. It’s essential for health, yet it’s often seen as a major cause of obesity and heart disease. Are there healthy sources of fat? And how much dietary fat is too much? This article looks at the science, rather than the hype, about fat.