Ocean Robbins

Is gluten toxic, a harmless indulgence, or part of a healthy diet? We know that people with medical conditions like celiac disease need to go gluten-free, but what about everyone else? How do you know if you’re gluten intolerant? Or gluten-sensitive? This article discusses what gluten is, why some people follow a gluten-free lifestyle, and whether there are benefits to going gluten-free even if you don’t have celiac disease.

Maca root has gained popularity in the supplement aisle, but where does it come from, and what exactly is this vegetable? Does maca have any health benefits, and if so, are they worth giving it a try? Are there any reasons to avoid maca? Here’s what the current research says about maca root — and some easy ways to incorporate it into your diet if you want to do so.

Pesticides are so widely used in our food system that it’s easy to assume that they must be safe. Unfortunately, that’s not always true. So what’s the truth about pesticides in food? Are any safe for you? Which ones are most dangerous to you and the environment? And what can you do to reduce your exposure?

I always considered celery a pretty benign vegetable, but it seems most people either can’t get enough of it or can’t stand it. Either way, did you know that it actually has a lot of health benefits? Here are some reasons you may want to grab a stalk to munch on, as well as some new ways to give celery a shot.

According to the late comedian, George Carlin, the worst thing that can happen when you’re cleaning out the refrigerator is coming across something that you can’t identify: “Could be meat, could be cake. I’ve never seen anything like it. It looks like meat-cake.” Nobody likes throwing away food. Whether you tossed it into your fridge and forgot about it, or bought a fruit or vegetable on a whim and didn’t get around to preparing it before it went rotten, wasting food feels bad. The good news is that there are many ways to preserve and store produce that increase shelf life and increase the likelihood that you’ll use it. Not only that, but food storage done properly is good for your wallet, saves you time, and can even add flavor and nutritional value to your food.

Many foods sold in the United States are banned or fiercely regulated in other countries due to harmful additives, growth promoters, genetically engineered ingredients, herbicides, or other dangerous practices. Does this concern you? It should!

What you store your food in matters. Most food storage containers are made of plastic. But research has suggested plastic is harmful to your health and the environment. Instead, try one of these food storage options that are healthier and more sustainable choices.

Is your cookware safe? Or is it off-gassing toxic chemicals that get into your food and body? This article examines the options out there so that you can make the best purchases for your health, the environment, and your cooking needs.

Despite all that we’ve learned about the power of food from tens of thousands of medical studies, rates of chronic disease continue to rise. And the medical establishment continues to apply brilliant science to the treatment of disease — while practically ignoring the central role of nutrition in promoting illness — or preventing it. But the times, they are a-changin'! Find out how medicine is evolving — fast — and what you can do to accelerate the transformation.

Ice cream isn’t exactly a health food, but are non-dairy ice creams any better for you? This article looks at the pros and cons of cows’ milk and vegan ice creams, answering the question of what the healthiest choice is when it comes to soft frozen desserts.

Jicama may not be on your list of regularly consumed vegetables, but perhaps it should be! It’s been a staple food in Central America for a long time, and with good reason. Once you discover its many health benefits, and how to eat it in a variety of delicious ways, you’ll wonder why jicama is so unsung and uncommon in most of North America. And you just might want to add it to your shopping list.

When you think about protecting yourself from sun damage and skin cancer, what’s the first thing you think of? Most people start and stop with sunscreen, hats, and long sleeves. But did you know that your diet can help your skin protect itself? This article discusses some natural sunscreen options to consider — including the best foods for sun protection and skin health.