Food and Health

Vitamin K may not get as much attention as some of the other vitamins, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Stranded in the middle of the alphabet, it plays several important roles in your health. Here’s what you need to know about what vitamin K does for your body, how much you need, and where to get it.

Worldwide, figures for obesity continue to rise to mind-blowing levels, including obesity in children. A fundamental shift in awareness and nutritional education is necessary in order to address this issue head-on. Jyl Steinback, of the nonprofit Shape Up Us, discusses the issues influencing our children’s eating habits — and the ways in which teachers, parents, and the children themselves can improve nutritional knowledge and experience for kids.

Valentine’s Day celebrates love, which we all need more of (especially these days!). And it also delivers a big dose of sugar, which nobody needs more of. So can we liberate ourselves from the holiday’s consumer script and give meaningful gifts while also making delicious and healthy Valentine’s meals and treats? Yes, we can!

For hundreds of years, Indigenous peoples in the Americas (and across the world) have faced genocide, land theft, and in many cases, forced relocation, all of which have deprived them of their ancestral foodways. Today, many Native peoples are grappling with the devastating health consequences of these ancestral traumas, along with grinding poverty and a diet of highly processed foods. But despite this grim reality, a growing number of Indigenous Nations are working towards an Indigenous foods movement as a means of cultural renewal, environmental sustainability, and a way to reclaim food sovereignty and personal health. Find out what’s being done — and what you can do to help.

Vitamin B12 is a hot topic in the vegan community since it’s one of the few nutrients hard to obtain on an entirely plant-based diet. That doesn’t mean meat-eaters should gloat, though: many omnivores suffer from B12 deficiency as well. So what is B12, why is it important for health, and how do you know if you’re getting enough?

Grass-fed beef is often marketed as a healthier, more eco-friendly, and more ethical option for red meat-eaters. But how true are these claims? Is grass-fed really better than conventionally-raised beef? And can it be good for your health or the planet?

Most of us know oats best in the form of oatmeal. But this isn’t the only way to consume these nutrient-packed whole grains. So what are the health benefits of eating oats, and are there any downsides to consider?

Eating more plants and less animal products can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. But excluding meat and dairy doesn’t always guarantee good health. Dr. Joel Fuhrman discusses the findings of a recent study on vegan bone health that found vegans were at a greater risk of fractures than meat eaters. Read on to find out what this study really means, and how you can take action to protect your bones and your overall health.

For many of us, “eat your greens” is easier said than done. We know they’re incredibly good for our health, but which greens are the healthiest (and best tasting)? How do we select and store greens, so they don’t rot in the fridge before we get to them? And what are the best ways to prepare greens to maximize their nutrition and taste? This article reveals what you need to know about leafy greens.

Plastic is a great example of a technological solution that created an even bigger problem. Plastic is cheap, versatile, useful, and convenient. And over the past hundred years, it’s changed our lives in ways almost too fundamental to register. But what are the costs to our health and to the environment? If you want to reduce the amount of plastic in your life (and in your body), where do you start, and how do you go about it?

Organic fruits and vegetables cost more than conventional ones — sometimes a lot more. So is it always necessary to choose organic? Or are some conventional fruits and veggies just fine? In this article, we go in-depth into the Environmental Working Group’s report on the 12 dirtiest and 15 cleanest items of produce, so you can make smart decisions to protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful pesticides.

A prostate cancer diagnosis can disrupt a man’s life and cause distress for his loved ones. Conventional medical treatments are often necessary, but they leave a lot of proven and valuable healing resources out of the picture. Diet — particularly a plant-based diet — and lifestyle, can lower your risk and improve chances of recovery from prostate cancer. Author Bruce Mylrea shares some of his story and what has helped him in dealing with prostate cancer.