Lifestyle

BPA is a chemical that’s used in plastics, food and drink containers, cans, pizza boxes, shopping receipts, baby bottles, and much more. Scientists and public health advocates have been sounding the alarm on BPA for years, pointing out that it may be linked to reproductive health problems, diabetes, asthma, obesity, and harming fetal neurodevelopment. But its health effects may be further reaching than expected, and BPA substitutes may not be any better. Discover the latest research on BPA and similar chemicals — and what you can do about limiting your exposure.

The nutrient choline is essential for human health. But most people understand very little about this crucial compound. In this article, we’ll examine what choline is, how much you need, and what the best sources are. We’ll take a look at the controversies over whether plant-based eaters are at risk of choline deficiency, explore whether supplements are needed, and find out what might happen if you get too much choline.

Craving something sweet in the summertime? Skip the unhealthy processed desserts made with refined sugars or artificial sweeteners. Instead, try one (or all!) of these refreshingly healthy summer desserts. (Hint: You can enjoy many of them in fall, winter, and spring, too!)

Food scraps often end up in the compost pile. But what if you could regrow fruits and vegetables using leftover scraps? See how you can reduce food waste and save money while also providing your family with fresh produce.

Many people regard eggs as essential ingredients in cakes, cookies, and other baked desserts. And eggs definitely do their part in binding, leavening, coloring, and flavoring baked goods. But there are a lot of good reasons you may want to avoid eggs. Does this mean you have to give up dessert forever? Or are there plant-based substitutes that can still give you delicious eggless desserts?

Asparagus can be an intimidating food to tackle if you’re not familiar with this regal vegetable. Uncooked, parts of it are tough and fibrous, and yet it can turn to mush when overcooked. But thanks to its delicious taste, varieties, versatility, and nutritional profile, it’s well worth getting to know — and love — asparagus. Discover how to cook and use asparagus with seven delicious plant-based recipes.

Have you been curious about plant-based eating but unsure where to start? Or perhaps you have successfully made some plant-based meals, but haven’t yet ventured beyond what you know. In this How to Cook series article, we review our top ten tips (plus a bonus tip!) to getting started — or progressing — in a plant-based kitchen.

The explosive growth of plant-based eating in recent times can make it easy to forget that many cultures around the world have long and vibrant plant-based traditions. Where in the world do people enjoy plant-based cuisine as part of their culture and heritage? And what do the world’s most historically plant-based cultures have to teach the rest of us?

Passover is one of the most important Jewish festivals. Traditionally, it’s celebrated with animal-based ingredients and dishes. But are there ways to have a “kosher” vegan Passover? And might a plant-based Seder actually convey the spiritual and ethical significance of Passover in an even deeper way?

Organic fruits and vegetables cost more than conventional ones — sometimes a lot more. But if you want to avoid pesticide exposure, is it always necessary to choose organic? Or are some conventional fruits and veggies less contaminated? In this article, we go in depth into the Environmental Working Group’s US-based report on the 12 dirtiest and 15 “cleanest” items of produce, to help you make smart decisions to protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful pesticides.

Hormonal balance affects your longevity, weight, and mood. And new research is telling us that the cornerstone of balanced hormones is your gut microbiome, which — it turns out — depends on fiber. So can eating more fiber really help you to lose weight, live longer, and feel better?

SNAP is a US government program that provides financial assistance to help low-income people feed themselves and their families. One mostly unknown feature of the program is the ability to use it to purchase seeds and plants that will grow into healthy, fresh produce. In this article, we’ll look at how to make use of this benefit, as well as how to navigate and overcome the obstacles that may arise.