Food Archives

Are Meal Kits Worth It? (+The Best Kits for Every Diet)

Are meal kits worth it? What are the pros and cons of meal subscription boxes? Who benefits the most from meal kits? Pandemic-related restrictions boosted the popularity of meal kit delivery services, but some wonder if they’re still worth the expense as society begins to normalize. In fact, innovations to the meal kit market have led to more affordable options with a greater variety than ever, and it looks like meal kits are here to stay. Read on to learn if meal kits are a good choice for you and the best services to try in 2022.

The Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet for Brain Health

Why is the Mediterranean diet touted as the best for brain health? Can the Mediterranean diet slow down age-related cognitive decline? While there is no general consensus on the perfect diet for brain health, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that the Mediterranean diet comes close. This diet consists largely of olive oil, nuts, fish, and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Learn about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet for brain health.

Beating Obesity: 4 Dietary Changes You Must Make

What is the best diet for an obese person? What are some things you should avoid eating if you suffer from obesity? Beating obesity involves a combination of lifestyle and dietary changes. In brief, a slimming diet involves eating whole foods, avoiding added sugar and refined carbohydrates, and consuming a moderate amount of protein and good fats. Here are four obesity dietary changes you must make.

Set Weight: Why Dieting Doesn’t Work

What exactly is the “set weight”? What role does your set weight play in fat gain? What happens when you fall below your set weight? Your set weight is the default weight your body seeks to maintain—it’s a homeostatic mechanism. Once you fall beneath that set weight, your body will compel you to eat and regain any weight you’ve lost. That’s why many people see excess weight come back once they get off a diet. Here’s how your body seeks to sustain your set weight, preventing you from keeping the lost weight off.

Brain Diet: What to Eat for a Healthy Brain

What’s the best diet for the brain? What foods should you eat to keep your brain healthy and your mind sharp? What foods should you avoid? A healthy diet is a vital part of brain health. While there’s no general consensus on the best brain diet, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that you should eat certain foods regularly and avoid other foods as much as possible. Learn which foods are good for your brain and which ones can be potentially harmful.

How Meal Timing Affects Your Insulin Levels

How does meal timing affect your insulin? What happens in your body when you eat too frequently? When you eat every few hours (including snacking), your insulin remains elevated. When insulin levels are both high and constant, your body’s cells become insulin resistant. That kicks off the self-perpetuating loop of chronically high insulin that promotes weight gain. Here’s how meal timing affects your insulin.

Foods That Spike Insulin and Contribute to Weight Gain

Which foods spike insulin the most? How does insulin promote overeating? Everything you eat causes insulin release, but some foods spike insulin significantly more than others. Processed carbohydrates—specifically wheat and added sugars—cause insulin to spike dramatically, promoting overeating despite lacking nutritional value. Below, we’ll break down the foods that spike insulin.

5 Myths About Obesity: Debunked by Science

What is the main cause of obesity? Is obesity a disease or simply a result of eating an excess amount of calories? According to Jason Fung, the “calories in, calories out” theory fails to capture the full picture of obesity. Excess calories play a part, but they aren’t the root cause of obesity. More specifically, this theory fails to appreciate that obesity is a hormonal disease, rather than a problem of willpower or bad eating habits. In his book Obesity Code, Fung lays out five mistaken premises that hamper the current model of obesity. Here are five myths about obesity

The Diffusion of Crops in Eurasia: Rise & Spread

What made Eurasia a prime location for domesticable plants? How did Eurasia’s geographic location give it an advantage? Jared Diamond, a historian, geographer, and ornithologist, contends that Eurasia benefited from having geographical features that supported the diffusion of crops and the rise and spread of food production. He said that the two features that set Eurasia apart were its axis orientation and the lack of topographic and ecological factors. Continue reading to learn about the history of the diffusion of crops in Eurasia.

Carbs & Weight Gain: What You Should Know

How do carbs contribute to weight gain? What kind of carbs should you avoid? Carbs are vilified because of their potential to raise your levels of insulin, which is a fat-storage hormone. However, not all carbs are created equal. Vegetables consist mostly of carbs, but they are good for you because they contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The kind of carbs you should avoid are refined carbs and added sugars. Here’s what you need to know about carbs and weight gain.