Nutrition Basics

Close-up of hands making homemade guacamole
The 6 Best Foods to Help You Poop
Nutrition
Woman sneezing in a tissue in the living room.
Can Taking Zinc Actually Shorten Your Cold?
Nutrition
Vegetarian man eating salad indoors
Probiotics Are Great, but There's a Simpler Way to Improve Your Gut Health
Nutrition
Breakfast Sandwich Made With Inflammatory Foods like White Bread and Processed Meat
The 5 Worst Foods for Inflammation, According to Research
Nutrition
Omelette with mushrooms and spinach in a cast iron pan
8 Foods High in Zinc and Vitamin D to Support Your Immune System
Nutrition
Banana smoothies and bananas on an old wooden background
Gassy and Bloated? Sip These 6 Drinks to Help Soothe Your Stomach
Nutrition
person holding a late in a cup on wooden table
8 Drinks That Cause Gas and Bloating, According to a Dietitian
Nutrition
Woman eating scrambled eggs and cheese in restaurant
The Best and Worst Breakfast Foods for Gut Health
Nutrition
Homemade Vegan Cauliflower Crust Pizza
6 Low-Carb Dinners That Will Fill You Up
Nutrition
Young woman wrapped in blanket drinking hot tea
Struggling to Poop? Limit These 4 Drinks That Cause Constipation
Nutrition
A photo of Publix Three Cheese Ravioli
24 Healthy and Affordable Grocery Staples You Can Only Buy at Publix
Nutrition
woman using blender to make a protein shake at home
7 Protein Shake Mistakes You Might Be Making and How to Fix Them
Nutrition
Clear espresso cup of black coffee on a napkin on wooden table, one of the best drinks for constipation
6 Drinks That Will Help You Poop When You're Constipated
Nutrition
Man is eating grilled steak at wooden table
The 5 Worst Dinner Foods for Bloating, According to a Dietitian
Nutrition
Woman making healthy breakfast in kitchen
Eating More Fiber Can Help You Poop Regularly — Unless You’re Making These 2 Mistakes
Nutrition
illustration showing burger in glass container on countertop with clock overhead
How Bad Is It Really to Eat Food That's Been Out for Hours?
Nutrition
hand holding half grilled cheese with other half on a plate with sauerkraut bag
Sauerkraut Is the Gut-Friendly Food Your Diet Is Missing — Here’s How to Eat It (Besides on Hot Dogs)
Nutrition
Making compost from vegetable leftovers
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Composting Food at Home (It's Easier Than You Think)
Nutrition
beautiful young woman using her smartphone while cooking
25 Healthy Pantry Staples and Snacks You Can Only Buy on Amazon
Nutrition
Senior man reading food label at a grocery store
The 5/20 Rule Helps You Get More of the Nutrients You Need and Less of the Ones You Don't
Nutrition
illustration showing person picking up a pretzel off the floor and eating it
How Bad Is It Really to Eat Food That Fell on the Floor?
Nutrition
woman wearing backpack standing on rock on beach at sunset
5 Simple Habits That Keep You Healthy During Cold and Flu Season
Nutrition
Young couple making pancakes at home
25 Must-Have Healthy Foods You Can Only Find on Thrive Market
Nutrition
High angle view of friends eating pizza with cola in new home
Pizza Hut Offers Gluten-Free Food — but That Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe on a GF Diet
Nutrition
Young businesswoman eating salad in lunch room and using phone
The 6 Worst Lunch Foods for Bloating, According to a Dietitian
Nutrition
Sanzo drinks on table with fresh fruit scattered
Tired of Plain Water? Try These 7 Low-Sugar Drinks Under 50 Calories
Nutrition
lifestyle shot of food spread with Beyond Meat burgers, sweet potato fries, toppings and guacamole
9 Plant-Based Product Swaps for Your Go-To Foods, From Cheese to Yogurt to Eggs
Nutrition
Assortment of Ethiopian food
3 Delicious Reasons Ethiopian Food Should Be Part of Every Healthy Diet
Nutrition
Breakfast of Bacon and Eggs and coffee
Poops a Little Loose? Here Are 5 Foods That Can Make Diarrhea Worse (and 3 That'll Help)
Nutrition
Cup of coffee tea chicory drink hot beverage  with chicory flower and sugar cookies. Still life with breakfast
Chicory Is the Unsung Hero of Gut Health — Here's How to Eat More of It
Nutrition
rear view of runner wearing red tank top eating a snack with healthy carbs for fuel
A 7-Day Nutrition Plan to Fuel Your Best 5K Ever
Nutrition
Woman in gym clothes flexing in kitchen
Trying to Build Muscle? Here Are 6 Types of Proteins to Eat — and 3 to Avoid
Nutrition
Trader Joe's shakshuka starter
8 Trader Joe's Plant-Based Products That Are Naturally Free of Sugar
Nutrition
illustration showing scale weighing two apples with different price tags
How Bad Is It Really to Eat Non-Organic Foods to Save Money?
Nutrition
Glass of homemade Korean Kimchi with chinese cabbage, scallions and carrots
7 Healthy Jarred Foods You Haven’t Tried Before — and Tasty Ways to Use Them
Nutrition
Top view of friends eating burgers with Fench fries after a workout
The 4 Worst Foods to Eat After a Workout, According to Dietitians
Nutrition
Young woman takes medicine stock photo
Can Certain Supplements Actually Help With Anxiety?
Nutrition
Beef fajitas with sauce and lime on the side
The 4 Worst Foods to Eat Before a Workout (and What to Eat Instead)
Nutrition
Man drinking glass of milk at home
Calcium: Benefits, Dosage, Foods, Interactions and More
Nutrition
Baking rack of lamb
Why You Need a Meat Thermometer, and the Best Ones to Buy
Nutrition
Raw Organic Almond Butter
Vitamin E: The Antioxidant Nutrient Your Body Needs for a Healthy Immune System and Much More
Nutrition
Young woman drinking glass of milk with apple in hand
The 5 Worst Breakfast Foods for Bloating and Indigestion, According to a Dietitian
Nutrition
mixed media graphic showing hand reaching for a strawberry and carrot
What Really Happens to Your Body When You Don’t Get Enough Fruits and Vegetables
Nutrition
diet food fiber weight loss salad calorie balanced
Bloated and Gassy? You Might Be Missing These 2 Important Nutrients
Nutrition
Grilled shrimps
10 Foods Under 50 Calories to Add to Your Diet, Stat
Nutrition
Meal with magnesium-rich spinach, arugula, avocado, seeds and sprouts in bowl
Many of Us Don't Get Enough Magnesium. Here's What You Need to Know About This Nutrient
Nutrition
Casserole crumble with red fish, white bread and cheese on the kitchen wooden table. Proper nutrition. Top view flat lay background, copy space.
6 Canned Proteins You Haven’t Tried Before — and Delicious Ways to Use Them
Nutrition
freshly baked bread loaf
Sourdough Bread Is Fermented, but Is It Gluten-Free?
Nutrition
Rye bread sitting on cutting board.
Are Rye and Rye Products (Such as Whiskey and Pumpernickel) Gluten-Free?
Nutrition
Woman choosing jarred and canned foods at supermarket
Frozen, Canned and Jarred Foods Are Healthy — Unless You’re Making These 8 Buying Mistakes
Nutrition
Woman shopping at grocery store with phone to avoid grocery shopping mistakes
8 Grocery Shopping Mistakes You’re Making — and How to Avoid Them
Nutrition
Cheese served with grapes, guacamole, honey, crackers and nuts on a light wooden background. Top view
Crackers Aren't Always Gluten-Free — Here Are 6 Trusted Brands to Buy (and How to Make Your Own)
Nutrition
Matcha cappuccino with almond milk cup close-up background blurred.
Not a Coffee Drinker? These 6 Delicious Drinks Will Energize You in the A.M.
Nutrition
Woman cook sauerkraut or salad on wooden background. Step 5 - Put the cabbage in the jars. Fermented preserved vegetables food concept.
How to Ferment Fruits and Veggies at Home for Better Gut Health
Nutrition
Woman making dinner in kitchen with canned food
5 Healthy Canned Foods You Haven’t Tried Before — and Delicious Ways to Use Them
Nutrition
Custom graphic showing white rice nutrition.
Is White Rice Healthy? Nutrition, Benefits and Risks to Know
Nutrition
Man and woman in grocery store looking at phone ensuring they stay on track with their shopping budget
Spending Too Much on Food? Download These 6 Free Apps to Save Some Cash
Nutrition
mixed media graphic showing hand holding cupcake on orange background
What Really Happens to Your Body When You Eat Processed Foods
Nutrition
Vegan lunch. Chocolate smoothie bowl, Buddha bowl with tofu, chickpeas and quinoa, lentil soup and toasts on a gray background.
Fiber Can Help You Poop, but Its Benefits Go Beyond the Bathroom
Nutrition
six fruity waters with sliced fruit and straws on table
Hydrate the Healthy Way With This Guide to Good-for-You Drinks, From Alcohol to Coffee
Nutrition
Healthy eating habits
10 Foods Under 10 Calories You Should Be Eating More Of
Nutrition
Frozen pork neck chops meat and pork schnitzel in a plate
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Freezing Meat, Poultry and Seafood (and How Long They Last)
Nutrition
Dietitian's hand pointing to nutrition facts label on an iPad
Why Racism in Nutrition Is Such a Big Problem — and What We Can Do About It
Nutrition
Man eats a beef grilled steak on wooden table. Rustic style
Why Zinc Is So Important for a Healthy Immune System — and How to Get More
Nutrition
Custom graphic showing blackberries nutrition.
Blackberries: The High-Fiber Fruit That Can Support Weight Loss and Bone Health
Nutrition
Woman is stretching before starting an at-home yoga flow
Don't Have a Supplement Routine? Start With These 6 Essentials
Nutrition
Serving soda at birthday party
Is the Common Food Additive Maltodextrin Gluten-Free?
Nutrition
a collage of three black-owned food products on pink background
16 Black-Owned Food and Drink Brands to Start (and Continue) Supporting
Nutrition
Custom graphic showing butter nutrition.
Butter 101: Benefits, Calories and How to Make It From Scratch
Nutrition
Custom graphic showing cabbage nutrition.
Cabbage Is a Low-Cal Veggie With Major Benefits — Here's How to Eat More (Besides Making Slaw)
Nutrition
Custom graphic showing hot dogs nutrition
Yes, Hot Dogs Provide Protein — but You'll Want to Limit Them at Summer Cookouts
Nutrition
Woman is shopping in supermarket and scanning barcode with smartphone
Grocery Bill Too High? Try These 13 Simple Strategies to Slash the Total Cost
Nutrition

We believe healthy eating habits are the foundation of good health. At our nutrition basics page, we offer a variety of resources to help you understand the food groups, macronutrients, micronutrients, portion sizes and more.

Our team of nutrition experts provides in-depth articles on a variety of nutrition-related topics, such as how to read food labels, how to build a balanced meal and how to make healthy food choices when dining out.

We understand nutrition can be a complex and confusing topic, which is why we strive to present information in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Whether you're looking to improve your overall health, manage a specific health condition or just learn more about nutrition, our nutrition basics page has something for everyone.