Nutrition Basics | livestrong

By Madeleine H. Burry

Woman sneezing in a tissue in the living room.

Can Taking Zinc Actually Shorten Your Cold?

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Probiotics Are Great, but There's a Simpler Way to Improve Your Gut Health

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Breakfast Sandwich Made With Inflammatory Foods like White Bread and Processed Meat

The 5 Worst Foods for Inflammation, According to Research

Nutrition

By Kelsey Kloss

Expert Reviewed

Omelette with mushrooms and spinach in a cast iron pan

8 Foods High in Zinc and Vitamin D to Support Your Immune System

Nutrition

By Jaime Osnato

Expert Reviewed

Banana smoothies and bananas on an old wooden background

Gassy and Bloated? Sip These 6 Drinks to Help Soothe Your Stomach

Nutrition

By Lacey Muinos

person holding a late in a cup on wooden table

8 Drinks That Cause Gas and Bloating, According to a Dietitian

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Woman eating scrambled eggs and cheese in restaurant

The Best and Worst Breakfast Foods for Gut Health

Nutrition

By Lindsay Tigar

6 Low-Carb Dinners That Will Fill You Up

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe, MS, RDN

Fact Checked

Young woman wrapped in blanket drinking hot tea

Struggling to Poop? Limit These 4 Drinks That Cause Constipation

Nutrition

By Marygrace Taylor

24 Healthy and Affordable Grocery Staples You Can Only Buy at Publix

Nutrition

By Amanda McDonald, RYT-200

woman using blender to make a protein shake at home

7 Protein Shake Mistakes You Might Be Making and How to Fix Them

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Expert Reviewed

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

By Kelly Plowe, MS, RDN

Man is eating grilled steak at wooden table

The 5 Worst Dinner Foods for Bloating, According to a Dietitian

Nutrition

By Sarah Pflugradt

Woman making healthy breakfast in kitchen

Eating More Fiber Can Help You Poop Regularly — Unless You’re Making These 2 Mistakes

Nutrition

By Madeleine H. Burry

Expert Reviewed

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

By Jaime Osnato

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

By Kelsey Kloss

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Composting Food at Home (It's Easier Than You Think)

Nutrition

By Marygrace Taylor

beautiful young woman using her smartphone while cooking

25 Healthy Pantry Staples and Snacks You Can Only Buy on Amazon

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Fact Checked

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

By Kelsey Kloss

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

By Maridel Reyes

woman wearing backpack standing on rock on beach at sunset

5 Simple Habits That Keep You Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

Nutrition

By Marygrace Taylor

25 Must-Have Healthy Foods You Can Only Find on Thrive Market

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Expert Reviewed

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

By Kelly Plowe, MS, RDN

Young businesswoman eating salad in lunch room and using phone

The 6 Worst Lunch Foods for Bloating, According to a Dietitian

Nutrition

By Tiffany Ayuda

Sanzo drinks on table with fresh fruit scattered

Tired of Plain Water? Try These 7 Low-Sugar Drinks Under 50 Calories

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

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

By Cordialis Msora Kasago

3 Delicious Reasons Ethiopian Food Should Be Part of Every Healthy Diet

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Poops a Little Loose? Here Are 5 Foods That Can Make Diarrhea Worse (and 3 That'll Help)

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe, MS, RDN

Fact Checked

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

By Kristen Arnold

Fact Checked

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

By Kristen Arnold

Trying to Build Muscle? Here Are 6 Types of Proteins to Eat — and 3 to Avoid

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

8 Trader Joe's Plant-Based Products That Are Naturally Free of Sugar

Nutrition

By Anthea Levi

illustration showing scale weighing two apples with different price tags

How Bad Is It Really to Eat Non-Organic Foods to Save Money?

Nutrition

By Courtney Leiva

Fact Checked

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

By Bojana Galic

Fact Checked

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

By Hallie Levine

Expert Reviewed

Can Certain Supplements Actually Help With Anxiety?

Nutrition

By Jaime Osnato

Fact Checked

Beef fajitas with sauce and lime on the side

The 4 Worst Foods to Eat Before a Workout (and What to Eat Instead)

Nutrition

By Anthea Levi

Expert Reviewed

Calcium: Benefits, Dosage, Foods, Interactions and More

Nutrition

By Kelsey Kloss

Why You Need a Meat Thermometer, and the Best Ones to Buy

Nutrition

By Anthea Levi

Expert Reviewed

Vitamin E: The Antioxidant Nutrient Your Body Needs for a Healthy Immune System and Much More

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe, MS, RDN

Fact Checked

Young woman drinking glass of milk with apple in hand

The 5 Worst Breakfast Foods for Bloating and Indigestion, According to a Dietitian

Nutrition

By Sarah Pflugradt

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

By Anthea Levi

Fact Checked

diet food fiber weight loss salad calorie balanced

Bloated and Gassy? You Might Be Missing These 2 Important Nutrients

Nutrition

By Diana Bruk

10 Foods Under 50 Calories to Add to Your Diet, Stat

Nutrition

By Anthea Levi

Expert Reviewed

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

By Tiffany Ayuda

6 Canned Proteins You Haven’t Tried Before — and Delicious Ways to Use Them

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Sourdough Bread Is Fermented, but Is It Gluten-Free?

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Are Rye and Rye Products (Such as Whiskey and Pumpernickel) Gluten-Free?

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Woman choosing jarred and canned foods at supermarket

Frozen, Canned and Jarred Foods Are Healthy — Unless You’re Making These 8 Buying Mistakes

Nutrition

By Jaime Osnato and Ciara Lucas, RRCA, CPT and Kelly Plowe, MS, RD

Expert Reviewed

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

By Bojana Galic

Expert Reviewed

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

By Jaime Osnato

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

By Abbie Gellman

Expert Reviewed

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

By Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN

Woman making dinner in kitchen with canned food

5 Healthy Canned Foods You Haven’t Tried Before — and Delicious Ways to Use Them

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman

Expert Reviewed

Is White Rice Healthy? Nutrition, Benefits and Risks to Know

Nutrition

By Karla Walsh

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

By Sarah Pflugradt

Expert Reviewed

mixed media graphic showing hand holding cupcake on orange background

What Really Happens to Your Body When You Eat Processed Foods

Nutrition

By Kelsey Kloss

Expert Reviewed

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

By April Benshosan

Expert Reviewed

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

By Diana Bruk

10 Foods Under 10 Calories You Should Be Eating More Of

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN

Fact Checked

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

By Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN

Why Racism in Nutrition Is Such a Big Problem — and What We Can Do About It

Nutrition

By Kelsey Casselbury

Expert Reviewed

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

By Abbie Gellman

Expert Reviewed

Blackberries: The High-Fiber Fruit That Can Support Weight Loss and Bone Health

Nutrition

By Alex Taylor

Woman is stretching before starting an at-home yoga flow

Don't Have a Supplement Routine? Start With These 6 Essentials

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Expert Reviewed

Is the Common Food Additive Maltodextrin Gluten-Free?

Nutrition

By Tiffany Ayuda

a collage of three black-owned food products on pink background

16 Black-Owned Food and Drink Brands to Start (and Continue) Supporting

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN

Expert Reviewed

Butter 101: Benefits, Calories and How to Make It From Scratch

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN

Expert Reviewed

Cabbage Is a Low-Cal Veggie With Major Benefits — Here's How to Eat More (Besides Making Slaw)

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman

Expert Reviewed

Yes, Hot Dogs Provide Protein — but You'll Want to Limit Them at Summer Cookouts

Nutrition

By Jaime Osnato

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

By Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN

Expert Reviewed

Edamame: The High-Protein, Nutrient-Dense Food Your Diet Is Missing

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.