Nutrition Basics | livestrong

By Jaime Osnato

Fact Checked

Home cooking dates energy homemade organic seeds nuts vegan oatmeal balls wooden rustic background

Get More Plant-Based Omega-3s With These 10 Brilliant Cooking and Baking Hacks

Nutrition

By Kelsey Kloss

Expert Reviewed

Oranges: The High-Fiber Fruit That Can Support Your Immune System and Skin Health

Nutrition

By Alex Taylor

Fact Checked

The Supplements to Take Before, During and After Your Workouts to Supercharge Your Fitness Routine

Nutrition

By Kelsey Kloss

Expert Reviewed

Everything You Need to Know About Blueberries — One of the Most Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Nutrition

By Sarah Pflugradt

Expert Reviewed

A man pouring a bottle of vitamin d supplements into his hand

The 7 Best Vitamin D Supplements for Your Health Goals

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Expert Reviewed

Not All Marshmallows Are Gluten-Free — Here Are 3 Trusted Brands to Try

Nutrition

By Kelsey Kloss

Expert Reviewed

Sausage Nutrition: Benefits, Risks and Prep Tips

Nutrition

By Moira Lawler

Expert Reviewed

Custom graphic showing hand sprinkling seeds over hearty salad.

Grief Is Overwhelming: Here’s How to Make Sure You’re Still Getting the Nutrients You Need

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Frozen Dinners Can Make for a Healthy Meal — as Long as You Choose the Right One

Nutrition

By Sarah Pflugradt

mixed media graphic showing hand holding vitamin D bottle with sun on purple background

What Really Happens to Your Body When You Don't Get Enough Vitamin D

Nutrition

By Kelsey Kloss

Expert Reviewed

Cottage Cheese Is a Cheap, High-Protein Snack That’s Also Great for Cooking

Nutrition

By Kelsey Kloss

Expert Reviewed

Walnuts Nutrition: Benefits, Calories, Risks and Recipes

Nutrition

By April Benshosan

Expert Reviewed

man shopping in grocery store reading ingredient list

Everything You Need to Know About Food Ingredients and Additives

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN

Expert Reviewed

How to Enjoy Cream Cheese the Healthy Way (Even if You Have Lactose Intolerance)

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman

Expert Reviewed

Plum Nutrition: Benefits, Calories, Risks and Recipes

Nutrition

By Kate Bratskeir

Expert Reviewed

Salt and Sodium Aren't the Same Thing — so Which One Should You Be Worried About?

Nutrition

By Amanda MacMillan

Expert Reviewed

Artificial and Natural Flavors Are More Alike Than You Think — but Are They Safe to Eat?

Nutrition

By Sarah Pflugradt

Expert Reviewed

Make High-Protein, Fiber-Rich Pinto Beans Your Diet Staple

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman

These 8 Healthy Proteins Will Last the Longest in Your Fridge

Nutrition

By Kelsey Kloss

Expert Reviewed

Pecans 101: Research-Backed Benefits and Tasty Ways to Eat More

Nutrition

By Tiffany Ayuda

Expert Reviewed

Are the Food Dyes in Packaged Snacks and Meals Safe to Eat?

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Close-up of Senior Adult Woman Slicing Tomato on Wooden Cutting Board - Stock Photo

Fridge too Full? These Are the Fruits and Veggies You Should Use First

Nutrition

By Heather Mayer Irvine

Expert Reviewed

Should You Wash Fresh Produce With Anything Other Than Water?

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Expert Reviewed

Can't Stop Stress Eating? Dietitians Share 7 Tips to Help

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN

View Looking Out From Inside Of Refrigerator As Woman Opens Door And Unpacks Shopping Bag Of Food

These 10 Healthy Foods Will Last the Longest in Your Fridge

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman

Expert Reviewed

Bell Peppers Are Nutrient-Dense and Low in Calories — Here's How to Eat More

Nutrition

By Jaime Osnato

Expert Reviewed

fried porcini mushrooms with parsley in skillet

The Best and Worst Foods to Eat When You're Sick

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman

Expert Reviewed

Arugula Has Major Health Benefits — Here's How to Eat More (Besides Making Salad)

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Choosing healthy sugar concept: sweets and baked food is less than fresh and dried fruits on bright yellow background

What’s the Difference Between Added Sugar and Natural Sugar?

Nutrition

By Anthea Levi

Expert Reviewed

10 Nutrients You're Probably Not Getting Enough of — and What to Do About It

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe, MS, RDN

Expert Reviewed

Food products in the kitchen. Woman taking jar of rice

The FIFO Food Storage Method Can Help You Keep Food Fresher (and Actually Use It All)

Nutrition

By Jaime Osnato

Expert Reviewed

a plate of cottage cheese pancakes with blueberries

7 Cottage-Cheese Recipes That Have as Much Protein as Chicken Breast

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Expert Reviewed

The 7 Best Greens Powders, According to Dietitians

Nutrition

By Courtney Leiva

Mother and daughter grocery shop together using list

The 8 Foods Dietitians Always Buy at Aldi Are All Under $6

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Expert Reviewed

person at a drive-thru getting healthy fast food options

The 10 Healthiest Fast-Food Options When You're On the Go — Plus 4 to Avoid

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Healthy sandwich with avocado, dill and salmon

5 Smart Food Swaps to Help Support Your Immune System

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

concept illustration of eating the same food every day

Is It Bad to Eat the Same Thing Every Day?

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Fact Checked

concept illustration of weighing health benefits of white rice and brown rice

Is Rice Good or Bad for You?

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Which Parts of the Nutrition Facts Label Are Most Important?

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

concept illustration of sugar cravings with hand reaching for donuts

How Can I Stop Sugar Cravings for Good?

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

concept illustration of question mark made of supplements

Is Eating Fortified Food the Same Thing as Taking a Supplement?

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Young Woman Looking Up Food Item Ingredients On Smartphone

Why You Should Stop Thinking of Food in Terms of Calories You Need to Burn

Nutrition

By Sarah Pflugradt

Fact Checked

Smiling woman adding olive oil to the salad, foods good for liver health

7 Healthy Foods for Your Liver That Help It Do Its Job

Nutrition

By Christine Yu

Expert Reviewed

Blue and yellow illustration of the effects of added sugar on the body with hand holding cupcake

What Really Happens to Your Body When You Eat Refined Sugar

Nutrition

By Courtney Leiva

7 Tasty Ways to Get Probiotics Outside the Dairy Aisle

Nutrition

By Lindsay Tigar

Sporty young woman listening to music with mobile phone while eating yogurt in the kitchen at home.

Looking to Build a Stronger Butt? Here Are 5 Foods to Eat (and 2 to Avoid)

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Expert Reviewed

Are Rice Krispies Gluten-Free?

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

The One Protein Dietitians Want You to Eat More Often

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Healthy breakfast or lunch at home or cafe with fried egg, avocado, toasts, beans and fresh spinach on a wooden table.

The 9 Essential Amino Acids and Why Your Body Needs Them

Nutrition

By Lauren O'Connor, MS, RDN, RYT

Breakfast with eggs, avocado, bread and tomatoes for healthy fats

4 Mistakes You’re Making With Fats — and How to Fix Them

Nutrition

By Anthea Levi

Fact Checked

This Iodine-Rich Functional Ingredient Will Replace Salt in Your Diet

Nutrition

By Victoria Stokes

Fact Checked

Caramel Frappuccino With Whipped Cream on Marble Table, One of the Worst Foods for Your Heart

The 7 Worst Foods for Your Heart, According to a Doctor

Nutrition

By Maryann Walsh, MFN, RD, CDE

Man enjoying meal knowing he can track net carbs.

Why This Dietitian Wants You to Stop Counting Carbs and Start Tracking Net Carbs Instead

Nutrition

By April Benshosan

Expert Reviewed

Young woman in the kitchen cooking with healthy alternatives

Your Go-To Guide to Healthier Food Swaps and Cooking Substitutions

Nutrition

By Lindsay Tigar

Healthy person eating organic chickpea salad from bowl with fork for soluble fiber and insolube fiber

What’s the Difference Between Soluble and Insoluble Fiber, and Do You Really Need Both?

Nutrition

By Karla Walsh

Add This Ingredient to Any Dish for a Serious Vitamin B Boost

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman

Vegan, detox Buddha bowl recipe with plant-based protein foods and turmeric roasted tofu, figs, chickpeas and greens. Top view, flat lay

9 Plant-Based Foods That Pack More Protein Than an Egg

Nutrition

By Lindsay Tigar

Young woman with stomachache leaning on the bed at home looking for foods for constipation

Struggling to Poop? Here Are 5 Foods That Can Cause Constipation (and 6 That Keep Things Moving)

Nutrition

By Jenn Sinrich

Illustration of nightshade vegetables with flames above them that cause inflammation

How Bad Is It Really That Nightshade Fruits and Veggies Cause Inflammation?

Nutrition

By Abbie Gellman

Expert Reviewed

Quinoa: The High-Protein, High-Fiber Pantry Staple You're Missing Out On

Nutrition

By Jaime Osnato

Expert Reviewed

Red, yellow and orange bell peppers stuffed with quinoa, sitting on a wooden board

7 Ways to Eat Quinoa at Every Meal (Because It’s So Darn Good for You)

Nutrition

By Karla Walsh

Tuna salad sandwiches with eggs and cucumbers for cheap protein foods

10 High-Protein Foods That Cost Less Than $2 a Serving

Nutrition

By Lauren O'Connor

Man eats a beef grilled steak on wooden table how to get more protein diet

4 Protein Mistakes You're Probably Making — and How to Fix Them

Nutrition

By Bojana Galic

Expert Reviewed

Woman drinking a plant-based protein powder shake after outdoor workout

Everything You Need to Know to Find the Best Plant-Based Protein Powder for You

Nutrition

By Anthea Levi

Expert Reviewed

Midsection Of Chef Preparing Food In Commercial Kitchen for fiber and cholesterol

If You're Trying to Lower Your Cholesterol, This May Be the Most Important Place to Start

Nutrition

By Lauren O'Connor

Fact Checked

Young couple eating bread outdoors for carb diet

4 Carb Mistakes You're Probably Making — and How to Fix Them

Nutrition

By Christine Yu

Expert Reviewed

Colorful personalized vitamins spilling out of a white bottle and forming a question mark on a yellow background

Are Personalized Vitamins Worth the Hype?

Nutrition

By Kelly Plowe

Friendly toast for dry january with mocktails

4 Delicious Dry January Mocktails That Cut Over 100 Calories

Nutrition

By April Benshosan

Expert Reviewed

healthy autumn vegetables in paper grocery bag

Build the Ultimate Healthy Grocery List With Dietitians’ Favorite Foods at Trader Joe’s, Walmart and More

Nutrition

By Serena Marie, RD

A cast iron pan full of meatballs in tomato sauce

5 Immune-Supporting Foods That Aren't Fruits or Veggies

Nutrition

By Jaime Osnato

Woman blowing bubble gum balloon to get the benefits of chewing gum

6 Unexpected Benefits of Chewing Gum — and 3 Bubble-Bursting Drawbacks

Nutrition

By Jessica Migala

Expert Reviewed

Healthy vegan cauliflower buffalo wings with celery and ranch dip for healthy junk food

Seriously Smart (and Healthy!) Swaps for 8 of Your Favorite Junk Foods

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.