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21 hours agoProtein Cocktails Are a Thing Now. Just, Why?
Protein is increasingly being incorporated into cocktails, reflecting a growing trend in food and beverage innovation.
Mānuka honey introduces a layer of complexity that traditional sweeteners cannot replicate. Ultra MGO 800+ is described as thicker, richer and more earthy than standard honey, delivering intense mineral bursts and chocolate notes.
The American Heart Association recommendations emphasize eating more plant-based protein instead of meat and drinking less alcohol, contradicting the recent food pyramid updates that suggest increased red meat and whole milk consumption.
These tiny packages pack a nutritional punch-so much so that the advisory committee for the 2025 U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommended upping the daily serving size of legumes and promoting them as a protein source over meat and seafood. Navy beans, for example, are especially fiber-dense, and lentils are protein powerhouses.
According to a 2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study in Preventing Chronic Disease, one vegetable stands head and shoulders above the competition, though it is one that probably isn't on your weekly shopping list. If you want to really maximize the nutrient density in your diet, it turns out you ought to be eating more watercress.
The addition of the beetroot to give the drink its hue is a little different. It's a great natural way to get a beautiful vibrant pink color without adding a different flavor to the drink or using an artificial means of color.
Fiber comes in two forms - soluble and insoluble. The former helps to regulate blood sugar levels in in the body, while the latter promotes healthy digestion by keeping food moving through the gut. Many fruits contain both types of fiber, so incorporating them into your snacks, breakfast bowls, and desserts comes with significant benefits.
This frosty, pale yellow puree holds a secret: a super citrusy, sweet tart flavor owed to a load of lemon zest and juice. When I'm in the mood for a sunny, citrusy drink, this is what I crave! Whiz it up with frozen fruit and milk in a blender, and it's one of the tastiest, most satisfying smoothies around. You can even call it a "lemon pie smoothie" to make it even more fun!
Backed by expert nutrition guidance, recipes such as Turkey Bacon and Spinach Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust are wholesome, flavorful and fast, perfect for busy weekdays or anytime you need a nutritious boost. The sweet potato crust offers a better-for-you twist on ready-made or traditional crusts made with butter, and it can be served with slices of honeydew or berries for an added touch of sweetness.
In addition to selecting a mix of quality fruit, a key to constructing the perfect berry bowl is layering a creamy base with succulent fruit elements, plus contrastingly crunchy toppings. To keep toppings like granola, cereal, and puffed grains crunchy, though, there is one important rule you need to follow: Add the toppings on just before serving the berry bowl.
By choosing ingredients like eggs, which are easy to use and versatile, you can make healthy living fit into your life at the breakfast table as part of a balanced diet. For example, these egg-inspired recipes are part of the American Heart Association's Healthy for Good Eat Smart initiative, nationally supported by Eggland's Best. In addition to the social and emotional benefits of dining together, shared family meals can help promote healthier choices at the table.
Protein-packed smoothies and shakes are all the rage. Whether your go-to ingredient is Greek yogurt, peanut butter, cottage cheese, or simply protein powder, these popular drinks are both refreshing and good for you. But sometimes, after a long day, protein is the last thing you want to worry about, and a dessert-like smoothie is the perfect pick-me-up. One of our favorite sweet smoothies is a spin on one of the most classic vintage American pies: the cherry pie.
While I love a good cocktail, on a regular basis you'll find me drinking lighter options like sparkling water or tea. After helping my husband Alex kick his soda habit years ago, we began to discover drinks that actually make you feel energized and balanced, from cucumber-infused waters to homemade herbal teas. What's great about switching to healthier beverages is you don't have to sacrifice flavor.
Dynamic duo beans and greens come together again in this pantry-friendly soup. Toasted garlic, tomato paste, and smoked paprika boost store-bought vegetable stock (use a base like Better Than Bouillon for superior potency) into a rich broth. Chickpeas and Swiss chard hang on to their texture in the brew, but use whichever white beans and hearty greens speak to you.
Drinking green juice gives you all the benefits of the vegetables (except fiber). It's actually even better to eat the whole vegetables. Consider munching on celery and cucumber with a healthy yogurt dip or blend up some green smoothies. It's important to drink green juice in moderation. Per Healthline, it may contribute to poor blood sugar control or kidney issues if you drink a lot of it. Research also associates juice cleanses with disordered eating and a negative relationship with food (read more here).
Why to Make This Quinoa Chili This quinoa chili is seriously good, full of savory flavors that wrap you like a cozy sweater. It's modeled after that quinoa chili from our lunch date, this time using our favorite fire roasted tomatoes. It's simple and flavorful, with tons of savory veggies and of course, quinoa! Quinoa acts as the texture of where meat would be in this vegan chili, and brings in loads of plant based protein.
While Grasso doesn't point out any single menu item as the "healthiest" ("healthy is very subjective," the expert adds), each tends to have health goals, needs, and preferences that differ from others. "When I'm eating out, I like to look for options that include a good mix of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates," Grasso tells us. "That combo helps keep you satisfied, supports steady blood sugar, and provides more sustainable energy."
Great job choosing to eat healthier in 2026! To help you get started, shop our top picks of essentials that make healthy eating easy and fun. Here's to your healthiest year yet! Escali Primo Digital Scale A kitchen scale can really help you eat healthier. This Escali digital scale is great for weighing ingredients, portioning meals, or even measuring coffee beans.
Rachel Swanson, a registered dietitian at LifeSpan Medicine and author of "Trying!: A Science-Backed Plan to Optimize Your Fertility," splits her time between New York City and Miami, spending about half the year in each. She also takes small-group workout classes three times a week, focusing on strength training. She says eating enough nutrients, especially protein for muscle-building, is crucial for her. She generally aims for around 0.7 grams of protein per pound of body weight, the protein intake usually recommended for physically active people.
Here at Tasting Table, we're proud proponents of an unexpected overnight oats combo. Today, we're shining the spotlight on one avant-garde flavor idea to make your overnight oats less boring - and it stars an ingredient that tea-lovers might already have stocked in their pantries: matcha. Matcha powder can work wonders in non-bevy recipes, like this matcha pudding with sweet red bean paste, or this matcha strawberry tiramisu, and it totally belongs in your breakfast rotation.
We compared how participants fared while eating their habitual diets with how they responded to the two diets that were low in ultraprocessed foods. During the periods when participants ate fewer ultraprocessed foods, they naturally consumed fewer calories and lost weight, including total and abdominal body fat. Beyond weight loss, they also showed meaningful improvements in insulin sensitivity, healthier cholesterol levels, fewer signs of inflammation, and favorable changes in hormones that help regulate appetite and metabolism.