Explore the foods we eat every day, including fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and healthy fats, and learn what their nutrients may mean for your health.
When you’re constipated, the advice often sounds simple: “Eat more fiber.” But that doesn’t answer the question most people actually have: What foods should I eat? Should you eat more fruit? Oatmeal? Vegetables? Prunes? Kiwi? Beans? The answer is that several types of high-fiber foods can support healthier bowel movements, but there is no single … Read more
Fiber is usually one of the first things people hear about when they have constipation. “Eat more fiber.” That advice is often reasonable. But there is a frustrating situation many people experience: You increase your fiber intake, expecting your constipation to improve, and instead you feel more bloated, gassy, or even more difficult to poop. … Read more
If you’re trying to eat more fiber, you don’t necessarily need a special food. In fact, one of the easiest ways to get more fiber is to look at the foods you already eat and make a few simple swaps. Add berries to breakfast. Choose oatmeal instead of a refined cereal. Keep the skin on … Read more
Fiber is one of those nutrients you hear about constantly. “Eat more fiber.” “Fiber is good for your gut.” But what does fiber actually do once it reaches your digestive system? The answer is more interesting than simply “it helps you poop.” Some types of fiber add bulk to stool and help it move through … Read more
When heartburn starts, a glass of milk can seem like an obvious solution. Milk feels cool and soothing, so it is easy to assume that it must neutralize stomach acid. But there is another common experience: some people drink milk and notice that their heartburn comes back—or feels worse. So which is true? Milk is … Read more
When heartburn starts, reaching for a glass of water seems like the simplest thing to do. Maybe you’ve heard that water can “wash away” stomach acid or dilute it enough to stop the burning. But does drinking water actually help heartburn? Sometimes it may provide temporary relief, but water is not a proven treatment for … Read more
A squeeze of lemon on your salad. Tomato sauce with pasta. Orange juice with breakfast. These foods are often considered healthy. But if you frequently get heartburn, you may have heard that acidic foods can make reflux worse. So should you avoid tomatoes, citrus fruits, and other acidic foods? The answer is more complicated than … Read more
That satisfying fizz can feel refreshing—especially with a meal. But if you notice burning in your chest or a sour taste in your throat after drinking soda or sparkling water, you may start wondering: Can carbonated drinks actually cause heartburn? The short answer is: they can make heartburn worse for some people, but carbonated drinks … Read more
Peppermint feels cooling and refreshing. That is probably why many people reach for peppermint tea or a mint after a heavy meal. But if you are prone to heartburn, there is a surprising catch: Peppermint may actually make your symptoms worse. This can be especially confusing because peppermint is also commonly used for digestive discomfort, … Read more
You eat a few pieces of chocolate after dinner. At first, everything seems fine. Then the burning starts in your chest. Maybe you taste something sour coming back into your throat, or the discomfort gets worse when you lie down. So you start wondering: “Was it the chocolate?” For some people, the answer is yes. … Read more