Healthy Eating

A collection of controversial research reviews on consumption of red meat and processed meat published recently in the Annals of Internal Medicine seemingly overturns years of public health guidelines and recommendations from a range of experts and organizations. It was met with resounding criticism from many nutrition experts. A close look at the findings can help you make informed choices for your own health.

Q. Does the Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter accept any type of monetary or in-kind consideration from food or agricultural companies?

Q. Are hot dogs a healthy choice if I top them with chopped lettuce, tomato, onions etc.?

Featured recipe for "Three Sisters" Squash, Corn, & Black Bean Salad

A dietary pattern rich in foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains is associated with better overall health and lower risk of death from all causes. Since the micronutrients in these foods are one of the reasons for their positive health effects, many Americans try to improve their odds for a long, healthy life by taking vitamin and mineral supplements.

A large meta-analysis published in the journal Diabetologia found that an overall healthy lifestyle was associated with a substantially lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and also with a lower risk of long-term adverse outcomes among individuals who already had diabetes.

Analysis of a randomized controlled trial found that an overall healthy dietary pattern benefits cardiovascular health regardless of which macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, or unsaturated fats) are emphasized.

Lectins are a group of proteins that bind with carbohydrates. The lectins produced by our bodies perform a large number of functions, including roles in the immune system. Lectins are also found in many of the foods we eat. Nightshade vegetables (like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and potatoes), legumes (like beans, chickpeas, lentils, and peanuts), and whole grains are particularly high in dietary lectins.

Practically all foods undergo some form of processing before they are ready to eat-from simple processes like cutting and cooking to more complex processes like homogenizing, pasteurizing, fermenting, fortifying, refining, hydrolyzing, and extruding.

Autumn is here, and with it comes a wide variety of versatile winter squash. This seasonal staple can expand the nutritional profile and brighten the appearance of your fall and winter plate-while also tantalizing your palate.