Fitness & Nutrition

Health & Safety

Gluten-Free Craze Is Boon And Bane For Those With Celiac Disease

12:28pm January 16, 2015

by James S. Fell

Many people who don't have celiac disease have ditched gluten, thinking it will improve their health. That's created more dining options — and more derision — for those with the autoimmune disorder.

Erica Johnson prays before her meal. She volunteers at the food pantry at John Still school where three of her four children are students. She eats alone after she feeds her kids.

Beyond Free Lunch: Schools Open Food Pantries For Hungry Families

9:33pm January 15, 2015

by Julia Mitric

More than 8 million U.S. children don't get enough to eat. In Sacramento, Calif., one school is helping families cope by sending students home for the weekend with backpacks full of groceries.

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Jasjit Kaur Singh, an Indian chef, cooks kaala channa, a traditional spicy Sikh dish. A psychologist says that children who grow up in cultures with lots of spicy food are taught to like spice early on.

How Do We Grow To Like The Foods We Once Hated?

2:43pm January 15, 2015

by Alison Bruzek

A psychologist says we have to be taught to like chili pepper and other foods we may initially dislike. The experience of eating it often somehow converts what's an aversion to a preference, he says.

Health & Safety

Minifasting: How Occasionally Skipping Meals May Boost Health

5:20pm January 13, 2015

by Allison Aubrey

If your New Year's resolutions to eat better haven't panned out yet, consider intermittent fasting. It's gaining traction among dieters and researchers for its benefits beyond just weight loss.

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The University of California's Nutrition Policy Institute has proposed that MyPlate include an icon for water.

What Might Be Missing From MyPlate? Water

12:14pm January 12, 2015

by Eliza Barclay

Since the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, more evidence has piled up showing the benefits of drinking water and the risks of sugary beverages. So scientists say it's time for a water symbol on MyPlate.

One reason cooking at home might be linked to poor health? Researchers say it could be because there are too many unhealthful baked goods coming out of the oven.

Health & Safety

Is 'Cook At Home' Always Good Health Advice?

4:48pm January 09, 2015

by Melissa McEwen

A recent study finds that middle-aged women who spent more time cooking were more likely to have metabolic syndrome. Researchers say the message should be "cook healthfully," not just "cook often."

Researchers created the bag on the left as an example of groceries bought in December while those on the right show groceries bought in January. After the New Year, some shoppers add healthier items to their carts but end up taking home more calories than

Health & Safety

How Food Shopping Can Turn New Year's Resolutions Into 'Res-Illusions'

10:49am January 08, 2015

by Alison Bruzek

Many people aim to make healthier food choices in the New Year. A study finds that while people buy more healthy food, they spend just as much on unhealthy foods as they do during the holidays.

Belviq, a weight-loss drug from Arena Pharmaceuticals, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2012. With the agency's approval of Saxenda in December, there are four new weight-loss pills available.

Health & Safety

Many Insurers Don't Cover Drugs For Weight Loss

8:07am January 08, 2015

by Michelle Andrews

Despite the intensifying efforts to turn back the obesity epidemic, Medicare and many private health plans are reluctant to pay for four medicines approved to help people shed pounds.

The San Francisco-based startup CellScope has built a tool to do ear exams at home, instead of going to the doctor.

Health & Safety

Self-Tracking Gadgets That Play Doctor Abound At CES

1:30pm January 07, 2015

by Aarti Shahani

A new wave of self-monitoring devices and apps is hitting the Consumer Electronics Show — ones with explicit medical purposes. They promise to help diagnose everything from ear infections to diseases.

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The Mediterranean-like DASH and the plant-centric Ornish eating plan topped this year's rankings of diets by a panel assembled by U.S. News & World Report.

Health & Safety

From Paleo To Plant-Based, New Report Ranks Top Diets Of 2015

8:11am January 07, 2015

by Allison Aubrey

The caveman way of eating came in near the bottom of a list of 35 diets ranked by medical and nutrition experts. The winners? The Mediterranean-like DASH and the plant-centric Ornish eating plan.