Diet Archives - Dirt to Dinner

Are snacks masking your body's protein needs?

Our bodies crave protein, so why do we try to satisfy this innate need with processed foods? A new study suggests we overeat because our protein needs are unmet. Could this be true?

Diet, Health

Tufts' Befuddling "Food Compass"

Really smart people have told me that occasional bouts of confusion are normal as we age, and I’ve taken comfort in that. But I’ve got to admit I was thrown for a very serious loop when I came across the Tufts Food Compass Score...

Diet

Not All Fiber is Created Equal

Most of us are fiber deficient, which is a pity: fiber helps maintain digestive health, lowers cholesterol, and controls blood sugar levels. But we can't just add any fiber to our diets to reap all these benefits; we need to consider a few other things...

Diet, Health

Omega 3 & 6: What’s the difference?

Are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids healthy? The science is conflicting. Some say we should not limit our intake, while others say we should avoid Omega 6s at all costs. We talked to an expert to uncover the truth.

Diet, Health

Eating for Healthy Mitochondria

Our cells' mitochondria create energy to keep our hearts beating, recognize pathogens, and program cellular activity. Our diet has a direct effect on our mitochondrial function, impacting not only our immunity but our long-term health.

Diet, Health

How does fasting prevent disease?

I tried a fast-mimicking diet and learned it's so good for your health. But how many days do you need to fast for it to be effective?

Diet, Health

What's healthier: protein bar or burger?

How is sugar sneaking into your diet? Many of us turn to protein bars as an alternative to sugary snacks. But many of these “healthy” snacks have more sugar than a candy bar. Are we getting fooled?

Diet, Health

The Caveman Diet: Should Our Diets Really Evolve?

We all care about diet and the important role it plays in our health. But how do we know what choices to make when our heads tell us one thing and our natural instincts might say something very different?

Diet, Health

The truth about calorie-deficit diets

Social media has us believing calorie-deficit diets are in right now, and many fitness trainers and influencers recommend it for weight loss and muscle building. But, when my fiancé tried to do it, we realized it’s not as easy as everyone makes it seem.

Diet

I Tried Intuitive Eating for a Month - Here’s What I Learned

“Intuitive eating” is gaining a lot of momentum. It consists of listening to your body and thinking about food as a part of an overall lifestyle choice, rather than a restrictive diet. I decided to try it out to see if I actually eat healthier and feel better.

Diet, Health

What Should I Eat in a Day?

The USDA just released its new dietary guidelines. What does that mean for our diet and what exactly must we eat every day to get all the nutrients we need?

Diet, Health

Functional Water: All fun, no function?

Marketing can obscure our sense of good science, especially at the grocery store. Let’s get to the bottom of what functional waters can achieve...and what they really can’t.

Diet, Health

Nootropics: How to Eat for a Better Brain

What if you could think better, faster, and have a stronger memory? Nootropics, found in foods and supplements, are believed to have a positive effect on our mental capabilities and brain health. Let’s see how they work and find some natural sources.

Diet, Health

Protein Quality: Animal vs. Plant-based

Recent films and fantastical food documentaries have confounded us about proteins by vilifying meat and painting a story of plants as the superior source. Are you as confused as we are? Let’s see what the science says about the quality of plant vs. animal protein.

Diet, Health

Are We Eating Away our Covid Fears?

COVID-19 has reshaped many things about our daily habits, including how we eat. So are we snacking more because we’re home all the time, or we’re stressed out, or a bit of both? And will these seemingly inconsequential shifts in our eating behavior affect our long-term health?

Diet, Health

Does Intermittent Fasting Make Us Healthier?

Can time-restricted feeding, or just eating during an 8 to 10-hour period during the day, offer just as many long-term health benefits as other intermittent fasting practices? And how hard is it to keep up?

Diet, Health

Personalized Nutrition & Our Unique Health Needs

Which foods are best for you? Personalizing your diet can optimize your health and prevent illnesses like cancer and obesity. These programs create customized diets based on our personal data...but do they really work?

Diet, Health

'Tis the Season for Sugar

As the holidays approach, sweets are everywhere! Most of us consume two to three times more sugar than we should. Further compounding the problem are foods with hidden sugars. So what does this excess sugar mean for our health?

Diet, Food Ingredients, Health

#CeleryJuice: Based on Facts or Followers?

What is the deal with celery juice? How did it become a viral sensation overnight? Is its rapid gain in popularity attributed to any scientific research, or is this an example of society's demand for quick fixes and social acceptance?

Diet, Food Ingredients, Health

The MIND Diet: Healthy Eating for a Healthy Brain

Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. That means that in the time it takes you to read this article, five people will have developed the disease. Alarming? Yes, but what if there was a diet that could help slow cognitive decline by targeting brain protective foods that combat the causes of dementia-related diseases?