Nutrition Basics

In Partnership with Factor
Factor meals with juice shots
This Year, I’m Owning the Fact That I’m Not a Cook — and Opting for These Delicious, Ready-Made Meals Instead
Nutrition
By Ashley Lall
Expert Reviewed
an illustration of a bottle of gummy vitamins spilling out, on a light peach background
How Bad Is It Really to Take Gummy Vitamins?
Nutrition
By April Benshosan
Expert Reviewed
a collage of three of the best electrolyte supplements on a blue and yellow background
The 10 Best Electrolyte Supplements, According to Dietitians
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Expert Reviewed
Illustration of a person taking a prenatal vitamin when they are not pregnant.
How Bad Is It Really to Take Prenatal Vitamins When You’re Not Pregnant?
Nutrition
By Lindsay Tigar
a parent with long brown hair and a young toddler with pigtails sitting at a table sharing a slice of cake
I Hired a Postpartum Nutrition Coach and It Completely Changed My Relationship With My Body
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Illustration of a plate of food that has bugs on it.
How Bad Is It Really to Eat Food After a Bug Landed on It?
Nutrition
By Tiffany Ayuda
Expert Reviewed
Illustration of a calendar showing fast food meals.
How Bad Is It Really to Eat Fast Food Every Day?
Nutrition
By Anthea Levi
Expert Reviewed
Close-up of person drinking hot latte coffee, as an example of how to reduce sugar intake
8 Things Dietitians Do Every Day to Keep Their Sugar Intake Under Control
Nutrition
By Maeve McCormick
Olympic skier and Monster Ultra athlete Gus Kenworthy posing in the sun
3 Tips for Eating for Energy From an Olympic Skier
Nutrition
By Anthea Levi
Expert Reviewed
a close up photo of a person wearing jeans and a gray long sleeve shirt having breakfast of toast topped with vegetables and coffee at home on a gray tray next to a blood sugar monitor for diabetes
4 Reasons the Glycemic Index Is Outdated, and What to Focus on Instead
Nutrition
By Gaby McPherson
Expert Reviewed
Woman's hands taking a potato chip from a bowl while she's working on a laptop
The 8 Worst Foods for Anxiety, and What to Eat Instead
Nutrition
By Tiffany Ayuda
Expert Reviewed
close-up image of a plate of chicken breast with a salad and whole-grain side
10 High-Protein Foods That Are Good for Your Heart
Nutrition
By Caroline Thomason
people holding cups of coffee, one of the best drinks for inflammation, sitting at a table
The 8 Best Drinks for Fighting Inflammation, According to Dietitians
Nutrition
By Lacey Muinos
Aloo Gobi Indian Dish in a Large Cast Iron Pot With Turmeric, a potent healthy-aging spice
Want to Age Well? Add This Anti-Inflammatory Spice to Your Daily Diet
Nutrition
By Caroline Thomason
A Plate to Help You Get More Protein With Grilled Chicken and Fresh Vegetable Salad of tomato, avocado, lettuce and spinach. Healthy and detox food concept. Ketogenic diet. Buddha bowl in hands on white background, top view
15 Ways to Get More Protein at Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Nutrition
By Caroline Thomason
Person pouring herself hot coffee to a mug, a great drink for longevity
The 6 Best Drinks for Longevity, According to Doctors
Nutrition
By Lacey Muinos
Plant based breakfast of whole grain toast, almond butter and fruit
The One Protein Dermatologists Want You to Eat for Glowing Skin as You Age
Nutrition
By Anthea Levi
Man Tasting Sauce with a Mixing Spoon in a Kitchen, trying to eat more plants
The One Habit You Can Do Right Now to Improve Your Diet, According to Dietitians
Nutrition
By Lacey Muinos
Eating tasty medium rare tuna steak
The One Protein Brain Experts Want You to Eat More of as You Age
Nutrition
By Anthea Levi
Young woman writing in notebook about healthy food resolutions she wants to make this new years
5 Realistic New Year’s Resolutions Dietitians Want You to Make This Year
Nutrition
By Tiffany Ayuda
Homemade Spicy Indian Curry Lentils with rice in a bowl
The One Plant-Based Protein Dietitians Want You to Eat More
Nutrition
By Ashley Lall
Vega 'You've Got Guts' Protein Smoothie Powder and glass of protein smoothie over yellow and green background
I Have Healthier, More Regular Poops Thanks to This Vega Protein Powder
Nutrition
By Anthea Levi
Expert Reviewed
Dinning table with finished meal potentially contaminated with food bacteria
7 Common Types of Food Bacteria, and How to Avoid Getting Sick
Nutrition
By Anthea Levi
Fact Checked
View Looking Out From Inside Of Refrigerator As Woman Unpacks Online Home Food Delivery with most versatile foods
The Top 9 Most Versatile Foods Dietitians Always Have on Hand
Nutrition
By Caroline Thomason
Hands of chef slicing grass-fed steak
The Only Type of Red Meat Heart Health Experts Cook at Home
Nutrition
By Sarah Pflugradt
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad, a nutritious meal with brain health benefits
The One Vegetable Brain Experts Want You to Eat for Better Cognition as You Age
Nutrition
By Maeve McCormick
Fact Checked
a collage of a person sitting on a blue yoga mat under a window drinking from a water and a bottle of nature's way immune support quercetin gummies on a purple background
What Is Quercetin? Here's What to Know About How the Ingredient Can Help With Immune Support*
Nutrition
By Kelly Plowe
Bowl with roasted tempeh made of fermented soy beans, fresh vegetable sticks with sauce and sesame seeds on the table. Plant based protein. Healthy cooking and eating. Go vegan. selective focus
The Simplest Pan-Fried Tempeh Recipe (and 5 Others to Try)
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Expert Reviewed
Children grabbing Halloween candy out of jar
4 Tricks to Enjoy Halloween Candy Without Ruining Your Teeth, From Dentists
Nutrition
By Kelsey Lorencz, RDN
Expert Reviewed
Woman drinking tea while suffering from a cold or a fever.
Should You Really Starve a Cold or Feed a Fever? Doctors Explain
Nutrition
By Lauren O'Connor
Asian salad with tuna and avocado, a meal full of nutrients for healthy skin
6 Essential Nutrients for Healthy Skin, According to Dermatologists
Nutrition
By Lacey Muinos
Slices of foods high in vitamin c for skin health including sliced oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes on a cutting board
The One Nutrient Dermatologists Want You to Eat for Healthy Skin as You Age
Nutrition
By Anthea Levi
Expert Reviewed
illustration of person eating protein bar with soy protein isolate
How Bad Is It Really to Eat Soy Protein Isolate?
Nutrition
By Maeve McCormick
Hand holding bottle of immunity support supplements
The 3 Top Vitamins and Minerals an RD Recommends for Immune Support
Nutrition
By Anthea Levi
Fried tostones, green plantains, bananas with guacamole sauce - an underrated food in some regions
8 Foods From Around the World Dietitians Want You to Try
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Hands cutting T-Bone Steak before getting meat sweats
Are Meat Sweats a Thing? Causes, Prevention, Treatment and More
Nutrition
By Lacey Muinos
Expert Reviewed
illustration of a bed with a slice of cake on a plate on top of it
How Bad Is It Really to Eat Sugar Before Bed?
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Fact Checked
Chickpea pasta with tomato sauce and chickpeas in bowl
The One Processed Food Dietitians Want You to Eat More Often
Nutrition
By Sarah Pflugradt
Expert Reviewed
Powdered orange fiber supplement for constipation being poured into a clear glass of water
The 5 Best Fiber Supplements for Constipation, According to Doctors
Nutrition
By Sarah Pflugradt
Expert Reviewed
Frying an egg, one of the best foods to eat while pregnant, in a frying pan
The 6 Best Foods to Eat When You're Pregnant, According to Dietitians
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Woman pours coffee, a sweat-inducing food, from cups into glasses
8 Foods That Make You Sweat, According to a Dietitian
Nutrition
By Lacey Muinos
Expert Reviewed
Person Eating A Piece Of sugary chocolate Cake, one of the worst foods for sleep health
The 5 Worst Foods for Sleep, According to a Sleep Expert
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Expert Reviewed
Hands with fork and knife on vegetable salad with salmon, showing eating order
This One Small Eating Order Tweak Can Help You Feel Fuller
Nutrition
By Stephanie Valente
two people preparing a high-protein meal at home with vegetables
5 Ways to Use Protein Powder That Go Beyond Smoothies
Nutrition
By Kelsey Kunik
Expert Reviewed
custom illustration of woman eating shrimp on pink background
How Bad Is It Really to Eat Shrimp?
Nutrition
By Anthea Levi
Fact Checked
Woman eating a burger, thinking about how it will make her feel uncomfortable after
Don’t Feel So Great After Eating Your Favorite Foods? Here’s Why and How to Fix It
Nutrition
By Madeleine H. Burry
Expert Reviewed
custom graphic showing eggs in skillet cooking on a gas stove
How Bad Is It Really to Use a Gas Stove?
Nutrition
By Kelsey Kunik
white tub of Vega Essentials Shake on custom green background
Why Vega Essentials Is This Dietitian's Favorite Plant Protein Powder
Nutrition
By Lacey Muinos
Expert Reviewed
Person preparing a nutritional breakfast protein shake with protein powder and fresh fruit at home
This Is the Best Time to Drink a Protein Shake, According to Dietitians
Nutrition
By Anthea Levi
Young woman with earphones, cell phone and apple looking out of window, thinking about hunger signs
6 Signs You’re Actually Hungry
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Expert Reviewed
custom illustration of a person eating while standing
How Bad Is It Really to Eat Standing Up?
Nutrition
By Holly Klamer
Person sitting at desk in home office reaching for a breakfast muffin on a white plate as example of breakfast to avoid for gut health
The One Breakfast a Gastroenterologist Wants You to Avoid for Inflammation
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Salad of rice, canned light tuna, tomatoes, olives and aromatic herbs. on wooden table
The One Canned Food Dietitians Say You Should Always Have Stocked
Nutrition
In Partnership with Monster Energy
three people doing kettlebell swings in gym
4 Things You Didn’t Know About How the Amino Acid Taurine Can Support Your Workout Routine
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Fact Checked
Picture of a girl drinking milkshake, a food that's bad for skin
The 13 Worst Foods for Your Skin (and What to Eat Instead)
Nutrition
By Helen Sidebotham
Fact Checked
bottle of probiotics for diabetes support spilling onto a table
Living With Type 2 Diabetes? This Probiotic Is Linked With Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Nutrition
By Sarah Pflugradt
Hands of a Woman Peeling a Banana for Greek Yogurt, two posbiotic foods
What Are Postbiotics, and Are They Key to Good Gut Health?
Nutrition
By Courtney Leiva
collage of the best reusable grocery bags including box-style bags, freezable bags and canvas-style grocery bags
The 10 Best Reusable Grocery Bags, According to Food Experts
Nutrition
By Sarah Pflugradt
Expert Reviewed
Laughing friends having dinner and eating food before drinking alcohol
The 15 Best Foods to Eat Before Drinking Alcohol (and 4 to Avoid)
Nutrition
By Sarah Pflugradt
Top view of women sharing breakfast at kitchen table with blueberries for brain health
The One Fruit Dietitians Want You to Eat for a Sharper Mind
Nutrition
By Lacey Muinos
Plate of quinoa, sliced grilled chicken and peas, foods for endurance exercise
Want to Improve Your Endurance? Here Are the Best and Worst Foods to Eat
Nutrition
By Tiffany Ayuda
custom illustration showing hand with chopsticks reaching for raw fish sushi with beef tartare on plate
How Bad Is It Really to Eat Raw Fish and Meat?
Nutrition
By Tiffany Ayuda
Asian American- and Pacific Islander-Owned Food Brands on custom background
15 Asian American- and Pacific Islander-Owned Food and Drink Brands to Support
Nutrition
By Lacey Muinos
Expert Reviewed
a person with a dark brown afro holding a baby and looking at a cookbook with foods that increase milk supply
4 Foods to Support Your Milk Supply When You're Breastfeeding
Nutrition
By Sarah Pflugradt
Expert Reviewed
A person with blonde hair in a bun holding their baby in the drugstore and looking for a postnatal vitamin
The 5 Best Postnatal Vitamins
Nutrition
By Sarah Pflugradt
Expert Reviewed
Tofu block, edamame and soybeans and soy sauce on wooden table
Is Soy Bad for You? Here's the Verdict on the Debate
Nutrition
By Lacey Muinos
Expert Reviewed
custom image of two hands, one pouring a bottle of zinc pills into the other over a green background
What Really Happens to Your Body When You Take Zinc?
Nutrition
By Kelsey Lorencz, RDN
Senior woman pouring white wine into a pan of searing salmon, the best protein for longevity, while someone flips the fish with a metal spatula
The One Protein Longevity Experts Want You to Eat More Often
Nutrition
By Madeleine H. Burry
Expert Reviewed
Healthy mornings start with some vitamin support
The 7 Best Supplements and Vitamins for Energy, According to a Doctor
Nutrition
By Sarah Pflugradt
Expert Reviewed
Pregnant person in their kitchen taking prenatal vitamins with a glass of water
The 4 Best Prenatal Vitamins for a Healthy Pregnancy
Nutrition
By Jaime Osnato
Expert Reviewed
woman eating peanut butter, a food that helps you sleep, in bed
The 12 Best Foods That Help You Sleep
Nutrition
By Kayla Hui
White bowl of cooked frozen peas and cubed carrots on white tabletop.
The One Frozen Food Dietitians Say You Should Always Have Stocked
Nutrition

We believe healthy eating habits are the foundation of good health. At our nutrition basics page, we offer a variety of resources to help you understand the food groups, macronutrients, micronutrients, portion sizes and more.

Our team of nutrition experts provides in-depth articles on a variety of nutrition-related topics, such as how to read food labels, how to build a balanced meal and how to make healthy food choices when dining out.

We understand nutrition can be a complex and confusing topic, which is why we strive to present information in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. Whether you're looking to improve your overall health, manage a specific health condition or just learn more about nutrition, our nutrition basics page has something for everyone.

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