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3 weeks ago | 
health.com | Chelsea Rae Bourgeois |Hannah Harper |Kayla Girgen
supersizer / Getty Images Salt cravings are normal. Sodium, the primary mineral in salt, is essential for many body functions, and it's important to get enough in your daily diet. However, frequent or intense cravings may be a sign of an underlying issue. What Causes Salt Cravings? Salt contains a mineral called sodium, which plays a key role in your body’s normal operations. Sodium helps support muscle movement, sends signals to nerves, and keeps the right amount of water in the body.
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1 month ago | 
health.com | Jillian Kubala |Hannah Harper |Kayla Girgen
zoranm / Getty Images Soybeans are legumes rich in nutrients like protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals like potassium, magnesium, folate, and iron. Soy is the base of many popular foods, including tofu, tempeh, soy sauce, soy milk, and many plant-based meat alternatives. Some people have concerns about soy, as it can affect hormone levels in the body when consumed in very high amounts.
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1 month ago | 
health.com | Chelsea Rae Bourgeois |Hannah Harper |Kayla Girgen
The Good Brigade / Getty Images Water is the most abundant component in the body and is essential to overall health and wellness. In the body, it helps transport nutrients, regulate body temperature, eliminate waste, and support digestion. It also plays a key role in weight loss. Research shows that drinking water can influence your appetite, metabolism, and overall calorie intake. There isn't a one-size-fits-all recommendation for daily water intake. Your water needs depend on several factors.
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1 month ago | 
health.com | Lauren O'Connor |Kayla Girgen
SMarina / Getty Images Peanuts are a source of plant protein, which contains heart-healthy fats, and offer essential minerals like potassium and magnesium. Many commercial peanut butters contain sugars, hydrogenated oils, and preservatives to improve their texture and shelf life, but these additives can impact health. Added sugars can add up, and hydrogenated oils contribute to saturated fat intake—both should be limited to less than 10% of your diet.
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1 month ago | 
health.com | Lindsey DeSoto |Lindsey Desoto |Hannah Harper |Kayla Girgen
Tom Werner / Getty Images "Clean eating", at its core, means choosing more minimally processed and plant-based foods. Highly processed foods are limited or avoided. Most people who try to eat a clean diet do so to improve their health or promote weight loss. Since clean eating can be interpreted in many ways, it can be taken too far.
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2 months ago | 
health.com | Lindsey DeSoto |Lindsey Desoto |Hannah Harper |Kayla Girgen
Maskot / Getty Images Vegetables can be grouped into two categories: Non-starchy and starchy. Starchy vegetables tend to be higher in carbohydrates and calories per serving than non-starchy vegetables. Starchy vegetables provide fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients needed to maintain overall health. Most adults following a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet should aim to eat about 2.5 cups of vegetables daily, and about 5 cups of starchy vegetables per week.
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2 months ago | 
health.com | Chelsea Rae Bourgeois |Kayla Girgen
bit245 / Getty Images A low-carb or keto diet focuses on eating fewer carbohydrates, the main nutrient source of sugar in foods and drinks, and the similarities between the two stop there. The low-carb diet restricts the amount of carbs you eat daily. The keto diet is stricter by reducing carbohydrates while prioritizing high-fat food. People follow a low-carbohydrate or keto diet for different reasons.
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2 months ago | 
health.com | Johna Burdeos |Hannah Harper |Kayla Girgen
Irina Kozmova / Getty Images FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) are short-chain carbohydrates. They aren’t absorbed well in the small intestine; they draw in water and ferment or break down in the colon. For most people, FODMAPs don’t cause problems and can support gut health by feeding good gut bacteria. If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), your gut may be more sensitive to these foods.
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2 months ago | 
health.com | Merve Ceylan |Hannah Harper |Kayla Girgen
samael334 / Getty Images Potassium is important for kidney, heart, muscle, and brain function. Low potassium levels can contribute to muscle weakness, high blood pressure, kidney stones, and loss of bone mass. Adults need 2,600-3,400 milligrams of potassium daily, depending on age, sex, and pregnancy or breastfeeding status. Bananas are a well-known source of potassium, but other foods are better sources of potassium.
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2 months ago | 
health.com | Jillian Kubala |Kayla Girgen
fcafotodigital / Getty Images Protein shakes are a popular way to pack in more protein between meals. Premade and homemade shakes usually contain 15-20 grams of protein, depending on the ingredients. Though many people enjoy protein shakes, you may want other high-protein options to help you hit your daily protein goals. Fortunately, many foods and drinks contain just as much, if not more, protein as protein shakes. 1.
