Every month our team of reporters and editors sifts through the latest research, digs into wellness trends and asks experts the hard-hitting questions to get to the bottom of what we all need to know to live our healthiest lives.
So, what are they uncovering that’s inspiring them to make real changes in their routine? This new series highlights the one thing that stuck with them from the reporting they each do every month.
Add veggies to breakfast
“This month I had a lot of fun asking dietitians about their favorite ways to get vegetables into breakfast. Of course, vegetables are good for you, but I learned there are also unique benefits to getting them in your first meal of the day. That story got me thinking: I always make my own protein muffins to bring to the office for breakfast and normally I make them with berries. But this time I made a batch with carrots for more of a carrot cake vibe. I definitely need to tweak my recipe a little, but they were surprisingly good and I look forward to experimenting more with breakfast veggies!” — Sarah Jacoby, Health Reporter
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Never get under-eye filler
“The window for candidates for under-eye filler is narrow and most people miss it. Dr. Sean Doherty, a plastic surgeon, explains that, while filler is celebrated for it’s minimal downtime and fast results, it can migrate and clump if too much is used. It can also trap the fluid under the eye that naturally builds up and dissipates throughout the day, making some under eyes look puffier. And, depending on what you’re hoping to address, filler isn’t the solution. There are likely other topical solutions, treatments and surgeries that will serve you better.” — Aryelle Siclait, Health Editor
Snacking on prunes
“In April, I wrote a story about prunes and digestive health. This dried fruit often gets a bad rap due to the strong association with bowel movements. It’s true that prunes are rich in fiber and natural sugar alcohols that help keep you regular, but they’re also delicious and safe to eat in moderation. So I started snacking on a few prunes every day between meals. They give me a nice boost of energy and help me hit my fiber goals for the day.” — Caroline Kee, Health Reporter
Eat more fiber at breakfast
“After interviewing dietitians about the best time of day to eat fiber, I’m trying to eat more of it at breakfast. It’s good to have fiber at every meal, but the case for fiber in the morning is that it provides health benefits for the rest of the day, including keeping you full and eating healthy food by default, since fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and oatmeal. I try to start most days with fruit such as kiwi, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries. It makes for a tasty, fiber-rich and pretty plate!” — Agnes Pawlowski, Health Reporter
Track my protein intake
“In a recent expert tip of the day, I said that the current protein obsession is driving me ‘insane.’ Most people already get plenty of protein and do not need to starting adding protein-boosted foods to their daily diet. A good place to start is to track your current food intake for a few days to get a sense of how much protein you’re actually eating. For most people, it’s probably plenty to hit their macronutrient goals. And if you’re not eating enough protein, try incorporating more whole food protein sources, like beans, tofu, chicken, eggs, and dairy.” — Natalie Rizzo, RD, Nutrition Editor
This article was originally published on TODAY.com