HealthyPIG Magazine

Depending on who you ask, "healthy eating" can come in many forms. It seems like everyone, including healthcare professionals, health influencers, colleagues, and family members, has an opinion on the healthiest way to eat. Additionally, the nutrition articles you read online can be downright confusing with their conflicting—and often unfounded—advice and rules. If you're just trying to eat in a healthy way that works for you, it's not easy. The truth is, eating healthy doesn't have to be complicated. It's entirely possible to nourish your body while enjoying the foods you love. After all, food is to be enjoyed—not feared, calculated, weighed, and tracked. This article cuts through the noise and explains what it means to eat healthy and how to make it work for you.

Unlike some allergies, food intolerances are not life-threatening. However, they can be very problematic for those affected. Food intolerances and sensitivities are very common and appear to be on the rise. In fact, it is estimated that up to 20% of the world's population may have food intolerances. Food intolerances and sensitivities can be difficult to diagnose due to their wide range of symptoms. This article reviews the most common types of food sensitivities and intolerances, associated symptoms, and foods to avoid.

Physical reactions to certain foods are common, but most are caused by food intolerances rather than food allergies. Food intolerances can cause some of the same signs and symptoms as food allergies, so people often confuse the two. A true food allergy causes an immune system response that affects many organs in the body. It causes a range of symptoms. In some cases, food allergic reactions can be serious or life-threatening. In contrast, food intolerance symptoms are usually less severe and are usually limited to digestive problems. If you have a food intolerance, you may be able to eat small amounts of the offending food without any difficulty. You can also prevent reactions. For example, if you are lactose intolerant, you can drink lactose-free milk or take lactase pills (Lactaid) to aid digestion.

Xanthan gum, a food additive that you may never have heard of but may be consumed several times a week. Given that it exists in many industrial products and is related to respiratory and digestive problems, many people worry about its safety. However, the FDA believes that xanthan gum is safe to eat as a food additive. In addition, it is gaining popularity as a supplement and common ingredient in gluten-free products. It may even have health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels. This article examines the evidence of xanthan gum to determine whether it is harmful or beneficial to your health.

Foeniculum vulgare , commonly known as fennel, is a delicious culinary herb and medicinal plant. Fennel plants are green and white, with feathery leaves and yellow flowers. Both the crispy bulbs and the seeds of the fennel plant have a mild, licorice-like flavor. However, the seeds taste even more potent due to their powerful essential oils. In addition to its many culinary uses, fennel and its seeds offer a wide range of health benefits and may provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects.