Healthy Living

With all the hoopla about natural and artificial sweeteners, getting the facts straight can leave you feeling sour. Are either really better for you?

By Christine Venzon

Believe it or not, chewing gum can be really beneficial for your teeth -- if you chew it long enough.

By Sara Elliott

Dark chocolate has gotten a bad rap over the years as a candy that gives you cavities. You don't want to eat too much of it, but a nibble here and there can actually be good for your teeth.

By Jessica Willis

Sea salt is coarser than regular table salt, and foodies rave about the great flavor. In terms of health benefits, though, is sea salt actually better for you?

By Chris Obenschain

Low-sodium salt may sound like the stuff of nonsense, but you'll find it on your grocery aisle shelves next to regular, old table salt. Anything that's low-sodium is better for you, right? Read this before you stock up on low-sodium salt.

By Chris Obenschain

We only need between 1,500 and 2,300 mg of sodium -- about one teaspoon of salt -- at most each day. But try as we might, it's hard to hit that goal, because some foods that we frequently eat have a lot more sodium than we realize. What are they?

By Tom Scheve

Unlike regular tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes are available all year. Don't just leave them soaking in the rays for too long -- we've got some irresistible recipes in which sun-dried tomatoes are the stars.

By Meghan E. Smith

You chose a salad for lunch, so you're feeling pretty angelic right now. Healthy greens, vitamin-packed tomatoes and calcium-rich cheese won't tarnish your halo. But your salad dressing might. Did you just pour 400 milligrams of sodium on your lunch?

By Gallagher Flinn

Slow cookers are a huge help for busy chefs, but it's easy to load your meals up with too much sodium. Have no fear, though -- with a few substitutions and the right ingredients, you can make your slow-cooked meal healthy and delicious.

By Heather Kolich

Whether you're eating out or cooking at home, it's tough to eat healthy in America today. And because we like convenience, many of the foods we love have surprisingly high sodium contents. So what's a person to do? Is anything good for you anymore?

By Tom Scheve

Now that you're an adult, you know that Happy Meals are anything but happy for your waistline and cholesterol levels. Can you find happiness in the drive-through if you're on a low-sodium diet? We've got some tips.

By Jessica Willis

You know tomatoes are a tasty addition to almost any meal -- the fact that they're healthy is just an added benefit. They're delicious, common to many styles of cuisine and we've got five recipes sure to delight.

By Jennifer Sellers

Americans seem to like a little food with their salt -- on average, we each consume almost 3,500 milligrams (mg) of sodium every day. When everything's loaded with salt, what are we supposed to eat to stay healthy?

By Maria Trimarchi

If you love cheese, but are watching your sodium, that doesn't mean you have to cut it out of your diet completely. Here are five cheeses that are low in sodium that you can still eat, in moderation.

By Julia Layton & Sarah Gleim

Sodium may be necessary for life, but in large quantities, it can cause major health problems. The trouble is, when we say large amounts, we're not talking about much -- even a tablespoon a day unhealthy. So how can you season food without all the salt?

By Jessika Toothman

Even if your food doesn't taste salty, that doesn't mean there isn't a whole lot of sodium lurking in your meal, particularly if you bought it, rather than made it. But there are some options. Here are five foods for dinner naturally low in sodium.

Sodium and salt are the same, right? And salt causes high blood pressure, too, doesn't it? With so many myths about sodium, we don't know what to eat anymore. And with so much contradictory information out there, how can we tell what's true?

By Maria Trimarchi

So, you want to live forever ... almost. Can your diet help get you there? Maybe. What are some foods that increase longevity? Hint: None of them contains lots of preservatives.

By Heather Kolich

Do you dream of pickles? Is it impossible for you to leave the chips and dip at parties? No worries. You're just an addict. Which of these foods is your greatest weakness?

By Debra Ronca & Sara Elliott

Sugar and salt take a rap today because they're so easy to overindulge in. But why do some people relish one taste over the other, and what does it say about them?

By Christine Venzon

A bowl of sugary cereal and a soft drink aren't the way to an intelligent morning. What breakfast items will rev up your noggin for the day?

By Debra Ronca

Salmon of any kind is good for you. But wild salmon is better. How come? And is it so much better that it's worth the cost?

By Sarah Winkler

When you're trying to lose weight or help a family member slim down, every calorie counts. With some simple substitutions, you can trim excess calories and still make your favorite dishes. What can applesauce replace?

By Heather Kolich

Once upon a time, drinking water simply meant drinking tap water. Now it might mean flipping on a faucet filter, blasting your water with UV light or even using reverse osmosis. But before you rig up a pricey filtration system, what should you look for?

By Julia Layton

If you're feeling down and out, your diet may be partially to blame. Next time you're in a funk, reach for one of these five mood-enhancing foods.

By Chris Obenschain