How to Handle Internal Voices Even when some people dine alone, they have the company of four or more internal voices. These people don't suffer from mental illness. Their brains are merely replaying conflicting and possibly negative messages about what to eat and how much.

Fighting the Flu with More Than a Vaccine Each year, five to twenty percent of Americans get the flu. More than 200,000 are hospitalized due to complications. Because flu vaccines are in tight supply this year and you may not receive one, you should think about additional ways to protect yourself.

The Soft Drink Explosion Among Kids The consumption of soft drinks by American youth is increasing. National dietary surveys show that carbonated soft drink consumption more than doubled in youths aged 6 to 17.

Trans Fat on the Label In January 2006, food companies will be legally required to list how much trans fat is in their products. But many companies are starting early. In fact, besides listing trans fat content, some companies are revising products so that the contents are more acceptable to concerned consumers.

Not for Your Eyes Only In our aging population, more and more older adults will find their independence prematurely ended as eye disease removes their ability to drive, read and pursue favorite hobbies. Two new studies offer hope that healthy eating patterns that may protect our eyes.

The Best Way to Get Antioxidants Nutrition researchers continue to discover how antioxidants protect our health. These substances stop, and sometimes even repair, damage to cells that can occur from highly reactive molecules.

Whole Grains Grow in Importance Whole grains have captured the attention of Americans like never before. One reason may be because a few popular weight loss diets, South Beach Diet in particular, direct dieters to replace refined grain products with whole-grain ones.

Too Much Junk A report on American eating habits reveals that almost a quarter of the calories we consume come from nutrient-poor selections – better known as junk food. This clashes with the advice of many nutrition experts on how to eat more healthfully and control weight.

Is Fast-Casual Food Healthier Than Fast Food? Fast food can add a lot of calories, fat and sodium to your diet, if you choose carelessly. A growing number of restaurants specialize in what can be called "fast food for adults." These restaurants, dubbed "fast casual," offer the convenience of fast food for those who want take-out, as well as a comfortable eat-in section.

Can You Trust the Claims on Food Labels? When our government developed the current food labeling system, guidelines stated that any health claims on food packaging must pass strict scientific review. But now guidelines about food claims have been relaxed considerably. You need to read the "fine print," along with the claim.

You Can Learn Portion Awareness A new study confirms that people have difficulty judging how much food they eat. This can pose a problem since excessive amounts of food are frequently available to us.

Hopping Back on the Diet Wagon Whether dieters reach their goal or barely lose a pound, the day almost always comes when they go off the diet. Although this break can mark the beginning of a downward spiral that sends a person right back to the starting point, studies now show it doesn't have to.

Can Soy Fight Cancer? When soy foods were first tied to a lower risk of cancer, consumer publications made the link seem certain. Now many people are unsure what soy can do against cancer.

Waist versus Weight All body fat is not the same. Researchers and health care professionals often measure overweight in pounds or with a calculation called the Body Mass Index.