If you lose power, it’s a good idea to keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food safe, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. A refrigerator will stay cold for about four hours, and a freezer should preserve food for up to 48 hours if they remained closed, the agency says. Here are…  read on >

If you find that your weekly weight loss is slowing down, maybe it’s time to readjust your calorie intake. First, some calorie math. Your calorie baseline is the number of calories you need to maintain your weight. Most diets are based on reducing that number by 1,000 calories a day for a two-pound-a-week loss. But…  read on >

One in six Americans gets food poisoning each year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. That adds up to 48 million cases annually. The germs behind food poisoning and the symptoms they cause vary. But symptoms frequently include: Abdominal cramps. Diarrhea, which may be watery or bloody. Nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite. Possible…  read on >

A Mediterranean diet may make seniors less likely to become frail and help them maintain their health and independence, new research suggests. Frailty — characterized by weak muscle strength, weight loss and low energy — is common among seniors. Frail seniors are at increased risk for falls, fractures, hospitalization, disability, dementia, nursing home placement and…  read on >

“Nutrition Facts” labels mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have made it easier to know more about what’s inside packaged foods. But the information isn’t always easy to decipher, especially since the “daily value” percentages are based on a maintenance diet, not a weight-loss one. Start by looking at the number of servings…  read on >

Though healthy eating is good for everyone, those who have genes that put them at high risk for obesity might benefit the most. A new study suggests that even those who carry an inherited predisposition to pack on excess pounds are not destined to become obese. In fact, researchers say it can be avoided over…  read on >

Wine and spirits are tallied in the “empty calories” column because they lack any nutritional benefits. Add cream or soda to make a mixed drink and you can more than double the caloric damage. So how can you enjoy a cocktail without wrecking your diet? Here are some options. Choose your alcoholic drinks wisely. A…  read on >