This week’s Well+Being update dives into the relationship between aging, nutrition, and self-care, with a closer look at probiotic use, snack choices, and the psychological effects of aging.
The Impact of Snack Choices on Your Health
We’ve all heard that “you are what you eat,” but for many adults, the snacks consumed between meals may play an even larger role in their health than previously realized. According to Anahad O’Connor, many people get up to 25% of their daily caloric intake from snacks and beverages outside of regular meals. What you choose to snack on can significantly influence your metabolic health.
Federica Amati, a medical scientist at Imperial College London, underscores the importance of this decision. She explains that snacking, often a large part of daily food intake, can either support or harm your metabolism. While whole foods remain the healthiest option, packaged snacks, despite their convenience, can be misleading in terms of their nutritional value. O’Connor examined numerous packaged snacks and shares a guide for making healthier choices in his latest article.
Navigating Aging with Resilience
As we age, many aspects of life can feel out of our control. Dr. Christopher W.T. Miller, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst at the University of Maryland Medical Center, addresses this in this week’s Ask a Therapist column. One patient’s reflection on aging—”Why can’t anything ever just stay still?”—captures the existential challenge of dealing with the unpredictability that often accompanies getting older. From changes in social dynamics to health issues, aging disrupts the stability we once took for granted.
Dr. Miller offers advice on managing these challenges, suggesting that it’s not about resisting change but rather adapting to it with resilience and self-compassion.
Rethinking Probiotics
Probiotics, often touted as a miracle solution for gut health, may not be as beneficial as their widespread marketing suggests. Dr. Trisha S. Pasricha, a physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, warns that most probiotic supplements on the market do not live up to the claims made by their advocates. In fact, evidence supporting the efficacy of over-the-counter probiotics remains limited.
Dr. Pasricha, a gastroenterologist, reveals that she rarely advises her patients to take probiotics, despite their popularization in media and pharmacies. Instead, she recommends alternative approaches to improve gut health—advice that deviates from common trends. Her full response offers insights into more effective ways to support your digestive system.
Must-Reads This Week
- The effects of cooking oil on your health
- How caffeine can enhance focus without overstimulation
- Five years after the pandemic, COVID-19’s transition to endemic status
- The surprising benefits of the placebo effect for pain relief
- The impact of microplastics on the food supply
- A debunking of common cleaning myths (like why you should avoid using newspaper to clean windows)
Whether it’s making smarter snack choices, learning to accept the inevitability of aging, or reconsidering the use of probiotics, the key to well-being lies in informed choices and adaptability.
Related topics:
Healthy St. Patrick’s Day Snacks Your Kids Will Love
Top Foods for Maintaining Healthy Vision
Australian Diets Face Decline by 2030, With Junk Food on the Rise
