Have you ever found yourself standing in the kitchen, reaching for cookies, chips, ice cream or another favorite treat — even though you aren't really hungry? You're not alone. Food cravings happen to almost everyone. And according to registered dietitian and TODAY nutrition expert Joy Bauer, a craving isn't always a sign that your body needs food. Sometimes, your mind is asking for a reward, comfort or a distraction. The good news is that you don't have to fight the craving

As we get older, keeping our bones strong becomes more important than ever. Strong bones help us stay active, steady on our feet, and independent. But bone health isn't just about taking calcium or drinking a glass of milk. What you eat every day can also make a difference. The good news? You don't have to completely change your diet. A few simple swaps can help you get more of the nutrients your bones need while cutting back on foods that may work against them. Here are seve

As we get older, eating well becomes more important — but healthy eating doesn't have to mean expensive foods, complicated recipes, or a complete change in the way you eat. Some ordinary foods are packed with nutrients that can help support your heart, brain, muscles, bones, and digestive system. You may have heard these foods called “superfoods.” There is no official medical definition of a superfood, but the term is often used for foods that provide a lot of useful nutrient

Type 2 diabetes can develop slowly. In fact, many people may have high blood sugar for quite some time before they realize anything is wrong. That is especially important as we get older. Some symptoms can be easy to blame on aging, stress, medications, or simply having a few “off” days. But certain changes in your body are worth paying attention to. Here are 10 possible warning signs of type 2 diabetes. 1. You’re Making More Trips to the Bathroom Have you noticed that you’re

You may brush your teeth every morning and night, visit your dentist regularly, and still be doing things every day that slowly damage your teeth. The good news? Many of these habits are easy to change. As we get older, taking care of our teeth becomes especially important. Tooth enamel—the hard outer covering of your teeth—does not grow back once it is worn away. That means protecting the enamel you have is much easier than trying to repair damage later. Here are seven commo

Have you ever sat down to relax at the end of the day, only to start thinking about all the things you still need to do? Maybe you need to call your doctor, clean out a closet, return a phone call, make an appointment, fix something around the house, or finally sort through that stack of papers. None of these tasks may seem especially difficult. Yet somehow, they keep popping into your mind. That constant mental nagging can be exhausting. Psychologists have a name for these u

A heated television interview has sparked a new debate over medical procedures involving children—and the role government should play in those decisions. The controversy began when Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, appeared on Fox News with host Jesse Watters. Watters asked El-Sayed whether he supports transgender medical procedures for minors. Rather than simply answering the question, El-Sayed argued that parents, doctors, and patients—not

If you’re over 50 and finding it harder to lose weight, you’re not imagining things. As we get older, our bodies change. We tend to lose muscle, become less active, and may burn fewer calories than we did when we were younger. Certain health conditions and medications can also make weight management more difficult. But here’s the good news: you can still lose excess weight and improve your health after 50. The key is to stop looking for a quick fix and start focusing on simpl

Who says you have to stop learning when you retire? In fact, your retirement years can be the perfect time to discover new interests, pick up forgotten hobbies, and finally learn the things you never had time for before. You don’t have to go back to school or spend hours studying. Learning can be as simple as trying a new recipe, figuring out how to use your smartphone, learning a few words in another language, or discovering how to grow tomatoes. The goal isn’t to become an

As we get older, taking care of our heart becomes even more important. The good news is that eating for heart health doesn't have to mean giving up everything you enjoy. In fact, some of the foods cardiologists eat regularly are simple, affordable, and easy to add to everyday meals. Here are three heart-friendly food combinations that doctors themselves enjoy. 1. Nuts and Raisins: A Simple Snack If you need something to eat between meals, try a small handful of unsalted nuts

If rheumatoid arthritis makes your joints feel stiff, sore, or difficult to move, you may be tempted to stay in your favorite chair and rest. But too much inactivity can make stiffness and weakness worse. The good news is that you don't need to run, lift heavy weights, or spend hours at the gym to help your body stay flexible. Gentle range-of-motion exercises can help keep your joints moving and make everyday activities easier. Before starting a new exercise routine, talk wit

Toast has earned its place as a breakfast classic for a reason. It is inexpensive, easy to prepare and requires very little time in the kitchen. But if your usual breakfast is a slice of white toast with butter or jam, you may be able to make that simple meal more satisfying with a few easy changes. The trick isn't to give up toast. It's to give your toast a better topping. For older adults, a balanced breakfast can be especially helpful because protein, fiber and nutrient-ri

If you've recently had a routine checkup, you may have noticed a number called A1C on your blood-test results. Maybe your doctor said it was “a little high.” Or perhaps you saw a number like 5.8, 6.2 or 7.1 and weren't sure what it meant. Don't worry—you don't need a medical degree to understand it. Think of your A1C as a three-month report card for your blood sugar. Unlike a blood sugar test that tells you what's happening at one particular moment, an A1C gives you a much bi

For years, Medicare for All has been presented as a simple promise: Everyone gets health care, and families no longer have to worry about premiums, deductibles and large medical bills. It sounds appealing. But there is an important question Americans—especially seniors and those nearing retirement—should ask: If the government pays the bill, who actually pays the government? That question has taken on new importance after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he does not

You may have grown up thinking a sunburn was simply part of summer — something that turned red, peeled and eventually disappeared. But your skin doesn't forget. Years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can add up, and the damage from a sunburn can affect your skin long after the redness and soreness are gone. For adults over 50, that history of sun exposure is especially important because skin cancer becomes more common with age. The good news? It's not too late to protect