Living Better Science for a healthy life
Special Series

Living Better

Science for a healthy life

Monday

Dr. Chris van Tulleken took part in a month-long experiment. He ate 80% of his calories from ultra-processed food. He explains what happened in his new book, Ultra-Processed People. Jonny Storey hide caption

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Jonny Storey

An ultra-processed diet made this doctor sick. Now he's studying why

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Saturday

Laura Gao for NPR

There's a way to get healthier without even going to a gym. It's called NEAT

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Wednesday

Are smartphones safe for tweens? Parents should be aware of the risks, a screen consultant advises. Elva Etienne/Getty Images hide caption

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Elva Etienne/Getty Images

So your tween wants a smartphone? Read this first

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Sunday

Research shows ten minutes of daily meditation can help people manage stress and cultivate happy memories. A-Digit/Getty Images hide caption

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A-Digit/Getty Images

Here's how 10 minutes of mindfulness can help make or break a family vacation

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Monday

New research finds that people who try time-restricted eating have success losing weight comparable to those who count calories. Elizabeth Fernandez/Getty Images hide caption

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Elizabeth Fernandez/Getty Images

Saturday

A year ago, the schoolyard at the Add B. Anderson School in West Philadelphia was nothing but bare concrete. Now, it's a revamped green space that serves the whole community. Meredith Rizzo hide caption

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Meredith Rizzo

Monday

Dopamine is part of an ancient neural pathway that ensures human survival. It is also part of the reason it is so hard to stop playing a video game or pass up a cupcake. Meredith Miotke/for NPR hide caption

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Meredith Miotke/for NPR

'Anti-dopamine parenting' can curb a kid's craving for screens or sweets

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Thursday

Attendees at a health fair at the Balaji Temple, in Aurora, Ill., learn about the SAHELI diabetes prevention program. Teresa Crawford/Northwestern University hide caption

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Teresa Crawford/Northwestern University

'Hidden fat' puts Asian Americans at risk of diabetes. How lifestyle changes can help

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Wednesday

Samuele Recchia for NPR

Kids can't all be star athletes. Here's how schools can welcome more students to play

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Wednesday

Kaitlin Brito for NPR

Worried about your kids' video gaming? Here's how to help them set healthy limits

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Tuesday

Sunday

Cutting back on ultra-processed food in your child's diet doesn't have to be a huge lift. Learn shortcuts and smart swaps, like giving them nuts for a snack instead of chips. Even if they're salted, the higher protein and healthy fats in nuts are an added benefit. Meredith Rizzo for NPR hide caption

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Meredith Rizzo for NPR

Friday

The brain requires a large number of nutrients for optimal health and efficiency, but micronutrients are typically absorbed better through foods than through supplements. Grace Cary/Getty Images hide caption

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Grace Cary/Getty Images

Can multivitamins improve memory? A new study shows 'intriguing' results

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Thursday

Foods classified as ultraprocessed are those that have many added ingredients such as artificial coloring, added sugars, emulsifiers and preservatives. An apple may undergo minimal processing when it gets made into applesauce. But when it gets made into a shelf-stable apple pie or candy gummies with added sugars, colorings and flavorings, these foods are considered ultraprocessed. Meredith Rizzo for NPR hide caption

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Meredith Rizzo for NPR

What we know about the health risks of ultraprocessed foods

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