Cheetos, Doritos, bodega sandwiches, suspicious burritos. You name it, in my late teens and early twenties I probably scarfed it down without thinking twice about my gut health. Those days are long gone. I’m now much more intentional about eating gut-friendly foods (big shout-out to Greek yogurt) and steering clear of the stuff that I know won’t sit well. Your gut is personal, of course, and what bothers one person may be perfectly fine for another. But if yours has been feeling a little off lately, these eight foods are a good place to start eliminating from your diet.
— J.D., Editor
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Health Tech
This Vaccine May Do More Than You Think
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Two For One: Getting a jab is a pain. Literally and figuratively. Scheduling an appointment, taking time off of work, sitting in a waiting room all to get poked — even if it’s to your benefit — can sometimes be enough to prompt us to procrastinate. But according to a study published in Nature Medicine, a new shingles vaccine may do double the work.
The Study: Researchers collected data from 70,000 adults ages 60 and older in the United States. They compared the cardiovascular outcomes of those who’d received the older live-attenuated shingles vaccine and those who’d gotten the newer, more effective recombinant vaccine. After a seven-year follow-up, the newer vaccine (called Shingrix) was associated with a 9% decrease in overall cardiovascular burden; 10% less ischemic heart disease; 12% less heart failure; 12% less stroke (only in men); and 7% less atrial fibrillation.
The Takeaway: This observational study supports previous research about shingles vaccination and cardiovascular health. Researchers say if these findings are confirmed, the benefits are comparable to taking daily blood-pressure medication. While the changes are small, they’re significant, as stroke and heart disease are top causes of death.
Keep in Mind: Future clinical trials could determine causation, but so far research has only indicated an association. What we do know is that, even if it’s a chore, getting the shot is beneficial for people 50 and older.
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Sponsored
What to Look For in a Hotel When You’re Trying to Spend Less
Courtesy: Spark By Hilton
A lower room rate can sometimes come with tradeoffs—an inconvenient location, fewer essentials, or a stay that feels less dependable than expected. For many travelers, the better value is a hotel that keeps things simple without cutting out the basics.
That’s the thinking behind Spark by Hilton, with newly renovated spaces, free breakfast, and friendly service designed around everyday comfort. Hilton Honors members can also find added savings, while booking in advance may offer up to 17% off. It’s a practical option worth considering for your next getaway.
Thank you for supporting our sponsors! They help us keep All Healthy free.
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Fitness
Working on Healing Your Inner Child? Try This Simple Tool
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Move It, Move On: Exercise can’t undo difficult experiences from childhood, but new research suggests staying physically active may help the brain adapt to their long-term effects. A June 2026 study looked at adults with histories of adverse childhood experiences — stressful or traumatic events occurring before age 18 — and found that higher lifetime physical activity was associated with healthier patterns of connectivity in brain regions involved in stress and emotional regulation.
How to Do It: The researchers looked at overall lifetime activity rather than prescribing a specific workout, so the practical takeaway is to build movement you can stick with into your routine. Think brisk walking, running, cycling, swimming, strength training, or recreational sports — whatever helps you stay consistently active over time.
The Benefits: Among less-active participants, greater childhood adversity was linked with weaker connectivity in several brain networks. That pattern was different among more-active adults, suggesting exercise could be one modifiable factor that supports resilience. The study was small and observational, so it doesn’t prove exercise causes these brain changes — but it offers another good reason to keep moving.
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Personal Growth
Why Women Are Embracing a “Hot Divorcée Summer”
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The Trend: Maybe you remember the social media trends “hot girl summer” and “brat summer” from a few years ago. But have you heard about “hot divorcee summer”? Newly single women are now posting about their split as an opportunity for self-reinvention and maybe even a glow-up (complete with big hats and bold lipstick) instead of a tragedy. Writer Samantha Leach coined the phrase in 2021 after noticing divorced celebrities thriving in public, but it resurfaced this year after comedian Tatty Macleod posted a video about it.
What People Are Saying: Supporters say the trend helps women going through divorce feel less alone while simultaneously dismantling the stigma that has traditionally been associated with it. Plus, it aligns with changing societal attitudes, as new data shows over a third of people actually feel relief after divorce. That said, critics are quick to point out that a wide-brimmed hat won’t fix the emotional and financial strain that often comes with starting over.
What to Know: This trend isn’t exactly brand new, as post-divorce reinvention has always been a thing. However, many women are now narrating it publicly, and turning what used to be a private transition into something communal and even aspirational.
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Quick Picks
Brain Dead —These 6 signs mean you and your brain need more sleep.
Back-to-School Boost — A simpler vitamin routine can make busy school mornings feel a little more manageable.*
Cortisol Check — These 3 common symptoms may be signs your stress hormone is running high.
*Indicates a brand partnership
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What We're Cooking
Mediterranean Steak Salad with Lemon Mustard Dressing
Courtesy: Better Plates
Serves: 2 | Cook Time: 25 mins
This Mediterranean steak salad hits the sweet spot between hearty and fresh. Juicy pan-seared steak gets sliced over crisp romaine with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, red onion, parsley, and plenty of shaved Parmesan, and everything is tied together with a bright lemon-mustard dressing. With 38 grams of protein per serving and just 25 minutes from start to finish, it’s the kind of dinner that feels substantial without weighing you down.
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This, Not That
Your Pantry’s MVP
THIS
NOT THAT
Metin Ozer/Unsplash, Leanna Myers/Unsplash
This: Put beans in the rotation Not That: Treating them like a food you only remember during chili season
Beans are cheap, filling, flexible, and wildly useful. Add them to tacos, pasta, salads, bowls, soups, eggs, or toast. They bring fiber and protein without making dinner complicated.
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Sponsored
A Simpler Way to Plan Your Next Trip
If you’re looking for a comfortable stay without overcomplicating the planning, Spark by Hilton keeps things straightforward. With reliable essentials, free breakfast, friendly service, and budget-conscious rates, it’s worth considering for your next getaway. Hilton Honors members can also save by booking in advance through Hilton.com.
Thank you for supporting our sponsors! They help us keep All Healthy free.
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HEALTHY HABIT
Give Yourself a Real Chair Break
If you sit most of the day, don’t wait until your body files a complaint. Stand up between calls, stretch your hips, walk while thinking, or take one meeting from somewhere other than your desk. Your body was not designed to become office furniture for eight straight hours.
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Final Thought
Security is mostly a superstition...Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
