It is common knowledge that eating healthy is conducive to our well-being, including our natural aging process. But can adherence to a vegetarian diet actually add to our life span? One study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found evidence that vegetarians have a slightly better chance at living longer than omnivores. At the least, the findings confirm that people who eat mostly plant-based foods are less likely to develop chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and certain forms of cancer.

Ever since calorie postings first became mandatory for chain restaurants in New York City in 2008, numerous studies have been conducted to determine whether consumers pay attention to the information and whether it has any influence on their behavior. The latest of such studies, published in the British Medical Journal, found that even if calorie data are clearly posted on menus, menu boards and online, most restaurant patrons still dramatically miscalculate how much they eat.

With summer just around the corner, you may find yourself struggling to eat right in the face of all the temptations of BBQs, picnics and other summer feasts. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are a few simple tips for how to be healthier this summer.

As the temperatures soar, active 50+ exercisers, myself included, need to pay special attention to hydration. There are some who say that thirst should be your guide for hydration, but that advice could be dangerous as we age. When older adults exercise, especially in hot and humid climates, they have a diminished sensation of thirst. And we know that “normal” thirst kicks in after you are already thirsty. So waiting for thirst may lead to heat illnesses.

If you’ve ever been to a grocery store and purchased way more than you planned, join the crowd. We’ve all done it. Thanks to subtle marketing tactics, grocery stores are like minefields designed for one thing: encouraging you to spend more. Here are some common grocery store tactics and how you can avoid them.

How healthy you are depends largely on the diet and lifestyle choices you make. It also matters how educated and financially secure you are. And where you live – not only in what kind of neighborhood but also in which part of the country – plays a role as well. If you are looking for the most health-promoting environment in America today, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the place to be, according to a survey conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), titled the American Fitness Index™ (AFI).