When everything tastes bad, focus on moist, flavorful, or texturally interesting foods, using herbs, spices, citrus, or sauces to boost flavor, while staying hydrated and rinsing your mouth; try cold foods, smoothies, yogurt, or bland options like eggs and rice, and experiment with different textures (crunchy, creamy) to find what's palatable, as sweet, sour, or salty tastes often cut through unpleasant flavors, say experts at the National Institute on Aging, Cleveland Clinic, and Healthline.
Eat foods that mask the taste of metal, like citrus fruits, sour foods like pickles and food with vinegar. Avoid spicy food, food made with lots of preservatives or very sweet food. Drink up. Drinking lots of water or noncaffeinated drinks prevents dry mouth, which can lead to dysgeusia.
In most cases, treating the condition that led to ageusia helps restore your taste. If a cold or flu causes ageusia, your sense of taste may return after taking antihistamines or decongestants. Healthcare providers treat Infections with antibiotics.
Boost flavor and texture to make meals more enjoyable.
5 steps to reset your taste buds
Citrus juice-a little fresh lemon, orange, or lime juice can really bring out the flavor or a recipe. Sweetness- sometimes a little sweetness from fresh fruit, dried fruit, or a healthy sweetener such as maple syrup can also help to bring out the flavor of a meal.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PB&J) adds about 33 minutes to your healthy lifespan per serving, according to a University of Michigan study that measured life expectancy impacts of over 5,850 foods using the Health Nutritional Index (HNI). This sandwich tops the list for adding time, with nuts and seeds also being highly beneficial (around 25 mins) and processed items like hot dogs subtracting time.
The 2-2-2 food rule is a simple guideline for leftover safety: get cooked food into the fridge within 2 hours, eat it within 2 days, or freeze it for up to 2 months to prevent bacteria growth, keeping it out of the temperature "danger zone" (40-140°F or 5-60°C).
There's no single "number 1" unhealthy food, but ultra-processed items like sugary drinks, processed meats (bacon, hot dogs), deep-fried foods (fries), and refined snacks (donuts, chips, sugary cereals) consistently top lists due to high sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, and additives linked to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. These items offer little nutritional value while increasing risks for chronic diseases.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Highlights. The deficiency of vitamin B12 has a clear effect on taste as it causes disruption in epithelial cells, producing tongue pain, redness of the tongue, and the absence of papilla, thereby increasing the taste. In addition, ALA and Vitamin C have a positive impact on the sense of taste.
Your body naturally regenerates taste bud cells, which is why healing is typically quick. However, more serious burns—such as second-degree burns from extremely hot food or drinks—may take longer and require dental attention.
Zinc supplementation is an effective treatment for taste disorders in patients with zinc deficiency, idiopathic taste disorders, and in patients with taste disorders induced by chronic renal failure when given in high doses ranging from 68 to 86.7 mg/d for up to six months.
The 20-minute rule for eating is a mindful eating strategy suggesting it takes your brain about 20 minutes to receive fullness signals from your stomach, so eating slowly, taking at least 20 minutes for a meal, and waiting 20 minutes before seconds helps prevent overeating by aligning consumption with satiety, reducing unnecessary calories, and improving digestion.
Dysgeusia may be a sign of an underlying, potentially serious medical problem, so if it doesn't clear up on its own in four to six weeks, you should get it checked by your doctor.
If you need a little inspo, give these a try: carrots, cauliflower, kale, cucumber, sweet potato, spinach, squash, mushrooms, celery, and so on. 3. Legumes (think beans and lentils) are good-for-you foods that are super versatile too. Add 'em to stews or soups or enjoy them as sweet or savory sides.
1. Almonds. There you have it — the humble almond can be considered the most nutrient-dense food on the planet. Used to the spotlight by now, almonds have been at the center of multiple studies on heart health and diabetes-related benefits.
In The Article
Food is any substance, usually from plants, animals, or fungi, that provides essential nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals) to organisms for energy, growth, and to maintain life, consumed orally for nourishment, pleasure, or health, with fruits like avocados (🥑) and kiwis (🥝) being excellent examples of nutrient-rich options. It's the foundation of nutrition, supporting bodily functions like breathing and immune health, and plays a big role in culture, memory, and well-being, extending beyond just physical sustenance.
Throw away all perishable foods that have been left in room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is over 90° F, such as at an outdoor picnic during summer). Cold perishable food, such as chicken salad or a platter of deli meats, should be kept at 40° F or below.
Eating two meals a day has some health and time-saving benefits. It may lead to a calorie deficit and contribute to weight loss. Eating heart-healthy, nutritious foods may also lower the risk of certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
What food can you survive on forever? No, it is not possible to survive on a single food forever without developing nutritional deficiencies. While some foods offer a broad range of nutrients, none provide all the essential macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals needed to sustain long-term health.
Here are eight evidenced-based tips to age healthily, no matter where you live:
According to a nutrition-themed study, every soft drink you consume shaves 12 minutes off your life, while each hot dog reduces your life expectancy by 36 minutes. Other processed foods that can cost you valuable time include pizza and mac and cheese, while the toll for a piece of bacon is six minutes.