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March is an exciting month: we welcome spring and the glorious ways that warmer weather helps us to feel better, get outside, and become more active. March is also the month for celebrating the role of nutrition in our life; at least according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It's the 40th anniversary of National Nutrition Month!

First, some good news: manufacturers have significantly reduced the amount of trans fats in packaged foods. Even better, according to a 2012 Centers for Disease Control study of white American adults, blood levels of trans fats dropped by a whopping 58 percent between 2000 and 2009. "This decline shows substantial progress that should help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in adults," says Christopher Portier, Ph.D., director of the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health.

Most juicers remove the pulp completely, but that’s where the fiber lives, which can help you feel fuller longer. So if you have the option, opt for making juice in a machine like the Vitamix, which pulverizes whole foods but still keeps the good stuff intact (instead of completely extracting the juice). The experts we spoke with—Susan Blum, M.D., M.P.H., Samantha Heller, R.D. and Lisa Drayer, R.D.—all recommend getting your “juice” in this liquefied form since it’s closer to eating the whole food.

Portion control is the key to eating healthy for the rest of your life. But, there is the issue of mind over matter. There are psychological aspects to portion control that are working against you. Here’s how to outsmart your hunger urges to eat less calories.

“Clean eating” is hot, with the term being at an all-time high on Google search. While clean eating doesn’t refer to the cleanliness of food from a safety standpoint, it points to nourishment in its most whole, natural state, free of added unpleasantries. It’s a lifestyle, not a short-term diet, and one that I’ve been following for years. To help you on the path to your healthiest and happiest body yet, follow these simple clean eating dos and don’ts.

Recently EatingWell asked our readers what they focused on when it comes to feeding kids breakfast. I quite was surprised by the most common answer. Many parents said they were focused on getting their kids to eat protein at breakfast. (Sound familiar? Find recipes for protein-packed breakfasts here.)

We asked a scientist just how emotional eating works. Some people turn to drugs, alcohol or sex to escape from unpleasant or overwhelming emotions. Many turn to food, which can have similar effects in the brain. Studies indicate that emotional eaters’ brains may be particularly sensitive to the rewards of food.

As many experts will tell you, the key to successful and sustained weight loss, as well as overall health, is moderation. We always hear that when it comes to eating we should enjoy “everything in moderation,” but what exactly does that mean?

If you go to the grocery store you’ll probably notice that gluten-free products are more widespread than ever—everything from bread and pasta to chips and dessert have gluten-free versions. (Gluten is a protein primarily found in foods containing wheat, barley or rye.)

Research shows that soups can help you lose weight: in one study, published in the journal Physiology & Behavior, people consumed the fewest calories on days when they ate soup rather than the same ingredients in solid form. And in a study published in Appetite, people who started lunch with vegetable soup ended up eating 20 percent less than those who skipped the soup.

Did you know that one-third of New Year’s resolutions pertain to weight, diet and health? It’s true. Unfortunately, the majority of us are successful for no more than one week. You’re 10 times as likely to keep your healthy-eating resolutions, however, when you set an explicit goal—like, say, by following a meal plan.

A big reason people don’t stick to healthy habits is lack of variety. Let’s face it: it’s easy to get bored with eating the same foods over and over, day after day. One of the latest health trends is to get boxes delivered to your doorstep – either a surprise of items to expose you to new products or ones that are pre-chosen by you.  

Cutting calories from your favorite meals is easier than it sounds. And you can do it without giving up flavor or hunger-busting satisfaction. You just need to trick your taste buds with a few simple food swaps.

What I like about a stir-fry is how easy it makes putting a healthy meal together. This recipe has lots of vegetables and chicken breast providing lean protein for staying power—and it clocks in at just 225 calories. 

Whether it’s walking to work, installing a low-flow showerhead, or recycling more often, it’s important to live a little greener. The same holds true for your diet. Saturated in an alphabet of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, leafy greens are the MVPs of the supermarket produce section. And if you need more incentive to toss bunches of kale into your grocery cart, a daily serving of leafy green vegetables may lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by 14 percent, according to a recent study in the British Medical Journal.