Registered dietitian nutritionist Rhyan Geiger highlights the importance of diet in supporting immunity, especially during cold and flu season. Key foods include leafy greens, citrus fruits, berries, probiotic-providing foods including yogurt and kefir, and lean proteins, which provide essential nutrients like vitamins C and K, antioxidants, and beneficial bacteria. Geiger emphasizes reducing ultraprocessed foods that can undermine immune health. Maintaining a balanced diet, alongside other healthful habits, such as managing stress, getting enough sleep and staying physically active, helps support long-term immune function.

"You can enjoy citrus fruits by adding them to water, using them as a salad enhancer, or adding them to a fruit smoothie," Geiger says.

Registered dietitian Sarah Anzlovar explains the risks of consuming too few calories, which can lead to slowed metabolism, fatigue, hormone imbalances and muscle loss. Anzlovar details how calorie restriction can cause nutrient deficiencies, weaker bones and hair loss, as well as increase the risk of binge eating and weight cycling. Anzlovar emphasizes the importance of understanding individual calorie needs to avoid these negative health outcomes.

Protein powder can be a beneficial supplement for individuals with higher protein needs or those unable to meet their protein intake through food alone, according to registered dietitian nutritionists Jaime Gnau, Isabel Balady and Kacie Vavrek. While generally safe for daily use within recommended limits, excessive consumption can lead to nutritional deficiencies, digestive issues, kidney strain and exposure to contaminants. They advise choosing third-party tested products with simple ingredients to ensure safety and quality.

The Obesity Society, the Obesity Medicine Association and the Obesity Action Coalition will jointly issue evidence-based guidelines for pharmacologic management for patients with obesity and overweight. The guidelines will cover the use of medications and address quality of life as a key metric. The guidelines were previewed at ObesityWeek.

The American College of Gastroenterology's recent guideline on nutrition in liver disease emphasizes protein intake and debunks the idea that patients with liver disease should avoid protein. "Cirrhosis is a catabolic state, so patients are losing their muscle mass, and if they cut protein, they are further exaggerating loss of bone mineral density, putting them at risk for fractures," says lead author Ashwani K. Singal, MD, MS, of the University of Louisville. The guideline also highlights the Mediterranean diet, frequent smaller meals and recognition of sarcopenia in patients with obesity. Read the guidance.

The current administration is considering reinstating the food pyramid as a central visual in the upcoming US Dietary Guidelines. While details are still being finalized, sources suggest the new pyramid would emphasize protein and whole foods. The food pyramid, once a staple of American dietary guidance, was replaced by MyPlate in 2011 due to its lack of specificity.