Food & Nutrition
Whole foods and drinks first: what is in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, spices, whole grains, legumes, fermented foods, functional foods, oils and fats, beverages, and seaweed and algae, what research in people has and has not found for health goals, a normal serving, and what to check for allergy, medicines and health conditions.
Every food has one guide. Nutrient amounts come from USDA measurements, and foods, supplements and concentrated extracts are kept apart, because a result for one does not carry over to another.
Explore the eleven food categories
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Fruits
Whole fruit as food: berries, citrus, apples, bananas and more, with measured nutrients, research, servings and cautions.
Fruits -
Vegetables
Leafy greens, the cabbage family, roots and more: nutrients, research, servings, and cautions for medicines, kidney stones and thyroid.
Vegetables -
Nuts & Seeds
Tree nuts, peanuts and seeds: nutrients, research and the allergy, selenium and choking cautions.
Nuts & Seeds -
Spices
Kitchen-first spice guides: flavor, aroma, how much is normal in a recipe, then what research says about health and safety.
Spices -
Whole Grains
Oats, rice, quinoa, wheat and more: fiber, what research shows, and gluten and arsenic cautions.
Whole Grains -
Legumes
Beans, lentils, chickpeas, peas and soy: protein and fiber, and how to cook them safely.
Legumes -
Fermented Foods
Yogurt, kefir, miso, kimchi and more: live cultures, what trials found, and histamine, sodium and pregnancy cautions.
Fermented Foods -
Functional Foods
Foods studied for health: fermented foods, fiber, fruit, fish, soy, tea and coffee, with what trials show and what is unproven.
Functional Foods -
Oils & Fats
Olive oil, avocado oil, butter and other cooking fats: fat types, heart-health evidence, heat and safety. (Skin and traditional uses: Natural Oils & Butters.)
Oils & Fats -
Beverages
Water, coffee, milks, juices and more: caffeine and sugar facts, what research shows, and what to check.
Beverages -
Seaweed & Algae
Nori, kombu, wakame, dulse, sea moss, spirulina and more: iodine, arsenic and thyroid cautions, what research shows, and how to buy and store seaweed.
Seaweed & Algae
Find a food or explore by nutrient
Every food profile in Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts & Seeds, Spices, Whole Grains, Legumes, Fermented Foods, Oils & Fats, Beverages and Seaweed & Algae in one list. Type a name, pick a category, or choose a nutrient to see which foods the USDA-based profiles list it for. Functional Foods have their own guides in the category above.
Explore by key nutrient
- Acorns Nuts & Seeds
- Adzuki Beans Legumes
- Agar (Agar-Agar) Seaweed & Algae
- Aged Cheese Fermented Foods
- Ajwain (carom seed) Spices
- Alcohol-Free Beer & Wine Beverages
- Aleppo pepper Spices
- Alfalfa & Clover Sprouts Legumes
- Alginate Seaweed & Algae
- Allspice Spices
- Almonds Nuts & Seeds
- Amaranth Whole Grains
- Amchur (dried green mango powder) Spices
- Ancho chile Spices
- Anise (aniseed) Spices
- Annatto (achiote) Spices
- Ao-nori (Green Laver) Seaweed & Algae
- Apple Juice Beverages
- Apples Fruits
- Apricots Fruits
- Arame Seaweed & Algae
- Arugula (Rocket) Vegetables
- Asafoetida (hing) Spices
- Asparagus Vegetables
- Avocado Fruits
- Avocado Oil Oils & Fats
- Baharat Spices
- Baked Beans Legumes
- Bambara Groundnut Legumes
- Bananas Fruits
- Barley Whole Grains
- Baru Nuts Nuts & Seeds
- Bay leaf Spices
- Bean & Lentil Pasta Legumes
- Bean Sprouts (Mung & Lentil Sprouts) Legumes
- Beechnuts Nuts & Seeds
- Beet Juice Beverages
- Beets Vegetables
- Bell Peppers Vegetables
- Berbere Spices
- Black Beans Legumes
- Black cardamom Spices
- Black pepper Spices
- Black seed (nigella) Spices
- Black Walnuts Nuts & Seeds
- Black-Eyed Peas (Cowpeas) Legumes
- Blackcurrants Fruits
- Blue-Green Algae (AFA) Seaweed & Algae
- Blueberries Fruits
- Bok Choy Vegetables
- Bone Broth Beverages
- Brazil Nuts Nuts & Seeds
- Broccoli Vegetables
- Brown Rice Whole Grains
- Brussels Sprouts Vegetables
- Buckwheat Whole Grains
- Bulgur Whole Grains
- Butter Oils & Fats
- Butternut Squash Vegetables
- Cabbage Vegetables
- Cacao Nibs Nuts & Seeds
- Cajun and Creole seasoning Spices
- Canned Beans (Drained, Rinsed) Legumes
- Canola Oil Oils & Fats
- Cantaloupe Fruits
- Caraway Spices
- Cardamom Spices
- Carob Legumes
- Carrageenan Seaweed & Algae
- Cashews Nuts & Seeds
- Cassava (Yuca) Vegetables
- Cauliflower Vegetables
- Cayenne and chili pepper Spices
- Celery Vegetables
- Celery seed Spices
- Chaat masala Spices
- Chestnuts Nuts & Seeds
- Chia Seeds Nuts & Seeds
- Chickpea Flour (Besan) Legumes
- Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans) Legumes
- Chicory, Endive & Radicchio Vegetables
- Chili Peppers Vegetables
- Chili powder Spices
- Chinese five-spice Spices
- Chipotle (smoked jalapeno) Spices
- Cinnamon Spices
- Citrus Fruits (overview) Fruits
- Cloves Spices
- Cocoa & Hot Chocolate Beverages
- Cocoa Butter Oils & Fats
- Coconut Fruits
- Coconut Milk Beverage Beverages
- Coconut Oil (as Food) Oils & Fats
- Coconut Water Beverages
- Cod Liver Oil & Fish Oil (Food View) Oils & Fats
- Coffee Beverages
- Collard Greens Vegetables
- Coriander seed Spices
- Corn Masa & Corn Tortillas Whole Grains
- Corn Oil Oils & Fats
- Cow's Milk Beverages
- Cranberry Beans (Borlotti) Legumes
- Cranberry Juice Beverages
- Cruciferous Vegetables (overview) Vegetables
- Cubeb pepper Spices
- Cucumbers Vegetables
- Cultured Buttermilk Fermented Foods
- Cumin Spices
- Curry leaf Spices
- Curry powder Spices
- Daikon Radish Vegetables
- Dashi (Kombu Stock) Seaweed & Algae
- Dates Fruits
- Decaf Coffee Beverages
- Dill seed Spices
- Dried black lime (loomi) Spices
- Dried citrus peel Spices
- Dried fenugreek leaf (kasuri methi) Spices
- Duck, Goose & Chicken Fat Oils & Fats
- Dukkah Spices
- Dulse Seaweed & Algae
- Dunaliella Seaweed & Algae
- Edamame (Green Soybeans) Legumes
- Eggplant (Aubergine) Vegetables
- Energy Drinks Beverages
- Euglena Seaweed & Algae
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil Oils & Fats
- Falafel Legumes
- Farro (Emmer) Whole Grains
- Fava Beans (Broad Beans) Legumes
- Fennel Bulb Vegetables
- Fennel seed Spices
- Fenugreek Spices
- Fermented Hot Sauce Fermented Foods
- Fermented Tofu (Sufu) Fermented Foods
- Figs Fruits
- Filé powder (ground sassafras leaf) Spices
- Fish Sauce Fermented Foods
- Flaxseed Nuts & Seeds
- Flaxseed Oil Oils & Fats
- Freekeh Whole Grains
- Fucoidan Seaweed & Algae
- Fucoxanthin Seaweed & Algae
- Furikake Seaweed & Algae
- Galangal Spices
- Garam masala Spices
- Garlic powder Spices
- Ghee (Clarified Butter) Oils & Fats
- Ginger Spices
- Ginkgo Nuts Nuts & Seeds
- Globe Artichokes Vegetables
- Gochujang & Doenjang Fermented Foods
- Gooseberries Fruits
- Grains of paradise Spices
- Grains of Selim Spices
- Grapefruit Fruits
- Grapes Fruits
- Grapeseed Oil Oils & Fats
- Green & Vegetable Juices Beverages
- Green Beans Vegetables
- Green Peas Vegetables
- Guava Fruits
- Hazelnuts (Filberts) Nuts & Seeds
- Hemp Seeds (Hemp Hearts) Nuts & Seeds
- Herbes de Provence Spices
- Hickory Nuts Nuts & Seeds
- Hijiki Seaweed & Algae
- Hominy & Grits Whole Grains
- Horse Gram (Kulthi) Legumes
- Horseradish and wasabi Spices
- Hummus Legumes
- Hyacinth Beans (Lablab) Legumes
- Idli & Dosa Fermented Foods
- Indian bay leaf (tej patta) Spices
- Injera Fermented Foods
- Jack Beans (Caution) Legumes
- Jackfruit Fruits
- Jamaican jerk seasoning Spices
- Jicama Vegetables
- Juniper berry Spices
- Kale Vegetables
- Kashmiri chili Spices
- Kefir Fermented Foods
- Kelp Noodles Seaweed & Algae
- Khorasan Wheat (Kamut) Whole Grains
- Kidney Beans Legumes
- Kimchi Vegetables
- Kiwifruit Fruits
- Kohlrabi Vegetables
- Koji & Amazake Fermented Foods
- Kokum Spices
- Kola Nuts Nuts & Seeds
- Kombu Seaweed & Algae
- Kvass Fermented Foods
- Lard & Beef Tallow Oils & Fats
- Lassi & Ayran Fermented Foods
- Leafy Greens (overview) Vegetables
- Leeks Vegetables
- Lemon Water & Infused Water Beverages
- Lemons Fruits
- Lentils Legumes
- Lettuce (Romaine & Leaf) Vegetables
- Lima Beans Legumes
- Limes Fruits
- Long pepper Spices
- Lotus Seeds Nuts & Seeds
- Lovage seed Spices
- Lupini Beans (Lupins) Legumes
- Lychee Fruits
- Macadamia Nuts Nuts & Seeds
- Mace Spices
- Mahlab (mahleb) Spices
- Makrut (kaffir) lime leaf Spices
- Mandarins & Tangerines Fruits
- Mango Fruits
- Margarine & Plant-Oil Spreads Oils & Fats
- Mastic (mastiha) Spices
- Mayonnaise Oils & Fats
- MCT Oil Oils & Fats
- Mesquite Pod Flour Legumes
- Millet Whole Grains
- Mineral & Sparkling Water Beverages
- Miso Fermented Foods
- Mixed Nuts & Trail Mix Nuts & Seeds
- Moth Beans (Matki) Legumes
- Mozuku Seaweed & Algae
- Mulberries Fruits
- Mung Beans Legumes
- Mustard Greens Vegetables
- Mustard seed Spices
- Nannochloropsis Seaweed & Algae
- Natto Fermented Foods
- Navy Beans Legumes
- Nectarines Fruits
- Nopales (Prickly Pear Pads) Vegetables
- Nori (Laver) Seaweed & Algae
- Nut & Seed Butters (overview) Nuts & Seeds
- Nut Flours, Almond Paste & Marzipan Nuts & Seeds
- Nut Milks (Almond, Cashew and Others) Nuts & Seeds
- Nutmeg Spices
- Oat Bran Whole Grains
- Oat Milk Beverages
- Oats Whole Grains
- Okra Vegetables
- Olives Fruits
- Onion powder Spices
- Onions Vegetables
- Onions, Garlic & Allium Vegetables (overview) Vegetables
- Orange Juice Beverages
- Oranges Fruits
- Palm Oil Oils & Fats
- Panch phoron Spices
- Papaya Fruits
- Paprika Spices
- Parsnips Vegetables
- Passion Fruit Fruits
- Pea Protein Legumes
- Peaches Fruits
- Peanut Oil Oils & Fats
- Peanuts Nuts & Seeds
- Pears Fruits
- Pecans Nuts & Seeds
- Perilla Seeds Nuts & Seeds
- Persimmons Fruits
- Phycocyanin (Blue Spirulina) Seaweed & Algae
- Pigeon Peas Legumes
- Pili Nuts Nuts & Seeds
- Pine Nuts Nuts & Seeds
- Pineapple Fruits
- Pink peppercorn Spices
- Pinto Beans Legumes
- Pistachios Nuts & Seeds
- Plums Fruits
- Pomegranate Fruits
- Pomegranate Juice Beverages
- Popcorn Whole Grains
- Poppy seed Spices
- Poppy Seeds Nuts & Seeds
- Potatoes Vegetables
- Prune Juice Beverages
- Prunes (Dried Plums) Fruits
- Pulse Flours (Lentil, Pea & Fava) Legumes
- Pumpkin Vegetables
- Pumpkin pie spice Spices
- Pumpkin Seeds Nuts & Seeds
- Quinoa Whole Grains
- Radishes Vegetables
- Raisins Fruits
- Ras el hanout Spices
- Refried Beans Legumes
- Rice Bran Oil Oils & Fats
- Rice Milk Beverages
- Rye Whole Grains
- Sacha Inchi (Inca Peanut) Nuts & Seeds
- Safflower ("false saffron") Spices
- Safflower Oil Oils & Fats
- Safflower Seeds Nuts & Seeds
- Saffron Spices
- Sauerkraut Vegetables
- Sea Grapes (Umibudo) Seaweed & Algae
- Sea Lettuce Seaweed & Algae
- Sea Moss (Eucheuma & Gracilaria) Seaweed & Algae
- Seaweed Salad (Chuka Wakame) Seaweed & Algae
- Seaweed Salt Seaweed & Algae
- Seaweed Snacks (Roasted Nori) Seaweed & Algae
- Sesame Oil Oils & Fats
- Sesame seed Spices
- Sesame Seeds & Tahini Nuts & Seeds
- Shichimi togarashi Spices
- Sichuan (Szechuan) pepper Spices
- Skyr & Quark Fermented Foods
- Smoked paprika (pimentón) Spices
- Smoothies Beverages
- Soda & Diet Soda Beverages
- Sorghum Whole Grains
- Soy Flour & Textured Soy Protein Legumes
- Soy Foods (Soybeans) Legumes
- Soy Milk Beverages
- Soy Sauce & Tamari Fermented Foods
- Soybean & Vegetable Oil Oils & Fats
- Spelt Whole Grains
- Spinach Vegetables
- Split Peas Legumes
- Sports & Electrolyte Drinks Beverages
- Star anise Spices
- Star Fruit (Carambola) Fruits
- Strawberries, Raspberries & Blackberries Fruits
- Sumac Spices
- Sunflower Oil Oils & Fats
- Sunflower Seeds Nuts & Seeds
- Sweet Cherries Fruits
- Sweet Corn Vegetables
- Sweet Potatoes, Carrots & Orange Vegetables Vegetables
- Swiss Chard Vegetables
- Tamarind Spices
- Tart Cherries Fruits
- Teff Whole Grains
- Tempeh Fermented Foods
- Tepary Beans Legumes
- Tigernuts (Chufa) Nuts & Seeds
- Tofu Legumes
- Tomato Juice Beverages
- Tomatoes Vegetables
- Tonka bean Spices
- Turmeric Spices
- Turnips Vegetables
- Urad Dal (Black Gram) Legumes
- Vanilla Spices
- Wakame Seaweed & Algae
- Walnut & Other Nut Oils Oils & Fats
- Walnuts Nuts & Seeds
- Water (Tap & Bottled) Beverages
- Water Kefir (Tibicos) Fermented Foods
- Watercress Vegetables
- Watermelon Fruits
- Watermelon Seeds Nuts & Seeds
- Wheat Bran & Wheat Germ Whole Grains
- White Beans (Cannellini & Great Northern) Legumes
- White pepper Spices
- Whole Wheat & Wheat Berries Whole Grains
- Whole-Wheat Bread Whole Grains
- Whole-Wheat Pasta Whole Grains
- Wild Rice Whole Grains
- Winged Beans Legumes
- Yogurt Fermented Foods
- Za'atar Spices
- Zucchini (Courgette) Vegetables
Start from a wellness goal
-
Gut & Digestive Health
Digestion, fiber and the microbiome, with the foods and nutrients involved.
Gut & Digestive Health -
Healthy Weight & Metabolism
Nutrition, metabolic health and blood sugar research.
Healthy Weight & Metabolism -
Energy & Vitality
Nutritional energy, hydration and recovery.
Energy & Vitality -
Immune Wellness
Nutritional sufficiency and everyday wellness.
Immune Wellness -
Healthy Aging
Nutrition for healthy aging, healthspan and lifestyle.
Healthy Aging -
Skin & Hair
Skin health, hair health and the nutrition behind them.
Skin & Hair
Food and supplements: separate departments, linked
-
Vitamins
Each vitamin: what it does and which foods supply it.
Vitamins -
Minerals
Dietary magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc and other minerals.
Minerals -
Omega Fatty Acids
Omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9, and the foods and oils that supply them.
Omega Fatty Acids -
Antioxidants
Antioxidant compounds: what they do in the lab and what trials in people found.
Antioxidants -
Probiotics & Gut Support
Probiotics, prebiotic fiber and fermented-food connections.
Probiotics & Gut Support -
Compare Supplements
Ingredient against ingredient, and food source against supplement form.
Compare Supplements
Safety first with food
- Allergy: tree nut, peanut and sesame are different allergies. Each food page lists what its sources say.
- Some foods interact with medicines, for example vitamin K in leafy greens with warfarin, and grapefruit with several medicines.
- Kidney conditions can limit potassium, phosphorus and oxalate. Ask a clinician before changing your diet.
- A whole food, a juice, a powder and a capsule are different things. Studies of one do not automatically apply to another.
Related
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Herbs & Botanicals
Herbs also eaten as foods (ginger, garlic, turmeric) have their herb guide here, with supplement-level detail.
Herbs & Botanicals -
Herbal Teas & Extracts
Teas first: taste, caffeine, brewing and what studies of the tea itself found.
Herbal Teas & Extracts -
Honey & Bee Products
Honey is a food and a bee product: both views are linked.
Honey & Bee Products -
Ingredients Database
The compound database in the Research Library.
Ingredients Database
Content last updated . This section has not been medically reviewed.










