Anika Nayak is a Florida-based freelance writer with over 5+ years of experience writing about health and nutrition. Her work has appeared in HuffPost, LiveKindly, Insider, and more. Inspired by lifestyle and culinary medicine, Anika's always exploring the newest innovations in the food and wellness industries.
Anika Nayak
The Best and Worst Whole Grains for the Environment, Ranked
A diet of largely plant-based foods is optimal not only for human health but also for the fact that plants have a far lesser negative impact on our environment compared to animal farming, especially the greenhouse gases emitted during the raising of animals for meat and dairy. In looking to a fu...
Is a Vegan Diet Safe For Children? A Plant-Based Pediatrician Weighs In
Despite vegan and plant-based diets soaring in popularity among parents who are raising their children on these dietary approaches, some pediatricians are critical of the practice of a vegan diet for children. Their biggest concerns with the vegan diet have to do with nutritional inadequacy since they believe a plant-based diet without dairy or meat does not provide enough vitamins and minerals ch
5 Foods to Help Relieve Seasonal Allergy Symptoms
It may only be the beginning of Spring, but our allergies jumped an early flight. If you're sniffling, sneezing, or blinking itchy eyes, you're one of the unlucky 8 percent of Americans with pollen allergies – when flowers start to blossom, so does your tissue use. Besides turnin...
Try These 5 Foods With Nutrients and Supplements That Can Improve Your Sleep Cycle
If it’s difficult for you to get a restful night of sleep every night, you're not alone: According to the CDC, one in three adults in the United States sleep less than the recommended seven hours per night. Insomnia is linked to a variety of causes, including ill health, aging, and stress, according to Columbia University’s Neurology Department. But good sleep also has a lot to do with what...
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The 5 Health Benefits of Cactus, According to an Expert
There’s no doubt that when you think of cactus, deserts and tumbleweed come to mind, not "health food." But the prickly pear – technically known as Nopal cactus –has been used as a natural medicine for thousands of years in Mexico and the United States and now cactus is enjoying a resurgence in the wellness world, making its way into nutritious recipes and beauty products. The reason: Th
The 5 Health Benefits of Lotus Root, According to an Expert
Lotus, also known as water lily, has a root that is cooked in many different Asian cuisines. Planted in the soil of river bottoms, lotus root is brown in color and can grow up to four feet long. This vegetable is crispy and crunchy, resembling a texture like water chestnuts...
The 9 Best Places to Eat Plant-Based and Vegan in Oakland, California
In addition to being the bright side of the Bay, Oakland is home to a rich, multicultural food scene with exceptional vegan eateries. With something to please everyone’s palate, plant-based eaters won’t have any trouble finding spots to satisfy all of their plant cravings. Check out ...
These 7 Olympic Gold Medalists Are Powered by Plant-Based Diets
If you’re tuning in to watch the 2022 Beijing Olympics, you may be surprised to hear that many Olympians at the top of their game have credited their sporting success to adopting a plant-based diet. In honor of the Winter Games, we're spotlighting seven athletes who say their plant-based diet helped them prepare and compete at the highest Olympic levels.
Now, more t...
The 7 Best Places to Eat Plant-Based and Vegan in Berkeley, California
Whether you visit Berkeley, California for its world-class university or to explore one of many hiking trails, finding plant-based fare in the area is quite simple. From burger joints to quaint cafes, this city has many vegan restaurants that will suit any occasion...
The 10 Best Places To Eat Plant-Based in San Francisco, California
It’s no surprise that San Francisco is one of the most flavorful places to find plant-based fare. This city has so many eateries with plant-based menu offerings, from local post-workout cafés to elegant fine dining experiences. We’ve rounded up ten of the best places to eat and drink vegan in San Francisco, California. Whether you’re lo...