Food insecurity or inconsistent or inadequate access to enough food for a healthy life is a well-documented social determinant of health. But it is not experienced equally across the population. Our new preliminary research using the Massachusetts Statewide Food Access Survey reveals a striking picture: in 2024, more than half of LGBTQ+ adults in the Commonwealth were food insecure, and many are not using the systems designed to help.

Hilary Dolstad, MD

​Eating well is important at any stage of life, but during pregnancy, nutrition becomes key to supporting a developing baby. Plant-based (also known as vegan) diets have increased in popularity in recent years due to their associated health benefits, as well as environmental and ethical concerns. In fact, from 2019 to 2020, U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods rose by 27%, reflecting the growing popularity of plant-based diets. This raises a question for some expectant parents: what do we know about the impact of a plant-based diet during pregnancy?

Kat Lynch, MPH

​Grocery shoppers can often get swept up in the bright colors and healthy promise of fresh produce, only to watch it wilt as the week gets busy. It’s an unpleasant experience opening the refrigerator to find spoiled fruits and vegetables you meant to eat, especially when improper storage can speed up the process. What many people don’t realize is that frozen produce is often just as nutritious, if not more, than fresh options that have spent days sitting on the shelf.
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​The nation’s updated five‑year 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans introduce several notable updates, including a redesigned food pyramid and a renewed emphasis on whole foods and protein. The changes have sparked debate among researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals. Beyond the headlines, the more important question is how recent evidence informed these recommendations, and what they may mean for chronic disease prevention and federal nutrition programs moving forward.

Eliza Stuart, B.S., B.A

​Many of us turn to coffee, tea, and energy drinks to perk us up, yet these caffeinated beverages fail to address a common underlying cause of low energy: iron deficiency. Caffeine might even worsen the issue by reducing the body’s ability to absorb iron, so for those of us with low iron levels, focusing on increasing iron consumption might be a more effective way to feel energized throughout the day than drinking another cup of coffee.