Alysa Liu’s Olympic comeback highlights the importance of mental health.New study says snacking on tree nuts may improve diet quality.Halle Berry recently opened up about menopause, says she’s in her “best chapter.”
This is Good Food News, your weekly installment of positive food and health news from around the world. These feel-good stories are hand-picked by EatingWell editors to help make your week just a little bit brighter.
Featured Story: Alysa Liu’s Gold Medal Mental Health Journey
This weekend, the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will come to a close, and Team USA secured dozens of medals across programs. This includes two gold medals won by figure skater Alysa Liu, one of which coming from her triumphant performance in the women’s singles event this season.
At the last Winter Games, a different version of Liu was seen on the ice. The then-16-year-old skater placed sixth in the same event that she dominated this year. After the 2022 Games, Liu announced that she was retiring from the sport, noting “losing motivation” as the reason in a now-deleted Instagram post.
So what changed? In an interview with NBC after winning gold (with her additional gold medal from the women’s team event around her neck), Liu expressed how the brief hiatus was needed for both her mental health and athletic ability.
“Breaks can do wonders for you,” Liu shares. “I think every athlete should take a break to be honest—actually not just athletes, everyone in general that’s kind of in the same loop in their life. I think it’s very healthy to kind of step back and get a different perspective. I sure learned a lot from it.”
Fueling your body with nutritious foods and enough movement is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but managing your stress and focusing on your emotional well-being is just as crucial. And Liu’s recent feats are proof of that. At 20, the Olympian is in the prime of her career, highlighting how physical and mental health are meant to go hand-in-hand with a joyous routine that keeps her smiling from start to finish.
More Good News This Week
New Study Says Nuts Can Curb Your Sweet Tooth
If you always have a hankering for sugary snacks or fast food, there’s one healthy food that may help curb these wants. A new study published in Nutrients suggests that snacking on a handful of tree nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc.) can lessen these cravings and also improve diet quality due to their healthy fat and protein content. The research also shows that eating nuts can help with weight maintenance and healthy weight loss, if that is your goal.
This Simple Snack Could Help Curb Your Sweet Tooth, New Study Says
Halle Berry Opens Up About Menopause
Academy-Award-winning actor Halle Berry has been an advocate for women’s health and menopause awareness in recent years, starting when she first started experiencing symptoms of perimenopause in her mid-50s. Now, Berry states on a recent podcast that she’s thriving, even while in menopause, noting that this may be her “best chapter.”
Halle Berry Just Shared 3 Tips That Have Helped Her Thrive During Menopause
Have High Cholesterol? Drink Pomegranate Juice
If you’re looking to manage your high cholesterol, drinking 100% pomegranate juice in the morning might be a smart choice. Because the juice is rich in antioxidants, it may help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Now you have even more of a reason to enjoy our delicious Hibiscus-Pomegranate Iced Tea! Dietitians also recommend tomato juice for its lycopene content (which can improve “good” HDL cholesterol) as well as green tea for a warm, heart-healthy choice.
The Best Morning Drink for High Cholesterol, According to Research
Video of the Week
We can all relate to “salad sadness.” Lucky for you, these restaurant copycat salads will help you recreate your favorite takeout lunches for meal prep.