Should I Be Eating...?

Whether or not you're a vegetarian, veggie burgers are a healthy alternative to meat-based burgers. Veggie burgers vary considerably in their nutritional content based on their ingredients; some have more vegetables and grains making them lower in protein, whereas others have beans or a soy base and are higher in protein. I recommend choosing veggie burgers with at least ten grams of protein to make them a substantial entrée. Most veggie burgers are also a good source of fiber, which aids in weight loss and reduces the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Find out more about vegetables.

Vermouth is a fortified wine that is an ingredient in many cocktails, including martinis, and sometimes used for cooking. Vermouth-containing cocktails can pack on the pounds, increase already high triglycerides, and interfere with sleep. It is best to limit alcoholic beverages, especially if you are trying to lose weight, have type 2 diabetes or gout, or experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). That said, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and boost HDL (good) cholesterol. If you don't already drink, don't start, and if you do, limit your intake to one drink per day for women or two per day for men. Vermouth is typically not served on its own; it's most often used as an ingredient in mixed drinks and contributes 30 to 50 calories per ounce. Find out more about alcohol.

Vinegar is low-calorie and when combined with heart-healthy oils (like olive oil) to create a vinaigrette, it makes a good substitute for creamy, calorie-laden salad dressings, which means it's good for those trying to lose weight. You may need to avoid or limit vinegars — and condiments made with them — if you suffer from migraines, as they contain tyramine and phenylethylamine, common migraine triggers. Learn more about condiments, sauces, and flavorings.

Vinegar is low-calorie and when combined with heart-healthy oils (like olive oil) to create a vinaigrette, it makes a good substitute for creamy, calorie-laden salad dressings, which means it's good for those trying to lose weight. If you suffer from migraines, you may need to avoid apple-cider vinegar since it can be a trigger food for some individuals. Learn more about condiments, sauces, and flavorings.

Vinegar is low-calorie and when combined with heart-healthy oils (like olive oil) to create a vinaigrette, it makes a good substitute for creamy, calorie-laden salad dressings, which means it's good for those trying to lose weight. If you suffer from migraines, you may need to avoid balsamic vinegar since it can be a trigger food for some individuals. Learn more about condiments, sauces, and flavorings.

Distilled white vinegar is very acidic and is used for medicinal purposes, cleaning, and sometimes cooking. The most common use in cooking is pickling, which is a way to flavor and preserve food. If you suffer from migraines, you may need to avoid pickled foods since they can be a trigger food for some individuals — but distilled white vinegar on its own is perfectly fine. Learn more about condiments, sauces, and flavorings.

Vinegar is low-calorie and when combined with heart-healthy oils (like olive oil) to create a vinaigrette, it makes a good substitute for creamy, calorie-laden salad dressings, which means it's good for those trying to lose weight. If you suffer from migraines, you may need to avoid red-wine vinegar since it can be a trigger food for some individuals. Learn more about condiments, sauces, and flavorings.

Vodka is a very common alcoholic drink that is often combined with high-calorie, sugary mixers like soda and fruit juice. Drinking straight vodka or mixed vodka drinks can pack on the pounds, increase already high triglycerides, and interfere with sleep. It is best to limit vodka and other alcoholic beverages, especially if you are trying to lose weight, have type 2 diabetes or gout, or experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). That said, drinking moderate amounts of alcohol has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke and boost HDL (good) cholesterol. If you don't already drink, don't start, and if you do, limit your intake to one drink per day for women or two per day for men. A 1.5-ounce shot of vodka (about 100 calories) is considered one drink. Find out more about alcohol.