Anahad O’Connor

San Francisco

Columnist

Education: Yale University

Anahad O'Connor is a health columnist who writes about food and nutrition for The Washington Post's Well+Being desk. Anahad joined The Post in 2022. Before that he was a staff reporter for the New York Times, where he spent two decades covering health and science. Anahad also spent time on the Times's metro, politics and breaking news desks. Anahad began his journalism career at the New York Times after graduating from Yale University, where he earned his degree in psychology, with a focus on neuroscience. Anahad started a popular weekly science column and regularly writes about the food in
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Latest from Anahad O’Connor

How to spot (and avoid) ultra-processed foods

Ultra-processed foods are designed to be tasty and absorb easily — but they’re not good for us. Today on “Post Reports,” a food columnist explains how ultra-processed food is actually made and gives tips for simple, healthier swaps.

January 19, 2024

Do you eat foods that leave you hungry or full? Take our quiz.

If you find yourself snacking, craving foods or feeling hungry a lot of the time, you may be eating the wrong foods.

January 17, 2024

Already struggling with Dry January? A ‘damp’ January has benefits too.

A semi-dry ritual dubbed “Damp January” has become an annual event for people who want to cut back on alcohol without giving it up entirely.

January 13, 2024

Look for these 9 red flags to identify food that is ultra-processed

Ultra-processed foods have been linked with a litany of health problems. Here’s a guide for identifying them.

January 2, 2024

7 easy food goals to improve your health without dieting

Simple diet changes, including adding spices and fiber to your meals and choosing quality carbs, can boost your health without starving yourself.

December 19, 2023

Need to spend those pre-tax health dollars? Food and exercise may qualify.

Many people don’t know they may be eligible to spend HSA and FSA funds on meal kits, gym memberships, protein powders, supplements, fitness trackers and even saunas.

December 13, 2023

FTC cracks down on food industry for paid dietitian ‘influencer’ posts

The Federal Trade Commission said food and sugar industry trade groups and nutrition influencers failed to disclose who was behind paid advertising

November 16, 2023

Dietary guidelines may soon warn against ultraprocessed foods

The guidelines could change the way Americans view nutrition by focusing on how their food is made and what happens to it before they bring it home.

November 7, 2023

What’s the best diet for your body? A federal study aims to find out.

Called Nutrition for Precision Health, the $189 million study seeks to uncover how different people metabolize and respond to different foods and meals.

October 24, 2023

Here’s why you should eat your vegetables first

The ‘meal sequencing’ strategy runs counter to the way people often eat and suggests it’s better to reach for the basket of bread or chips at the end of a meal.

October 3, 2023