Recipe to Try: Cauliflower Steaks with Chimichurri

Wanting a smaller waist and flatter belly isn't all about looking good in your jeans. People sporting large amounts of visceral fat (the type of internal fat that dangerously hugs organs) are more likely to have a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, especially true if a woman's waist circumference exceeds 35 inches. There is no true magic bullet when it comes to belly fat. But research shows filling your plate with foods that fight abdominal fat—as part of an overall healthy diet—can help.

Recipe to Try: Prebiotic-Rich Chicken & White Bean Soup with Leeks

What if you had an organ you didn't know existed? Trillions of microorganisms live in your gastrointestinal (GI) system, and this host of bacteria is often considered the "forgotten organ." Like other organs of the body, this group of bacteria, sometimes called the gut microbiome, has to be cared for. It can even get sick, which produces ripple effects of symptoms.

If you are a regular at Target, the quintessential American retailer, you might be glad to know that Target recently pledged to remove artificial flavors, preservatives, sweeteners and colors, including artificial trans fats and high-fructose corn syrup, from their Target-owned brand kids' foods by 2018. More than 75 percent of the store-brand kids' foods are already free of these ingredients. Market Pantry and Simply Balanced are Target-owned brands that sell items like macaroni and cheese, gummy fruit snacks, yogurts, granola bars, applesauce and crackers.

Animal by-products are often the parts of the animal that Americans don't like to eat—organ meats, blood and bone from mammals—and can also include necks, feet and underdeveloped eggs from poultry. (Horns, hair, teeth, hooves, intestinal contents and feathers are prohibited.) By-products can add flavor and nutrients to pet food. In fact, these ingredients often have higher levels of iron, copper, calcium, vitamin A, B12 and many other essential nutrients than muscle meat.

Listen, I love ordering pizza delivery as much as the next person, but that is an expensive habit. Plus it's so easy to make at home! Save money (and calories) by learning to make homemade pizza and more simple Italian classics at home. But be careful, once you get good all your friends will be looking for a dinner invitation.

Related: 10 Essential Ingredients of Italian Cooking

We all know we should be eating more fruits and veggies—but many of us fall short on the daily recommended amount. For most adults that's 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 to 3 cups of vegetables (it's recommended that men get a little more veg). Only 14 percent of adults are getting the recommended amount of vegetables and only 18 percent get enough fruit. That's really low, especially when you think about how good they are for you. Produce is loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Getting in your 2 1/2 to 3 cup servings of vegetables a day is sometimes easier said than done, but there are plenty of health reasons to try, including reducing your risk for a number of chronic diseases, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and cancer. Here are five common challenges when it comes to eating more fruits and veggies—and their solutions. Whether you're a caregiver for an older loved one or simply looking to eat smarter yourself, these tips can help.