Can one big meal really make you gain weight? The post-holiday scale spike is temporary--unless the leftovers get involved. It's hard not to indulge during the holidays, but can the occasional big meal really harm our long-term health? Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. For those of us brave enough to step onto the scale the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas, you can sometimes see an increase of up to five to 10 pounds.

Is microwave cooking nuking all the nutrients? Micorwaves have been a kitchen staple since the late 1960s, but are they safe for our food? Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Originally used for radar and other technologies, the power of microwaves was first harnessed specifically for heating food in 1947 . By the late 1960s, commercial microwave ovens were small and inexpensive enough to become fixtures of the modern kitchen.

Does eating spicy food help you lose weight? Science has a clear answer. Nutritionists weigh in on the heated debate. Beyond adding flavor and heat, spicy foods may also help boost your metabolism and curb your appetite. Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday.