For anyone who spent middle school thumbing through the dELiA*s catalog (enjoy the trip down memory lane), the return of toxic body standards feels familiar. But unlike ’90s “butter moms” (not to be confused with “almond moms”) its comeback isn’t nearly as fun.
For some of us who lived through it the first time, the return of skinny culture understandably feels like a hard pass. That includes one popular ‘90s/’00s artist who recently stepped away from music after people wouldn’t stop commenting on how her body looks now. Can’t say we blame her.
But here’s the thing. We’re not 14 anymore. We can hold more nuance. Our bodies change. Our thinking can, too. These mindset shifts can help you cut through the noise:
Find the reframe. “Body positivity” can feel like a stretch on hard days, while “body neutrality” or acceptance leave more room for reality. We like how Megababe Beauty founder Katie Sturino explores that idea in her Substack, Lobby Coffee.
Get clear on the context. Today’s shrinking society is largely being fueled by ubiquitous and oddly hush-hush GLP-1 usage. Health, access, privilege, and perception are all part of this conversation and help explain the tension people are feeling online and IRL right now.
Normalize change. Bodies aren’t static. The more you understand how yours might shift, especially in your late 30s and 40s, the better prepared you’ll be to navigate changes as they come.
— Anna “Where’s My Bra-Strap Headband” Davies, writer
What's Making the Rounds
Oncologists are warning about this common air fryer mistake that could affect your cancer risk — and a lot of people make it.
For most people under 60, cholesterol tends to live in the “deal with it later” category of health concerns, somewhere near bifocals and finding an active adult community. But new guidelines suggest it should be on your radar decades earlier than you might think.
When the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology updated their cholesterol recommendations recently, they shifted the focus from treatment to prevention. So instead of waiting for a problem to show up, the goal is to spot risk earlier and get ahead of it.
Remind me, what’s cholesterol again? It’s a fat-like substance in your blood that your body needs to function. Cholesterol helps protect cells, supports hormone production, and plays a role in digestion. It travels as LDL and HDL — two types that do very different things. Too much can build up in your arteries and raise your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Check your kid’s, too. New recommendations call for all children in this age range to get screened. Your doctor may suggest earlier testing if your family has a history.
Why is allergy season longer now than it was for our parents?
Biohackers are cheering. Peptides, once a niche obsession for people who overuse the word optimize, are firmly in the spotlight.
Because of the internet, anyone with the will and Wi-Fi (*cough* Silicon Valley bros) could get peptides to support things like muscle growth and recovery or skin health. But thanks to FDA restrictions imposed in 2023, the substances have lived in a kind of gray market — sold online in bundled “stacks” with vague claims, little transparency, and quality that can vary.
He claims this could help cut down on black-market products. But medical professionals have mixed feelings. Rapid compound expansion would likely still mean less FDA oversight than traditional drug approvals. Not to mention, much of the peptide hype comes from anecdotal results, rather than large-scale clinical data.
Bottom line: Peptides aren’t something to DIY — they’re something to run by a doctor first.
“Yes. Menopause is a transition marked by declining estrogen (and progesterone). Some women experience this gradually with milder symptoms, while others go through a more rapid shift, making side effects more noticeable and sometimes more severe.
Oral symptoms can include dry mouth, burning mouth syndrome, gum recession, tooth sensitivity, and itchy gums. A key driver is reduced salivary flow — estrogen helps stimulate salivary glands, and lower levels can also reduce blood flow to those glands, impairing their function. The result can be a persistent dry, sore, or sticky feeling in the mouth, throat, and on lips.
Reduced saliva also increases the risk of cavities, gum disease, and plaque buildup, and symptoms can worsen over time.
First step: Tell your dentist. They can recommend over-the-counter products that support saliva production, like sugar-free lozenges or portable dry mouth sprays. Staying consistently hydrated is also key.
If symptoms persist, your dentist may prescribe a lipid-based option like Aquoral Dry Mouth Spray, which can last for several hours, even through meals.”
Frozen food is overdue for a rebrand. If you’re picturing a sad burrito or a mystery leftover, think again. Stock it right, and your freezer can deliver meals that are fast, satisfying, and actually nutritious. Frozen fruits and veggies deserve a PR boost, too. Because they’re usually flash-frozen at peak ripeness, they can hold onto their nutrients and are often cheaper and more convenient than fresh. Here’s how to turn your freezer into the kitchen superhero it is:
