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Shoppers Say Hobby Lobby Is "So Stocked Up" on Fall Decor: 11 Stylish Finds
Head to your local store to check out the latest products.
Zach is a freelance writer who has been active in media since 2009. In the more than a decade and a half since he moved to New York City to pursue a career in the industry, he has covered everything from pop culture and tech to food and New York City life and almost everything in between.
His work has appeared in Thrillist, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, GQ, VinePair, Inside Hook, Forbes, Parents, Hop Culture, Gawker, and myriad other websites covering a wide range of topics from travel and food to the wine and spirits world, including as a reviewer for Liquor.com. He is also a Certified Cicerone® and serves on numerous tasting and judging panels, including the New York International Beer Competition and Ultimate Spirit Challenge.
Besides writing, Zach supplements his writing with entrepreneurial endeavors as the owner of two award-winning bars and restaurants in Manhattan. He's also an active hospitality educator and consultant, providing knowledge and training curriculums both in-house and for hire around New York City. He has appeared as an expert on nationally syndicated television shows, web series, and podcasts including Thrillist's "Best (and the Rest)," Heritage Radio Network's "Beer Sessions Radio," and more. In 2021, he signed on as the co-host of Back of House’s first podcast, So You Want To Run a Restaurant, which highlights conversations with owners, operators, and luminaries from the hospitality industry.
The product recommendations in this post are recommendations by the writer and/or expert(s) interviewed and do not contain affiliate links. Meaning: If you use these links to buy something, we will not earn a commission.
Anyone who takes holiday or seasonal decor seriously knows a stop at Hobby Lobby can easily hit every item on your checklist and more. While the bargain retailer doesn't carry Halloween-specific decor, it does offer plenty of autumn hues and fall-themed items—helping you deck your home and yard out with festive-feeling pieces. And according to social media, anyone who’s already itching to get into the spirit will be particularly excited by this year’s fall decor at Hobby Lobby. Read on to see what stores are “so stocked up” on ahead of the season.
Between Halloween, Thanksgiving, and football parties, fall is a sneakily busy time for entertaining. You can ensure your guests never go without a beverage thanks to the store’s new pumpkin-shaped glass drink dispenser.
“This would be cute for a Thanksgiving punch,” says TikTok user @mhouser12 in a recent video.
2. Throw pillows
Copyright @itskhloiee/TikTok
By their very design, throw pillows are practically made to change with the seasons. Fortunately, you won’t have to look very hard for a fall option, thanks to Hobby Lobby. The store has already dropped its plush pieces for the season in all shapes, sizes, and colors, including designs with brightly colored foliage and plenty of pumpkins, according to a video posted by TikTok user @itskhloiee.
The best part? They’re already marked down 40 percent on the shelf.
3. Faux dried flowers and plants
Copyright @fabuloushomebymeli/TikTok
Bright bouquets might be the look for spring and summer, but there’s a way to lean into fall without saying goodbye to flowers outright.
Hobby Lobby is now stocking plenty of faux plants, including branches and an assortment of dried flowers, per a TikTok video posted by @fabuloushomebymeli. They’re everything you’ll need to create the perfect centerpiece or entryway decor.
4. Fall-themed clothing accessories
Copyright @cozyadk/TikTok
Hobby Lobby isn’t just great for getting your home into the spirit of the season: The one-stop shop is also a fantastic resource for festive clothing accessories.
In a TikTok video, user @cozyadk showcases the store’s fall-friendly sock selection, which includes playful pumpkin, pilgrim, and turkey designs. And like other autumn goods, they’re already 40 percent off.
It’s also not just about what’s on your feet. In her video, @mhouser12 shows off the store’s latest drop of fall bracelets, earrings, and patches you can use to accessorize.
5. Peanuts-themed fall items
Copyright @taylorrr08/TikTok
Thanks to classic holiday movies like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and Happy Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown, Peanuts have become an important part of fall celebrations. Now, Hobby Lobby is making it easy to incorporate everyone’s favorite animated beagle and his group of friends into their fall decorations.
In a recent video, TikTok user @taylorrr08 focuses on Peanuts-themed products you can pick up for autumn. They include a variety of mugs, Snoopy socks, a stuffed Woodstock, serving trays, garden flags, doormats, and more.
6. Table decor
Copyright @silvia.yareli/TikTok
There are plenty of reasons to spruce up your dining table during fall—so why wait until Thanksgiving? Besides an impressive centerpiece, you can also get the festive look you’re after at every meal with seasonal place settings.
According to a video posted by TikTok user @silvia.yareli, Hobby Lobby is now selling tablecloths, napkins, tea towels, and placemats decked out with pumpkins, fall foliage, and more.
7. Festive fall garlands
Copyright @mhouser12/TikTok
Garland is no longer exclusive to the winter holiday season, at least according to Hobby Lobby. In her video, @mhouser12 points out various types of garlands that are perfect for autumn, including pumpkins, foliage-themed earth tones, and more.
8. Paint-your-own pumpkins
Copyright @mhouser12/TikTok
There’s never a bad time for DIY projects and crafts. Anyone feeling like getting creative this fall can pick up a ceramic pumpkin at Hobby Lobby, which is perfect for painting and decorating to your liking.
“You guys already know it’s so expensive when you go to a place, you can just buy this and for 40 percent off—for $3.49 actually, so 40 percent off that!—and do your own craft,” says @mhouser12.
9. Fall wreaths
Copyright @mhouser12/TikTok
Hobby Lobby has already dropped this year’s selection of fall-friendly door ornaments, both in large and mini sizes. In her video, @mhouser12 muses about how there’s “so much” to choose from—and you can even get a door hanger if yours has gone missing from last year.
10. Candles
Copyright @raequeel/TikTok
Would it really be fall without at least one flickering candle as part of your decor? Social media posts are filled with examples of items the store is selling this year, including a three-wick ceramic pumpkin.
And if you’re hoping to fill your home with the trademark smell of fall, you’re in luck. You can also opt for a simple-looking scented candle that will brighten your space in more ways than one, according to @fabuloushomebymeli’s video.
11. Fall mugs
Copyright @heathermoraless/TikTok
It may feel early to some who are holding on to summer, but autumn lovers know that when the fall decor is rolled out, you shouldn't wait to shop. And in a recent TikTok video, @heathermoraless says she's doing just that.
“If you’re an experienced decorator, then you know that once Hobby Lobby starts putting out their [fall] stuff, you need to grab it—even if it’s July,” she says.
She then explains she’s looking for "one thing and one thing only” that she knows will sell out at the store: a festive fall mug complete with a faux whipped cream top. She’s so excited that when she comes across the product still in stock, she immediately decides to buy it in both available colors.
Running is one of the best cardio exercises you can do. Not only is great for stamina and burning calories, but it also gets you outside and often provides that lovely runner's high. But while you may enjoy going out for a jog or hitting the treadmill at the gym, it's important to consider form to maximize performance and avoid injury. Even better, when you improve your running technique, you might find your runs easier and more enjoyable.
"Proper technique when running reduces the amount of stress you place on your joints and muscles. This decreases your chance of developing common injuries associated with running, such as shin splints, stress fractures, and knee pain," Ellen Thompson, CPT, head personal trainer at Blink Fitness, says. "It also helps to make sure you are running efficiently—when you have poor form, it puts excess strain on your body, which ultimately slows you down and makes you fatigue faster."
With this in mind, you can take a few simple steps to elevate your running game. Read on for the top eight ways to improve your technique.
As a first step, William Baldwin, professional running coach, recommends setting up your phone or video camera to film your form.
By doing so, Baldwin says, "You might be able to see some things you need to correct that you can try to do on your own. Or if you decide to work with a professional, you'll have somewhere to start and some footage to show them"
Baldwin suggests propping up your cell phone when you're on the treadmill or having someone ride a bike beside you while you're running.
2. Address your posture.
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Before you focus on your mileage, you should take a look at your posture.
"Running is not just about moving our feet faster—it is much more of a technical sport than people often realize," Angela McAusland, certified running coach at We Run, says. "You only have to watch sports on TV and watch how the elite athletes run. They look elegant, toned, strong, and 'tall.' Even at the latter stages of grueling races, they still retain their posture and form."
For "ideal posture," keep your head looking forward, your shoulders down and back, and your core engaged, Thompson says.
Interestingly enough, your arms are also important to your overall running form.
"The first thing I'm looking for when watching someone's running form is the height of their hands during all the phases of running," Baldwin says. "We want to avoid 'low hands' or hands down by our pockets during the downward phase of our arm swing."
He recommends "going ribs to chin," where the low point of your arm swing is at your ribs and towards your back, and the upswing is going back to your chin and sternum.
"Our feet follow our hands. If the hands go up and forward, so will our feet, giving us more lift and better propulsion," he explains. "Low hands get low feet, which brings a shuffle stride without much lift."
4. Or your elbows.
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Elbows, too, are integral.
"Many runners need to slightly close the angle where their forearm meets their bicep. This will help keep our hands up and prevent us from having 'heavy hands' where we drop them aggressively in the downswing," Baldwin points out. "We lose a lot of stored energy when that forearm drops aggressively. Keep the elbow angle slightly higher."
5 | Make time for your life outside of the office.iStock
You should also correct your technique by ensuring you have a "slight forward lean," Baldwin says.
"Being upright or leaning back is our natural braking mechanism," he explains. "If we're running and constantly leaning back, then we will be slightly braking the entire time, losing heaps of energy."
When you're leaning back, your feet may land too far out in front of your body and your hips, which can lead to injury.
"A slight forward lean gets the feet back in the ideal force-loading position and lets us tap into the momentum we're building with each stride," Baldwin says. "When you find the right angle of forward lean, most folks will also notice that this position is also where they can more fully access their glutes!"
6. Take shorter steps.
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Of course, when you're running, you want to think about your stride. Since you want to avoid overstriding, McAusland suggests keeping your knees in line with your hips and feet and landing with a "soft knee."
"Keep your steps short, quick, and light—a higher cadence (steps per minute) will lead to less ground contact time, enabling a more efficient stride rate," she says.
A word to the wise, however: Baldwin advises focusing less on cadence if you're a new runner.
"More and more studies show massive variances in cadence among runners. It all depends on your height, movement patterns, pace, and many other factors," he warns. "Find where you move the most comfortably with good form, and cadence will happen. Don't reverse it."
When it comes to your gaze, Rachel MacPherson, CSCS, CPT, author at Garage Gym Reviews, suggests keeping your eyes focused between 10 and 20 feet ahead of you on the ground in order to "help maintain alignment."
But in addition to focusing your eyes, you also need to focus your mind.
"Stay present as you’re running; running can be an excellent coping mechanism to manage stress, and you can tend to trail off in your mind, dissociating from your body and getting caught up in your mind," Gina Newton, NASM-certified CPT and marathon runner, says. "Try to focus on your feet hitting the ground, feeling your knees bend and straighten, etc. Ultimately, nothing should hurt while running, especially over many miles."
8. Get an assessment.
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If you need some instruction on how to improve your technique, trainers and running coaches recommend consulting a professional.
"One of the best ways to work on improving your technique is to get some help from a running coach—someone who can assess how you run and give you instant feedback on some areas for improvement," McAusland shares. "I can honestly say that several lightbulbs went off the first day I received coaching—and I remember thinking, 'Why didn’t I know this before?'"
Adding raw cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts can help improve cholesterol levels, promote heart health, and regulate blood sugar. Another thing these crunchy, green-leaf vegetables have in common? Something called glucoraphanin. The compound produces sulforaphane molecules, which have health benefits ranging from anti-inflammation to cancer prevention. But for some, the idea of biting into a raw broccoli stalk is unappealing—that’s why many are turning to broccoli supplements instead.
Surveys reviewed by the American Medical Association (AMA) found that more than half of U.S. adults take dietary supplement products. The supplement industry in the U.S. is estimated to be worth $60 billion by 2025 and nearly $200 billion globally. More and more adults are finding new ways to invest in their overall health, and broccoli supplements are the current talk of the town.
You may be wondering, why broccoli? The cruciferous vegetable belongs to a group of “sulforaphane-producing foods” that also include greens like bok choy and kale, according to Health. However, broccoli (specifically, the stalks because they’re “younger” than florets) produces some of the highest levels of sulforaphane.
Sulforaphane can “promote antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits such as lowering blood sugar, reducing cancer risk, and delaying age-related cognitive decline,” explains Health. But to activate sulforaphane’s amazing health benefits, a compound called glucoraphanin must interact with a protein called myrosinase.
Glucoraphanin and myrosinase are naturally occurring molecules in broccoli. They produce sulforaphane when the vegetable has been chopped, pulverized, or chewed in raw form. However, most people prefer to cook their broccoli rather than eat it raw.
To clarify, sulforaphane is still released when broccoli is cooked in a pan, but in extremely low amounts. A study published in 2018 by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry proved that stir-fried broccoli produces 2.8 times less sulforaphane than chopped raw broccoli.
For those who don’t enjoy eating raw broccoli, broccoli supplements are an easy way to get a regular boost of sulforaphane.
Made from broccoli stalks, broccoli supplements are higher in sulforaphane than the side of steamed or charred broccoli you’d serve with dinner. That said, you aren’t reaping all the other natural benefits of broccoli, such as fiber and vitamin K, with an oral supplement.
While broccoli supplements pose a convincing argument, it’s important to note that there isn’t a lot of long-term research or studies on the dietary supplement. Additionally, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t approve supplements before they hit the mass market, so be sure to consult your doctor before starting any new supplements.
When it comes to taking care of your body, one of the most important things you can do is follow a healthy diet. That's partly because your gut health—or having a healthy gut microbiome—has far-reaching implications for your overall health. Though scientists first discovered the microbiome long ago in the 1840s, recent leaps in research have begun to lay bare the many ways that gut bacteria affect your organs and help to stave off illness. In addition to following a nutritious diet, supplements that promote good gut health can help you reap these benefits, experts say.
Of course, the supplement market is flooded with cure-all claims that don't always hold up under scrutiny. In other words, not all products touted for their gut-boosting benefits are worth the investment. Wondering which ones doctors actually recommend? These are the seven best gut health supplements.
Tending to your gut health won't just reduce your risk of gastrointestinal problems—it can also have a profound impact on your broader health. In fact, research is increasingly demonstrating that gut health can impact every organ in the human body.
"Hippocrates said look to the gut, for it is the cause of all disease. Like a tree, the gut is the root system of the body, and if the root system is loaded with toxins, inflammation, and stealth pathogens, you cannot be healthy," says Daryl Gioffre, DC, CN, a chiropractor, certified nutritionist and gut health expert at Alkamind.
"In your gut, you have [up to] five pounds of bacteria, yeasts, and other organisms that make up the microbiome," adds Katherine Maslen, ND, a naturopathic doctor, nutritionist, gut health expert, and host of The Shift podcast. "What we know from research is that gut health, and in particular the health of the microbiome, is one of the most important factors in disease prevention—in fact, poor microbial diversity is associated with just about every chronic disease."
Having poor gut health or an imbalanced gut microbiome (dysbiosis) has been linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders, type 2 diabetes, and more.
Maslen notes that one reason for this is that when the gut is damaged or dysfunctional, it impairs your ability to digest and absorb nutrients.
"Since nutrition is vital for every process in the body, this leads to imbalance and can leave you more susceptible to disease," she explains. "For example, if stomach acid is low—which can happen due to stress—then your ability to digest and absorb minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium is impaired. You need both zinc and iron for immune function, so this can then lead to a weakened immune response."
Before you consider supplementation, it's important to work on laying a healthy foundation through your food habits first. "You can't supplement your way out of a bad diet," points out Gioffre.
Your biggest priority should be to increase your fiber intake, which tends to be lacking in the average American diet, Maslen says.
"Think of it as [if] you're eating for two: You need the nutrients for yourself and the fiber to feed your microbes," she explains. "Processed foods contain little to no fiber, and most Americans aren't eating enough plant products. Aiming for a diet that is at least 50 percent plants—fruit, vegetables, whole grains (brown rice, oats, and quinoa are strong choices), nuts, seeds, and legumes will ensure you're getting what your gut needs," she says.
Another important dietary addition is probiotic foods like yogurt, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and kombucha, all of which Maslen says will support healthy gut flora. "Including apple cider vinegar in some water can also help to promote stomach acid and enzyme production," she adds.
Once your diet is sound, you can ask your doctor if supplementation might offer additional benefits.
"There are so many supplements for gut health, so it's best to see a qualified physician that works with gut health, especially if you have major issues going on," says Maslen.
Though different people may have different needs, these are some of the safest and most well-researched options.
1. Probiotics
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Gioffre says that probiotics are the "number one" supplement to take if you're hoping to improve your gut health. He commonly recommends spore-based probiotics, which have a "protective shell" and are designed to withstand your stomach's highly acidic environment. "The digestive system is a harsh terrain," he says.
Maslen agrees that probiotics are essential to gut health and says she recommends Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG).
"While there are hundreds of probiotics out there, LGG is one of the most widely available and best researched when it comes to gut health. It can help to restore a damaged microbiome and can also support gut immunity," she tells Best Life. "It is important to note that each probiotic strain has different health effects."
She also recommends Saccharomyces Boulardii (SB), a type of yeast-derived probiotic: "It is extensively researched and has been found to help with diarrhea, IBS, and gut immunity. If you have food intolerances, are prone to gastro and other bugs, or your bowel movements are irregular, then SB may be beneficial."
2. Prebiotics
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Prebiotics are another supplement that can benefit your gut health by providing a source of food for your gut's good bacteria.
In particular, Maslen recommends taking partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG). "This prebiotic fiber helps to increase bifidobacteria species in the large intestine and has been found to help all types of IBS, constipation, and general gut health," she says.
3. Licorice root
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Licorice root is known to promote a healthy gut microbiome and increase mucus production to protect the stomach lining.
"Licorice can reduce gastrointestinal inflammation, help to heal gut membranes, and there's evidence that it can heal gastric ulcers," says Maslen, adding that it can be taken as a tea, in capsule form, or as a chewable gummy.
4. Slippery elm
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Next, Maslen recommends slippery elm, a powder made from the bark of a tree that's long been used as a traditional remedy for gut issues. "It helps to soothe irritated digestive membranes and also works as a prebiotic, supporting healthy gut flora," she says.
The Mount Sinai Health Library adds that slippery elm contains antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation, as well as mucilage, "a substance that becomes a slick gel when mixed with water." As it coats the digestive tract, this helps to relieve irritation of the mucus membranes and increases mucus secretion. "The increased mucus production may protect the gastrointestinal tract against ulcers and excess acidity," their experts write.
Gioffre next recommends taking magnesium, which he says can have far-reaching effects on the body beyond the gut.
"Magnesium is perhaps the most important mineral and nutrient in your body. It is crucial for healthy energy levels, to keep us calm and relaxed, for a healthy heart [and] cardiovascular system, and most importantly, serving as a powerful neutralizer of acid," he says.
One way that magnesium can aid in digestion and gut health is by activating and regulating the digestive enzymes responsible for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. Furthermore, it helps to remove your gut's "bad" bacteria, which can help stabilize the microbiome.
6. Omega-3 fatty acids
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According to Gioffre, one of the most important factors influencing your gut health is your Omega 3 to Omega 6 ratio. By consuming more Omega 3 fatty acids, either through your diet or supplementation, you can enhance the diversity of good bacteria in the gut. However, the benefits don't stop there.
"A diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids can benefit heart health and reduced risk of heart disease, mental health, and brain function (especially as we age), aid in prevention of autoimmune diseases, lower risk of breast and colorectal cancers, support bone and joint health, decreased risk of arthritis, and more," Gioffre says.
However, experts from Harvard Health Publishing say that Omega 6's are not the enemy. One meta-analysis of six randomized trials found that when used as a replacement for saturated fats, they reduced the risk of heart attacks and other coronary events by 24 percent.
Instead, strive to prioritize healthy Omega 3s and treat Omega 6s as a replacement for less healthy alternatives.
7. Glutamine
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Finally, Maslen recommends taking glutamine, a nonessential amino acid that's both found in food and produced by the body.
"Among the various tissues using glutamine at high rates, the intestine utilizes about 30 percent of total glutamine, indicating that it is a key nutrient for the intestine," explains a 2017 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. "Its functions include maintaining nucleotide metabolism and intestinal barrier function, modulation of inflammation, and regulating stress responses and apoptosis," the study states, using the scientific term for cell death.
"At high doses, it has been shown to help support mucosal health and reduce intestinal permeability (leaky gut)," adds Maslen. "It also has positive impacts on the gut microbiome."
Speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplement regimen.
Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you're taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly.
Beverly Hills, 90210 first aired in 1990—yes, 34 years ago—which seems like a crazy long time until you realize the show might as well have been set in Victorian times compared to how teenagers live today. Landlines, renting movies on VHS, no cell phones, no texting, no social media, no Googling, no taking pictures all day long, no selfies, no TikTok, no influencers, and no streaming. You watched a TV show when it aired and if you missed it, too bad. You used a camera, and took photos on special occasions only. WILD.
Anyway, while deep in the mire of newborn bliss/exhaustion last year, I needed a comfort-viewing distraction to get through the long days and nights. Something fun, something addictive, something that made me feel like I was actually out in the California sunshine right outside my window. Nothing too sad, real, or stressful—in other words, I wanted to watch 20-something actors playing teenagers in one of the richest zip codes in the world. Here’s what I learned after watching 293 episodes and 11 specials.
Ok, hear me out. I know as you get older, actors on screen look younger. But there have been so many jokes over the years about this cast being too old to be playing teenagers. Gabrielle Carteris was 29 in season one (granted, they made her look 50). Tori Spelling was 17, Shannen Doherty was 19, Luke Perry was 23, Ian Ziering was 26, and Jason Priestley was 21. Also, back then people looked older than they were, compared to 20-somethings these days.
2. Brandon Was Insufferable
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Not always! But Brandon was always portrayed as the “good guy”, the hero, the activist, the good twin. Watching some of the storylines as an adult, I couldn’t believe how many times he almost got his father fired or in trouble at work just to make a point about whatever cause he was championing. Your dad needs to pay the mortgage, Bran. Maybe don’t mouth off at his colleagues?
3. Andrea Should Have Gone To Yale
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Andrea giving up Yale made no sense. None. Zilch. She wanted it her whole life, actually got into the school, and then… plot twist! She’d rather stay in Los Angeles. Which makes sense if they wanted to keep Carteris as part of the gang, but her whole teenage mom storyline made no sense. AHN-drea deserved better.
4. Race Relations
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It’s silly to watch a show from almost 40 years ago and judge it through a modern eye, but solving racism through the electric slide was one of the most bonkers things I’ve ever seen. Aside from that, 90210 actually did a pretty good job of touching on racial issues. We want to sympathize with the main characters, so when they show prejudice or racism, it encourages us to look at our own prejudices. For example, Brandon and the high school football team, or the storyline where Donna almost got those kids taken away from their mother because she had to work.
5. Domestic Violence
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Speaking of Donna, her domestic violence storyline with Ray Pruit was sadly only too realistic, especially because she stays with him for a long time despite his behavior. The show did a good job of touching on some of these serious themes without getting entirely too depressing (in the early seasons anyway, some of the stalker storylines later on were silly).
6. Money Troubles
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Money does not buy you happiness. Even though the Walshes live in Beverly Hills, they have significantly less money than their neighbors, which causes envy and insecurity, (especially for Brenda, it seems). Kelly’s mother is an alcoholic. David’s father is a womanizer. Donna’s mother is insane. No one’s life is perfect.
7. Steve Was a Delight
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Steve was the only one who acted like an actual teenager. His good moments, bad moments, silly moments all felt genuine for a 17-year-old in high school. He wasn’t afraid to cry, and he had a good heart. Justice for Steve!
8. Jim and Cindy’s Parenting
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Brandon gets drunk, crashes his car, and ends up in jail. He gets a hug (but they yell at Brenda!). Brenda lies to her parents all summer and… they send her to Paris. Brenda is almost an adult, but they ban her from seeing her boyfriend, who is also practically one of the family at this point. They blame Dylan for Brenda’s behavior. They tell their kids only one can go to college out of state, setting up some sort of Hunger Games craziness between the twins. Jim turns a blind eye to Brandon’s many girlfriends, but flips out about Brenda doing the same. Not cool Jim. Not cool then, and not cool now.
9. Donna Martin Graduates!
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Why did Donna not stay in the hotel until she was over the worst of her drunkenness? Why did her friends walk her through the lobby where she was sure to be seen by someone? Luckily no one had any common sense that night because it led to one of the most iconic episodes—and chants—ever. Donna Martin Graduates! It’s even funnier on the rewatch.
10. We Had It So Good
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The ’90s were a golden age of television, especially shows for teens. Beverly Hills, 90210 tackled many worthy issues, sometimes heavy-handedly, but always with good intentions. With so much heaviness in the world, it’s nice to escape to a time where if you left the house, no one could reach you. Your parents had no idea where you were! You could even go to Mexico and only get caught when you lose your passport and be stopped at the border coming home (nice work, Brenda). The Peach Pit, the beach house, the Walsh residence, the 90s fashions and slang, the Beverly Blaze, David’s Vanilla Ice act, Brenda’s French accent, the new characters, the ones we will never see again, all are immortal for a reason. RIP Brenda, Dylan, Stuart, and Nate. We will never forget you.
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends taking in no more than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. Ideally, they say, you should aim even lower, capping your consumption at 1,500 mg. However, that doesn’t stop the average American from getting much more than they need: 3,500 mg per day. This can have far-reaching consequences for your health.
“Sodium is an electrolyte that helps to regulate water balance in the body and improve water absorption,” explains Raj Dasgupta, MD, a medical reviewer for NCOA and an ABIM quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care, and sleep medicine.
However, too much sodium can raise blood pressure, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke. Dasgupta notes that high-sodium diets can also increase the risk of kidney stones “since a high-sodium diet increases the amount of calcium in urine, which can trigger kidney stones in people who are susceptible.”
There are several ways to reduce your consumption of sodium, says Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM, an obesity medicine physician at Drugwatch. She recommends cutting back on processed or canned foods, cooking your own meals rather than dining out, eating plenty of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables with no added salt, and seasoning your meals with non-salted herbs and spices.
However, it’s also important to recognize the signs that your sodium intake has risen to unhealthy levels. Read on to learn the seven subtle signs that you’re consuming too much sodium, according to doctors.
Frequent urination is one of the most common signs of consuming too much sodium. As Dasgupta explains, your kidneys are working extra hard to clear themselves of excess salt, resulting in more regular trips to the bathroom.
2. Excessive thirst
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You may also experience excessive thirst when you eat too much sodium. You can interpret this as your body’s way of urging you to dilute your salt stores.
“Excess sodium causes the body to crave more water to balance the sodium levels,” explains Meaghan Greenwood, RD, MS, a registered nutritionist and dietitian working with Hourglass Waist.
3. Swelling or bloating
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When you eat too much salt, your body attempts to calibrate the balance between your sodium levels and the amount of fluid in the body. As a result, you may notice swelling or bloating, Dasgupta notes.
Preliminary research has linked high sodium consumption with more frequent and intense headaches. Dasgupta says that reducing sodium consumption may help reverse these effects and make headaches and migraines less likely.
5. High blood pressure
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You may also notice your blood pressure levels climbing as a result of a high-salt diet.
“Sodium is important in regulating fluid balance through the kidneys. It is commonly said that ‘water follows salt,’ meaning that when sodium is consumed in excess, it leads to water retention,” Stanford explains.
“As more water is retained, this can lead to increased blood volume and arterial stress, which can increase blood pressure. Hypertension over time is taxing on the cardiovascular system, leading to higher risks of heart disease, heart attack, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other health concerns,” she cautions.
Dasgupta says some people experience changes in their sleep habits when they eat too much sodium. This may take the form of disturbed sleep patterns, reduced REM sleep, or increased wakefulness.
“Salt intake and its effects on sleep have been studied since the 1980s,” Jaclyn Leong, DO, an internist with the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, part of UCI Health, wrote for the California-based academic health system. “If a person is having symptoms of difficulty sleeping associated with decreased REM and increased wakefulness, this could be a clue indicating salt depletion in their diet.”
7. Difficulty breathing
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Having difficulty breathing is a less common but potentially serious sign that you’re consuming too much sodium.
“In extreme cases, fluid retention caused by too much sodium can lead to shortness of breath,” says Greenwood.
This occurs when the heart has to work extra hard to pump increased fluid through the body. If you notice shortness of breath, you should call a doctor or emergency services for assistance.