From exploding gin to dating app disasters: our Filter writers’ guide to life

Consumer advice and life lessons: here’s everything our Filter writers have learned in the past year. Plus gifts for Diwali; cordless vacuums on test; and the best hair masks, revealed

Is it true that … cutting out carbs helps you lose weight?

Weight loss is about consuming fewer calories than you burn, and reducing your intake of refined carbohydrates can play a part in that

‘It’s actually a superfood!’ Why tempeh is suddenly on every menu – and coming to a supermarket near you

Tofu’s close relative can be sliced, smoked, marinated, deep fried, turned into mince, burgers, or ‘bacon’ … and it’s high in protein and other vital nutrients. Here’s how to make the most of it

Mouldy plates, burning pans, clouds of vape smoke: how to survive the horrors of the shared kitchen

Whether it’s your first day at uni or your 10th year in a flatshare, there’s no telling what awaits you whenever you enter the communal kitchen. Here’s how to cook and eat with the minimum of squalor – and the maximum of safety

More thoughtful than a card: 24 of the best letterbox gifts, from pub snacks to pamper kits

Whether it’s for a birthday, a pick-me-up or a last-minute surprise, these thoughtful letterbox gifts deliver good vibes with zero fuss

Fish mint, Himalayan chives and berry pickle: how wild ingredients are transforming school lunches in India

In the remote state of Meghalaya, foraged foods are helping to diversify state-provided menus – and tackle chronic malnutrition

A meaty topic: what is the carnivore diet and why do so many influencers seem to swear by it?

Some claim eating steak and whole sticks of butter has improved their skin, cleared brain fog and even eliminated farting. Experts say an all-animal diet carries risks

The Guardian view on the carnivore diet: red meat for influencers, but bad news for health

Editorial: A fad for consuming high-protein, high-fat food, while avoiding vegetables, has taken off online. Followers are doing themselves no favours

Is it true that … eating greasy food causes spots?

Don’t ditch the pizza just yet – acne is more likely to be caused by hormones and genetics

We should all be eating 30 different plants a week. I can’t even name that many

There have been times when I have eaten virtually no fruit or vegetables, but at least five-a-day felt achievable. The new ideal seems impossible, writes Zoe Williams