Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2024
The information on this site is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
At Balanced Diet Consult, we use cookies to enhance your experience while browsing our informational content. This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, the types we use, how we use them, and how you can manage your cookie preferences.
By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this policy. Please read this policy carefully to understand our practices.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They contain information that helps websites recognize you and remember your preferences for future visits.
Cookies are essential to how the internet works. They allow websites to remember you, understand your behavior, and provide a personalized experience. Cookies are not harmful and do not contain viruses or malware.
Types of Cookies We Use
1. Essential (Strictly Necessary) Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as page navigation, access to secure areas, and error handling. Without these cookies, our website cannot operate effectively.
Examples: Session identifiers, security tokens, and CSRF protection.
2. Performance & Analytics Cookies
We use these cookies to understand how visitors interact with our editorial content. They collect anonymous data about pages visited, time spent reading articles, and user behavior patterns. This helps us improve our content, layout, and overall site performance.
Examples: Google Analytics, heatmap tracking, page performance metrics.
3. Functional Cookies
These cookies remember your choices and preferences to provide a customized experience. They enable features like saving reading preferences, remembering font size selections, or maintaining your content filter choices.
Examples: Language preference, theme selection, reading history.
4. Marketing & Targeting Cookies
These cookies track your browsing activity to display relevant content recommendations and information. They help us understand which articles and topics interest you most, allowing us to deliver more targeted content suggestions.
Examples: Content recommendation engines, interest tracking, article suggestion systems.
5. Third-Party Cookies
Third-party providers (such as analytics and content delivery services) may set cookies through our website. These are governed by their own privacy policies. We do not control third-party cookies, but we only work with reputable providers.
How We Use Cookies
- • Enhance site functionality and user experience for our editorial platform
- • Analyze how readers engage with our articles and health content
- • Personalize your reading experience and content recommendations
- • Remember your preferences and settings during repeat visits
- • Monitor site security and prevent fraudulent activity
- • Understand audience demographics and article performance metrics
- • Improve content quality and website performance
Cookie List
| Cookie Name | Purpose | Duration | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics visitor identification | 2 years | Analytics |
| _gid | Google Analytics session identification | 24 hours | Analytics |
| _gat | Google Analytics request throttling | 1 minute | Analytics |
| PHPSESSID | Session management and user authentication | Session | Essential |
| user_prefs | Stores user reading preferences and settings | 1 year | Functional |
| content_history | Tracks recently read articles for recommendations | 90 days | Targeting |
| csrf_token | Security protection against cross-site requests | Session | Essential |
| theme_preference | Remembers light/dark mode preference | 1 year | Functional |
| language_preference | Stores language preference for content display | 1 year | Functional |
Managing Your Cookies
Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can choose to:
- ✓ Accept all cookies
- ✓ Reject all cookies (except essential ones)
- ✓ Selectively accept or reject certain types of cookies
- ✓ Receive a notification when cookies are being set
How to Manage Cookies in Common Browsers
Google Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
Mozilla Firefox: Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
Microsoft Edge: Settings → Privacy → Cookies and other site data
Do Not Track
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" feature. Our website respects this preference where applicable. Please note that some essential cookies may still be set even with Do Not Track enabled, as they are necessary for the website to function properly.
Clearing Cookies
You can delete cookies that have already been stored on your device through your browser settings. Note that clearing cookies may affect your browsing experience and remove personalized preferences.
Most browsers allow you to clear browsing data, including cookies, either on exit or manually through settings.
Your Cookie Consent
When you first visit our website, we display a cookie consent banner. This banner allows you to:
- • Accept all cookies and continue using the site
- • Reject non-essential cookies and use only core functionality
- • Access detailed cookie settings for granular control
Your consent choice is stored in your browser and respected on future visits. You can change your consent preferences at any time by accessing your cookie settings or contacting us directly.
Legal Basis for Cookie Use
We use cookies based on the following legal foundations:
- → Consent: For non-essential cookies, we obtain your explicit consent through our cookie banner.
- → Legitimate Interest: For analytics and performance cookies that help us improve our editorial content and user experience.
- → Contractual Necessity: For essential cookies required to provide our services and maintain site security.
Data Protection & Privacy
We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your data. Information collected through cookies is:
- 🔒 Stored securely with industry-standard encryption
- 🔒 Used only for the stated purposes in this policy
- 🔒 Not shared with third parties without your consent (except as required by law)
- 🔒 Handled in compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations
For more information about how we handle personal data, please review our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.
Questions About Our Cookie Policy?
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, we're here to help. You can reach out to our editorial team with feedback about our content or privacy practices.
Balanced Diet Consult
Via Manzoni 161
Roma, Italy
For content questions and feedback: [email protected]
Policy Updates
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or regulatory requirements. Any significant changes will be communicated to you through a notification on our website.
Your continued use of our website after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Cookie Policy.
Questions About Our Cookie Policy?
If you have any questions or concerns about how we use cookies or our Cookie Policy, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our team at Balanced Diet Consult is here to help.
Email Us
Call Us
+1 (800) 123-4567
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