Editorial Platform
Cookie Policy
Last updated: January 2025
This policy explains how Balanced Meal Guide uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website.
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.
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit websites. They contain information about your browsing activity and preferences. Cookies allow websites to remember information about your visit, making your experience more personalized and efficient.
Cookies are not harmful programs. They cannot access other files on your computer or spread viruses. Most cookies expire after a set period or when you close your browser. You have full control over whether to accept cookies through your browser settings.
Types of Cookies We Use
Essential Cookies
These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly. They enable core features such as page navigation, content access, and website security. Without essential cookies, the website cannot operate effectively.
Duration: Session-based (expire when you close your browser)
Purpose: Website functionality, security, user authentication
Performance Cookies
Performance cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website. They collect data about page load times, error messages, and user navigation patterns. This information helps our editorial team improve content accessibility and website performance.
Duration: Up to 2 years
Purpose: Analytics, website optimization, user experience improvement
Preference Cookies
These cookies remember your choices and settings when you visit our website. They store information about your language preference, article reading history, and other customizations to enhance your browsing experience on return visits.
Duration: Up to 1 year
Purpose: Personalization, content preferences, user settings
Third-Party Cookies
Some cookies are set by third-party services embedded in our website, such as content analytics providers and website monitoring tools. These cookies help us measure article engagement and monitor site health. Third parties have their own privacy policies governing cookie use.
Duration: Varies by service (typically 1-2 years)
Purpose: Analytics, content engagement tracking, site monitoring
How We Use Cookies
Maintaining Website Security
Cookies help protect our website from unauthorized access and malicious activity. They verify user sessions and prevent security breaches.
Improving Content Discovery
We use cookies to track which articles and topics resonate with our readers. This helps our editorial team create more relevant and valuable content.
Personalizing Your Experience
Cookies remember your preferences, reading history, and settings so you can pick up where you left off during your next visit.
Monitoring Site Performance
Performance cookies help us identify technical issues, optimize page loading speeds, and ensure a smooth user experience across all devices.
Understanding Reader Demographics
Aggregate cookie data helps us understand which age groups and regions are reading specific content, informing editorial decisions.
Cookie List
| Cookie Name | Type | Duration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| session_id | Essential | Session | User session management |
| csrf_token | Essential | Session | Security protection |
| user_language | Preference | 1 year | Language preference |
| reading_history | Preference | 6 months | Content engagement tracking |
| theme_preference | Preference | 1 year | Dark/light mode preference |
| _ga | Performance | 2 years | Google Analytics user tracking |
| _gid | Performance | 24 hours | Google Analytics session ID |
| page_views | Performance | 1 year | Website usage statistics |
| third_party_analytics | Third-Party | 2 years | Third-party analytics tracking |
Managing Your Cookies
Browser Cookie Settings
You have the right to control and manage cookies through your web browser. Most browsers allow you to:
- ✓ View cookies stored on your device
- ✓ Accept or reject specific types of cookies
- ✓ Delete cookies from your browsing history
- ✓ Disable cookies entirely (not recommended)
Browser Instructions
To access your cookie settings, look for "Settings," "Preferences," or "Privacy" in your browser menu:
- • Chrome: Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
- • Firefox: Preferences → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- • Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Cookies and website data
- • Edge: Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and other site permissions
Impact of Disabling Cookies
If you choose to disable cookies, you may experience limited website functionality:
- • You may need to log in more frequently
- • Personalization features may not work properly
- • Your preferences may not be remembered between sessions
- • Some website features may become unavailable
We recommend keeping essential cookies enabled to ensure optimal website performance.
Cookie Consent
When you first visit our website, a cookie consent banner appears. This banner allows you to:
- Accept All: Accept all cookies and consent to all tracking activities
- Reject All: Reject non-essential cookies while keeping essential cookies enabled
- Customize: Choose which types of cookies you wish to accept
You can withdraw your consent or change your preferences at any time by revisiting the cookie settings or using the preference link in our website footer.
Policy Updates
We may update this cookie policy periodically to reflect changes in our website features, technology, or applicable regulations. Any significant changes will be communicated through a prominent notice on our website.
The most recent version of this policy is displayed at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we use cookies.
Questions About Our Cookie Policy?
If you have questions or concerns about how we use cookies or our privacy practices, please get in touch with our editorial team.
Balanced Meal Guide
Kramgasse 190
Basel, Switzerland
For content questions and feedback:
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