Processed foods are generally thought to be inferior to unprocessed foods. The term may suggest that a packaged food item contains many ingredients, perhaps even artificial colors, flavors, or other chemical additives. Often referred to as convenience or pre-prepared foods, processed foods are suggested to contribute to the obesity epidemic and the rising prevalence of … Continue reading “Processed Foods and Health”
Lectins, or hemagglutinins, are an “anti-nutrient” that have received much attention due to popular media and fad diet books citing lectins as a major cause for obesity, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. They are found in all plants, but raw legumes (beans, lentils, peas, soybeans, peanuts) and whole grains like wheat contain the highest amounts … Continue reading “Lectins”
The takeaway: The pros and cons of anti-nutrients on long-term human health is an area of active research. Though certain foods may contain residual amounts of anti-nutrients after processing and cooking, the health benefits of eating these foods outweigh any potential negative nutritional effects. Eating a variety of nutritious foods daily and avoiding eating large … Continue reading “Are Anti-Nutrients Harmful?”
If you grew up in the United States, a bell pepper, stuffed with ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and cheese is likely a familiar dish. It’s a basic recipe that goes way back, with two types of “stuffed peppers” even featured in Fannie Farmer’s 1896 Boston Cooking-School Cook Book. Of course, the idea of stuffing a bell … Continue reading “Endlessly Customizable Stuffed Peppers”
You might think a plate devoid of meat is incomplete—questioning whether it will fill you up, be too expensive, give you enough protein, be lacking in flavor or texture, etc. If that’s been your experience, don’t be discouraged. While this approach doesn’t incorporate any animal products, it doesn’t mean you have to remove them from … Continue reading “Prioritize hearty and savory plant-based preparations”
On the dinner plate “stage,” we often think about animal-based protein as the “center of attention ” with everything else—like veggies—playing a supporting role. An easy (and often cost-effective) way to diversify your diet is to flip this old paradigm by reducing the portion of meat and other animal products, and sharing the spotlight with … Continue reading “Consume less meat, enjoy more variety”
Does eating an apple every day really keep the doctor away? Apples are certainly popular—ranking among the top three fruits produced around the world. They are easy to store and transport, and as a result, are typically available year-round in the U.S. In this piece we’ll explore how apples may benefit health and the best … Continue reading “Apples”
Rice is a main staple in more than 100 countries worldwide. [1] In some households, rice is included with more than one meal a day. This starchy high-calorie grain is generally low cost, making it accessible to all and a vital base of many diets. Each country showcases a rice specialty to reflect local spices … Continue reading “Rice”
There’s a bit of confusion surrounding bananas. Some people consider this iconic golden fruit a healthy choice while others avoid it, after seeing it on Internet lists of “5 Worst Foods.” Unfavorable claims suggest that bananas cause weight gain and constipation. An article from 1917 published in the Journal of the American Medical Association defended … Continue reading “Bananas”
The Takeaway: Soy is a unique food that is widely studied for its estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects on the body. Studies may seem to present conflicting conclusions about soy, but this is largely due to the wide variation in how soy is studied. Results of recent population studies suggest that soy has either a beneficial … Continue reading “Straight Talk About Soy”
