Food & Nutrition: Culinary Techniques, Diets & Metabolic Health

Nutritional health is achieved through the therapeutic use of whole foods, safe culinary preparation, and understanding the metabolic impacts of specific dietary frameworks and ingredients.

bunches of green plums close-up

Will Green Plums Hurt Your Stomach?

Green plums are a treat and a delicacy in other cultures. Their sour, bitter flavor can be unappealing and may cause an upset stomach if you are sensitive to sour foods. These fruits are also rich in fiber, which is beneficial for normal digestion.

Read more →
Grilled tuna steak

L-Arginine and Antidepressants

L-Arginine is an amino acid -- a chemical building block of protein. It is a precursor to nitric oxide, a gas known as a vasodilator. Vasodilators are agents that widen and relax blood vessels.

Read more →
Woman drinking water in gym, eyes closed, close-up

Can Drinking Water Help Flush Out the Sugar in Your Body?

Sugar is akin to gold, metabolically speaking. Your body meticulously conserves blood sugar, or glucose, because your brain, muscles and many other tissues use it as their primary fuel. As the kidneys filter your blood, glucose flows with water into the filtrate.

Read more →
Brown pills, large detailed vitamins capsules, isolated macro closeup

Can I Take Iron & Magnesium at the Same Time?

Both iron and magnesium are considered essential minerals and are recommended for a balanced diet. According to a study published in a 1994 issue of “Magnesium Research,” iron and magnesium generally should be taken simultaneously for maximum tolerance and compliance.

Read more →
Wine , glass of wine , grapes

Is Drinking Soda Better Than Alcohol?

At a friend's party or backyard barbecue, your beverage choices may be limited. Many times, you can choose between only soda or an alcoholic beverage such as beer or wine. You know that neither option is a good one in terms of hydration, but you may wonder about the better choice.

Read more →
Bread and Sause

Does Vinegar Kill Carbs?

Vinegar is a popular dietary supplement and home remedy used to prevent and treat a variety of symptoms. While there is no evidence that suggests that vinegar kills or destroys carbohydrates, it may have a beneficial affect on carbohydrate absorption and insulin sensitivity in the body.

Read more →
Fruit Smoothies

Lecithin Powder Vs. Lecithin Granules

Lecithin, a product used in commercial cooking and sold as a natural supplement, is sometimes added to milkshakes and smoothies. It may be used in powdered form as well as in granules.

Read more →
Locust on leaves

The Nutritional Value of Locusts

Locusts are a type of insect from the family Acrididae and also are known as grasshoppers. Locusts swarm in huge numbers and can travel great distances, causing considerable damage to crops. However, in many African, Middle Eastern and Asian countries, locusts are considered a delicacy and eaten in abundance.

Read more →
Gummy bear candy background

Does Gelatin Thicken Your Blood?

If you have heart disease or poor blood flow to your brain, your doctor may recommend you take blood thinners. Blood thinners, such as aspirin and warfarin, are types of medications that help reduce the formation of blood clots. While certain foods can affect how quickly your blood clots, gelatin is not one of them.

Read more →
Wooden bowl of cashew nuts from above. On dark wood.

Why Do I Crave Cashews?

Cashews can be a delicious snack on their own or in trail mix, and they add fiber and unsaturated fats to recipes such as stir-fry and baked goods. A sudden craving for cashews, however, may indicate an underlying nutritional deficiency or medical condition.

Read more →
Flax seeds in the sack and oli on wooden background

Filtered Vs. Unfiltered Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is an alternative source of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids -- if you can't take fish oil. In addition to alpha-linolenic acid, flaxseed oil also contains lignans, weak estrogenic substances that may also have health benefits.

Read more →
tangerines

Clementine Allergy

A clementine is a small citrus fruit that looks like an orange. Clementines are rich in vitamin C and also contain carbohydrates, sugars, minerals and other vitamins. However, some people can have allergic reactions after eating clementines and other citrus fruits that can range from mild to serious.

Read more →
Tarpon

How to Eat Tarpon

Prized by fishermen for its spirited antics at the end of a fishing line, the adult tarpon can measure 8 feet or longer and weigh 200 to 300 pounds. In the United States, the tarpon usually is caught for sport -- and then released. As a bony, strong-smelling saltwater fish, it may be more trouble than pleasure to eat.

Read more →
Parmesan cheese and grater on cutting board at table

Breading Ideas in Low-Carb Diets

No need to deny yourself crispy fried chicken, fish or pork chops on a low-carb plan. Traditional breading ingredients, such as flour and bread crumbs, are high in carbs, but you can find alternatives that fit your low-carb eating plan.

Read more →
Whey protein with chocolate flavor

Can Whey Protein Cause Black Stool?

Athletes use whey protein, normally found in cow’s milk, as a dietary supplement. Whey protein is also included in supplements for weight loss and in infant formula. The human body is able to absorb whey protein more efficiently than other types of protein.

Read more →
Patient pouring out RX pills into hand

Can Using Apple Cider Vinegar Affect Coumadin?

Coumadin is the brand name for the medication warfarin. It is typically prescribed as a blood-thinning medication, and some dietary restrictions are required when you are on the medication. Coumadin patients should not eat foods high in vitamin K, because it interferes with the blood-thinning ability of the medicine.

Read more →
Frozen vegetables

How to Thaw, Cook & Refreeze Vegetables

Frozen vegetables are an easy way to include more nutrient-rich foods in your diet. They are convenient, have a long shelf life and cook quickly. Frozen vegetables are often picked at the peak of ripeness and flash frozen, to preserve nutrients and prevent spoiling.

Read more →
pig pork brain soup

How to Cook Pork Brain

Pork brains, also referred to as offal, are consumed around the world, though they are most common outside the United States. You can purchase them at a local grocery store or butcher shop in fresh form, and some stores even carry them canned in milk gravy.

Read more →
Barbecue Meat

How to Cook a Beef-Pork Combo Roast

A beef-pork combo roast combines the flavors of beef and pork and creates variety in your meal. Both pieces of meat need to be cooked to a safe temperature, so when cooking them together it is best to use a cooking method in which the cooking temperature and cooking time are similar, such as baking or grilling.

Read more →