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.

Woman enjoying a box of chocolates

5 Things You Need to Know About Chocolate and Gluten

Gluten is a protein found in wheat and its derivatives, and can appear in a wide array of foods. Aside from obvious forms of wheat such as bread, pastries, pizza and cookies, gluten is found in almost all packaged foods because it is used as a stabilizer to extend the shelf life of products.

Read more →
Closeup mid section of a chef putting salt

5 Things You Need to Know About Recommended Daily Sodium Intake

Sodium is essential for life, but getting too much may be bad for your health. Depending on your specific health needs, dietary sodium recommendations range from 1,500 to 2,300 milligrams a day. Most Americans consume about 3,400 milligrams daily, according to the American Heart Association.

Read more →
very fresh crustaceans called mantis shrimp

5 Things You Need to Know About the Health Benefits of Shellfish

Like all types of seafood, shellfish can be a healthy part of a balanced diet. Shellfish are low in fat--lobster and shrimp have less than 1 gm of fat per serving--and very little of the fat they contain is saturated fat. Most shellfish (except for shrimp) are also very low in cholesterol.

Read more →
close-up of onions being chopped

5 Things You Need to Know About the Health Benefits of Onions

Onions are a staple in any well-stocked kitchen. Served raw, they add a crisp bite to salads and burgers, and when cooked they add a pungent, lightly spicy flavor that complements almost any savory dish--they can even be caramelized to sweetness!

Read more →
Daughter brushing mothers hair

5 Things You Need to Know About Vitamin H (Biotin)

Biotin, also known as vitamin H, is actually a B vitamin. There are multiple B vitamins, and Biotin is the one that can really give you healthy hair and nails. This vitamin helps the body manufacture and utilize fats and amino acids. Our intestinal bacteria manufacture some biotin.

Read more →
Portrait of a man drinking juice from a glass with a straw

Facts on the Health Benefits of Smoothies

The best smoothies are nutrient-dense, providing vitamins and oils necessary for good nutrition. Fat is required for biological functions and burned by your body for energy; a good smoothie should have some dietary fat.

Read more →
Soutwestern Santa Fe Soup

4 Ways to Use Meat in a High Fiber Diet

Beans are a perfect meat substitute. Unlike meat which has no fiber, beans are one of the best fiber foods around. If you want to enjoy meat and a high fiber diet, try meals and dishes that combine the two.

Read more →
Kiwi fruit

4 Ways to Eat a Kiwi

Kiwis--also known as kiwi fruit or Chinese gooseberries--have twice as much vitamin C as oranges, and are also a great sources of vitamins K and E, potassium and fiber. The most effective way to absorb these nutrients is to eat the fruit fresh.

Read more →
A Variety of Bread, High Angle View

Facts on High Fiber Bread

Everyone eats bread practically every day, but are you eating bread that is packed with health benefits or fillers? High fiber breads are usually made with whole wheat or whole grains and are enriched with extra fiber in the form of wheat bran, oat bran, soy or seeds.

Read more →
Delicious chicken sandwich

Healthy Lunch Ideas With Non-Processed Meats

Meat can be a nutritious addition to your midday meal because it supplies a healthy dose of protein for afternoon energy, as well as vitamins and minerals you need for good health. If the only meat that shows up in your lunch is processed, you may be decreasing the nutritional value of your meal.

Read more →
Spicy Homemade Buffalo Wings

How to Cook Chicken Wings by Boiling First

Chicken wings are generally not a healthy food, but the total number of calories and amount of fat per wing can be considerably reduced by choosing a relatively healthful cooking method. One chicken wing, floured and fried, contains roughly 103 calories and 7 grams of fat.

Read more →
Tomatoes in a basket

Tomato Intolerance and Digestive Symptoms

Whether you love to top your pasta with its sauce or just love eating them straight off of the vine, tomatoes are a healthy fruit and a rich source of vitamins A and C, as well as folic acid.

Read more →
Young couple on bed having breakfast, woman pouring milk

How to Reduce Zinc Toxicity

Zinc is an essential mineral that your body needs for a number of metabolic functions. Zinc is naturally present in some foods, often animal products. You can also take zinc as a supplement if you do not get enough zinc from your diet.

Read more →
Dried red beans on a wooden table

What Can You Do if You Forget to Soak Kidney Beans Overnight?

Soaking kidney beans the night before you plan to make a pot of chili or minestrone is a common practice that ensures tasty, tender beans the next day. Don't worry, though, if you forget to soak the beans overnight. A quick soak in hot water the following day is just as effective.

Read more →
Red bean,green bean,kidney bean and soybean

Disadvantages of Canned Chickpeas

It's no wonder the American Diabetes Association lists beans, such as chickpeas, as a superfood -- they provide significant amounts of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Read more →
Man taking pickled cucumber

Do Pickles Have the Nutrition of a Cucumber?

Cucumbers are staples in the average American diet, with large cucumbers typically eaten raw and small cucumbers pickled for long-term storage. Even though pickles are made from cucumber, they differ slightly from raw cucumber with respect to their nutrient content.

Read more →
Close-up of frozen seafood

Can You Cook Shrimp Without Thawing Them?

Few varieties of seafood can rival shrimp as an ingredient in fast, convenient meals. High in protein and low in fat, shrimp lend themselves to almost any healthful preparation method, from steaming to grilling.

Read more →
omega 3 fish oil capusles

Can Fish Oil Be Taken at the Same Time as Magnesium?

You may take a fish oil supplement for several reasons, including lowering your triglycerides, fighting inflammatory pain and lowering blood pressure. You may use magnesium supplements if you do not get enough of the mineral in your normal eating habits.

Read more →
Man In The Gym Exercising Biceps With Barbell

How Much Sugar Per Day for Bodybuilding?

Sugar is everywhere in your diet, whether you recognize it or not. Some bodybuilders believe this is a good thing, especially during the bulking phase, as it is easily stored and adds calories to foods.

Read more →