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.

beautiful yellow flowers blooming Hypericum

Herbs to Stay Away From on Zoloft

Dietary supplements and herbs provide alternative treatments to several disorders, and can complement conventional medical techniques. However, the active ingredients in some herbs can interact with specific pharmaceuticals, increasing or decreasing the drugs' efficacy and potentially leading to side effects.

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Assorted Bean Salad

Sore Joints From Too Much Protein

Eating a large amount of protein will not directly cause your joints to become sore. However, regularly consuming protein in excess of your body's need for the nutrient can contribute to the development of medical problems that result in sore joints.

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close up of woman with food in plastic container

Vitamin Supplements for Adolescent Girls with Hormones

Adolescence is a period of rapid growth and development, which means that adequate vitamin intake is especially important. Adolescent girls are also going through significant hormonal changes as they begin their menstrual cycle.

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Cup of ginger tea with lemon and honey on table.

Do You Get Stomach Pain After Drinking Detox Tea?

As long as you're in good health, your liver and kidneys help your body get rid of all the toxic substances it accumulates from the environment and your diet. These toxins are eliminated through your sweat, urine and feces. Detox teas claim they contain substances that help improve your body's natural ability to detox.

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Butter on Handmade Plate

Butter Vs. Shortening Nutrition

Using fat in your baked goods helps keep them moist and tender. However, the type of fat you use also affects the nutritional content of the finished product. While butter and shortening have similar nutritional profiles, you'll be better off using butter since it provides more vitamins and doesn't contain trans fats.

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coconut oil

Are Coconut Oil & Vitamin D Okay for Infants?

When it comes to good nutrition for your infant, breast milk is always best. But breast milk is not a good source of vitamin D, and some infants may require vitamin D supplementation -- but this should only happen under medical supervision.

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Schweinshaxe

How to Cook Ham So It Melts in Your Mouth

Hams include some of the most legendary of all cured meats, from French Bayonne hams to Italian prosciutto, from Chinese Yunnan hams to the Smithfields of the American South. Whether wet-cured or dry, smoked or unsmoked, the rich flavor of a good ham always comes through.

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Close up side view of a young woman eating apple

How Long Does It Take to Reduce Hunger When Dieting?

Hunger is a powerful sensation created by factors beyond just your stomach being empty. Your hunger can be related to emotional factors, habits and the physical need to eat, which is why dieting or restricting your calorie intake requires willpower to succeed.

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ice cream scoops on white plate close-up

Ice Cream for Diabetics That Doesn't Raise Blood Sugar

You may think ice cream is off-limits if you've recently been diagnosed with diabetes -- especially since many varieties are high in sugar and cause your blood glucose to rise rapidly. If you're looking for sugar-free varieties that don't raise blood sugar, the bad news is ... there aren't any.

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Papaya

How to Eat a Raw Papaya

Papayas may have their origins in Central America, but they've become a staple of U.S. grocery stores for a reason. The bright orange flesh of this fruit is not only sweet and refreshing, but according to "Whole Living" magazine, one papaya contains almost three days' worth of vitamin C.

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Fresh made Banana Milkshake

Smoothies for Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach digests food too slowly or not at all, can develop as a side effect of diabetes, digestive surgery, cancer treatments, eating disorders, endocrine or neurological problems or certain medications.

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Fruit and Vegetable Market

Effects of a Vegan Diet on the Brain

Dietary patterns don't only affect your muscles and fat deposits; they also have a significant impact on the brain. A vegan diet, which excludes all animal products including dairy and fish, can provide benefits for brain health when it is balanced.

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Exercising On A Treadmill

How to Strengthen the Leg Muscles Damaged by Statins

Statins are one of the most common and effective medications used to lower cholesterol. In fact, millions of Americans take them each day. Most have no issues, but some people report muscle pain and weakness while on the drug. These symptoms can be an indication of myopathy and muscle damage.

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cheese fondue with cauliflower

How to Melt Velveeta Cheese in a Crock-Pot

Velveeta is a pasteurized processed cheese product that was introduced in 1928, and has been used as the base for creamy, smooth dips for generations. Because Velveeta cheese melts so smoothly, a Crock-Pot is an effective way to prepare a cheesy appetizer or dip, and it requires little work on your part.

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rice ball, Onigiri

Good Vegetarian Fillings for Rice Balls

Rice balls, or onigiri, are multipurpose, portable snacks. Thought to have originated in Japan, the balls, squares or molded patties of cooked rice often appear in lunch boxes and Asian fast-food outlets. Once the rice is cooked, you can stuff the rice balls with condiments or other fillings.

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bananas on wood

Banana vs. Potassium Pills

Potassium is essential for nerve and muscle function and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Many Americans don't get enough of this essential mineral, according to Colorado State University Extension. This is compounded by the high intakes of sodium typical in the U.S.

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Female Diabetic Checking Blood Sugar Levels

Sudden Rise in Blood Sugars

Even under normal conditions, blood sugar levels vary throughout the day, but a sudden rise in blood sugar can be alarming. Stress or illness may cause blood sugar levels to rise suddenly. If you have diabetes, a sudden rise may involve diet or medication.

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Homemade Cinnamon Roll Pastry

What Does It Mean When You Crave Cinnamon?

A cinnamon craving hasn’t been connected with a definite cause. If you crave cinnamon, it may just reflect your desire for a favorite food, especially if you haven’t eaten it for a while.

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