Fruits & Vegetables: Nutrition, Culinary Uses & Preservation

Variety comparisons and diverse culinary forms, such as juices or dried extracts, determine the nutritional value and physiological impact of plant-based diets on systemic health.

How to Prepare Eggplant to Cook

Eggplant, said to have been introduced to North America by Thomas Jefferson, has been a favorite vegetable in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary traditions for centuries.

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Benefits of Raspberries

For many, eating a bowl of fresh raspberries is one of summer's tasty pleasures. Vividly colored and refreshingly sweet, juicy and satisfying to eat, raspberries also offer a bounty of health benefits, from helping control weight to possibly helping prevent cancer.

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Hands of woman cutting green pepper

Are Green Peppers Low in Carbohydrates?

All vegetables contain at least some carbohydrates -- and green peppers are no exception. However, while starchy vegetables are carb-rich foods, green peppers are lower in carbohydrates, making them an excellent choice for individuals trying to control carbohydrate – and total calorie -- intake.

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Bean sprouts, close-up

Bean Sprouts Nutrition Information

Any type of bean or legume can be sprouted, but mung bean sprouts are the most common type used in cooking. Sprouting can increase your ability to absorb nutrients in the beans that would normally be less digestible because they are bound by phytic acid.

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Homemade Dehydrated Banana Chips

Which Dried Fruit Is Healthiest?

More than two-thirds of adults fall short of eating the recommended two fruit servings daily, according to registered dietitian Cynthia Sass.

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stuffed peppers with meat and bulgur

How to Cook Stuffed Peppers With a Microwave

Stuffed peppers can take several hours to make, standing over a pot of boiling water and baking, but the microwave makes a convenient alternative to save time and prevent your kitchen from overheating on a hot day.

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Beetroot (beet) chopped

How to Cook Beets in a Microwave

With their sweet, earthy flavor, beets make an excellent addition to salads, sauteed leafy greens or grains like brown rice and quinoa. While they can take over an hour to roast in the oven, it only takes about 10 minutes to prepare beets in the microwave.

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Glycemic Index of Prunes

Prunes are a fruit with an undeservedly bad reputation. The high fiber content of prunes is commonly associated with regulation of bowel habits, but prunes have many other redeeming factors. For example, prunes have an extraordinary amount of antioxidants.

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The Health Benefits of Button Mushrooms

Button mushrooms are the most consumed mushrooms in the United States, accounting for 90 percent of mushroom intake according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

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Fresh produce

The Side Effects of Cherries

Unless you’re allergic to cherries, these fruits are unlikely to cause serious side effects. However, eating cherries in excess or as part of a very high-fiber diet may lead to unpleasant effects.

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Fresh plums

Plums and Diet

Plums originated in Asia and were brought to the United States in the 1870s. Plums are a member of the plant genus Prunus, which also includes cherries, apricots and almonds. You can't go wrong adding plums to your diet. Plums are low in calories and can help you meet your daily fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C needs.

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Does Cooking Vegetables Cause Fiber Loss?

Eating vegetables is important to good health, and knowing how to prepare them in a way that preserves their fiber content as well as the vitamins and minerals will make your meals all the more nutritious. When possible, eat veggies raw instead of cooked.

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What Are the Health Benefits of Red Cabbage Vs. Green Cabbage?

Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable that is edible both raw and cooked. Red and green cabbage are two different cabbage varieties that have a similar flavor, although red cabbage tends to be more peppery than green. Heads of red cabbage are also smaller and denser than green cabbage heads.

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What Citrus Fruit Has the Most Vitamin C?

Citrus fruits are full of vitamin C, fiber and important minerals. Oranges have the highest amount, but you can get plenty of the vitamin by eat citrus wedges or drinking juice made with grapefruit, lemons or limes.

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Dried banana fruit

How Healthy Is Freeze-Dried Fruit?

Freeze-dried fruit is similar to dried fruit, because it has been dehydrated, but it has a crunchy texture. The nutrients that freeze-dried fruit contains offer several health benefits, making it a good addition to a well-balanced diet. Try it on cereal or oatmeal, in trail mix or on its own.

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harvest

The Advantages & Disadvantages of Fresh Vegetables

Everyone knows fresh vegetables are nutritious, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that you eat at least 2.5 cups daily. But fresh vegetables can be pricey at times, and they risk being contaminated with harmful bacteria.

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What Is the Nutritional Value of Beets?

Beets are an acquired taste for some, offering a strong flavor and dense texture. While the most commonly sold type of beet in your grocery store has red flesh, you may also find white, yellow and orange beets at farmers markets and specialty shops.

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Slices of watermelon

Benefits of Watermelon Rinds

Most people discard the rind of the juicy watermelon, but don’t be so hasty – the watermelon rind has many benefits. Whether you eat the rind or use it topically, this often-wasted food can do good things for your body.

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The Health Benefits of Eating Dandelion Greens

While dandelions are likely less than welcome on your lawn during the warmer months, they should be more than welcome on your plate. Their leafy greens offer a bitter, peppery flavor that works well raw or cooked.

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