Corn flour can be the main ingredient in corn muffins or corn bread or a thickener in gravies or chowders; it's also a variation on the wheat flour in regular recipes. The nutritional values for white and yellow corn flour are similar, and either one can be part of a balanced diet.

Cactus pears are actually large berries growing on the prickly pear cactus. They are filled with edible seeds – which is one reason for their high-fiber content – and brightly-colored, antioxidant-rich juice. You can eat the fruit raw or cook it for jams, preserves, pies and other desserts.

Blanching is the brief boiling or steaming of whole foods like fruits and vegetables to kill the enzymes that would otherwise cause unwanted changes to the food during preservation and storage. These changes include loss of color, flavor, texture and nutrient density.

Gastritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining. Learn how bananas can help alleviate symptoms and provide relief from discomfort, pain, and other complications associated with gastritis.

Fatty foods are usually higher in calories than low-fat foods, and can lead to unwanted weight gain. Sticking to your recommended daily calorie intake by choosing a variety of healthy foods will help you maintain a healthy body weight. If you’re consuming a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, the U.S.

Any food or beverage that contains sugar, fat or alcohol could increase your triglycerides. Apples and bananas, natural sources of sugar, could theoretically increase your triglycerides.

While any type of fruit can serve as an important component in a healthy diet, some fruits are more beneficial than others. Bananas offer plenty of positive nutritional value per serving, but their relatively high calorie and sugar amounts mean that it might be best to enjoy them in moderation.

Gastrointestinal symptoms from eating mushrooms may be a sign of a mushroom allergy. Although mushrooms are not considered a common food allergy, the Cleveland Clinic states that if you’re allergic to mold you may experience a food allergy when eating mushrooms.

You really want a baked potato, but perhaps you do not have a conventional oven or the hour and a half that it will take to bake a potato in your oven. Popping a potato in the microwave saves time and effort, but there are trade-offs for doing so. A potato is a potato, right? Not necessarily.

Both potatoes and cauliflower are nutritious additions to your daily diet. In their raw form, they are both low in calories and supply a wealth of key nutrients.

Limes aren't just the tart fruits of the Citrus aurantifolia tree -- they're also tiny powerhouses of vitamins and nutrients. The benefits of limes aren't limited to culinary delights, either.

Crunchy carrot sticks displayed prominently on the counter or in full view in the fridge encourages reaching for a healthy snack instead of a sweet treat. These little morsels are just the right size for snacking or serving with dip and add bright color to the lunch plate.