Diuretics are a class of medicines used to treat kidney disorders, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, glaucoma and edema, or water retention.

Spinach lasagna is a favorite for vegetarians and those looking for a vegetarian meal alternative. You can also add spinach to your favorite meat lasagna, mixing it with the ricotta or cottage cheese filling.

Fresh, raw broccoli is full of nutrition, but it can taste plain or even dry. Steaming it softens the cell structure, unlocking the flavor of broccoli and making it more enjoyable.

The health supplement bromelain refers to a mixture of enzymes extracted from the stem and juice of the pineapple plant. People take bromelain as an alternative medication to treat a variety of health conditions, including inflammation and swelling.

One way to preserve an overabundance of cauliflower is to freeze it until you are ready to add it to a recipe. Typically, vegetables are blanched before they are put in the freezer. Blanching is when vegetables are boiled for one minute to stop enzymes from degrading the taste, texture and color of your vegetables.

The bright green stalks and florets of a bunch of broccoli are bursting with nutrients, including vitamin C, protein, fiber and calcium. Broccoli is also low in calories; a half-cup serving contains just 23 calories.

Portobello mushrooms are one of the largest edible mushrooms. Plump, these edible fungi have an earthy smell and taste. Although you can slice or chop Portobello mushrooms just like any other mushroom, they are actually better when cooked whole because they retain their own meaty flavor.

Finding alternative ways to cook potatoes and keep them healthy can be a challenge. A baked potato cries out for sour cream, butter, bacon, chives and cheese, turning the healthy tuber into a cholesterol-raising time bomb, and fried potatoes aren’t much better.

Writer Mark Twain once said, “When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what angels eat.” Whether watermelon is heavenly is up for debate, but no question remains as to the nutritional value – it is high in vitamin C and serves as a source of vitamin A.

Watermelon is one of the richest sources of citrulline. Citrulline is a nonessential amino acid and antioxidant that is converted to another amino acid called arginine by special enzymes. Arginine has a key role in cell division, wound healing, and the removal of ammonia from the body.

You can make an apple pie two different ways. One involves cooking up an apple pie filling and for this you must cook the apples first. The second kind, however, starts with raw apples. The heat that bakes the pie bakes the apples. The two methods yield slightly different kinds of pie.

Cucumbers and squash are delicious fresh foods, loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Despite being mostly made up of water, cucumbers are high in vitamin A, C and folic acid. Although cucumbers are often eaten raw, they can be baked in the oven, boiled or sautéed on the stovetop.