Getting enough of the recommended daily amount of essential minerals and vitamins is key for optimal health and body function. While some vitamins dissolve in water, your body will retain the nutrients it needs.

Its distinctly sour taste makes sourdough a tasty bread. But if eating it makes you sick, you may be allergic to one of the ingredients. Only a doctor can diagnose a food allergy. If you suspect sourdough bread is making you feel sick, consult your doctor.

With its nutty taste and chewy texture, brown rice has become a staple in many American kitchens; it's not just for health-food aficionados anymore. Also known as whole-grain rice, brown rice is not milled, so the bran and the germ of the grain are retained.

French lentils and red lentils may not be as commonly available in stores as are traditional brown lentils, but they each have distinctly flavorful properties that lend well to a variety of separate dishes.

Carrots are a nutrient-rich vegetable, providing significant amounts of fiber, potassium and vitamins A, C and K. They also contain carbohydrates, making it possible for them to raise your blood sugar levels.

Whether it's nausea or diarrhea that's causing your upset stomach, eating a bowl of oatmeal may help. It's not that oatmeal contains some special nutrient that helps you feel better, but it's a bland, low-fat food that's fairly easy-to-digest, which means it makes a good choice when you're having tummy trouble.

Beans are eaten around the world and are valued as an inexpensive protein source. Beans also contain many other components that make them an integral part of a healthy diet. Plant estrogens found in beans are being studied by many researchers to determine their benefits and possible risks.

It’s unexpected and different unless you’re familiar with fruit carts in Latin America, but chili powder sprinkled on fruit makes for a pleasantly sweet-spicy combination.

Each macronutrient in your diet breaks down into a smaller component. For example, proteins are broken down into amino acids, while carbohydrates break down into glucose molecules. The single unit for a glucose molecule is called a monosaccharide.

Inflammation is a silent contributor to some of the world's most common chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and depression, according to a 2008 issue of "Scientific American." Cytokines -- the architects of your body's inflammation response -- are heavily influenced by the food in your diet.

If you've got bronchitis or another respiratory infection, such as the cold or flu, what you eat and drink may help to at least temporarily improve your symptoms as you're undergoing treatment. Fluids are particularly important, with hot liquids, such as soup, having a slight advantage over cold.

Caring for your voice takes a well-rounded approach. In addition to vocal warm-ups and attention to environmental factors, such as cold or smoke, you need to eat conscientiously. Most foods that you should avoid do not trigger disease in the vocal cords.