The glycemic index is a scale that indicates how quickly your blood sugar is likely to rise after you eat a certain food. Sugar alcohols, which are digested slowly, have a very low glycemic index.

A fair description of pinto beans could begin with labels such as nutrient-rich, low-fat and an excellent source of protein and fiber. While these terms accurately imply that pinto beans are healthy, the details about their nutrients seal the deal.

While fresh milk is nutritious, it isn't always convenient if you're interested in long-term storage. Milk generally has a short shelf life, but canned milk will keep for much longer periods of time. Some recipes, particularly for baked goods, call for canned milk specifically.

Elk is not among the most commonly raised and consumed meats in the United States, but there is a market for the game meat. Many farms raise elk to sell as food, and in some parts of the country restaurants offer elk steak as a main course.

Whether you're looking for a snack or an accompaniment to dinner, eating a slice of bread with a pat of butter on it may be a good choice, depending on your nutritional goals and current health. However, this food combination has quite a bit of sodium and fat.

To keep hunger at bay between meals, you might need a healthy snack to keep you satisfied. With some heart-healthy fat, protein and fiber, corn nuts do meet some of the criteria for a healthy choice. However, corn nuts are high in calories, which might put you over your limit if you are watching your weight.

Many Americans eat corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day, but this festive dish does not come from Ireland's holiday menu. According to the University of Florida Health Communications, corned beef and cabbage began as an Irish-American tradition in the early 1900s.

Convenience foods like canned soup often get a bad rap when it comes to eating healthy. Some canned soups can actually be quite healthy. That doesn't mean you should make it a staple of your diet.

Buffalo meat, more commonly referred to as bison meat, can be used in most recipes that call for beef. Bison meat is one of the leanest, most nutritious meats available, and you can use it for burgers, roasts, steaks and stew.

While plantain chips may seem like a healthy alternative to potato chips or other greasy snacks, the truth is that they're high in fat and calories and provide few essential nutrients. On the plus side, however, they do contain fiber and are typically low in sodium.

Neither pizza nor buffalo wings jump out as particularly healthy foods, but sometimes after a long day when you're not in the mood to cook, having something to eat that's quick and easy may be what you want.

If you're looking for an alternative to sugar, you may be confused about the difference between agave nectar and stevia.