Ideally, you'd get most of the vitamins and minerals you need for good health by eating a balanced diet. But many men have a hard time eating right, says the Palo Alto Medical Foundation.

Tapioca, most commonly used in pudding, is a starch made from the root of the cassava plant. It can be purchased as granules, flakes and powders, although it's most commonly available in the form of little round balls. You can make savory and sweet dishes with tapioca, or simply use it as a thickening agent.

If your "trouble spots" are your lower stomach and inner thighs, you're in good company; most women store excess fat in their lower body, so flat lower abs and trim thighs are often a challenge. Unfortunately, you can't lose fat from only specific areas of your body.

Instant ramen noodles originated in Japan in 1958. Created by an entrepreneur from Osaka for workers with limited lunch breaks, ramen quickly gained a foothold in Japan, according to “Time-Asia.

Eating anything shortly before going to bed can lead to difficulties falling asleep and may disturb your sleep throughout the night. While this is true of most foods, rich, heavy, spicy and fatty foods may be more detrimental to your sleep than others.

L-arginine and L-ornithine, or simply arginine and ornithine, are two amino acids that share a lot in common in spite of one significant difference. Like most amino acids, arginine helps build proteins. Ornithine, on the other hand, doesn’t participate in protein synthesis.

Sesame oil and olive oil each have about the same number of calories -- 120 per tablespoon -- and they are both loaded with healthy fats. But they do have different flavor profiles, which can change the outcome of your entree. Sesame oil has an earthy, nutty flavor, while olive oil is somewhat buttery.

Unless it’s one of the few that behaves neutrally, every food is either acid- or alkaline-forming in the body. In general, fruits and vegetables are alkalizing, while meat, most dairy and all sugary foods are acidifying.

Amino acids obtained through your diet are usually safe, but following a very high-protein diet for a long time might cause a problem. Side effects aren’t common when taking amino acid supplements, but several individual amino acids carry a higher risk.

Taro root is a root vegetable that resembles a potato and originated in Asia. You can find taro root in some grocery stores year-round, or in specialty Asian stores. Taro root is starchy like a potato, and you can prepare it similarly to potatoes in many dishes.

Tarragon isn't as common in the United States as black pepper, basil or oregano, but perhaps it should be. The herb is slightly peppery and has a taste that's somewhat similar to fennel, anise and licorice, according to Michael T. Murray and Joseph E. Pizzorno, authors of "The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods."

Your body needs nitrogen to make proteins in your muscles, skin, blood, hair, nails and DNA. You obtain nitrogen from protein-containing foods in your diet, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry. These foods include meat, fish, legumes, nuts, eggs, milk and other dairy products.