Cooking & Baking Tips: Healthy Fats, Grain Prep & Substitutes

Mastering the kitchen involves understanding healthy fat profiles, variety-specific grain preparation, and safe food handling techniques.

Beans

Glycemic Index for Pinto Beans

Rich in protein, fiber and low-fat carbohydrates, pinto beans and other dried legumes deserve to feature more prominently in the American diet. Because they contain soluble fiber, a type of fiber that prolongs digestion, pinto beans cause only small fluctuations in your blood sugar.

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Frijoles

Are Refried Beans Healthy?

Refried beans can be a healthy food or an unhealthy food -- preparation makes all the difference. Refried beans prepared with animal fat can be high in cholesterol and saturated fat, while beans fried with a small amount of olive or canola oil can be relatively low in fat and cholesterol free.

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Chickpeas

Nutritional Benefit of Soaking Beans Prior to Cooking

Dried beans are a versatile, affordable source of protein, fiber, starches, iron, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and other essential nutrients. When you prepare dried beans from scratch, you can avoid the sodium and other additives that canned beans contain.

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Close-up of an agave plant, Balboa Park, San Diego, California, USA

Agave Nectar Benefits

Agave nectar is a natural alternative to refined sugars and artificial sweeteners. This honey-like sap comes from the leaves of the blue agave, a succulent plant widely grown in Mexico. With its thin, light consistency, agave nectar can serve as a topping for fruit salads, pancakes or ice cream.

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Stem of Ginger

Is Ginger Safe With GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can turn eating hot or spicy foods into a potentially painful experiment. Ginger, a root herb that may be used as a seasoning or as an herbal remedy for nausea or indigestion, lends warmth and zest to foods and beverages.

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