Food & Nutrition: Culinary Techniques, Diets & Metabolic Health

Nutritional health is achieved through the therapeutic use of whole foods, safe culinary preparation, and understanding the metabolic impacts of specific dietary frameworks and ingredients.

Sun Dried Tomatoes on Wooden Table

How to Store and Freeze Sun-Dried Tomatoes

A single sun-dried tomato can change the entire flavor of a meal. A tomato that is dehydrated in the sun develops an intense flavor and chewy texture without losing the nutrients, including vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene, that make tomatoes a valuable part of your diet.

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Homemade Cooked Sweet Potato with spices and herbs.

How to Cook Sweet Potatoes on a Gas Grill

After one bite of a crispy, caramelized sweet potato wedge, you'll never go back to deep-fried white potatoes again. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, low in fat, packed with vitamins A and C and naturally sweet enough to satisfy dinner guests.

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Butternut squash cut in half on a wooden surface

How to Know When Butternut Squash Is Ready to Cook

The perfect butternut squash is dense, sweet and versatile enough to feature in every meal of the day. A squash that's been picked too soon or is past its prime, however, will be dried out or mushy and flavorless.

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Pumpkin stew with rice and meat

How to Eat Gourds

Gourds are a staple in autumnal centerpieces on dinner tables, while their cousins like pumpkins and melons more often make it to the dinner plate. Many gourds are best left to fall crafts, but a few are edible and flexible enough to be used in a variety of dishes.

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Using a mixer in the kitchen

How to Prevent Baking a Dry Cake

Nearly every baker has been there. You've spent hours looking through recipes, grocery shopping and baking a cake, only to find that the finished result is as dry as the desert. Some recipes are bound to turn out drier than others, but there a few universal tips to making, and keeping, your cake moist.

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Papaya

How to Eat a Raw Papaya

Papayas may have their origins in Central America, but they've become a staple of U.S. grocery stores for a reason. The bright orange flesh of this fruit is not only sweet and refreshing, but according to "Whole Living" magazine, one papaya contains almost three days' worth of vitamin C.

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tomato soup

Adding Half-and-Half to Thicken Soups

Every cook has been there. You’ve followed the recipe perfectly, only to end up with a pot of soup that’s as thin as water. Half-and-half can thicken your soup while also adding luscious texture but fewer calories than cream, but it’s not right for all recipes.

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Gourmet French foie gras open sandwich

Is Seared Foie Gras Safe to Eat When Pregnant?

When your pregnancy cravings veer away from the "usual" pickles and ice cream and into the unusual, safety is a concern. If you contract a food-borne infection, you can pass it along to your developing baby.

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Palm fruit and cooking oil

A Healthy Substitute for Olive Oil

Many recipes call for olive oil, from dressings to marinades to stir-fry. While olive oil is flavorful and high in healthy fats, it can be expensive. Trying your favorite recipes with other healthful oils may save you money and can add different flavors to your favorite dishes.

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Boys having breakfast

Signs & Symptoms of Low Vitamin D in Teens

Despite the fact that vitamin D is readily available, 58 million American children don’t get enough of this vital vitamin. The vitamin helps your body process calcium, which helps your bones develop and stay strong so it’s essential for teenagers whose bodies are still growing.

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Why Is My Baby Not Eating As Much As Normal?

A baby who is underweight can fail to develop normally, so it’s essential that your baby get enough nutrients. No two babies have the same feeding schedule. Some are ready to eat at the same time each day and others will be starving one day and uninterested in food the next.

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authentic mexican barbacoa, carnitas and chicken tacos

Healthy Foods for Picky Adults

Some adults simply don’t like certain foods, while others are so averse to eating new things that they are considered to have a condition called selective eating disorder. Most picky eaters will simple refuse to eat new foods, so you must be flexible when cooking for these people.

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Watching television

What Are Good Midnight Snacks for Pregnancy?

Although it's not healthy to overeat while you’re pregnant, occasional snacks can actually be good for you. Satisfying your late-night cravings will help you get a restful night’s sleep, and choosing healthy treats is an easy way to get more nutrients to your growing baby.

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