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.

Three Ice Cubes

Does Eating Ice Help You Lose Weight?

Ice doesn't contain any magical weight-loss properties, although your body does burn a small number of calories when you eat it. The only way to lose weight is by consuming fewer calories than you burn. The boost from ice is far too small to make a significant difference in your weight.

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Bowl of Rice Crackers

Oriental Rice Crackers Nutrition

Oriental rice crackers contain mostly rice and are typically flavored with soy sauce, sugar, seaweed and chili. These crackers are relatively low in calories, making them healthier choices than potato chips, cheese crackers or other fatty snacks.

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Eggs and Radish, Close Up

Recommended Dose of L-Lysine

Because your body doesn't make L-lysine on its own, you must get this amino acid from foods or supplements. You need about 1 gram of L-lysine per day, according to New York University Langone Medical Center, but people who eat protein-rich diets tend to get enough without supplementation.

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Pumpkin seeds

Fiber in Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a good source of fiber, provided you eat them shell and all. Whole pumpkin seeds contain about 5.2 grams fiber per ounce; however, 1 ounce of pumpkin seed kernels only contains about 1.8 grams of fiber.

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Linseed on a wooden spoon

How to Flush Cholesterol Out of Your System

While you can't literally flush cholesterol out of your arteries as you would clear a clogged drain, you may be able to reduce cholesterol levels by making a few key lifestyle changes.

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Teenage girl (14-16) watching television, holding popcorn, smiling

Is Popcorn a Good Source of Fiber?

Popcorn is a healthy whole-grain snack that contains plenty of fiber. Even though popcorn is low in calories, its fiber content can help you feel full by adding undigestible volume.

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Energy drink cans

Can You Lose Weight With Energy Drinks?

The energy-drink buzz might make you feel as though you're torching calories at warp speed, but these beverages are no quick fix for weight loss. In reality, the best way to lose weight is to reduce caloric intake and increase physical activity -- something that no food or drink can do for you.

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Mozzarella & Lactose Intolerance

If you're lactose intolerant, your body can't digest the natural sugars in dairy products. While you might think that this automatically makes cheese off limits, the fact is that many people with lactose intolerance can eat cheeses because they contain less lactose than milk or ice cream.

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Cuban Cuisine: Plantain Salty Chips

Are Plantain Chips Healthy?

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.

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Pumpkin pancakes with pecans and syrup.

Nutrition for Cracker Barrel Pecan Pancakes

Pecan pancakes are a staple of the Cracker Barrel breakfast menu, which features classic, diner-style American fare. Each serving of this dish comes with three pecan-filled buttermilk pancakes, which are topped with butter and served alongside the restaurant's brand of syrup.

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Waffles with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and confiture

What Kind of Food Makes Your Thighs Fat?

When someone claims that a certain food "goes straight to your thighs," don't take them literally because no food is shown to specifically promote thigh fat. Your thighs grow larger when you gain weight, causing your body to store fat throughout your frame.

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green tea

Twinings Green Tea Benefits

Green tea comes with a host of health benefits and is a smarter sipping choice than soda or other sugary beverages. Twinings sells a number of green tea varieties including gunpowder, jasmine and fruit-flavored options. Some of its teas are organic and fair-trade, and the company also offers a decaffeinated green tea.

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"Cup of green tea,close-up"

Can You Drink Too Much Green Tea?

Green tea is packed with healthy antioxidants and may help reduce heart-disease risk, manage blood sugar and boost weight-loss, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Despite the potential health rewards, however, drinking too much green tea can cause unpleasant -- or even dangerous -- side effects.

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Mixing chocolate milk

Are Special K Protein Shakes Healthy?

You probably won't find Special K shakes at the health food store; however, substituting them for higher-calorie foods could help you achieve a healthy weight, possibly reducing your risk of obesity-related illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

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Udon Japanese Noodles

Are Udon Noodles Healthy?

Hailing from Japan, udon noodles typically contain just wheat flour, water and salt. These thick noodles are light on calories, but traditional refined versions are also short on nutrients. For better nutrition, choose whole-wheat noodles instead -- these come packed with vitamins and fiber.

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