Stevia is a great alternative to common table sugar or artificial sweeteners. Regular sugar can wreak havoc on your blood sugar while artificial sweeteners are derived from chemicals and may be harmful to your health. Derived from the leaves of...
Henna became a star in the quest to hide gray hair as early as 3400 B.C., according to Minnesota State University. Paintings from Egypt's 18th Dynasty depict Queen Hunutmehet with red hair, which historians believe was the result of a natural...
Protein has many jobs when it comes to keeping you healthy, according to the World's Healthiest Foods website (WH Foods). It keeps your immune system strong, protects your skin and hair, and helps produce essential enzymes. You can get protein...
Wheat germ is not a starch, but rather an oily embryo that contributes to the "germ"-ination of the plant. It is a component of the wheat plant itself, located in the kernel and found to contain nutrients that are beneficial to humans. Wheat has...
Milk is widely considered one of the most important drinks to consume during childhood and throughout your life. It is by far the most nutrient-dense natural beverage in existence, and it is versatile in food preparation for an assortment of...
When you are pregnant, eating a well-regulated and healthy diet greatly benefits your body. In turn, a healthy diet benefits your baby, because the nutrients you consume are your baby’s primary nutrition. For your and your baby’s best...
The sugar and fat content of standard baked goods takes them off the menu for many health-conscious, weight-conscious diners. However, if you know how to replace these ingredients with more healthful alternatives, you can adjust your favorite...
Food binders add volume, flavor, texture and firmness to recipes. You can find both natural and artificial food binders. Manufacturers commonly use artificial binders in packaged food products and you should pay specific attention to the specific...
With its dazzling purple hue and flavorful flesh, the Maori potato is not only visually striking but a tasty addition to any gourmet meal. Traditionally grown by New Zealand's indigenous Maori people, the Maori potato has now found its way into...
Curry is a general term typically used to describe a variety of stew-like dishes common in South and Southeast Asian cuisine. Beef is a common focus for a curry dish, typically complemented with select vegetables and an array of seasonings. Spicy...
Siomai, or shumai, is a traditional Chinese pork dumpling that has a salty-sweet filling with a variety of vegetables for added texture. The siomai filling is wrapped in wonton skins before being steamed. Serve siomai with a side of warm soy sauce...
Polenta is a thick mush made from boiled yellow or white cornmeal that has experienced a resurrection as a gourmet dish, despite its humble origin as an Italian peasant food. While various adaptations to the basic recipe are used throughout the...
While some dieters choose to eliminate carbs, consume only grapefruit or drink cabbage soup for a week, these diets do not provide long-term lifestyle changes that will help individuals manage their weight. An effective weight-loss plan should...
Food writer and historian, Nancy Harmon Jenkins presents a collection of classic recipes from the Mediterranean region in "The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: A Delicious Alternative for Lifelong Health." Through recipes based on whole and natural...
The white of one boiled large egg weighing about 33 g has 16 calories, 0 g fat, 55 mg sodium, 4 g of protein and 29 g water. Boiled egg whites provide high-quality protein and are very versatile. In fact, the entire egg is nutritious, but you may...
Pectin is found primarily in citrus fruits and apples. It exists naturally in the cell walls of these fruits. Pure extracted pectin is available commercially; different countries use pectin derived from different fruits, but the United States...
Graviola is a tropical plant native to South America. Another name for it is the Bazilian paw paw. The parts of the plant used for food are the leaves, fruit, bark, seeds and roots. It is believed to have medicinal effects, reports the Tropical...
Nikuman, or niku-manju, is a type of Japanese dumpling filled with seasoned pork and other ingredients. They are often sold at convenience stores and as street food throughout Japan during autumn and winter. Nikuman have a sweet flour-based dough...
According to the official website for The Evolution Diet, this nutrition plan is a sophisticated diet plan that encourages overall health through the consumption of historically healthy foods. The Evolution Diet plan emphasizes eating natural...
While chocolate cake with rich, creamy icing makes a delightful finish to any meal, you may not realize that when you down a piece, you could be eating just as many calories as were in your entire meal. To keep fat and calorie values in check,...
The culinary use of fenugreek, a subtly maple-like plant, predates modern civilization. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), Egyptian papyrus scrolls dated to 1500 BCE refer to fenugreek's extensive...
Apple cider vinegar is fruity, tangy and has a less harsh taste than white vinegar. The Bragg brand of apple cider vinegar, unlike many other brands, is unpasteurized, organic and unfiltered. Bragg apple cider vinegar makes a flavorful addition to...
Smoothies are a way to add fruit and vegetables to your diet. Many smoothie recipes include dairy foods, such as milk or yogurt. If you do not eat dairy for personal or health reasons, you may be discouraged in the lack of nondairy smoothies...
Despite its international popularity, turmeric is rarely considered to be a staple food ingredient in the United States. If you've realized mid-recipe that you have no turmeric on hand, you may consider using a substitute. You may also consider...
Juwawa is a type of Japanese dumpling prepared with ground mutton. The addition of shredded cabbage and green onion makes juwawa more filling and adds a significant level of dietary fiber. Juwawa has a pungent, slightly bitter flavor that goes...
You can find around 3,000 mushroom varieties in the world, notes the American Dietetic Association. Although some of these are not safe to eat, you will be safe with the kinds you find in your local supermarket. You can easily add mushrooms to a...
A healthy diet consists of nutritious, well-balanced meals made from natural foods. Reap the benefits of a healthy diet and modify the recipes of the foods you already eat by substituting whole grains products for those made from refined flour and...
In the 1930s, Duke University medical professor Walter Kempner observed that people who lived in countries where rice was a staple of the diet tended to have lower rates of chronic disease. He subsequently developed the Rice Diet, which evolved...
After a stroke or any serious heart problem, you should lower your sodium levels by altering your diet. For example, you should eliminate processed foods that are high in sodium, and use table salt sparingly. Lower sodium levels will help lower...
