Cucumbers are members of the cucurbit family and are related to pumpkins, melons and squash. They are native to Asia and India, where they have been cultivated for thousands of years. Grow your own cucumbers or buy smooth-skinned, firm cucumbers at the grocery store. Avoid those that are wrinkled, blemished or soft. Cucumbers are not as high in vitamins as squash or pumpkins, but they offer a refreshing, low-fat addition to summer meals.
Dehydrated meat is easy to store and take with you if you're camping or hiking and is also a good way to store meat, because dehydrating reduces the bulk of meat, making it more compact. Dehydrating meat is a first step to pres...
If you have digestive problems, you may be wondering if one type of wheat is better than the other for your condition. Once you know more about the benefits and drawbacks of genetically modified wheat, you can determine if it h...
You could get enough salt from food without any added sodium, but your instinctive attraction to salt drives you to eat more than you need. Cravings for salt evolved for survival reasons early in human development. Stress trigg...
Its other major role is to collect excess lymph fluid from your tissues and blood, a crucial process that protects against swelling. Consuming foods that nourish your spleen can help keep the organ functioning optimally.
Organic food is growing in popularity, but it is more costly and harder to find than conventionally produced food. While adding a small amount of organic produce -- particularly those with higher levels of pesticide residue -- ...
According to a 2010 studies review in "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," consumption of organic foods does reduce the amount of pesticides and toxins ingested, but there is not enough good evidence to suggest that co...
If your child has a big test coming up, it is essential that she study and be prepared. What your child eats the morning of a test can play an important role in how well she does. Good nutrition keeps your child's brain functi...
This vegetable contains moderate amounts of sodium -- 233 mg per 3.5-oz. serving -- so it may not be a good choice for those who must restrict sodium intake, but it does provide many benefits. Do not consume kelp to treat a med...
It is responsible for using nutrients such as fats, vitamins and minerals for energy. If your liver is not working properly due to liver disease, your physician may recommend eating certain foods that will not tax your liver an...
A large variety of fruits and vegetables fall into this category, but peppers are the most common. Each of these foods has its own unique composition and individual benefits, but they also have some things in common.
According to the World Health Organization, these foods' DNA has been altered to produce characteristics that would not occur naturally. This process is known as recumbent DNA technology, and results in genetically modified org...
Dehydrating foods is one way to preserve fresh foods so they will last until the next harvest. Humans have dehydrated food for much of recorded history; archeologists have found foods that were believed to be dehydrated over 4,...
Chewing helps get your food from point A -- your mouth -- to point B -- your digestive system. However, there are a few more reasons why chewing your food thoroughly and completely is important. In addition to the physical brea...
Thyme is a common kitchen herb featuring tiny, green elliptical leaves, a refreshing, pungent scent and a piquant flavor. Used to add savor and spice to roasts, casseroles and stews, thyme -- along with rosemary -- is one of th...
Spirulina is a type of microscopic blue-green algae that flourishes in the warm alkaline water of hot climates. This algae is cultivated and dried, and sold in health-food stores in the form of pills, powders and flakes for a v...
Organic foods must not only be grown but also handled and processed in accordance with USDA organic standards. With the extra cost and regulations, the decision to buy organic foods often rests with whether they truly are heal...
Whether you eat all organic foods, some organic foods, no organic foods or are simply wondering if this is just a trendy fad, you should become familiar with what "organic" means and what the health benefits really are.
Department of Agriculture. Organic food is considered to be free of synthetic chemicals, genetically engineered materials, sewage sludge or irradiation. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, foods are examined and...
Sorghum is a cereal crop that doesn't require a lot of inputs, making it particularly useful to farmers in developing countries. Although sorghum isn't consumed much in the U.S., it is a staple food for people in more than 30 c...
Seasonings add flavor to foods, but some seasonings also contain medical and health benefits. Some of these benefits have been extensively studied, while many others need more research to explore their potential. Prior to consu...
A fetus receives all nourishment through the mother's placenta while he or she grows and develops in her womb for approximately 40 weeks. Maximize the benefits from foods during pregnancy, because you are now eating for two.
To ensure healthy eyes throughout life, what you eat matters. Nutrition and eye health are linked through all stages of life, from infancy to old age. Specific nutrients, and the foods that contain them, have been linked to eye...
Some of these preservatives may harm you when eaten in large quantities, explains the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Organic foods contain no preservatives, and can be found in many supermarkets, while farmers' mark...
It is important to consume a variety of healthy foods in order to keep your lungs and respiratory system functioning optimally. A diet consisting of lean meats, whole grains, fresh fruits and colorful vegetables along with a he...
It is primarily made up of skeletal structures from under water plant forms also known as fossils. It is a combination of minerals such as iron, magnesium and calcium and can be used for maintaining optimum physical well-being....
Ultra Foods states that its main goal is to provide customers with friendly service as well as a variety of high quality products. Ultra Foods offers various benefits to customers who frequent any of the store locations.
During cold and flu season, many people increase their intake of vitamin C. Emergen-C is a product offed by Alacer Corporation that delivers vitamin C and other supplements intended to boost the immune system in single serving ...
The benefits reach your table as produce unadulterated by pesticides, grown by farmers who extend the reach of ethical trading practices and eliminate environmental toxins and unnecessary fertilizers.
Department of Agriculture. Organic farmers take advantage of natural methods of fertilizing soil and controlling weeds and insects. Certain organic foods, such as milk and tomatoes, may contain health benefits that make these o...
Maintaining a food journal can help you to keep track of what you eat, your total calorie count, and your nutritional needs. You may also find it helps to keep you accountable and allows you to stick to your diet. If your weigh...
Fresh produce is expensive; organic produce is even more expensive. Are the reported benefits of organics--more nutritious, safer and more sustainable--worth the higher price tag? Organic farmers across the country and the peop...
