Endive, a member of the chicory family of plants, brings a sharp or bitter taste sensation to appetizers and salads. Growers and grocers often include escarole, also a type of chicory, in their definition of endive. Whichever name you call it,...
Endive is a leafy vegetable with the scientific name Cichorium endivia. There are two types of endives: Curly and escarole. Curly endive has a narrow leaf and is sometimes called chicory. Escarole is a broad-leafed endive that is less bitter than...
Blue cheese crumbles are an excellent addition to salads to balance bitter greens or give contrast to sweet fruits. The distinctive flavor of blue cheese comes from mold spores that are added to the cheese in the manufacturing process. Blue cheese...
Steamed vegetables can be integrated into a healthy diet that focuses on eating lots of fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, as well as plenty of whole grains. Focusing on the vegetables will pay dividends, as steaming is an easy way...
To function properly and maintain health, the body must metabolize food that contains all the primary components of balanced nutrition, including carbon, hydrogen, minerals, oxygen and nitrogen. The body procures these components from water, fat,...
The human body requires vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the fat tissue and in the liver, for proper blood clotting and for the proper use of calcium in the bones. Present in several foods, the body only requires a tiny amount of vitamin...
The concept behind the pH diet is that the human body is slightly alkaline. According to Wellness.com and advocates of the diet, in order to maintain an alkaline state individuals should consume a diet that is approximately 70 percent to 75...
The three main types of carbohydrates are fiber, sugar and starch. You can get fiber from whole grains, fruits and nonstarchy vegetables. Some foods, such as milk and fruit, naturally contain sugar, another type of carbohydrate. Starch is found in...
Guarana, hoodia and ma huang get a lot of attention for their purported weight loss benefits, but there are also natural appetite suppressants, diuretics and detox herbs right in your own backyard. These herbs have been used for centuries as...
Kidney stones are hard deposits in your kidneys, and they may cause pain or infections. Your risk increases if you are a man or have a family or personal history of kidney stones. Your diet also influences your risk of painful symptoms. Certain...
Coumadin is a brand name of the anti-coagulant medication warfarin. Coumadin reduces the ability of your blood to clot and is used to treat and prevent blood clots. While taking Coumadin, you face a greater risk of excess bleeding because your...
A low-sodium, low-protein diet may slow the progression of kidney disease and delay complications from this chronic condition, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Vegetables are rich in essential nutrients, and many of them may fit into...
Improving your acid-alkaline balance may decrease your risk of headaches, bone loss and other health problems. These issues occur when your body is too acidic. Some harmful bacteria, fungi and yeasts thrive on the acid in your body. Consuming more...
A diet high in fresh produce can help you achieve your weight-loss goals. Vegetables are naturally low in calories and high in fiber. The fiber in vegetables passes through your body intact, which keeps you full hours after eating. In addition to...
While calcium oxalate is a natural product in many foods, people with hyperoxaluria, oxalosis or a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones should know that many common foods are high in oxalates. Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of...
If you have diabetes and take Coumadin, a brand name of warfarin, you may need to make some changes to your diet. You can take Coumadin, a blood thinner, and still follow a menu plan that will help you regulate your blood glucose levels. Some...
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin whose primary function in your body is to promote blood clotting. Vitamin K is actually a family of three closely related nutrients, two of which are found in nature. Phylloquinone, or vitamin K-1, is found in...
The medical term for hair loss is alopecia, according to the Mayo Clinic. Women usually experience thinning hair at the sides, front or crown of their heads. Gradual thinning is a part of the aging process. Eating an unhealthy diet can increase...
Vegetables are the winning team. Some players are better than others, but one vegetable can't provide all the nutrients you need. Include a variety of vegetables in your diet, not only to get all your daily vitamins and minerals, but to enjoy the...
All plant foods contain varying amounts of salicylates, chemicals that protect them against infections and rot. Salicylates are significant to people in two ways: The chemicals are analgesic and ingredients in certain pain-relieving drugs, and...
Kidney stones are hard crystals that include calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, uric acid, struvite or cystine, according to the Langone Medical Center. You are at higher risk for kidney stones once you have already had them, but you can follow a...
Carbohydrates are a big part of the standard American diet and are present in most of the food groups recommended by the USDA at ChooseMyPlate.gov, which now replaces the Food Pyramid. Foods made from grains, such as rice, pasta, bread, breakfast...
Leafy green vegetables and turnips are low-calorie, low-fat sources of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C and minerals calcium and iron. Greens and turnips also both provide a variety of antioxidants and other phytochemicals...
Romaine lettuce is most commonly known as the staple ingredient in a Caesar salad. It is naturally low in calories, virtually fat-free and full of vitamin A. While romaine lettuce has some benefits for your balanced diet, other types of salad...
The food you eat effects the pH balance of your blood, saliva, urine and the fluids in and around every cell. These bodily fluids are naturally alkaline, with a pH ranging from 7.365 and 7.45 on the acid-alkaline scale. Eating a diet high in...
Food is classified as acid-forming, alkaline-forming or neutral based on its pH nature after the body metabolizes it. A food’s own acid content or pH value does not determine whether it will have an acidifying or alkalizing effect on the...
Butter lettuce, also called Boston bibb, and escarole are leafy greens, but they have different textures, tastes and colors. Both are used in similar ways in some dishes, but in other dishes they don't work as interchangeably. Substituting butter...
Cool and glistening, raw oysters have dedicated fans, but the bivalves appeal to a wider audience when heated. Oyster's sumptuous meat shrivels and toughens with extended cooking, but you can cook oysters in the oven as long as you use a light...
Escarole is a type of endive with broad, flat leaves. While the two species may differ slightly in appearance, their nutritional content is the same. Escarole is simple to plant and maintain in a home garden and offers numerous nutritional...