Vegetarian meals seem made for people on the go: even the busiest cooks can create healthy dishes with simple, natural ingredients, a few toothsome spices and a modicum of preparation. Meat-free munchies store easily in the fridge or freezer,...
Eating a diet high in refined foods can lead to undernourishment, fatigue and weight gain. This is because refined foods are processed so much that they are virtually devoid of vitamins or minerals. Refined foods are typically high in fat and...
Fruits are a great way of getting nutrients and vitamins, but sometimes, eating an apple or banana can be boring. By using a little imagination, there are different ways you can jazz up your fruit to make it a more exciting snack. Use fruit that...
The mango is a tropical fruit with a distinct flavor. There are many varieties of the fruit, each varying in taste and texture, though most are generally subtly sweet with a firm flesh. They are excellent sources of antioxidants, dietary fiber and...
Naturally sweet, low in calories, rich in vitamins and minerals and virtually fat free, some fruits may be the perfect desserts for a diabetic eating plan. To bring out the flavors of fresh fruit, garnish these colorful treats with chopped nuts,...
Fruit smoothies are a delicious and easy way to add vitamins and minerals to your diet. With a little knowledge, you will be able to combine delicious fruits in your own recipes to maximize their effect. A well-balanced smoothie can contain...
Sugar does more than make food sweet. According to Cooking Light magazine, sugar helps yeast grow when you bake bread, helps make cakes and other baked goods fluffy and light, and aids browning. If you want to limit sugar in your diet, either...
Maltitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that has a more concentrated sweetness than table sugar. Less maltitol is needed for sweetness than sugar, so it is used in calorie-reduced baked goods like bread and pancakes. Maltitol doesn't...
While there's much to be said for eating fresh, sun-warmed strawberries by themselves, there's also something wonderful about basing a meal around seasonal fruits and vegetables. There are myriad ways to eat well with strawberries, and many...
Mangos are tropical fruits that can be found in grocery stores and markets year-round. They have a sweet flavor that is often enjoyed alone or included in recipes for items such as smoothies or salsa. The flesh of mangos is very slippery, which...
Smoothies are vitamin-packed, healthy beverages, normally made with fruit and juice or milk. You do not need fruit at all in smoothies. Vegetables that contain a high percentage of water are good smoothie choices along with some vegetables that...
Vegetable and fruit juices are a part of a healthy lifestyle, and making your own juice mixes not only tastes great, but are also good for your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in comparison to people whose...
Pick low carb fruits without losing your fat burning potential. A glycemic ratio measures how quickly your body reacts with an insulin spike. The insulin spike instigates the process of storing excess energy as fat. The lowest glycemic fruits are...
Tomatoes come in their own little package, but sometimes you don’t need the whole fruit for your recipe. Although the core holds the tomato together when it is sliced, it can add an unpleasant texture when making a smooth sauce or salsa....
Grilling is a method of cooking that uses a dry heat, usually from wood, coal or rocks. The food is placed on a metal grate that lets heat and flames through the spaces, cooking the food. This method of cooking gives food a distinct flavor. While...
It is easy to confuse the juice from a fresh coconut with processed coconut milk, but the two are different. The milk is actually liquid extracted from the meat of the coconut during heating. Manufacturers shred the heart of the coconut and mix it...
Caramelizing is a cooking process used to convert the starches in foods to sugar. Fruits are naturally sweet because of the natural sugars they possess, but the sweetness can be increased by cooking the fruit at high heats. Caramelizing softens...
Broiling fruit may not come to mind when you are thinking of fruit recipes, but it can be a great way to enhance its flavor and texture. Broil fruit alone or with meat and vegetables. You can broil just about any fruit including peaches, apples,...
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends adults eat a minimum of 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables daily. Fruits and vegetables offer important vitamins, minerals, heart health fiber and antioxidants. Low-fat and filling, produce also helps...
Fruits are an ideal food for a weight-loss menu because they are naturally low in fat and calories. However, Dr. Melina Jampolis, physician nutrition specialist for CNN Health, recommends sticking to three 1/2 cup servings per day because fruit is...
If you are tired of eating elderberries in jam or syrup, it is time to try a new taste sensation -- smoked elderberries. Yes, fruits can be smoked just as easily as meat or vegetables. The resulting taste is delightfully tangy and may be further...
Chilled fruit-infused tea can be a welcome refreshment on a warm summer afternoon. The three main types of tea are green, black and oolong; black and oolong provide a bolder taste, whereas green will offer a lighter, sweeter taste along with a...
Lilikoi is a tart tropical fruit that grows in warm, humid climates such as Hawaii, the Pacific Islands and certain parts of South and Central America. Although lilikoi is a type of passion fruit, it is yellow rather than purple, and is slightly...
Passion fruit is high in fiber and vitamin C and is native to South America. It has a mildly sweet flavor that makes it great for eating plain, adding to salads or blending with other fruits. In the United States, the most commonly-available...
The inside section of a pumpkin may seem like waste when you are carving, but with a little ingenuity, the seeds make a fun snack food. Roasted pumpkins seeds have a distinctive taste once cooked and can be a family favorite every Halloween....
Beets come in different colors, from white to dark red. A single beet has only 35 calories and no fat or cholesterol. It provides 2 g of fiber, 1 g of protein, vitamin C, iron, calcium and folate. Beets also clean your blood and aid your liver,...
The connection between health and diet cannot be disputed. Many of the most common chronic diseases can be controlled or prevented by following a better diet. The body is resilient and can heal some damage caused by poor diet. Simple changes to...
Native to southern China, the lychee is a sub-tropical fruit the size of a small plum. It has an inedible, red knobbly skin covering a delicate, pinkish-white translucent pulp that surrounds a large dark brown seed. The skin slips off easily with...
Cactus fruit bears the monikers prickly pear in the United States, tuna in Mexico and sabra in Israel. It is the fruit of the opuntia cactus. The prickly pear cactus is native to North and South American. It is now grown around the world, in hot...