Food and Health

If you grew up eating the standard American diet, your first curry might have been a shock to your palate. (Either “My mouth is on fire; where’s the fire extinguisher?” or “Where have you been all my life?” depending on the level of spiciness and your tolerance.) But if you have Indian, Thai, Caribbean, or Chinese ancestry, curries may have been part of your culinary tradition for centuries. So what kinds of curries are there? Are they good for you? Can they be plant-based? And how can you get started cooking some of the world’s most popular dishes?

Dates are among the world’s sweetest fruits. But they’re surprisingly healthy and can even be good for the planet! Here’s what to know about dates and how to best enjoy them.

Let’s hear it for crunch! We love foods that snap and break in our mouths — the louder, the better. From chips to crisps to puffs to crackers to pretzels, most of us can’t get enough of that crunchy mouthfeel. But our modern diet is full of unhealthy crunch. What can we do about that? Do we have to settle for limp, soggy fare? Or can we find healthy ways to satisfy our munchies for the crunchies?

You may know omega-3 as a celebrated nutrient found in flaxseeds, chia seeds, and fish oil supplements. But what’s so special about omega-3s? Are there downsides to be aware of? And what are the best ways to meet your omega-3 needs?

We used to check our watches only when we wanted to know what time it was. Now, that little device on your wrist can display your heart rate, blood oxygen, stress level, calories burned, and how many steps you’ve taken since you got out of bed. Health trackers are here to stay. And they’re getting ever more sophisticated in the data they can collect, and the nudges they can provide. But should you wear one? And if so, which kind? And are there any downsides to them?

Mangoes are one of the most popular fruits in the world and for good reason. They’re sweet, juicy, and delicious — but are they too delicious to be healthy? And how are they for the environment? In this article, we look at the facts and myths about the world’s favorite drupe.

Cherries can be sweet or sour, red or black, and are the perfect addition to desserts or savory meals. And while they do have a tendency to stain your clothing, they can be one of the most delicious foods on the planet, which most people would say is a fair trade-off. But are cherries good for you, how should you use them, and do they come with any downsides?

In the West, sushi has gone from unfamiliar to mainstream over the past couple of decades. But while many people love the taste of sushi rice and salty seaweed, some don’t want to eat fish. Luckily, we can make vegan sushi that’s every bit as tasty as the fishy original.

Many omnivores cite bacon as the reason they’ll never stop eating meat (or even cut down a bit). But with plant-based bacon alternatives getting better and better, even bacon-lovers may find themselves inching toward healthier, more ethical, and more sustainable diets. In this article, we look at vegan bacon - why it’s superior, how to make it, and how to enjoy it.

Zinc gets good press for its role in shortening the common cold, and its possible contribution to COVID-19 prevention. But boosting the immune system is not all that zinc does for your body. So how much do you need, where should you get it, and how much is too much? This article answers these questions and more.

Tomatoes. Are they a fruit or a vegetable? But more importantly, are they good for you, or do they have hidden downsides? Here’s what to know about one of the world’s most widely-eaten plants.

Food additives run rampant in the modern food system, even in foods labeled natural or organic. So what purpose do food additives serve; which ones are allowed in organic foods, and which ones are the safest to consume?