Food

Many people love avocados yet consistently end up disappointed by over- or underripe fruit. How can you tell when an avocado is ready to eat? What are the best techniques for cutting, storing, and eating this beloved fruit? Unlock the secrets to avocado mastery, and discover creative ways to incorporate avocados into your meals with seven delicious recipes.

BPA is a chemical that’s used in plastics, food and drink containers, cans, pizza boxes, shopping receipts, baby bottles, and much more. Scientists and public health advocates have been sounding the alarm on BPA for years, pointing out that it may be linked to reproductive health problems, diabetes, asthma, obesity, and harming fetal neurodevelopment. But its health effects may be further reaching than expected, and BPA substitutes may not be any better. Discover the latest research on BPA and similar chemicals — and what you can do about limiting your exposure.

Craving something sweet in the summertime? Skip the unhealthy processed desserts made with refined sugars or artificial sweeteners. Instead, try one (or all!) of these refreshingly healthy summer desserts. (Hint: You can enjoy many of them in fall, winter, and spring, too!)

Asparagus may be a weird-looking vegetable that makes your pee smell funny, but it’s also a nutritional powerhouse and a culinary giant. What’s in asparagus that’s so good for you, and what health benefits does it provide? How do you select the best spears, and how do you store them for maximum flavor and nutrition? Find out below!

Asparagus can be an intimidating food to tackle if you’re not familiar with this regal vegetable. Uncooked, parts of it are tough and fibrous, and yet it can turn to mush when overcooked. But thanks to its delicious taste, varieties, versatility, and nutritional profile, it’s well worth getting to know — and love — asparagus. Discover how to cook and use asparagus with seven delicious plant-based recipes.

Cucumbers are a refreshing and versatile vegetable used in salads, sandwiches, and as a healthy snack. They’re high in water and low in calories, yet some people question whether cucumbers actually provide any significant nutritional benefits. In this article, we explore the truth about cucumbers and their role in a healthy diet.

Avocados are a popular food loved by many. In fact, avocado consumption in the US has risen more than fourfold in the last 20 years. But how much do you know about this creamy green fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!)? Sure, it tastes good. But is it good for you? What are the health benefits of avocados? And are there any downsides you should know about?

Grapefruit was once one of the most popular fruits, thanks to several fad diets of the last century. Then, the medical establishment began warning that eating grapefruit could interfere with prescription drugs in potentially dangerous ways. So what’s the truth about grapefruit: health savior or health villain? In this article, we explore the real health benefits and risks of this iconic citrus fruit.

Acrylamide sure doesn’t sound like something edible. But nevertheless, the compound is in many of the most popular foods, including baked goods, fried and roasted potatoes, and even coffee. Some evidence suggests that acrylamide can trigger cancer growth — at least in rodents. But is there a cancer risk to humans? And should we try to completely eliminate acrylamide from our diets, or are there ways to cut back on exposure that reduce any potential health effects?

Most of us don’t think of lettuce as a super-nutritious food. Sure, it makes up the bulk of “ordinary” salads, and iceberg accompanies fast food meals — but in terms of raw nutritional value, we tend to think of it as a sideshow. But should we reconsider our tepid view of lettuce? Might it turn out to be a nutritional powerhouse after all? And are there ways to enjoy it that don’t just involve salad dressing?

As the earth’s human population tops eight billion, we need to figure out how to feed all those people without destroying the planet itself. In recent years, pea protein has emerged as a promising alternative to animal sources of protein, like meat and dairy. But is pea protein, a processed food, really better for us and the environment?

Buckwheat is an ancient grain that deserves more and better press than it gets. It’s gluten-free, chock-full of nutrients, and tasty. Plus, it retains its whole grain qualities even as a flour. While buckwheat is a common ingredient in some Asian and Eastern European cuisines, it hasn’t yet made much of a culinary or nutritional splash in the West. So what is buckwheat, and why should most people eat more of it?