Daikon is a white root vegetable often seen in Japanese and Chinese cuisine that resembles a carrot. However, unlike a carrot's sweetness, daikon is spicy and tart, similar to a radish. Its pungent and sharp flavor can be enjoyed raw, pickled, or cooked. The white pigment in daikon is called anthoxanthin, which is an antioxidant that may lower cholesterol and blood pressure. In Asian cuisine, Read more

It's common knowledge to eat macronutrients like protein, fat, and carbohydrates, but many people skimp out on micronutrients, especially those that come from plants. Phytonutrients, or "plant-based" nutrients, consist of fruits and vegetables that make up the colors of the rainbow. By eating a variety of colors, you are providing your body with antioxidants and other nutrients that protect your Read more

It's National Nutrition Month, and while you may be eating all the bright colors of the rainbow, don't overlook that less flashy color — brown. As in, the brown crimini button mushroom, a market and salad bar staple for good reason. The common mushroom is hiding some important nutrients that vegetarians should make sure they get enough of. One such important nutrient is selenium. While meat, Read more

Afer a long day, a glass of wine may just be what's in order, especially since so many studies have proven it to be so good for us. In fact, alcohol in general has certain health benefits, like reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as decreasing the risk of developing gallstones. However, all these happy benefits come with a huge caveat: they are only seen in moderate Read more

January is dedicated to New Year's resolutions. February is all about hearts. And March is National Nutrition Month — that's 31 days dedicated to cultivating sound eating habits. Created by the American Dietetic Association to help Americans improve their diets, the month comes during the time of year when people find their resolve for making healthy choices start to fade. This year's slogan, Read more

When shopping for in-season vegetables, turnip isn't the first Winter vegetable to come to mind. The cold-weather crop doesn't win the popularity vote over more tastier or well-known options at the farmers market. Turnips, however, hold a good deal of nutritional value. One serving of the root (about 1 cup) offers almost as much potassium as a banana, and also contains vitamins C and B, such as Read more

I'm definitely a fan of Valentine's Day, but mostly because I like the excuse to eat chocolate. Besides tasting good, dark chocolate is full of heart-healthy flavonoids (equal to many fruits), can soothe a cough, increase blood flow, and lower blood pressure. Spread the love even more this holiday by buying my picks for chocolate that's organic, Fair Trade, or health-inspired, and don't forget Read more

Yet another reason to savor chocolate this Valentine's Day: it does a body good — maybe even better than fruit. Or so says a new study. According to scientists, the findings show chocolate has antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavanols equal to (and in some cases greater than) fruit. The study, conducted by the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition and published in Chemistry Central Journal, Read more