This crazy looking vegetable can be daunting for first time indulgers, but it is well worth the effort.  The artichoke is actually the unopened bud of a type of thistle plant.  One medium size artichoke contains significant amounts of fiber, vitamin C, and folate.   Whole, steamed artichokes are meant to be eaten slowly, lingering over each delectable bite. When the artichoke arrives at your table, peel off a leaf and bite off the tender bottom portion.  more...

Full Question: “I love roasted vegetables. At home I roast mostly sweet potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli. Yum! Is that something restaurants could offer or is too time consuming to make and keep tasting fresh? I think if more people had the opportunity to try roasted veggies, they would love them.”

It is great that you are preparing your vegetables in such a healthy way at home! more...

With Thanksgiving around the corner, many families across America are purchasing sweet potatoes (or yams) for their big meal. When at the grocery store, you might notice that the term “yam” and “sweet potato” are interchangeable, thanks to USDA labeling requirements.  However, there is quite a big difference between yams and sweet potatoes, both physically and nutritionally.

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Pesto is a delicious sauce often made from basil, olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese and pine nuts more...

The amount of calories and other nutrient levels for a fish nugget dinner can vary widely from one restaurant to the next. Calorie levels for menu items are affected by a number of factors, including the recipe, any accompanying side dishes, specific ingredients, quantities and cooking preparation. For example, one restaurant may choose to marinate the fish in lemon juice and olive oil and then coat it with breadcrumbs before baking. Another may coat the fish with egg and flour before more...

The Meatless Monday health campaign is sweeping the nation. Not only is incorporating plant based foods into your diet good for your health, it’s easy on both your pocket book and the environment. Meat substitutes like soybeans, tofu and meat analogue (such as vegetarian “chicken” or “beef”) products can fill you up while giving you a protein boost. Beans like black beans, cannellini beans and more...

Question: "I read in a magazine that sesame seeds/oil is considered a “superfood.” Is this true?"

Sesame is a great, healthy addition to any diet and is considered a superfood by many. Being a “superfood” means that it has added health benefits and often contains high amounts of nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants.  Many different cultures use sesame more...

• Sandwiches can provide a balanced meal in more...

• Watch the portion size (the smaller the latte, the smaller amount of calories and fat it will have)< more...

• Hide vegetables in other food items. Puree vegetables like tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots or spinach and include them more...

Veggie burgers are a great choice for vegetarians and those looking to lower their saturated fat intake. Veggie burgers come in many varieties; some are packed with soy proteins or cheese, while others contain actual veggies and whole grains, like brown rice and quinoa. Be careful, though, as sometimes restaurants deep fry their veggie burgers to add flavor and texture, a process that adds more calories. Some packaged/processed patties can be higher in sodium than traditional beef burgers. more...

• You want to avoid items that say fried or breaded
• Skip high-fat add-ins such as cheese, sour cream, mayo and guacamole
• When ordering salad, always ask for the dressing on the side and add the dressing sparingly
• Opt for the grilled chicken sandwich instead of the burger or fried chicken sandwich
• A lot of chains more...

Hello Healthy Diners! A really good question came up last week about fiber and whether added fiber in products is beneficial. Here's what our dietitians have to say:

Added fiber is beneficial, but make sure you're getting fiber from a variety of different sources, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes, not only what's added into products.

Fiber has many different health benefits, such as helping to lower blood cholesterol more...