Nutrition/Healthy Eating Articles

Question: Can you please help me understand the characteristics that distinguish a macrobiotic diet from other diets, especially a vegan diet? newsletter_teaser: The macrobiotic diet is more than just a dietary regimen; it’s a lifestyle. Many people erroneously believe this diet is a very rigorous version of a vegan diet, but while the macrobiotic diet shares many of the same attributes as the strictly plant-based diet, it does allow some animal products.

These days, when many chefs are sourcing locally and seasonally, and abiding by sustainable practices, they may believe they are cooking healthy meals, says Emmanuel Verstraeten, founder and CEO of SPE Certified® (see feature story). “While [sustainability] is an appropriate first step, it is not sufficient to close the loop on delivering nutritionally balanced, great-tasting dishes. What is missing is a culinary approach to nutrition whereby dishes are created to deliver the maximum in nutrient density, while retaining every ounce of deliciousness and taste. newsletter_teaser: These days, when many chefs are sourcing locally and seasonally, and abiding by sustainable practices, they may believe they are cooking healthy meals, says Emmanuel Verstraeten, founder and CEO of SPE Certified® (see feature story). “While [sustainability] is an appropriate first step, it is not sufficient to close the loop on delivering nutritionally balanced, great-tasting dishes.

With new evidence demonstrating that certain foods could be as detrimental to our well-being as cigarettes, consumers may find comfort in knowing instantly and unequivocally that a menu item they are about to select has been bestowed with a health halo by a trusted, independent source. newsletter_teaser: With new evidence demonstrating that certain foods could be as detrimental to our well-being as cigarettes, consumers may find comfort in knowing instantly and unequivocally that a menu item they are about to select has been bestowed with a health halo by a trusted, independent source.

What are the differences between male and female belly fat?

Exercise is clearly part of a healthy fitness equation, but it also seems to play a role in steering us toward making healthier food choices, according to a study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (doi:10.3945/ajcn.113 .071381).

Here’s a great vegan, gluten-free lunch idea from IDEA author and presenter Teri Gentes that packs and travels beautifully. Make a bunch on Sunday afternoon to have ready as snacks or as lunch mains during your busy week.

A variety of fresh cabbage is readily available in spring gardens and at farmers’ markets. Here is a creative way to enjoy it and to introduce other ingredients to your family and friends. The faculty at The Culinary Institute of America suggests a delicious heart-healthy and diabetes-friendly variation on a traditional stuffed cabbage roll with this salmon and wild rice recipe.

Chances are that you, one of your friends or a client has adopted a gluten-free diet. In fact, that is reality—according to a recent poll by The NPD Group, a leading global information company, that showed about 30% of adults want to cut down or be free of gluten in their diets.

Protein is the latest item to be given the health halo effect, a phenomenon that leads people to overestimate the healthfulness of a food based on one quality. With customers convinced that protein-rich foods will help them lose weight, boost energy or bulk up (Nassauer 2013), food manufacturers have capitalized on the halo effect by creating new products to meet the demand. While protein is essential to life and good health, most Americans get plenty without adding protein-packed snacks.

We’re firmly established in the new year, and so are some of the food and nutrition trends that experts are predicting will unfold this year. Here is a quick roundup from various sources on what we can expect: Boulder, Colorado–based brand-strategy company Sterling-Rice Group recently called out 10 trends, six of which are reported here: