Diet & Nutrition focuses on healthy eating habits, meal planning, and the benefits of various nutrients, providing tips for maintaining a balanced diet and improving overall health.

Found in everything from cosmetics to ice cream, xanthan gum — produced by fermenting corn sugar with a bacterium — is a widely used additive that functions as a thickener, binder, and emulsifier (1). Whereas a thickener simply increases viscosity, a binder keeps ingredients together and an emulsifier mixes components that would otherwise separate, such as oil and vinegar. This is why xanthan gum is commonly used in salad dressings…

Thai tea is a chilled, spiced black tea beverage that often includes cardamom and star anise. Due to the added sweeteners, it’s sugary, so it’s wise to enjoy Thai tea in moderation. Widely enjoyed at Thai eateries around the globe, including those in the United States, Thai tea blends traditional Thai street tea with Western preferences for sweet, boldly flavored iced drinks. Essentially, Thai tea is iced black tea combined…

El nivel de pH de la vagina juega un papel fundamental para conservar su salud. No obstante, existen diversos factores naturales y ambientales que pueden alterar este equilibrio, provocando síntomas como picor, escozor y variaciones en el flujo vaginal. Con una comprensión básica de la escala de pH y su relación con tu organismo, puedes adoptar medidas para preservar el pH vaginal dentro de un rango saludable. Veamos algunas formas…

Brown sugar is essentially granulated sugar combined with molasses, which gives it a darker hue. It differs from standard white sugar in taste, baking applications, manufacturing, and marginally in nutrient composition. Sugar has been a natural part of human diets for millennia. Although there are numerous varieties, brown and white sugar remain among the most commonly used types. This piece examines the differences between brown and white sugar to help…

There are several alternatives you can use instead of brown sugar, such as coconut sugar, plain white granulated sugar, and less-refined options like demerara or turbinado. You’ve probably experienced the annoyance of getting partway through making perfect chocolate chip cookies only to discover you’ve run out of brown sugar. Fortunately, there are practical swaps you can make in a pinch — many of which you likely already have in your…

When citrus season arrives and the produce aisle overflows with different varieties, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices. Each variety has its own traits, so if you’re after a particular taste, mouthfeel, or peel, it helps to know how they differ. This article outlines the main distinctions and commonalities between two well-loved citrus types — tangerines and clementines. (img by Cookist) Very closely related Tangerines and clementines are…

Clementines — often sold under names like Cuties or Halos — are a cross between mandarins and sweet oranges. (img by Solid Starts) These small fruits are vividly orange, simple to peel, sweeter than many other citrus varieties, and generally seedless. Because of these traits, they’re frequently promoted to parents and kids as a convenient way to add fruit to a child’s diet. They supply a good amount of vitamin…

If you’re expecting, you’ve likely heard the phrase “eating for two.” That’s a bit of an exaggeration — during the first trimester you don’t need extra calories, and later in pregnancy you’ll typically aim for about 340 to 450 additional calories per day — but what you eat matters a great deal for your baby’s development. The amount of protein you consume while pregnant is crucial for your developing baby…

If you’ve noticed you’re passing more gas lately, it’s unlikely that protein itself is solely to blame. More often, ingredients added to protein powders and certain food components are the true culprits behind increased flatulence. Flatulence is one of the main ways your body expels intestinal gas; the other common route is burping. Intestinal gas forms from both the foods you eat and the air you swallow while eating or…