Have you been enticed by the appearance of black rice in some of your favorite dishes or on grocery store shelves? If so, you’re definitely not alone. The mysterious, antioxidant-rich grain, also known as the “forbidden rice,” packs a heavy nutritional punch, is rich in anthocyanins (the antioxidant known for giving blueberries a deep-blue hue),…

A detox smoothie sounds like such a great idea. Gwyneth Paltrow totally loves them. The problem, however, is that all of the “detox” regimens and products out there are completely bogus. Every. Single. One. You’ve got green detox smoothies, vegan detox smoothies, heavy metal detox smoothies, smoothie cleanses, and summer detox regimens, all over the…

Surely you’ve been faced with this pressing dilemma before: cantaloupe vs. honeydew. Personally, I wouldn’t pit them against each other in a heavyweight fight. Both cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis) and honeydew (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) are low in calories and fat, and rich in essential micronutrients. Both of these melons come from the cucurbitaceae…

Zucchini, also called courgette, is a popular summertime food, even though it is used year-round in a number of recipes.  Zucchini noodles are a keto-friendly, low-carb alternative to starchy pastas, but this versatile summer squash can be used in many unique ways. It is a member of the gourd (Cucurbitaceae) family and part of the…

What Is Muskmelon? Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is a species of melon that belongs to the gourd family. It is cultivated in a variety of ways, with one cultivar being the cantaloupe. Other types of muskmelon include honeydew, Persian melon, casaba, and Armenian cucumber. Although the term "muskmelon" represents a group of melons, it is often…

What Is Mango? If you’ve never had mango before, now is the time to try it. Named the most widely consumed fruit in the world, mango (Mangifera indica) is the perfect fruit for summer. Its refreshing and tasty flavor makes the fruit a perfect dessert on its own, or as an addition to smoothies, salsas, and…

What Is Vegan Cheese? Put simply, vegan cheese is a plant-based substitute for animal-based cheese. It’s typically consumed by people who are dairy-free; have lactose intolerance; or subscribe to a plant-based, vegetarian, or vegan diet. There is no single way to make vegan or plant cheese, and a number of options exist. Some common ingredients…

Fatty liver disease affects close to a third of American adults and is a leading contributor to liver failure. Although the condition was initially closely tied to alcoholism, an increasing number of cases are being linked to diets high in processed food and sedentary behavior. Many are choosing to adopt what's called a fatty liver diet…

What Is the Carnivore Diet? The carnivore diet is virtually an all-meat diet. Unlike other popular low-carb diets, the carnivore diet aims for followers to eat zero carbs. It does not allow room for any plant-based foods, even leafy greens, and suggests eating only low-lactose/no-lactose dairy products. (Lactose is a sugar found in dairy.) It’s…

Sea vegetables, or seaweed, are nutrient-dense forms of algae that grow in saltwater. The marine vegetation grows along shorelines around the world, but is commonly used in Asian countries as food. If you’ve ever eaten sushi or had Japanese, Korean, or Chinese cuisine, you’ve likely had it. Seaweed is very versatile and can be used…