Today’s melons are way beyond your standard cantaloupes, honeydews and watermelons (though they are delicious this time of year). Exploring the produce section, I came across some newer variety melons I hadn’t seen before. Luckily, they were sampling. Here are some varieties that you might want to sample for yourself: Sugar Kiss – Round with netted skin and light salmon-colored flesh. The texture is soft, juicy and sweet like candy. Golden Kiss– This is a very flavorful Charentais variety. You can spot it by the netted skin and distinctive green ribs. The flesh is firm and a deep orange color with […]
As the summer heats up, quick salads and meals inspire my favorite international-style dressings, while maximizing the benefits of FoodTrients. Most of these dressings can also be used to marinate meat, chicken or seafood. You’ll notice that many of these dressings/marinades contain a small amount of mustard. Mustard serves as an excellent emulsifier to fully incorporate the oil and the acid. It also tenderizes the protein you are using in the dish. BBQ Grilled Scallops with Grilled Asparagus Scallops are such wonderful nuggets of protein with a sweet, nutty taste. Scallops are also low in calories, high in protein (19.5 […]
Over the past year, FoodTrients has been exploring foods and flavors from around the globe. This
Most of us enjoy sweet beverages during the warm days of summer—juices, iced tea, lemonade, and others. But there are times when drinks become even more refreshing if they offer a slightly savory element. Besides, juices and sweetened beverages have high amounts of sugar that can aggravate a propensity for diabetes and other health issues, including weight gain. Beverages that refresh with ingredients such as sparkling mineral water, herbs, florals and vegetables can be a welcome change. Non-alcoholic beer, for example, has a number of health benefits. Not only is it lower in calories than that alcoholic beer, but the […]
The Caribbean region has long been described as a melting pot, with many cultures and ethnicities represented. The region is made up of over 700 islands, islets, reefs, and cays, and is home to more than 43 million people. The cultural diversity present in this region is reflected in its cuisine with influences from African, Creole, Cajun, Amerindian, European, Latin American, Indian/South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Chinese cultures. African culture has left a lasting mark in Caribbean history bringing music, dance, cuisine, and customs while the region was under colonial rule. This influence has undeniably shaped the Caribbean into what […]
By Roberto Tostado, M.D. This pandemic has exposed our human fragility and compromised immunity from a steady diet of processed foods and a medical system that manages disease with drugs instead of healing with nutrition. We are vulnerable to infection, disease and death from this affliction of bad food and bad medicine. However, our quarantined existence can give us pause to reassess our habits and choices to create a healthier lifestyle for ourselves and loved ones and not consent to chronic disease and poisoned foods any longer. We have been weakened and debilitated by our own industries with chronic illness […]
This blend of nuts, seeds and spices originated in Egypt as a spread for flat bread or as a dip. Benefits: Nuts and sesame seeds have unsaturated omega-6 fatty acids which are considered heart-healthy. Focusing on unsaturated fatty acids rather than saturated fats can improve cardiovascular health. Coriander seeds contain magnesium (which helps lower blood pressure) and selenium (which protects the heart and regulates blood clotting). Sumac also can help to decrease blood pressure. Cumin has iron which transports oxygen around the body, and manganese which is part of an enzyme that fights free radicals. Yields about 1¾ cups […]
India is home to a wide variety of foods and cuisines based on region and culture. Northern regions often consume aromatic, savory gravies, stir-fries, and flatbreads, Southern regions incorporate rice, lentils, tomato and tamarind into their dishes, and those living on the coast eat seafood, rice, and coconut-based foods (very generally speaking). Many people in India are vegetarians while others regularly eat mutton and chicken. One theme seen throughout this country is the incorporation of spices while cooking. Not only do the spices provide powerful flavoring, but they provide some great medicinal uses as well. Indian cuisine is known for […]
There are many supplements on the market that promise to help improve health, but do they really work? And are they worth the money? In this, the fourth and final piece of the FoodTrients supplements series, we will take a look at some of the most common supplements and their purported benefits. We will also discuss whether getting nutrients from food or supplements is more beneficial for your body so that you get all the answers to whether or not supplements can support you for certain common health conditions. Keep in mind that supplements are not regulated by the FDA […]
Saffron is a spice sometimes referred to as “red gold” or “the queen of spices” with some impressive potential health benefits. It is one of the most expensive spices in the world, mostly due to its costly production and labor-intensive harvesting process. Saffron originated in the Mediterranean region and has long been used as a traditional spice, coloring agent, and medicine. In addition to adding a vibrant golden color to dishes, saffron adds a subtly sweet and floral flavor. Many of saffron’s health benefits stem back to its high levels of three powerful antioxidants which may play an important role […]









