Low carb diets, including the ketogenic diet, have been controversial for decades. The belief that fats are bad while carbohydrates are good, which has its origins in scientifically questionable studies from the 1950s, still assumes a strong hold over public consciousness. However, the tides are gradually turning, and more researchers are beginning to question the 20th century’s incessant demonization of fats. In fact, since 2002 there have been over 20 studies conducted on low carb…
The general consensus among medical professionals is that whole grains are an essential component of our diet. After all, everyone knows that grain products comprise the entire base of the United States Department of Agriculture’s official food pyramid, and that adults should consume between 6 and 11 servings of grains per day for optimum health. Surely a food group that is promoted so widely, and is held in such regard by experts, couldn’t be bad…
Sweet potatoes are the tuberous roots of the sweet potato vine, which thrives in the warmest regions of the world. They are characterized by the vivid colors of their flesh, which range from deep orange to light purple, and tend to be longer and thinner than regular white potatoes (to which they’re distantly related). Moreover, sweet potatoes are not the same as yams, despite their close physical resemblances. Sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest…
The lucuma (Pouteria lucuma) is a subtropical fruit native to Peru, Chile, and Ecuador. It is especially popular in Peru, and is closely linked to the nation’s culture. For example, lucuma is commonly found at the burial sites of indigenous people, and it is often incorporated into the ancient Moche people’s artwork. Even today, lucuma is Peru’s most popular ice cream flavor, trumping both vanilla and chocolate. Lucuma is not well-known outside of South America,…
Coconut sugar, also known as coconut sap sugar, is a sugar derived from the sap of coconut tree flowers. It has been used as a traditional sweetener for centuries in regions where coconut trees flourish, such as Southeast Asia. Coconut sugar is mostly comprised of sucrose, which gives it a sweet, caramel-like flavor. Unlike refined white sugar, coconut sugar is minimally processed, and few if any chemicals are added to it, meaning that most of…
