Last year, an article entitled “Can We Say What Diet is Best for Health?” was published in the scientific literature, and James Hamblin wrote a story about it for the Atlantic. He called it “Science Compared Every Diet, and the Winner is Real Food.” You know, I would have edited out the word “Real” and then called it, simply, “Food.” The original article was written by David Katz and Stephanie Meller, of Yale School of Public Health. Continue reading
Category Archives: Beans & Legumes
The Magical Fruit
On the occasion of my ninth birthday, my beloved Uncle Lenny gave me a book called The Human Body, which still owns a place on the shelves that hold my medical books. I called it “The Body Book,” and I carried it everywhere until I had learned everything in it, cover to cover. I was fascinated not only by the contents, but also by the idea that each part of the body was uniquely designed to do exactly what was required of it. Form followed function, and I couldn’t get enough. That, parenthetically, was also the year I realized I was going to become a doctor. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: October Pumpkin Chili
This is one of those recipes that comes straight out of your pantry and right into the pot. It’s a perfect choice for when you haven’t had time to go shopping, but you’re still looking for something yummy and nourishing that sticks to your ribs. Continue reading
Plant-Based Eating and the Esselstyns
I had the pleasure last week of hearing Dr. Caldwell and Anne Esselstyn speak on plant-based eating. Their strategy, which works beautifully for them, is to include among their food options only those items that belong to the macronutrient category I term “intact carbohydrates,” i.e., carbs with an intact fiber matrix. This is in contrast to “stripped carbs,” which have had their fiber matrix removed. Their diet is very similar to the vegan diet, with one major exception as enumerated below.
Intact carbs are rich in fiber, and consist of these four food categories: vegetables, beans, fruits and [whole] grains. In addition to fiber, a second major benefit of intact carbs is their color. No other food group contains fiber, and no other food group has such a tremendous variety of colors. Each color represents a different phytonutrient, so the more colorful your food, the more antioxidant power your diet will provide. All good. Continue reading
A Novel Approach to Epic-Sized Portions
Most of us keep a budget of some kind; limits keep us on track. It may be tight and to the penny, or it may be simply a rough idea of what’s available. Whether you are used to flying commercial or private, eating off paper plates or porcelain, keeping your accounts flush and staying within a budget helps to avert disaster and to achieve long-term goals for yourself and your family. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Adzuki Sprouts Salad
Why is it that the likelihood of requests for a recipe is usually in direct proportion to the rapidity with which you threw it together!? Last week we had a potluck at work, and I threw together a little “early morning salad.” Don’t judge me!! for having this spectacular constellation of ingredients at hand, just in case, you know, I had to throw together an impressive, last-minute salad! Sometimes the stars just line up. Sometimes, on the other hand, Mercury is in retrograde. Okay, let’s give it a shot. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Chickpea Chica’s Salad
This week we are all about this summer salad, created by our very own Chickpea Chica! The Chickpea Chica has developed dozens of recipes that showcase bright flavors you would never have thought to combine. So we celebrate her talent and thank our lucky stars, which reminds me: It’s not too early to start collecting your recipes for July 4th! Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Black Bean Brownies
Definitely on a roll here with desserts (especially brownies)! It happens.
I am a huge fan of black-bean brownies. I owe this to two facts: First, I am a big fan of beans. And secondly, I love brownies. So there you have it. In case you are wondering, the beans in this recipe cannot be tasted at all, so feel free to make this for children and skeptics. They will NEVER know, unless you tell. Continue reading
Here’s Your Approach!
It suddenly occurred to me this week, right out of the blue, that stepping into the driver’s seat (and applying our understanding of the differences between real food and manufactured calories) looks different for each of the three major macronutrients: carbohydrate, protein, fat. The strategy for each is slightly different. Now, if you’re new to this, then it’s perfectly reasonable to try one at a time and, without a single second’s hesitation, I would start with carbohydrates. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Salad meets Pad Thai
There is a strong possibility that I could live on this. Continue reading