Nutrition

Your gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, living in your gastrointestinal tract. While you may not even know this community of living things is inside your body, it has a tremendous effect on your health. In fact, keeping this microbiome healthy can help...

Your recipe calls for scallions but all you have are green onions. What do you do? You use green onions because they are literally the same thing as scallions! Two different names for the same thing can make things confusing. Scallions (or green onions) are long, tender green and white stalks with...

Like in most subject areas, there will always be myths, particularly when it comes to food and health. Here are five nutrition myths I am happy to debunk. 1. Carbs are bad for you. Carbohydrates serve as your body’s preferred source of energy for daily tasks and it provides fuel...

Refried beans may not have the most appealing look, but their creamy delicious taste makes up for it. They are traditionally made from pinto beans, but black beans may be prepared this way as well. Contrary to their name, refried beans are not fried twice. They are boiled, mashed and then either...

This blog post was written by Nutrition & Wellness intern, Kelley Herman.  Most people are used to going to the grocery store, cruising down the cracker and snack aisle, and picking up some granola bars or crackers for quick snacks in the future. These prepackaged options are...

If you’ve never seen poppy seeds, you may wonder what these tiny dark specks are doing all over your bagel. Poppy seeds are often used in baked goods, giving the product a slight nutty, sweet/spicy taste, a crunchy texture, and a unique decoration. There are many different types of poppy seeds,...

Squish it. Smash it. Smoosh it. Our very first taste of solid food most likely came in a mashed or pureed form. However, as we have aged into adults, we must not forget that we can still enjoy our inner-baby’s love of mush. Here are four mashed foods that shouldn’t be stopped when the high chair...

Years of scientific research tells us that there is a connection between food and health. Evidence shows that a healthy diet as part of an active lifestyle can reduce the risk of chronic disease. However, with nutritional advice constantly circulating the internet, how do we know what is sound...

This blog post was written by Illinois State University graduate student and dietetic intern, Kayla Kaspari.  Get inspiralized by zoodles, or zucchini turned into pasta noodles. Spiralizing has gained popularity over the last few years, and not just in your kitchen. You can now find...

Cauliflower is no longer just a side dish; it’s often the star of the meal. This cruciferous vegetable is like the underdog that has recently been discovered for it’s enormous talent. What’s it’s talent? Versatility. Chefs and foodie entrepreneurs have given this bland veggie new life. Use...