Magazine

Washing Raw Chicken “For Cleanliness” Washing Raw Chicken “For Cleanliness” (image credits: unsplash) That habit your grandmother passed down of rinsing chicken under running water before cooking? USDA research has found that washing or rinsing meat or poultry increases the risk for cross-contamination in the kitchen, which can cause foodborne illness. From a food safety perspective, washing raw poultry, beef, pork, lamb or veal before cooking it is not recommended as the safest method. The trouble is that doing so can spread any bacteria that may be on the chicken around your sink and kitchen—countertops, cutlery, curtains, and other food … Read more

Rice: A Surprising Food Poisoning Risk Rice: A Surprising Food Poisoning Risk (image credits: flickr) Rice might seem like the ideal leftover—just pop it in the microwave and you’re good to go, right? Surprisingly, rice can become a hidden danger in your kitchen if it’s not handled correctly. When cooked rice is left out at room temperature, it creates the perfect playground for Bacillus cereus, a bacteria known for causing some nasty stomach upsets. This bacteria can survive even after reheating, lurking quietly and waiting for an unsuspecting bite. Families often reheat rice without a second thought, but if it … Read more

Once the golden child of plant-based wellness, oat milk is now facing serious scrutiny from nutrition experts. In 2024, the product accounted for over half of coffee sales nationwide, making it Britain’s favorite dairy alternative. Yet despite its enormous popularity, health professionals are increasingly sounding alarm bells about what they’re calling a well-marketed but nutritionally questionable beverage. The controversy erupted across social media platforms throughout 2024 and continues into 2025, with wellness influencers and registered nutritionists alike questioning whether this creamy coffee companion deserves its healthy reputation. Let’s be real, this isn’t just another food fad debate – there are … Read more

United States: The Fast Food Capital Defies Health Experts United States: The Fast Food Capital Defies Health Experts (image credits: unsplash) Here’s the shocking truth: while health experts constantly warn Americans about the dangers of processed food and obesity, fast food consumption in the US just keeps climbing. The United States leads in consumption, with individuals indulging 1-3 times per week, contributing to an annual expenditure of $160 billion. This significant intake is reflected in the habits of 37% of American adults who consume fast food daily and 83% of households that do so weekly. It’s mind-blowing when you think … Read more

You’ve probably noticed those pinkish crystal chunks sitting next to regular salt at the grocery store, priced at nearly twenty times the cost. The marketing speaks of ancient purity, dozens of minerals, and transformative health benefits. Sounds almost too good to be true, right? That pink hue looks undeniably appealing in your kitchen, promising something better than boring old table salt. Let’s be real, most of us have wondered if those extra dollars actually buy us anything beyond aesthetics and clever branding. The Origin Story: Where Does Pink Salt Actually Come From? The Origin Story: Where Does Pink Salt Actually … Read more

Bananas and Apples: The Ultimate Ripening Trap Bananas and Apples: The Ultimate Ripening Trap (image credits: unsplash) Many ripening fruit produce the hydrocarbon gas ethylene as they ripen, which itself triggers more ripening. Bananas are especially productive sources of the gas, and putting one that’s in the process of going brown next to apples, pears or hard avocados will greatly speed up their ripening. Your innocent fruit bowl might actually be sabotaging your weekly grocery haul without you even realizing it. Fruits such as apples, bananas, and pears emit a greater amount of ethylene gas, which as a result affects … Read more

Tomatoes Transform from Firm to Mushy Tomatoes Transform from Firm to Mushy (image credits: unsplash) Tomatoes are the perfect example of why water content matters when freezing. When the water freezes, it expands and the ice crystals cause the cell walls to rupture. So the texture of thawed produce is much softer than when it was raw. For example, when a frozen tomato is thawed, it becomes mushy and watery. The good news is that you can still use these transformed tomatoes effectively. If you use it in something cooked (e.g. tomato sauce), that might not even be a problem, … Read more

The Allure of Sugar Substitutes The Allure of Sugar Substitutes (image credits: wikimedia) Sugar substitutes have always seemed like the perfect answer: all the sweetness, none of the guilt. It’s no wonder the global market for these products soared to about $10 billion in 2024, as more people looked for ways to satisfy their cravings without the health downsides of regular sugar. Supermarket shelves are piled high with brightly labeled packets promising zero calories and a “natural” taste. For years, I bought into the hype, believing that using aspartame, sucralose, or stevia would help me manage my weight and keep … Read more

Raw Meat and Poultry: The Ultimate Temperature Danger Raw Meat and Poultry: The Ultimate Temperature Danger (image credits: unsplash) You might think that quickly defrosting your chicken on the counter is harmless, but leaving food out too long at room temperature can cause bacteria (such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Campylobacter) to grow to dangerous levels that can cause illness. Raw meat and poultry are among the most dangerous foods to leave at room temperature because they create the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Bacteria grow most rapidly in the range of temperatures between 40° … Read more

The Unexpected Champion – Watercress Takes the Crown The Unexpected Champion – Watercress Takes the Crown (image credits: unsplash) You might walk past it in the grocery store without a second glance, but watercress scored a perfect 100 points on the Centers for Disease Control’s nutrient density ranking, making it the most nutrient-dense fruit or vegetable studied. While kale gets all the Instagram glory and spinach fills our smoothies, this humble aquatic green quietly dominates the nutritional leaderboard. The leafy green provides 22% of the daily recommended value of vitamin A per cup and 24% of the daily recommended value … Read more