Welcome to science-informed home baking 101! Here are some facts you should know about sugar. Sugar acts like a street drug: Sugar activates the same pleasure and reward pathways in the brain as cocaine and heroin. Similar to other addictive substances, people develop tolerance to sugar, and need increasing amounts to feel satisfied. Sound familiar?…
Category: Anti-Inflammatory Cooking Tips
Knowing which oils to cook with and how is an important part of adhering to the anti-inflammatory diet. Understanding the smoke point of these oils helps you decide which ones to use and how.
Winter Herbs, Kidney Yang, Evidence-Based Medicine…and Chicken Soup?
Woody, wintery herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme (thank you, Art Garfunkel!) can add delicious depth of flavor to a dish, but they are more than just tasty. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these plants play an important role in normalizing digestion, and Western medical evidence suggests that these plants have antibacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties….
Garlic: Aromatic, and Good for You
Westernized countries have significantly higher rates of autoimmune disease, and this rate is more than genetics and bad luck. Diet, environmental toxins, and the composition of one’s personal gut microbiome may strongly influence our chances of developing an autoimmune disease. Of these factors, food, is the biggest, actionable trigger for autoimmunity, and choosing wisely can …
Nonstick Cookware: You Deserve Better than PFAS!
It has been said that you should not eat food cooked by angry people, as their food contains the toxic residues of their emotional state. It turns out that toxic residues come in many forms-even your favorite nonstick cookware! These pans are coated with per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS, which make cleaning…
Ginger: An Ayurvedic Herb with Modern Sensibilities-A Rheumatology Perspective
Ginger root is used all over the world for spiritual enlightenment, as well as for its pro-mobility, thermogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. In Ayurvedic medicine, the ginger plant is considered to be “sattvic,” or infused with a divine energy leading to mental clarity, empathy, and wisdom. Ancient Ayurvedic texts explain that the act of ingesting ginger…
Glyphosate: It’s Everywhere, and What to Do About It.
Glyphosate is the most commonly sprayed herbicide used on crops today. Glyphosate is otherwise known as Roundup-you may be familiar with it as a product for lawn care. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified glyphosate as “non-toxic under the acute toxicity classification system.” Unfortunately, this statement does not address the bigger problem with glyphosate,…
Beans and the Microbiome: What to know about Prebiotics
Prebiotics are an important part of an anti-inflammatory diet, because they support the microbiome, a complex collection of bacteria, virus, and fungi that inhabit your skin and digestive tract. The majority of the human microbiome resides in the large intestine, and is made up of more than a thousand different species. These bacteria are responsible for…
Healthy Oils, and How to Cook with Them
Dietary fat can get a bad rap, but knowing how to consume the right fats is vital for your health. Plant-based oils can provide essential fatty acids, allow your body to absorb vitamins and minerals, and are a nutritious source of energy for your cells. To reap these benefits, choose oils that are rich in…
The Dirty Dozen, and the Clean Fifteen: What you Need to Know
Dirty dozen The Environmental working group publishes an annual shopper’s guide of produce with a catchy name, the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15. Each year the EWG analyzes data from the USDA to determine which fruits and vegetables in the US have the most and least pesticide contamination. Fruits and vegetables with delicate exteriors…
What to Eat if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis: Fish is on the Menu
By Dr. Jill Weintraub When I design recipes for people with rheumatoid arthritis, I start with the research. Then I synthesize the medical evidence through a “what to add, and what to remove from your diet” paradigm. High up on the “what to add” list are fish. The oils in fatty fish like salmon, sardines,…