Fried, broiled, braised, or grilled: chicken is the world’s favorite meat. But is it really the healthiest?

Most of us eat a lot more chicken than we used to as its popularity has grown significantly over the years. In 1960, Americans consumed an average of about twenty-eight pounds of chicken per person each year, and that number has steadily risen with each passing year. Estimates for 2021 show us favoring this meat to the tune of ninety-eight pounds per person each year – more than triple what it was just 60 years ago!

Is that a good thing? Well, as I often say, it depends. And one of the main things it depends on is how those chickens are raised.

So let’s explore how most chickens are raised, why it matters, and how it affects your nutrition. In the end, I hope you’ll want to pay an extra five dollars to buy a pasture-raised chicken.

Fats can make or break your meal.

Quality cooking fats will embrace the flavors you introduce them to: fragrant, fresh-picked rosemary, spicy Thai peppers, pungent black mustard seeds. They carry flavors into all the nooks and crannies of your stir fry, lamb roast, and cranberry scones. Fats are a metabolism-boosting, nutrient-dense macronutrient. They nourish you deeply, from brain to microbiome, and help you feel satisfied at the end of a meal. And, they taste amazing. And, they taste amazing.

But how do you choose a quality cooking fat? Does it need refrigeration once it’s opened? What kind of storage container is best?

How are edible oils made? How long do they last? If you’ve ever found yourself wondering which oils are best and which to avoid, this article is for you!

The delicious oils within nuts, seeds, and even some fruits can be teased out through pressure, heat or solvents. Most plant oils will be refined in some way. The more refined they are, the less nutrient-dense the oil will be. This is important to know when selecting which oils to consume. So, we’ll start off with looking at extraction and processing...

Is it good to buy virgin olive oil?

What does extra virgin mean anyway? And is it worth the extra cost?

There’s more to buying a great bottle of olive oil than meets the eye. And with a few tips, you’ll know which are the most desirable oils and which ones to avoid.

Who doesn’t love the taste of carbs? Rice, pasta, oatmeal, crackers, muffins, potatoes—there’s something super satisfying about these crunchy, chewy, starchy foods. And carbs seem to grant you superpowers: energy, clarity, motivation, even happiness.

What is it about carbs that draws us in, makes it hard to stop, and keeps us coming back for more?