Food Fundamentals

A young girl with curly hair tied in pigtails adorned with pink bows enjoys eating a large slice of watermelon. Embracing her vegetarian side, she wears a purple top and is surrounded by lush green grass, smiling as she bites into the juicy fruit.

Picnics Make Summer Fun

Summer is all about spotting wildflowers in the woods, jumping in the lake, singing around a campfire, watching hummingbirds at the feeder, and of course, having picnics. Whether you are ...

A variety of green vegetables, including spinach, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, avocado, cabbage, green beans, and cauliflower—all essential in a plant-based diet—are arranged on a rustic, textured gray surface.

Food Fundamentals

So many Green Foods

Stefan Schielke

Every shade of green you can imagine can be found in whole plant foods. The green color in plants is because of a pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll makes foods appear ...

A wicker basket filled with broccoli, red and yellow bell peppers, and cucumbers. Surrounding it are garlic bulbs, carrots, cherry tomatoes, corn, eggplant, red cabbage, and leafy greens—a vibrant spread perfect for any vegetarian feast on a blue and white checkered tablecloth.

Food Fundamentals

So Many Lovely Foods

Stefan Schielke

Have you ever heard the expression, “we eat with our eyes”? While everyone knows that we really eat with our mouths, the expression captures the essence of why food presentation ...

A person wearing a black suit is holding a small, closed brown paper bag with both hands against a pink background. Perhaps it contains a vegan treat curated by an expert dietitian. Only the hands and part of the suit are visible.

Food Fundamentals

So Many Packed Lunches

Stefan Schielke

Do you bring lunch to work most weekdays? While it can be a bit of extra work, packing along your own lunch has its rewards. First, bringing your own lunch ...

A bowl containing a variety of colorful potatoes—red, purple, and light brown—perfect for a plant-based diet is artfully displayed on a dark textured surface.

Food Fundamentals

So Many Potatoes

Stefan Schielke

Potatoes are the most popular vegetable on the planet. On average, Americans eat 126 pounds of potatoes a year. Yet, despite our love for potatoes, they are one controversial vegetable! ...

A bowl of homemade potato chips, perfect for a plant-based snack, is garnished with chopped parsley and set on parchment paper. The chips are golden brown and slightly crispy, resting invitingly on a wooden table.

Food Fundamentals

So Many Snacks

Stefan Schielke

To snack or not to snack, that is the question. Snacking is a surprisingly divisive nutrition topic. Some believe that snacks are a necessary part of a healthy diet. Others ...

A wicker basket brims with colorful heirloom tomatoes in various sizes and hues—red, orange, yellow, and green. Fresh basil leaves rest beside it on the wooden surface, making an ideal plant-based vegan delight for any dietitians delight.

Food Fundamentals

So Many Tomatoes

Stefan Schielke

Sometimes memories are etched into our hearts because of an experience that was just too good to forget. One such experience for me was a garden party at a friend’s ...

A plate of cubed tofu neatly stacked, tied together with a sprig of green onion, embodies the essence of a vegan lifestyle on a white background.

Articles Food Fundamentals

Tofu: A Plant-based Protein Superstar

Stefan Schielke

Tofu, also commonly called bean curd, is made by coagulating soymilk using calcium sulfate or nigari salts to form a solid block. Tofu comes in a variety of textures, from ...

Edamame pods and beans on the left, a raw steak on the right, with VS in bold black text at the center, highlighting the comparison between plant-based and meat protein sources.

Articles Diet and Disease

LEGUMES Highest fiber foods High in phytochemicals High in antioxidants Low in fat, saturated fat Cholesterol-free Non-heme iron No hormones, antibiotics No Neu5Gc No TMAO produced Low chemical contaminants ...

Articles Food Fundamentals

Budget-Wise, Plant-powered Eating

Stefan Schielke

Many people who are on a budget believe that eating healthy is next to impossible. With the escalating cost of fruits and vegetables, they opt for processed foods such ...

A plate showcasing plant-based goodness features a block of tofu, edamame in pods, a small pitcher of soy milk, green shelled edamame in a dish, and scattered soybeans. Perfectly curated for the vegan dietitian, this vibrant selection rests on a light-colored surface.

Articles Food Fundamentals

Is Soy Safe?

Stefan Schielke

In my opinion, soy is not only safe, but potentially beneficial. Soy has a long history of use in Asia, and within vegetarian populations throughout ...

A jar of plant-based coconut oil sits on a large green leaf, surrounded by whole and halved coconuts. A wooden spoon with a small amount of this vegan oil rests on the leaf, highlighting the natural setting.

Articles Food Fundamentals

Coconut Oil: Menace or Miracle?

Stefan Schielke

Coconut Oil: Menace or Miracle? There are few foods that have been at once maligned and acclaimed as much as coconut oil. Some view it as a notorious health ...