Healthy Meals

I know that this post will get some members of the food police upset with me, but I've said it before and I'll say it again: in some cases, I firmly believe that cooked white rice can be a healthy food choice.

I'm constantly on the lookout for recipes that call for red beets; per ounce, few foods that I'm aware of are as dense in a variety of nutrients that can help prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer, especially colon cancer. Red beets are particularly rich in B vitamins, including folate, which makes them useful for lowering blood homocysteine and preventing birth defects.

If you're staying away from gluten, dairy, and flesh meats but find yourself craving a filling sandwich, this one's well worth the effort of putting together for yourself and loved ones.

Portobello mushrooms are rich in niacin (vitamin B3), potassium, and selenium, while avocado delivers plenty of lutein and natural vitamin E for healthy eyes and cardiovascular support.

You'll need some gluten-free bread, which is becoming more readily available in regular grocery stores. But keep in mind that most varieties are made with rice and/or tapioca flour, and too much of either can be constipating for some.

As mentioned in my post on The Best Way To Get And Stay Healthy, if you are looking to overcome any chronic health challenge, one of the best first steps that you can take is to avoid conventional dairy and grains that contain gluten. To put it simply, pasteurized and homogenized dairy and gluten are common triggers for inflammation throughout the body.

I realize that for some, it can be quite daunting to imagine a diet that doesn't include cheese and pasta. Which is why I thought it would be a good idea to share dairy and gluten-free options for macaroni and cheese.

Contrary to popular belief, soy can be a healthy food choice for the masses. In Korea and Japan, most households enjoy soy in many forms daily. The key is knowing how to prepare it for optimal digestion and nutritional benefit.

If you've never made your own soy milk, I highly recommend that you give it a try. Freshly made soy milk provides flavor and richness that I've yet to find in any store-bought variety. Plus, when you make your own, you can have an entire pitcher of rich, creamy soy milk for about 20 cents.

If you enjoy sushi rolls but haven't ventured to make your own, I hope this pictorial encourages you to give it a try. It's a lot easier than you might imagine, and the cost is minimal compared to buying sushi at a store or restaurant.

Called kim bap in Korea, sushi comes in countless varieties. Once you learn how to make a basic sushi roll, it's a snap to churn out all sorts to suit varying tastes and setttings.

In the mood for a pasta-like dish without a large serving of refined carbs to weigh you down? If so, you'll definitely want to give this spaghetti squash and lentil recipe a try.

If you're looking for a truly healthy, protein-rich food to anchor your diet, I highly recommend that you consider quinoa (pronounced keen wah). Called the "mother of grains" by the Incan empire, quinoa is native to South America, and is naturally rich in all nine essential amino acids - these are amino acids that we humans can't make from other nutrients, so must obtain from our diet. Quinoa is one of a few grains that are gluten-free, and for most people, it's easy to digest and utilize.

Though mashed potatoes can be a nourishing side or main dish, if you tend to have high blood sugar or insulin levels, it's probably best that you limit your consumption of potatoes to a serving or two per week.

Looking for a delicious, dairy-free risotto? With the right amount of time and love put into this recipe, I'm willing to bet that this creamy rice dish is as good as anything ever made by Jamie Oliver or Tyler Florence.