Food news antipasto

Visiting family (or having family visit) during the holidays can be both rewarding and stressful. Having people stay at your house means dealing with their likes, dislikes, and quirks. Usually by the time they leave everyone is ready for the departure. If you managed to avoid any arguments, kudos to you. One man recently posted on Reddit about the fallout from his in-laws staying with him, his wife, and their kids. The in-laws caused friction with their food handling practices, with the man saying they were “finger lickers and double dippers”, and that he wanted to throw out most of the food in the pantry after they left. The wife disagreed, so he went to Reddit for confirmation. Which side would you take in this disagreement?

Veganuary continues to gain in popularity, with more and more people trying a vegan diet for the month. Changing to a vegan diet can be a challenge if you are used to meat-centric cooking, but The Guardian offers help with a dozen ways to make delicious, plant-based food. Looking to other cultures and cuisines is one way to find recipes that are plant-forward, and embracing tofu is also encouraged. If you are dipping your toes into vegan eating, the EYB Library has over 58,000 online vegan recipes for you to explore.

Carbs are often villainized when it comes to their nutritional value, but recent studies have found interesting health benefits from eating a certain kind of carb: resistant starch. Resistant starch is, as its name suggests, difficult or impossible to digest, which means it moves through the digestive system intact until it gets to the colon. There, it ferments and feeds gut bacteria. Studies have shown that resistant starches – which occur naturally in some foods and can be increased in others through cooling – can have positive effects on blood sugar levels and can help reduce inflammation.

Sticking with the theme of healthy eating, Good Food recently published a list of the six healthiest fruits according to a dietician. Blueberries lead the way, boasting high levels of vitamins C and K, potassium, and fiber. Their antioxidant properties can help protect the brain from cognitive decline. One fruit on the list may be unfamiliar to many of our Members – Kakadu plums. Often found in powder form (also known as gubinge), this fruit has 50 times the amount of vitamin C as an orange.

The UK’s ban on advertising junk food is now in effect. The ban will stop advertisements of food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar before 9:00 p.m. on television, and at any time online. The hope is that food producers will try to find healthier recipes so they can still advertise their products, and that it will encourage healthier eating habits early on. Currently, 1 in 10 UK children are obese. (By comparison, in the US the rate is about 2 in 10.)

Other posts during the New Year holidays:

• ATK poised to buy Food52
• Jacques Pépin’s advice to young chefs
• Lucky foods for the new year
• A new way to help achieve your New Year’s cooking goals