Cake and Bread

Smart diet tips, healthy veggie burgers, nutritious crackers and more.

Flavored oil alert.
Q= I like to make my own oil and herb mixtures, but I`ve heard this might be unsafe. What`s the story?

A= While you don`t have to give up making homemade herb-flavored oils, you do need to take some important safety precautions. The rare but potentially deadly botulism bacterium, found in oil, can hitch a ride on any plant it comes in contact with, including herbs. When the herb is placed in oil, butter or margarine, botulism spores can grow and produce their harmful toxin.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), commercial oil and herb mixtures must contain addictives like phosphoric acid or citric acid, which prevent bacteria from growing. If you make flavoured oil your self, however, the FDA recommendes that you refrigerate it. (You can keep it there safely for only 10 days; after that, toss it).

The healthiest Crackers
Q= What should I look for when buying crackers to make sure I`m getting the most nutritious snack?
A= Although all crackers are a good source of carbohydrates, they`re definitely not equal when it comes to other nutrients. Since many are made with refined white flour, for instance, few brands offer much fiber. And some crackers can also be high in fat, sodium and sugary corn syrup. To make smart selection:
1. Choose crackers with no more than 3 fat grams per one-ounce serving. Low-fat and natural varieties are good bets.
2. Be aware that wheat crackers aren`t necessarily high in fiber. Try flat breads or crisp bread instead, which provide as much as 3 grams of fiber per serving.
3. Check out the sodium content on the label. Choose a cracker that has 300 miligrams or less of sodium per one-ounce serving.

Tags: diet, nutrition

  Apr 19 food