Tag: Diet and cooking

Potassium is an essential mineral crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure, heart function, and muscle contraction. While bananas are famously a top source, the question remains whether cooking affects this vital nutrient. The simple answer is that cooked bananas do retain potassium, but the cooking method significantly influences the final amount.

Most store-bought Cajun seasoning blends contain only 5 to 10 calories per teaspoon, making them a virtually calorie-free way to add a bold flavor to your meals. This spice mix, originating from Louisiana, is primarily a blend of salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. However, a closer look at the ingredients and serving sizes is essential, as the high sodium content is a more significant nutritional factor for many people than the minimal calorie count.

According to research published in the *Journal of Food Science*, dried minced garlic retains a significant portion of the allicin content found in its fresh counterpart, often between 85-90%. However, the real question for home cooks and nutrition-conscious individuals is: **Is dried minced garlic the same as fresh garlic** in your recipes?

A single teaspoon of most alcohol-based artificial vanilla extract typically contains between 10 and 12 calories, a minimal amount that is often overlooked in baking. However, some alcohol-free versions can be nearly calorie-free, making the ingredients a critical factor for anyone meticulously tracking their intake.