Month: June 2025

From Clinic to Kitchen: The Principles of a Culinary Medicine Program
Foods & Culinary

From Clinic to Kitchen: The Principles of a Culinary Medicine Program

- by Lucas Miller

Culinary medicine is an emerging, evidence-based field that bridges the gap between conventional medical advice and the practical realities of eating. It goes beyond simply telling a patient what to eat, instead providing them with the knowledge and skills to make informed, sustainable food choices that can prevent, manage, and even reverse chronic diseases. For healthcare clinics, establishing a culinary medicine program is a powerful way to empower patients and improve health outcomes. While the specific blueprint for such a program will vary, its core principles and components remain consistent.

The Foundational Concept: Blending Art and Science

At its heart, culinary medicine is about translating the science of nutrition into the art of cooking. Instead of a sterile lecture on macronutrients, a program might involve a hands-on cooking class where a physician and a chef demonstrate how to prepare a delicious, heart-healthy meal. The goal is to move beyond abstract …

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From Grain to Crunch: How Food Extrusion Technology Shapes the Texture of Snack Foods
Foods & Culinary

From Grain to Crunch: How Food Extrusion Technology Shapes the Texture of Snack Foods

- by Lucas Miller

Take a moment to consider the satisfying crunch of a puffed cheese curl, the airy crispness of a breakfast cereal, or the uniform shape of a granola bar. These familiar textures are not the result of simple baking or frying; they are the result of a sophisticated and versatile process known as food extrusion. This technology has become the cornerstone of modern snack food production, transforming basic ingredients into a vast array of shapes, sizes, and, most importantly, textures.

The Science of Extrusion: A High-Pressure Transformation

Food extrusion is a process where a mixed ingredient system—typically a dough or paste—is forced through a die, which is a small opening or mold, under a combination of high heat, pressure, and shear. The process takes place within a machine called an extruder, which consists of a long barrel with a rotating screw. As the screw turns, it continuously mixes, heats, and kneads …

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