Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN

Potassium is an essential nutrient for health, participating in every biological process that relies on electrical signals, including heartbeat, muscle firing, and nervous system activity. But many people in the modern world are potassium deficient, which has contributed to an epidemic of high blood pressure and other chronic diseases. So why is this? Is potassium hard to obtain from food or necessary to supplement? Get the facts on this critical mineral and electrolyte.

Papayas are less well-known than some other tropical fruits. But they deserve just as much attention as, say, pineapples or mangoes. This article provides tips on how to select and use papayas, including how to pick a ripe one, how to cut and store them, and a variety of recipe ideas to incorporate papayas into your diet.

Summer squash is a versatile and abundant vegetable. But sometimes, it can be difficult to know how to deal with the sheer volume that comes from the garden. Or even what to do with it when it’s available at the grocery store or farmers market. How do you select, store, and prepare summer squash for maximum nutrition and culinary value? And what are some creative ways to cook it and make the most of a summer harvest?

Many people love avocados yet consistently end up disappointed by over- or underripe fruit. How can you tell when an avocado is ready to eat? What are the best techniques for cutting, storing, and eating this beloved fruit? Unlock the secrets to avocado mastery, and discover creative ways to incorporate avocados into your meals with seven delicious recipes.

Reading a recipe may seem pretty straightforward. However, there can be foreign ingredients (looking at you kala namak), unfamiliar measurements (how much is a pinch, exactly?), and prep instructions (don’t forget to soak the cashews!) that you’ll want to know before starting a recipe. And understanding how to read a recipe can set you up for success in the kitchen. In this article, you learn how to follow recipes from start to finish and create knockout dishes every time.

Craving something sweet in the summertime? Skip the unhealthy processed desserts made with refined sugars or artificial sweeteners. Instead, try one (or all!) of these refreshingly healthy summer desserts. (Hint: You can enjoy many of them in fall, winter, and spring, too!)

Many people regard eggs as essential ingredients in cakes, cookies, and other baked desserts. And eggs definitely do their part in binding, leavening, coloring, and flavoring baked goods. But there are a lot of good reasons you may want to avoid eggs. Does this mean you have to give up dessert forever? Or are there plant-based substitutes that can still give you delicious eggless desserts?

Asparagus can be an intimidating food to tackle if you’re not familiar with this regal vegetable. Uncooked, parts of it are tough and fibrous, and yet it can turn to mush when overcooked. But thanks to its delicious taste, varieties, versatility, and nutritional profile, it’s well worth getting to know — and love — asparagus. Discover how to cook and use asparagus with seven delicious plant-based recipes.

Have you been curious about plant-based eating but unsure where to start? Or perhaps you have successfully made some plant-based meals, but haven’t yet ventured beyond what you know. In this How to Cook series article, we review our top ten tips (plus a bonus tip!) to getting started — or progressing — in a plant-based kitchen.

Feeling festive this St. Patrick’s Day? Get your greens going from the inside out! Explore traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods and how to make them greener and more plant-based. And get seven tasty, vegan Irish food recipes that are sure to nourish and impress!

Buckwheat’s earthy and nutty flavor makes it a great addition to both sweet and savory dishes. A nutritious, affordable, and versatile food, buckwheat can be used as a gluten-free substitute for commonly used whole grains or as a way to add diversity to your whole foods, plant-based diet. In this article, we share why buckwheat is a true superstar in the plant kingdom and how to use it to create seven delicious plant-based recipes.

Feeling uninspired in the kitchen? Just about any plant-based recipe, new or tried-and-true, can be easily taken to the next level by adding a tasty and wholesome homemade sauce. Below we share some tips and tricks for crafting homemade sauce recipes that will inject inspiration and plenty of flavor whenever you need it. Plus, we’ll leave you with 7 of our favorite homemade sauces to add to your sauce recipe repertoire.