Isabella Cortez
Editorial byline
Isabella Cortez is an editorial byline for Flavor and Wellness, with a focus on Food, Recipes, Trends. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.
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Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
Five Gluten-Free Flours, Five Different Jobs: How to Pick the Right One (or Blend) for Bread, Cake, and Cookies
Gluten-free baking requires understanding the unique functions of different flours, as no single option replicates wheat's structure. This guide explores almond, coconut, oat, buckwheat, and tapioca flours, explaining how to blend them for optimal texture in cakes, cookies, and bread.
Oct 31, 2026 · 6 min read
Food as Medicine, Defined: Evidence-Based Healthcare Interventions, Not a Wellness Slogan
Food as Medicine (FAM) refers to evidence-based healthcare interventions that integrate nutritious food access into medical treatment for diet-related conditions. True FAM programs are distinguished by clinical screening, provider referral, and integration into overall patient care, not by marketing claims.
Oct 30, 2026 · 5 min read
Metabolomics Explained: The Two Research Approaches Driving Personalized Nutrition
Metabolomics uses targeted and untargeted research approaches to study the body's metabolites, offering a path toward personalized nutrition based on objective metabolic measurements rather than guesswork. These methods help discover and quantify individual metabolic differences, paving the way for tailored dietary advice.
Oct 29, 2026 · 4 min read
More Than 250 Hospitals Sign HHS's Voluntary Pledge to Make Hospital Food Healthier
Over 250 hospitals have voluntarily signed the HHS "Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge," committing to improve patient nutrition through four foundational pillars: emphasizing real food, enhancing patient choices, providing nutrition education, and fostering community programs.
Oct 28, 2026 · 4 min read
Cooking Vegetables: Why the Best Method Depends on the Nutrient You Want
The healthiest way to cook vegetables depends on the specific nutrient you aim to preserve or enhance. Water-based methods like steaming and microwaving best protect water-soluble vitamins, while dry-heat methods such as roasting improve the absorption of fat-soluble antioxidants.
Oct 26, 2026 · 4 min read
How to Spot an Ultra-Processed Food: A Three-Check Label Framework and the Principles for Making Your Own
Learn to identify ultra-processed foods using the NOVA classification system and a simple three-check ingredient list framework. Empower yourself to make healthier choices by replacing these industrial formulations with whole-food alternatives prepared at home.
Oct 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Why Pumpkin Earns Its Superfood Label: The Nutrients Behind the Benefits
Pumpkin earns its "superfood" label due to its dense nutritional profile, with the flesh offering high vitamin A and C, and seeds providing protein, magnesium, and healthy fats. Understanding these distinct nutrient contributions is key to maximizing its health benefits.
Oct 24, 2026 · 5 min read
Organic Produce: Strong Evidence for the Planet, Clearer Pesticide Exposure, Murkier Nutrition
Organic produce offers clear environmental benefits and lower pesticide residue, but evidence for superior nutrition and long-term health outcomes remains uncertain. This article explores the science behind these claims to help you make informed choices.
Oct 23, 2026 · 6 min read
NOVA Explained: How to Sort Any Food Into Processing's Four Categories
The NOVA system classifies foods into four groups based on processing, distinguishing between unprocessed, minimally processed, processed culinary ingredients, and ultra-processed foods. Understanding this system helps in making healthier food choices by identifying and limiting intake of ultra-processed items.
Oct 22, 2026 · 5 min read
2027's Wellness Food Trends: From "Beautrition" to Longevity Engineering, Which Ones Fit Your Goals?
2027's food trends signal a major shift from generic 'healthy' labels to intentional, outcome-based eating. Consumers are seeking specific benefits like glowing skin, steady energy, and cognitive wellness, aligning food choices with personal health goals.
Oct 19, 2026 · 5 min read
Why You Crave What You Crave — and How to Pick the Right Strategy to Stop It
Food cravings are complex responses driven by hormones, brain reward pathways, emotions, and learned associations, not simply a failure of willpower. By diagnosing the trigger—emotional, habitual, or physiological—you can apply targeted strategies for effective management.
Oct 18, 2026 · 5 min read
Cook Once, Eat Twice: A Complete System for Healthy Cooking for One or Two
Learn a complete system for healthy cooking for one or two, focusing on planning two meals from a single entrée, smart small-quantity shopping, and using visual cues for portion control to reduce waste and monotony.
Oct 16, 2026 · 5 min read
Except for Infant Formula, Food Dates Are About Quality, Not Safety — Here's How to Actually Tell If Food Is Safe to Eat
Most food dates indicate quality, not safety, with infant formula being the critical exception. Learn how proper handling, storage, and spoilage signs are the true indicators of food safety.
Oct 14, 2026 · 5 min read
How Fermentation Unlocks Nutrients in Your Food
Fermentation transforms food biochemically, unlocking nutrients by reducing anti-nutrients and enhancing digestibility. These intrinsic nutritional benefits are achieved through microbial action and persist even after pasteurization, independent of live probiotic cultures.
Oct 11, 2026 · 3 min read
The Best Healthy Fall Soups for Your Schedule
This guide helps you choose the best healthy fall soups by matching recipes to your schedule, whether you need quick weeknight meals or batch-prepped options for freezing. Learn how to select soups that fit your lifestyle and nutritional goals.
Oct 9, 2026 · 4 min read
What Makes a Food System Sustainable? A Look at the Core Principles
A sustainable food system ensures food security and nutrition for all without compromising the economic, social, and environmental foundations needed for future generations. It is built upon three interconnected pillars: environmental health, economic viability, and social equity.
Oct 5, 2026 · 5 min read
What We Eat and Its Environmental Cost: A Food Group Comparison
Understanding the environmental cost of food reveals that animal products, especially beef and lamb, have a disproportionately high impact on land use and emissions, while grains are the largest consumers of freshwater. Making informed dietary choices by comparing food groups can significantly reduce your personal environmental footprint.
Oct 4, 2026 · 5 min read
How Companion Planting Works: A Scientific Guide for Gardeners
Companion planting is a scientifically-grounded strategy for improving plant health and productivity by leveraging natural relationships between plants to deter pests, attract beneficial insects, and enhance soil conditions. Understanding these mechanisms allows gardeners to design a resilient garden ecosystem.
Oct 2, 2026 · 4 min read
Navigating 'Clean Eating' Labels: What Science Says About Food Additives and Your Health
The "clean eating" movement often leads to confusion around food additives and "clean label" claims. This article explores the science behind additives, regulatory oversight, and how consumers can critically evaluate food marketing.
Sep 29, 2026 · 5 min read
Chipotle pilots Palantir AI for food safety risk management
At Chipotle Mexican Grill, a new platform built with Palantir Technologies software is now piloting to manage food-safety risks.
Sep 20, 2026 · 3 min read