Flavor and Wellness

Isabella Cortez

Food Editor

Isabella Cortez is the Food Editor at Flavor and Wellness, where she explores the intersection of flavor, culture, and nutrition. Through her descriptive and inviting storytelling, she covers the latest food trends, global cuisine, and recipe development. She is dedicated to making the world of food accessible and exciting by providing readers with insights into sustainable food practices and clean eating.

Expertise

Food TrendsRecipe DevelopmentCulinary CultureSustainable Food PracticesNutritionGlobal CuisineFood PhotographyWine Pairing

Coverage Areas

Food
Recipes
Trends

Latest Articles

A modern air fryer on a kitchen counter, showcasing a healthy meal being prepared, highlighting the benefits of smart, oil-free cooking.
Recipes

Top 5 Common Air Fryer Mistakes to Avoid for Healthier Meals

Cooking beef in an air fryer without oil can reduce Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) concentration to below detectable limits, a significant improvement over oven cooking.

Sep 12, 2026 · 5 min read

Artistic depiction of dark chocolate and blue cheese alongside exotic fruits and spices, symbolizing surprising food pairings and their scientific basis.
Food

The Science Behind Surprising Food Pairings

Dark chocolate and blue cheese, a pairing once considered bizarre, share more than 70 significant aromatic compounds, allowing the cheese's earthiness to cut sweetness and chocolate to soften sharpnes

Sep 12, 2026 · 5 min read

A visually appealing spread of trending exotic recipes including lentil salad, spicy noodles, and creamy orzo, showcasing global flavors made easy and affordable for home cooks.
Recipes

Effortless Exotic Recipes Dominate Top 5 Trending List

A lentil-and-feta salad, costing under $5 per serving, unexpectedly became TikTok's most-shared recipe last week, outperforming elaborate pasta dishes and gourmet desserts.

Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Overhead view of a vibrant, fresh anti-inflammatory salad being quickly assembled with colorful ingredients on a modern kitchen counter.
Recipes

Top 5 Quick Anti-Inflammatory Salad Recipes Ready in 15 Minutes

Chronic inflammation contributes to 7 out of 10 leading causes of death in the US, yet a meal prepared in under 15 minutes can significantly reduce these systemic risks, according to a study published

Sep 11, 2026 · 5 min read

A symbolic image of a grocery store aisle with a red 'X' over a food product, representing the proposed ban on high-fructose corn syrup.
Food

US House bill introduced to restrict high-fructose corn syrup

A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to ban high-fructose corn syrup from nearly all food products sold across state lines, giving companies two years to reformulate.

Sep 10, 2026 · 3 min read

A family happily eating a slow-cooked meal in a sunlit kitchen, highlighting the ease and enjoyment of weeknight dinners.
Recipes

Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy Weeknights & Back to School

Imagine a bubbling lasagne, rich with tender beef, ready for dinner after only three hours of passive cooking, freeing up your afternoon for everything else.

Sep 10, 2026 · 4 min read

A close-up shot of a healthy pork and soba noodle stir-fry with fresh vegetables, presented in a wok on a wooden table.
Recipes

Easy Healthy Stir Fry Recipes for Busy Weeknights

A pork soba stir-fry, packed with protein and low in sugar, can be on your table in under 30 minutes using just six ingredients, according to Healthline .

Sep 9, 2026 · 6 min read

A person contemplating a plate of processed foods, with a salt shaker subtly emphasized, representing the crucial dietary choice for managing high blood pressure.
Food

What is the most important food to limit for high blood pressure?

The average American consumes about 1½ teaspoons of salt daily, which is 50% more than recommended.

Sep 9, 2026 · 4 min read

A beautiful Italian villa garden setting with a table full of delicious and artfully presented vegan food, representing a luxurious plant-based travel experience.
Food

Exploring Vegan Travel Destinations

In Rivoltella del Garda, Italy, a six-room inn called Il Mansio operates with a 100% plant-based kitchen.

Sep 8, 2026 · 3 min read

A sunlit kitchen counter showcasing a variety of healthy spring baked goods, including fruit tarts and decorated cakes, emphasizing fresh ingredients and vibrant colors.
Recipes

5 Healthy Spring Baking Recipes for 2026

A single slice of traditional lemon poppy seed cake can contain over 500 calories and 60g of sugar.

Sep 8, 2026 · 6 min read

A decadent chocolate milkshake on a fast-food tray, surrounded by burger wrappers and a half-eaten burger, symbolizing indulgence and nutritional cost.
Food

Fast Food Desserts: Flavor, Indulgence, and Nutritional Costs

A Small Chocolate Shake from McDonald's packs 530 calories and 73g of sugar, more than double the daily recommended added sugar intake for many adults.

Sep 6, 2026 · 4 min read

A parent and child smiling while preparing a variety of colorful, healthy snacks like fruit slices, vegetable sticks, and whole-grain crackers in a sunlit kitchen.
Recipes

Top 8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Snack Ideas

While some popular kid-friendly crackers boast 3g of protein and 4g of fiber with no added sugar, others in the same category contain 2g of added sugar despite similar marketing.

Sep 6, 2026 · 4 min read

A delicious and colorful heart-healthy dinner plate, showcasing fresh ingredients, ready to be enjoyed in under 30 minutes.
Recipes

Quick Heart Healthy Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes

Imagine a weeknight dinner on the table in 25 minutes, actively lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure, all without sacrificing flavor.

Sep 5, 2026 · 6 min read

Close-up of fermented foods with probiotic bacteria actively binding to and removing microscopic nanoplastics from a blurred background.
Food

What Are the Science and Health Benefits of Food Fermentation?

A specific probiotic bacterium discovered in kimchi may offer a novel defense against environmental pollutants.

Sep 5, 2026 · 6 min read

A person looking anxious and distressed while surrounded by an abundance of healthy, fresh foods, symbolizing an unhealthy relationship with clean eating.
Food

When 'Clean Eating' Becomes Unhealthy

Obsessing over 'clean' foods can signal an unhealthy relationship with food.

Sep 5, 2026 · 4 min read

A visually appealing plate showcasing a balanced combination of plant-based foods, symbolizing a complete protein meal.
Food

How to Combine Plant-Based Protein Types for a Complete Diet

An optimal 100% plant-based protein mixture can be achieved with an unexpected combination of fruits like apples (33%) and plums (61%), alongside corn (6%) and a trace of Brazil nuts, according to pmc

Sep 3, 2026 · 4 min read

A delicious and healthy weeknight dinner dish, plated attractively on a wooden table, ready to be enjoyed.
Recipes

New healthy cookbooks offer quick weeknight meal inspiration.

Caroline Chambers' new cookbook, 'What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking: Make It Fast,' presents 100 dinner recipes, each requiring no more than 30 minutes of hands-on preparation, according t

Sep 3, 2026 · 4 min read

Person's hands scrutinizing a food package's nutrition label, emphasizing the importance of reading labels for healthy eating choices.
Food

How to Read Food Labels for Healthy Eating in 2026

A study of 24 popular U.

Sep 3, 2026 · 4 min read

A visually appealing cottage cheese boat dip presented in a bell pepper, surrounded by fresh vegetables and crackers, ready for dipping.
Food

Viral Cottage Cheese Boat Dip Recipe Captures Online Attention

In the last month alone, TikTok videos featuring #cottagecheeseboatdip have racked up over 50 million views, transforming a humble dairy product into a culinary sensation.

Sep 2, 2026 · 4 min read

A bustling global market overflowing with fresh produce, representing a worldwide transition to sustainable, plant-forward diets for a healthier planet.
Healthy Living

Transforming global diets by 2026 for a sustainable future

Replacing just 50% of meat and dairy in Canadian diets could slash diet-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25%, offering a significant pathway toward a more sustainable future.

Sep 2, 2026 · 8 min read