Pork Up Your Nutrition

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated September 23, 2024 Heart-Healthy Choice Pork is certified heart healthy by the American Heart Association.The pork cuts that meet the criteria include – New York chop Sirloin chop Ribeye chop Porterhouse chop Sirloin roast New York roast Ground, 96% Tenderloin For a food item […]

Edamame Essentials

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated September 26, 2024 Edamame are immature soybeans that are known for its green pods and similarities in appearance like a lima bean. Unlike their mature counterparts which are a light yellow-brown pod, edamame is often eaten as is, mixed in soups or salads, or […]

Would You Believe Butter IS Okay?

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Fine Foods Registered Dietitian Updated September 2, 2024 According to a market analysis by Statista, it is predicted that the butter industry will earn approximately $49.91 billion by the end of 2024 and projected to grow 5.94% annually until 2029.(1) In recent years grocery stores have seen […]

Canned Tomatoes and Beyond

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated September 2, 2024 Tomatoes are a native crop to South America; during the Spanish colonization of the Americas the Spaniards brought with them tomatoes for trade.  Tomatoes were not available for commercial production in the United States until the mid-1800s.(1) Behind potatoes, tomatoes are […]

The Versatility of Summer Squash

Written by Garrett Peacy, Dietetic Intern, University of Minnesota School of Public Health Updated by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Fine Foods Registered Dietitian Published: May 26, 2023 Updated: September 2, 2024 Zucchini, also called courgette, and yellow squash, also called straightneck squash, are two common types of summer squash that are popular in […]

A Sweet, Summer Refreshment

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Fine Foods Registered Dietitian In 2023 the National Watermelon Board published a survey of 805 respondents on their watermelon purchasing habits. Their findings include – (1) 47% reported they purchased watermelon in the past 6 months 53% of consumers searched for health benefits of watermelon 53% would […]

Power Up Your Mood with Beans

Written by Andrew Akhapong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated July 2, 2024 The Canned Beans Council published a study in 2020 assessing consumer attitudes towards beans. The findings that they have found include –  18% of consumers eat beans at least 3+ times/week 56% of consumers believe beans may reduce heart disease and […]

Juice – Above and Beyond

Written by Anna Horsch, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Dietetic Intern Updated June 28, 2024 Homemade or Fresh Squeezed Juicing at home involves extracting liquid from fresh fruits and vegetables, typically removing most of the solid components such as seeds and pulp. This juice retains the majority of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants naturally […]

“Fermented Foods: A Tangy Twist to Health and Flavor”

Written by Anna Horsch, Dietetic Intern, University of Minnesota School of Public Health Updated June 19, 2024 A review by Tilley Distribution in 2021 reported 15% of American consumers they include fermented foods to improve digestive health. Kombucha is the top-selling fermented food in the United States!(1)   Fermented foods provide an abundance of benefits […]

Crispy, Refreshing, Nourishing Cucumbers

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD   Updated May 30, 2024 In a consumer survey published by the International Fresh Produce Association in 2022 -(1) 50% of consumers purchases cucumbers the past year 73% prefer to eat cucumbers with a salad Persons ages 50 to 49-years are the largest purchasing group of cucumbers The […]