Harvesting the Benefits of Asparagus

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s registered dietitian Updated May 5, 2024 When it comes to fresh and delicious produce as the warmer season approaches, produce like asparagus and rhubarb often marks its beginnings. Asparagus is a perennial vegetable which means it can regenerate itself each year. Before asparagus can be harvested it […]

The Fresh or Frozen Produce Debate: Which One?

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated 5/6/2024 The American Frozen Food Institute conducted a survey on 1525 Americans around frozen produce, published in Spring 2023. Frozen produce offers convenience; it reduces the cooking time and prep needed for meals compared to fresh produce. The findings included -(1) 68% of consumers […]

Enriched Grains for Good Health

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD Updated May 1, 2024 The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that at least one-half of total grain consumption comes from whole grain sources.    A review by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 2013-2016 found Americans consumption of whole grains accounted for an average of […]

May Food Affect Your Mental Health?

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated: April 25, 2024 According to the United States Department of Agriculture, more than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness.(1) “This is equivalent to over 50 million Americans”.(2) Additionally 1 in 10 US youths have depression which creates a barrier to […]

SILK® Protein in a Nutshell

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated April 19, 2024 The plant-based non-dairy industry grew by 15% from 2019 to 2020, an additional 6% from 2020 to 2021, and 11% from 2021 to 2022.(1) In a survey conducted in 2022 of 1217 consumers -(1) 71% consume and purchase only dairy products […]

Processed and Ultra-Processed Foods: Reading Beyond the Headlines

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated April 16, 2024 Processed and ultra-processed foods are common headliners in terms of health-related topics. Concerns for consuming processed foods include heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes, and obesity.   A sample size of 105,159 participants ages 18-years and older  in Europe were observed over […]

Rotisserie Chicken: Meals Made Simple

Written by Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated April 12, 2024 It is estimated that 625 million rotisserie chickens were sold in 2020.(1)    A consumer analysis on rotisserie chicken published in 2020 by Brisan Group reports -(2) Main purchasing factor is convenience Consumers view rotisserie chicken as a healthy, high-protein option […]

Yogurt: Not Just for Breakfast or Snacking

Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated April 5, 2024 According to a consumer analysis on yogurt consumption in 2023 published by TasteWise -(1) 14,61% increase in restaurants serving yogurt Most important trait for yogurt purchasing is protein content An additional survey by Food Dive in 2021 reported -(2) 48% of consumers buy […]

Let’s Get to Soy

Soy beans with their pods

Written by Andrew Akhaphong,, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian                                                                                            […]

Integrative Uses of Magnesium

Written by: Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, Mackenthun’s Registered Dietitian Updated: January 9, 2024 Intro to Magnesium Magnesium is one of the most abundant mineral in the human body; approximately 40% are stored in intracellular space while 60% are stored in the bones and teeth.1 Evidence suggests that 1% of magnesium however is found in […]