Ingredients for a Healthy Life

There are so many different kinds of fruit in the world, it's hard to choose a favorite. Apples, oranges, and bananas are the fruits most commonly eaten in the United States, but even more exotic varieties like mangoes and star fruit are easily found in many grocery stores. Through colorful photographs and mouthwatering recipes, readers will be reintroduced to some of the tastiest-and healthiest-fruits. Step-by-step instructions will guide readers through each recipe, while fun fact boxes and main content highlight the health benefits and usefulness of strawberries, lemons, and more.

Pasta is one of the most versatile foods in any kitchen. It can be served cold or hot, with rich and creamy sauces or a light drizzle of garlic and olive oil. Pasta is great with both vegetables and meat and pairs well with fish, too! Readers will explore many ways to use pasta to make healthy, tasty meals through step-by-step recipes. Enhanced by colorful photographs, pasta's history and healthfulness are detailed in both the main content and cool fact boxes.

A diet rich in vegetables is one of the best ways to prevent disease, maintain a healthy weight, and keep all the body's systems functioning well. Nonetheless, veggies are often met with a resounding "Yuck!" For many people, that's because they haven't found the kinds of vegetables they like or learned to cook them well. Readers will learn about many different vegetables and the health benefits of eating a variety every day. Cooking tips, facts boxes, and colorful photographs enhance delicious step-by-step recipes that will have readers asking for cucumber instead of chips and sweet potato instead of sweets!

Grains can be a healthy, tasty part of our diets, but the grains we eat should most often be whole grains. The less processed the grain, the better it is for us! Readers will learn the health benefits of whole grains and the many ways they can be enjoyed. Simple, step-by-step recipes will further readers' interest in eating whole grains while the main content highlights different kinds of grains they may be less familiar with. Informative fact boxes and colorful photographs will whet readers' appetite for health, science, and cooking knowledge!

Dairy products are a big part of the American diet, though not always in the most healthful ways. Milk, yogurt, and cheese all offer calcium, protein, and vital vitamins and minerals! Readers will be fascinated by the long history of milk products and thrilled to learn that some of their favorite foods can be part of a healthy meal. Complete with full-color photographs, recipes showcasing dairy will drive home the need for moderation and encourage readers to find new ways to reap the benefits of milk.

More than 4.4 million tons (4 million t) of cocoa beans are used to satisfy the world's need for tasty products each year. But cocoa is used for far more than just chocolate bars. Readers will discover the history and origins of cocoa while they explore a diverse, useful culinary ingredient. Full-color photographs accompany delicious recipes that use cocoa or chocolate, including mole and a low-sugar granola. Through interesting fact boxes and plenty of food fun, readers will learn how to reap the benefits of cocoa's healthy properties without eating too much dessert!