food

U.S. News & World Report has released its annual diet rankings.

Best Diets 2016: From Fastest Weight Loss To Conquering Cravings

5:16pm January 05, 2016

by Allison Aubrey

U.S. News & World Report's annual diet rankings give top marks to a meal-replacement plan to shed pounds fast. There's also a low-carb diet to stave off cravings; its virtues are sung in a new book.

Books
Arts

Food Culture Gives Rise To New 'Eatymology'

8:01pm January 04, 2016

by NPR Staff

From brogurt to gastrosexual, humorist and food writer Josh Friedland has collected many of the new words born of our current foodie culture in a new food dictionary, Eatymology.

The FDA worries that the same alkaline treatment that gives corn masa its distinctive aroma and flavor might also prevent folic acid from remaining stable in masa. The agency is currently reviewing test results looking at the question of stability.

Why Tortillas May Hold The Key To Healthier Babies

7:09pm January 04, 2016

by Veronica Zaragovia

In the U.S., pastas and breads come with a dose of folic acid, a B vitamin that prevents severe neural tube birth defects. But it's not allowed in corn masa, a staple for Hispanic women.

Stock graphic of people eating at a table

Health & Safety

At This Dinner Party, Talking About Death With Strangers Isn't Taboo

7:00am January 02, 2016

by Deborah Becker

Grieving can be isolating for young adults. A fledgling nonprofit invites 20- and 30-somethings to share their grief, with strangers, over a meal.

Encore: One-Hour Faux Cheddar

4:28pm January 01, 2016

Claudia Lucero can make cheese in one hour; that's her superpower. She explains how she created a 60-minute faux cheddar. This story originally aired on Nov. 13, 2014, on All Things Considered.

National

World's Largest Meatpacking Company Tests Out Robot Butchers

4:28pm January 01, 2016

by Luke Runyon

Slaughterhouses and meatpacking plants throughout the country employ a lot of people. About a quarter of a million Americans prepare the beef, pork and chicken that ends up on dinner tables. But some of those jobs could eventually be replaced by robots. The world's largest meatpacking company is looking at ways to automate the art of butchery.

The Planet Money peacock pie, in all its glory.

Economy

Episode 674: We Cooked A Peacock

4:00pm January 01, 2016

In the 1600s, a good spice rub was the ultimate display of wealth. People would risk their lives for a sack of cloves. On today's show, we cook a recipe from the spice trade days.

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Researchers have been studying the links between TV viewing and mindless eating for years. The news isn't good for our waistlines.

Netflix And Chew: How Binge Watching Affects Our Eating Habits

6:25pm December 31, 2015

by Susmita Baral

Lots of research suggests munching while watching TV promotes mindless eating. Overall viewing time is a key factor. But the genre of what you are watching may also influence how much you consume.

From 'Tostitos Lime' To 'Sexy Sunblock,' The Best Drinks Of 2015

5:34pm December 31, 2015

NPR's Robert Siegel interviews Emma Allen about her article in The New Yorker called "The Best Drinks of 2015." She walks us through mixing a drink from her list, which anyone can make at home.

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Record Water Levels Shut Down Miles Of Mississippi River

4:49pm December 31, 2015

NPR's Audie Cornish talks to Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, about the effect of historic flooding on the Mississippi River on corn and soybean farmers.