EatingWell October 2021

Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are,” the saying goes. We Americans are so many things at once. You see it in our food—dishes like bulgogi tacos, Thai larb burgers and Texas brisket ramen that reflect the tastes of generations of native peoples and those from around the world who’ve settled here and commingled. While our nation is vast and diverse, growing up I didn’t see folks who looked like me—Indian-born and raised in New York City—in food magazines and TV shows. That’s in part why, for the last 20 years, I’ve chosen to ponder that uniquely American culinary magic that happens with the amalgamation of communities through my books, as the host of Top Chef, and recently with my Hulu show Taste the Nation.…

Smashed Vegetable Sides Potatoes may be the OG smashed veg, but there’s more: From Smashed Butternut Squash with Harissa & Goat Cheese (above) to recipes with carrots, beets and even cauliflower. EatingWell.com/smashedvegetablesides Speedy Soups Got half an hour and a few ingredients? Our low-prep soup recipes will help get dinner on the table before you can say mirepoix. EatingWell.com/speedysoups Pumpkin Bread and Muffins A seasonal treat that’s not too sweet! Try Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Bread or Orange-Date Pumpkin Muffins. EatingWell.com/pumpkinbread THE EATINGWELL GOOD-LIFE GURUS For some folks, Halloween is more than just a holiday—it’s a state of mind. These three Instagrammers celebrate all things spooky all year long. @helenagarciafp A self-proclaimed “kitchen witch,” Helena Garcia found fame on The Great British Baking Show, wowing judges with Halloween-inspired desserts. Her ’gram is filled with kooky creations from her three books,…

1 LA MERCERIE One of my favorite places to eat in NYC, this wonderful and unpretentious French restaurant is a great place for meetings, dates or a celebration with friends. The burger alone is to die for. They have a large shop with home furnishings, like couches, linens and pottery, that’s perfect for browsing in case you’ve arrived early for your table. 53 Howard St.; lamerceriecafe.com 2 NY DOSAS This is a cart located on the south side of Washington Square Park. They sell a typical South Indian lunch Monday through Saturday—perfect for a quick vegetarian or vegan meal of crispy dosas in the park. There’s always a line two blocks long—but don’t worry, it moves fast. I love the owner, “Dosa Man” Thiru Kumar, so much, I featured him on my show…

The coronavirus pandemic exposed policy gaps in our food system—particularly when it comes to food insecurity, the health consequences of excessive weight gain and the environmental effects of how we produce and consume food. But it also made formerly unthinkable programs, like universal free school meals, suddenly seem sensible. While these fixes would be expensive and may not be politically feasible, the results would definitely be worth it. Shore up SNAP, permanently. The USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the government’s biggest and best anti-hunger effort, long recognized as the cornerstone of the nutrition safety net for low-income Americans. In 2020, SNAP helped more than 41 million Americans buy food. Despite the program’s much-criticized barriers to access (like complicated forms and absurdly low income restrictions) and limited benefits, SNAP demonstrably succeeds…

Many ingredients in beauty products are mysterious (bakuchiol, anyone?), but seeing oatmeal on a label has a comforting familiarity. And it delivers much more than a comforting vibe to your skin-care routine. Oats contain phenolic compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties—helping to moisturize and soothe dry, itchy skin and even alleviate conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. And new research shows that oats’ prebiotic qualities are good for your skin (as well as your gut), even when applied topically—strengthening skin barriers to improve hydration. (And yes, this is among over-the-counter products, not just those you might get from your derm.) “Oats’ antioxidants also buffer against free radicals—little skin destroyers that come from the sun, pollution, even stress—binding to them so they don’t have a chance to bind to your…

Carbs are controversial. And here’s why: After you eat them, your body breaks them down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream to provide energy to your muscles, tissues and organs. That’s a good thing—glucose is your body’s primary fuel source! But too much glucose in the bloodstream, too often, can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, along with a slew of other health conditions. Skip carbs, though, and you miss out on the fiber and other nutrients that come along with healthy foods like whole grains, beans, dairy, fruits and vegetables. (Do we need to tell you it is a smart idea to limit the kind from highly processed foods such as white bread, chips and cookies? Didn’t think so.) Foods with high-quality carbs—including the ones…