Archive 2008 2009 2010 2011

Q: What is seitan? How healthy is it?
A: Also called wheat gluten, seitan (pronounced “say-tahn”) is a meat substitute that does a better job of resembling real meat than others. A staple in Asian cuisine, wheat gluten made its way to the West with the rise of macrobiotic diets several decades ago under the name seitan, which loosely translates into “made of protein.”
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Q: I get sciatica once in a while. What causes it?
A: Sciatica is a pain that begins in the lower back or buttock and radiates down one leg, usually into the calf or foot. This is the path of the sciatic nerve and its branches. The pain is often persistent and more severe than a run-of-the-mill backache.
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Q: My husband loves pumpkin pie. Does it have any nutritional value?
A: Absolutely. It may be the most nutritious pie, if you use the right recipe. Pumpkin is one of the best sources of carotenoids . . . It’s rich in fiber and potassium and has some calcium, iron, vitamin C, B vitamins and other nutrients.
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UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, November 2011