Macaroni & Cheese Makeover

In the chill of winter, comfort food is especially appealing. As an example of a meal makeover, here is an unconventional update of the comfort-food perennial favorite, macaroni and cheese. Instead of the usual cream sauce, this recipe uses an easy sauce made with frozen squash (an excellent source of beta carotene) and low-fat milk. Surprising? Yes, but it works! Whole grains boost fiber, while the delicious sweetness of caramelized onions complements the squash and cheese.

Q: More and more, I am reading that wheat really is not so healthy...

Answer : A Nicola McKeown, PhD, director of Tufts Nutritional Epidemiology Program, responds: There is a great deal of testimonial evidence on whats known in the vernacular as wheat belly, but there is a lack of scientific evidence to support the claims...

Q: Ive read that wild blueberries are good for you, but most of us...

Answer : Its true that USDA testing in 2004 found that wild blueberries had more antioxidant capacity than the same size serving of cultivated blueberries...

Q: I like fresh salmon, but its too expensive so I buy canned salmon....

Answer : Comparing canned salmon (liquids drained) with an equal quantity of cooked fresh salmon, each offers some nutritional advantages.

Q: Ive heard that California almonds are being irradiated. Does this mean that these...

Answer : Irradiation is one of the possible methods to satisfy a 2007 USDA requirement that raw almonds be pasteurized to prevent foodborne illness...

Q: Weve read that drinking a lot of fruit juice or eating a lot...

Answer : James Joseph, PhD, research physiologist at the Neuroscience Laboratory at Tufts Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging...

Q: Your March 2009 newsletter discusses obesity, as measured by Body Mass Index (BMI)....

Answer : The easiest way to calculate BMI, especially for the math-phobic, is to enter your height and weight into one of the many BMI calculators...

Q: In your May issue you illustrated the radura sign for food treated by...

Answer : You might want to switch caterers. Trichinosis is caused by ingestion of the Trichinella spiralis parasite, also known as trichina.

Q: Given the recent reports about bacterial contamination in nuts, does it make sense...

Answer : We checked your nut idea with Helen Rasmussen, PhD, MS, RD, an instructor at Tufts Friedman School and Senior Research Dietitian at the HNRCA Metabolic Research Unit.

Q: A friend in India claims that it is not advisable to eat fruit...

Answer : Tufts Rasmussen and Litvak again have the answer: After eating a meal, all the food we have consumed begins to break down in the stomach...