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The food delivery business is huge and only getting bigger. The global food delivery service will account for a $320 billion annual market size by the year 2029. Spurred by the coronavirus pandemic and still going strong because people really like having food delivered to them, there are good things ahead for the food companies that get you food to your door.

For delivery workers, however, things are not quite so good. While more often than not it's a cut-and-dried situation of the transfer of meals for payment, they occasionally find themselves in such strange, hilarious, or outright unbelievable situations that there's really nothing to be done about it except to laugh.

We hope the delivery workers featured here also got a good tip with their laughs, of course.

RELATED: 8 Telltale Signs That a Restaurant Isn't As Clean as It Should Be, According to Experts

One food delivery worker tried to keep the customer happy by following the delivery instructions precisely. Per BuzzFeed, those were to "beat on the door like you're the cops, and then rawr like a T-Rex to scare my kids." The trouble? Those instructions had been added to the system for a previous delivery and were never deleted, so when the customer's wife, who had placed the order, opened the door, she was very confused.

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One driver got so fed up with the wait at a sushi restaurant that he admitted to sending the customer a note harshly criticizing the place. "I apologize for this, you might as well order from somewhere else because the idiot at the front didn't even put in the order, they're all a bunch of morons who don't know how to do their jobs," the message read. The problem? He hadn't texted the customer, but a worker at the restaurant.

One driver who worked for Edible Arrangements had a truly remarkable encounter, per her Reddit post. She showed up to a customer's house only to find no one home. Sort of. As it happens, the customer arrived a minute later, rolled down the window, and calmly informed her she was not alone, saying: "I don't want to alarm you, but there's a bear right behind you." She turned and, lo and behold, there was a bear snuffling about at arm's reach. The petrified delivery worker turned back to the customer and asked: "What do I do?" To which the quick-thinking homeowner yelled: "Get in the car!"

One delivery worker was confused but reserved judgment when he was tasked with delivering a hot fruit salad. As in a bowl of fruit that, per the instructions on the ticket, had been kept under a warming light prior to delivery. Except that the person had not ordered fruit salad, they had ordered "Frito Pie," which is hot chili with Frito chips. It had been entered wrong as "Frito Salad" and then further misinterpreted as fruit salad. Kept warm.

A delivery driver shared that, among his stories, which included hopping over locked security gates to escape properties multiple times, delivering to an ex-girlfriend, and more, one of his favorite moments was delivering a pizza to a friend of his who was an avowed vegan. Said "vegan" "tipped [him] to keep it a secret."

A driver with a need for speed recounted the time he got into a road race with a Porsche. The sportscar was tailgating him so he took the bait and raced off, weaving in and out of traffic and then racing down suburban streets staying just ahead of the other lead-footed driver. When he finally reached his destination, it turned out he had been racing against the man he was delivering to.

A pizza delivery driver's best delivery ever was to a party a man had planned that was part a child's birthday party, part animal adoption event. He dropped off the pizzas, and then the host invited him to see the party room. "We get down to the basement and it was a puppy party. A true and actual puppy party, some sort of adoption event he'd set up for his kids b-day… [there] was a gaggle of 8th-grade girls playing with DOZENS of puppies being supervised by handlers. Every kind of puppy I could imagine. I set the pizzas down on the bar and just sat on the floor and squealed and giggled while puppies tried to eat the smell of pizza off of me, succeeding only in devouring my heart through my face."

A SkipTheDishes driver got a good laugh and a lot of burgers one night. It turned out a man's neighbor, with whom he was feuding, would regularly order food delivered to him to be paid in cash. So, when the driver arrived with 10 bacon cheeseburgers, the man explained the situation and sent the driver off with a bag of burgers to enjoy at his leisure.

And finally, one delivery driver who worked for a custom bakery delivered a 70-pound wedding cake to a customer who promptly approved of the cake and then said he'd carry it up to the venue himself. The driver, a professional, explained "that the cake is heavy and that I have done this dozens of times, wouldn't be a problem at all. He gets upset and requests that I leave it there for him, I didn't want to argue and just want to go home. So I have him sign the order sheet and now I have nothing to do with the cake. I leave and as I start to push the door I hear the loudest 'F–k' ever, walked back around the corner and can see that the guy only got up about 5 steps before he fell face first into the cake!"

The post 9 Food Delivery Stories That Are Simply Hilarious appeared first on Eat This Not That.

When trying to lose weight, we tend to focus on the solid stuff we stuff into our mouths: think pizza, Twinkies, Hershey's Kisses. But, that's only half the battle. We need to be aware of those sneaky beverages that add up and may undermine our good intentions. Your drinking habits play a key role in weight gain or loss and may also indirectly impact your metabolism in a negative way.

We'll explain how, but first, it's important to understand metabolism. The metabolic process is what happens when your body converts food and beverages into energy to fuel activity and all those bodily functions that occur even when you're sleeping. As you might imagine, when you're an infant and a child and rapidly growing muscle, bone, and other tissues, your metabolism is booming. It continues to expand until peaking at about age 20, when metabolic rate levels off until around age 60, according to a recent study in Science. At 60, metabolism generally slows. Why? Well, we tend to be less active as we age and we naturally lose muscle mass unless we really work to maintain it through resistance training. When you have less muscle on your skeleton, your metabolism slows, and you burn calories at a lower rate.

So, one way to speed up your metabolism is to build more calorie-burning muscle. But how about food and beverages to accompany this process? "No one food or beverage speeds up your metabolism," says Eatthis.com medical review board member Amy Goodson, MS, RD, a specialist in sports dietetics and author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook. "There are some things that can indirectly contribute to it, but not speed it up. It's really more that some drinks and drinking habits might help with weight loss and affect your metabolism."

So, here's what science and our experts say about possible drinking habits that are wreaking havoc on your metabolism. Then, make sure to check out The #1 Best Coffee for Your Metabolism.

You're not drinking high-protein beverages

To build metabolism-boosting muscle, your body needs the proper building blocks: adequate protein. Fortunately, you can get that from choosing the right beverages. "Drinking beverages with protein like those made with cow's milk, Greek yogurt, or protein powder might help keep your metabolism in high gear as well as curb your appetite," says Goodson. "Protein helps you feel full faster and keeps you feeling that way longer. That's because protein takes the most energy and time to break down and digest of all the macronutrients."

RELATED: 5 Protein Powders With the Best Reviews on Amazon

You choose sugary beverages over water

If you want your metabolism to function properly and the rest of your body to work optimally, you must be properly hydrated by consuming foods and beverages that contain water. But while soda and fruit juice can contribute to your water quota, most are loaded with added sugars that elevate blood glucose levels and calories that may lead to weight gain. Sports rehydration drinks fall into that category, too. Unless you are doing high-intensity or long-duration aerobic exercise like long-distance running, you may not burn off the calories you're consuming. That's why water is the beverage of choice for weight loss and supporting a healthy metabolism.

Are you getting enough water? Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and cause fatigue. Your water needs may be different from the next person's, but the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have determined that roughly 15.5 cups of fluid daily is ideal for men and 11.5 is adequate for women. "Start tracking how much water your drink every day to see if your intake is at a healthy level," says National Institutes of Health-trained endocrinologist, Florence Comite, MD, founder of Comite Center for Precision Medicine & Health. "If you don't want to measure, an easy way to gauge proper hydration is making sure your urine is clear."

You don't stop at one or two

According to the 2020-2025 dietary guidelines for Americans, moderate alcohol consumption is defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks daily for men. One drink is equivalent to about 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. "If you choose to drink more than that, it can certainly knock your metabolism off balance," says Eatthis.com medical review board member Toby Amidor, MS, RD, Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Diabetes Create Your Plate Meal Prep Cookbook. What's more, beer, wine, and especially sugary cocktails made with fruit juice or soda can add considerable amounts of empty calories.

You like your nightcaps

Drinking alcohol late at night is especially notorious for messing with your metabolism by disrupting your sleep. "Although some folks believe that alcohol helps you sleep, it can do quite the opposite by disrupting the flow of normal sleep rhythms," says Amidor. If you do choose to drink, have your drink(s) at least 2 hours or longer before bedtime, she suggests. And, drink lots of water before and after consuming alcohol.

RELATED: Drinking Habits To Avoid for Better Sleep, Say Dietitians

Your daily brew isn't green

Dietitians have long touted green tea as one of the most powerful drinks for weight loss. "The catechins found in green tea are antioxidants that have been shown to potentially increase fat burning and elevate metabolism," says Goodson. Also, the caffeine in green tea may boost your energy. To get the most from green tea, choose matcha, a type of green that's highly concentrated with catechins, says Goodson.

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The post 5 Drinking Habits That Will Wreak Havoc on Your Metabolism appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Although best known for its many organic products, Whole Foods is also gaining a reputation for having one of the best bakery departments in the grocery business.

Desserts are a big specialty, particularly cakes such as the store's self-proclaimed "cult favorite" Berry Chantilly Cake, but also brownies, muffins, and cookies, too. "People ask for my cookie recipe all the time," one shopper recently commented on Instagram, "the secret is Whole Foods."

Everything baked in-house is made with unbleached flour and cage-free eggs, with no hydrogenated fats or high-fructose corn syrup, according to the company's website.

If you're an Amazon Prime member, then you're eligible for daily deals on all sorts of baked goods, which are advertised online.

Here are six desserts from the Whole Foods bakery that fans can't get enough of lately.

RELATED: 5 Costco Bakery Items Customers Are Currently Raving About

We firmly believe that any treat consisting of brown butter is the superior sweet. Whole Foods' brown butter butterscotch pretzel cookies look as divine as they sound. First announced on Twitter last January, the cookies garnered renewed attention last week via Instagram's @wholefoodshype. "Drooling," remarked one commenter. "[L]iterally sprinting to my Whole Foods tomorrow to try and snag these!!" wrote another. The cookies sell for $7.50 and come in a pack of four.

The Berry Chantilly Cake has been branded a "cult favorite" for a reason, with its berry filling in between layers of vanilla cake and topped with whipped mascarpone. A recent Reddit thread about Whole Foods desserts is loaded with comments on the specialty cake, which users described as "delicious" and "amazing." One noted, "I came to this thread to ensure the Chantilly was mentioned. I typically hate cake…but the chantilly is the be[s]t."

You just found your new favorite breakfast item. Instagram fan account @wholefoodshype recently spotted these almond croissants, priced at $8 for a package of four. "The almond filling is great and they're so flaky and delish!" Customer reviews on Amazon give it four stars out of five. One commenter wrote: "Very tasty flaky treat to wind down the day w/ tea! Keep extra in the freezer!

Whole Foods offers a wide variety of cupcake flavors, as one TikToker recently found. One standout is the salted caramel chocolate cupcake, spotted recently for $4 a pop. It looks pretty decadent too, with a salted caramel buttercream and what appears to be some chocolate candy on top, drizzled with what one reasonably assumes to be caramel.

@wholefoodshype

AMAZING cupcakes are at the Whole Foods bakery! I spotted so many delicious flavors! $4 each! #wholefoodsmarket #cupcakes #cupcakelover #dessertlover

♬ Soulful Strut – The Fame Gang

The Tres Leche Cake has been a long-standing cart filler for Whole Foods shoppers. Amazon reviews describe the spongey cake as "perfect," "light," and "flavorful." Depending on your motivation, you can grab a single slice for around $4 or a family version of the dessert for $13.99.

For the vegans out there, many Whole Foods locations offer doughnuts made with palm oil shortening instead of butter. The chocolate raspberry variety has been a fan favorite since they were first spotted on Instagram in December 2022. The rounds are currently sold as singles ($2.25) or a six-pack ($8.99) on the store's website. We recommend checking with your local Whole Foods to confirm that it carries them.

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The post 6 Whole Foods Bakery Items Customers Are Currently Raving About appeared first on Eat This Not That.

If we took a quick gander into your freezer right now, what would we find? Just bare bones and ice? Perhaps an array of scattered has-been foods such as one single Eggo waffle—how long has that been there anyway? Or, maybe an entire collection of foods which are now sporting a considerable amount of freezer burn?

The freezer can be a dark and scary place if you don't know how to fill it correctly. But, with the proper guidance, it can be an Eden of healthy snacks and lifesaving meal options.

Don't believe us? Take it from founder of GetNaked® Nutrition and author of Slimdown with Smoothies, Laura Burak MS, RD. "Frozen items are one of the best ways to never say 'what's for dinner?' again," she says. "Stocking up with lots of nutrient-packed foods that you can simply heat and eat (or blend and sip), will save you time, money, and can be much healthier than ordering take-out again."

We asked Burak, along with a few additional members of our medical board, what their own freezers are likely to be stocked with on any given day. Find out which frozen foods have their backing, and adjust your list accordingly before your trip down the frosty aisles of the freezer section.

Because they are frozen at their peak of ripeness, frozen fruits (and vegetables) can actually be more nutritious than fresh, explains Burak. She specifically recommends hoarding "a variety of fruits like berries, mango, cherries, and pineapple to throw into the blender".

Berries were a popular choice among our other nutritionists as well—and more specifically blueberries. Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, founder of Real Nutrition NYC, describes the frozen version of the tiny blue fruit as a "nutritional powerhouse" with two times the antioxidants and 72% more fiber compared to regular, fresh blueberries.

As you're browsing the frozen fruit aisle, one additional hint from Burak is to reach for organic brands with no added sugars.

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We can't mention fruits without their food pyramid equivalent: vegetables. And, our food experts had a few specific frozen choices to share, starting with frozen peas. "I add these to pasta dishes right at the end of cooking the pasta," Shapiro says. "This adds green, protein, fiber and nutrition to a simple pasta dish. Cooks up quick, is great for a vegetarian or vegan meal, and is kid-friendly too." She adds that this is a great alternative for times when you are fresh out of fresh vegetables but still want them represented in your family's dinner.

Nutrition consultant and author of Finally Full, Finally Slim, Lisa R. Young, PhD, RDN, likes to keep a stash of frozen spinach in her freezer. She shares that it's "terrific to add to soups, stews, and other vegetable and meat dishes." Popeye would be so pleased!

And, if you have picky kids that turn up their noses at green vegetables, Burak suggests adding veggies like spinach or even avocado chunks to your fruit smoothies instead. "I promise you won't even know those veggies are hiding in there," she assures us.

Fresh ears of corn are a staple for summer barbecues, but are typically MIA from the grocery store throughout the colder fall and winter months. Young's solution is to purchase frozen corn, which is conveniently available all year round and also retains its sweetness very well—better than canned corn we've heard.

Pro tip: To get the most flavor out of your frozen corn, cook it in a skillet with your favorite spices rather than boiling it or microwaving it. You do not need to thaw frozen corn before preparing, but giving it a quick rinse can help to remove any of those pesky ice crystals.

Both Young and Shapiro are on the frozen edamame bandwagon. "Edamame is a terrific plant protein, which you can add to salads and vegetable dishes," Young shares. "I love keeping edamame in my freezer and heating some up as a snack or to round out a meal."

Shapiro adds that since the vegetable is oftentimes hard to find fresh, you should scoop it up frozen to add some extra fiber to your diet. You can typically find frozen edamame either shelled or still in the pods. The latter makes for the perfect poppable appetizer when served with just a pinch of salt!

Burak recommends "keeping a sliced loaf of bread, English muffins, bagels, or toaster waffles for quick breakfast ideas and sandwiches.  These foods can be plopped directly into the toaster oven from the freezer and are ready in mere minutes—a busy mom's dream. Just try to limit any frozen toaster items, which typically include gobs of added sugars. We're looking at you, Pillsbury Toaster Strudels.

Additionally, if you're not a fan of the frozen bread options on the market, Burak points out that you can alternatively pick up a sliced loaf of grainy bakery bread and freeze it yourself for the same effect.

If you're shopping for a large family, or just don't enjoy frequent trips to the grocery store, keeping a supply of frozen fish, poultry, and meat at the house is always a good idea. These proteins don't stay fresh for long, so Young recommends saving money by purchasing them frozen and just defrosting as needed. "Veggie burgers are also best bought frozen and they will last for several months in the freezer," she adds.

There's no shame in resorting to a scrumptious and hassle-free frozen pizza for dinner. Burak even encourages you to always have one or two on deck. The great thing about frozen pizza–besides its obvious convenience factor–is the wide assortment of options out there. You can really cater to your own health preferences and taste. For Burak, this means reaching for names like Banza or Cali'flour Foods. "Crusts made with more nutritious ingredients like chickpeas and veggies like these two brands offer more bang for your buck in terms of nutrients," she says.

You could also give Milton's Craft Bakers Thin & Crispy Roasted Vegetable Cauliflower Crust Pizza a try—the standing favorite of medical expert Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDN, CLEC, CPT. Whichever pie you choose, just pair it with a side salad or vegetable, and boom! You have an easy well-rounded meal.

In addition to pizza or flatbreads, Burak suggests stocking up on select frozen appetizers so you're never left empty-handed in a pinch. She specifically calls out soup, and if you've ever walked down the freezer aisle (we're assuming you have), you know there are plenty of other frozen eats competing for your attention as well.

Take some extra time to examine the nutritional facts on frozen apps, however. We know they're delicious, but selections such as Ore-Ida Tater Tots or Totino's Pizza Rolls typically offer nothing in the way of health value. Treat your family to something more wholesome and nourishing instead.

If you're a seafood lover, you're in luck. Along with fish and other meats, Shapiro adds shrimp to the list of great freezer aisle grabs. "I always keep frozen shrimp on hand. It is more affordable than fresh and defrosts and cooks up in minutes, making a healthy meal that is high in protein, iodine, and delicious in minutes," she says.

She even gives some great advice on how to cook the crustaceans. Make sure to save this info for your next delicious dinner! "Simply place the frozen shrimp in a colander and rinse under warm water. Broil for two to three minutes or pan fry until pink and opaque," she instructs. "I use a pesto sauce, but butter or olive oil and garlic work well too!"

The post 10 Grocery Items You Should Always Buy Frozen, According to Experts appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Let's get one thing straight: when you're craving a slice of pizza only your favorite slice will do. Whether you like plain or pepperoni, popular pizza chains like Domino's, Pizza Hut, and Papa Johns's won't miss the mark. But some go the extra mile to make their pizza from fresh, never-frozen dough.

While frozen pre-formed dough can create a consistency that becomes a chain's signature, some do actually shape and stretch fresh dough in-house. A handful of pizza chains across the country, both regional and national, use fresh, never-frozen dough—and even some places you wouldn't expect.

Keep on reading to find out the seven pizza chains that make this simple yet effective meal a showstopper for kids and adults alike. And next time it's pizza night at your household, be sure to visit or order from one of these chains for some handmade pizza that will leave your taste buds delighted.

RELATED: 6 Pizza Chains Where Chefs Actually Eat

This fast-casual pizza chain utilizes an assembly line to get customers from one end to the other as they create their own personalized pizza. Blaze Pizza prides itself on using fresh dough that's made daily in-house from unbleached flour, filtered water, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and a touch of sugar. Plus, the ingredients used are sourced from animals that are raised humanely so you can feel good about what you're eating. From dough to toppings, you'll have a delicious pizza in your hands in less than three minutes after it hits the blazing-hot oven.

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Grimaldi's opened its first location in New York right under the Brooklyn Bridge. From that time period, the chain has expanded across the country in over 11 states including Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin. The key to the chain's success has been its fresh dough that's made in-house daily with its 'secret recipe' that uses water that mimics New York water to create its signature thick crust anywhere you visit.

With its first location in Palo Alto, California, this pizza chain has expanded to have more than 250 locations across California, Utah, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, and Arizona. Mountain Mike's Pizza uses fresh dough that's made daily in-store to create some of their signature pies including The Everest, Pikes Peak, Robbers Roost, and Garlic Tuscan in addition to its classic cheese and pepperoni.

It's not often that you come across a pizza chain with deep-dish pizza, but Jet's Pizza is one of the exceptions. The dough is made in-house daily and the chain utilizes two different types of dough that are made from a proprietary blend of flour milled specifically for them. Aside from the dough, the pizza is loaded with toppings and finished with a gooey caramelized cheese that's baked to a golden crisp.

RELATED: 20+ Quick & Easy Recipes to Make With Pizza Dough

As of early 2023, there are over 6,692 Domino's locations in the United States. Aside from having five types of crusts to choose from, Domino's uses fresh, never-frozen dough that's hand-pressed into a pizza pan for a thick crust. After a slice of pizza (or two), finish off your meal with its popular cinnamon bread twists or marbled brownie cookie.

With over 530 stores across 21 states, Hungry Howie's has garnered a dedicated following for its invention of flavored crusts that customers know and love. Its pizza dough is made fresh daily in each of its locations and customers have the opportunity to pick from one of eight crust flavors: butter, Asiago cheese, cajun, butter cheese, sesame, garlic herb, ranch, onion, and the featured crust flavor.

RELATED: This Is the World's Shocking #1 Favorite Pizza Topping

Looking for more deep-dish pizza? Uno's Pizzeria & Grill is known for its deep-dish pies made with fresh dough. Customers can choose from individual, regular, or large pies of the chain's popular pizzas including Chicago Classic, Chicago Meat Market, Numero Uno, and more. And if you don't live near a location, you can even have its signature pizza shipped directly to your home.

The post 7 Pizza Chains That Use Fresh, Never-Frozen Dough appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Just the word "Midwest" brings to mind images of dairy farms, the Green Bay Packers, and a whole bunch of rich, decadent dishes. Whether you're familiar with buckeyes or have indulged in a Juicy Lucy before, many of the Midwest's most well-known and scrumptious foods also have the most inventive names. I mean, where else could you order a horseshoe sandwich?

If you're curious as to how Ozark pudding came to be or would like to learn more about the origins of "bumpy cake," then read ahead.

Here's the behind-the-scenes look at some of the most iconic and old-fashioned foods you'll only find in America's Heartland. And don't miss 20+ Old-Fashioned Midwestern Desserts to Try.

Cincinnati chili is made like typical chili with ground beef and spices, but it traditionally has a sweeter note to it with the addition of cinnamon and sometimes chocolate. But the difference from Texas chili doesn't stop with a dash of sweetness, Cincinnati chili is also served over spaghetti. Technically, when it's served with spaghetti it's called "2-way," explained The Washington Post. Cheese, onions, and red beans can be added, with all four being called "5-way."

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Don't worry, there were no tigers harmed in the making of this iconic Midwestern dish. A mixture of ground beef, raw egg, and seasoning that's commonly served on crackers, Tiger meat (or "South Dakota steak tartare") is a unique snack that was popularized by German and Russian immigrants and is big in states such as Wisconsin and South Dakota.

Named after the Ozark region in Missouri, this dry fruit custard made with nuts is a Midwestern delicacy that's often served as a sweet treat after meals. Ozark pudding became especially well-known in the 1950s when President Truman revealed it was his favorite dessert.

No boring donuts here! "Long John" is the unexpected name Midwesterners use to describe a large, rectangular donut filled with cream or custard and then topped with cake icing or glaze.

Don't expect to find this sweet treat just anywhere though–it's mostly popular in places such as the Midwest, Texas, and parts of Canada.

RELATED: Avoid Foods With These Terms on the Label

Ham salad is the Midwest's take on traditional tuna salad and features minced canned ham, pickle relish, and mayonnaise. The lunchtime staple became incredibly popular in the 1920s when people started to make their midday meal at home. It's especially beloved in the Upper Midwest in places like Minnesota and Michigan.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word "booyah" is used to express joy, but did you also know it's a common dish in the Midwest? Made with meat, vegetables, and seasoning, this thick stew can take up to two days to make.

Some people believe that the name "booyah" may have been derived from the word "bouillon," which is used sometimes to make the base of this dish.

The name "bumpy cake" may be a bit off-putting, but we can assure you that this cake is delicious. Created in the early 1900s by Michigan-based Sanders Chocolate Company, this decadent treat is made using chocolate devil's food cake topped with "bumps" of buttercream and then enrobed in chocolate ganache. This classic Detroit dessert is perfect to serve for birthdays or during the holiday months.

RELATED: The Most Legendary Dessert in Every State

If you love burgers, then you have to head out to the Midwest to try a Juicy Lucy. This delicious twist on the American classic features a thick burger patty stuffed with melted cheese and dates all the way back to the 1950s.

Although two bars have declared that they are the creators of this tasty dish, you can expect to find variations at many different restaurants and bars throughout the Midwest.

Here are two words you never thought would appear next to each other: "Snickers" and "salad." Made using chopped-up Snickers bars, sliced Granny Smith apples, whipped cream, and pudding, this unique dish is often enjoyed at potlucks and parties in the Midwest.

It joins other traditional Midwestern dessert salads, such as Ambrosia, cookie salad, and Watergate salad. Although its origins are not totally clear, some people believe that it's a Midwestern rendition of the Norwegian dish, "rommegrot."

If you're a fan of skewered meat, then chislic may just become your next go-to. Made using deep-fried meat that's seasoned and served with toothpicks, this easy-to-make recipe is often served with hot sauce, seasoned salt, or ranch dressing.

Many people believe that chislics was introduced to the Midwest by John Hoellwarth, an immigrant who came to South Dakota from Crimea in the 1870s.

RELATED: 13 Healthier Versions of Old-Fashioned Midwest Recipes You Can Try Tonight

No list is complete without the incomparable buckeye. Made using peanut butter fudge and chocolate, this treat is especially well-known in Ohio. In fact, it's named after the poisonous nut of the Ohio buckeye tree, which is the state tree.

For nearly 100 years Midwesterners have been indulging in gooey butter cake, a dense dessert made with butter, sugar, cake flour, and eggs, and topped with powdered sugar. People often enjoy this rich cake—which was accidentally created in the 1930s by a St. Louis German-American baker—with coffee or tea.

Pasta is delicious, but have you ever tried toasted ravioli? Made using deep-fried ravioli, this beloved appetizer was created by two Italian-American St. Louis restaurants: Mama Campisi's and Charlie Gitto's.

According to legend, a ravioli was accidentally dropped into a deep fryer by Mama Campisi's chef, Chef Fritz, which then resulted in the creation of this delicious twist on an old classic.

In reality, the horseshoe sandwich (thankfully) has nothing to do with horseshoes. Made with two pieces of toasted bread topped with hamburger meat and french fries, then smothered in cheese, this tasty sandwich has been a Springfield, Illinois staple for over a century. It was created in the 1920s by chef Joe Schweska at the Leland Hotel,—the most famous hotel in the city at the time.

RELATED: 24 Best Vintage Midwestern Recipes

Known as a Midwest must-try, Blue Moon is a "Smurf-blue" ice cream that goes all the way back to the 1950s. Although a few different places claim that they created the "original" Blue Moon ice cream, many accredit the unique flavor to Bill Sidon, the chief flavor chemist at an old Milwaukee flavoring company called Petran Products in the 1950s.

Each ice cream shop that sells this flavor keeps its recipe a secret, so no one knows exactly what Blue Moon is made of. Some swear it tastes just like almond extract, while others think it has more of a citrusy vanilla flavor. And those are all the old-fashioned foods terms you'll only hear in the Midwest!

Chippers are basically chocolate-covered potato chips, that were invented in North Dakota. The best place to get these salty-sweet delights is at Carol Widman's Candy Company, where they were first made popular.

A previous version of this article was originally published on July 27, 2022.

The post 16 Old-Fashioned Food Terms You'll Only Hear In The Midwest appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Unless you've been hiding under a bagel all these years, you're aware of the many popular low-carbohydrate diets that have unfairly demonized grains, fruits, and starchy vegetables. You've probably even tried going low-carb for a while. Maybe you're still shunning sweet potatoes because a skinny influencer you follow online warns they'll bump you out of ketosis, god forbid. At the risk of beating a dead Brussels sprout, we'll say it again: Not all high-carb foods will make you fat. It's certain carbs, usually, those that come in a box or snack bag or don't have any fiber left in them, that may be detrimental to your health and waist.

Most dietitians and doctors agree and research backs up the idea that carbohydrate is an essential macronutrient for good health and should not be avoided. For example, Polish researchers using data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, warned that long-term low-carb diets lead to unhealthy outcomes in a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in 2018. The study found that eating less than 215 grams of carbs a day over six years increased the risk of cancer death by 36% and cardiovascular disease death by 50%. (By the way, 215 grams is roughly the amount of carbs in a large apple, 15 crackers, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and a glass of vanilla soy milk.)

A 2019 meta-analysis in the journal The Lancet suggests that carbs can be metabolically protective. In reviewing 58 clinical trials, researchers found that adults who ate the most whole grains, vegetables, and other carbohydrates that are high in fiber reduced their risk of diabetes and colorectal cancer by 15–31% and reduced their risk of death from stroke or heart disease compared with people who ate low amounts of healthy carbs.

Here are some doctor- and dietitian-recommended high-carb foods you shouldn't fear, but instead, consider putting on your plate today.

Don't dis all carbs. Even the poster children for high-carb foods, bread and pasta, are important for good nutrition.

"Eliminating all carbs can be counterproductive to your health, leading to significant deficiencies," warns registered dietitian nutritionist Dr. SuNui Escobar, DCN, RDN, a doctor of clinical nutrition and owner of MenopauseBetter.com. "Carbs provide glucose, which is essential for energy production in cells, including the brain. They also contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial phytonutrients."

Just remember to choose bread and pasta made with whole grains, which are slow-digesting complex carbohydrates.

Yes, these fruits are considered to be high-carb foods because of their fructose, or the sugar in fruit. However, their nutrition benefits outnumber the carbs you're getting, especially if you eat the whole fruit, including the skin of apples and pears.

"Whole foods are rich in fiber, often water, and nutrients to slow digestion, help us to feel full longer and decrease sugar cravings," says Amy Shapiro, RD, founder of Real Nutrition NYC.

Medium-sized apples and pears eaten with the skin deliver 4.8 and 5.5 grams of fiber, respectively.

If you like a chewy, nutty cereal, go for steel cut oats, a high fiber whole grain. A meta-analysis of studies in Nutrients showed that type 2 diabetics reduced their fasting blood glucose and HbA1C levels—a measure of blood sugar levels over three months—after eating oatmeal, despite the foods' high concentration of carbohydrate. Other studies show that a soluble fiber called beta glucan in oatmeal improves satiety, which can lead to weight loss.

"Whole foods crowd out less healthy foods," says Shapiro. "We tend to eat less and smaller portions of whole foods like oats than we do processed foods that are created to make us crave more."

Yes, a serving of beets, which is about a cup, contains 13 grams of sugars, but it won't impact your blood sugar or your weight like the equivalent in rice pudding or cookies. That's because it packs 2.8 grams of dietary fiber, which slows the absorption of the sugars into your bloodstream.

"Even notoriously "starchy" vegetables like beets contain great health benefits," says registered dietitian Lauren Chaffin, MS, RD, and owner of Nourished Nutrition. "Beets contain tons of micronutrients; most notably 20% of our daily folate needs in one serving."

Don't discount this starchy vegetable even though it's probably the food (think French fries) that immediately comes to mind when you think "carbohydrate." There's a cool technique for negating the carbohydrate impact on your blood sugar, so you can eat it without worrying about being hungry in an hour: Chill before you eat. Cooling white potatoes after cooking turns them into a "resistant starch," meaning it resists digestion and does not spike blood sugar. Because their starch is not digested in the small intestine, your gut bacteria process it. That will balance your blood sugar level and support healthy gut flora, both of which promote weight loss.

For variety, put the white potato's yellowish orange cousin the sweet potato on your menu. Sweet potatoes are full of the antioxidant beta carotene, which our body converts to vitamin A.

"Just one serving has all the beta carotene we need in a day," says Chaffin. "Both sweet potatoes and russet potatoes are good sources of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber."

RELATED: One Major Effect of Eating Sweet Potatoes

A cup of chickpeas contains about 12 grams of dietary fiber and about 45 grams of carbohydrates, which makes this super high-carb legume just fine for those watching their carbs and weight.

"Legumes like chickpeas and lentils and all types of beans are high-carb food, but preferred carbohydrates because they contain essential vitamins, minerals," says Dr. Escobar.

Another high-carb food that you might be surprised to learn won't make you fat is bananas. First, bananas are high in blood pressure-lowering potassium, so a banana a day is a fine way to protect your heart. But if you're concerned about a banana's high sugar content, then eat a green banana. Unripe bananas have less sugar and, like cold potatoes, more resistant starch, which improves the ratio of healthy bacteria to unhealthy microbes in the gut.

When you feel you need a starch like rice as a side dish, swap in a serving of quinoa. This whole grain has a lot going for it: It's a good source of fiber and protein, both of which will keep your hunger satisfied and slow the absorption of its carbohydrates (sugars) into your bloodstream.

"Refined grains like white rice and other processed grains increase your chances of weight gain and disease," says Amy Goodson, MS, RD, author of The Sports Nutrition Playbook and member of our Medical Expert Board.

By contrast, a fiber-rich whole grain like quinoa takes longer to digest, so it tends to keep us from eating as much to feel full. And that digestion process boosts calorie burn. In one study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that subjects who ate whole grain foods for six months burned an extra 100 calories per day due to their increased resting metabolic rate.

Eating a variety of fruits, though high in carbs, will deliver health benefits that overshadow the calories and sugars you're getting from these whole foods, say dietitians.

"When you mix up the colors, textures, and types of fruit, you are essentially getting a wide mix of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemical, which gives produce its variety of colors," says Chaffin.

Make sure blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are in that mix. "Berries are a good choice to eat regularly," she adds. "They all contain great quantities of fiber and are some of the most nutrient-dense carbohydrates you can eat, with high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals."

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The post 10 High-carb Foods That Won't Make You Fat, Say Experts appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Heart disease remains the leading killer in the United States and artery disease is the most common type. "About 20.1 million adults age 20 and older have CAD (about 7.2%)," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "In 2020, about 2 in 10 deaths from CAD happened in adults less than 65 years old." In addition, the CDC says the disease killed 382,820 people in 2020."

Coronary artery disease (CAD) happens when the walls of the arteries are choked with plaque and can't properly perform their job of sending enough blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart. "Unfortunately, it is hard to deny that our society is not structured in a way that leads to positive health outcomes," Dr. Tomi Mitchell, a Board-Certified Family Physician with Holistic Wellness Strategies says. "We have shifted from an era where physical activity was essential for daily life and food was found by physical hunting and gathering to a modern age where convenience and speed are at the helm of many decisions throughout our day-to-day lives. This shift has resulted in an apparent increase in our population's heart disease and chronic illnesses."

Dr. Mitchell adds, " Though we may understand why this happens, we still lack effective strategies to combat these issues. For this reason, it is essential that, as a society, we properly address these healthcare outcomes head-on and develop a comprehensive plan for addressing them. One of these negative health outcomes is coronary artery disease." Read on to learn more about CAD and signs that indicate you have the disease. Please consult your physican for medical advice. 

Valay Parikh, MD, Cardiologist at Staten Island University Hospital tells us, "Coronary artery disease ("CAD") is a condition to describe clogging of heart arteries due to fat deposits. It is extremely common. It is no longer a disease of old age. With changing lifestyles in past decades, people have coronary artery disease at younger ages and result in catastrophic outcomes if ignored."

Dr. Mitchell explains, "Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a serious and sometimes life-threatening condition that occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, causing them to narrow and reduce blood flow to the heart. People should be aware that CAD is a silent killer, as it may present with few or no symptoms until a major blockage has occurred. Risk factors for developing CAD include having high cholesterol, diabetes, abnormal blood pressure, being obese and sedentary, smoking, old age, having a family history of CAD, and excess alcohol consumption. Additionally, research has shown that maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen can help decrease the risks and symptoms of the disease. Those with a higher risk of developing CAD should monitor their health closely and speak with their doctor about any potential issues or concerns."

Dr. Mitchell tells us, "Coronary artery disease is a serious condition that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening conditions. Those at the most significant risk of developing coronary artery disease include those who have a strong family history of the disease, smokers, those with high cholesterol or high blood pressure, those with diabetes or prediabetes, and those who are physically inactive. 

Additionally, certain ethnic backgrounds are more prone to this cardiac issue, such as African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American populations. On average, one in every three Americans will develop some form of coronary artery disease in their lifetime. It is critical for everyone to be aware of their risk factors for this health issue so that they can take steps toward prevention and management."

Dr. Parikh emphasizes, "CAD can be a very serious disorder. Due to blockages in arteries of the heart, coronary arteries, one can experience heart attack, and sudden cardiac death."

Dr. Mitchell explains, "Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a very serious medical condition that, if left untreated, can have serious and even life-threatening consequences. CAD is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries which supply blood to the heart, making it difficult for blood flow to reach the vital organ. CAD increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and even death. 

Due to this risk, healthcare providers strongly recommend taking preventative measures such as a healthy diet, exercise, quitting smoking, and regular check-ups if there is a family history of heart disease or other risk factors like high cholesterol or hypertension present. Fortunately, CAD can be managed with lifestyle changes and medications/treatments available from health care professionals. For those suffering from CAD, early diagnosis and long-term management are key components to preventing further complications due to this disease."

According to Dr. Parikh, "CAD is usually due to risk factors of hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol. Due to the rise of these issues, increasing physical and mental stress, poor sleep, CAD is more common than before. CAD can be deferred or prevented with taking care of yourself. Earlier one can make changes, they serve better for overall longevity. Few of the common changes one can make are:

– Quit smoking, if you smoke.

– Avoid excessive alcohol.

– Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and foods with a lot of fiber. Avoid foods that have a lot of sugar.

– Walk or do some form of physical activity on most days of the week for at least 30 minutes.

Aerobic exercise is preferred. However, any exercise which can be done in a safe manner is a

good exercise.

– Lose weight, if you are overweight.

– Seek help from a cardiologist right away. If the symptoms are bad, one should consider calling 911. "

Dr. Mitchell shares, "Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide every year. It can be caused by high cholesterol, which builds up in the arteries which carry blood to the heart. Cigarette smoking is also a major risk factor for CAD as it constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the heart. Poor lifestyle choices, such as lack of exercise, increased fat intake and a diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables, are likely to increase one's chances of developing CAD. As these poor habits continue over time, they can slowly lead to a buildup of plaque on artery walls, leading to hardening of the arteries, hindering proper circulation throughout the body, and leading to health problems like a heart attack or stroke. In some cases, genetics can put individuals at higher risk for CAD, but making healthy life choices help reduce the chances greatly."

Dr. Parikh says, "Many people with CAD have no symptoms. For those who have symptoms, these are pain, pressure or discomfort in the center or left side of the chest or left arm. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty exercising, unusual sweating with exertion."

According to Dr. Mitchell, "Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is a leading cause of death worldwide and, if not monitored effectively, can have life-threatening consequences. The signs of being aware include shortness of breath, chest pains or pressure, extreme tiredness during moderate physical activity, an irregular heartbeat, and an accumulation of fluid in the feet, ankles, and legs.

If these symptoms are experienced for an extended period, it may indicate that CAD requires a medical diagnosis. Furthermore, some patients show no signs, so preventative solid measures such as regular exercise and a healthy diet are suggested to reduce the risk of developing this condition. Proactivity can make all the difference in maintaining heart health and preventing serious cardiovascular issues."

The post Doctors Say These are Signs of Artery Disease, Including Arm Pain appeared first on Eat This Not That.

Country music superstar LeeAnn Rimes publicly outed herself a couple of years ago as a person with psoriasis, an immune-related condition that can cause inflammation of the skin.

"I was only 2 years old when I was diagnosed with psoriasis," Rimes told Glamour magazine in 2020. "By the time I was 6, about 80% of my body was covered in painful red spots — everything but my hands, feet, and face."

After years of hiding her condition, Rimes found a treatment that successfully suppressed it. That is, until the pandemic hit, and with it social isolation and stress, she said. "Stress is a common trigger for psoriasis, and with so much uncertainty happening, my flare-ups came right back," she said.

Rimes made the courageous decision not to hide the reality of her condition, baring it all to show her fans and the rest of the world the reality of living with psoriasis. "I want to give a voice to what so many other people are going through," Rimes said. "This is finally my time to be honest about what psoriasis is and what it looks like."

Since then, Rimes has been an advocate for people with psoriasis, including partnering with the National Psoriasis Foundation to commemorate National Psoriasis Day. "The more we hide, the more shame and dis-ease builds within," she posted on her personal blog. "You are worthy just as you are! You are LovEd."

If you think you may have psoriasis, here's what to look for.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that causes inflammation and can result in itchy and painful raised plaques and scales on the skin, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. It affects as many as 7.5 million U.S. adults, or more than 3 percent of the population.

"The exact cause of psoriasis isn't known," says Dr. Emily Shaughnessy, a dermatologist at Hartford HealthCare Medical Group in Connecticut. "We do know it to be an immune-mediated condition that causes our skin to turn over faster than normal skin, which is why you get those scaly plaques."

"It's thought to be both due to environmental causes, as well as genetic factors," Shaughnessy adds. "But it's really important to know that it's not contagious, so you can't give it to anyone, and no one can pass it to you."

Symptoms often start between age 15 and 25 but can begin at any age, the NPF says. Men, women and children of all skin colors can develop psoriasis.

"The symptoms can be very variable depending on what type of psoriasis you have, but most commonly we see patients with red scaly plaques on the elbows, knees, scalp and sometimes even the other parts of the body," Shaughnessy says.

Lesions or plaques can also appear on the eyelids, ears, lips, skin folds, hands, feet and nails.

"The most classic form is what we call plaque psoriasis, where people will develop these raised lesions," says Dr. Ana-Maria Orbai, director of the Psoriatic Arthritis Program at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. She adds: "There's a rash that's called guttate psoriasis, which looks like little drops of rain. That's how it got its name. And it's just very little patches of rash, but it's spread over almost the entire body."

There are five main types of psoriasis: genital; scalp; facial; hand, feet and nail; and skin-fold psoriasis.

"Inverse psoriasis [is] where people tend to develop the rash in the skin fold, and it tends to look different just because the skin in those areas has a different quality," Orbai says. "It's not going to scale as much, but it's going to be red, and it's going to hurt, and it's going to ooze fluid, and it's very uncomfortable."

Rarer forms include pustular psoriasis, which affects 2 to 4 percent of psoriasis patients. It features pimple-like pustules on the hands and soles of the feet that are itchy and tender.

Erythrodermic psoriasis can involve up to 90 percent of the skin and cover it with a red rash. It is severe enough to result in hospitalization and treatment with potent drugs, Orbai says.

Nail psoriasis can lead to pits on the surface of the nails, and in its extreme form, called onycholysis, can lead to the disintegration of the entire nail.

The most common side effect of psoriasis is joint involvement, called psoriatic arthritis.

"Thirty to 40 years is the peak age where people develop psoriatic arthritis, which is about a decade later than the peak age for psoriasis, for the skin disease," Orbai says. "People usually take 10 to 20 years to develop psoriatic arthritis. In terms of the disease course, it's rather unpredictable. People will experience episodes of worsening of the psoriatic arthritis and then episodes of improvement."

Psoriatic arthritis presents as joint pain, fatigue and stiffness, sometimes years before diagnosis. It is more commonly linked with psoriasis of the scalp, behind the ear, inside the ear and on the perianal skin.

Fortunately, science has developed several effective treatments for the various forms of psoriasis. These include topical steroidal and nonsteroidal creams; ultraviolet light therapy; injectable or intravenous systemic treatments, including biologics; and nutrition and lifestyle changes, the NPF says.

"Topical therapy is still the cornerstone of the treatment of psoriasis," says Dr. Linda Stein Gold, director of clinical research and division head of dermatology at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. Such treatments work best in combination with other therapies, especially for plaque psoriasis, she adds.

"A little bit of it depends on the severity," Shaughnessy says. "So for more mild cases, we can often do just topical treatments, such as topical steroids. We also have this really cool medical-grade light box that we use ultraviolet rays to treat the skin. That's incredibly effective for psoriasis."

The post LeeAnn Rimes Admits She Has Psoriasis: Here Are the Signs and Symptoms appeared first on Eat This Not That.

It's not uncommon to accumulate extra inches around your midsection as you age. According to Jumpstart by WebMD, this can be due to the fact that you lose lean muscle mass and gain fat as you grow older. A large belly can be incredibly frustrating; it's also linked to serious health issues like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Needless to say, exercising to lose belly flab is a necessary step to take, and we have just the 10-minute mat routine that'll get the job done.

In addition to bumping up your daily step goal and strength training to melt belly fat, you can increase your daily activity by performing some mini-workouts. One easy way to squeeze in a session is by doing mat routines. They're low-impact, easy to recover from, won't leave you sore, and can be done essentially anywhere.

Below is a foolproof 10-minute mat workout to add to your fitness routine to lose belly flab. Do it daily or in between workout sessions. Now, set a timer for 10 minutes, and perform as many sets of the following exercises back to back.

Keep reading to learn more, and next, don't miss 7 At-Home Exercises To Reduce Belly Fat in 30 Days.

This mat workout kicks off with the quad press. Think of it as half squat/half pushup.

To set up, assume a tabletop position on the mat with your hands under your shoulders. Turn your forearms in about 45 degrees to form a diamond shape with your hands. Bend at the knees, keeping them just above the floor. Make sure your weight stays evenly balanced between your hands and the balls of your feet.

Then, lower yourself by bending your elbows and pushing your knees out. Your back should remain flat. Push your back up through your toes and palms, flexing your triceps at the top with every rep.

Next, we have the split squat with a pulse. Move into a staggered stance with one foot in front of you and the other behind. Your chest should be tall and your core tight as you lower into a split squat. Then, rise up 1/4 of the way before lowering back down. Drive through your front foot's heel to rise all the way back up. That's one rep.

RELATED: Melt Lower Belly Fat With These Bodyweight Exercises

The single-leg glute bridge begins with one leg in the air and the other bent with your knee pointing up to the sky. Keeping your core tight, push through the heel of your working leg, extending your hip up. Flex your glute hard at the top of the motion, then lower to the floor while maintaining control.

Last but not least, let's do some reverse crunches. Lie down on the mat, making sure to keep your lower back flat. With a tight core, raise your feet back toward your torso, flexing your abs hard. Then slowly lower your legs to the floor while keeping tension in your core.

The post Cut Unwanted Belly Flab With This 10-Minute Mat Routine appeared first on Eat This Not That.