When Food Becomes Weird: More Fascinating Facts

By Amy Campbell Last week, we examined some unusual facts about food. Because food is so fascinating, there's never a shortage of things to say about it. And while some foods may seem downright "weird," other foods may be a little deceptive — for example, a healthy food that actually isn't so healthy. As I can attest, that's the beauty and the frustration of being a dietitian! Let's look at some more food "weirdness" this week. Durian — the world's smelliest fruit "Hell on the outside and heaven on the inside" is the saying in Southeast Asia that aptly describes this fruit. Durian is a spiny, football-sized fruit weighing about 7 pounds that is custard-like on the inside, but that has a rather revolting, pungent smell that would give dirty gym socks a run for their money. The odor of this fruit is so offensive to many that it's banned in certain parts of Asia. Durian trees are pollinated by bats and the fruit has a very short shelf life, making it a rare, exotic treat. When purchasing durian, should you ever find yourself in that position, choose one that is mildly fragrant — that way, you can be sure you're getting a ripe one. If you can get past the spiny exterior and rotten cheese-like smell, you apparently will be in for a treat, as some describe the inner flesh as tasting like crème brulee. Nutrition-wise, be prepared for the high calories and its effect on your blood glucose levels: One cup of durian fruit has 357 calories, 13 grams of fat, and 6...
Source: Diabetes Self-Management - Category: Diabetes Authors: Source Type: blogs