Buffaloes have no wings

Are hot dogs made with real dogs? These 12 foods have deceitful names

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Comedian Jerry Seinfeld said, in one of his standup routines, that there is no chicken in the sea—and he was right. Some foods have names that don’t quite tell the truth. They might hint at ingredients they don’t contain, places they’ve never been, or shapes they don’t actually take. Here are 12 examples where the menu description doesn’t match the bite.

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The name might conjure an image of a seafaring hen, but this well-known brand is all about tuna. The "chicken" part simply refers to its mild flavor.

Marketed as an affordable, accessible protein, the label’s poultry-inspired twist has fooled many. In reality, it’s firmly in the fish family.

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Sweetbreads might sound like a dessert, but they’re cuts of organ meat, usually the thymus or pancreas of calves or lambs.

Despite the misleading name, these delicacies are prized in gourmet cooking for their mild flavor and tender texture, not for any sweetness or breadiness.

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Perhaps there was a time when the Rocky Mountains were under the sea and oysters could be found there, but that is no longer the case. There is no seafood here. These so-called oysters are actually bull testicles, a specialty in certain parts of North America.

Often breaded and fried, they are served as a novelty dish at festivals and ranch gatherings, catching the unsuspecting diner off guard.

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It should come as no surprise that buffalo wings have nothing to do with buffalo meat; they’re chicken wings deep-fried and coated in spicy sauce.

The name comes from Buffalo, New York, where the dish was first created in the 1960s, not from any grazing plains animal.

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Another name that makes no sense at all, head cheese contains no cheese. It’s a meat terrine made from parts of a pig’s head.

Seasoned and set in its own gelatin, it’s a traditional cold cut in many European cuisines.

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The name of this soup gives us a hint of its deceiving nature. It was created to mimic the flavor of green turtle soup, a luxury dish of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Instead of turtle, it uses a calf’s head or other meats, producing a rich broth without requiring the real reptile.

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Though called a pie, this dessert is actually a cake, with layers of sponge, custard filling, and chocolate glaze.

Its "pie" title dates back to a time when pies and cakes were baked in the same types of pans and the terms were used more loosely.

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Despite its name, you won’t find grapes or nuts in Grape-Nuts; the cereal is made from wheat and barley.

Its name likely refers to the naturally occurring sugars formed during baking and the nutty flavor of its crunchy nuggets.

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As far as we know, hot dogs contain no canine meat, just a blend of beef, pork, or poultry in a sausage casing.

The name’s origins are debated, but the term became popular in the early 20th century through ballpark vendors and cartoons.

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French fries may not be French at all, as many historians credit Belgium with their invention.

The "French" in the name may refer to the style of cutting the potatoes into thin strips before frying, or to the fact that Allied soldiers who first encountered these delicious treats heard the Belgians speaking French.

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This fancifully named food isn’t duck but a type of fish found in the waters around Mumbai, India.

Dried and salted, it has a strong aroma and is considered a delicacy in certain regional cuisines.

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Our final entry goes to another famous food. Despite its name, peanut butter contains no dairy butter; it’s simply roasted peanuts ground into a paste.

The "butter" label refers to its smooth, spreadable consistency, not to any relation to milk or cream.

Every day, healthy food

What does science say? Foods with proven health benefits

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All food is good in moderation, but we know some to be better than others. Green leaves, healthy fats, and nuts are all regarded as healthy—yet, are they really beneficial? What do they actually do? Let’s have a look at what science tells us.

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According to science, berries are among the most beneficial fruits. They are a source of multiple vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C, K, B9, manganese, magnesium, and copper. They are a good antioxidant source —meaning they help prevent cell damage— and they are proven to lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, and memory loss. Also, for the benefit of all wallets involved, they have the same properties after being frozen.

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Ginger is a common ingredient in wellness shots and teas, but what does it do? Besides being rich in antioxidants, ginger is highly beneficial for gut health. Gingerol —one of the main compounds of ginger— helps with digestion, relieves nausea symptoms, prevents food from fermenting and causing bloating, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

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Like other fruits with a high water content —such as watermelon or strawberries— eating cantaloupe is an easy and tasty way to stay hydrated during the warmer months. But its benefits don’t stop at that: cantaloupe is also one of the fruits highest in beta-carotene, a pigment that our organism will then convert into Vitamin A, crucial for eye health and our immune system.

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Who said spices were only there for flavor? Besides enhancing the taste and appearance of dishes, they can promote health benefits. Paprika has been proven to be rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene, and, like most peppers, it has capsaicin, which helps reduce pain and inflammation.

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Adding legumes to your diet is a delicious and easy way to introduce fiber, protein, and low-calorie carbohydrates, which are beneficial for your gut health, your cholesterol, and your insulin levels. Moreover, lima beans are high in nutrients such as potassium, iron, magnesium, and manganese.

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Nuts in general are regarded as a healthy snack, and rightfully so, but why? They are a source of healthy fats, protein, and vitamins, and because they are very filling, they are a good pick-me-up. When it comes to walnuts, studies have shown that they help reduce cholesterol, control blood sugar, and promote brain health.

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Like other leafy greens, spinach is high in fiber while being low in calories. But spinach is much more than that. It’s packed full of nutrients —Vitamin A, C, K1, B6, B9, E, iron, calcium, folic acid, and potassium, to name a few— and has several plant compounds that are beneficial for your heart, blood pressure, and immune system.

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Any grandma will tell you that garlic is good for your health, and they would be right. Besides being known for its antibacterial properties, garlic also helps reduce the ‘bad’ cholesterol while increasing the ‘good’, which helps your overall blood health. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels, boosts your immune system, and promotes gut health.

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Are chia seeds good for something else than pudding? They sure are! They are a great source of fiber, which contributes to gut health, digestion, and blood sugar levels, while also being high in antioxidants and omega-3, a healthy fat that our body can’t produce by itself.

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Fish in general is regarded as a healthy source of protein and healthy fats, but some people find it difficult to cook or might dislike the smell or texture of fresh fish. This is why tuna is such a great option: it’s readily available in cans, it's already cooked, and can be used in several ways, while still being as nutritious as fresh fish.