An ingredient for every situation

Why you should eat cherries at night: 10 foods to improve your routine

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Your body is always talking to you, just not in words. It speaks through signs and symptoms, whether it's fatigue, bloating, trouble sleeping, or discomfort after physical activity. If you're feeling off and wondering what your body needs, keep reading! We've got 10 smart food tips to help you nourish, recover, and take care of your body. Let's go!

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Do you usually eat tart cherries? If not, it might be time to add them to your diet. Tart cherries are one of the few natural sources of melatonin, the hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. Other great foods to eat in the evening include chicken, turkey, kiwi, and walnuts, all of which contain nutrients that promote relaxation.

What should you avoid? Along with caffeine and alcohol, spicy foods aren't ideal for dinner. They can trigger heartburn or acid reflux, and may raise your body temperature, both of which can lead to a turbulent night.

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Do you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning? Do you feel sleepy after meals? If you're running low on energy, these foods can help. Start your day with oatmeal or other complex carbohydrates; they provide a steady release of energy to keep you going. Eggs are also a great choice: packed with protein and B vitamins, they help your body convert food into usable energy. And don’t forget your fruit—bananas, rich in potassium, fiber, and natural sugars, are perfect for a boost before or after exercise.

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We all know dairy is great when your bones need some help, but it's not just about milk, cheese, and yogurt. Leafy greens such as kale and spinach provide calcium, vitamin K, and magnesium—essential nutrients for strong bones. Fatty fish like salmon and sardines are also excellent, offering vitamin D and omega-3 that help reduce bone loss. Nuts and seeds make this list too, with a good dose of magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium. And here's a bonus you might not expect: citrus fruits! Thanks to their high vitamin C content, they help your body produce collagen, a key component of bone structure.

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When cold season hits, keeping your immune system strong is crucial—and certain foods can be your best allies. First up: citrus fruits! They help boost the production of white blood cells, your body’s infection fighters. If you’re not a fruit fan, try red bell peppers. They contain just as much vitamin C as oranges and come with a bonus: beta-carotene. For a tasty and healthy snack, grab a handful of almonds; they’re rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. And let’s not forget our grandmothers’ tried-and-true remedies: garlic, ginger, and of course, chicken soup.

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It's easy to forget, but what you feed your body has a big impact on your mood. Try adding more omega-3-rich fish to your meals; their healthy fats help regulate serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in emotional well-being. Whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice, and oats are also great choices, since they help stabilize blood sugar. If you have a sweet tooth, berries offer antioxidants and vitamin C, which may help reduce inflammation and stress. And the best for last: dark chocolate. That’s right! In moderation, this treat provides a natural boost of serotonin and endorphins.

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It’s always smart to include more fish in your diet—and salmon once again stands out, this time for its heart benefits. It helps reduce inflammation and lower triglycerides. Leafy greens are another fantastic ally; they’re rich in vitamin K and antioxidants, which can improve blood flow and help lower blood pressure. And don’t forget: it’s a good idea to swap regular cooking oils for extra-virgin olive oil, which provides healthy fats and antioxidants that may reduce the risk of heart disease.

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Staying focused throughout the day isn't always easy, but what you eat can make a big difference. Start your morning with eggs—a smart breakfast choice that contains choline, a nutrient that supports memory and helps your brain cells communicate. Pair them with a handful of blueberries, rich in antioxidants that sharpen concentration and may even slow mental aging. And when you need a snack to keep your mind alert, pumpkin seeds are perfect. They provide magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper—all essential for brain health and focus.

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Bananas and apples, thanks to their fiber content, are great allies when your digestive system needs a little support. But the star of the show is yogurt with live cultures. It's full of probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that help maintain a balanced gut flora. Other guests at this digestive party include ginger and peppermint, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and chia seeds, which are rich in soluble fiber to help keep things moving. The best part? You can enjoy many of these in one tasty breakfast!

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If you work out regularly or love playing sports, you know food plays an important role in helping your body recover. Experts recommend lean meats, as they contain protein and leucine, an amino acid that supports muscle repair. Other great options include quinoa, beans, and lentils—rich in plant-based protein, iron, and complex carbohydrates that aid recovery.

Sweet potatoes also make the list; their potassium content helps prevent muscle cramps. And don’t forget cottage cheese, packed with casein protein that promotes overnight muscle repair.

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Your skin says a lot about you—and how you eat! For hydrated, glowing skin, try adding avocados to your meals. Why? They’re rich in healthy fats and vitamin E, which help keep your skin soft and protected. Tomatoes are another skin-friendly food; they contain vitamin C and lycopene, an antioxidant that helps defend against sun damage and supports collagen production. Don’t forget fruits and vegetables with high water content, like watermelon and cucumbers—they can help keep your skin moisturized and improve its appearance.

You said it comes from where?

French fries from Belgium: dishes with an incorrect nationality

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Many dishes carry an origin in their name. But were they created in those places? Canadian bacon is back bacon, Russians eat Olivier salad, and Thai people do call it pad Thai, but is this the norm? Some dishes that are popular in America are associated with certain cuisines in their names when, in reality, they have a different origin. Let’s explore some of them and find out how they came to be called this way!

French Fries

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Contrary to what the name suggests, French fries originated in Belgium, not France. According to a popular story, 17th-century Belgian villagers, unable to fish on a frozen river, decided to fry their potatoes instead.

So, why French and not Belgian fries? There are several likely stories, but the term ‘French fried’ has been synonymous with ‘deep fried’ long before it was used for potatoes.

Hawaiian Pizza

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Pineapple as a pizza topping might be one of the most divisive food choices, and Hawaiians unjustly bear the brunt of the anti-pineapple side. But this controversial pizza combination is the result of many factors, none of them related to the Aloha state.

The idea behind this pairing came from a Greek-Canadian restaurateur from Ontario who had experience cooking Chinese food, abundant with sweet and sour combinations. Why Hawaiian then? It was the brand of the canned pineapple.

German Cake

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Spongy chocolate layers and a coconut-pecan frosting; no wonder this cake is a tried and true classic. But it is not the German chocolate classic, as that title is held by Black Forest cake. This one is all American.

The original name of this dessert was German’s chocolate cake, after chocolate-maker Samuel German. With the recipe becoming popular and rival chocolate brands developing their versions, the possessive in the name was eventually dropped.

Danish Pastries

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Danishes are one of those pastries that are simply versatile. They have a multitude of fillings and flavor profiles, and make excellent snacks. But are they actually Danish?

If you were to ask someone from Denmark, they would tell you that their real name is wienerbrød, or Viennese bread. But, although they were an Austrian import into Denmark, the truth is that Danish bakers developed their own distinct recipe. So, they are sort of Danish.

Japanese Peanuts

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While this snack was developed by a Japanese person, it doesn’t exist in Japan as we know it. It originated in Mexico, where a recently unemployed Japanese immigrant took up selling snacks as a way of providing for his family.

Inspired by mamegashi —a Japanese snack of seeds coated in spiced flour and fried— he chose peanuts to adapt them to the Mexican taste. The snack became popular instantly and was known as ‘Japanese-style’ peanuts.

French Toast

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The trick of wetting and cooking stale bread is older than the country of France. A 1st-century Roman cookbook contains what is considered to be the first recorded (eggless) French toast recipe, called aliter dulcia (‘another sweet dish’).

The dish does exist in France, but it’s called pain perdu, or ‘lost bread’. Possible explanations for the ‘French toast’ name talk about either a desire to make it sound more upscale or about a man called Joseph French popularizing it in America.

Macedonia Salad

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After a few dishes wrongly attributed to France, we encounter a French dish wrongly attributed to Macedonia. This dish can be found across southern Europe, but the term macédoine comes from French cuisine and is used for a salad made from small pieces of fruits or vegetables.

Though disputed, several sources claim that Macedonia refers to the mix of fruits or vegetables, as a reference to the mix of people that were part of the empire of Alexander the Great of Macedonia.

Swiss Cheese

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This one’s tricky: some Swiss cheeses come from Switzerland, but not all. The term ‘Swiss Cheese’ is used in America in a generic sense to talk about cheeses similar to Swiss Emmental (the yellow cheese with holes, in case you don’t recognize the name).

While Emmental is a registered name for cheeses made in that specific region, it’s still used for similar products from other countries. Also, true Emmental cheese might be sold as ‘Swiss cheese’ in the U.S.

Spanish Rice

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Spanish people are well-known for a specific rice dish, but it’s not this one, because this one’s Mexican. Sometimes called Mexican rice, this dish is a common side dish in Mexican cuisine, which is simply known as arroz rojo, or ‘red rice’.

Why the association with Spain, then? The name is used in the context of Tex-Mex cuisine: some say it’s because the dish is perceived as a simpler version of the Spanish paella, while others think it’s because it comes from a Spanish-speaking culture.

Italian Dressing

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If you ever travel through Italy, don’t expect to find Italian dressing available in restaurants or supermarkets. Despite its name, this one is one hundred percent American.

But it does have a connection with Italy: it originated in Massachusetts, where a restaurant started selling a salad vinaigrette made by the owner’s wife. She was the daughter of Italian immigrants, and this was her family’s recipe, so everyone called it ‘the Italian dressing’.