Flavor and Wellness

Isabella Cortez

Food Editor

Isabella Cortez is the Food Editor at Flavor and Wellness, where she explores the intersection of flavor, culture, and nutrition. Through her descriptive and inviting storytelling, she covers the latest food trends, global cuisine, and recipe development. She is dedicated to making the world of food accessible and exciting by providing readers with insights into sustainable food practices and clean eating.

Expertise

Food TrendsRecipe DevelopmentCulinary CultureSustainable Food PracticesNutritionGlobal CuisineFood PhotographyWine Pairing

Coverage Areas

Food
Recipes
Trends

Latest Articles

A split image contrasting a sterile, AI-driven kitchen with a warm, human-centric kitchen, highlighting the difference between artificial and human culinary creation.
Food

AI recipes' pitfalls and the enduring need for human chefs

When San Francisco cafe Grind & Unwind used AI-generated menu images, vandals graffitied the storefront, costing the owner an estimated $700 to paint over, according to The Guardian .

Sep 15, 2026 · 3 min read

A bright kitchen scene showcasing fresh produce, fermented foods, and yogurt, symbolizing simple and natural gut health solutions.
Recipes

Simple Gut Health Steps & Solutions

A monthly supply of a popular multi-strain probiotic can cost $30-$60, yet studies reveal that simply increasing dietary fiber or consuming fermented foods often delivers superior gut health benefits.

Sep 15, 2026 · 6 min read

Close-up of a bubbling fermentation jar with colorful vegetables, showcasing the active microbial process of food preservation and nutrient creation.
Food

What Is the Science of Fermentation in Food and Gut Health?

The majority of essential vitamins, including B12 and riboflavin, found in nutritional supplements and fortified processed foods reach consumers through fermentation.

Sep 14, 2026 · 5 min read

A mother cooking a comforting meal in a cozy kitchen, symbolizing resilience and finding solace during financial hardship.
Recipes

Daily Kos uses comfort food recipes to survive financial hardship

Daily Kos, a publication grappling with severe financial hardship, now publishes recipes for dishes like Corned Beef & Potato Patties and Baked Ziti.

Sep 13, 2026 · 3 min read

A warm, inviting scene of a healthy homemade fall latte surrounded by autumn elements like leaves and cinnamon sticks.
Recipes

Easy Healthy Fall Latte Recipes You Can Make At Home

That festive pumpkin spice latte from your favorite coffee shop can pack over 50 grams of sugar and cost upwards of $7.

Sep 13, 2026 · 5 min read

Diverse college students working together in a campus setting to sort and pack rescued food for distribution, combating hunger and food waste.
Food

College students launch food waste rescue initiatives to combat hunger

Nearly half of all college students surveyed experienced food insecurity, even as U.

Sep 12, 2026 · 2 min read

A colorful and abundant tailgate spread with gourmet make-ahead recipes, perfect for effortless game day entertaining and football parties.
Recipes

Whip up easy make-ahead tailgate recipes for effortless game day entertaining

Forget basic hot dogs: game day spreads in 2026 are now featuring French Onion turkey meatball sliders, pizza eggrolls drizzled with hot honey, and buffalo chicken-stuffed garlic knots, thanks to chef

Sep 12, 2026 · 2 min read

A modern air fryer on a kitchen counter, showcasing a healthy meal being prepared, highlighting the benefits of smart, oil-free cooking.
Recipes

Top 5 Common Air Fryer Mistakes to Avoid for Healthier Meals

Cooking beef in an air fryer without oil can reduce Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) concentration to below detectable limits, a significant improvement over oven cooking.

Sep 12, 2026 · 5 min read

Artistic depiction of dark chocolate and blue cheese alongside exotic fruits and spices, symbolizing surprising food pairings and their scientific basis.
Food

The Science Behind Surprising Food Pairings

Dark chocolate and blue cheese, a pairing once considered bizarre, share more than 70 significant aromatic compounds, allowing the cheese's earthiness to cut sweetness and chocolate to soften sharpnes

Sep 12, 2026 · 5 min read

A visually appealing spread of trending exotic recipes including lentil salad, spicy noodles, and creamy orzo, showcasing global flavors made easy and affordable for home cooks.
Recipes

Effortless Exotic Recipes Dominate Top 5 Trending List

A lentil-and-feta salad, costing under $5 per serving, unexpectedly became TikTok's most-shared recipe last week, outperforming elaborate pasta dishes and gourmet desserts.

Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Overhead view of a vibrant, fresh anti-inflammatory salad being quickly assembled with colorful ingredients on a modern kitchen counter.
Recipes

Top 5 Quick Anti-Inflammatory Salad Recipes Ready in 15 Minutes

Chronic inflammation contributes to 7 out of 10 leading causes of death in the US, yet a meal prepared in under 15 minutes can significantly reduce these systemic risks, according to a study published

Sep 11, 2026 · 5 min read

A symbolic image of a grocery store aisle with a red 'X' over a food product, representing the proposed ban on high-fructose corn syrup.
Food

US House bill introduced to restrict high-fructose corn syrup

A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to ban high-fructose corn syrup from nearly all food products sold across state lines, giving companies two years to reformulate.

Sep 10, 2026 · 3 min read

A family happily eating a slow-cooked meal in a sunlit kitchen, highlighting the ease and enjoyment of weeknight dinners.
Recipes

Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy Weeknights & Back to School

Imagine a bubbling lasagne, rich with tender beef, ready for dinner after only three hours of passive cooking, freeing up your afternoon for everything else.

Sep 10, 2026 · 4 min read

A close-up shot of a healthy pork and soba noodle stir-fry with fresh vegetables, presented in a wok on a wooden table.
Recipes

Easy Healthy Stir Fry Recipes for Busy Weeknights

A pork soba stir-fry, packed with protein and low in sugar, can be on your table in under 30 minutes using just six ingredients, according to Healthline .

Sep 9, 2026 · 6 min read

A person contemplating a plate of processed foods, with a salt shaker subtly emphasized, representing the crucial dietary choice for managing high blood pressure.
Food

What is the most important food to limit for high blood pressure?

The average American consumes about 1½ teaspoons of salt daily, which is 50% more than recommended.

Sep 9, 2026 · 4 min read

A beautiful Italian villa garden setting with a table full of delicious and artfully presented vegan food, representing a luxurious plant-based travel experience.
Food

Exploring Vegan Travel Destinations

In Rivoltella del Garda, Italy, a six-room inn called Il Mansio operates with a 100% plant-based kitchen.

Sep 8, 2026 · 3 min read

A sunlit kitchen counter showcasing a variety of healthy spring baked goods, including fruit tarts and decorated cakes, emphasizing fresh ingredients and vibrant colors.
Recipes

5 Healthy Spring Baking Recipes for 2026

A single slice of traditional lemon poppy seed cake can contain over 500 calories and 60g of sugar.

Sep 8, 2026 · 6 min read

A decadent chocolate milkshake on a fast-food tray, surrounded by burger wrappers and a half-eaten burger, symbolizing indulgence and nutritional cost.
Food

Fast Food Desserts: Flavor, Indulgence, and Nutritional Costs

A Small Chocolate Shake from McDonald's packs 530 calories and 73g of sugar, more than double the daily recommended added sugar intake for many adults.

Sep 6, 2026 · 4 min read

A parent and child smiling while preparing a variety of colorful, healthy snacks like fruit slices, vegetable sticks, and whole-grain crackers in a sunlit kitchen.
Recipes

Top 8 Healthy Kid-Friendly Snack Ideas

While some popular kid-friendly crackers boast 3g of protein and 4g of fiber with no added sugar, others in the same category contain 2g of added sugar despite similar marketing.

Sep 6, 2026 · 4 min read

A delicious and colorful heart-healthy dinner plate, showcasing fresh ingredients, ready to be enjoyed in under 30 minutes.
Recipes

Quick Heart Healthy Dinners Ready in 30 Minutes

Imagine a weeknight dinner on the table in 25 minutes, actively lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure, all without sacrificing flavor.

Sep 5, 2026 · 6 min read