Sponsored: Check out "Taste of Local" events

ingles dietitianQUESTION: A friend told me about your “Taste of Local” events but I have never gone to one. What are they and when is the next one? 

ANSWER: Our “Taste of Local” events are a way for our customers to meet some of our local farmers and vendors.

Sponsored: Know the different grades of meat

ingles dietitianQUESTION: What are the different grades of meat and what does it mean?

ANSWER: The major grades of meat are: Prime, Choice, Select. These are known as “quality grades” and reflect the tenderness and juiciness of the meat due to marbling (fat content) of the meat.

Sponsored: All about quinoa

ingles dietitianQUESTION: I have heard a lot about quinoa but I don’t know how to cook it.

ANSWER: Quinoa is often called an “ancient grain” and it is a relative of spinach. It is primarily cultivated in South America and is gluten-free.

Sponsored: Living with lactose intolerance

ingles dietitianQUESTION: I have lactose intolerance. Is it better for me to buy goat's milk and cheeses than cow's milk and cheeses?

ANSWER: Lactose is the naturally occurring sugar found in milk from mammals whether cow, sheep or goats. Some individuals have lactose intolerance or acquire this as they grow older. Their bodies do not produce enough of the enzyme (lactase) to help digest the lactose so they have gastrointestinal issues like gas, bloating and diarrhea.

Sponsored: Where does Laura Lynn milk come from?

ingles dietitianQUESTION: Where does Ingles Laura Lynn milk come from?

ANSWER: Most (80%) of the dairy farmers who supply Ingles Markets with Laura Lynn milk live within about 100-150 miles of Asheville. These dairy farms generally have about 100-200 cows and are family owned like English Farm in Marion NC and Ramsey Dairy Farm in Fairview.

Sponsored: Can you come do a presentation for my group?

ingles dietitianQUESTION: Do you do talks for the public and if so, what is the cost?

Answer: Yes! I frequently do presentations on nutrition and food related topics for various non-profit groups, students, and community organizations. I request that you have a minimum of 50 people in attendance for the presentation. There is no cost. The best way to check on my availability is to e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call me at: 800-334-4936.

Sponsored: Should I be concerned about BPA in can liners?

ingles dietitianQUESTION: Should I be worried about BPA liners in cans and be buying BPA-free cans?

Answer: While some brands do offer BPA-free cans this is not commonplace and this is typically noted on the label. 

Sponsored: Healthy ways to make your oatmeal more exciting

ingles dietitianQUESTION: I get bored with my plain old oatmeal. Can you give me some ideas on some different things to add to it?

Answer:  Try cooking your oatmeal with milk or flavored non-dairy milk ( like vanilla soy/coconut or almond) to make it more creamy. You can also add in some dried fruit like raisins or chopped dates while cooking the oatmeal.

Sponsored: Learn more about a gluten-free diet

ingles dietitianQUESTION: One of my New Year’s resolutions was to eat healthier and so I have been trying a gluten-free diet.  Do you think a gluten-free diet is healthy and will it help me lose weight?

Answer:  Gluten is a combination of the proteins (glutenin and gliadin) found in wheat, barley and rye. For individuals with celiac disease,  a gluten-free diet is a medical necessity and is currently the only treatment for that disease. 

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.