Author: Weng Yee Chin
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Food, Fulfilment and the Modern Fix: Reading Johann Hari’s book “Magic Pill” on GLP-1s
With the rise of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs, conversations about weight and wellbeing have taken on a new urgency — and a new complexity. I downloaded the audiobook of Johann Hari’s Magic Pill (The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs) after several acquaintances — all…
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Why Teff should be your next super grain
Teff, a tiny ancient grain from Ethiopia, offers impressive nutritional benefits, including high protein, fiber, iron, and calcium levels, surpassing quinoa. It’s gluten-free and supports gut health. Teff can be used in various recipes, including as a pasta, where it provides a chewy texture and great flavor, proving a worthy…
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Nutritional & Health Benefits of Wood Ear Mushrooms (木耳)
If you’ve ever bitten into a cold Chinese salad and wondered, “What is this crunchy, slippery, delicious black fungus?” — congratulations, you’ve met wood ear mushrooms (木耳, Mu Er in Mandarin). They may not win any beauty contests, but what they lack in looks, they make up for in incredible…
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Healing Foods for Concussion Recovery in Children
When a child is recovering from a concussion, food can become one of your most important allies. While rest and medical follow-up are vital, the brain also needs specific nutrients to heal from inflammation, support cellular repair, and replenish energy. Here at Weng’s Culinary Adventures, I believe that medicine can…
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Back from Asia and Back to Balance: My Post-Holiday Poke Bowl Reset
After three glorious weeks eating my way through Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and Malaysia, I’ve returned home feeling full—in every sense of the word. Full of memories, full of joy… and let’s be honest, still slightly full from one-too-many bowls of wontons, Cantonese roast meats, dumplings, dim sum, my 94-year-old…
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The Secret Power of Lentils: What is the “Second Meal Effect”?
Lentils are not just comfort food; they possess a unique “Second Meal Effect” that helps balance blood sugar levels not only during the current meal but also at the next one. This effect arises from their high fiber, slow-digesting carbohydrates, and beneficial gut properties, contributing to better glucose management and…
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Lower the Glycaemic Impact of Rice: Smart Eating Strategies
I have a love-hate relationship with rice. I love eating it. I’m Asian and can’t go too long without having a rice hit. But I hate the sugar peak that comes with eating refined white rice. Frequent blood sugar spikes are detrimental to health. They can lead to long-term complications…
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Boosting Your Child’s Growth Through Nutrition
I recently hosted a cooking class for a mother and her 7-year-old son. When planning meals for adults, my first step is always to ask about dietary restrictions and preferences. But when leading an individualized nutrition-focused cooking class, I typically start by exploring specific nutritional concerns. In this case, the…
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Ancient Grains: Health Benefits, Nutritional Facts, and How to Cook Them
Do you know the difference between couscous, quinoa, and millet? Don’t worry—neither did I at first! When I started adding more whole grains to my diet, I kept seeing some of them labeled as “Ancient Grains”—which sounded fancy, but honestly, I had no clue what it really meant. Was there…
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