Is there anything nicer about late summer and fall than new-season apples and pears? I don't think so. Most people know that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. But, did you know that a pear a day can do the same? Apples and pears share a nutritional benefit called fiber which is especially important to digestive health, nutrient absorption, and appetite control. In fact, if you eat a medium sized apple or pear, you'll consume 5-6 grams of fiber along with about 100 calories. Also, there are plant-based phytochemicals in apples and pears and research shows that they can protect us … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Enjoy Apples and Pears in Healthy Meals
A Grocery Store Tour Goes Virtual!
The grocery store is a powerful place to learn about nutrition so bring consumers along virtually as a great starting point. 5 Ways to Connect Consumers to their Grocery Store on a Virtual Tour Introduce a few big-picture learning messages before getting into specifics Talk through real aisles of the store as an orientation Show real foods and/or packages of foods as demos Mention an easy recipe you like to make as a way to highlight specific foods Give tips to save time & money along with your nutrition-themed topic 5 Foods to Show Consumers on a … [Read more...] about A Grocery Store Tour Goes Virtual!
7 Steps to a Successful Picnic
Picnic Month is a July celebration we can all enjoy. When you combine a picnic with good nutrition, it's a successful meal mixed with a lot of fun! Here are 7 steps to a successful July picnic: Invite a comfortable number to your picnic. For experienced hosts/hostesses, this might be 15 or 20; for the less experienced, this might be 3 or 4. Plan ahead to make the special treats. A few examples are deviled eggs, pinwheel sandwiches, blueberry crisp. Take time to include simple, healthy choices. These might include celery sticks filled with peanut butter, cucumber spears, popcorn, … [Read more...] about 7 Steps to a Successful Picnic
Take Small Steps for Lasting Changes with a Registered Dietitian
I’ve always felt that dietitians are invaluable health professionals. Of course I do, since I am a registered dietitian. Recently, I had a casual discussion with a chef friend and we hashed out why clients hire us and how insurance plays a role. There are similarities because we both assist clients in a way that impacts the quality of their lives. My friend, however, is a personal chef so she doesn’t qualify for insurance reimbursement. Fortunately, I do. What are Small Steps? I think of small steps as just about anything that moves you in the positive direction of nutrition … [Read more...] about Take Small Steps for Lasting Changes with a Registered Dietitian
Tomatoes Check All the Boxes of Fresh, Delicious, and Convenient
Imagining meals without tomatoes is hard for me to do. Sometimes I add them to my breakfast with a sliced cucumber and dollop of hummus. Other times I add them to my lunch sandwich -- to make a tasty ELT. At dinner, tomatoes pop up in a side salad, sauce, soup, or just on my plate and ready-to-eat. I don't think I'm alone in counting on tomatoes to be there for me. Maybe you can relate. I've had quite a few grocery store checkout line chats and/or farmer's market chats with total strangers who share their 'tomato love stories' with me. See how many varieties you know here. Fresh and Delicious … [Read more...] about Tomatoes Check All the Boxes of Fresh, Delicious, and Convenient
The Spring Farmer’s Market has Healthy Nutrition Choices for Everyone
The Market Opens in May There's something very exciting going on in May - that is, in addition to the Kentucky Derby, a new baseball season, and many college graduations. I'm talking about the season of local Farmer's Markets opening and blooming with vibrant colors, amazing flavors, top-quality nutrition, and fun for everyone. It has become a 'thing' these past 3-5 years to meet your friends, buy a vegetable, and meet a farmer on Saturday mornings at the Market. But, it was weeks and months before May that local farmers got started... Starting the Crops As winter transitions to spring, … [Read more...] about The Spring Farmer’s Market has Healthy Nutrition Choices for Everyone