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Tag: nutrition

Have an Edible Eclipse!

On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Why not make a tasty and fun snack to celebrate the day?

Edible Eclipse

3 peach slices
2 Tablespoons vanilla yogurt
1/2 black plum

Lay peach slices in a circle on a plate. Scoop yogurt on the peach slices. Top with the black plum half.

Makes 1 serving. Each serving contains 60 calories, 1 gram of fat, 13 grams of carbohydrate, 1 gram of fiber and 19 mg sodium.

This snack is not only great because it resembles the eclipse but it’s also a great time to enjoy peaches and plums when they are at their peak in late summer. Here is a little more information on these delicious fruits:

  • Peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, and cherries are all closely related members of the Prunus genus. They are commonly referred to as stone fruits because their seeds are very large and hard like a stone.
  • If peaches or plums are too firm and need to ripen, place them in a loosely closed paper bag at room temperature. Check daily until soft enough to eat.
  • If you won’t be eating the peaches right away after slicing, keep them from turning brown by sprinkling with orange juice.
  • Peaches and plums are tasty snacks eaten whole, chopped, or sliced. Add chopped peaches and plums to yogurt, cold cereal, or oatmeal to add sweetness and flavor. Peaches and plums can be mixed into the batter for pancakes, waffles, muffins, or bread.

Sources:

Peaches – Household USDA Foods Fact Sheet from USDA

Stone Fruits: Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Apricots, and Cherries from Penn State

http://food.unl.edu/edible-eclipse

 

Spend Smart. Eat Smart. App

Spend Smart. Eat Smart.The Spend Smart. Eat Smart website from Iowa State University is now available as a mobile app! The brand new, free mobile app puts healthy eating and cost saving tools in the palm of your hand at the grocery store.

  • Unit Price Calculator: You will never have to wonder which product is a better buy again. The calculator will do unit price calculations with ease.
  • Produce Basics: Review nutrition, selection, storage, cleaning and preparation information for a wide variety of fresh produce.
  • Recipe Finder: Keep track of your favorite recipes from the website.

Download for free today from your app store!

 

MyPlate, MyState

MyPlateThe newest tool in MyPlate, MyWins is MyPlate, MyState. It asks you: What foods, flavors, and recipes is your state/territory known for, and how do they fit into your healthy eating style?

The goals of this new portion if ChooseMyPlate.gov include:

  • Connect people with local farmers and farmers markets
  • Support local and regional agriculture
  • Celebrate homegrown pride, foods, and recipes
  • Motivate Americans towards healthier eating and living
  • Bring communities together

Learn more at www.choosemyplate.gov/myplate-mystate

 

Sugary Beverage Consumption

The data backs the message. Sugar-sweetened beverages contribute calories and added sugars to the diets of U.S. children.

Studies have suggested a link between the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and dental caries, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children. The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend reducing added sugars consumption to less than 10% of calories per day and, specifically, to choose beverages with no added sugars.

Data from the National Healthy and Nutrition Examination Survey shows the following:

  • Almost two-thirds of U.S. youth consume at least one sugar-sweetened beverage a day.
  • Calories from sugar-sweetened beverages increased with age for both boys and girls.
  • Boys consumed an average 164 kilocalories (kcal) from sugar-sweetened beverages, which contributed 7.3% of total daily caloric intake. Girls consumed an average 121 kcal from sugar-sweetened beverages, which contributed 7.2% of total daily caloric intake.

Learn more at www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db271.htm.

 

National Nutrition Month®

Put Your Best Fork Forward! That is the theme for National Nutrition Month® sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The key messages include:

  • Include a variety of your favorite, healthful foods.
  • Practice cooking at home and use healthful ingredients.
  • Eat and drink the amount for you using MyPlate guidelines.
  • Be physically active most days of the week.
  • Consult a registered dietician for help.

Learn more at www.eatright.org/resources/national-nutrition-month.

 

USDA Nutrient Database Expands

Man shopping in supermarket

The USDA Food Composition Database now includes over 80,000 brand name foods. This free online resource for families, the food industry, and researchers also contains basic food information.

The Database has options on how to search for information. Besides searching for an individual food, it also has lists by nutrient if you need to consume more or less foods with a specific nutrient. This can be valuable for those with food allergies, diabetes, kidney disease and other diseases. When you look at the list of nutrients, it is shown by household measure or grams. These values can be changed.

In the coming months, more foods will be added to include up to 500,000 products. It will also detail serving size, servings per package and much more.

The USDA Food Composition Database is a transparent source of food information. It can be found at https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/

 

Kids Eat Right Month™

August is National Sandwich month too!
August is National Sandwich month too!

As August rolls in, school will be starting again. It is a good time to get kids started with healthful eating and active lifestyles.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates Kids Eat Right Month™ to focus on kids.

To help encourage kids to eat right, get them in the kitchen. Kids as young as three can help do simple tasks to have them help make a recipe or prepare a meal. When they help in the kitchen, they are more willing to try new foods.

Look for ideas and resources at www.eatrightpro.org/resources/media/multimedia-news-center/kids-eat-right-month-media-materials.

 

Nutrition Differences in Colored Peppers

peppersBell peppers can add a variety of color to many recipes. But they also add different amounts of nutrition. Red, yellow and orange peppers are the ripe versions of the green pepper. Therefore, they cost more. They are all equal in the macronutrients of protein, fat, and carbohydrate.

The differences are found in the vitamin, mineral and phytonutrient content. In the case of vitamin C, green peppers contain 80mg per 3 ounce serving. Yellow peppers have 184mg per serving. The Recommended Daily Allowance is 75-90mg per day so either pepper is a good choice.

Different colors of peppers have different amounts of carotenoids. Red peppers are bursting with beta-carotene. Yellow peppers have very little beta-carotene. Orange peppers have 10 times the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenoids are beneficial for eye health.

Bottom line, don’t skimp on peppers and add color to your meals!

Source: Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, Jan. 2016

 

Pretty Spring Peas

Peas
Peas can be eaten raw or cooked. Select firm, bright green, medium-sized pods for best freshness.

Add a pop of green color to meals with Spring peas! Here are some ideas:

  • Add to soup or stew.
  • Add to rice or barley pilaf.
  • Substitute half of the avocado in guacamole with mashed peas.
  • Add to stir-fry meals.
  • Liven up a green salad, pasta salad or any salad.

Learn more at www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/peas.