Choosing Healthy Foods

with campus executive chef Tom Barton Who doesn’t love a potato right? Especially here in New England where Maine is ranked 10th in potato production nationwide. There are many varieties and colors to choose from, all having their own various health and nutritional benefits. So potatoes can definitely be good for you but sometimes we tend to eat too many which can leave us feeling a bit lethargic and overly full. I’m not suggesting we give up these tantalizing spuds but change how we think about our intake. Perhaps putting a smaller portion of potatoes on our plates along with some fresh vegetables is something to consider with the warmer weather coming quickly. Or another idea might be to think of some alternatives to potatoes like chick pea fries! Here’s a delicious recipe from one of my favorite websites Food52 https://food52.com/recipes/9642-chickpea-fries-with-yogurt-dipping-sauce . These are so easy to make and so tasty! The optional cumin in this recipe really gives it a special...

When you are thinking about fat consider healthy fats versus non-fat food items.  When it comes to healthy eating the type of fat is just as important if not more important than the amount of fat.  With that in mind, you should consider eating less high fat foods containing saturated and trans fatty acids (which can be easily spotted on the food label under partially hydrogenated oils) that are know to raise LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol in the body.  LDL is considered the "bad cholesterol" while HDL (high-density lipoprotein) appears to actually clear the "bad" types of cholesterol from the blood. You can help raise your HDL by incorporating exercise into your daily routine and consuming healthy fats. To decrease your saturated fat intake you should consider eating less animal products, especially fatty parts of beef, pork, lamb and chicken and incorporate more plant protein options (soy, hummus, nuts, and seeds).  You can also decrease (not take away c...

On February 2nd, the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health celebrate National Wear Red Day® to bring attention to the number one killer of women, heart disease. Despite the fact that heart disease kills more women than the next four causes of death combined, most women still think of it as a man’s disease. This misperception prevents many of us from taking the steps we need to keep ourselves healthy. Celebrate Your Health: When it comes to heart health, there are some changes that pack a big punch. Celebrate your health and the health of the women in your life by making these strategies a priority. Move more. The more active you are, the better you will feel and the lower your risk for heart disease will be. All activity counts, so don’t skip it if you are short on time. Ten minutes, three times a day is enough to make a difference. Eat more of the good stuff. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are delicious foods that can help to lower your heart disease ri...