Choosing Healthy Foods

As we prepare to celebrate Earth Month in April and Stop Food Waste Day on April 27th,  many of us will focus on making choices that improve the health of our planet. An added  bonus is that several of the strategies that shrink our carbon footprint can also help improve our health. Shrink (or Share) Your Portions  Starting with smaller portions has been shown to decrease the amount we eat – saving us important calories. Smaller portions also tend to decrease the amount of food we end up throwing away. This strategy is a win-win for the planet that both reduces waste and reduces the demands of producing more food than we really need. When eating out, if smaller portions aren’t available, share dishes with friends. You’ll get to taste a variety of foods without the added calories or waste. Choose More Plants Plant foods like fruits, vegetables and grains require substantially less energy, land and water to produce than do animal foods like beef and eggs. Reducing how often...

Getting the most nutrition for your food budget starts with a little extra planning before you shop. There are many ways to save money on the foods that you eat. Here are some budget-friendly tips for eating right. Plan what you’re going to eat Before you head for the grocery store, plan your meals and snacks for the week. Review recipes for what ingredients are needed. Check to see what foods you already have and make a list of what you need to buy. When you shop with a list, you will be less likely to buy extra items that are not on it. Decide how much to make Making a large batch by doubling a recipe will save time in the kitchen later on. Extra portions can be used for lunches or meals later in the week, or freeze leftovers in individual containers for future use. Plus, foods purchased in bulk are almost always cheaper. Determine where to shop Check the local newspaper, online and at the store for sales and coupons, especially when it comes to more expensive ingredients, such as me...

The holiday season is right around the corner which means lots of celebrating with parties and gatherings accompanied by much to eat and drink, not all being "healthy." First up is Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks, centered around a huge feast. So how do we keep it happy and healthy without weight gain during this joyous season of eating? Here are a few tips on how to have your feast and eat it too without the weight gain. Think About Portion Control Sometimes our eyes are bigger than our stomachs when we look at the Thanksgiving spread in front of us. It is important to consume proper portion sizes of our favorite holiday foods versus stacking our plates high with everything. Keep these visual markers in mind as you fill your plate to make sure you’re not over consuming. 1 serving of turkey is 3 oz, about the same size as a deck of playing cards A serving of gravy is 1/4 of a cup, about the size of a golf ball A serving of mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes is 1/2 cup, abo...