Health & Wellness Blog

STOCKING A HEALTHY KITCHEN

By: Laura Haddox, NDTR

With schools closed and mandated social distancing guidelines in place, many are trying to ensure that they have enough food on hand. The recommendation is to store up enough food for your family for two weeks. Does that mean that you need to spend hundreds of dollars on food? No. Remember, there are some that may not have the means to buy in bulk and by leaving items for others, we have the chance to allow everyone in our local communities access to food. Buying a few extra supplies may help reduce the stress and worry of not having enough. We here at the Y want to help make the whole process less overwhelming by giving you some ideas for your next trip to the grocery store. Below is a step by step guide to help you stock a healthy kitchen.  

1. TAKE INVENTORY

Do a quick scan of your pantry and fridge. Throw out any expired or freezer-burned food to make room for new items.

2. MEAL PLAN

If possible, start your grocery list by meal planning. Based on your inventory, think about what favorite recipes you can make with items on hand and what you need from the store to complete the meal. That can include some food that you can prep ahead of time and freeze. Some examples are chili, soup, meatballs, pasta, sauce, etc. 

3. MAKE A GROCERY LIST

Your list should include all major food groups and macronutrients: protein sources like beans, eggs, canned or lean meats, and fish that you can freeze. Carbohydrates, such as canned or frozen fruit(in 100% fruit juice) and vegetables(no salt added or rinse them to reduce sodium). Whole grains, including brown rice, quinoa, and 100% whole wheat or vegetable/legume-based pasta. Don't forget healthy fats like nut butter, nuts, and olive oil. Of course, your list should include fresh food as well; you will just want to plan to use those items first and save the freezer and other shelf-stable items for later. You can get the most out of your fresh food like cheese and produce by strategically planning when and how to use it. Another good idea is to purchase fresh foods with the best longevity, including root vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and onions, and also citrus fruits like lemons and limes, oranges.

Buying shelf-stable and frozen foods can sometimes mean higher sodium. Focus on purchasing flash-frozen items that are not in sauces or syrups. When it comes to canned vegetables, buy those that have reduced or no salt added. If you do purchase those with added salt, you can rinse them off to reduce the sodium content. An additional tip for cooking at home to control the total amount of daily sodium would be to use sodium-free spices and herbs. 

Whether you use tap, bottled, or filtered water, make sure you have a source of safe water available to drink. If your family drinks milk and you want to buy more than what you have in your fridge, you can freeze it for about a month. Some separation may occur. Be sure to store in another container before freezing, leaving some room for it to expand. You can also purchase shelf-stable milk, such as Horizon Organic milk. You may want to have on hand Pedialyte and Gatorade in the instance that someone ends up having any type of illness at home.  

Lastly, all the mom and dads out there of little ones and teenagers, make sure you have lots of snacks, snacks, and more snacks! Some healthier choices are fruits and veggies, baked chips, fishies, cheerios, raisins, graham crackers, yogurt, etc. 

I hope you all found something in this post that makes stocking up a little easier. Here are some additional links for extra resources to help keep your family fed and healthy.

Food storage guidelines

Freezing milk

Some more ideas for foods to purchase

Ideas for freezer meals

HEALTHY BANANA BREAD RECIPE

Recipe adapted from ALLRECIPES almost no fat added banana bread

I put on my thinking cap to try to come up with a recipe that most people would have all the ingredients and wouldn't have to travel outside of the comfort and safety of your own home to make. So get your family off the couch and into the kitchen by whipping up this healthy and delicious banana bread. In addition to spending time with loved ones, this is also an excellent opportunity to teach our children and maybe even some adults life skills, like preparing healthy recipes. Enjoy! 

Ingredients

· ¾ cups all-purpose flour and ¾ whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour 

· 3/4 cup white sugar

· 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

· 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

· 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

· 2 egg whites

· 1 cup banana, mashed

· 1/4 cup applesauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Add egg whites, bananas, and applesauce; stir just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Turn out onto wire rack and allow to cool before slicing.

NOTES:

 *Using all-purpose flour is fine if that is what you have on hand. 

*To add a healthy source of fats you can add some walnuts 

*Just for fun you can throw in some chocolate chips!

*Use this for a breakfast option by serving it with your choice of Greek yogurt or another low/no sugar added variety. My favorite is Vanilla OIKOS Greek Yogurt. 

*I've used Greek Yogurt in place of the applesauce. 

HEALTHY HABITS CALENDAR By: Laura Haddox, NDTR

Small changes can make a big difference - every little thing you do adds up. In efforts to be a continued source of encouragement for you to stay positive, maintain focus on your health, and add some variety to your everyday life, we came up with a HEALTHY HABITS CALENDAR.  It includes everything from increasing your veggie intake to self-care Sunday! You don't have to do them in any particular order, shoot to complete one block daily. Print it out and hang on your fridge to get the whole family involved.  

Download the printable version of the calendar

COVID-19 AND FOOD SAFETY By: Laura Haddox, NDTR

*UPDATE: Since this blog post was published, there has been an additional recommendation made from the CDC that everyone should be wearing a cloth face-covering in public. Let's save those surgical masks and N95s respirators for those who truly need them.

Food safety is always a concern, and COVID-19 has many wondering what chance there is that you can become infected through food. The good news is that currently, there is no evidence of food or food packaging associated with the transmission of the virus. Though not thought to be the primary way the illness spreads, there is a chance of contracting it by touching surfaces or items handled by someone who has COVID-19 and then touching their mouth, nose, and possibly eyes. This type of transmission can occur at the grocery store by touching unsanitized carts as well as touching items others have handled. The most important thing when you are making a trip to the grocery store is to keep social distancing in mind, avoid touching your face and practice proper handwashing techniques, before and after the visit. 

Some businesses are already doing their part to flatten the curve by doing the following:

• Using tape to mark off 6 feet between customers in the deli area, checkout aisle, and pharmacy. 
• Opening earlier or reserving the first hour of the business day for the elderly and other at-risk populations.
• Stores are offering grocery pick-up and delivery. Though there may be a long waitlist for this service, it eliminates the need to enter the store. 
• Outside of grocery stores, there are businesses like Soergels offering a pick-up of essential items such as eggs, bread, milk, produce, toilet papers, and paper towels. Selection and availability differ. For more info: https://www.soergels.com/soergels-essentials/
• Many restaurants are offering takeout only options. Ordering from these establishments is a great way to support local businesses that are no longer able to provide eat-in dining. 

For most of the population, it is likely we will find ourselves at the store and ordering takeout from somewhere. For that reason, we created an infographic to help you navigate both.

Sources for the Blog post:

FDA.gov website: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/food-safety-and-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

WTAE News report: https://www.wtae.com/article/is-it-safe-to-eat-food-thats-been-delivered-can-a-microwave-kill-coronavirus/31793742

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: https://www.eatright.org/coronavirus

By: Laura Haddox, NDTR

Everyone is doing their best to try to reduce trips to the grocery stores; we are meal planning more and putting the plan into a shopping list. While a list is a great tool to minimize the time you spend in the store, it can become challenging to find all the things on it. I think most of us are familiar with choosing a different brand of an item, but what if they don't have the product at all? Forgoing the recipe is one option; this is much harder to do if it's a staple item like milk, butter, or eggs. The other option is to find a substitution to use. Knowing how to swap ingredients is not only helpful when you are grocery shopping but also in your kitchen. Several times throughout this pandemic, I have decided to make something and found myself being out a spice, oil, or other items I assumed I had. Luckily if you are reading this, you have access to the internet where you can quickly lookup how to swap one ingredient for another without disastrous results. To make it even easier for you, I have created a list(see PDF to print) of common substitutions. Below the chart, please check out the numerous links to other substitution lists that cover a wider variety of ingredients. While I encourage you to go for the healthier swap, with limited resources and tight budgets, do the best you can with what you have. Keeping your family fed is the most important thing. 

Additional substition links:

Mayo Clinic healthy ingredient subsitutions: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/healthy-recipes/art-20047195

All recipes comphrehensive list of common ingredient substitutions: https://www.allrecipes.com/article/common-ingredient-substitutions/ 

Food Network baking substitutions: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/baking-guide/baking-ingredient-guide

KEEP ON TRACK WITH HEALTHY SNACKS

By: Laura Haddox, NDTR

Let's face it; most EVERYONE loves to snack. When I work with our members on nutrition, snacking is at the top of the list of things they want to address. Often when we think of a snack, we think of those delectable treats like cookies, candies, chips, and cheesy appetizers galore. There are numerous reasons why we snack; it can be hunger, emotion, appetite, boredom, or even just a habit we have formed during a particular time of day. Maybe you snack on mini-meals to fuel your body throughout the day, find yourself stress snacking while at work, or perhaps you are a parent who relishes that time between 9-10 p.m. with your favorite Netflix series and queso (guilty!). Regardless of why you snack, it can and should be a part of your daily routine, and here's why:

WHY SHOULD WE SNACK?

• Simply put, the human body continually burns calories.
• Your body requires a regular intake of fuel in the form of food.
• Waiting too long to eat can cause you to over-eat at the next meal.
• It helps you keep your energy up throughout the day.
• Allows the opportunity to meet nutritional needs.
• Eating food every 3-4 waking hours can help regulate blood sugar and keep hunger and cravings at bay.

Now that we know why snacking is important let's discuss what is considered a snack and how to make them nutritious.

WHAT IS A SNACK?

Between 150-300 calories. Balance your total calories throughout the day. 

Choose a balance of both carbohydrates (grains, fruits, veggies, yogurt) and protein (eggs, lean meats, nuts, peanut butter, cheese), with a little fat.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY SNACKING:

• Choose healthy snacks and try to limit unnutritious foods that are high in fat, sodium, or added sugar such as chips or baked goods. 
• Try to keep snack times the same from day to day but also listen to your body for hunger cues. 
• Keep a stash of healthy snacks nearby.
• Choose a variety of snacks. (great time to eat the rainbow..fruit and veggies)
• Choose snacks that are small but are filling. 
• Avoid distractions like your phone, tv or computer while you eat.
• When purchasing packaged snacks, let the nutrition facts label be your guide.
• Portion-size and portion control are the keys to healthy snacking. Refresh your memory here for portion sizes https://www.choosemyplate.gov/MyPlate

WHAT ABOUT LATE NIGHT SNACKING?

Eating at night does not cause weight gain. Making poor food decisions late at night is what can contribute to excess calories and weight gain. Think cottage cheese and peaches vs. pizza and wings.

Keeping snacks fun can be challenging, and let's be honest while we know the importance of a nutritious diet; we also want to enjoy the food we eat. For that reason, I have put together a list of 50 tastefully healthy and easy to prepare snacks. Look below the list for links to recipes and a printable copy of the snack list. 

50 HEALTHY SNACKS:

1. Veggies and guacamole or hummus, light ranch dressing
2. Greek yogurt and mixed berries Apple slices with peanut butter
3. Cottage cheese with flax seeds and cinnamon
4. Celery sticks with peanut butter, reduced-fat cream cheese
5. Kale chips.
6. Dark chocolate and almonds
7. Banana and peanut butter
8. Fruit and nuts
9. Fruit Salad w/Greek Yogurt dip
10. Avocado & salsa on Ezekiel or WW bread
11. Small veggie quesadilla
12. Superhero muffins(r)
13. Baked apple chips and peanut butter
14. Banana and peanut butter roll-up on a whole wheat tortilla
15. Cottage cheese and cantaloupe or other fruit
16. Cucumber & tomato salad with a light dressing
17. Banana "ice-cream" (r)
18. Popcorn w/vegan cheese (r)
19. Cottage cheese with tomato & cucumber
20. Whole wheat cracker(Triscuits), red fat cheese w/ apple slices
21. Sugar snap peas and hummus
22. Hard-boiled eggs
23. Plain Greek yogurt ranch dip and fresh veggies
24. 1/2 sweet baked potato w/vanilla Greek yogurt, cinnamon and chopped walnuts
25. Protein balls (r)
26. Trail Mix(watch sugar & sodium)
27. Breakfast bars (r)
28. Trail Mix store or homemade (watch added sugar and sodium)
29. Turkey & bell pepper roll-ups
30. 1/2 tuna salad sandwich on 100% whole wheat/grain bread
31.  Bean dip w/low-fat cheese rolled in a whole wheat tortilla.
32. Chicken, tuna salad or light buff chicken dip stuffed mini peppers or celery
33. Egg muffins
34. 1/2-1 cup broth-based low sodium soup w/whole-grain crackers
35. Mini vegetable pizza(used whole wheat English muffin)
36.  Strawberry and spinach smoothie with graham crackers
37.  Baked tortillas chips w/salsa or bean dip
38. Natural fruit & nut bar (Lara Bar)
39.  Dark chocolate w/crushed graham cracker and Oikos Triple Zero vanilla yogurt
40. Cherry tomatoes with mozzarella or a mini Caprese salad 
41.  Asian cucumber salad(r)
42.  Low sodium beef/turkey jerky
43.  Cantaloupe wrapped in prosciutto (higher in sodium)
44.  1/2 Small baked potato with broccoli and red. fat cheese
45.  Hummus or avocado-based deviled eggs
46.  Cucumber tea sandwiches (r)
47.  Java Jolt Smoothie (r)
48.  Low added sugar cereal & milk
49.  Homemade frozen fruit pops(use 100% fruit juice)
50.  Dark chocolate covered frozen banana
51. Links to recipes:
52. Superhero Muffins-Run Fast, East Slow: https://runfasteatslow.com/blogs/news/superhero-muffins
53. Banana "Ice cream" -The New York Times: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/3038-one-ingredient-banana-ice-cream
54. Popcorn with vegan "cheese" -FOOD.com: https://www.food.com/recipe/cheezy-popcorn-vegan-320344
55. Protein balls (lots of ways to modify to taste)- https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/no-bake-energy-bites/
56. Breakfast bars: https://minimalistbaker.com/healthy-5-ingredient-granola-bars/
57. Asian cucumber salad- Joyful healthy eats: https://www.joyfulhealthyeats.com/asian-cucumber-salad/
58. Cucumber tea sandwiches-Woman's Day: https://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/food-drinks/g92/10-healthiest-snacks-104257/?slide=36
59. Java Jolt Smoothie-Woman's Day: https://www.womansday.com/food-recipes/food-drinks/g92/10-healthiest-snacks-104257/?slide=37