by kelsey | Jun 7, 2016 | Cooking Tips, Diet, Food, Weight Management
June is national dairy month, thus it’s a great time to recognize and discuss the benefits we can get from dairy in our diets.
Cow’s milk is the richest source of well-absorbed calcium and is actually absorbed better (about 25%) than the calcium in soy milk. There is about 300 mg of calcium in an 8 oz serving of milk and we recommend getting at least 3 servings of dairy a day. A serving is equal to an 8oz (1 cup) serving of milk, 6 oz tub of yogurt, 1 oz cheese, 1/2 c cottage cheese. In addition to calcium, cow’s milk is an excellent source of phosphorus, vitamin B12, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin A, vitamin D, protein, and niacin…totalling 9 nutrients compared to only 4-5 nutrients found in soy and almond milk.
There are many other types of “milks” out there such as almond, rice, coconut, and soy, however these drinks are not the same as cow’s milk in regards to the nutritional qualities. Many of these milks use fortification (adding nutrients), whereas the nutrients are found naturally in cow’s milk. Below is a list from the Midwest Dairy Association about these beverage’s nutrient sources and nutrition quality (http://www.midwestdairy.com/0p335/dairy-imitators/)
“Soy beverages are made from soybeans and are a good source of protein. However, according to the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS), soy protein is a lower quality protein than the whey protein found in dairy products.
Rice-based beverages are generally processed from brown rice and are fortified with nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. Rice beverages typically contain only one gram of protein compared to eight grams in cow’s milk.
Nut-based beverages can be ground from any nut and the most popular is almond. Almond beverages only supply one gram of protein per serving and lack many of the natural benefits found in almonds.
Seed-based beverages, such as hemp, are newer to the marketplace. Their nutritional benefit is touted to be their omega fatty acid content. Similar to the other beverages, they also fall short on protein.”
Often times, these other “milks” contain higher sugar content, less calcium, less protein, and are absorbed less than those benefits in cow’s milk. Now if you have a lactose intolerance or milk allergy, these are certainly options for you, however if you do not have an allergy or intolerance, I highly encourage you to work towards getting your 3 a day servings of dairy and preferably low fat dairy. It will not only provide you with excellent vitamins and minerals to keep your bones and muscles healthy and strong, it will also provide you with an excellent source of protein.
For more information on the benefits of dairy, you can visit www.midwestdairy.com or contact my good friend and fellow Registered Dietitian Whitney Jerman at wjerman@midwestdairy.com.
I know I will enjoy a nice glass of cold milk tonight with supper, I hope you do too!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Jun 2, 2016 | Etc.
Just a reminder that the trail walking club starts TOMORROW, June 3rd at McKinley Park!! Get out and enjoy the trail!
Each Friday morning in the summer starting June 3rd.
Free of charge 9:00 a.m. for around an hour each week.
We will walk at a comfortable pace, so come and join the social aspect of being outside with friends and getting some exercise.
June 3 McKinley Park (by the picnic shelter)
June 10 Stokes-Thomas City Park (by the Veterans Memorial)
June 17 Mt. Hope Cemetary (by the front entrance)
June 24 Redlin Art Center (by the front entrance)
July 1 No Walk Scheduled because of the Fourth of July weekend
July 8 Joy Ranch (in parking lot near SE side of Main St.)
July 15 Jackson Park (in the parking lot across from Cattail Crossing)
July 22 Bramble Park Zoo (by the picnic shelter)
July 29 Eastwoods Park (by the playground)
August 5 Slumberland Disc Golf Course (in the parking lot)
August 12 Stokes-Thomas City Park (by the Veterans Memorial)
August 19 No walk scheduled because of the Local Senior Games
August 26 Senior Activities Center (in the park area out front)
For more information call Jeremy at the Park and Rec @ 882-6260
by kelsey | Jun 1, 2016 | Cooking Tips, Diet, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are an exceptional food. They can be used in a variety of dishes and are packed with nutrients. They are a great source of fiber, helping with digestive health and have antioxidants (powerhouse nutrients) that help prevent chronic disease like diabetes and heart disease. In addition, they are a good source of protein, aiding in satiety. Hear are some easy ways to include chickpeas into your diet!
¨ Add to salads to change up the texture.
¨ Put in the blender and make into hummus, a tasty treat that can be used as a dip or a spread. Add in your favorite spices or veggies and eat with whole wheat crackers.
¨ Can be used in a main dish or in a stew or soup.
¨ Experiment! Add in to your favorite dishes and snack foods!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | May 31, 2016 | Cooking Tips, Diet, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
Summer has officially started now that school is out! Summer is always a fun and busy time with activities, picnics, gatherings, etc. Active children burn through their energy stores very quickly and need to replenish them often. Snacking is an important part of keeping your kids energized for their play-filled summer days.
Snacks should be a combination of fiber and protein so that they are filling and satisfying. Pistachios are a good snack as they contain both fiber and protein. You can also pick out two foods that will meet the fiber and protein combination needs. Some ideas are:
- An apple and a teaspoon of peanut butter
- String cheese and a few whole wheat crackers
- Baby carrots and hummus
- Low-fat yogurt and almonds
- Mixed nuts and raisins
- Celery sticks filled with peanut or almond butter
Just be sure to keep in mind that snacks are just to get by until the next mealtime, so snacks should not be a significant source of calories. Kids have small stomachs so keep the portion sizes small as well. This is a good time to instill healthy habits in your child so try to avoid having the TV or video games going during snack time in order to discourage mindless munching. Any fruit, vegetable, low-fat dairy product, or whole wheat grain product makes a good snack so find out what your child likes and get creative with the combinations!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | May 26, 2016 | Cooking Tips, Diet, Food, Wellness/Health
Memorial Day is just a few days away and I am guessing many of you have picnics and outdoor cooking/eating plans! Practicing proper food safety is essential with summer outdoor cooking. Here are some easy tips to make sure that you and your family have the safest and best picnics possible this summer:
- Safe food handling
- Wash your hands before preparing your food and when dealing with meats and fresh produce. Try to limit cross-contamination by cleaning prep surfaces often. If you don’t have running water where you are, be sure to bring anti-bacterial wipes with.
- When putting your beautifully prepared food in a basket make sure that you have utensils for raw food and cooked foods. If you have uncooked meats like hamburger, chicken, etc., make sure that they are packed in secure containers that won’t leak. Pack them together and at the bottom of the cooler in case juice from the food leaks.
- One recommendation for properly cooked food would be a food thermometer. Make sure that your grilled foods reach a temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit for steaks, roasts, and chops, 160 degrees for ground meat and 15 degrees for poultry.
- Chilling picnic foods
- Keep food at or below 40 degrees F
- Pack in insulated cooler with ice or ice packs
- A filled cooler keeps cooler longer than a partially full cooler
- Have meat thawed in the refrigerator before your put in the cooler
- Wait until the last moment to put perishable food items in the cooler
- If bringing food and drinks, try to keep drinks in separate cooler
- This will allow for less cool air to escape when getting beverages from cooler
- Keep cooler in the shade
- If perishable food left out for more than two hours throw away. If it is especially warm (greater than 90 degrees F) throw away in one hour
- Keep cooked food above 140 degrees
Most of all enjoy the fun times spent with family and friends!
-Kelsey
