by kelsey | Jul 12, 2018 | Cooking Tips, Diabetes, Diet, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
Although carbs are our primary source of fuel, it is very important to combine carbs with protein so that you feel satisfied and don’t hear your stomach growling an hour later. Pairing them together can also aid in stable blood sugar and energy control.
In addition, eating protein with your carbs will help to repair those muscles that you’re using during various activities in the summer and will also help you recover faster. Examples of pairing include:
*Cheese Stick + Whole Grain Crackers
*Peanut Butter + Banana or Apple
*Greek Yogurt + Granola
*Almonds + Fruit
-Written by Rachel Astleford, SDSU Dietetic Student
by kelsey | Jul 11, 2018 | Cooking Tips, Diet, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
Summer is the perfect time to go on a hike or day trip to the lake. Homemade snacks that are filling and full of protein and carbs can help you keep hunger at bay so you can power through your hike or enjoy the lake for several hours on end. Below are some easy snacks that contain both protein and carbs that you can pack in a cooler or grab on your way out the door.
¨ Spread peanut butter on whole wheat bread and add some sliced bananas and almonds for a tasty and crunchy sandwich
¨ Pack some hardboiled eggs in the cooler for a quick snack that’s easy to grab
¨ Mix peanuts, raisins and dark chocolate chips together and toss the mix into a sandwich bag for a trail mix on the hiking trail
¨ Dip celery and carrots in hummus topped with pepper and salt for a savory snack on the lake
¨ Make your own yogurt parfait made with Greek yogurt topped with berries and granola to put in the cooler for later.
-Written by Rachel Astleford, SDSU Dietetic Student
by kelsey | Jun 28, 2018 | Cooking Tips, Diet, Food, Holidays, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
July 4th is such a fun holiday to gather with friends and family and enjoy delicious food and outdoor activities. Food is usually a very large part of this holiday, as it should be! Making fun recipes and eating delicious food is very enjoyable. There are a few very easy switches that you can make to improve the nutritional value of typical “grilling” type foods. Enjoy the day and truly embrace the quality time with your family!
- Switch to whole grains.
- This is one of the easiest switches you can make! Instead of purchasing white buns and bread, purchase things that are made of whole grains.
- Use fruit where you can!
- Everybody seems to love refreshing fruit on a hot summer day so add fruit in where you can. You can even do something as cool as making a watermelon cake instead of cupcakes or in addition to them. Another option is to make fruit kabobs and a fresh fruit salad.
- Add in your Veggies.
- Veggies can be added to many salads or slaws. A veggie pizza is always a good option and so delicious!
- Choose lean meats.
- Be sure to use meats such as chicken, turkey, or 90% lean hamburger.
- Offer non-alcoholic alternatives.
- It can be super easy to sip on alcoholic drinks throughout the day but if you have alternatives around it could help remind you to choose other options. Sparkling water with fresh fruit is very hydrating and satisfying.
These are a few easy things that you can implement into your 4th of July for a fun and healthy day! For more recipes and ideas for food to make, click HERE! Have a fun and safe Fourth with your family and friends!
Kylie Serie, SDSU Dietetic Student
by kelsey | Jun 27, 2018 | Cooking Tips, Diet, Food, Heart Health, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
It’s a wonderful time of year to stop by your local Farmer’s Market to pick up some fresh produce and many other products! This can be a popular place for members of the community to gather. There are a lot of benefits of shopping at the farmers market. Just a few of these include getting fresh produce, supporting local businesses, seeing a variety of products and connecting with the community! It can be a really fun way for you and your family to get out of the house and get active on a Saturday morning.
Here is a list of tips that can help you navigate your way through a Farmer’s Market:
- Have a list
- Make a list of the different items that you know you would like to pick up. Often times there is so much offered and so much to look at that it can be easy to get distracted and forget what you came for. Having a list will help you remember!
- Ask Questions
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the produce or products that are being sold. There may be a vegetable offered that you have never heard of before but would potentially love! You can even ask how they prepare their produce and get ideas that way.
- Explore
- Even if you are going for a few specific things, take some time to explore other booths and look around at all that is offered. Some booths even have fresh coffee, baked goods, and flowers!
- Pack Reusable Bags
- Many booths do not have plastic bags for you to take your fresh produce home in, so it is always a good idea to have reusable bags on hand.
- Have fun!
- Farmer’s Markets are supposed to be fun and upbeat! Socialize with others and get to really know your community members! You may make a new friend out of the deal.
Check out your local Watertown Farmer’s Market on Saturday’s from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Runnings parking lot!
Kylie Serie, SDSU Dietetic Student
by kelsey | Jun 21, 2018 | Cooking Tips, Diet, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
The summer season is the perfect time to eat more fruits and vegetables because they are so fresh! There are countless ways to incorporate them into your meals and even try something new. Whether you have your own garden or make your way to the farmers market for your fresh produce, today is the perfect day to add more fruits and vegetables into your diet!
Ways to use fresh fruit and vegetables with links to delicious recipes:
- Cut them up and make a morning smoothie.
- Click HERE for a smoothie recipe.
- Add them to your oatmeal or top off a pancake!
- Click HERE for a an oatmeal recipe.
- Click HERE for a pancake recipe.
- Grill them (Pineapple and peaches are great for this!)
- Click HERE for a grilled fruit recipe.
- Prepare fruit parfaits with yogurt and granola.
- Click HERE for a fruit parfait recipe.
- Have you ever tried fruit salsa? It’s delish!
- Click HERE for a fruit salsa recipe.
Ways to use fresh vegetables with links to delicious recipes:
- Switch it up with a green smoothie!
- Click HERE for a green smoothie recipe.
- Nothing better than some fresh garden salsa.
- Click HERE for a fresh salsa recipe.
- Throw them on the grill!
- Click HERE for a grilled vegetable recipe.
- Top off your burgers or make a burger bowl!
- Click HERE for a burger bowl recipe.
- Chop them up and make a fresh salad.
- Click HERE for a fresh salad recipe.
These are just a few of the many ways that you can add fresh fruits and vegetables into the food that you eat! Let the recipes inspire you to add more colorful foods onto your plate and into your bowls!
Kylie Serie, SDSU Dietetic Student
by kelsey | Jun 20, 2018 | Cooking Tips, Diet, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
Fat can sometimes get a bad reputation from the general public. However, fat is good for us and we should actually be getting 20-35% of our calories from fat sources. Fat helps regulate certain hormones within the body as well as keeping the body insulated. It also serves as a backup source of energy and is used for the absorption of fat soluble vitamins. There are different kinds of fat so we want to be choosing healthier sources. These sources include monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The kinds of fat that we want to eat less of include saturated and trans fats which are found mostly in processed foods.
Sources of monounsaturated fats:
- Avocado
- Peanut Butter
- Olive Oil
- Safflower Oil
- Canola Oil
- Nuts
Sources of polyunsaturated Fats:
- Walnuts
- Flax seeds
- Fish (salmon, tuna, trout)
- Sunflower seeds
- Safflower Oil
- Soybean Oil
All of these food sources can be easily added into your daily meals. Remember that eating fat is actually good for you and supports your overall health and wellbeing!
-Kylie Serie, SDSU Dietetic Student
