Nutrition Spotlight

Let’s be honest: most of us didn’t just wake up one day with a complicated relationship with food. We learned it through years of diets, rules, food trackers, “good” vs “bad” lists, and voices (both internal and external) telling us what we should eat, how much, and when. We were taught to override our hunger, ignore our cravings, and believe our bodies couldn’t be trusted unless a diet app or influencer approved.  But what if your body actually can be trusted? 

After a long day of learning and playing, kids can get pretty hungry (or, dare we say hangry?) when they get home. After-school snacks give them energy for after-school activities, sports, and homework before dinner’s ready.Planning what’s for snack time is as important as planning meals. Think of it as an added chance to add more servings from MyPlate to your kid’s day or week!

When you think about MyPlate, food might be the first thing that comes to mind. But it’s important to pay attention to what you drink, too. The main thing to watch for is added sugars in the drinks you choose. There are tons of drinks out there—soda, juice, sports drinks, and more. But water is still the best choice when it comes to keeping your body happy and hydrated. Going for water instead of sweetened drinks helps save money because it’s inexpensive (or free!).

Health and nutrition information is everywhere. From social media posts and news headlines to TV commercials and pop-up ads – there are all kinds of claims telling you what you should and shouldn’t eat. Sadly, there is a high chance the information could be misleading or even flat out wrong. Knowing how to spot when advice is harmful or helpful is a very powerful tool! When you see or hear nutrition information, use these questions to decide if it’s good advice:

Have you ever heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Well, we think all meals are important and breakfast is definitely one of them. Unfortunately, lots of people skip breakfast. It’s usually because they don’t have time or they’re not hungry. Here are some reasons and tips to start every day with breakfast. 

Add Flavors from Around the World in the Comfort of Your KitchenHave you ever wanted to taste certain flavors from around the world? Well, you can from the comfort of your own home! Herbs and spices are an easy and affordable way to add different flavors to your foods. You can turn ordinary dishes into something extra yummy and flavorful. The secret is to make homemade seasoning blends. No fancy equipment, cooking skills, or plane ticket needed! 

According to MyPlate, it’s important to “vary your protein routine.” Eating different foods from the protein group helps you get a variety of nutrients. One type of food from this group is fish and seafood. Even though fish and seafood might not be the most popular protein choices for a lot of Americans, there are so many different types of fish and seafood out there. Chances are you can find some that fit your tastes and budget! 

It’s usually more budget-friendly to eat most meals from home, but let’s face it – fast-food restaurants are part of many people’s routines. In general, these foods provide more calories, sodium and saturated fat and cost more money than meals you make at home. While we encourage you to limit fast-food to special occasions, with a little planning, it is possible to find items or full meals from fast-food restaurants that can fit into your MyPlate plan.  

One of our favorite foods this fall is winter squash! Winter squash is a vegetable that is easy to find (and easy to cook) and it is usually on sale in the fall. Common types you might see are butternut, acorn, spaghetti, delicata, and even pumpkin. They can be cooked many ways, from a roasted squash medley, to hearty and comforting soups, and even mashed like potatoes or diced in a salad. Here are some tips and tricks for adding this delicious vegetable to your next meal. 

As Halloween celebrations wrap up this week, you might be wondering what to do with your leftover pumpkins. While uncarved pumpkins can last for a while as décor, you can also remove the seeds for a delicious and nutritious snack! Pumpkin seeds are a great source of healthy fats, fiber, and other nutrients. Use our recipe below, and add your favorite seasonings for a delicious fall snack.Roasted Pumpkin SeedsServings per recipe: 8