Get Your Plate In Shape

March is National Nutrition Month.  This year's theme is, "Get Your Plate In Shape."  The newly named Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) chooses and promotes the National Nutrition Month theme each year.

The key messages of this year's Get Your Plate In Shape platform are:

• make half your plate fruits and vegetables
• make at least half your grains whole
• switch to fat-free or low-fat milk
• vary your protein sources
• cut back on sodium and empty calories from solid fats and added sugars
• enjoy your food but eat less
• be physically active your way

I like these messages, especially the last two, "enjoy your food but eat less" and "be physically active your way." The key pieces of these two adages are ENJOY and YOUR WAY.  It is healthier to focus on enjoying our meals, with less obsessing over control, restriction, or calorie counting.  And with exercise, the key will always be finding out what works for you.  I'm a big fan of the elliptical trainer whereas my sister finds that to be a modern day torture device - she likes group exercise classes like spin or cardio-kickboxing.

Which of the main messages from National Nutrition Month listed above mean something to you?
For more on National Nutrition Month, click here. 

Get Your Plate in Shape

The theme for National Nutrition Month 2012 has been announced and it's "Get Your Plate in Shape." National Nutrition Month, which is every March, is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored by the American Dietetic Association. The "Get Your Plate in Shape" theme fits nicely with the Choose My Plate program from the USDA http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ .

You can learn more about National Nutrition Month at http://www.eatright.org/nnm/

All this talking about plates reminds me of the Plate Method. Check out this video of me demonstrating the Plate Method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4iCB-6SJ7W

Respect the Potato Day

Today is Respect the Potato Day in Dining Services.

Potato, you say? Let me guess, you have heard that potatoes are too high in carbs, starch, sugar, glycemic index?

Well, here is the good news: potatoes definitely fit into a healthy lifestyle. They are high in potassium and vitamin B6 and even contain phytochemicals. They have soluble and insoluble fiber. They are inexpensive and nutrient dense. They are naturally low in fat. And they are delicious!

If you're craving a potato, stop by Plaza Cafe's baked potato bar today. You can choose from an array of fun toppings - broccoli, 3-bean chili, cheese, bacon, green onions, black olives, salsa and sour cream. If you're trying to keep it healthy, try the baked potato topped with broccoli, salsa, onions, olives and a light sprinkle of cheese - yum!

And today is the last day of National Nutrition Month. I hope that you worked on establishing healthy habits during March that will carry into April and beyond.

Check out the produce colors at the new Village Place and Market!

The new Village Place & Market on North Campus is open!

Pictured at Right: the gorgeous colors of the fresh produce in the Village Place and Market's produce patch area.

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is Eat Right With Color. The new Village Place & Market can help you fill your plate with a wide variety of colors - the whole concept is that naturally vibrant and colorful foods have different nutrients and the different colors often correspond to different nutrients.

The Village Place & Market Regular Hours:
Mon-Fri 7a-1a
Sat-Sun 9a-1a

Fruit - an easy way to Eat Right With Color

March is National Nutrition Month and this year's theme is Eat Right With Color.

Red...

indicates produce that may help maintain a healthy heart, vision, immunity and may reduce cancer risks.

Orange...

fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that promote healthy vision and immunity, and reduce the risk of some cancers.

Every Dining Services restaurant and Place & Market carries fresh fruit so pick up some today. Try to eat at least one fruit or vegetable with each meal. The fruits pictured are a red delicious apple and an orange from OVT. These fruits travel well in your backpack to class and are a great snack.

March is National Nutrition Month

Every March is National Nutrition Month during during which the American Dietetic Association sponsors a healthy, nutrition-focused public health campaign. This year's theme is "Eat Right With Color."

Check out this succinct article on why/how to eat with color:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/food/sc-food-0225-kids-month-20110302,0,524191.story

This month I'll be posting photos of how to "Eat Right With Color" in Dining Services restaurants and Places & Markets.

Check out more about National Nutrition Month at: http://www.eatright.org/nnm/

Use Your Noodle!

March is National Nutrition Month and National Noodle Month! Here is a recipe made entirely with ingredients that you can purchase at Dining's Places & Markets:

Ingredients:
2.5 tbsp olive oil
1 box pasta
2 cups chopped tomatoes, any kind
2 tsp minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup torn fresh basil
parmesan cheese to taste

Directions:
1. Cook the pasta according to directions.
2. As pasta cooks, heat the oil in large skillet over med-high heat. Add tomatoes, cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add garlic, salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to med-low and continue cooking, occasionally stirring, while pasta finishes cooking.
4. Drain pasta and pour it into serving dish.
5. Add basil to tomato mixture and toss.
6. Spoon tomatoes and basil over pasta and serve.
7. Add parmesan cheese to taste.

Come by Farm2U TODAY 3:30-6:30pm at The Village Place & Market!