Often our efforts to eat smart and move more are in pursuit of other goals, especially weight loss. In fact, the CDC found that half of all Americans, especially women, report attempting to lose weight in the past year. This makes sense considering that our nation’s weight has gone steadily up over the last several… Read more »
Yesterday was the first official day of spring and we’re beginning to see signs of warmer weather on the way. The grass is greening up, trees are beginning to bud and bloom, and birds are returning from their winter migrations. And as the natural world begins to wake back up, it’s the perfect time for… Read more »
In honor of National Nutrition Month, we’re going to get down to the basics of nutrition and talk about the different types of nutrients and what they do in our bodies. This will be the first in a series of posts about each nutrient our bodies need to function. So while we normally focus on… Read more »
Ever wonder why we use the term “cardio” when talking about exercise? Cardio is short for cardiovascular exercise, which we now call aerobic exercise or activity. We call it cardiovascular exercise because of how these types of activities affect cardiorespiratory fitness, which is how well your heart, lungs, and muscles function during activity. Having good… Read more »
It’s fitting that we celebrate American Heart Month at the same time as Valentine’s Day. Both holidays honor the health of your heart – physically and emotionally. One of the goals of the Family Nutrition Program is to improve health and prevent chronic diseases, like heart disease. While some risk factors cannot be changed, like… Read more »
A large part of any household’s budget is spent on food. Many people believe that healthy foods are expensive, but it is possible to eat smart on a budget. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) monitors food prices and calculates how much it costs to eat like MyPlate. SNAP benefits are calculated using this… Read more »
Do you have plans for Sunday evening to watch a certain football championship game? If you’re like most Americans, you’ll be chowing down on party snacks and beverages throughout the evening. Game day parties aren’t known for healthy options, but you can still eat smart and enjoy the big game with these snack ideas.
Most New Year’s Resolutions are big, life-changing goals, but unfortunately, most people fail to get the results they are hoping for. While there is some evidence that making radical changes to your lifestyle can work, there is also evidence that making small changes can be beneficial, too. And small changes are less intimidating and give… Read more »
The most popular New Year’s Resolutions are related to health – moving more, losing weight, quitting smoking, etc. Although many people know what eating smart means, actually cooking and eating healthy meals each day is not so easy. How do you cook MyPlate meals when you’re short on time and money? Start with the basics… Read more »
Holiday parties are a fun way to celebrate the season and spend time with family and friends. Many people have a special recipe they prepare for these events as part of their holiday traditions. Festive beverages make an appearance at many holiday parties, like eggnog, punch, or holiday cocktails. And as delicious as these can… Read more »