Eat

It’s lucky that eating delicious food is so enjoyable because food does more than keep us alive. It provides us with nutrients that help us to thrive. Sadly, many people don’t get the nutrition they need. In North America, for instance, most people consume too much ultra-processed food, which is high in calories and low in nutrients. This leaves them deficient in key vitamins and minerals and increases their risk of developing chronic disease.

Professional chefs work hard to create meals that not only taste excellent, but look good too. No one can deny that a nicely plated meal looks great, but did you also know it’s healthier for your family? Buffet setups and family-style eating typically lead to everyone going back for seconds, thirds or piling on too much of certain food groups. The health benefits of plating your meal instead of serving family-style (or buffet) include improved portion control and better balance of a variety of foods.

Vegetables taste delicious are a great source of vitamins and nutrients, and they're low in fat and salt. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends half your plate be filled with vegetables and fruits; and summertime is a terrific season to cook up a nice variety of veggies. Take advantage of this time of the year to introduce your family to some great new flavors. Here are a few guiding tips for our summertime grill.

Dealing with stress on a daily basis is inevitable when kids, jobs, traffic, bills and a number of other factors come into play. While a little bit of stress keeps us aware, alive and productive, too much prolonged exposure can have serious effects on our physical and mental well-being. Taking some time to unwind and relax, and teaching your kids to do the same, gives the body time to heal between stressful episodes.

Paying attention to what you eat is also important in helping to manage the negative effects of too much stress.

We have the power to influence young children to make healthy food choices. Children develop their behaviors and habits from observing ours. If you’re like a majority of Americans, your eating habits could probably use a little polishing. Many of us know what the good eating habits are, but sometimes eating healthy can be difficult to maintain in our busy lives.

If changing your eating habits seems insurmountable, try making changes gradually. Just as there are no easy answers to a healthy diet, don't expect to totally revamp your eating habits overnight. In fact, changing too much, too fast can get in the way of success.

Recognized in the literary world with stories such as "Cinderella," "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," and "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater," the pumpkin is no stranger to the spotlight. Each year in the U.S., thousands of pumpkins are carved into jack 'o lanterns and many pumpkin pies are eaten at holiday celebrations.

Pumpkin is excellent for you. It has no cholesterol and is low in fat and sodium and rich in vitamins. The bright orange color of pumpkin is a dead giveaway that it is loaded with the antioxidant, beta-carotene.

When you cook with herbs, food tastes better and smells fabulous. Herbs also add a nutritional boost to meals and contain beneficial phytonutrients and antioxidants to keep the body strong.

Introducing herbs to your child at an early age helps to develop their sense of taste and can make foods more interesting.  Start out by adding an herb or spice to baby food purees.  Simply add a small pinch of one herb or spice before cooking the food. The taste of herbs, spices and natural flavors becomes more subtle when cooked.  Once the food is cooked, puree it.