Health News
Many of us are walking encyclopedias of food information, but we still tend to return to the same foods over and over again, week after week. While structured eating is healthful, and having some reliable, go-to foods can help keep you on a calorie-controlled track, this can get boring. And boredom often leads to straying from the path of healthy eating.
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By Dr. Madelyn FernstromWhile it?s hard enough to follow a healthy diet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found itself in a pickle recently, with a recommendation in its online newsletter to adopt the idea of ?Meatless Mondays,? and replace...
- Healthy Eating In Black And White: Part Two
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom You might be surprised to know that an important health-promoting antioxidant called anthocyanin also provides a dark purple/black pigment to a wide variety of foods. Like the foods described earlier this week, many nutrient-dense...
- Herbs And Spice Support Healthy Eating
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Herbs and spices can provide extra taste to make your taste buds dance and ?doll up? everyday eating. Whether fresh or dried, herbs and spices are a quick and economical way to enhance the flavor of your favorite foods ? or a...
- Michelle Obama, Burgers, And Fries
by Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Perhaps you?ve heard the recent media outcry that First Lady Michelle Obama ate a hamburger, fries, and a shake. Could this be the same First Lady who has an organic garden, eats her fruits and veggies, and advocates for healthy...
- Eating Your Way Through The Super Bowl
Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom This Sunday, most of us will be cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers from the comfort of our homes. When it?s Super Bowl Sunday, you can count on a lot of party foods. And we all have our traditional favorites. My fellow nutrition...
Health News
Eating Outside Your ?Comfort Zone?
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom
Many of us are walking encyclopedias of food information, but we still tend to return to the same foods over and over again, week after week. While structured eating is healthful, and having some reliable, go-to foods can help keep you on a calorie-controlled track, this can get boring. And boredom often leads to straying from the path of healthy eating.Nutrient recommendations have been updated, and new fresh and prepared foods continue to surface on supermarket shelves. Now is the time to add some new foods to your eating repertoire, to both revitalize your taste buds and expand your eating horizons.
Often this means going outside your comfort zone, whether it?s a matter of texture, taste, or just the thought that ?It doesn?t sound good to me.? It means adopting the mindset of being an adventurous eater and willing to at least try new foods.
An easy start is replacing an animal protein with a plant version. Try a black-bean or soy burger ? both can be found ready-to-cook in the freezer section. Topped with lettuce and tomato and your favorite condiments, this alternate ?burger? is a winner. Or try some ?soy crumbles? (bagged, also in the freezer aisle), which have the look and texture of beef, in a marinara sauce topping your favorite pasta. You might try a whole wheat version of pasta instead of rice.
A crock pot can help make this an easy task. Mix and match your favorite lean protein, fresh or frozen vegetables, and tomato sauces/broths for endless variations. Check out recipes online or in one of the small paperback recipe books found at the supermarket checkout. It?s a great way to add some new ingredients to your old favorites.
- Meatless Mondays Controversy
By Dr. Madelyn FernstromWhile it?s hard enough to follow a healthy diet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found itself in a pickle recently, with a recommendation in its online newsletter to adopt the idea of ?Meatless Mondays,? and replace...
- Healthy Eating In Black And White: Part Two
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom You might be surprised to know that an important health-promoting antioxidant called anthocyanin also provides a dark purple/black pigment to a wide variety of foods. Like the foods described earlier this week, many nutrient-dense...
- Herbs And Spice Support Healthy Eating
By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Herbs and spices can provide extra taste to make your taste buds dance and ?doll up? everyday eating. Whether fresh or dried, herbs and spices are a quick and economical way to enhance the flavor of your favorite foods ? or a...
- Michelle Obama, Burgers, And Fries
by Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Perhaps you?ve heard the recent media outcry that First Lady Michelle Obama ate a hamburger, fries, and a shake. Could this be the same First Lady who has an organic garden, eats her fruits and veggies, and advocates for healthy...
- Eating Your Way Through The Super Bowl
Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom This Sunday, most of us will be cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers from the comfort of our homes. When it?s Super Bowl Sunday, you can count on a lot of party foods. And we all have our traditional favorites. My fellow nutrition...