- Author: Emily Harris
In honor of National Wear Red Day today, this month's Tasty Tips is all about heart health. Whether you are dealing with heart health issues, know someone who is, or want to prevent any heart issues in the future, this post is for you! The best place to start when thinking about your heart health is to think of the foods you eat. Below are some tips and tricks to help your heart:
1.Choose foods that promote heart health more often.
Fruits and vegetables. At least half of your plate should be fruits and vegetables.
Whole grains. At least half of your grains should be whole grains. Whole grains include:
- whole wheat
- whole oats
- oatmeal
- whole-grain corn
- brown rice
- wild rice
- whole rye
- whole-grain barley
- buckwheat
- bulgur
- millet
- sorghum
Fat-free or low-fat dairy products. These include milk, calcium-fortified soy drinks (soy milk), cheese, yogurt, and other milk products.
Seafood, skinless poultry, lean meats, beans, eggs, and unsalted nuts.
Source: www.womenshealth.gov
2. Reduce your intake of foods that hinder heart health.
Saturated fats. Saturated fat is usually in pizza, ice cream, fried chicken, many cakes and cookies, bacon, and hamburgers. Check the Nutrition Facts label for saturated fat. Less than 10% of your daily calories should be from saturated fats.
Trans fats. These are found mainly in commercially prepared baked goods, snack foods, fried foods, and margarine. The Food and Drug Administration is taking action to remove artificial trans fats from our food supply because of their risk to
Added sugars. Foods like fruit and dairy products naturally contain sugar. But you should limit foods that contain added sugars. These include sodas, sports drinks, cake, candy, and ice cream. Check the Nutrition Facts label for added sugars and limit the how much food you eat with added sugars.
Source: www.womenshealth.gov
3. Bring heart healthy recipes to life.
Now that you know what's best to eat for your heart, try out some of the recipes from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute below to turn your knowledge into action.
Want more information? Check out the resources below for more tips, studies, and inspiration:
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service Information Center
The American Heart Association
Have you seen how healthy eating and dietary changes have made an impact on the heart health of you or someone you know? Let us know in the comments below!
- Author: Emily Harris
Super Bowl 50 brings many opportunities to snack this Sunday. UC CalFresh would love to help you make healthy snack swaps as you sit down to watch the big game. Check out our ideas below:
Try a twist on a classic with our
Mango Salsa
Makes: 8 (2 Tablespoon) servings | Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
1 mango, peeled, pitted, and diced (or 1 cup thawed, frozen mango chunks)
1 Tablespoon diced red onion
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)
¼ teaspoon salt
Juice of 1 lime or 2 Tablespoons bottled lime juice
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Serve with baked tortilla chips.
Need more ideas? Try these:
Whole Wheat Garlic Bread Sticks
- Author: Emily Harris
This morning our Nutrition Educator Nora Lopez was interviewed on Univision 21 Fresno for Arriba Valle Central with Lupita Lomeli. Nora shared how it is possible to share healthy traditions and recipes from generation to generation. Make sure you tune in on Monday, December 21st between 5am and 7am to check out her interview!
- Author: Emily Harris
Happy Thanksgiving from UC CalFresh! If you still haven't decided what you're going to make for the big day or you're in need of some holiday inspiration, check out our tasty tips below:
1. Not cooking a whole turkey? Tired of fattening green bean casserole? These recipes have come to the rescue!
2. Want to start new, healthy traditions for your family? Look here for some tips on how to begin.
3. Don't be scared to host Thanksgiving this year. Follow these tips to make sure you have a tasty, healthy and safe holiday.
4. Host a Holiday Makeover with these simple tips to turn your favorite recipes into healthy choices.
5. If the holiday season already has you frazzled, visit this Holiday Survival Guide to extinguish stress and ignite gratitude.
6. Tired of the same pumpkin pie every year? Try making Quick Pumpkin Pudding for a twist on the classic dessert.
- Author: Nathaly Juarez
As the holidays approach it can be easy to forget healthy eating habits.
Thankfully, we have a few healthy snack ideas you can make in the month of October. Try them out at home, or bring them for your child's classroom parties. It's all about creativity!!
Banana Ghosts and Clementine Pumpkins All you need are bananas, chocolate chips, clementines and celery.
We can't wait to see your creative ideas!
