Tips for Celebrating National Nutrition Month

Image courtesy of Eatright.org

It’s time to put your best fork forward in honor of National Nutrition Month! This year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds us that by making small changes this month and over time, you can easily help improve your health now and for the future!

Not sure where to begin? See below for some nutrition tips for the whole family:

Make eating fruits and veggies fun! Trust us, it’s easy. On your next pizza night, add spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, or broccoli as a topping. For breakfast, treat yourself to a healthy smoothie — with strawberries and a banana. Get saucy with fruit — puree berries or apples in a blender and use the thick, sweet sauce on pancakes or meats. Enjoy a loaded baked potato — with beans, tomatoes, and low-fat cheese. For 16 additional tips, download this handout! 

Choose smart snacks. Eating the right snacks throughout the day helps keep you energized and focused between meals — necessary for kids in school and even adults at work! Try making stuffed pita pockets: whole-grain pita, stuffed with ricotta cheese, granny smith apple slices, and a dash of cinnamon. Spread celery sticks with smooth nut butter or low-fat cream cheese, top with raisins for the traditional “ants on a log.” For more sacking tips, download this handout!

Cook more, eat out less. Eating right isn’t impossible, even if you’re on a budget. All it takes is a little extra planning before you shop! In fact, when you prepare meals at home, they end up being cheaper and more nutritious. So before your next grocery run, plan your meals for the week, check recipes, and consult your kitchen cabinets to create a list of must have items. Additionally you’ll want to:

• Shop for foods(fruits and vegetables) that are in season. Since they’re easier to get, they tend to be less expensive.
• Focus on nutritious, low-cost foods! Foods like beans, peas, white potatoes, eggs, peanut butter, canned tuna, brown rice, quinoa, and frozen vegetables are all nutritious and often less expensive.
• Consult your newspaper and look online for sales and coupons — especially when it comes to the more expensive ingredients like meat or seafood. Compare prices while shopping as well! Different brands may increase the charge.
  

Reduce sources of added sugars! Too much sugar is bad for your health — and for you teeth! Choose water over sugary sports drinks, juices, or sodas. Add cinnamon or dried fruit to plain oatmeal instead of instant flavored oatmeal. Switch to unsweetened or no sugar added applesauce or jams/jellies. Small substitutions go a long way!

Just as a balanced diet is good for our waistline - it's just as necessary for a healthy smile! If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Contact us today at one of our three convenient Long Island locations!

#WellnessWednesday - National Nutrition Month

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Preparing healthy foods for a large family can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to break the bank. Help your family bite into a healthy lifestyle during National Nutrition Month! Save time, money and stress by following the below tips from ChooseMyPlate: 

Keep it simple: Don't worry about making things complicated. Healthy and creative meals can be simple - saving you money and stress.

Enlist little helpers: Divide jobs among family remembers - remember kids love being in the kitchen! With their help you can get more done and have more time to enjoy with your family.

Enjoy yourself - Feel yourself becoming stressed? Take a step back and remember to have fun and enjoy the company of those closest to you.

Holiday options - Consider your menu options around the holidays (Passover and Easter are around the corner after all). Choosing to serve brunch can save on food costs as eggs are less expensive and make a great protein for the main dish. For another fun idea opt to offer a yogurt parfait bar where everyone cam add their desired toppings to their yogurt.

Make it a potluck - Great option for large family gatherings - prepare a side dish and ask each family member to make the rest! Now there's less work on you and everyone can enjoy trying each other's creations.

Just as a balanced diet is good for our waistline - it's just as necessary for a healthy smile. We encourage you to also work some of these smile friendly options into family meals as well!

If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news.