Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Snacking on a Rainbow

Snacks are essential for both kids and adults to meet nutritional needs for growth & development (kids) and to maintain a healthy weight (adults). Snacks are also a great time to add an extra serving (or two) of colorful foods, which brings us back to the theme of NNM 2011 "Eat Right with Colors". Here are a few delicious snacks that all pack a coloful punch! When snacking, go for the "layered look" and include a fruit or vegetable with a protein (can be meat, nuts, beans, dairy, etc). Enjoy

-carrots or bell peppers with hummus
-apple or banana with nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower or soy)
-cherry tomatoes with lowfat cheese
-avocado with whole wheat crackers
-smoothie (frozn berries with nonfat milk or yogurt)
-dried fruit (apricots or prunes) with a small handful of almonds

If you have any great "layered snacks" that you love please let me know!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Eat Right with Color

That’s right, it’s March and you know what that means! Every year, since 1973, March has been designated as National Nutritional Month® (NNM). It started as a week long event but due to an overwhelming public interest, it became a month long observance in 1980. The theme for National Nutrition Month® 2011 is Eat Right with Color.

The theme this year is thrilling since I make it a point to stress colorful eating with my clients every day! (If you have been to see me in my office, you have heard me say “make have of your plate colorful!"). All of the colors indicate the presence of different nutrients and phytochemicals that are essential to keep your body strong and healthy.

So how do you "Eat Right with Color"? Simple! All you have to do is try to include foods of different colors on your plate and vary them day-to-day. Try some of these:


Red (strawberries, beef, tomatoes)
Orange (sweet potatoes, salmon, tangerines, carrots)
Yellow (pineapple, corn,)
Green (spinach, kale, broccoli, peas)
Blue (blackberries, blueberries)
Purple (eggplant, pomegranate, grapes)
White (onions, garlic, poultry, grains)
Brown (whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole grain pasta)

Have a healthy and colorful day!
Nicole