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Celebrating National Nutrition Month®

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics announces a new theme for National Nutrition Month every March. This year’s theme is Beyond the Table. Celebrate this month by following a healthy eating pattern, practicing food safety at home, and eating sustainably. Keep reading to discover how you can begin going Beyond the Table today. Also, stay tuned for an exciting invitation to a new way you can access all the fantastic blogs and tips provided by UGA SNAP-Ed! 

Follow a Healthy Eating Pattern  

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide a breakdown of the core foods we should eat daily and what we should limit [1]. Core foods include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy, protein foods, and healthy oils. We should limit added sugars, saturated fat, sodium, and alcohol intake. 

More Tips for Following A Healthy Eating Pattern  

  • Try different forms of food like fresh, frozen, canned, and dried.  
  • Incorporate your favorite cultural foods and mix up recipes.  
  • Bring a grocery list and explore sales!  

Practice Food Safety at Home  

Foodborne illness is a serious issue that affects millions of people each year [2]. To avoid getting sick, you should practice food safety at home. Here are four basic steps that can help you [3]: 

  1. Always wash your hands, counter, and cooking utensils with warm, soapy water.  
  1. Use separate plates and cutting boards when handling raw food.  
  1. Cook food at safe temperatures using a thermometer. 
  1. Chill your food correctly.  

Some more food safety tips: learn to meal plan to reduce the risk of foodborne illness and keep hot food at or above 140°F and cold food at or below 40°F to prevent bacterial growth [4]. For more details on the basics, check out our food safety blog! 

Eat Sustainably   

Eating sustainably means eating with the health of the environment and future generations in mind. You can eat sustainably by reducing food waste, buying seasonal foods, composting leftovers, and eating plant-based meals and snacks. Another great way to be sustainable and save money is by growing your own food at home or in a community garden. Even though National Nutrition Month® is in March, it’s always a good time to start eating healthier, being safe with food, and helping the environment.  

[1] https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf 

[2] https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/symptoms.html 

[3] https://www.fda.gov/consumers/womens-health-topics/food-safety-home’ 

[4] https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/danger-zone-40f-140f 

Published on March 28th, 2024

Written by Holly Cothern, MS/DI Student | Edited by Jung Sun Lee, PhD, RDN; Tristen T. Webb; the nutrition education team

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Minestrone Soup

It’s a new year, and it’s time to mix it up! This year, UGA SNAP-Ed’s Recipe Calander theme is “Mix it up with color and flavor to fill your day!” Each month, the calendar will feature a new recipe with suggestions of ingredients to spice up your recipes with different flavors and nutrients.  

January is National Soup Month, so we are featuring Minestrone Soup. Minestrone soup originated in Italy as a dish to reduce food waste and use leftovers [1]. In fact, there is no exact recipe for Minestrone soup because Italians would use what they have on hand to make it [2]. The best part about Minestrone Soup is that you can add or take out an ingredient depending on what’s in your pantry or your budget. With beans and veggies being the star of this recipe, this makes it the perfect easy, cheap, nutritious soup to kick start your year.  

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10 Recipes for the 2023 Holiday Season

The holidays are a great time to be around family, friends – and food! If you’re looking for a healthy twist on your favorite holiday dishes or wanting to try something new, you’ll love these ten recipes for this year’s holiday season.

Start with a Warm, Cozy Breakfast

Start your day off right with these easy and festive breakfast recipes:

Sweet Potato Pancakes [1] 

Bring in fall flavors like pumpkin pie spice to add a festive twist on a breakfast classic with sweet potato pancakes! 

Oatmeal Raisin Muffins 

Incorporate oats to your morning muffins to add some whole grains early in the day.

You can fill yourself up for longer by pairing your pancakes or muffins with eggs or yogurt. You can also try adding a side of your favorite fruit to make them more nutritious!

Try an Easy Entree this Holiday Season

Spending all day in the kitchen is so last holiday season! Try this delicious slow cooker (like a Crock-Pot) recipe so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your friends and family.  

Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Vegetables 

Mix-it-up by adding your favorite veggies for a well-rounded dish. 

Show Off with Colorful Side Dishes 

Impress everyone at the table with these colorful side dishes packed full of vitamins and minerals.  

Green Bean Casserole [2] 

Keep the holiday traditions while being heart-healthy with a lower-sodium green bean casserole recipe. Using extra herbs and spices keeps the flavor we all know and love while decreasing your salt intake. 

Holiday Stuffing  

Take more time with your family Thanksgiving day by making this yummy side the day prior. Store in the refrigerator in a Ziplock bag to save time on a busy holiday.

Kale and Cranberry Stir-Fry [3] 

Take more time with your family Thanksgiving day by making this yummy side the day prior. Store in the refrigerator in a Ziplock bag to save time on a busy holiday.

Candied Yams 

Don’t sacrifice the flavor of sweet potato casserole but lower some calories, sugar, and fat by candying yams instead. Be ready to give out this recipe to your friends and family- they will be asking you to share this delicious dish. 

Don’t Forget the Delicious Desserts 

Make sure you leave room for dessert because you won’t want to miss out on these tasty treats!  

Apple Bread Pudding 

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring! With fruit, whole grains, and nuts this dessert is full of nutrients and delicious.  

Sugar & Spice Cookies [4] 

Sugar and spice make everything nice – but adding raisins makes it better! Sneak raisins or your favorite dried fruit into these cookies to give you and your guests some extra nutrients.  

Stay Hydrated…and Warm! 

Don’t forget to stay hydrated during your holiday festivities! Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and try mixing it up with these festive beverages that will put you in the holiday spirit.

Homemade Hot Chocolate 

Snuggle up with your loved ones and sip on some delicious hot chocolate. This timeless beverage is warm, chocolatey, and packed with calcium!  

Couple sitting under a blanket both holding mugs of hot chocolate with candy canes

Tingly Herbal Tea

This blend of spices and flavors  provides a little kick without caffeine. This is a perfect pick-me-up herbal tea to be enjoyed anytime of year! 

cup of orange herbal tea with a bunch of cinnamon and scoops of spices in the background

If you’ve got leftovers, we also have some helpful tips for safely storing and reheating them in our Advice for Holiday Cooks blog. You can also try spicing up your leftovers throughout the week or sending some home with family or friends if you’re running low on fridge space.  

We hope you enjoy these ten festive recipes as much as we do, and that they add something new to your holiday table! Enjoy your celebrations with friends and family this year, and we wish you a happy, healthy holiday! 

Sources:  

[1] MyPlate: Sweet Potato Pancakes Recipe: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/sweet-potato-pancakes  

[2] MyPlate: Green Bean Casserole Recipe: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/myplate-cnpp/sarahs-green-bean-casserole  

[3] MyPlate: Kale and Cranberry Stir-Fry Recipe: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/kale-and-cranberry-stir-fry  

[4] MyPlate: Sugar & Spice Cookies Recipe: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/recipes/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/sugar-and-spice-cookies-better-baking-mix  

Published on December 6th, 2023

Written by Sierra Woodruff, MS/DI student | Edited by Jung Sun Lee, PhD, RDN; Tristen T. Webb; and the nutrition education team