Food Bank Article: 10 Swaps to Keep Your Holidays Healthy
With so many treats available this holiday season, here are some tips and a recipe to help you make healthier choices from Sara Clement with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
Plus, today, Nov. 30 is #GivingTuesday and donations to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina can be TRIPLED!
See the details on the #GivingTuesday triple donation opportunity on the food bank website HERE!
10 Swaps to Keep Your Holidays Healthy
By: Sara Clement, RD, LDN, Food Bank Director of Community Health & Nutrition
* Bring a healthy dish to your holiday gathering.
* Small portions. Use a smaller plate to make it seem full or choose small amounts of your favorite foods.
* Choose water or unsweetened drinks.
* Use spices and herbs to flavor foods instead of salt.
* Choose leaner cuts of meat, such as chicken, turkey, or fish.
* Fill half your plate with fruits and veggies first then add smaller portions of grains, meats, and dairy.
* Make exercise or physical activity a part of the gathering.
* Choose baking or roasting cooking methods and removing skin prior to cooking to reduce fat.
* Place healthy choices at the beginning to encourage filling your plate with nutrient dense foods.
* Place desserts on a separate table with small plates. Precut desserts into smaller pieces to encourage portion control.
The Food Bank has also shared this tasty recipe for applesauce!
Healthy Recipe Videos
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina has put together a series of healthy recipe videos that are available to watch on YouTube.com HERE.
About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for 40 years. The Food Bank serves a network of more than 900 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults through warehouses in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, the Sandhills (Southern Pines), and Wilmington.
The Food Bank not only feeds those who are hungry; but also works to benefit community health. That’s why, in 2016, the Food Bank launched a Community Health & Engagement Department. With two nutritionists on staff, the Food Bank shares recipes, healthy tips, and other resources for partner agencies and neighbors in need. The on-site teaching kitchen in Raleigh offers cooking demonstrations and nutrition education to highlight easy, quick, and low-cost recipes using healthful foods like whole grains, fresh produce, low fat dairy, and lean meats.
Monthly Articles from the Food Bank
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina shares regular articles about nutrition and health education so we know what to look for when we head to the grocery store and plan our healthy meals.
