We recently had our first Lunch-n-Learn meeting, and it was a GREAT success! Everyone had a good time, and learned a few things they didn't already know. Many thanks to the people who were able to make it!
Here are a couple ideas that we discussed that can help everyone diversify their diets at home:
- Baby steps make for steady, positive change in your dietary choices. Start with foods and recipes that you’re comfortable with, and expand from there. It’s never too little, or too late.
- Diversify your food sources. The more varied the foods that you put into your body, the healthier you’ll be and the better you’ll feel. Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains go a long way to make you feel satisfied and energized throughout the entire day.
- To attain a more balanced diet, try to make plant-based foods fill 75% of your plate at each meal. Attaining this goal will not only diversify your food sources, but it will also steer your food choices to healthier options.
- Be proactive to get the whole family on-board. Prepare meals together, or make meals in bulk to get everyone involved and to save time during hectic days. (Also helps picky eaters be more open to trying a new food, as well as gaining confidence in their cooking skills)
- Think outside the box. Utilize dicing, substitution, and changes in preparation style to “sneak” new foods into well-known favorite meals, or to introduce new ones.
- Watch for produce sales. Buy produce in bulk, in season, or at local Farmer’s Markets to save money at purchasing. Also, plan meals ahead and go to the grocery store on a full stomach to avoid over-purchasing.
- Once a month, try a new recipe. Or a new ingredient. Or both! The internet is an excellent resource for new information, as are your friends, family, and co-workers. If you don't know what couscous is, or if there's a difference between green onions and scallions (there isn't one, by the way)...don't be afraid to ask! Contact Lisa in the GIS Office for a great resource to answer your questions, as is Google and Wikipedia!
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| Tunisian Veggie Couscous (click here for recipe) |
- Once a week, try preparing a meal that is meatless. This encourages food source diversity, and satisfies that 75% plant-based plate goal discussed earlier. No change to your diet is too little, or too late!
