Food and Nutrition: Getting Back on Track with Healthy Choices

We all know that food and nutrition should go hand in hand. But then a meeting runs late, and you head for the drive-through for dinner. Or you have a particularly stressful day with the kids and you reach for the ice cream container after everyone else is in bed.

Sure, we all know that healthy eating is an important component for a healthy lifestyle, but sometimes it is just so easy to get off track. The good news is that it is never too late to return to a more nutritious diet. And there are some quick, easy ways to reintroduce food and nutrition into your own happy household.

Try Something New

There is no law that says you can’t munch on cold vegetable pizza for breakfast, or combine any type of tropical fruit with a bit of peanut butter or honey. Sometimes it’s fun to just browse the produce section of your grocery store to see what unusual fruits and veggies might tickle your fancy. How about baking a plantain and adding it to a dish of low-fat yogurt for dessert? Sometimes the best fresh produce is the stuff that we have never tried before, so get adventurous and taste something new and different. Food and nutrition have never tasted so good.

Spice it Up

Perhaps some of the dishes that your family has become bored with eating simply need a little extra pizzazz to rekindle the interest and keep food and nutrition a tasty combination in your household. Fresh herbs can do much to bring out the flavor of many of your dishes. Rosemary tastes great on many meats and poultry, and cilantro can be the perfect addition to a bean dish. Try tossing a few fresh selections, like chives and parsley, into your next salad for some additional zing. You may be pleasantly surprised at your family’s reaction.

Make it Easy

Despite what the fast food chains have taught us, food on the go does not have to be stuffed full of fat, calories and sodium. For a quick breakfast that combines fast food and nutrition, grab a bag of your favorite dry cereal for munching in the car. You can add a drinkable yogurt to the mix for a well-rounded and filling meal. Wash and chop up a few fresh fruits and vegetables after you bring them home from the store, and keep them in airtight containers in the fridge for a quick and easy snack. Baked tortilla chips and salsa are not only fast, they taste so good that you might forget you’re eating healthy.

Food and nutrition combinations don’t have to mean tasteless or complex dishes to feed your family. With a few tips and tricks, you can serve your clan a healthy menu that they are sure to love.