Choo! Choo! There’s a new train in town, and it’s express to a healthy gut. This train is the whole grain train, and it is ready for you and your family to step aboard.   To understand what a whole grain is, you must first understand the anatomy of a grain itself. A whole grain…

Did you know that popcorn is considered a whole grain!? To be considered a whole grain, the food must contain all three parts of the kernel: the bran, the germ, and the endosperm. Some other popular whole grains include wheat, oats, and barley. Give a new grain a try this September for National Whole Grains…

Do you know what your cholesterol levels are? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 2/3 of Americans report having their cholesterol levels checked in the last five years. Even if you recently had your levels checked, you may not know what the numbers mean. Understanding cholesterol levels can be confusing as…

Did you know that increasing your whole grain intake can be beneficial to your overall health? Swapping out refined carbohydrates for whole grain products is rarely a bad idea! Increase your consumption throughout the month of September for National Whole Grain Month.   There are so many health benefits associated with whole grain products, that…

Did you know that people who consume more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes? A recent study found that eating ample fruits or vegetables can lower your risk of developing diabetes by 25%.   Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are not only delicious, they are power-packed with…

January is National Fiber Focus Month, which makes it the perfect time to learn more about the benefits of fiber and how to increase your intake. First, let’s briefly discuss what fiber is. It’s a form of carbohydrate that your body can’t break down into usable energy. It’s broken down into insoluble and soluble fiber,…

Did you know that September is National Whole Grains Month? Yes, there is an entire month dedicated to whole grains! The best part about whole grains is that there is such a variety to choose from; you can have a different type every night of the week!  The USDA recommends that at least half of…

Ah, folic acid. I’m sure you’ve seen it mentioned on your cereal or pasta boxes, bread, and other grains, but do you really know what it is?   Last week was National Folic Acid Awareness Week and I meant to post this blog then, but, as I’m sure you all know the feeling, sometimes the…

What better way to start off 2018 than with National Fiber Focus Month! Fiber is an essential part of any diet and provides a seemingly endless array of health benefits. But, are you getting enough?   The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommend that men get ~38 grams per day and women consume ~25 grams…

February is American Heart Month and a healthy heart makes for a perfect Valentine’s Day gift!  This month is dedicated to help reduce the number of lives taken each year due to heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, accounting for roughly 1 in every third…

World Heart Day is celebrated all around the nation on September 29th! World Heart Day, created by the World Heart Federation, is one of the biggest platforms to raise awareness of Cardiovascular Disease. Heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death. Every year about 17.3 million people die from heart disease and…

Even though oatmeal has been around forever, it seems like people are finally sparking interest over this old breakfast. Overnight oats, steel cut oats, oatmeal granola bars, and oatmeal energy bites- the options are boundless! So why this sudden revival in one of America’s oldest breakfasts? People are rediscovering all of the wonderful benefits of…

October is more than just a month to celebrate spooks and sweets. It’s also a month to celebrate treats that are good for you like popcorn! It’s National Popcorn Popping Month which means it’s time to give a little patronage to this healthy snack. Did you know that fresh popcorn, lightly seasoned can be a…

As the fall slowly approaches, it’s time to start thinking about preparing soups for the cooler nights. This soup freezes really well, so feel free to double the recipe and freeze in smaller batches.

The pinnacle of the summer has arrived. Fourth of July weekend is the perfect time to celebrate with friends and family while catching some sun. With all of the pasta salads, burgers and desserts it’s easy to get a little carried away. Don’t stress, there are a few ways you can make this holiday healthier-…

As the month is coming to a close and the weather is getting even colder, take some time on January 28th to celebrate National Blueberry Pancake Day! I have searched for any reason that this special day is dedicated to a certain type of pancake to no avail, so I’ve put together my own list…

September marks the beginning of a new school year and a change in weather as everyone seems to be gradually getting back into their busy routines of life. What better time to add a healthy breakfast to your schedule? This past Friday was Better Breakfast Day! I’m sure when you were younger your mother told…

March is National Nutrition Month® (NNM). NNM was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is a campaign to promote nutrition education with the focus of the campaign to highlight the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. NNM was initiated in 1973 as a week-long…

Do you remember the school lunches when you were a kid?  How about at your children’s school?  Do chicken nuggets, greasy pizza and hot dogs sound familiar?  That will not be the case this school year!  The USDA has given school cafeterias a makeover with their Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act…

It’s back to school time!  While many parents are focused on buying new clothes and school supplies for their kids, they may forget about the importance of buying food to pack a nutritious lunch every day! Eating a well-balanced meal in the middle of the day can help stimulate brain activity, give your child the…