Nutrition Nibbles Archive

Nutrition Nibbles Flyer

Nutrition Services

National Nutrition Month: Food Connects Us

Food connects us... to our cultures, to our families and friends, to our community. Sharing a meal is an opportunity to learn about its preparation, the history behind the recipes and who made it for gatherings, and where the ingredients were sourced. What’s more, health, memories, traditions, seasons, and access can all impact our relationship with food. Here are some tips for connecting with food:

• When grocery shopping, use a grocery list and pay attention to sales. When food is less processed, it’s often more affordable.

• Learn about resources in your community that offer access to healthy foods, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women Infants and Children (WIC), and food pantries.

• Visit a farmers’ market to ask about how your food was grown or raised or consider starting a home or community garden to get hands-on experience with the growing process.

Source: https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month/resources

Let's Get Movin'!

Let's “spring into fitness.” Try a new activity once per week or bring back a childhood favorite with your own take!

• New: Try a new at home workout video, new style of yoga or stretching, or a new class at a local YMCA or other fitness facility.

• Familiar favorites: jump ropes, hula hoop, have a dance party (guided dance/Zumba video), or play tag with your kids! 

This helps explore new options and keep fitness fresh!

Harvest of the Month: Pineapple

Produce Tips:

• Look for a pineapple with a sweet smell at the base. A strong smell indicates that it is ripe and ready to eat.
• A ripe pineapple will be golden at the base (not just green). The golden color indicates the fruit is sweeter and juicier.
• You can gently pull one of the leaves at the top. If the leaves come off easily, then the pineapple is most likely ripe.
• Fruit should be firm to the touch and slightly yielding when pressed. Avoid pineapples which have too many soft or mushy spots.

Storage Tips:

• If not yet cut, a pineapple can be stored at room temperature. It will ripen over the next few days on its own. Once the fruit is ripe, it is best to refrigerate it.

• Cut pineapple can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The fruit will stay fresh for about 3-5 days. To extend the shelf life, you can freeze the fruit.



Source: https://ncstepstohealth.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/NC-HOtM-Greens-English-Replacement.pdf?fwd=no

Recipe Highlight: Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• ½ cup teriyaki sauce (reduced sodium)
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 cup water chestnuts chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 lettuce leaves
• 1 can cut pineapple

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Mix together the water, cornstarch, and teriyaki sauce.
3. Add meat, water chestnuts, pineapple.
4. Heat oil in skillet, add meat and sauce mixture, and stir until cooked through.
5. Serve in a lettuce leaf.

Source: https://www.myplate.gov/recipes/teriyaki-lettuce-wraps

Kids Corner

Source: https://www.carolinahungerinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Carrot-Activity.pdf

SNAP provides monetary assistance to supplement the food budget of households that meet the financial and resource requirements.

Foods available under SNAP:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat

For questions or assistance, call (336) 422-7758 or email fnsoutreach@secondharvestnwnc.org