Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right

Shouldn’t you always "Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right?" Eating healthy, nutritious foods should never have to feel drab, plain, boring and tasteless. March is National Nutrition Month® and this year’s theme focuses on combining taste and nutrition to create healthy meals that not only taste good but are good for you.

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, "research confirms that taste tops nutrition as the main reason why one food is purchased over another. While social, emotional and health factors also play a role, the foods people enjoy are likely the ones they eat most." So why not have the food you enjoy also be healthy? This task truly isn’t as impossible as many of us think.

To begin to enjoy the taste of eating right, START WITH YOUR SENSES:

LISTEN to the crunch of fresh vegetables in a hot, sizzling pan.
SMELL the amazing fragrances of new herbs and spices.
TOUCH your food, use your hands for mixing, and experiment with new kitchen gadgets. Don’t be afraid to get a little messy in the kitchen!
SEE a variety of colors and shapes on your plate. Try to eat as many colors of the rainbow at every meal as possible (ROY G. BIV)- make it a new family game!
TASTE new flavor, texture, and temperature combinations when preparing meals.

Who says broccoli always has to be steamed? Personally, steamed broccoli (while a great standby) can get boring pretty quickly. Why not toss it with olive oil, herbs and spices and let it roast in the oven or crisp up on the grill? Changing the way you typically think a food SHOULD be prepared completely changes the taste, texture, and flavor profile. You never know, you could find a new favorite vegetable that you previously had to force yourself to eat just by simply using your senses and trying new cooking methods!

Let us know 3 ways you can prepare broccoli that tastes great and is good for you. We'd love to hear your ideas!

Visit the National Nutrition Month website for more information, great tips and information, and free downloadable materials.

Source: The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Nutrition Month®- March 2014

Mighty Mini Meatloaves
Recipe From: joybauer.com
Serves 6

Traditional meatloaf made with white bread and loads of ketchup has about 350 calories and 20 grams of fat per serving. Try this recipe for a nutritional twist on a classic that clocks in at just 160 calories and 2 grams of fat per serving. It’ll leave you "Enjoying the Taste of Eating Right" and wanting more!

The fun presentation makes this great for kids (and they’ll never suspect the hidden veggies!) and also serves as built-in portion control for kids of all ages!

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground turkey breast
1 small zucchini, grated
1 cup oats, dry
½ cup mushrooms, chopped
½ medium onion, chopped
¼ cup skim milk
¼ cup fresh basil or 1 Tbsp dried basil
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 egg whites
4 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 12-cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.

3. Divide meat mixture evenly and place into prepared muffin pan. You should be able to completely fill 12 full-sized muffin cups.

4. Bake for 30 minutes or until tops begin to brown and turkey is completely cooked (check this using a thermometer; once the muffins reach 165°F, they’re done).

Note: You can also make this in a traditional loaf pan. Cover meatloaf with foil and place in pre-heated oven for 40-45 minutes. Remove foil and let cook another 10-15 minutes or until tops begin to brown and turkey is completely cooked.