Is it ok to eat a hot dog every now and then?

For most of us, we should strive to eat healthy most days of the week. However, “cheat” days are part of our lives and on some eating plans, encouraged. So what do you eat on splurge days? Pizza, pasta, hamburgers, sweets or hotdogs? Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of […]

Tracking Still Works

Tracking is once again a winner when it comes to helping us achieve and maintain a healthy weight.  Tracking has long been a key strategy included in most weight management programs, including the Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less and Eat Smart, Move More, Prevent Diabetes programs.  Writing down everything that we are eating and […]

US Salt Intake to Decrease with New FDA Guidelines

With almost 75% of the sodium intake of most Americans coming from processed foods, it is not the salt shaker on the table that is to blame for high salt intake. The Food and Drug Administration released new guidelines asking food service, restaurants, and food manufacturers to voluntarily reduce sodium levels in over 150 categories […]

A spoonful of Sucralose

Is sucralose making you eat more?

The non-nutritive sweetener sucralose is found in literally thousands of foods, most diet soft drinks are sweetened this way. The zero calories on the label signals that this food would help with weight loss, especially if it is being swapped for its full calorie version. A recent study published in the Journal of the American […]

Healthy Pancakes Do Exist!

You may think that pancakes are off the menu for you. Too many unhealthy carbohydrates, sugar in the syrup – no pancakes for you. However, it is possible thanks to this great Med Instead of Meds recipe. There is truly such a thing as healthy pancakes and the biggest plus is, they are super easy […]

More Reasons to NOT Skip Breakfasts

I don’t know about you, but the recent research around breakfast has been very confusing to me. Originally, it was considered to be the ‘most important meal of the day.’ Then the evidence around the importance of breakfast for overall health and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight became mixed as intermittent fasting started to […]

A handout suggesting to choose fast food less often

Fast Food Survival Guide

Eating at home is always more ideal, but sometimes life’s endless to-do’s get in the way, and takeout is the easiest option. Check out this handout from our colleagues at NC EFNEP with fast food survival tips. View the rest of NC EFNEP‘s helpful handouts! You may also enjoy: How to Practice Mindful Eating When […]

5 Tips to Avoid Giving In to Family Food Pushers

Let’s face it, the holidays often revolve around activities and gatherings that include food. It can be difficult for those of us who are trying to make smarter, healthier food choices to be in environments where unhealthy sweets and treats are everywhere, especially when people we love are the ones offering us these foods.  Family […]

Smart-size Your Portions

Both the amount and types of food we consume contribute to whether our way of eating is healthy. Check out this great handout from our colleagues at NC EFNEP with tips for how to smart-size your portions. A portion is what you serve yourself or what a restaurant gives you–you can also think of this […]