Category: nutrition

White Bean Dip

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Serving Size: 2 tablespoons | Serves: 8

Bowl of crackers with white bean dip and vegetables

Ingredients:

  • 1 can (15 ounces) white beans (drained and rinsed) (cannellini, great northern, or navy)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons oil (canola or olive)
  • 2 small cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried herb (basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary)

Directions:

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
  2. Serve right away or refrigerate in a covered container for up to 4 days.

Tips:

  • Serve with cut up vegetables or crackers. Use as a spread for a wrap or sandwich.

Nutrition information per serving:
90 calories, 3.5g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium, 11g total carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 0g sugar, 4g protein.

This recipe is courtesy of ISU Extension and Outreach’s Spend Smart. Eat Smart. website.
For more information, recipes, and videos, visit spendsmart.extension.iastate.edu

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Load up on these nutrients to fuel your brain!

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Magnesium: spinach, pumpkin and chia seeds, soy milk, black beans, almonds, cashews, peanuts

Omega-3 fatty acids: walnuts, chia and flaxseeds, salmon, herring, sardines

Folate: beef liver, rice, fortified cereals, black-eyed peas, spinach, asparagus, brussels sprouts

Iron: oysters, beef liver, fortified cereals, spinach, dark chocolate, white beans, lentils, tofu

Zinc: oysters, chicken, pork chops, beef roast, Alaska king crab, lobster, pumpkin seeds

B vitamins: chicken breast, beef liver, clams, tuna, salmon, chickpeas, potatoes, bananas

Vitamin A: beef liver, herring, cow’s milk, ricotta cheese, sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe

Fermented foods: yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut

Remember the quality of your diet is more powerful than any one decision you make in a day. Foods play an important role in mental health, but they won’t have a significant impact on their own if you aren’t prioritizing overall diet quality, self-care, and other stress management strategies.

Sources:
Harvard Health Publishing, go.iastate.edu/KP8LPX
Mental Health America, go.iastate.edu/TZYXXY
Health Line, go.iastate.edu/S8ZYMP

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Food and Mood

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An emerging field of research is nutritional psychiatry. This examines the relationship between diet and mental wellness or how foods affect our moods. One reason food choices affect our brain so much is our GI system, commonly called “the gut”—which is directly tied to our brain and the way we process emotions.

Common comfort foods (i.e., high-sugar and high-fat) are the least likely to benefit our mental health. Other harmful habits include eating processed foods, alcohol consumption, irregular meals, and lack of sleep.

The best way to support your mental health through diet is to eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, dairy, and whole grains.

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Roasted Vegetables and Kielbasa

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Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups | Serves: 4

Plate with roasted vegetables and kielbasa, fruit, roll, drink

Ingredients:

  • 5 cups chopped vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, onions, peppers, potatoes, zucchini)
  • 1 tablespoon oil (canola, olive, vegetable)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 turkey kielbasa (13 ounces)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together chopped vegetables, oil, ground black pepper.
  3. Cut kielbasa into round pieces 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
  4. Stir kielbasa into vegetables.
  5. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Spread vegetables & kielbasa evenly over baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes. Stir.
  7. Bake for up to 25 minutes more, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes, until vegetables are soft. Cooking time depends on size of vegetable pieces.

Nutrition information per serving:
250 calories, 12g total fat, 3g saturated fat, 710mg sodium, 22g carbohydrates, 4g dietary fiber, 15g protein. This recipe is courtesy of ISU Extension and Outreach’s Spend Smart. Eat Smart. website. For more information, recipes, and videos, visit Spend Smart. Eat Smart., spendsmart.extension.iastate.edu.

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Pork Loin Roast and Vegetables

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Serving Size: 3 oz. meat and 1 cup of vegetables | Serves: 6

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups onion, cut in wedges
  • 2 cups potatoes, diced
  • 2 cups baby carrots or 3/4 pound regular carrots, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons oil (canola or vegetable)
  • 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 1/4 pound pork loin
  • For Rub: 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400ºF.
  2. Mix vegetables with 1 tablespoon oil, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
  3. Lay vegetables around edge of 9”x13”pan. Put in oven.
  4. Using a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and salt in the bowl.
  5. Sprinkle the mixture over the loin. Press gently so it sticks to the roast. Wash your hands.
  6. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add the loin. Brown the sides of meat. Cook about 2–3 minutes per side.
  7. Transfer the pork to the center of the pan with vegetables. Bake for about 40 minutes. Check the temperature after 30 minutes in the oven.
  8. Remove from oven when meat thermometer reads 145ºF. Let set for 5minutes. Slice and serve.

Nutrition information per serving: 240 calories, 8g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 55mg cholesterol, 310mg sodium, 19g total carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 7g sugar, 22g protein.

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Meal Planning to Save Money

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Fruits, vegetables, and a notepad and pen for planning

Want to take the guesswork out of meals for the week? Here are some tips for creating a meal plan.

  • Use a meal planning worksheet: Print a 5-day meal planning worksheet, spendsmart.extension.iastate.edu/plan/menu-planning.
  • Look at your calendar. Think about school, work, and other events you have scheduled and include those in your plans.
  • What do you already have at home? Check your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer for food you already have on hand and write those on your meal plan worksheet.
  • Use grocery store ads. Check grocery store ads and write in sale items that pair with foods you already have on hand to make a meal.
  • Include all food groups. Review your meal plan to make sure you have a good variety of each food group throughout your meals and snacks. Explore MyPlate, www.myplate.gov, to learn more about what to include.

It’s okay to be flexible with this plan and make adjustments on the fly. Stock simple foods, like fruits and veggies you prepped over the weekend, to grab on those busier days. Include leftovers in your meal plan by making a double batch of a recipe and serve it again the next day or freeze to use later. Using freezer meals are great for busy days when you don’t have time to cook.

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Summer Bounty Salad

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Vegetables

Serving Size: 1 cup | Serves: 8

Ingredients:

7 cups vegetables (zucchini, broccoli, carrots, radishes, green onions)
1 pepper (green, red, or yellow)
2 tomatoes (red, yellow, or mixed)
2/3 cup light or fat free salad dressing

Directions:

  1. Wash and prepare the vegetables as follows:
    • Cut broccoli into florets.
    • Chop zucchini, carrots, radishes, and green onions.
    • Slice pepper (1 to 1 1/2 cups)
    • Chop tomatoes.
  2. Combine vegetables and salad dressing in a bowl, stirring to coat vegetables with dressing.
  3. Cover and refrigerate 1–3 hours to blend flavors. Store any leftovers in refrigerator and use within 3 days.

Tip:
We have a video for you! Make Summer Bounty Salad, go.iastate.edu/HLKNNF. This is a recipe, go.iastate.edu/ZYRU63, that is easy, delicious, and perfect for this time of year.

Nutrition information per serving:
60 calories, 1.5g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 220mg sodium, 10g total carbohydrate, 3g fiber, 6g sugar, 2g protein

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Produce Basics

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Preparing fresh produce is easy if you have the right information! Spend Smart. Eat Smart Produce Basics, go.iastate.edu/EXKVVD, describes how to store, clean, and prepare fresh produce.

  • Corn on the Cob, go.iastate.edu/UIOFP4: A summer staple that is high in fiber.
    • Choose ears of corn that have a bright green husk.
    • If husk is removed, refrigerate in tightly wrapped plastic for 1 to 2 days. If husk is still on, store uncovered in a refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.
  • Onions: This vegetable is high in vitamin C and fiber.
    • Choose onions that are dry, shiny, and firm, and do not have dents or bruises.
    • Store whole onions in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place and use within 4 weeks.
    • Refrigerate cut onions in a tightly sealed container and use within 7 days.
    • Rinse onions under cool running water before use.
  • Zucchini, go.iastate.edu/ZAC1CS: This food helps heal cuts and wounds while helping the immune system.
    • Choose zucchini that have shiny skins and firm flesh.
    • Store in a plastic bag in the vegetable (crisper) drawer of the refrigerator and use within 4–5 days.
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Double Up on Food Bucks

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Did you know more than 380,000 Iowans rely on food assistance programs? Iowa ranks 50th in the nation for fruit and vegetable consumption, according to the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative website. The Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) Incentive Program matches the value of food assistance benefits and makes it easier for low-income Iowans to consume fruits and vegetables while supporting local farmers and economies. For more information, read the tips below.

  • If you are on food assistance, you get more money to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables! DUFB gives you $1 for every $1 you spend on any fresh fruits and vegetables with your SNAP EBT card. You can use the extra money to buy fresh fruit and vegetables at local grocery stores or farmers markets.
  • In Iowa, find a DUFB location, iowahealthieststate.com, near you.
  • Outside of Iowa, see if your state has this program and find participating grocery stores and farmers markets near you at Double Up Food Bucks, doubleupamerica.org.
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Grilled Vegetable Packets

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Serving Size: 3/4 cup | Serves: 5

Ingredients:

  • 2 zucchini, small (sliced)
  • 2 yellow squash, small (sliced)
  • 4 red potatoes, small (scrubbed well and sliced)
  • 1/2 red onion (sliced)
  • 1/2 bell pepper (red or green, seeded and sliced)
  • 1/4 cup Italian salad dressing, light
  • salt and pepper (optional, to taste)

Directions:

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Heat grill to medium heat or 350°F.
  3. Wash vegetables and slice.
  4. Toss in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss until vegetables are coated.
  5. Tear 2 large squares of aluminum foil and place half of the vegetable mixture on each piece. Place an equal piece of foil over the top of the vegetable mixture and fold bottom piece with top sheet to form a packet.
  6. Place on heated grill for 20–30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. If you don’t have a grill, bake Veggie Packets in the oven at 400°F for 20–30 minutes.
  7. Before you open the packets, poke holes in the foil with a fork. Be careful opening the foil because the steam will be very hot and could burn you!
  8. Empty vegetables onto serving plate or serve from foil packets.

Nutrition information per serving:
133 calories, 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 0mg cholesterol, 144mg sodium, 29g total carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 5g sugar, 4g protein. This recipe is courtesy of MyPlate website, USDA MyPlate Recipes, www.myplate.gov/myplate-kitchen/recipes.

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