Healthy Eating Tips and Contest Alert!
Are you a master of making smart choices when eating at a restaurant or choosing processed foods? Show us how you #EatSmart in honor of upcoming American Stroke Month and High Blood Pressure Awareness Month.
Winners will be announced on World Hypertension Day, May 17, 2018.
What types of tips will you share? Here are some of our favorites from last year’s contest!
Healthy options when it comes to processed foods:
- When preparing processed foods at home, divide portions in half and add an equal amount of cooked veggies. It lessens the sodium and multiplies the vegetables. - Keltcie Delamar, Richmond, VA
- Use fresh herbs to add delicious flavor and aroma to low-sodium and no-salt-added processed foods. Many herbs can be easily and affordably grown at home in a pot or planter box. - Catherine Callahan, Federal Way, WA
- Gradually switch to lower-sodium options to get used to the taste over time. For example, move to reduced sodium, then low-sodium, then no-salt-added processed foods. - Anne-Marie Calderone, Monmouth Junction, NJ
Eating smart at restaurants:
- Restaurants and foodservice can make small, stealthy changes that diners won’t notice, such as switching to lower sodium soup bases and canned ingredients. - Michelle Duke, Spokane, WA
- When eating out, ask for extra lemon or lime, no salt added, and seeds for seasoning (such as sesame, pumpkin or pine nuts) when possible. You can even keep a small lemon in your purse (just in case)! The juice brings out the natural flavor in foods and can replace dressing. - Leticia Orosco, Oklahoma City, OK
- Before dining out, go to the restaurant’s website to check for nutritional info, and choose the best options in advance. Bring your own low-sodium dressing or condiments with you. - Eileen Lepionka, Columbus, OH
