Food Day

Today, October 24, 2011, is Food Day. Food Day is a campaign that promotes American's to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. Food Day's goal is "nothing less than to transform the American diet". It strives to have fewer people in the drive thru, bigger crowds at the farmer's markets, and more families in the kitchen. Food Day is a celebration of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains--and supporting local farms and farmers that produce them. It's time for America to eat real. 

Food Day has 6 main principles:

1. Reduce diet related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods

2. Support sustainable farms & limit subsidies to big agribusinesses

3. Expand access to food and alleviate hunger

4. Protect the environment & animals by reforming factory farms

5. Promote health by curbing junk food marketing to kids

6. Support fair conditions for food and farm workers

For the sake of time, and sparing you from reading a book I'm going to focus on one principle; principle #1: Reduce diet related diseases by promoting safe, healthy foods. 

“The food we eat should promote, not undermine, our good health”. Consuming salty, processed foods along with high calorie sugary drinks can add on pounds and promote tooth decay. Eating an unhealthy diet can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. The best type of diet is one that has variety—a diverse selection of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seafood, low-fat dairy, and lean meats. A diet with variety will provide you with vitamins, minerals, and fiber with the added benefit of low salt and low saturated and trans fats. Choosing the right foods can reverse heart disease, improve blood pressure, and treat type 2 diabetes. 

Tips for cutting down (or out) on junk food: 

• Center meals and snacks around a variety of foods. The healthy foods you eat will help keep you fuller for longer leaving the bad foods not as tempting.

• Try simple swaps. Choose whole wheat bread rather than white, fat-free milk instead of 2%, and water (or unsweetened flavored water) rather than soda.

•  When dining out share an entrée or save half for lunch the next day. 

• Dont forget: get up and exercise!

Here is the recipe I will be serving tomorrow during our Food Day celebration in the hospital. Recipe courtesy of Ellie Krieger (host of the Food Network's "Healthy Appetite")

Sweet and Tangy Three Bean Salad

Makes 8 servings; serving size 1 cup

½ small red onion, thinly sliced into half-moons        

¾ pound green beans, trimmed                              

¾ pound wax beans, trimmed                                 

¼ cup honey                          

½ cup cider vinegar 

3 tablespoons

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 15-ounce can no-salt-added kidney beans, rinse and drained  

    

1.To mellow the bite of the onion, place it in a bowl of ice water and allow it to soak for 30 minutes. Drain.

2. Place the green and wax beans in a steam basket fitted over a pot of boiling water. Cover and steam until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Cut into 2-inch lengths.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, vinegar, oil, salt, and black pepper. Add the onion, green and wax beans, kidney beans, and bell pepper and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Calories: 160

Total Fat: 5 g (Sat Fat 1 g)

Protein: 5 g

Carbohydrates: 23 g

Fiber: 7 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 160 mg

For more recipes and information about the 6 principles visit www.foodday.org