Hydrating and Nourishing Our Bodies
As summer continues, the heat outside can take a lot out of us. During this time, we may need to be mindful of how to stay cool and ensure our bodies are staying nourished. We can choose foods that not only assist in keeping us hydrated, but also provide other essential nutrients to our body. This month as we discuss ways to add more vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes into our meal plans this summer, no supplements needed!
Important Education Takeaways
Think beyond the calories. Instead, prioritize nutrient-rich choices over empty calorie foods.
In this video, learn more about balanced plates and including variety in what you eat.
Try our vitamin packed, Summer Strawberry Salad Bowl.
Start by focusing on one or two key nutrients that matter most to you and your personal health. It’s easy to get overwhelmed if you’re trying to count everything!
Most people do not get enough calcium, vitamin D, potassium, magnesium, iron, and fiber in their diets.
Learn about what it means when vitamins and minerals are added to juices.
Pay attention to the ingredient lists to better understand what goes into your foods. Aim for mostly fresh and/or whole foods instead of highly processed food products.
It is generally recommended to limit saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars in the diet.
Instead of reaching for a soda or sugary drink, our dietitian has these suggestions on better beverages to help us stay hydrated.
Recipes
Recipe of the month: Blueberry Pecan Salad with Goat Cheese, Refreshing Strawberry Mint Infused Water
As always, this recipe is the showcase of our live taught, virtual cooking class. Our chef and registered dietitian bring the recipe to life as they walk you through food prep, swaps to meet dietary or taste preferences, plus tips and tools to support you being your own healthy chef at home.
Bonus recipe: Banana Berry Smoothie
From Jamie’s kitchen to yours, our monthly bonus recipes are published on our website and social media the 4th Wednesday of each month. We invite you to browse our recipe collection and come back often to find more flavorful and heart-healthy recipes.
We invite you to join us for the live taught, virtual nutrition classes each month to gather more information on our nutrition topics. This is also an opportunity to ask topic-related questions of our experts as well as connect socially with attendees for idea sharing. As a registered participant for our In the Kitchen program, you receive a few reminders ahead of each scheduled monthly classes, but here’s an easy to remember schedule: Nutrition Education (30-minutes, 2nd Wednesday, 12pm), Cooking Class (up to 60-minutes, 3rd Monday, 12pm).
Contributing authors: Kayla Guillory, MS, RD, CDCES, diabetes educator, Providence Community Teaching Kitchen; Jamie Libera, RD, LD, CCTD, registered dietitian, Providence.