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Highlights
IN THE KITCHEN
Welcome to our interactive In the Kitchen blog featuring the monthly highlights and helpful resources to support your healthy nutrition choices.
If you’ve found this resource and are not currently registered to participate in our In the Kitchen program, we invite you to take that step with our free registration. This allows you access to our live taught, virtual classes plus additional resources we may share throughout the year.
As always, if you have a nutrition-related question please visit our Ask the RD page where you can search a library of answers to submitted questions. You can also choose to send us your own question to be answered by our registered dietitians.
Browsing this Blog
Click on each monthly post to reveal the important-to-know highlights on the specific topic, plus view the monthly featured recipes supporting the monthly topic.
Use the search bar, enter a keyword to find a collection of posts containing related information.
FEBRUARY 2025: There are so many resources educating on nutrition and what's best for our health. With myths and misconceptions abound, it can be hard to know which statements are reliable and evidence-based. Informed choices through a deeper understanding of healthy eating and nutrition labels can help. Let's explore nutrition facts and myths, best practices for information reliability, and the tools to navigate our food-related decisions. Allowing you to build a sustainable approach to nutrition.
JANUARY 2025: Let's help you create a sustainable, and healthy, approach to your nutrition. With all the information and options, it can be difficult to know what's best. And it's especially true when it comes to all the diet plans. Though nutrition isn't a one-size-fits-all science, let's review some important considerations when choosing a plan to sustain your health long term.
DECEMBER 2024: Throughout late fall and early winter, there are so many delicious family meals we indulge in! We all have that favorite holiday dish that makes the holiday. It can be challenging to find ways to eat heart-healthy while enjoying that favorite seasonal dish. This month as we share ideas for enjoying the holidays while maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle.
OCTOBER 2024: Let's tackle some kitchen basics and answer popular questions that can empower you to be your own healthy chef at home. Healthy cooking and eating does not need to be overwhelming. Learn about recommended tools, staple ingredients, and preparation tips to lower the stress, save time, and enjoy being in the kitchen.
SEPTEMBER 2024: It's no surprise to learn that busy lives and family schedules impact our food choices. There is hope! Carving out a small amount of time weekly for meal planning and prep can help reduce stress, save you money, and can actually gift you more time during the week. Most importantly, it increases the likelihood of healthier food choices. This month we share creative ideas and strategies to meal plan for one, two, four, or more.
AUGUST 2024: This month we focus on fueling our bodies for sustainable energy throughout the day. How we achieve the needed energy depends on our food choices and the timing of food consumption. Let’s also visit best fueling practices when exercising — what types of exercise actually require an increase in food.
JULY 2024: The summer heat tends to push us out of the kitchen and lacking inspiration. Your kitchen creativity doesn't have to slack when the temps rise. Choosing foods that are hydrating, seasonal, and don’t warm up the house during preparations are possible and delicious. Let's look beyond salads for new and creative summer recipes and nutrition tips!
JUNE 2024: Eating healthy doesn't have to cost a fortune. This month we’ll discuss ways to stretch your food budget with grocery shopping tricks and kitchen tips. We’ll focus on how to build a grocery list on a budget without letting go of healthy choices or flavor.
MAY 2024: Your gut plays an important role in your immunity and disease prevention. Learn which foods may benefit your gut health and those that may not. We'll discuss the importance of a fiber-rich diet, pre- and probiotics, and regularly enjoying a variety of whole foods to keep your gut healthy.
APRIL 2024: Plant-based eating is becoming a more popular option in many homes. And the great news is you're not limited to just vegetables! Learn creative and simple ways to bring plant-based recipes into your meal plans and how this dietary lifestyle benefits overall health.
MARCH 2024: It's that time of year where many begin to clear the clutter and deep clean their homes as they welcome the warm rays of sunshine and shed the weight of the dark, cooler months. Did you know your kitchen and recipes can benefit from a similar approach? Let's learn best practices to spruce up the kitchen through food choices, and kitchen efficiency.
FEBRUARY 2024: Get the basics, or sharpen your skills, around nutrition as we outline the foundation for heart healthy nutrition: guidelines that’s helpful for everyone. Understand best choices when it comes to ingredients and why those choices benefit you immediately and long term. A healthy nutrition lifestyle doesn’t have to be boring or bland.
JANUARY 2024: Sometimes we eat because we are hungry, and our bodies need a boost in energy. Other times it's out of comfort or even boredom. Mindful and intuitive tools help us to pause and appreciate our colorful food plate and invite us to take time to enjoy the flavors and textures. These practices establish positive relationships with food.
DECEMBER 2023: As we enter into the last few months of the year, there are so many delicious foods to enjoy! It can be challenging to find ways to eat heart-healthy while enjoying that favorite seasonal dish. Gather ideas for enjoying the holidays while keeping it heart healthy.
NOVEMBER 2023: This is wonderful information for everyone, whether you live with diabetes, are at risk of developing it, or just want to know more! Let's look at developing healthy eating habits that lower our risk of diabetes and that can help manage levels when living with diabetes.
OCTOBER 2023: There are so many weight-management tools and diet fads out there! It can be hard to know which techniques work best overall, let alone which may fit your needs and health goals. Some recommendations focus just on what we eat, while others include movement as part of the wellness plan. This month we explore what it means to be at a healthy weight and tools you can use to get there!
SEPTEMBER 2023: Our lives can get busy and just getting a meal on the table can be a feat of its own. Sometimes the first response to a long day can become more about just getting the family fed; thinking about healthy options can come second. This month we share tips and tricks to plan meals that better fit our schedules and meet the needs of our busy lives.
AUGUST 2023: 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!
JULY 2023: When trying to stay healthy, it can be challenging to know which fats and oils are the right ones for our bodies. Some can improve our heart health, while others are less beneficial. Sometimes we get stuck not knowing which to choose and how much to enjoy. This month as we learn about healthy fats and ways to include them in a heart-healthy diet.
JUNE 2023: Healthy cooking and eating does not need to be overwhelming. Let’s break down the kitchen basics to make healthy cooking as easy as possible. Learn about recommended tools, ingredients and preparation tips to lower the stress, save time, and enjoy healthier meals.
MAY 2023: It's no surprise to learn that busy lives and family schedules impact our food choices. There is hope! Carving out a small amount of time weekly for meal planning and prep can help reduce stress, save you money, and can actually gift you more time during the week. Most importantly, it increases the likelihood of healthier food choices. This month we share creative ideas and strategies to meal plan for one, two, four, or more.
APRIL 2023: Nutrition labels play an important role in making informed choices about what we eat; revealing added sugars and other helpful nutritional facts. This month we will explain what information can be found on the labels and how to incorporate this knowledge into your meal plans.
MARCH 2023: Plant-Based eating is becoming a more popular option in many homes! This way of eating has benefits to our health and to the environment. Let's discuss ways we can bring plant-based meals into our diet and how they can help us live a heart-healthy lifestyle.
FEBRUARY 2023: Eating heart healthy does not have to mean bland meals. Spices can be a great way to add flavor without adding sodium. Let's talk about how to spice up our lives with herbs and spices! We will discuss how we can live a heart-healthy life full of delicious, flavorful food, while keeping our sodium levels at a healthy level. Cutting the salt by trying other spices is a one small step you can take to support your amazing heart, especially during Heart Month!
JANUARY 2023: Get the basics, or sharpen your skills, around nutrition. This month we will outline the foundation for heart healthy nutrition: guidelines that’s helpful for everyone. Understand best choices when it comes to ingredients and why those choices benefit you immediately and long-term. A healthy nutrition lifestyle doesn’t have to be boring or bland.
NOVEMBER 2024: Keeping our immune systems healthy is important for our everyday wellness. When we feel well, we’re more likely to be active, social, and able to do the things we need and love. Our nutrition plays a key role in general health, recovery, and in lowering inflammation. Learn how certain foods, vitamins, minerals, herbs, and spices can support our immune systems and complement other healthy lifestyle behaviors.