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utrition, Food Safety, and Health Extension programming targets environmental and lifestyle factors that improve health and reduce chronic disease to improve the quality of life for Kansans, addressing the grand challenge of “Health”.
Poor dietary intake has been linked to many adverse health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, certain cancers, respiratory disorders and more. Yet, many consumers need help acquiring skills to make informed decisions regarding planning and preparation of healthful meals. In addition, many, if not most, consumers are pressed for time and money and are looking for easy and inexpensive meal ideas. That’s why many of the programs I share stress the importance of eating healthy meals while also sharing tips to help consumers find ways to make meal times not only more healthful but easier and less expensive as well.
“Easy Meals for Two or Just for You” is a program we have used numerous times this past year. Most recently we adapted the program for use at two Holiday Happenings events in Wildcat District. Participants learned what a “healthy” meal should consist of and shared in brainstorming ideas for preparing meals with little time and effort in preparation. We discussed basic items to keep in the pantry and freezer that could be pulled out at a moment’s notice to get a tasty, easy meal on the table. We also added some easy pantry meal ideas for entertaining to go along with the holiday theme and we sampled some of the recipes during our events.
“Choose Wisely: For Health and Wealth”, a K-State FCS Lesson I wrote and updated in 2018, was also used during the holidays as a display at the Independence Library Holiday Festival. Knowing there would be some “standing in line” time, library personnel called asking for a display about making healthy food choices to engage people during that time. “Choose Wisely” shares tools to use in making wise food choices, as well as several comparison charts showing that our choices DO make a difference in calories, fat, and carbohydrates consumed.
“Focus on the Stars: Eating Healthy for the Holidays”, was shared with the Age Well group in Pittsburg. Using comparisons of traditional and healthfully revised recipes, we were able to show the difference our choices can make. By focusing on the “star” ingredients (green beans, sweet potatoes, apples, etc.) rather than routinely adding lots of extra sugar and fat, consumers can have a flavorful meal without gaining all those extra pounds that often “magically” appear after the holidays.
Our goal is to enhance awareness of the importance of good nutrition and the huge difference our daily choices can make in our lives. But also, we want to provide tools, information, and ideas to engage consumers and help them put their knowledge to work.