Learning how to read and understand nutrition food labels can help you figure out which foods and beverages are healthiest. Many people simply believe what the front of the manufacturer label tells you but there can be a lot of trickery and confusion. So, the best way to understand what you are truly consuming is by reading between the lines. That means understanding what the numbers and the actual ingredients are in a product. The main three bad things we look at in a product is fat, sodium, and sugar. But there are good fats and bad fats and there is a different between natural sugar and added sugar. All of the food products have nutrition facts label and they can help you make healthier choices to learn how to eat smart by using your math and reading skills. Join us this month on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 12:00pm (EST) for our virtual workshop on Eating for a Healthier, Stronger You. Register for this free workshop.
Try the following recipe courtesy of the Idaho Health Matters. For more information on Food for Thought programs, check us out online at Facebook or email jennifer.brown@ncsu.eduSkillet Pasta Dinner
serves 61 lb ground turkey, beef, or Italian sausage
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8oz tomato sauce
1 cup water
8oz uncooked pasta (ziti, penne, macaroni)
2 cups fresh or frozen veggies of choice (zucchini, carrots, spinach, mushrooms, or peppers are all good choices)
Brown the ground meat, onion, and garlic in a skillet or a heavy saucepan. Drain off any grease. Add the tomato sauce, water, and uncooked pasta. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the fresh or frozen vegetables, stir and continue cooking until the pasta and vegetables are tender (about 10 more minutes). Serve with a sprinkle of cheese and fresh herbs, like basil, if you have them.
