Food plays a big part in the lives of most Southerners. Good food and celebrations go hand in hand. Yet, popular ways of frying foods and using fats for seasoning can increase your risk for clogged arteries and heart disease.

Calcium is an important nutrient for your body and for your health. Calcium helps your heart, muscles, and nerves function. It is also important for bone health.

In 1996, the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, United States Department of Agriculture (CSREES, USDA) issued a national Request for Proposals (RFP) to conduct a cost benefit analysis (CBA) of nutrition education programs, with emphasis on the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of fuel. They give us energy to use or to be stored to use later.
Most carbohydrate foods also have health-giving vitamins and minerals 

A child grows about two to three inches and gains four to five pounds each year. Proper nutrition and opportunities to play and be physically active are critical to ensure that your child grows properly and adopts healthy behaviors for lifelong health.

There is no one healthy weight for all children. Children come in different sizes and shapes. Some children are naturally petite. Others have bigger builds, larger bones, or greater muscle mass that can result in a heavier weight. They also grow at different rates. Any weight that supports growth, learning, development, fitness, and well-being can be a healthy weight.

It is important to promote a positive body image among youth since it can influence their concept of self worth, as well as confidence.

If your child is overweight, he or she is not alone. Overweight is growing at epidemic rates among American children and teens. The rate has tripled in thirty years and is expected to rise.

Being underweight is not the same as being thin or slender. Some children have a naturally slight build and maintain it with a well-balanced diet and physical activity. This is normal and healthy. However, true underweight may be a sign of dietary, health, or emotional problems.

Your family’s health is very important. Lifestyle choices greatly affect your family’s health. It is up to you to
make wise nutrition and health choices for yourself and your family.

Iron is an important nutrient for your body and for your health. It helps your cells “breathe.” Iron works with protein to make the hemoglobin in red blood cells.

You may already know that muscles are made up of protein, but so many other important parts of the human body need protein too. That’s why protein is so important for normal growth and development.

Cooking in the kitchen can be a lot of fun! Cooking in the kitchen can also be dangerous with hot ovens, sharp knives, and boiling water. Always ask an adult before you go into the kitchen to cook. Ask an adult what you can do alone and what you need help with. Learn and follow the safety rules of the kitchen to keep yourself and others safe while in the kitchen.

Sodium is a necessary part of our diet. Sodium helps our bodies keep the right amount of water, 

but we only need a little bit. 

The most common form of sodium is found in table salt, which is called sodium chloride. Most foods naturally have at least a small amount of sodium in them. Processed foods, on the other hand, have much more. Sodium is an cheap way to add flavor and to keep foods fresh longer.

Did you know your body is just like a car? Both need fuel to run! A car needs gas to make it go and you need food to make you go. Your body burns food just like a car burns fuel. Food you eat provides you with nutrients that help your body work right. The most important meal of the day is breakfast. It is the best time to re-fuel your engine. 

Fat is a necessary part of a healthy diet. It is found in some foods like nuts, oils, butter, and meats like beef. Fat is not a bad food. Instead of avoiding fat, you should try to include a little bit of fat at each meal. Dietary fat provides the most calories compared to protein foods and carbohydrate foods. You, as a kid, especially need a certain amount of fat in your diet so that your brain and nervous system develop correctly. Fat also helps protect your organs and helps your body absorb essential vitamins!

Fiber is very important to everyone’s diet. It helps keep the digestive system healthy. Fiber also helps you feel full longer. It can hold off hunger for longer than junk foods or other foods that are low in fiber. This is great because you don’t have to eat as many empty calories (junk food) to feel full.

Usually, fiber is easy to find – whether it is in a whole-grain product or not. To make sure you know how much fiber you are eating, check out the food label. Choose foods that have at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.

Are you “Heart Healthy?” Do you know your cholesterol numbers? Do you know the new cholesterol guidelines? Your first step to heart healthy living is to assess your risk.

Years ago staying active was not an issue. But today, in our world of technology and new conveniences, most of the physical activity has been taken out of our lives. Most Americans (about 60%) no longer break a sweat on a daily basis. This lack of physical activity is having a profoundly negative effect on the health of children and adults.

Certain things in your surroundings, or personal habits, or way of life may increase your chances of getting cancer. If you have any of the following risk factors for cancer, learn what you can do to get rid of the risks or protect yourself.

What do you know about soybeans? Research on soybeans is showing exciting health benefits for all family
members. This publication focuses on three topics that will help you enjoy the health benefits of soybeans.

How do you get your family to the table and keep them healthy? Slash the fat. Shake the salt habit. Replace the sugar, fat, and salt in your favorite foods with spices and herbs. They will keep your family coming back to the table for healthy and tasty meals.

One out of every three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some time. Cancer affects three of every four families.

This fact sheet provides an overview of two of the most popular diets, along with the pros and cons of weight loss and health with these diets.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death in the United States, with cholesterol being a major factor. Research has shown that high cholesterol can be the result of eating a diet with too much saturated fat and cholesterol. The latest research shows that another fat, trans fat (also called trans fatty acids), also raises low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol levels.

Vegetables are good for you. They are full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and thousands of powerful things called antioxidants and phytochemicals. These things give vegetables their color, flavor, and smell.

Use these helpful suggestions to increase the quality of your diet.

Foods we eat that are roots:

beet

onion

carrot

parsnip

potato

radish

rutabaga

sweet potato

yam

turnip