Family and Consumer Sciences

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Ohio State University Extension

healthy eating

National Nutrition Month

Did you know March is National Nutrition Month? As defined by Merriam-Webster, nutrition is the act or process of nourishing or being nourished. We can nourish ourselves by eating fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, dairy, and whole grains. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a healthy balanced diet includes making half of […]

WRITTEN BY: Caitlin Mathews-Smith, OSU Extension, Guernsey County, Family and Consumer Sciences

REVIEWED BY: Jenny Lobb, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, OSU Extension Franklin County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • "MyPlate Servings". Gleaners Nutrition Hub, http://www.gleanersnutritionhub.org/blog/archives/12-2020.
  • Photo taken by Caitlin Mathews-Smith

REFERENCES:

  • MyPlate | U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). MyPlate | U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.myplate.gov/
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. National Nutrition Month. https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023

FCS February

When we think of February, a few celebrations come to mind: American Heart Month, Black History Month, Groundhog Day, Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, and President’s Day. Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Educator Day probably isn’t something you’ve heard about, but it takes place this year on February 15th and highlights the field of study […]

WRITTEN BY: Caitlin Mathews-Smith, OSU Extension, Guernsey County, Family and Consumer Sciences

REVIEWED BY: Amy Meehan, Healthy People Program Specialist, State Office, Family and Consumer Sciences

Super Bowl, Super Choices

As February begins, we’re settling into the new year, and though we are seeing Valentine-themed messages and products in the stores, there’s another event approaching that we heavily associate with this time of the year: The Super Bowl. For those who don’t enjoy football, the food is the main attraction of Super Bowl Sunday. For […]

WRITTEN BY: Caitlin Mathews-Smith, OSU Extension, Guernsey County, Family and Consumer Sciences

REVIEWED BY: Amy Meehan, Healthy People Program Specialist, State Office, Family and Consumer Sciences

REFERENCES:

  • Burton, Dreena. “Juice Spritzer.” Food Revolution Network, 7 Dec. 2022, foodrevolution.org/recipes/juice-spritzer.
  • “How Many Hungry People Could We Feed With All Our Super Bowl Food?” World Food Program USA, 10 Feb. 2022, www.wfpusa.org/articles/solve-world-hunger-with-super-bowl-food.
  • Tips and Recipes for Heart Healthy Super Bowl Snacking | Luminis Health.” Luminis Health, 4 Feb. 2021, living.aahs.org/recipes-and-nutrition/tips-and-recipes-for-heart-healthy-super-bowl-snacking.
  • Wansink B, Cheney MM. Super Bowls: Serving Bowl Size and Food Consumption. JAMA. 2005;293(14):1727–1728. doi:10.1001/jama.293.14.1727
  • “Zipongo.” Zipongo, zipongo.com/recipes/category/snacks. Accessed 30 Jan. 2023.

Be Grateful, Eat Less

Can practicing gratitude help you make healthier food choices? The answer is, YES! Research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology indicated that practicing gratitude can have a positive impact on your food choices. Participants were asked to pick 1 of 3 topics to focus on: gratitude to someone that helped them with their health, […]

WRITTEN BY: Dr. Roseanne E. Scammahorn, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Darke County

REVIEWED BY: Melissa Rupp, MS , Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, OSU Extension Fulton County

SOURCES:

  • Conlon, C. (nd). 40 Simple ways to practice gratitude. Retrieved from https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/40-simple-ways-practice-gratitude.html
  • Fritz, M., Armenta, C., Walsh, L., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2019). Gratitude facilitates healthy eating behavior in adolescents and young adults. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 81(4-14). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103117308569
  • Harmon, M. (2019, April 11). Don’t Worry, Be Happy. Live Smart Ohio, Ohio State University Extension. Retrieved from https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/mind-and-body/harmon-416osu-edu/dont-worry-be-happy/
  • Harmon, M. (2017, August 11). Thank you. Live Smart Ohio, Ohio State University Extension. Retrieved from https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/mind-and-body/harmon-416osu-edu/thank-you/
  • Hopper, E. (2019, November 19). Four Ways Gratitude Helps You with Difficult Feelings. Greater Good Magazine. Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_gratitude_helps_you_with_difficult_feelings#:~:text=Research%20suggests%20that%20grateful%20people,stress%20and%20regulating%20their%20emotions.&text=Feeling%20grateful%20can%20bring%20us,physical%20health%20and%20improved%20relationships.
  • Scammahorn, R. (2020, March 30). Emotional eating…the battle within. Live Healthy Live Well, Ohio State University Extension. Retrieved from https://livehealthyosu.com/2020/03/30/emotional-eatingthe-battle-within/

Salad Toss Up

Salads can be designed in so many ways that we could eat a different combination each day throughout National Salad Month. Although lettuce might be the most common base, don’t forget pastas, fruits and potato salads. The UC Davis Department of Nutrition shares ways for families to enjoy salads with these easy tips: Welcome creativity […]

WRITTEN BY: Patrice Powers-Barker, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Lucas County

REVIEWED BY: Misty Harmon, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Perry County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • pixabay

REFERENCES:

  • Celebrate National Salad Month! (2021). Produce for Better Health. https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/celebrate-national-salad-month/
  • Celebrate National Salad Month! (2019). Center for Nutrition in Schools (CNS), UC Davis Nutrition Department. https://cns.ucdavis.edu/news/celebrate-national-salad-month
  • Create a Salad, (n.d.). Create better health, SNAP-Ed, Utah State University Extension. https://extension.usu.edu/fscreate/ou-files/2020-22-staff/Create_Salad.pdf
  • English, E and Miller, B. (2020) Salads and Dressings. https://scotland.ces.ncsu.edu/2020/05/salads-and-dressings/
  • Henneman, A. (n.d.). 12 Tasty Salad Toppers. University of Nebraska Extension. https://food.unl.edu/12-tasty-salad-toppers
  • How to make salad dressing, (n.d.). Spend Smart Eat Smart. https://www.extension.iastate.edu/jasper/sites/www.extension.iastate.edu/files/jasper/How%20to%20Make%20Salad%20Dressing%20-%20May%20%2714.pdf
  • Lobb, J. (2018). Spring Salad. Live Smart Ohio, Ohio State University Extension https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/food/lobb-3osu-edu/spring-salads/
  • Salads, (n.d.) University of Maine, Cooperative Extension https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/recipes/salads/

Water Filling Stations Coming to New School Buildings in Ohio!

“NO WATER FOUNTAIN DUE TO COVID-19” “DRINKING FOUNTAIN HAS BEEN TURNED OFF FOR YOUR SAFETY” “WATER BOTTLE FILLING ONLY – DO NOT DRINK FROM WATER FOUNTAIN” Signs like these went up everywhere in 2020. Drinking fountains were closed because they have “high touch”, moist surfaces that potentially allow the COVID-19 virus to survive and spread. […]

WRITTEN BY: Carol A Smathers, Associate Professor and Extension Field Specialist, OSU Extension

REVIEWED BY: Candace J. Heer, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Morrow County

SOURCES:

  • Bright, KR, Boone, SA, and Gerba, CP. Occurrence of Bacteria and Viruses on Elementary Classroom Surfaces and the Potential Role of Classroom Hygiene in the Spread of Infectious Diseases. Journal of School Nursing. Volume:26; issue:1, pgs: 33-41, https://doi.org/10.1177/1059840509354383
  • Popkin BM, D’Anci KE, Rosenberg IH. Water, hydration, and health. Nutr Rev. 2010;68(8):439-458.
  • Kempton MJ, Ettinger U, Foster R, et al. Dehydration affects brain structure and function in healthy adolescents. Hum Brain Mapp. 2011;32:71-79.
  • Wang Y C, Ludwig DS, Sonneville K, Gortmaker SL. Impact of change in sweetened caloric beverage consumption on energy intake among children and adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009; 163(4):336-343.
  • Zheng M, Rangan A, Olsen NJ, Andersen LB, Wedderkopp N, Kristensen P, Grøntved A, Ried-Larsen M, Lempert SM, Allman-Farinelli M, Heitmann BL. Substituting sugar-sweetened beverages with water or milk is inversely associated with body fatness development from childhood to adolescence. Nutrition. 2015 Jan;31(1):38-44. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2014.04.017. Epub 2014 May 9. PMID: 25441586.
  • Community Services Task Force. Preventing Dental Caries: Community Water Fluoridation. http://www.thecommunityguide.org/oral/fluoridation.html.
  • National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School as Required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, 7 CFR § 210.10(a)(1). http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-06-28/pdf/2013-15249.pdf.

REFERENCES:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Increasing Access to Drinking Water in Schools. Atlanta GA: US Dept. of Health and Human Services; 2014. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/npao/pdf/water_access_in_schools_508.pdf
  • Voices for Healthy Kids—Water Access in Schools Toolkit, https://waterinschools.voicesforhealthykids.org/
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—Water in Schools and Childcare Facilities http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/drinkingwater/schools/guidance.cfm
  • USDA—Memorandum on Water Availability During Meal Service.https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/clarification-milk-and-water-requirements-school-meal-program
  • Ohio Senate Bill 259—Fiscal Note, https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/download?key=15395&format=pdf

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