A (Lacto-A (Lacto-Ovo )Vegetarian…Ovo )Vegetarian………is: An individual who lives on is: An individual who lives on

a plant based diet free of meat, a plant based diet free of meat, fish, or poultry in fish, or poultry in anyany form. form.

A Vegan… A Vegan… ……is: A Vegetarian who also is: A Vegetarian who also does not eat dairy products does not eat dairy products and eggs.and eggs.

4 Reasons Why People Become 4 Reasons Why People Become Vegetarian and VeganVegetarian and Vegan

Improve and maintain their HEALTH.

Concern for the ENVIRONMENT, for themselves and their children.

The desire to help alleviate WORLD HUNGER.

The desire to prevent ANIMAL CRUELTY

How To Eat HealthyLife Beyond Junk Food & Fast Food

Identify and Convert Foods That You Enjoy

What are some meals that you eat now, at home or out, that you like?

If you are willing to eat healthier, a good place to start is to take meals that you already like and convert them to a healthier, vegan, version.

Veggie Burger

Tofu Scramble

Vegan Mac n Cheese

What are some other meals or a dish that you’d like to try?A good rule of thumb to making healthier food choices is to reduce the simple carbohydrates, fried foods, and unhealthy fats, and replace them with more vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, nuts, and beans.

Experiment With New Foods

People can get in the habit of eating the same foods. Sometimes its just easier because … we know how it tastes, we know how much it costs, we know where it is…its familiar.

Anyone feel like you eat the same things all the time?

Have you thought about trying different kinds of foods?

VarietyExotic Fruits

Colorful!

Think of all the different places there are on the planet & and the variety of foods there & within all the different cultures and ethnicities in our world.

We can find and try so many different foods if we just look!

Experiment and be creative!

Even within our own Country we have many subcultures and demographics where certain foods are commonFor example: Tropical fruits & oranges from Florida and corn & potatoes from the Midwest.

International Foods

Jamaican

Chinese

Italian

Mexican

Indian

If you could go anywhere in the world to eat, where would you go?

You can go on your own culinary journey.

Broaden your horizons & enjoy your eating experiences while being healthy!

Can anyone think of a fruit, veggie, bean or grain that seems different to you or uncommon?

For instance, grits and collard greens – not common foods in New England but traditional soul food in the South.

Black Eyed Peas, Corn Bread, Collard Greens, and Sweet

Potato

Choose Low Fat Healthy

Options

Why should you eat low-fat healthier foods?

To reduce your chances of being overweight, having high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease.

How can you choose low fat, healthier foods?By becoming knowledgeable about those foods & willing to make the healthy choice.

Avoid canned vegetables, packaged & processed foods. Eat more fruits & veggies! Fresh or Frozen best.

Nutrition Rainbow

Colorful plant foods provide an abundance of cancer-fighting & immune boosting nutrients!

Fruits and Veggies

Grains

Beans

Healthy Fats

Choose Variety

Visit the grocery store or farmer’s market produce section & really look around.

See if you can make a list of plant foods that you haven’t tried yet.

Either by yourself, with your family, caregiver or a friend, make it a goal to try one new fruit or vegetable every week.

Pick Your

Produce

Avoiding Added Sugar, Fat, and Salt

Sugar

Soda, fruit punch, sweet drinks - These drinks are not in their natural state, highly processed, high in sugar.Remember to read labels!

Candy, cookies – lots of sugar.

Fruit is naturally sweet. Also try dried fruit or a dried fruit & nut mix, a nutritious high-energy snack.

FatsFried foods - high in fat. Boo!Steamed & Baked & Raw foods. Yea! Less oil? – Yes you can!

Bake or roast root vegetables & brussel sprouts. Eat a baked potato instead of French fries! .

Creamy dressings, butter, mayonnaise – High in fat & cholesterol.

What Are Cheese & Mayonnaise Made From?

Fats (continued)

Alternatives! Oil & vinegar, mustard, ketchup instead of mayoNon-dairy alternatives to butter, mayonnaise and dairy cheeses - or just leave them out.WHY? Less unhealthy fat in your diet & less cholesterol.Instead of meals made up of mostly meats & cheeses start to think creatively – replacing with beans or veggie “meat” products, eat grains, fruits & more vegetables!

Salt

Most of us get too much salt. RDA – 1 teaspoon a dayHidden salt – Many foods cooked with added salt/sodium.

Do you ever add more salt at the table?Did you taste the food first?

Consider alternatives: Mrs Dash, nutritional yeast, dulse granules, extra herbs & spices, lemon & lime.

Take a salt break!

What Are Taste Buds?

SaltySour

BitterSweet

Unami (Savory)

Taste Buds are receptors that detect the 5 known elements of taste perception.

Parts of food dissolve in your saliva & come in contact with the Taste Buds, these receptors then send information to the brain.

We have 2,000-10,000 Taste Buds!

Remember, if you load up your palate with salty then all the other tastes may be missed. Enjoy all the different flavors & taste sensations!

Sight SmellTasteSoundTouch

Taste is only one of the five senses. We can also use our other senses when it comes to food.

SMELL what foods smell good to you? Does anyone think happy thoughts or have a nice memory from smelling a certain food?

SIGHT the look of food can be pleasing to us. And just think of all the vibrant colors in the edible plant world (remember the “Rainbow” of food colors). Colors & the way food is presented can excite us. Chefs create artistically for this reason – presentation.

TOUCH/FEEL the consistency of food, like comfort foods (often soft, warm, smooth). Eating with your hands – finger foods for instance.

HEARING how can we “hear” our food? The crunch of an apple, the crack of a snap pea or raw carrot, popcorn popping…

Enjoy the experience with all your senses.