Breaking bread comfort food consumption is on the rise. As families spend more time at home, Americans are finding comfort in a surprising source: bread. In fact, a 20-year trend of declining grain food consumption has been reversed. (Family Features)
A national study by the Grain Food Foundation suggests that the turnaround is more than a one-time sales blip due to pantry loading. In reality, consumers count bread among their top comfort foods. The study revealed one-third of Americans named pasta and bread as foods that are comforting during a stressful time.
In addition to the comforting flavor, this trend provides valuable nutritional benefits. As a part of many healthy eating plans, bread and pasta are nutritionist approved and provide nutrients needed for healthy aging such as B vitamins, magnesium, selenium, iron, folate and fiber.
“For years, we’ve been telling consumers that grain foods are the foods we love that love us back,” said Christine Cochran, executive director of the Grain Foods Foundation. “The stress has given us permission to enjoy bread and pasta again, but unlike most comfort foods, consumers recognize that grains have nutritional value.”
The highest-ranking comfort foods were ice cream; baked goods like cakes, cookies and pastries; salty snacks; candy; and fast food. However, when asked to identify comfort foods with nutritional advantages, consumers identified bread and pasta as the top two.
Beyond identifying comfort foods and their nutritional value, consumers also expressed worry that bread is in short supply right now.
“We can all rest assured that there is enough supply of grain food products in this country,” Cochran said. “Shoppers may be experiencing some sporadic unavailability of certain high-demand items. However, manufacturers are working closely with retailers to make sure that out-of-stocks are short lived. Consumers will be able to buy their favorite grain-food products and eat them, too.”
To learn more about the role of grain foods in a healthful diet, visit .
Avocado Veggie Sandwich
Recipe courtesy of the Grain Foods Foundation
Prep time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
- 1/2 ripe avocado, peeled
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 4 slices bread
- 4 slices tomato
- 8 slices cucumber
- 12 slices sweet bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 lettuce leaves
- In small bowl, combine avocado, lemon juice and salt. Spread mixture evenly over two bread slices.
- Place tomatoes, cucumber and peppers on covered surface. Drizzle with vinegar.
- Layer lettuce, tomato, cucumbers and peppers evenly between slices of bread, creating two sandwiches.
Panzanella Bagel Salad
Recipe courtesy of Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6
- 2 medium Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 1 1/4 cups canned diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated, plus additional (optional)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 2 bagels (4 ounces each) cut into 2-inch pieces, toasted
- assorted greens (optional)
In medium bowl, mix tomatoes, canned tomatoes with juice, green pepper, cucumber, onion, cheese, vinegar and basil.
Add toasted bagel pieces; toss gently. Marinate, covered, in refrigerator 1 hour. Serve within 1 hour after marinating. Sprinkle with additional cheese and serve on a bed of assorted greens, if desired.
Rotini with Sausage and Mushrooms
Recipe courtesy of Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation
Prep time: 18 minutes
Servings: 8
- 1 box (13 1/4 ounces)whole-grain rotini
- 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
- 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
- 1 cup leeks, thinly sliced
- 1 cup green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- 6 leaves from tarragon sprigs, chopped
- 1 cup Romano cheese grated
- Parmesan-Romano cheese (optional)
- Prepare rotini according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook sausage 2-3 minutes, or until well browned. Add leeks, onions, and mushrooms; cook until tender. Add chicken stock and simmer 3-5 minutes, or until hot. Fold sausage mixture into warm pasta. Add parsley, tarragon, and Romano cheese; toss again. Top with Parmesan-Romano cheese, if desired.
Cheesy Black Bean Toast with Pico de Gallo
Recipe courtesy of Sylvia Melendez-Klinger, MS, RD, on behalf of the Grain Foods Foundation
Prep time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
- 6 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1⁄2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 2 serrano or jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, juice only
- 1⁄8 teaspoon oregano, finely crushed
- 1⁄8 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
- 1⁄2 Hass avocado, diced
- 4 bolillos (6 inches) or large Kaiser rolls, sliced in half lengthwise
- 1 can (16 ounces) seasoned low-fat refried black beans
- 2 cups shredded Chihuahua or mozzarella cheese
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine tomatoes; onion; garlic; peppers; cilantro; lime juice; oregano; salt, if desired; pepper; and avocado; set aside.
- On a medium platter, split rolls. With a medium spatula, spread refried beans onto each bread half; sprinkle cheese among bread.
- Bake 5-8 minutes, or until cheese is melted and hot.
SOURCE:
Grain Foods Foundation
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Fuel your fitness at home: 5 tips and tricks
Fuel your fitness at home: 5 tips and tricks. Face it, finding time to achieve your fitness goals while balancing work and home life can be a struggle. However, while many people are spending more time at home, here’s a great opportunity to start fresh with a new fitness routine. (BPT)
Here are some helpful tips for helping you live your best, healthiest life:
1. Create a realistic schedule
It’s a lot easier to blow off your at-home workout than a one-on-one training session or group class. What’s the secret to success? Put your fitness routine on your calendar! Instead of telling yourself, “I’ll exercise after I’m done with work,” switch your thinking to, “I’ll exercise at 6 p.m,” that way you’re more likely to hold yourself accountable. Pro-tip: Make sure it’s actually written in your calendar and set an alarm to remind you.
2. Prioritize sleep
To maximize the work you put in during exercise, be sure to get enough rest every night. A full night’s sleep aids your muscle growth, enhances muscle recovery, regulates weight management, and can help boost your metabolism. Turning off electronics and other distractions at least 30 minutes before bed helps you fall asleep faster and achieve a higher quality of sleep.
3. Designate a fitness space
You don’t need a full in-house gym to have a successful workout, but it is important to think about what you’ll be doing. Yoga, core exercises, or Pilates only require enough space for a yoga mat, whereas a cardio workout may need a larger area or harder surface. Consider your preferred activities before you set up your space and try to set up camp somewhere quiet with few distractions.
4. Stay hydrated
Caffeinated energy drinks are a trendy pre-workout beverage, but they can lead to negative side effects like jitters and energy crashes. The best way to avoid cramps and fatigue is to drink water before, during, and after a workout. Sports drinks with electrolytes are a good option for high-intensity exercise, but be mindful of their sugar content.
5. Add fueling ingredients to your diet
Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner recommend incorporating nutrient-dense foods into your diet that support your fitness goals.
“It’s important to fuel your body with high-quality ingredients all the time, but especially when you are being more active,” said Blatner. “For example, Eggland’s Best (EB) eggs make a perfect pre- or post-workout snack or meal because they offer superior nutrition compared to ordinary eggs at the grocery store. EB eggs contain six times more vitamin D and double the omega-3s compared to other eggs, which aid in muscle recovery and strengthening bones. Plus, they contain double the vitamin B12, which can help boost energy and keep you fueled throughout the day.”
If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious meal that will help keep your fitness goals on track, try the Fish Taco Bowl from Eggland’s Best:
EB Fish Taco BowlTime: 25 minutes. Makes 6 servings.
Ingredients:
2 tilapia fish fillets2 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon cumin1 teaspoon chili powder2 cloves garlic, minced1 cup kale1/2 cup corn1 cup black beans1/2 avocado, sliced2 cups cooked white rice4 Eggland’s Best Eggs (large), scrambled
Preparation:
Cook 1 1/2 cups of white rice as directed.Mix cumin, cayenne pepper and chili powder in small bowl. Rub generously over tilapia fillets on both sides.Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add fish and cook about 3 minutes each side until almost blackened and fish is cooked through. Remove from skillet and shred with fork.In same skillet, add garlic, corn and kale. Stir and cook until kale is wilted. Add beans and cook until heated through.Crack 4 eggs into bowl and whisk. Pour eggs into kale, corn and bean mixture and allow to sit for a minute until they begin to cook through. Then scramble everything together.To serve: Layer rice, egg, corn, kale and bean mixture, fish and avocados.
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