Celebrating National Nutrition Month at Tepeyac
This March, Tepeyac Community Health Center is celebrating National Nutrition Month! At Tepeyac, we believe in treating the WHOLE person and that starts with eating healthy and exercising regularly. But what do you do if you live in a food desert where there are no grocery stores? Or you’re shopping on a tight budget?
Our communities often lack access to fresh, healthy foods and educational resources about healthy eating. Luckily, Tepeyac is here to help!
We have a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) on-site to support our patients in living healthier at any age or stage of life. RDNs are food and nutrition experts who must have a graduate degree from an accredited dietetics program and pass a national exam. Tepeyac’s RDN can help with creating healthier meal plans and tailoring these plans based on your medical needs.
We also offer coaching for chronic disease prevention and management, free fresh food boxes through Growhaus, and case management services to connect you with local food banks. If you're interested in any of these services, talk to your provider at your next appointment or call us at 303.458.5302.
According to the CDC, a healthy diet has many benefits for both your body and mind, including:
Reducing your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease
Boosting your immune system
Improving your mood and reducing stress
Increasing energy levels
Increasing your overall lifespan
Cost is often one of the main reasons people struggle to eat healthier. Finding healthy foods at the right price can seem overwhelming, but we've got some tips and tricks from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to help:
Create a shopping list ahead of time. This will help you stay on track and prevent you from over purchasing.
Look for store deals and online coupons ahead of time. You may also want to sign up for your grocery store rewards program.
Look for private labels or store brands which are often cheaper than name brands.
Purchase produce that is in-season. Out of season produce is marked higher because of the lower supply and cost of transportation.
Canned fruits and vegetables are fine when you can’t buy fresh, but always check the labels for goods that do not have added salt or sugar.
Add more whole grains, dried beans, and legumes into your meals. They are low-cost, non-perishable, and a great source of fiber and protein.
Look for meats that are on sale and purchase larger quantities which are typically marked lower. Once you get home, freeze any extra meat you won’t use that week.
Always use your perishable items first so they don’t go to waste.
If you’re looking for a delicious, nutritious, and affordable family meal, check out this slow-cooker chicken taco recipe. Prep the ingredients in the morning or the night before and let it cook while you're at work! Find more healthy recipes to share with the family this month and all year-round at https://www.eatright.org/recipes.