Resource Articles

​Learn This topic was developed in partnership with Rooted Community Health within the Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society. What does it mean to eat for the environment? Eating for the environment, or eating sustainably, is about choosing foods that are healthy for your body and the world around you. Sustainable eating patterns help conserve natural resources while also supporting local farms.

​Learn Mindfulness is maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Mindful eating is being conscious of your hunger cues, savoring your food, and knowing when you are satisfied with a meal. Practicing these steps can help you maintain a healthy relationship with the food you eat and avoid unhealthy patterns, like overeating due to distraction, stress, or sadness.

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​Learn Sodium is an essential nutrient that your body needs to function, but too much can lead to increased blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease. So, how much is too much? The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg (about one teaspoon of salt) per day for healthy people and less than 1,500 mg for adults with high blood pressure. Yet the average American consumes nearly 3,400 mg a day! So where is all this sodium coming from? Sodium Sources

​Learn More than half of American adults take a multivitamin or some type of dietary supplement, but do they really need it? According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, nutritional needs should be met through eating and drinking nutritious foods and beverages whenever possible. This means regularly eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy products.

​Handout Fat Facts Learn

​Learn Dietary fiber, sometimes referred to as “roughage” or “bulk”, is a type of carbohydrate that cannot be broken down by our bodies. Although fiber provides minimal energy (calories), it is still a very important part of a healthy diet. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and other legumes, and whole grains all contain dietary fiber. Fiber benefits our health in many ways:

​Uncontrolled levels of stress may be affecting your health in ways you are unaware of. Stress can have physical effects on the body, cause changes in your thoughts and feelings, and affect your behavior. Uncontrolled stress can contribute to health problems including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and more.

​We don't often think of baked goods as fitting into a healthy lifestyle. They can contain high amounts of calories from added sugar and saturated fats. However, there are some simple ways to make your favorite recipes healthier and more nutritious. Use the following ideas and examples to bake better baked goods. Handout

​Over the years, dairy alternatives have become incredibly popular. In fact, non-dairy sales are surging when compared to traditional dairy products, showing that many people are making the switch. Some reasons people may choose to remove dairy from their diets include lactose intolerance, allergies, veganism, and health concerns. Full-fat dairy contains high amounts of saturated fat, which can increase your risk of heart disease.