Oodles of Zoodles

by By Sabra Leomo, Registered Dietitian

What is a zoodle you ask? A zoodle is a noodle made from zucchini, but the veggie noodle options are as abundant as the fresh vegetables available this summer.

Zoodles are an easy way to increase vegetable consumption in some of your favorite recipes. The average diet in the United States falls short of the recommended daily serving of vegetables. These recommended servings depend on a few factors such as age and gender. Two to three cups of vegetables per day is generally recommended for adults.

Malama Your Mama

by Sabra Rebo, R.D.

A few years ago my now husband and I visited Molokai to hike and have some time away from the city. After a revitalizing long weekend we stopped at a small bookstore before flying home. We ended up spending time (we almost missed our flight) just talking story with the shop owner and loving on the bookstore dog, who would sprawl out on the floor for a belly rub. In the bookstore there were T-shirts and other souvenirs that said “Malama Your Mama”. As Earth Day approaches I remember that experience and message.

Plan with Plant-Based Protein

by Sabra Rebo, R.D.

Have you been thinking about switching to a plant-based diet or incorporating more plant protein into your diet? There are many great reasons to do so, including your health, the environment, and compassion for animals. A well-planned vegetarian diet can reduce your risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and hypertension.1 Vegetarians also tend to have a lower body mass index (a measure of body fat)2. The health benefits of a vegetarian diet are great motivators to make the switch to plant-based eating! 

Season’s Eatings: Healthy Baking Substitutions

by Sabra Rebo, R.D. Down to Earth Community Outreach Team Leader

When I think about the holidays, nothing says home like the smell of baking. There is something so comforting and festive about holiday baking. Perhaps it’s the smells associated with baking or the thought of spending time in the kitchen with the people I love. However, with holiday baking comes additional calories, sugar, and fat added into our diets. There are several easy baking substitutions that can help reduce the amount of calories, sugar, and fat in baked goods without compromising taste. Festive, healthy and delicious are possible when you make smart substitutions.

Sharing Love and Compassion Through Food

by Sabra Rebo, R.D. Down to Earth Community Outreach Team Leader

Across cultures love is shown through food. The making, cooking, serving, and eating of food can bring people together and provide an expression of love… such as when I walk into my mom’s kitchen and she asks “Are you hungry? What can I make you to eat?” or when college students across the world receive care packages of comfort food from home. These are just a couple examples of how love is shown through food, and there might be specific examples you can think of in your own life.

A Healthy Halloween Doesn’t Have to be Witchful Thinking!

by Sabra Rebo, R.D. Down to Earth Community Outreach Team Leader

No bones about it… the holidays and healthy eating can be a challenge. Halloween is the start to the fall and winter seasons of sweets and treats, and finding balance now can help you navigate the upcoming holiday season. The focus of Halloween is often candy, but with a few helpful tips you can find ways to enjoy other fun aspects of the holiday while making healthier choices.

A Plant-based Diet: Can It Help You Prevent and Control Diabetes?

by Sabra Rebo, R.D. Down to Earth Community Outreach Team Leader

Living in Hawaii, many of us in some way have either seen or heard about the complications associated with diabetes. With our high diabetes rates, it’s important to know that certain foods can make a major impact on treating or preventing this disease. There is a lot of information available about different meal plans to manage type 2 diabetes. You may be wondering how a plant-based diet fits into meal planning? The great news is a well-planned vegetarian diet can be a healthy choice for people with type 2 diabetes.

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