Promoting Healthy Eating
Macros, Micros, and Mindsets Unite!
Healthy eating is a balancing act. It’s about making the right moves with nutrients – certainly – but it’s also a dance of willpower. After you map out the ideal nutritional intake for those you serve, how do you help them see what you see and make choices that support long-term wellness?
It all starts with building creative meal routines and positive food environments that foster curiosity, confidence, and healthy lifetime relationships with food.
Let’s explore the nutrients that are gaining popular attention and how to take them further with healthy serving practices.
The Big 3 Macros
Protein, fiber, and healthy fats sit at the sweet intersection of what nutrition experts know is healthy and where consumers are beginning to understand, too. These macros help us feel full longer, aid digestion, and help regulate our immune systems and blood glucose levels. Nutrients such as fiber have even been linked to better moods, since they feed our microbiota which in turn boosts serotonin, dopamine, and cortisol levels, as reported here.
Protein – Yes, we need it! Not necessarily to the extreme extent that some protein evangelists tout on social media, but digestible plant-based protein in particular is a key macro-nutrient associated with growth and longevity.
- SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter contains 7-9 plant-based protein per serving
- Protein-boosting tip: Add SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter to smoothies
Fiber – Finally, this humble nutrient powerhouse is getting as much – if not more – attention than protein. And now it’s widely known that most Americans aren’t getting enough of it.
- Sunflower kernels are on the Mayo Clinic’s Chart of High-Fiber Foods
- Fiber-boosting tip: Use SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter in dressings
Healthy Fats – Not all fats are created equal. Consumers have a better understanding of this now that trans fatty acids are labeled and regulated. The Mayo Clinic advises choosing monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats over saturated fats for heart health.
- SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter is rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats and contains 1/3 less saturated fat than peanut butter
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Heart-boosting tip: Use SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter in place of butter in baked goods
The Mighty Micros
The functions of the many vitamins and minerals our bodies need to thrive may not be well understood by consumers, but people are coming to appreciate the value of whole foods and the trace nutrients they provide.
- SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter contains 12 micronutrients including magnesium, Vitamin E, iron, phosphorous, and zinc
- Antioxidant-boosting tip: Spread SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter onto bread before toasting grilled cheese sandwiches; serve with berry jams for dipping
Start With a Healthy Mindset
Nutrients won’t do much good if they stay on the plate. How can directors set up a dining environment where they’re readily enjoyed? Remember these tips of the trade from early childhood development to inspire a lifelong journey to wellness.
- Build a trusting, positive food experience without pressure to “eat everything”.
- Think of every meal, snack, and food experience as an opportunity to shape growth.
- Remember that repeated exposure is key to adopting new foods – allow for multiple chances to explore healthy options.
Bring Back the Family Meal
Family-style meals reinforce healthy eating through peer modeling – diners see their peers trying new foods or eating balanced meals. What’s more:
- Eating together around the table and passing dishes creates a positive connection to food.
- Family-style dining fosters a feeling of community.
- When diners choose their own foods and portions, they learn to be more attuned to their hunger cues.
Build a Sense of Curiosity
When introducing nut-free, nutrient-rich items made with SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter and other healthy twists, encourage a sense of play.
- Use an “Explore it” versus “Eat it” approach.
- Engage as many of the 5 senses as possible – especially when you serve young children.
- Find more tips for testing new menu items in this post.
Embrace Diverse Tastes
Last but never least, serving a variety of culturally diverse meals adds real value to the foodservice experience and helps everyone feel included.
Try these macro- and micro-nutrient rich recipes with global flavors. Lead with taste, offer with confidence, and educate later on all the goodness they provide!
Creamy Spiced Korean Chicken Salad
Healthy Menus for Everyone Under the Sun
You want to help those you serve explore new healthy eating patterns. Allergy-friendly and nut-free options like SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter are key to helping everyone feel confident about their food choices.
Credit: Early childhood best practices adapted from the Institute of Child Nutrition’s webinar, “CACFP: Nurturing Healthy Habits: Promoting Positive Eating Behaviors in Children” by Jodi Kuhn, Director, Regulatory Compliance, KinderCare Learning Companies
