August Focuses on Social Wellness

As we prepare for what the next academic year will bring, you may be taking extra precautions to keep you and your family safe and prepared, including making sure you have everything you need at home. We are all much closer to snacks and facing more stress, both of which can trigger overeating and poor food choices. Good nutrition doesn't have to be restrictive or overwhelming. Small goals and changes can have a positive health effect, and every little bit (or bite) is a step in the right direction. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Treat yourself, but have a plan. From going on a trip to getting ice cream with friends, it's OK to treat yourself. But before you do, have a plan to adjust your meals throughout the day or resume healthy eating afterward.
• Stock up on healthy snacks. When trying to maintain a healthy routine, it helps to have foods on hand that you won't feel guilty about eating. You don't have to clean out your pantry and start over, try swapping out one new snack each week until you find ones you like and can stick to.
• Have an accountability partner. Talking to someone about your healthy eating goals helps in times when you just don't feel like eating healthy. Don't have someone to designate? Join the Foodies or Fitness and Nutrition Gurus social group through the Stay Connected, Stay Social! teams to connect with others on campus.
• Attitude is everything. Sometimes it's easy to say "Well, I already ate unhealthy foods this week, why stop now?" That feeling of "failure syndrome" is extremely common and the good news is there is a simple way to prevent yourself from going down the rabbit hole. Remind yourself why you want ot eat healthy and how you feel when you do. Prove to yourself that you can still be healthy even when you make less-healthy choices.

Events & Resources

LIVE Virtual Cooking Class - No Cook Meals Made Easy

Join Nicole and Lauren from Reveal Food and Nutrition for a live, virtual cooking class! Whether it’s too hot to turn on the oven or you’ve run out of time to cook, we’ll share all the ways to get a quick and healthy meal on the table. We’ll be demonstrating refreshing recipes that combine the best of what’s in season with a few pantry staples. Plus, you’ll get a free digital copy of our must-have no-cook meal essentials guide. You won’t want to miss this!

WHEN: August 4, from 1:00-2:00 pm

Did you miss this event? View the replay!

 

 

Healthy Eating During COVID

Just because COVID has changed a lot of things, doesn't mean your healthy eating habits have to go down the drain. This article, written by UC Davis Health, offers easy steps to keep your eating on track during the pandemic.

 

 

 

 

4 Ways to Save Your Summer Produce

We've all been there - filling up our carts with healthy fruits and vegetables only to end up ordering pizza or take-out instead of cooking that healthy meal.  This article, posted by Feed Your Potential, offers easy ways to preserve your excess fruits and vegetables without having to can them.

 

 

Mindful Eating Resources and Meditation

Can enjoying your food help improve your health? Studies are now linking mindful eating with nutrition and health benefits, with awareness serving as the largest tool. Wondering where to start? This article, posted by foodandnutrition.org, offers tips and resources for meditation and mindful eating practices.

 

 

Other Resources

CSUSM is committed to decreasing food insecurity for our campus community and has compiled a list of resources through the Cougar Pantry.

Kaiser Permanente offers various resources for healthy meal planning and habits, available free on their website for members and non-members.

ChooseMyPlate offers food planning information, resources, and activities for families.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics celebrates Kids Eat Right Month during August.