Family Consumer Science
Through K-State Research and Extension Family and Consumer Sciences, we strive to link education with life experiences to help people improve their lives, families, and communities. With the use of educational programs, classes, publications, newsletters, and columns, we aim to provide knowledge for essential living skills.
Helpful Links:
College of Human Ecology
Spend Smart, Eat Smart
Food Labeling and Nutrition
The Dash Diet
Cook It Quick
Fast Food Nutrition Database
Home Baking Association
Health and Nutrition
The foods we eat and how much we move have significant impacts on our overall health. We must give our bodies the proper fuel it requires to run smoothly. With proper diet and exercise, we can reduce our risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and obesity. It can even help to improve our energy levels and moods!
K-State Research and Extension is a leader in providing research-based information on the impact and benefits of health and nutrition on personal wellbeing. The choices we make impact our selves, as well as those in our lives. The trick to staying healthy is all about finding the right balance that works for you. To find guidance as to what that plan might look like, visit https://www.myplate.gov/
Tips to eating better:
- Aim for balance. Try to each food from each of the food groups – grains, protein, fruits, vegetables, and dairy.
- Listen to your body. Eat only when you are actually hungry and stop when you feel satisfied.
- Look for variety. Venture out of your comfort zone. Eating a variety of foods each day can help ensure that you get all the nutrients your body needs. Plan out grocery trips, make lists and try to stick with them.
- Practice moderation. Don’t eat too much or too little of one thing. All foods, if eaten in moderation, can be part of healthy eating.
Healthy habits should be:
- Realistic – Small changes over time work best. To start off, set an easy goal that you can reach like consuming at least one piece of fruit each day.
- Sensible – Enjoy the foods you love, just don’t overdo it. All food items can be part of a healthy eating plan if consumed in small portions. Concentrate on eating foods that are higher in nutrients and lower in added fats, sugars, and sodium.
- Flexible – Don’t let one splurge meal or day discourage you from your goal. Health is all about balance so consider getting more exercise after a special treat to get you back on track.
Healthy eating is NOT the same thing as a diet. It means making small changes you can live with and sustain over time. When we think of diets, we think of the following words: restrictive, hungry, unsatisfied. Most times diets are unsuccessful after completion as you may overeat to make up for what you were missing out on. For this purpose, aiming to make healthy eating decisions has a much higher success rate as compared to traditional dieting.
