Kent State Interns

It is important to fuel your body before and after working out! Depending on what activities you enjoy, it can play a role in what foods you choose to eat before a sweat session. It can be hard to find time to snack when going about your daily life, or you may even go without the pre-workout meal or snack. Making time to eat before the gym can make you feel better throughout the hour that you are there. Here are some simple on-the-go snacks you can try when you are trying to get some energy! Oatmeal Oats are a great source of fiber and carbohydrates! This can be very versatile because you can make them in many ways, takes little time to make, and you can also add protein powder if needed. Banana nut bread oatmeal, cinnamon roll oatmeal, and raspberry white chocolate overnight oats are some recipes you could try! Greek Yogurt A reliable source of protein and you can pair it with your favorite fruits or granola Bananas If you suffer from cramping, eating a banana prio...

Nothing is sweeter in the springtime than a fresh bowl of bright red strawberries! These juicy, heart-shaped berries are chock full of nutrition. Coming in hot with an abundance of vitamin C, fiber, folate, and anti-inflammatory properties make this fruit essential in our diet. Strawberries are the perfect definition of “tiny but mighty.” The best ways to enjoy these cute, nutrient-dense berries in the spring months are endless. Strawberries can be prepared in many different ways and can be combined with many different flavor profiles. They are found in desserts like cheesecakes and muffins; entrees like strawberry and spinach salads; condiments like strawberry jam; and in fun adult beverages like martinis or margaritas. Sweet or savory, whatever you might be feeling, strawberries satisfy any craving you might be having. To take advantage of the deliciousness and nutritional benefit of strawberries, here are some recipes to include in your springtime menu: https://www.allrec...

It is important to celebrate our history and what better way than President’s Day than to have some of our presidents' favorite food? Over the last 233 years, the white house has served each president their random selection of what they considered their comfort food. Here is a rundown of some of my favorite president's food habits. George Washington According to family members and employees at the White House, our very first president loved Hoecakes drowned in honey and butter. He would eat them every morning and cherries. Turns out he is a very simplistic man. Theodore Roosevelt He was very fond of Fried Chicken with white gravy as his mom would make it best. You can never go wrong with mom’s cooking! John F. Kennedy If you like seafood, you would definitely get along with our 35th Commander-in-Chief. It was told that he had an extraordinarily little appetite and would forget to eat, but when he did, he would go for Clam chowder or potatoes. This makes ...

Buffalo Chicken Dip is an all-time crowd favorite appetizer for gatherings and games. Easy to make, fairly inexpensive, and commonly served with tortilla chips, this dip comes served in many different shapes and sizes. Consider making a few changes to your recipe the next time you want to make this appetizer, and it's sure to remain a crowd favorite. Ingredients: 8 oz chicken breast, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1/4 cup Frank's red hot, 1 tbsp minced onion, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tbsp of nutritional yeast. Directions: Mix all ingredients in an oven-safe dish, leaving the nutritional yeast aside. Top mixture with nutritional yeast and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until brown on top. Serve with fresh celery and/or multigrain chips. Moving on to the dessert category... What better Super Bowl treat than chocolate covered strawberries decorated as footballs?? Simply dip fresh strawberries in melted chocolate and draw white lines ...

Valentine’s day is tomorrow, and this holiday revolves around all things sweet and savory. This could include candy, chocolate, baked desserts, and sweet drinks such as cocktails, mocktails, or coffee drinks etc. Whether you enjoy dining out or making a cozy dinner or dessert at home, the options are endless. Splurging on everything sweet is 100% okay but maybe you’re looking for more lighter dessert options that you can make yourself or do for a fun date night. Below are some fun and easy recipes for desserts! Enjoy No Bake Sugar Cookie Bites - https://www.mealswithmaggie.com/no-bake-sugar-cookie-bites/?fbclid=IwAR0HdQswPVc4Wr9Dfv54SI1tMGD8IONAtr7tfRowjnYGs3wq45dsDpEMHUM Chocolate Cranberry Almond Bark - https://www.lizshealthytable.com/2015/02/23/chocolate-cranberry-bark/?fbclid=IwAR1ZM31v-LcdcjOOFTBQ3aa6Z6Qyr-MuMioP0MZYtT1tdOf_nI4dQKsxiIo Vegan Brownie Pizza - https://chelseyamernutrition.com/vegan-brownie-pizza/?fbclid=IwAR1N8_70AwFEmhiCMV4sFPau8ZwQbFvah1xwdbBSGFBc...

Valentine’s day might be one of the most controversial holidays out there. It’s one of those things you either love it or you hate it. For some, the holiday is just a reminder that they are still single. Or maybe it’s just another holiday their boyfriend’s going to forget. On the other hand, some people love valentine’s day. it’s a night you get to have a nice dinner away with your husband. Or maybe you throw a “galentines” night with your besties. Whichever way you celebrate the holiday, there seems to be one common denominator…chocolate. Maybe your boyfriend gets you a box of chocolates for valentine’s day every year, or maybe you always buy yourself chocolates for valentine’s day. Single, or married, there always seems to be chocolates involved. Which actually might be a good thing nutritionally. There are a few health benefits that chocolate provides that I’d bet most people don’t know. Health Benefits of Chocolate The health benefits of chocolate are dependent on the amount of...

Have you ever thought about recycling food waste? Studies show that more than 72% of all materials entering landfills can be diverted through composting. You may ask... What's composting? Composting is the natural process of decomposition and recycling of organic material into a rich soil that can be used as fertilizer to grow crops. Environmental benefits of composting include protecting groundwater quality, minimizing odors from agricultural areas, avoiding methane production in landfills, preventing erosion, facilitating reforestation and drastically reducing the need for pesticide use. Agricultural benefits include increasing yield and crop size, reducing water requirements and irrigation, adding organic matter to regenerate poor soils, and suppressing certain plant diseases/parasites. How Can You Participate? You can start your own compost pile at home TODAY for FREE. All you needed are these four things: carbon-rich materials (dry leaves, plant stalks or twigs), nitrog...

There are so many books out there that talk about nutrition, it’s background to our health, and how to revitalize your lifestyle. As a nutrition student, I’ve read enough books about nutrition to know the ones that are written and recommended by dietitians and that helped me throughout my education. Even if you don’t study nutrition, these books are educational to learn about nutrition and how to make smarter and healthier choices. It can be difficult to find books on the market that connect great content while also being engaging. The most important thing to remember when searching for a book is to look for the ones that are credible with a qualified expert and evidence-based education or information. To ease the discomfort of not knowing which book to read about nutrition, I listed five books that I have loved so far. I will show the Pros and Cons of each book to make it easier to choose your next book. 1. “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto” by Michael Pollan Pros: i. ...

I don’t know if I’m the only one, but I’m a snack girl. Not only am I snack girl, but I’m a sweet-tooth snack girl. I will always intentionally leave room in my stomach for dessert. It seems like I really can’t end my meal unless I have something sweet. But dessert seems to get a bad rep nowadays. Probably because the main desserts Americans are grabbing for are the processed cookies and cakes. Of course, there’s a time and place for the cookies and cakes, I mean come on they’re delicious. But for someone who feels the need to have something sweet after every meal, it’s important to find some sweets that provide a little more nutritional value. But remember, balance is key. This doesn’t mean you have to kiss your Oreos goodbye; it just means you don’t have to have them after every meal. There are tonsss of other snack options that are both delicious and provide some nutritional value without all the added sugars and seed oils. Try these yummy snacks the next time your sweet tooth is ca...