Market Street Health and Wellness

New ad, new blog post and new blog title for Wednesday. How about a new recipe to go with it?

We have to do something with those glorious cherries and juicy peaches this week. Thanks Produce Department!!

So here is a fantastic, simple recipe for
Balsamic Glazed Cherries and Peaches.

Ingredients

1/2 pound cherries, halved and pitted (on sale for $2.69/lb)
2 tablespoons sugar (or sugar substitute), plus more to taste
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 pound peaches, sliced (on sale for $0.49/lb)

Directions
Stir together the cherries, sugar or sugar substitute and balsamic vinegar, and place over a medium heat. Bring to a boil and continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a medium bowl toss the warm cherries and syrup with the sliced peaches, add more sugar to taste and serve.

Try these over chicken, salmon or pork for a great summer dinner. OR serve over vanilla bean ice cream or frozen yogurt for a tasty dessert. What are some other ways we could use this recipe?

Nutrition Facts Per Serving (1/4 recipe)
Calories 100 (will be less with sugar substitute)
Total Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 2.5mg
Carbohydrates 25g (will be less with sugar substitute)
Fiber 3g
Protein 2g

Adapted from Ellie Krieger, RD
Food Network

Last week we took a look at Planters Nut-rition Antioxidant Mix (NuVal Score = 20). This week we explore Planters Nut-rition Omega 3 Mix. Do you think it scores higher or lower?
One thing to know about products that claim Omega 3's: not all omega 3's are the same. There are plant based omega 3's (ALA) and animal based omega 3's (EPA and DHA). Plant based omega 3's aren't used the same way in the body as the animal based omega 3's. In fact the ALA fats are precursors to and have to be converted in the body to EPA and DHA. The only negative is that we require much more ALA to effectively convert to EPA and DHA. So, bottom line: make sure you get omega 3's from a variety of sources.
Where do you think the Planters Nut-rition Omega 3 Mix gets its omega 3's, plant or animal? I should have known you would know it was plant omega 3s. How well do you think it scores?

Planters Nut-rition Omega 3 Mix - We're bringing you the ALA benefits of walnuts in our delicious new Omega-3 Mix, a tasty blend of walnuts, cranberries, and dark chocolate-covered soy nuts - you're getting 960 mg of ALA Omega-3 per serving in a delicious sodium free and cholesterol free food.

NuVal Score: 36


Remember NuVal scores for nuts are influenced by the amount of sugar, salt and oil that is/isn't added. A NuVal score takes into consideration both the absence of unfavorable ingredients and the presence of naturally occurring positive nutrients.

Next week: Planters Nut-rition Almonds. Higher or lower score?

Hashbrowns? Is Market Street's dietitian telling me that hashbrowns are a Hidden Healthy Hit? You bet!

Take a look at this example:

Regular Potato (produce): NuVal Score 93
Ore Ida Hashbrowns (frozen): NuVal Score 91

How is this possible? Well, take a look at the hashbrowns. They are just shredded potatoes. When hashbrowns are cooked/baked/fried in oil they become an indulgence (or when they are smothered in cheese).

Tip: Try baking hashbrowns or browning them in a skillet with cooking spray instead of butter or oil.

Just don't mistake hashbrowns redeeming NuVal score for other frozen potato products. Some frozen potato products only get single digit NuVal scores. Remember, the higher the NuVal score, the better the nutrition!

Are frozen veggies just as good as fresh? It's a question mankind has wrestled with for generations ... well, maybe not generations but it's definitely a question I'm asked on the frozen food aisles.




Do you think you know your frozen veggies? Here's a quiz. Which frozen broccoli gets a higher (thus better) NuVal score?

Were you surprised? Would you like to try some more? Check out our monthly featured article to put your frozen food smarts to the test.

As a registered dietitian I recommend "a handful of nuts" per day. The truth of the matter is that literally means the amount that would fit in the palm of your hand (without extra falling off the sides or clenched between your fingers - ha!). Many times I've been jealous of Dirk Nowitzki and how very large his palm probably is.

So within that recommendation, what is the best nut to choose? The walnut and almond have historically been the valedictorian and salutatorian; but with the NuVal scores at Market Street, we no longer have to guess. The next 4 weeks we are going to Trade Up with Planters Nut-trition brand. This week we explore the Antioxidant Mix.

Planters Nut-trition Antioxidant Mix - Built to Provide Antioxidant Vitamins C & E

"Certain components in foods, such as antioxidants, may help promote health. Our Antioxidant Mix is a delicious and nutritious way to get antioxidant vitamins, mixing almonds, bananas, peaches, blueberries, cranberries and cashews."

NuVal Score: 20

Remember that when nuts are salted, sugared, or oiled it lowers the NuVal score. Check the ingredients list to see if dried fruit has been sugared, or if salt and/or oil has been added.

Next week, we take a look at Planters Nut-rition Omega 3 Mix. Do you think it scores higher or lower than the Antioxidant Mix?