New Year Nutrition

Take on 2021 with a sustainable, low-carb eating plan

(Family Features) A new year brings with it new opportunities to better yourself in all kinds of ways, including your health. Start by evaluating your at-home menu to make sure it aligns with your nutritional goals.

These recipes for Vegetarian Ramen Zoodle Bowls, Broccolini and Bacon Egg Bites and Flourless Salted Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies from Atkins offer better-for-you options that fit within a low-carb lifestyle that can help you eat right and make smarter choices in your kitchen. Each option offers a balanced approach to eating comprised of high-fiber carbohydrates, optimal protein and healthy fats. Plus, they’re easily personalized, allowing each recipe to help you meet your goals regardless of what eating plan you’re following and whether you’re looking to achieve weight loss, maintain your weight or achieve optimal health.

An Easy-to-Follow Food Guide

The latest science continues to support the many health benefits of a low-carb approach to eating beyond just weight loss. Simply reducing your carb and sugar intake by two-thirds over the “Standard American Diet” helps avoid the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

While many eating approaches can be vague in their approach, “The Atkins 100 Eating Solution’s” fan-favorite program provides a clear-cut way to control your carb intake with 100 grams of net carbs (the total carbohydrate content of the food minus the fiber content and sugar alcohols) and shows you how to make delicious and satisfying food choices that lessen their impact on your blood sugar. This personalized approach is a way of eating you can follow for life.

With cutting-edge research and delicious recipes, this book provides a variety of foods with plenty of room for personalization. This easy-to-use guide, written by Colette Heimowitz, the company’s vice president of nutrition and education, can also show you how the plan can be modified to fit in with most ways of eating, including vegetarian, Paleo, Mediterranean and more regardless of food preferences, lifestyle or cooking abilities.

Visit atkins.com/atkins-100-eating-solution-book to purchase the book.

Vegetarian Ramen Zoodle Bowls

Recipe courtesy of “The Atkins 100 Eating Solution”
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

• 4          large eggs
• ice water
• 2          cups fresh water
• 1          quart vegetable broth
• 5          ounces (3 cups) broccoli florets, cut into bite-size pieces
• 10        ounces (4 cups) spiralized zucchini
• 5          ounces (5 packed cups) baby spinach
• 1          tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons, white miso paste
• 1/4       teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided
• 1          tablespoon toasted sesame oil, plus additional for garnish, to taste
• 2          cups mung bean sprouts, for garnish
• chili garlic sauce, for garnish
• 1          cup shredded raw carrot, for garnish
• 4          tablespoons crushed peanuts, for garnish

1. In large saucepan of gently boiling water, cook eggs 7 minutes then transfer to bowl of ice water.
2. Drain cooking water from saucepan then add broth and fresh water. Bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and cook 3 minutes then add zucchini and spinach. Continue cooking until spinach is wilted and zucchini is crisp-tender, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Ladle about 1/2 cup broth from saucepan into small bowl. Add miso paste and 1/4 teaspoon salt; whisk to combine. Return mixture to soup, add sesame oil and stir to combine. Add additional salt, to taste. Cover to keep warm.
4. Remove eggs from ice bath; peel then cut in half lengthwise. Ladle 2 cups soup into four serving bowls. Top each portion with one egg and 1/2 cup sprouts. Drizzle with chili garlic sauce and additional sesame oil, to taste. Top each serving with 1/4 cup shredded carrot and 1 tablespoon crushed peanuts.

Nutritional information per serving: 10 grams net carbs; 17 grams total carbs; 7 grams fiber; 16 grams protein; 13 grams fat; 253 calories.

Broccolini and Bacon Egg Bites

Recipe courtesy of “The Atkins 100 Eating Solution”
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 5          slices (4 ounces) no-sugar- added bacon
• 5          large eggs
• 3          ounces cream cheese
• 2          tablespoons feta cheese
• 1          tablespoon hot sauce
• 1/2       teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided
• 4 1/2    ounces broccolini (5-7 stalks), stalks and florets thinly sliced
• 1          tablespoon water
• 1 1/2    cups baby arugula
• 1          tablespoon lemon juice
• 1          tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly coat eight silicone egg-bite mold cups or eight cups of standard nonstick muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set in large baking pan.
2. In large nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until golden, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Chop bacon into small pieces.
3. In blender, puree eggs, cream cheese, feta cheese, hot sauce and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth.
4. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet. Add broccolini, water and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until broccolini is tender, 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Fill each egg cup with 1 teaspoon bacon and 1 tablespoon broccolini. Top with egg mixture, filling cups to about 1/8 inch from top. Add just enough boiled water to baking pan to come halfway up sides of molds.
6. Bake egg bites until set, 20-25 minutes. Take pan from oven then take molds from water bath. Let egg bites cool then remove from molds.
7. In medium bowl, toss arugula, lemon juice, oil and salt and pepper, to taste. Place 3/4 cup salad, two egg bites and 1/4 cup blueberries on four plates and serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 9 grams net carbs; 11 grams total carbs; 2 grams fiber; 14 grams protein; 34 grams fat; 400 calories.

Flourless Salted Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe courtesy of “The Atkins 100 Eating Solution”
Total time: 50 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies

• 1          cup sugar-free smooth or creamy peanut butter
• 2          teaspoons stevia extract powder
• 1/2       teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4       teaspoon kosher salt
• 1          large egg
• 1          teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2       cup sugar-free semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

1. Set oven racks in upper- and lower-third positions. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. In medium bowl, use handheld electric mixer on medium speed to beat peanut butter, stevia, baking soda and salt, scraping down sides if needed, until well combined, about 1 minute. Reduce speed to low, add egg and vanilla extract; beat until combined.
3. Shape dough into 24 balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and place 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Using tines of fork, carefully flatten each ball, creating crisscross pattern.
4. Bake, rotating cookie sheets from top to bottom and back to front halfway through, until edges begin to brown and cookies are set, 7-9 minutes. Cookies should not be browned. Let cool 10 minutes on cookie sheets then carefully transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
5. In small microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate chips and microwave on high in 20-second increments, stirring after each, until melted, about 1 minute.
6. Dip dry fork into chocolate then drizzle over cookies. Sprinkle with sea salt.

Nutritional information per serving (1 cookie): 1.5 grams net carbs; 3 grams total carbs; 1.5 grams fiber; 3 grams protein; 6.5 grams fat; 79 calories.

Easy tips for cooking your favorite fish and shellfish at home every time

(BPT) - Crab legs for a birthday. Scallops for an anniversary. Salmon for when family are in town. Many people enjoy eating seafood at restaurants as it is a favorite choice for celebratory meals. However, when it comes to cooking seafood at home, it can be intimidating. Seafood — fish and shellfish — is surprisingly simple to cook with a few tips and tricks.

"Seafood is easy, delicious and widely available, making it a great option for home cooks," says Linda Cornish, president of Seafood Nutrition Partnership. "Whether it is shellfish or a fillet of your favorite fish variety, seafood makes any day special. Plus, you can feel good about enjoying immune-boosting food rich in vitamins A, B and D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and minerals such as calcium, selenium, iron, zinc and more."

To help kick up your confidence in the kitchen when cooking seafood, Seafood Nutrition Partnership and its partners from the Eat Seafood America! campaign offer simple kitchen tips:

The 10-minute rule: Measure the fish at its thickest point. Cook it on medium-high (about 375 degrees F) for 10 minutes per inch, turning halfway through the cooking time. That means a thin fish like sole or pollock cooks in about 4-5 minutes while a thicker salmon or tuna steak might be 15 minutes.

Test for the flake: The best way to tell if fish is done is by testing it with a fork: insert it at an angle at the thickest point and twist gently. The fish will flake easily when it’s done, and it will lose its translucent or raw appearance.

Create foil packets: Foil makes cooking seafood and cleanup simple. Choose your seafood, such as shrimp or a piece of fish, and vegetables such as bell pepper, green beans, cherry tomatoes or zucchini. Use a large piece of foil and layer fish on top of veggies, season to taste, add a couple of lemon slices, and add a drizzle of oil before cooking in the oven, on the grill or even campfire.

Steam on the stovetop: Steaming is a popular way to cook shellfish due to its simplicity. Fill a deep pot with 1-2 inches of water, add wire rack and bring to a boil. Add seafood and cover to cook. Seafood like lobster, crab legs and shrimp will turn pink or red when done, so look for the bright color and then enjoy.

Stock up with canned and frozen options: Fill your freezer with seafood when it’s on sale, so there's something always ready to go when meal planning. When you’re at the grocery store, also grab canned seafood that is often a reasonably priced alternative. Then try adding into favorite recipes or toss into salads or pastas for an easy meal that is sustainable and planet-friendly.

Cook once, eat twice: Try doubling recipes to get ahead on cooking and have a dinner or lunch ready for later in the week. Recipes that freeze well, such as chowder or gumbo, are great to double. Also, consider cooking an extra piece of fish to use on a salad or in a sandwich the next day.

Explore grab-and-go options: Try pre-prepped seafood from your local grocery store to just bring home and heat. Instructions are typically on the package but if you have questions, ask the pros at the seafood counter.

Try new recipes: With everyone spending more time at home, it's fun to try new recipes. You can enjoy restaurant-quality seafood dishes at home in a few simple steps. Be inspired with this recipe that can be updated with whatever fish fillets or veggies you have on hand. For a quick one-pan meal, choose vegetables and slice them to cook in about the same time as your fish.

Pesto Salmon Sheet Pan

Servings: 4-6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 acorn squash, cubed
1/2 medium red onion, chunked
2 cups baby multicolored potatoes, halved
1/2 cauliflower head, chunked
3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 side of salmon or 4 fillets
1/2 cup pesto

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. On a large sheet pan, place acorn squash, red onions, potatoes and cauliflower. Salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with olive oil. Stir to coat well and place in single layer around the edges of the pan.

3. Add salmon to the sheet pan and spread with about half the pesto.

4. Roast at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes depending on thickness, until salmon is fork tender and fully cooked through.

5. Top with the remaining pesto and serve.

Share your finished seafood dish on social media and tag #EatSeafoodAmerica. For additional simple seafood recipes to try at home visit seafoodnutrition.org.

You, like most people, are proud of your cooking. Your meals provide your family with nourishment, which is important, but the most important part of meals is the way they taste. The presentation is a close second. Because of this, you should consider farm-fresh foods. These foods are of much higher quality than store-bought foods. Here are eight farm-fresh foods that will elevate the meals you serve at your table.

Eggs

According to The Mobile Chicken House, mobile-pastured eggs are a healthy, quality-driven, sustainable alternative to standard commercial eggs. These eggs come from hens who have a certain level of freedom on the farm. They are allowed outside for a significant amount of time during the day and they can eat a more "natural" diet instead of just corn and soy. This freedom makes the hens healthier which, in turn, makes the eggs healthier. Mobile-pastured eggs can have up to three times the Omega-3 than standard commercial eggs. You get an added advantage by getting your eggs fresh from the farm. The shells are thicker leading to thicker yolks. They taste better and have great nutritional value.

Milk

Milk has a quick expiration date compared to other foods from a farm. It is great to be able to milk a cow and bring it straight to the table (not exactly straight to the table, but you get the picture). If you are not the milking type, your local farmer's market will have fresh milk. Whether you choose raw milk or pasteurized milk, you will still get the best-tasting milk possible by getting it directly from a farmer. Many people prefer raw milk (unpasteurized milk) because it has the full amount of nutrients.

However, there is some controversy surrounding this type of milk. According to Food Safety News, raw milk can have bacteria such as E. Coli or Listeria. The odds are low of contracting these diseases from raw milk, but the risk is still there. Farmers pasteurize milk, so you can still get safe milk fresh from the farm. However, pasteurization removes bacteria, so it is safer than raw milk.

Fruits

Fresh fruit is always a welcomed food at any table. Imagine picking your fruit each day so it is the ripest, sweetest fruit you can possibly get. There are plenty of farms that will allow you to pick your own fruit. You could also get fruit from the farmer's market. If you happen to live on a farm, that is even better. After the fruit is picked, it rapidly begins to lose nutritional value. Fruit that is to be sold at a local store takes from one to six weeks to make it there. That is why they do not last very long once you take them home. You do not have this problem with fresh fruit straight from the farm.

Vegetables

Vegetables are like fruit in the sense that they begin to lose nutritional value as soon as they are plucked from the vine. Just like fruit, it can take weeks for vegetables to travel from the farm to the store. By the time you buy them, they only have a short amount of time to be eaten before they are no longer any good. Farm fresh vegetables are not only healthier than store-bought vegetables, but they taste better. They are so flavorful that they can easily become the star of your dinner. For the freshest vegetables, you should pick them yourself if you have a local farm that allows it. If not, you will find plenty at your local farmer's market.

Farmer Cheese

Farmer cheese is just what it sounds like - cheese processed by the farmer instead of by some giant processing plant. According to Berkeley Wellness, farmer cheese has less calories and higher nutritional value without all the additives and preservatives. Plus, farmer cheese has a unique taste that you will not find from machine-manufactured cheese. Good cheese seems to make everything taste better. For great dishes such as oven-baked mac n' cheese, cheddar ‘n' chives mashed potatoes, bacon & cheese dip, and so many more, it makes sense to have the freshest cheese you can get. You could even make your own cheese with easy online recipes if you do not live near a farmer's market.

Ham

Ham is one of the tastiest meat you can eat. While it is true that most ham tastes good whether you got it from a farmer or a store, it is just so much fresher when you get it from a farmer. One advantage of getting it straight from a farmer is that, since each farmer has their own, unique way to cure ham, you will get a unique flavor than those processed, vacuum-sealed ham packages at the store. They even look healthier as the ham can have a richer color. Plus, you do not have to worry about it being injected full of preservatives.

Steak

Most people love a good steak, and you cannot get better steak than those that come directly from a farmer. These steaks are fresher, cooks better, tastes better, and lasts longer if you need them to. According to Grit, you will probably also get more bang for your buck when buying from a farmer which is great for those pricey premium cuts of steak.

Chicken

Chickens are one of the most popular farm-to-table animals. They are relatively easy to raise, so if you live in a country area, it is not uncommon to find average residents who raise chickens at their house. If you are going to eat farm-fresh eggs, you will probably be interested in farm-fresh chicken also. Just like the other meats, the chicken will be freshers, tastier, and much more nutritious than the chicken you would buy at the store. Plus, there are so many great chicken recipes out there that would be great with farm fresh chicken.

Farm fresh foods are tasty, nutritious, and probably a lot cheaper than buying store-bought foods. The eight foods above are some of the more popular farm-fresh foods, but there are others that can complete your shopping list. This will give you the best ingredients to make the best meals to serve at your table. If you have access to farms or farmers markets, do not be afraid to try out a few of your favorites!

Read this next: Real Milk’s Role in a Sustainable Farm-to-Table Diet

Help Yourself to Healthier Hummus

(Family Features) Whether you’re hosting a houseful of guests or simply keeping your family’s hunger at bay before dinner, appetizers can be a home chef’s best friend. Simple options like dips allow for personalization while keeping cook time to a minimum.

The next time you’re looking for a quick fix, consider this Caramelized Sweet Onion Hummus recipe that’s ideal for pairing with pita bread, veggies or crackers. With the layered flavor, color and texture of onions serving as a key ingredient, it’s a nutritious substitute for less health-conscious appetizers and snacks.

In fact, onions can be called nature’s ninja because of their many “skills.” Onions add abundant flavor to a wide variety of foods with just 45 calories per serving as a source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and other key nutrients such as folate, calcium and iron. They are also rich in heart-healthy nutrients and have been shown to help prevent some cancers.

Find more recipe ideas at onions-usa.org.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Caramelized Sweet Onion Hummus

Recipe courtesy of the National Onion Association

• 1          whole garlic head
• 4          tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon, extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1          large sweet onion, thinly sliced
• 1          can (15 ounces) chickpeas
• 1          tablespoon lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
• 1/2       cup tahini (toasted ground sesame seeds)
• 1          teaspoon salt

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. Cut top of garlic head off and place cut-side down on pan; drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Bake 20-30 minutes, or until garlic is soft. Once cool, squeeze garlic from each clove.
3. In large skillet over medium-high heat, cook onion in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Stir onion frequently until slices begin to brown. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking until onions are soft and reach medium brown color.
4. Rinse and drain chickpeas; reserve 3 tablespoons liquid.
5. In food processor, blend chickpeas, reserved liquid, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, salt, remaining olive oil and onions until combined and smooth. Serve with pita bread, veggies or crackers.

6 Tips for Adding More Seafood to Your Family’s Menu

(Family Features) Seafood can make for a healthy addition to diets, particularly for children. It improves body and brain function, and studies conducted by “Pediatrics” and the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” have linked seafood to reduced risks of heart disease and allergic conditions like asthma.

In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture suggests making seafood part of healthy diets and its 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend putting it on menus at least twice a week.

While there are common complaints, such as “my kids won’t like it” or “I don’t know how to prepare it,” these tips can help make it quick, easy and affordable to add nutritious seafood to your family’s menu.

• Start with shrimp. Shrimp is one of the most popular types of seafood in the United States. Try shrimp warm or cold as a snack, appetizer or main course. It’s versatile and can be sauteed, broiled, boiled, grilled or baked.
• Make it fun. Consider putting healthy fish like wild cod, salmon or pollock into fun foods like tacos or burgers.
• Buy frozen. Fish is now flash frozen at sea to lock in freshness. Frozen seafood meals add convenience and help cut down on waste because what you don’t use can go back in the freezer.
• Cook with your kids. If your kids don’t think they like seafood, have them help with dinner. Cooking with kids can help develop healthier long-term habits and a more adventurous palate. It also helps improve motor functions and confidence. In fact, a study published in “Pediatrics” shows getting children involved in meal preparation may increase their enjoyment of healthy foods.
• Pick the right products. To create a family-friendly menu, consider an option like Aqua Star’s Cutting Board meal kits, a selection of 10 recipes that include everything a family needs to prepare a tasty, healthy meal. Selections include tacos, flatbreads and comfort favorites. With pre-portioned ingredients for quick preparation and cleanup, they make it easy for parents and kids to create their own restaurant-quality meals.
• Eat at home. Eating out often can drive unhealthy eating habits and strain family budgets. Seafood is easy and convenient to make, whether you use a simple recipe like these Chipotle Shrimp Street Tacos or choose a convenient meal kit, and can help you spend more time together at the dinner table.

Find more tips and recipes to add seafood to your family’s table at aquastar.com.

Chipotle Shrimp Street Tacos

Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2

• 1          Aqua Star Chipotle Shrimp Street Tacos Meal Kit, including:
• creamy ancho chili sauce
• Aqua Star shrimp
• chipotle seasoning
• spinach
• corn
• roasted tomato
• white corn tortillas

• 2          teaspoons cooking oil, divided

1. Submerge unopened sauce packet in bowl of water to thaw.
2. In large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon oil; add shrimp and cook 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fluid and add chipotle seasoning.
3. In medium skillet, heat remaining oil; add spinach, corn and roasted tomato. Cook 4-5 minutes until water is evaporated; set aside.
4. In microwave, warm tortillas in moist paper towel 30 seconds.  
5. To build tacos, fill two tortillas with shrimp and vegetables then top with sauce.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images (family eating)