Growing up in the Philippines, my mother was my main source of inspiration for cooking. I came from a family of eleven kids, and as a child, I would constantly volunteer to help her in the kitchen. My mother would prepare such amazing authentic Filipino food, and cooking for her was almost second nature. She didn’t think about it, she just knew what ingredients to use, how much of each to use, and how to combine their flavors in ways that would satisfy everyone in the family. So Filipino food for me is much more than just adobo, longganisa, or tocino and fried rice – it represents a huge part of my culture, and most importantly, it is what connects me with my family. And that’s why it’s so important to me that we think about Filipino food not just in terms of what’s delicious, but in terms of what’s healthy and nourishing for our families.
It’s been a little over a year since we first launched SuperTracker, and in that time we’ve loved hearing from our now over 2 million registered users – what they like about the site and ideas to make it better. We’re excited to announce a new SuperTracker feature that is based on user feedback! It’s now possible to create My Foods – customized versions of SuperTracker foods with nutrition information that you enter. When you search for a food in Food Tracker, just click on “customize” in the left hand column and Create My Food pops up. Nestlé Water North America created an educational Daily Buzz TV segment which reached 1.2 million viewers, as well as two Audio News Releases, which aired on nearly 1,900 stations.
Is eating healthy too expensive? It doesn’t have to be if you are willing to follow three simple reminders — Plan, Compare and Prepare. If you follow these, you and your family can save money and eat healthier.
USDA’s ChooseMyPlate.gov includes information to help consumers like you get started toward a healthier lifestyle that can fit just about anyone’s budget. The tips and resources available can make it easier to control what you eat and how much you spend.
Consider these tips to get you started:
Plan
Before you go shopping, take 15-20 minutes each week to plan your meals and make a grocery list of what and how much to buy. Consider breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week. Easy to fix recipes are available online. Include foods and beverages from the five food groups so you can get the nutrients you need. Read the Nutrition Facts label on the packaging, and go easy on foods with added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Consider meals like soups, salads, stews, or even stir-fries to “stretch” expensive items into more portions.
Compare
Check the local paper or search online for coupons, sales and specials. Use store loyalty cards and always bring your grocery list. For double savings, use manufacturer coupons during a store sale. Take time to compare unit prices listed on shelves to ensure you are getting the best price. Try to do your grocery shopping when you are not hungry and not too rushed. This will help you avoid impulse buying and convenience foods which will increase your food bill.
Prepare
Cut up fresh fruits and vegetables for quick snacks. Prepare meals that can be done in advance. Double up your recipes and freeze the leftovers for meals later in the week. For example, last night’s roasted chicken can easily become chicken salad or a chicken quesadilla later in the week.
Eating healthier and spending less is a breeze if you follow these tips to Plan before you shop, Compare options to find the best price, and Prepare meals that stay within your budget. Check out this press release for more information about how the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to help Americans eat healthier on a budget. For more helpful tips, check out our new 10 tips sheet: Eating better on a budget: 10 tips to help you stretch your food dollars.
SuperTracker is an interactive website used for creating customized healthy dietary plans that include required daily vitamins and minerals, and age and gender appropriate daily portions and calorie levels. Users can also tap tools called “Daily Food Plan,” “SuperTracker,” and “Food-a-Pedia” on this site. USDA photo by Stephen Ausmus.
I am pleased to report that over two million Americans are now using USDA’s SuperTracker, our online dietary planning and tracking tool!
Today, as never before, our awareness is heightened about the importance of healthy eating. Cookbooks and diet books reign supreme in the bookstores. There are entire TV channels devoted exclusively to food and, of course, stories of too many Twinkies, doughnuts and sodas provide constant fodder for the late night comedians. A day doesn’t go by that new food-related research isn’t released. Diet and health information abound on social media. Grocery stores are constantly adding new, healthier products. And communities across America are trying new and novel approaches to promote healthy eating. Read more »
This screen shot depicts the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SuperTracker application on Jan. 11, 2013. The application allows users to track the foods they eat and compare it to their nutrition targets.
From the start of the SuperTracker project, meeting the needs of our nearly two million users has been our top priority. We pride ourselves on our ability to quickly respond to feedback on everything from tweaks to the site’s layout and design to suggestions for new features—such as the recently added a function that allows users to set a personal Calorie goal. We were even recognized as one of the government’s best in customer service by the Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council! Read more »
Interest in the MyPlate Facebook page grew rapidly with more than 1,000 followers on the first day. Facebook page by Sasha Bard, MS, RD.
MyPlate is using the power of Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to make it easier for consumers to find simple science-based and practical guidance in many forms to help consumers eat healthier and live healthier. These social media platforms reach broad audiences and can now direct users to the wealth of consumer-friendly content supporting the MyPlate icon.
“Through social media, USDA can reach people where they need to make food decisions – on-the-go, in stores, at restaurants, and at home — and provide timely tips and information that can be shared with family and friends.” – Dr. Robert Post, Associate Executive Director of the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. Read more »
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