Time? Money? Nutritional value? Which one most influences your mealtime decisions? Making nutritious food choices can be a challenge whether you're facing a hungry family or just your own growling stomach. A new program from Iowa State University Extension is designed to help consumers of all ages blend time-saving convenience with nutritious, dollar-stretching food choices.
"Healthy Meals in a Hurry" is the topic of a publication and a program/workshop now available. The publication offers recipes for 14 main dishes that can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for ready-to-use convenience.
Making smart food choices is easier when you have a freezer stocked with ready-to-reheat main dishes. Each of the featured recipes has "Eat now" and "Eat later" directions. If you choose to make them all in the suggested amounts you'll have 120 servings at a cost of less than $1 per serving.
In addition, each recipe includes a nutritional analysis. Most recipes also satisfy the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Dietary Guidelines, as well as the DASH (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) Diet recommendations.
The educational program based on the publication, gives tips on modifying recipes to reduce sodium and fat and offers guidelines for alternative ways to prepare the recipes for freezer storage.
The "Healthy Meals in a Hurry" publication (PM 2035) is available for $2.50 per copy from ISU Extension's online store.
For more information about scheduling a program with your group, or to learn about already scheduled "Healthy Meals in a Hurry" programs, contact the Extension Office in your county.