Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian's Comments

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Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 4:18pm EST

Jenny D...Carnation Instant Breakfast does add more sugar to your her diet which adds extra calories..and not being able to do a complete nutritional analysis I can't tell you if that is too many calories for her. I say have her drink plain milk and if she's a fussy eater give her a daily multivitamin recommended by your pediatrician. There are flavored milks you can buy too...strawberry, banana, chocolate etc...and she might like those.
I'm going to go make a smoothie now....with non fat milk, frozen mango and a banana! Yum...then I can think about dinner which is late tonight due to sports!!!!

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 4:03pm EST

Loved chatting wtih you!! Look for my next post soon!!! More tips on the way.....

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 4:02pm EST

All of this food talk is making my hungry! The questions about navigating the Holidays are important ones. I say plan on eating the treats you love, enjoy in sensible portions and park your car far away at the mall or supermarket to get more walking in!
I love love love eggnog....but will buy a small carton and then dilute it with non fat milk. Like one ounce of eggnog and 7 ounces of non fat milk. It's great.

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:57pm EST

Great ideas and I love the enthusiasm for the Planned Overs..
some of the best recipes and cuisines in the world were born with resourcefullness in mind. Leftover broccoli becomes a wonderfully creamy Broccoli soup with milk.
Or bananas just about go brown can be awesome baked into a custard or pudding!

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:53pm EST

Susan L...just about every veggie a good nutrition story to tell. Artichokes are high in fiber!

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:50pm EST

More fun Home Ec tips...I like saving time and money....so I love making double duty meals. How about you? I roast a chicken one night and it becomes chicken wraps with tortillas and salsa the next. Don't called them leftovers...call then "Planned Overs!"

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:46pm EST

So many of you are concerned about getting kids ( and husbands!) to eat more vegetables. It's a challenge. But keep in mind kids' taste buds change..they may change their mind later. So don't make a huge deal out of it when they reject a bite of broccoli. Research shows you have to present a new food sometimes three times. Of couse, for certain husbands it may never work!!
Susan L...corn is OK...but he needs some green vegetables...even if they're added to soups or stews.

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:43pm EST

OK...very smart group!!! Here are the 9 essential nutrients..and wow!!
Calcium, vit D, vit A, Protein, Potassium, Riboflavin, Niacin, vit B12, and Phosphorus..phew that's 9, right?
You would have to drink 1 glass of orange juice, one glass of vitamin water, a swig of energy drink, 6 glasses of regular soft drinks and a 1/2 cup scoop of soy protein powder to get all of that!!! And it would cost you $3.11
Thoughts???

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:37pm EST

Good Shannon!
ON the too much milk thing.....you want to make sure you leave enough room in the diet for the other food groups!

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:34pm EST

Who wants to guess what the 9 essential nutrient are in Milk???
OK...I'll give you one...calcium. (:

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:32pm EST

Rebecca...another good Home Ec question...about freezing fresh produce. Fruit is easy to freeze..just pop in freezer bags...strawberries, peaches, bananas or any fresh fruit that looks like it's about to become overripe. I love frozen fruit as topping on yogurt or in smoothies, of course. BUT....fresh veggies freeze better if they're cooked a bit first to deactivate enzymes. A really Home Ec ....topic. Go to www.usda.gov for more home freezing tips.

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:29pm EST

Kelly K...great snacking tips!! You must be a dietitian, too!! What I love about them is that they all sound good to eat...and folks, guess what???
No food is nutritious or a good buy if it is NOT eaten.

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:27pm EST

So many many great questions and comments! I wish we were all in the same room. Oh we are!! On the powdered milk....a great way to save even more money.. and it's shelf stable so it can always be on hand. Same great nutrition, of course it tastes different.
Did you know that the water in milk is hydrating,too. That old adage to drink 8 glasses of water a day is fine..but that water can come in the form of other beverages like milk and also the water in fruits and veggies.

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:23pm EST

I think it's interesting how food prices vary from store to store. It really pays to pay attention these days!! Just like gas prices may be different from one corner to the next.
My advice is to go on line and read the store specials. You know those circulars you pick up at the store??? Well, most supermarkets have them online so you can compare stores before you go. For instance if you want pork for dinner..you can find the best price!

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:21pm EST

Another money saving strategy that goes back to good old Home Economics and that is to make sure you store your foods properly so they last longer. For instance, wash fresh veggies when you bring them home and wrap in clean plastic wrap. And when you buy dairy products look at the expiration dates to get the newest!!

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:17pm EST

Amy and y'all...on organic milk. All milk contains the same nutrients...nine essential nutrients ...and I really believe that all milk is safe to drink. If you prefer organic and don't mind spending a little more that is fine..but, it can a lot more expensive and it's not available everywhere. If was popping into a gas station/ convenience store to get a snack for my kids on a road trip...I'd grab a small carton of low fat milk and some oatmeal cookies.

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:13pm EST

Oh on the canned fruit thing.....OF COURSE....fresh picked peaches or apples are absolutely fabulous!!! But, since most kids today are not getting even two servings of fruit they need a day...I think it's a good solution to put canned peaches ( choose those packed in juice not syrup) on top of frozen waffles or use frozen fruit in a smoothie with milk for a snack... What does everyone else think?? We've got to be creative to save some money and still get the healthy stuff on the table!!

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:09pm EST

Mary G...I think there are a couple of different ways to look at the cost of food...I like to compare the price for what I'm getting. Based on national average of milk prices right now ..one 8 ounce glass costs about a quarter and you get 9 essential nutrients.
That's a great value, really!!!

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:06pm EST

Whether you're on the hunt for fruits and veggies...hello to Sarah!!!....or other foods on a limited budget start with a shopping list. Divide it into food groups!! Look for meats on sale...stores seem to have lots of special right now to attract customers and please know that canned fruit is often just as nutritious as fresh..and can be less expensive.

Healthy Eating on a Budget: Learn How and Receive a $25 Target Gift Card! Live Chat Wednesday, Nov. 5th at 3pm ET! by Stefanie Plum, Gather Partner Team

Nov 4, 2008 | comments: 427

Carolyn O'Neil, Registered Dietitian Nov 5, 2008, 3:04pm EST

Bridget Jean...wow you've got a milk loving family. What kind of milk do you buy?
And for everyone...when you put milk on your grocery list a good way to figure out how much to buy is to figure that each family members needs three cups of milk a day. That's not a lot but it's just the right amount to get all of the good nutrition they need. So a cup in cereal, a cup at lunch or dinner and then with a snack at bedtime. Hey, a cup of milk is great in soups too. Another money saving food to put on your list.