August is Back to School Month!

Oftentimes, we find that people struggle adhering to their diet the most when they are trying to find kid-friendly or easier snack options. With families gearing up to go back to school, we wanted to provide easy snack and meal recipes that everyone will enjoy! Below, find some options that are quick to make and will be sure to keep everyone happy without compromising nutrition.

Snacks:

Hummus with carrots, cucumbers, or celery sticks

Greek yogurt with nuts or fruit mixed in for texture

Classic “Ants on a Log” - celery topped with peanut butter and raisins

Cheese sticks

Beef Jerky – be careful and check the sugar content! They come in many different flavors such as teriyaki to spice it up

Smoothie bags - Cut up fresh bananas and put them in individual freezer bags with strawberries and spinach. When ready to prepare, blend with milk and yogurt for an extra-creamy, fast, nutrient packed option

                *Bonus: you can sneak many vegetables in if there are picky eaters around without compromising the fruity flavor

DIY Lunchables: whole wheat crackers, sliced cheese, turkey, pepperoni, or salami with nuts and fruit

Meals:

Egg salad (or chicken salad!) with low-fat cottage cheese as opposed to mayonnaise, making this a high protein, satisfying meal.

                *Bonus: add a scoop on top of lettuce for a high-protein salad

Muffin-tin egg bites - whip up eggs and egg whites with salt, pepper, and milk. Pour over chopped peppers, tomatoes, turkey bacon, and light cheese in a muffin tin. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes for an easy, on the go breakfast

Taco salad - cook lean ground turkey in salsa and serve over a bed of lettuce with extra salsa, cheese, avocado, and sour cream

Resource of the Month: ADA

Did you know? The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has its own resource for Diabetes-friendly recipes and ideas all in one place? Visit Diabetesfoodhub.org for great new ideas! Try one of their favorite recipes below:

No-Bake Peanut Butter & Chocolate Bites: In a small saucepan, combine ⅓ cup Splenda sugar blend with ⅓ cup skim milk over medium heat. Boil for 1.5 minutes, stir in ½ cup peanut butter and 1 tsp. vanilla extract. Remove from heat and add 2 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats. Stir oats until evenly coated in peanut mixture and everything has cooled. Fold in 3 tbsp. of chocolate chips. Scoop mixture into 1 tablespoon balls, place on wax paper and refrigerate.

Serving Size: 2 Bites, 80 calories, 9g Carbohydrate, 4g Total Sugars, 1g dietary fiber

Activity Challenge of the Month: Beat the heat! Get out for an early morning walk and enjoy cooler temperatures while starting your day off with physical activity and mindfulness

Author

Dawn Wolak, MSN, APRN, ANP-C Dawn Wolak joins our team as Dr. Mathews' Nurse Practitioner. She attended Clemson University where she attained her bachelor's degree in Nursing. She went on to attend the Medical University of South Carolina where she underwent rigorous medical training to obtain her master’s degree in Nursing and become certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner. Afterwards, she underwent additional training with Dr. Mathews to become an expert in endocrine disorders. She works closely with the Palmetto Endocrine team to provide consistent, informed care for our patients at all times.