Valentine’s Sheet Pan Dinner for Two

Taking time to celebrate the holiday with your loved one can be hard in the middle of the week. This is a healthy recipe for two that is easy with minimal clean-up, but still has enough flare to be special. Using lean cuts of meat and lower fat dairy reduces the amount of saturated fat in this meal. Your honey and heart will thank you! — Dana Mealing, RDN, LDN, community nutrition educator, Tevis Center for Wellness

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Citrus Shrimp

Shrimp is a great protein option to keep on hand. They freeze well and cook fast, and their small size makes them a kid-friendly finger food—perfect for busy families. Shrimp gets a bit of a bad reputation for being a high cholesterol food, but overall it is a lean protein. Over many studies and analysis over many years, research has found that dietary cholesterol is not correlated with blood levels and for that reason does not pose a risk to our heart health. The thing to watch is your total fat intake, especially intake of saturated fats. These fats are typically animal-based and solid at room temperature. They are known to contribute to poor cholesterol levels and increase risk of plaque build up in the arteries, increasing risk for heart disease and stroke. However, notice shrimp is very high in sodium, like many other crustaceans and mollusks from the sea, and this may lead to temporary increase in blood pressure and edema. 

Read the Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9143438/

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Shrimp and Sausage Skewers with Okra

Grilling season is ending; celebrate the final warm days with this tasty recipe, full of lean protein from shrimp and chicken sausage and high-in-fiber okra.

“But isn’t shrimp a high cholesterol food?” you may ask. Yes, it is; however, current research shows that dietary intake of cholesterol is not an indication of high cholesterol in our blood. The foods that are concerning to our cholesterol levels are those that are high in saturated and trans fats. These are the fats that are solid at room temperatures, such as butter, lard, cheeses, and the fats in dairy and meat.

Saturated fats are also added to many processed and packaged foods, so don’t forget to look at nutrition labels when shopping! This recipe also swaps the traditional pork-based andouille sausage, high in saturated fat, for a chicken-based alternative. A diet high in fiber also helps improve our cholesterol levels, so although the recipe only calls for okra, add as many veggies as you want to these skewers!

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Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Pesto & Shrimp

Zucchini are easy to find and are a great fresh vegetable for summer Ever try zucchini noodles, or zoodles, before? Well, this is your chance! This recipe also includes shrimp, which are low in calories but high in nutrition, including antioxidants and omega-3s. Research shows that eating seafood regularly can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Shrimp Tacos

Eating more fish and seafood fits into a healthy meal plan, and you can spice it up with these shrimp tacos! These easy-to-make tacos rival any shrimp tacos from the best restaurants at a fraction of the cost. The mango adds great flavor in addition to Vitamin A, Vitamin C and antioxidants. Along with the black beans, mangoes are also a great source of fiber.

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