June is coming to an end and this means change in MAND leadership and summer events and announcements. We want to acknowledge all the hard work of all the MAND executive team this past year and look forward to sharing some farewell messages, welcomes, and highlights of all the events this summer.

Also, June is a time to recognize Pride Month and all our dietitians, dietitian technicians, and readers that are self-described LGBTQ+. Unfortunately, studies show that 54.4% of self-described LGBTQ+ young adults, ages 18-35, experience food insecurity; and most are at very high risk of depression and eating disorders [1]. It is important that we foster Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts and change communication methods amongst all nutrition leaders so we can tackle these disparities. Please write to MAND Blog to share your resources and stories: newsletter@eatrightma.org.

Lastly, check out “The Facts within Food and Health of Asian Cultures” on July 15, 2021. Sign up here for the event: https://www.eatrightma.org/event/6356.

[1] Arikawa, A. Y., Ross, J., Wright, L., Elmore, M., Gonzalez, A. M., & Wallace, T. C. (2020). Results of an Online Survey about Food Insecurity and Eating Disorder Behaviors Administered to a Volunteer Sample of Self-Described LGBTQ+ Young Adults Aged 18 to 35 Years. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, S2212-2672(20)31341-1. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2020.09.032

Pandemic Fun: Cooking Together

By Jennifer Harvey

Since the beginning of the pandemic, many people have looked to new hobbies to help pass the time. For many, work has been moved from the office to home as well as school. This increased time spent in the home can make it challenging to feel inspired to try new things. As a graduate student and a dietetic intern, I sometimes find it exhausting to balance work and play, so I turned to one of my hobbies, of cooking, to ignite some fun in the kitchen. 

One of my favorite recipes to make is breakfast burritos due to their versatility. You can start off with the classics of scrambling the eggs, adding in some cheese, and wrapping it in a tortilla with your favorite salsa. Or you can turn these classic breakfast burritos into a healthy breakfast by adding in your favorite vegetables, adding a source of lean protein, and using a whole wheat tortilla. Some of my favorite vegetables to use include: onions, peppers, broccoli, carrots, zucchini, and tomatoes. Chickpeas, turkey bacon, tofu, or lean beef are great lean protein options. The best part is that they are easy to customize to fit your preferred taste. If you are looking for a southwest version, add in some corn, black beans, onions, peppers, and salsa. The burritos can be topped with sour cream, sriracha, or any other favorite sauce and spices.

These breakfast burritos are sure to be loved by all and are a great way to get the family involved in cooking and food preparation. For younger children, they can help pick out the vegetables, cheese, meat, and additional toppings. For slightly older children, they can help with cutting the vegetables, sautéing the vegetables, and cooking the eggs. One helpful tip is to try and cut the vegetables to be the same size for even cooking and to ensure you get a little bit of all the ingredients in every bite. The most important thing is to make sure that the tasks are age-appropriate and to have fun.

Cooking as a family is a great way to create lifelong memories. It is also a great way to help teach children about healthy eating, and working together as part of a team. Getting children involved in meal preparation can encourage “picky eaters” to get excited about trying new foods. Lastly, it gives children a sense of satisfaction and allows them to show off their new skills of being a sous chef.

Jennifer Harvey graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 2020 with a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics option. Jennifer is currently in the combined M.S. and dietetic internship program at the Frances Stern Nutrition Center at Tufts University and Tufts Medical Center. Before attending Penn State, Jennifer was an active-duty member of the United States Airforce for six years. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys cooking and anything that involves the outdoors to include camping, hiking, fishing, and kayaking.

MAND Blog

Have you thought about posting to the blog, but don’t know what you could contribute? 

At MAND we welcome anything from recipes, your personal update, interesting research articles (almost a mini lit review), pictures from events, podcasts people have been listening to, etc. Just include any resources. Make sure to include your very favorite photo!

Send us an email: newsletter@eatrightma.org. 

Please note we check this email about 1-2 times each week. We receive many submissions, but will do our best to reply to each request.

Disclaimer of Liability: The Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Blog strives to provide evidence-based nutrition information. Nothing on this website, its associated blog, or any social media channels should be considered advice or diagnosis. The content is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for personal, professional medical care or diagnosis. MAND does not endorse any products or services mentioned. You are urged to consult your primary care provider regarding any health condition or issue. MAND is not responsible for the content or claims of third party websites or providers.