By Micheline Hynes
Nutrition Services Manager, Tarrant Area Food Bank

We’ve all heard it said to “put your best foot forward.” A confident, intentional, decisive first step marks your path to success ahead. This month, Tarrant Area Food Bank joins the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in celebrating National Nutrition Month, with a theme of Put Your Best Fork Forward.

National Nutrition Month is all about helping people make informed food choices and practice eating and activity habits that will yield a happy and healthy life. It’s a theme we echo in our Nutrition Services work to provide training and resources to improve the health of individuals, families and communities.

Healthy habits give you energy, help you feel strong and physically fit, and prevent chronic diseases. It can seem really daunting for any of us to achieve at times. We all face challenges—whether it’s finding the time to cook or be active, struggling with a tight budget, or even just a lack of motivation to make a change. Below, you’ll find some ideas to give you a head start and a recipe for a homemade granola bar.

Keep in mind that really small shifts in food choices and activity do add up. Every forkful is a new chance to make a lasting change for your health. So, just pick one thing you’d like to work on, keep it simple, make it a part of your routine, then add another goal.

Ideas to Get You Started During National Nutrition Month
Jiffy Oatmeal Crunch

Try this easy-peasy, make-at-home granola bar. Not only is it fast and delicious, but you also don’t have to worry about the undesirable ingredients sometimes found in packaged bars. We adapted this recipe from the USDA’s “Creative Recipes for Less Familiar USDA Commodities” booklet.

Ingredients

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

2. In a large skillet, melt butter and brown sugar.

3. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients.

4. Spread into pan and bake for 15-20 minutes. Cool; cut into squares.

Nutrition Facts

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