Author: Michael Hetrick

“Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” with Walmart, Sam’s Club

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One in five East Texans, including one in three children, are facing hunger this year due to the ongoing economic fallout from COVID-19. Neighbors in our community are struggling to put food on the table – simply facing this difficult reality for the first time in their lives.

That is why Walmart and Sam’s Club are supporting the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks, including the East Texas Food Bank, through the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign. Now in its eighth year, the campaign has been a way for Walmart and Sam’s Club to partner with suppliers, customers, and members to help provide food to people in need. In fact, last year over 870,000 additional meals were provided to families through the East Texas Food Bank thanks to this campaign!

Fight Hunger. Spark Change.  runs in stores and online from April 5 – May 3, 2021. There are four easy ways for customers and members to participate:

Funds raised through Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in our service area will directly benefit the East Texas Food Bank.

Participating suppliers include: Abbott, Bodyarmor, Bush Brothers & Company, Campbell Soup Company, Clif Bar & Company, Ferrera Candy Company, General Mills, Great Value, Iovate Health Sciences, J.M. Smucker, Kellogg’s, Keurig/Mott’s, Kitu Coffee, Kraft Heinz, Materne North America, Mighty Spark, Monster Energy, PEPSICO, Post Consumer Brands, Purina, Simply Good Foods, Strong Roots, The Coca-Cola Company, The Clorox Company, This Saves Lives, Unilever and United States Nutrition.

7 tips on how to vary your protein routine

 
 


When you think of protein do you think of meat on the grill or crispy chicken? While protein is found in animal sources such as meat, poultry and fish it is also in plant sources such as nuts and seeds, peanut butter, eggs, beans and soy products.

We all need protein. Protein is a macronutrient and one of the building blocks of the human body. It plays a role in bone and muscle growth as well as aids in hormone and molecular reactions in the body. Our bodies need 5 to 7 ounces of protein a day (1 or 2 servings of palm-sized protein at each meal).

Here are 7 tips on how to vary your protein routine:

  1. Variety, variety, variety – Set a goal to have a variety of protein in your diet each week whether it is from animal protein (meat, chicken and fish) or plant protein (eggs, peanut butter, nuts and seeds, beans and soy). Try eating fish a couple of times each week or substitute meat for plant protein such as black beans or lentils. Having a variety guarantees we are benefiting from all protein has to offer!
  2. Select lean meat and poultry – Choose lean cuts of meat like round or sirloin and ground beef that is at least 93% lean. Trim or drain fat from meat and remove poultry skin. To save money, select ground turkey or chicken in place of ground beef.
  3. Keep it tasty and healthy – Try grilling, broiling, roasting, or baking—they don’t add extra fat. Some lean meats need slow, moist cooking to be tender—try a slow cooker for them. Avoid breading meat or poultry, which adds calories.
  4. Think small when it comes to protein portions – Protein is an important nutrient, but we often consume it in large portion sizes. Protein should take up ¼ of your plate, think a deck of cards or the size of your palm when fixing your plate.
  5. Eat plant protein foods more often – Try beans and peas (kidney, pinto, black, or white beans; split peas; chickpeas; hummus) and soy products (tofu, tempeh, veggie burgers). They are lower in saturated fat and some are higher in fiber.
  6. Try nuts and seeds – Nuts and seeds may be small but they pack a healthy punch in our diet! They contain protein, healthy fat, iron and fiber. Nuts and seeds are a concentrated source of calories, so eat small portions to keep calories in check. One serving is a handful or about ¼ cup. Nuts and seeds make a great snack or add-in for a crunch in a salad.
  7. Save with eggs– Eggs can be an inexpensive protein option and part of a healthy eating style. Make eggs part of your weekly choices.

For more healthy tips, follow us on Facebook and find more nutrition education tips and recipes here.  

Deep East Texas Resource Center opens to provide services in Lufkin

The East Texas Food Bank has officially opened its newest program, the Deep East Texas Resource Center, at 105 Lofton St. Lufkin, TX 75904. The goal of DETRC is to augment the good work done by Lufkin’s current food pantries and provide a one-stop-shop of wraparound services with a food pantry, benefits assistance and other support services for families in deep East Texas.

The food pantry will operate Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Families don’t have to live in Lufkin to visit the pantry.

The food pantry is meant to serve households at or below the Emergency Food Assistance Program income guidelines. Families that are experiencing a crisis may also qualify for short-term food assistance.

No identification or paperwork is required to receive assistance. Clients will be asked for a verbal declaration of their full name, address, number of people in the household, date of birth and monthly income.

There are two COVID-safe options to receive food from the pantry.

  1. CURBSIDE– To limit the amount of contact with volunteers and food pantry staff, clients can park in the parking lot. They will be greeted by a volunteer, who will obtain the following information: Full name, address, number of people in the household, date of birth, and monthly income. Once this is complete, the volunteer will load food into their vehicle.
  2. INSIDE– For clients that would like to choose their food, they can shop inside. Clients will be greeted at the reception desk, where a volunteer will take their temperature and provide them with a mask if needed. Masks will be required to receive food inside. If the temperature is in a safe range, clients will be asked their full name, address, number of people in the household, date of birth and monthly income. After that, they’ll sit in the waiting area for a short time before walking through our food pantry to select food from a range of shelf-stable items, meat, and fresh produce. Grocery carts will be available.

In addition to the food pantry, the DETRC will host nutrition education classes, provide on-site and virtual benefits assistance and provide access to other services such as Texas Workforce Commission and WIC. A list of all programs and services can be found at www.detrc.org.

DETRC was able to open with funding from a grant provided by the T.L.L. Temple Foundation.

If you would like to support DETRC, you can follow and share the Facebook page, volunteer and donate.

Your generosity keeps us nimble in the fight against hunger

When hunger skyrocketed last spring, friends like you responded. Together, you and the East Texas Food Bank served more neighbors than ever using a new drive-through model. When the food supply chain lagged, you were there with funds to fill the gap.

Thank you. Your generosity truly is the key to keeping us prepared in the ever-changing fight against hunger.

This spring, we need your help once again, as 1 in 5 East Texans continues to struggle. Recovery is slow for neighbors like Kaprenai and her husband, whose employment recently took a hit.

“I’m not working right now, and my husband isn’t working as much as he used to,” shares this local mom. “Our income just dropped suddenly.”

Kaprenai worried they wouldn’t be able to afford nutritious food for their young children. Then, she and her husband discovered a nearby food distribution…and their anxiety evaporated. You helped give them a food box full of fresh fruits and vegetables, cereal, peanut butter, dairy and more.

“This food will help out a lot,” Kaprenai smiles.

If you would like to help families like Kaprenai that the East Texas Food Bank serves each day, you can make a gift online, volunteer with us or have a virtual food drive for your business or organization.

National Nutrition Month: Consult a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

March is National Nutrition Month®️, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics wants to help give everyone the tools to make informed food choices and develop healthful eating and physical activity habits for life. This year’s theme is to Personalize Your Plate, and this week’s message is to: consult a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Anyone can call themselves a nutritionist, but only RDN’s have met the comprehensive standards established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. RDN’s have a bachelor’s degree, are taught a specially designed nutrition curriculum, pass a national registration examination, and complete an extensive supervised internship. About half of all RDN’s have a graduate degree, and many have advanced certifications in specialized fields. RDN’s are the food and nutrition experts and can meet you where you’re at to help you achieve your goals.

Here for 5 tips for working with a RDN.

1.  Ask your doctor for a referral to an RDN

  • Many private insurers, state Medicaid plans, and Medicare cover visits for certain preventive services and health conditions with a referral from your physician.
  • Call your insurance provider and ask questions to find out what nutrition services are covered with your plan.
  • To find a RDN near you, go to https://www.eatright.org/find-an-expert or check with your local hospital, doctor, or insurance company.

2.  Receive personal nutrition advice to meet your goals

  • Whether your goal is to slim down, lower your cholesterol, or to simply eat better, a RDN can help you avoid fad diets and can provide you with a sound, easy to follow plan that is tailored to you, your goals, and your lifestyle.
  • A RDN can help provide you with the best path from where you are now to where you want to be.

3.  Meet RDNs in a variety of settings throughout your community

  • RDNs can be found working in the treatment and prevention of disease, in community and public health settings, in research, and in many other non-traditional work settings.
  • Hospitals – RDNs educate patients about nutrition, provide medical nutrition therapy, provide nutrition support, and manage the foodservice operations.
  • Schools – RDNs create healthy menus, help create wellness policies, and may provide nutrition education to help kids learn about the importance of a balanced diet early on.
  • Community and Public Health Centers – RDNs help the public improve their quality of life through teaching balanced eating habits.
  • Private Practice – RDNs provide individual client counseling to help people meet their goals.

4.  Find an RDN who is specialized to serve your unique needs

  • When you have a chronic disease, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer, it can be hard to know what to eat. A RDN can help you with a personalized eating plan that includes the important nutrients to help you manage your condition.
  • When you have food allergies or sensitivities, a RDN can teach you how to read food labels, help you identify which ingredients to avoid, and help you find tasty substitutions to keep your diet balanced.
  • When you or your child are a picky eater, a RDN can help identify nutritional risks and help recommend strategies to help you or your child achieve a balanced diet.

5.  Thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition – good nutrition benefits other areas of your health and life, including:

  • Reduced risk of chronic disease
  • Improved ability to learn and concentrate
  • Improved ability to fight off illness

Thank you for following along with us for National Nutrition Month. You can also follow us on Facebook and find healthy recipes here.