LSU AgNutrition program provides information, lunch

By: Tammi Arender tarender@agcenter.lsu.edu

WINNSBORO – For some people, diet is a four letter word, and staying slim and trim is a struggle.
That’s why the LSU AgCenter program Noon Nibbles doesn’t focus on dieting but on creating a lifestyle you can live with, said AgCenter nutrition agent Saundra Raines.
Raines’ monthly Noon Nibbles program invites adults to learn about the foods they eat and enjoy a delicious healthy recipe.
“A lot of people just don’t know a food’s nutrition information unless they’ve taken specific classes in school,”
Raines said. “They don’t know portion sizes. We have hands-on activities where they can see the amount of food they’re supposed to be eating.”
Portion distortion is one of the biggest culprits of weight gain, so it’s important to know your serving sizes for proteins and carbohydrates, she said.
“At Noon Nibbles we actually play a game of nutrition Jeopardy, so it’s fun to learn about what you put in your body and its nutritional value,” Raines said.
“Plus, we feed you a healthy meal. You discover you actually like it, and we give you the recipe so you can go home and make it for your family.”
Each month the program focuses on a different healthy lifestyle component.
Whether portion size, the amount of fat in a fast food item or what to look for on a food label, each one-hour session provides valuable information.
Living in a food-loving state like Louisiana presents a challenge for maintaining a healthy weight, Raines said.
“If you know it’s not a healthy choice, then eat it in moderation,” she said. “No one needs to eat a completely fat-free or carbohydrate-free diet.
Our bodies need both a small amount of fat and some carbohydrates to function properly.”