March marks the annual celebration of National Nutrition Month. Through the support of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Nutrition Month grew from National Nutrition Week back in the 1970s to, now, a month-long focus on healthy eating partnered with physical activity. “Put Your Best Fork Forward” is the theme for National Nutrition Month…

With some of the highest levels of disease-fighting antioxidants, cherries make for a yummy, nutritious snack! They are also packed with vitamin C, potassium, and melatonin which aid the body’s sleep pattern. There are several varieties of cherries that range in color from pale yellow to deep red and some taste tart or sweet. They…

Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, manganese and fiber. In fact, 1 medium sweet potato gives you over 300% of the vitamin A you need per day which is very good for our eyesight. They are also a good source of complex carbohydrates, while being low in sodium and calories. All this…

Heart Disease Fast Facts (Sourced from heartfoundation.org) 1. Heart disease (which includes Heart Disease, Stroke and other Cardiovascular Diseases) is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 787,000 people alone in 2011. 2. Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives than all forms of cancer combined. 3. Coronary heart disease is the most…

Hope everyone had a happy and healthy holiday season! Are you ready to face a new year? Do you have any new resolutions you’ve set out to accomplish? I just wanted to share a resource for those of you who may want encouragement in achieving your healthy eating or physical activity resolutions. On January 3,…

At any time of the year the daily work of the Food Bank warehouse staff fills a full day and then some. Stocking the Food Center space with dry and canned goods, fresh produce, bread and dairy, ensuring a safe and accessible space for all organizations picking up food, and cleaning and re-stocking regularly keep…

Food, when broken down in our bodies, provides fuel in the form of glucose in our bloodstream. For this glucose to be utilized by our bodies, insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas) is essential. It helps carry the glucose from the bloodstream to various parts of the body. Diabetes affects how the body uses…

We are celebrating National Fig Week on the first week of November. Fresh figs are usually in season from late summer through early fall, although dried figs are available all year round. Figs are sweet, succulent, and packed with fiber, calcium, potassium, iron and disease-fighting antioxidants. Four popular varieties of figs are grown here, in…

Foreword by Callie Brust, Nutrition & Wellness Educator for the San Diego Food Bank: The San Diego community is wonderfully diverse and the San Diego Food Bank is proud to serve many of these varying culture groups. With all these international influences, we get to learn and share amazing recipes! The San Diego Food Bank’s…

Bananas are always popular and can be found year round. This sweet, tropical fruit is packed with potassium, fiber and vitamin C. Bananas provide instant energy and are like whole food ‘cereal bars’ that are delicious, nutritious, economical and widely available. Here is a recipe for a quick, and easy banana bread. Recipe: Eggless Banana…