Doylestown Nutrition

Grow your food!

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Kristie

Wouldn’t you love to know where your food comes from? Don’t spend any more time wondering, spend time gardening! There is so much inspiration for gardening here in Bucks County with all of the lovely local farms around town that grow organic produce. Growing your own food is such a rewarding experience. Not only do you save money and control what goes in your food, you also get to enjoy the freshness of fruits, vegetables, or herbs from your own backyard! Another great thing about gardening is that it’s a great learning experience for your kids. You can get your kids involved and they will be excited about growing and eating healthy foods! Although summer is here it’s not too late to start your own garden! If you aren’t sure how to start gardening, a good way to dip your feet in is starting with a small herb garden. Here is a great link to some gardening tips!

Easy Gluten Free Muffins

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Lauren Gannon

While scrolling endlessly on Facebook, I came across this recipe while watching one of those thirty second cooking videos that have become so popular and decided to try it out. Here is the super simple recipe to these delicious mini muffins!! These are super easy and most ingredients are probably lying around your house! The best part is, no added sugar and no flour! These are great for a snack after dinner or to throw into kids lunches! Enjoy the snow and these delicious gluten free mini muffins!

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Easy Gluten Free Muffins

Author: Lauren Gannon

Recipe type: Gluten Free

Serves: 24 mini muffins

Ingredients

1 banana
¼ tsp baking soda
½ cup peanut butter
1 pinch salt
1 tbsp vanilla
1 egg
3 tbsp honey
Mini chocolate chips for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add all ingredients into a personal size blender and blend until batter forms. Spray muffin tins with a non stick spray and spoon batter evenly into each tin. Sprinkle a few mini chocolate chips as desired. Bake for 8 minutes. Enjoy!

Enjoy!

-Lauren Gannon

Future Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Nutrition Student at West Chester U. & Student Intern at Eat Right Bucks County

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Posted in Blog, dessert, dietitian doylestown, Doylestown, Doylestown Dietician, Easy Mini Muffins, gluten free, healthy, Healthy Stuff, Muffin, no added sugar, Nutrition, Nutrition counseling doylestown, Nutrition Tips for New Year, recipes | Tagged doylestown nutritionist | Comments Off

Fun on the Roots to River Farm

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Lauren Gannon

Last week, Miranda and I traveled to Roots to River farm in New Hope to see what it takes to grow fresh local veggies, herbs and flowers and boy was it hard work. Roots to River is a 60 acre farm that provides fresh produce to farmers markets, local restaurants ( like my favorite Jules Pizza!) and a CSA program. What is a CSA you ask?

CSA: community supported agriculture. People pay for a membership to a farm and get veggies, herbs and maybe flowers depending on the type of membership you have. CSA’s are a great way to support local small farms as well as getting fresh local food that is not only better for you but more delicious! Below are some pictures and small blurbs about our adventure at Roots to River Farm!

Malaika, the young woman who owns the farm, was kind enough to teach Miranda and I what farming was all about! When we first arrived we toured the farm and met the dogs, then we were put right to work. We loaded orders into boxes and put them into a giant refrigerator so they were ready when delivery time came. After that we started the real work it takes to keep up the farm; weeding. We were handed hoes and told where to start hacking away at the ground until all the weeds were gone. It took us an hour or so working in a group of four to do four rows of about 10 yards. Miranda and I were so slow compared to everybody else but the blisters on our thumbs and the calluses on our palms showed our hard work.

We watered the seeds, baby plants and lettuce growing in the green house

We picked onions in the rain. Tons and tons of onions. We put them in groups of four, tied them up, cut the tops off and washed them.

These onions were picked a couple weeks before and were laying out until the stalks turn brown and fall off of the onion. BTW- onions are not on the Low FODMAP diet! I learned that from Kristie Finnan, RDN, LDN who specializes in IBS and GI disorders at her private practice (Eat Right Bucks County in Doylestown & Buckingham, Pa)

Tons of garlic drying out from the ceiling of the barn, it smelled heavenly!

All in all it was a day full of hard work, lots of learning and lots and lots of hard work!

-Lauren Gannon-
(on left)
Future Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Nutrition Student at West Chester U. & Student Intern at Eat Right Bucks County

Posted in bucks county dietician, Dietician 18901, Dietitian 18901, Doyelstown Dietitian, Doylestown Dietician, Eat Right Bucks, Headline, Healthy Stuff, nutrition counseling, Nutritionist 18901, nutritionist bucks county | Comments Off

About Miranda Ortolani

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Miranda Ortolani

Miranda Ortolani is a junior Nutrition/Dietetics major at Penn State University. Miranda is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle that includes a well balanced diet and exercise. “My mom is the cook in the house and she is a very healthy eater, so from a young age I was always fed good meals with great nutritional value!”

In Miranda’s spare time she likes to cook, play the guitar and take adventures new places with her friends. She also enjoys spending time with her dog Shelby and going to the NJ shore! After she completes school and becomes a registered dietitian, she would love to work to inspire people to live happy, healthy lives and to help them realize that a healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to be difficult- it can be fun!

Posted in bucks county dietician, dietetic internship, Dietician 18901, Doylestown Dietician, Eat Right Bucks, Eat Right Bucks County, Healthy Stuff, National Nutrition Month, registered dietitian doylestown | Tagged doylestown nutritionist | Comments Off

The Perfect Summer Breakfast!

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Miranda Ortolani

Acai Bowls are all the hype this summer as they are the perfect way to start your day off right- and the hype is well deserved! Our Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists at Eat Right Bucks County can’t eat enough, especially with local berries on top!

Acai berries are a super-fruit from South America that are high in heart-healthy antioxidants and low in sugar, but contains excellent amounts of iron, calcium, fiber, and vitamin A. Acai berries also increase energy levels, help with digestion, and can aide in weight loss. You can add any toppings you like onto these bowls such as gluten free granola, chia seeds, hemp seeds, peanut butter, some local bucks county fruit, cocoa nibs, coconut flakes, etc. These bowls are healthy, super delicious, and they will keep you full for hours- what more could you ask for?

In the United States, you can find pure and organic pureed acai in the frozen isle of health food stores (you could also switch out acai for frozen pitaya puree, another superfruit!) In the Doylestown Bucks & Montgomery County area, you can find Acai puree at Whole Foods & Wegmans. There are also many up and coming cafes and juice bars that make acai bowls but if you cannot find a place near you, here is how to make them at home in three easy steps! My tip is to use all organic products to make this the healthiest it can be! Here is what you’ll need:

Acai Bowl

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients

1 pack pure and unsweetened frozen Acai (found in the frozen fruit isle at whole foods)
1 Frozen Banana
4 Frozen Strawberries
1/4 cup soy OR almond milk
(can add peanut butter for extra protein!)
1 tbsp. Chia seeds
1/2 cup Granola ( I chose granola made with quinoa for some protein)
1/2 fresh banana

Instructions

add 1 pack of frozen acai, 1 frozen banana, and 4 strawberries into a blender and blend until you get a smooth and thick consistency that is scoopable.
pour mixture into a bowl.
add granola, chia seeds, and 1/2 of a banana on top!

http://eatrightbucks.com/the-perfect-summer-breakfast-doylestown-nutrition/

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Sweet Summer Treats

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Lauren Gannon

The summer heat is in full swing and it’s crucial to stay cool and healthy all summer long. Homemade summer snacks are always so much more delicious and healthy then those that come prepackaged. They are not only healthier, but fun to make and even better to devour. Below I shared some super easy snacks to stay cool all summer long. Trust me your taste buds will thank me. Both recipes are FODMAP diet friendly as well.

Coconut water pops:

Sweet Summer Treats

Ingredients

1/2 Coconut water
8 Strawberries
Handful Blueberries

Instructions

Cut the desired fruits and throw them into the cup and fill the rest with coconut water. Feel free to use any flavor of coconut water and fruit you would like. I chose the pineapple flavor to give it a fresh summery taste. I popped them in freezer with a popsicle stick for a couple hours and then they will be ready to enjoy!
You can also use the Zoku Popsicle maker for quick pops!

http://eatrightbucks.com/sweet-summer-treats/

Coconut water pops

Mini Banana Sandwiches:

This one is really easy and is hands down my favorite summer sweet. All you need is bananas and peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter depending on what you like or different nut allergies. I simply cut the banana into slices and popped a dollop of the yummy butter on the slice to make a sandwich. I put them on a cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up. I left them in the freezer for a couple hours and then they will be ready to eat. YUM!

The final recipe isn’t a recipe at all but a super simple idea for delicious snaking. All you need are a bowl of grapes and to pop them in the freezer. I know silly right?! But frozen grapes are the perfect snack after a long day by the pool or just sitting in the hot sun. When frozen they are crunchy and taste just like candy! They are truly the easiest summer snack!

Don’t forget to stay cool and hydrated this summer! Check back every week for a new blog post!

Have a happy healthy summer Bucks County!

Lauren

Lauren Gannon
Nutrition Student West Chester University
Eat Right Bucks County Intern

Posted in Bucks County, Eat healthy, eat local bucks county, Headline, healthy, healthy eating, Healthy Stuff, Healthy summer snacks, nutritionist bucks county, nutritionist Doylestow, organic, recipes, summer, Sweet summer treats | Comments Off

Healthy, Nut-Free Snacks for School

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Morgan Brod

If peanuts are part of your go to snack that you pack your kids for school, it may be a safe idea to switch it up! Peanut allergies are one of the most common in younger children; many schools and classrooms are even nut-free as a precaution. Although nuts can be present in many easy to pack, go-to snacks there are plenty of quick, on-the-go, healthy snacks to provide for your kids during the school day.

Yogurt

Yogurt is always a great snack. Greek yogurt especially, being high in protein and low in fat, will keep your children full for a sufficient period of time. This way they can focus in school instead of focusing on the grumbling noises coming from their stomach. It takes no preparation time, just right from the fridge to a lunch box!

Vegetables

Another snack idea is raw vegetables. Instead of using peanut butter to dip or unhealthy dressings, try dipping your crunchy, fresh vegetables into hummus! This snack is nut free, easy to pack, and has tons of healthy benefits.

Fruit

Along with vegetables, fruit is another quick and nutrient rich snack to put in your kid’s lunch box. Bananas and apples are easiest, but if that gets boring make a mix of berries in a container to pack! Something sweet and nutritious is a perfect mid-day pick me up for your kids during the school day.

Granola Bars

There are now many natural, barely processed granola bars available. Be sure to stay away from nut-flavored choices and read the label to insure this is a nut free snack, there are plenty of fruit flavors and more to choose from! Some of our favorites are the Kind and Kashi Bars.

Remember, there are plenty of nut-free, quick, healthy snacks to pack your kids to bring to school. Nutrient rich snacks will keep them full longer and give them more energy throughout the day, two very important outcomes of food for a successful day full of learning and fun at school.

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Posted in bucks county dietician, Dietician 18901, Eat Right Bucks County, food allergies doylestown, Healthy Stuff, Nutrition counselor, Nutritionist, nutritionist doylestown, registered dietitian doylestown, registered dietitian nutritionist, The Market at DelVal | Tagged bucks county nutritionist | Comments Off

Healthy, Nut-Free Snacks for School

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Morgan Brod

Yogurt

Vegetables

Fruit

Granola Bars

food allergies doylestown, nutritionist doylestown, nutrition bucks county, 18902 blue cross nutrition, 18901 blue cross nutrition

Spring at Roots to River Farm

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Kristie Finnan

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Nutrition Label Help

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Morgan Brod

Since it is National Nutrition Month, hopefully many of you are trying to be more aware of what you’re eating. Although you may have good intentions, food companies have marketing tactics that can easily trick us into buying the less healthy choices that are available. Here are some easy tips for tricky foods so you do not fall for the label and make the healthy choice you intended.

Juice

Juices are one of the biggest culprits of misleading advertisements. When choosing a juice you always want to make sure it is 100% juice. This will be the most natural juice and not have as much added sugars and flavors as other choices, like juices that are made from concentrate. Fortified juices are also a positive thing to consider when choosing a brand. For example, orange juice will often have added Vitamins in it.

Granola Bars

Granola bars are a great snack to have in the house. They are easy to take with you on the go, which is very important for most of us during our busy days! But, there are a lot of granola bars out there that have much more sugar then nutritional value. In order to choose the healthier options, look for low sugar on the label. Granola bars that have higher fiber content are also normally a good indication of good nutritional value.

Peanut Butter

Besides reading the label, a way to know you are choosing healthy peanut butter, made with real ingredients, is that there should be some natural oils lying on top of the solidified product. When reading the label, you will see that peanut butter has a high amount of fat. Don’t worry, this fat is ok! As long as it is eaten in proper portion sizes, peanut butter provides healthy fats your body needs. What you don’t want to see on the label is ingredients other then peanuts, especially not added sugars.

In general, when looking at a nutrition label – the less ingredients, the better. When a label has a very long list of ingredients there are most likely food additives that are unnecessary and unhealthy to consume. You should be able to recognize the names of the ingredients of the foods you’re choosing to buy as well.

If you are looking for a product that is a rich source of a nutrient, it is important to look at the daily values (the % listed on). For example, if you want a food that is a good source of fiber, do not only trust if the box says “good source of fiber!” If the daily value is 20% or more, it is considered a good, rich source of that nutrient.

It is important to not buy food blindly or based on brand, always check the label, and if you are unsure seek a Registered Dietitian for label help!

Eat Right Bucks County has offices in Doylestown & Buckingham, Pa. We have four Registered & Licensed Dietitians/Nutritionist here to help you learn how to eat healthy, lose weight, tackle medical conditions and customize a personalized plan for you! And did you know most insurance plans cover Nutrition Counseling? Plans including Blue Cross- Personal Choice & Keystone East, Aetna, Cigna & More!