Nutrition

Bowl of cereal with banana on a table.

All About Fiber

— Alex Bosse Have you ever been told to get more fiber in your diet? If you are like most Americans, you probably are not getting enough. According to Stanford Medicine, only about 5% of the population meets daily recommendations for fiber. Adding fiber to your meals does not mean having to eat bland tasting […]

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Gluten-free cookie letters form a phrase on a turquoise background

5 Tips for Making Gluten-Free Foods Taste Good

— Kate Yerxa As a Registered Dietitian with Cooperative Extension, I get to spend part of my day testing tasty and healthful recipes and, at times, how to make them gluten-free. I was diagnosed with celiac disease almost 20 years ago, and gluten-free products have come a long way since then. I will admit that […]

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Fresh produce area of a grocery store.

From Natural to Non-GMO: Decoding Common Food Labels

— Alex Bosse Have you ever looked closely at the packaging of food products at the grocery store and felt overwhelmed? Between labels such as “natural,” “pasture-raised,” and “non-GMO,” you may be wondering what they actually mean for your health, conscience, and wallet. Marketing claims on the front of packages are designed to catch your […]

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Blueberry shake in a mason jar with frozen blueberries on the top

Smoothies: Let Your Blender Shine!

— Amelia Sullivan They’re quick, customizable, and easy to enjoy! Smoothies are a go-to for busy mornings, after physical activity, and everything in between. Beyond being trendy, they offer a simple way to help meet daily fruit needs. Why Fruit Intake Matters Eating fruits gives your body important nutrients like fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and […]

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Crispy Chicken Pieces in Modern Air Fryer

Air Fryer 101

— Alex Bosse Back in 2021, my mom gifted me her air fryer. To be honest, it sat in the box for a long time because I had no clue how to use it. That finally changed when I taught a workshop last year where we made crispy air-fried chickpeas. After one bite, I was […]

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Clear glass of milk.

What’s In Your Glass? A Guide to Milk and Plant-Based Alternatives

— Alex Bosse Walking down the dairy aisle can feel overwhelming. You’re faced with a wall of choices, from skim to 1%, 2%, whole, and dozens of plant-based alternatives. How do you know which one is the best choice for you and your family? Let’s clear up the confusion by breaking down the definitions and […]

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The Truth About Seed Oils: Fact vs. Fiction

— Alex Bosse You may have seen headlines or social media posts claiming that seed oils are bad for your health. With so much conflicting health information being circulated, these claims have many people wondering if they should toss their canola oil for good. However, much of the buzz surrounding these oils doesn’t match up […]

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Woman Holding Bottles of Juice in her Hands

Fad or Fabulous? Unpacking the Latest Diet Trends

— By Brigette Williamson, Dietetic Intern, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Alex Gayton & Kate Yerxa Fad diets often promise rapid weight loss or health benefits, but they typically lack scientific backing and are not sustainable in the long term. Keep reading to learn how to spot a fad diet and embrace eating habits that […]

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Eggs and green and orange vegetables cooking on a stovetop in a black frying pan.

7 Stovetop Recipes for Your New Apartment

— By Brigette Williamson, Dietetic Intern, University of Maine Cooperative Extension & Kate Yerxa, MS, RD, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Moving into your first apartment is both exciting and scary. When it comes to planning what to cook, it can be intimidating if recipes require special utensils or tools. However, you don’t […]

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A large variety of different-sized and colored pumpkins on a wooden table.

Pumpkins: More Than Just a Jack-O-Lantern

— By Kate Yerxa, MS, RD, Extension Professor, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Pumpkins are a type of winter squash and are an excellent source of vitamin A, which is what gives them their deep yellow to deep orange color. Vitamin A is important for keeping your skin healthy, preventing eye problems, and promoting a […]

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