Social media is a powerful thing; it allows people to obtain information any time they want at the blink of an eye. Social media’s increasing role in nutrition education will only continue to foster a healthier America. For example, the American Heart Association’s website includes very pertinent and essential information about a lifestyle that is conducive to a healthy heart. The section entitled “Dining Out Tips by Cuisine” really caught my attention. Motives for eating go way beyond needing food to live; eating also has a role in culture and socialization; this is especially true for eating out. We are lucky enough to live in a country popularly deemed as the “melting pot”. With this, we are able to enjoy the cuisine of many different nations. Every time I go back home for a school break, I look forward to my favorite restaurants (as I’m sure many of you do the same for your respective hometowns as well). AHA’s article offers encouragement for those who choose to dine out, including heart-healthy options that are low in saturated fats and trans fat that are typically associated with a rise in blood cholesterol.
The most interesting thing about the article is that the AHA breaks down their tips by meal, such as breakfast, ethnic foods, like Thai and Indian, and even by types of restaurants, like fast food, vegetarian, or even steakhouses. By doing this, the AHA appeals to all readers, regardless of their food preferences. The AHA recognizes that different cultures have different cuisine norms, and it does its best in adapting to these cultural differences. Moreover, the article provides basic tips like making special requests for healthier swaps and keeping portion size in mind.
I’m a strong believer in the saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”, so I
Your heart will thank you after this avocado and egg white breakfast sandwich on a whole grain bagel.
naturally decided to check out the breakfast section first. Breakfast is notoriously synonymous with some of the heart’s biggest enemies, such as breakfast meats loaded with saturated fat, baked goods with tons trans-fat, and eggs with enough cholesterol for the entire week! Tips for a healthier breakfast include whole grain bread and waffles, low-fat products, fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and substituting good ol’ fashioned eggs with the healthier egg white alternative.
What was most surprising to me about this piece of nutrition education was the lack of nutrition jargon that AHA left out; the American Heart Association beautifully breaks down the complex and ever-changing world of nutrition and puts the information into layman’s terms. Even those who lack basic knowledge about nutrition are able to enact the tips put forth by the AHA. As a nutrition educator, I would refer this article to those who are having difficulty eating healthy while they are dining out. I know many people, including myself, feel a little bit restricted and tend to eat a little more on the unhealthier side when they go to a restaurant. This does not always need to be the case, as demonstrated by the AHA. Moreover, as a nutrition educator, I would try to make this information more accessible, perhaps by creating a phone application or pocket-sized cards with similar concepts and information.