By adulthood, most of us have a pretty good understanding of which foods are considered the healthiest. But building a healthy lifestyle isn’t as simple as knowing what to eat.
Our busy, fast-paced lives demand more. We need a community that meets us where we are and makes healthy eating more of an attainable goal and less of a chore. We need access to inexpensive, natural ingredients, convenient and quick recipes, and motivation to keep going.
As it turns out, Wisconsin’s Fox Cities are up for the challenge, offering support, accessibility, and education right where we live, work, and play. If you’re ready to pursue good nutrition, here are a few resources to help you turn your knowledge of healthy food into a healthy lifestyle.
Downtown Appleton Farm Market
Sure, the grocery store has plenty to offer when it comes to quality, nutritious food. But if you’re in search of the freshest fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses, breads and baked goods, and specialty food items, the Downtown Appleton Farm Market is your best bet.
Located on College Avenue, the expansive market extends from Appleton Street to Drew Street, as well as Morrison Street and Houdini Plaza. You can enjoy the outdoor shopping experience every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the months of June through October.
“Because it’s free and open to the public, the Appleton Farm Market is truly one of the most accessible means of providing all members of our community with nutritious, reasonably priced food items,” said Djuanna Hugdahl, Community Partnership Director for Appleton Downtown Inc. “Better yet, it offers an opportunity to get outside, listen to some live music, and enjoy everything downtown Appleton has to offer.”
With more than 150 vendors, Appleton’s Farm Market is the largest in the area. However, there are several additional village and farmers markets to take advantage of throughout northeast and central Wisconsin, including those in Neenah, Kaukauna, Greenville, Menasha, Little Chute, Berlin, New London, Shawano, and Waupaca.
Meal Planning
“What’s for Dinner?”
For many of us, this is a question we hear daily. It can be challenging to find healthy meal options that fit your schedule and family’s preferences — all while trying to balance work, parenting obligations, and extracurricular activities. That’s where meal planning comes in.
“Meal planning is a critical component to managing weight and maintaining overall health and well-being,” said Ashley Krautkramer, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at ThedaCare. “Without proper planning, it’s easy to fall into the habit of making poor food choices or even skipping a meal.”
According to Krautkramer, successful meal planning should include eight key steps:
- Determine the duration of meal planning that works best for you. If planning a full week of meals is too overwhelming, start with one or two meals and increase from there.
- Prep ahead. Preparing the next day’s lunches — or even portions of the following night’s dinner — the night before can make the process easier.
- Embrace variety. Try to incorporate at least one new recipe a week to avoid growing bored with your meal plan.
- Plan for an emergency meal. Always have bottled water and a protein bar or string cheese on hand for instances where you don’t have time to cook or access to healthy options.
- Get your family involved. Keep a dry erase board in the kitchen that shows what each day’s meals will consist of, and ask for suggestions from each family member.
- Make a list. Avoid making several trips to the grocery store or getting distracted by sale displays. Make a list of what you need, and stick to it.
- Stock up on staples. Keep items like frozen veggies, beans and canned meats on hand. These make easy additions to any meal.
- Don’t strive for perfection. Start slow, and enjoy the process. Use meal planning as an opportunity to experiment with new foods and learn as you go.
“There are a lot of options out there, and even more distractions,” Krautkramer says. “No matter how much you know about healthy eating, you’re bound to have a misstep or two. Leaning on your primary care provider for advice and taking advantage of local resources and educational opportunities can empower you to make healthier choices for you and your family.”
Good nutrition is critical to your health and well-being. Speak with your primary care provider about available resources and expertise you can lean on to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
