One of the tragic ironies of the obesity problem is that those who are most at risk for obesity are also most at risk for food insecurity and hunger. The common root of food insecurity and obesity is the lack of access to nutritious food.
Let’s Move South Dakota supports hunger relief efforts by encouraging families to:
- Cook at home using inexpensive ingredients. Some of our favorites:
- roasted sweet potatoes,
- lentils and brown rice, (start video at about minute 2:27)
- beans and rice.
– 1/2 lb pinto beans cleaned and picked over.
– 5 cups water.
– 2 tablespoon oil.
– 1 onion, chopped.
Put all the ingredients in a slow cooker or Crockpot(c) and cook on high for about 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Ingredients can be doubled to make more. Increase cooking time about an hour.For a delicious bean dish, brown 2 slices bacon. Add 2 cups of slow cooker beans and 1 teaspoon thyme. Serve over brown rice. - Number 1 Pantry soup
– 1 small onion
– 1 Tablespoon olive oil
– 1 bag frozen mixed veggies
– 1 14 oz. can tomatoes
– 1 cup elbow macaroni
– 6 cups water
– Salt and pepper
– 1/2 tsp dried basil (optional)
Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Chop up onion and cook in oil for 3 minutes. Add the other ingredients, cover and let simmer for at least half an hour. Longer won’t hurt anything.You could also add greens such as kale, or lean hamburger or chicken – brown with the onion, or lentils. Serve with whole wheat bread for a hearty dinner.
- Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Women Infants and Children (WIC) and free/reduced school lunch benefits if eligible.
- Donate nutritious food to the local pantry. When donating non-perishables to the local food pantry, look for low/no sodium, no sugar added, whole grain versions of the following:
– canned beans
– soups
– canned fruit and vegetables
– cereals (i.e. rolled oats)
– pasta (more than 50% whole wheat)
– peanut butter
– tuna
– crackers
– spaghetti sauce - Support an at risk family. Do you have a family member, a co-worker, a member of your faith community or even someone part of your social media network that might be at risk for hunger? You can help.
– Invite them to share a meal with you from cooking to clean up, family style. Develop a simple menu using inexpensive ingredients (vegetarian tacos, fried rice with lots of veggies, chili & potato bar) and be sure to include vegetables and fruit.
– Help them connect with Bountiful Baskets (a produce co-operative) if your community offers it. If it doesn’t, look into bringing Bountiful Baskets to your community.
– Purchase extra fruit and give to families with children. A pretty “fruit bowl” that is kept eye level and within reach of older children makes it easier for fruit to be the default snack of choice.
Learn more about hunger and obesity through this online video: http://video.kacvtv.org/video/2200752389
Let's Move South Dakota 