All Categories
American Indian/Alaska Native Foods
American Indian/Alaska Native foods are wholesome, fresh foods that offer important nutrients for good health and also high energy. These foods include berries, fresh fish, and game meats like elk and deer.
Baby foods prepare infants for eating solids foods. These pureed, blended, or mashed foods train a baby's palate to recognize and appreciate flavor combinations. They also teach a baby how to chew and swallow properly.
Baked products contain nutrients like folate, iron, protein, and magnesium. They include fresh baked breads and rolls, pastries like doughnuts and pies, and also flat breads like tortillas and pitas.
Beef products have long played an important role in people's diets. Foods like hamburgers, steaks, flank cuts, and beef roasts contain iron, folate, protein, and Vitamin B that people need for good health.
Beverages help keep people hydrated and also can help kidney function. They also can contain nutrients like Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and protein. Beverages like coffee and soda also can contain caffeine and sugar.
Breakfast cereals offer important nutrients like carbohydrates, fiber, sodium, magnesium, iron, folate, and Vitamin D. Cereals like oatmeal and farina can be eaten hot while cereals like raisin bran and shredded wheat are eaten cold with milk.
Cereal grains and pasta like spaghetti, rigatoni, and ravioli are good sources of carbohydrates and iron. They help boost energy and also can help build muscle and bones.
Dairy and egg products can be found in most modern diets throughout the world today. They include whole milk, butter, powdered eggs, egg yolks and whites, cheeses, and ice cream.
Fast foods include hamburgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, French fries, chicken nuggets and strips, breakfast burritos, tater tots, and tacos. These foods can be high in protein and iron, but also high in sodium and fat.
Fats and oils help with skin and nail growth and also joint and bone health. Examples of fats and oils include margarine, sunflower oil, shortening, and also canola oil.
Finfish and Shellfish Products
High in fiber, iron, and protein, finfish and shellfish are low in fat and high in nutrition. These products range from fresh lobster and crab to canned tuna and frozen shrimp.
Fruits and fruit juices are high in Vitamin C and considered to be important for good immune health. These foods can be found fresh, frozen, or also as canned or jarred varieties.
Lamb, veal, and game products are typically low in fat and high in protein and iron. They can be purchased at the grocery store or hunted in the wild.
Legumes and legume products are high in iron and protein. They include peanut butter, black beans, and lima beans. They can be substituted for red meat in vegan and vegetarian diets.
Meals, Entrees, and Side Dishes
Meals, entrees, and side dishes play an important role in a family's busy meal schedule. They consist of frozen entrees and also prepared salads and pasta dishes like macaroni salad.
Nut and seed products like shelled or whole sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds, and butters and pastes made out of nuts and seeds are high in important nutrients like iron, protein, and sodium.
Pork products include bacon, Canadian bacon, sausage, pork roasts and chops, and ground pork. High in protein and magnesium, pork is vital to good kidney health and function.
Chicken and turkey belong to the poultry product group, along with game birds like pheasant, duck, dove, and quail. These foods are high in protein, iron, and Vitamin B and can be eaten roasted, fried, broiled, or baked.
Restaurant foods are varied in both form and nutrition level. They range from steaks and lobster to hamburgers and hot dogs. They can also include French fries, steamed vegetables, and desserts.
Sausages and luncheon meats are good sources of protein, iron, and sodium. They include Italian sausage and bratwurst as well as blood sausage, sliced ham, sliced roast beef, and also hot dogs.
Snacks are a favorite with most consumers today. They range from whole wheat crackers to popcorn and dried fruit. This category can also include pudding and gelatin cups, dessert cakes, and also potato chips.
Soups, sauces, and gravies are good sources of sodium, Vitamin B, Vitamin K, iron, and protein. They are most often made from meat drippings or bullion. They can also be made from pureed vegetables like tomatoes.
Spices and herbs can be either fresh or dried. Popular varieties of these foods include thyme, rosemary, garlic, and onion. Salt and pepper are also commonly used to add flavor to food.
Sweets are most often desserts like cakes and pies. They can also be breakfast pastries like cheese or fruit danishes. Sweets are good sources of sodium, iron, and carbohydrates.
Vegetables and Vegetable Products
Vegetables and vegetable products can be purchased as fresh, frozen, jarred, or canned foods. Popular items in this group include whole fresh vegetables and also vegetable juices, purees, and dried varieties.