Eat Well in a SNAP

12/10/2025

Do you live in Flint? Check out these deals for your holiday meals.

12/10/2025

Have you ever made breakfast in a slow cooker?

Because your slow cooker can do way more than pot roast and chili. Click the link in the comments to read more ⬇️

12/10/2025

Good tips when you need a little extra help.

When it’s cold outside, families and individuals may need extra support with food, housing or paying bills. Here are four ways to get help during cold weather:

• Call 211 or visit Mi211.org to connect with help right in your community.
• If your heating or electric service has been shut off, visit https://bit.ly/3Y7W3g7.
• For help paying energy and weatherization costs, visit https://bit.ly/3Ktk0vk.

12/07/2025

Question: I have a question about popcorn. If a cup of popcorn contains approximately 5-6 carbs, am I measuring that cup of unpopped kernels or popped kernels?

Answer: Excellent question! Popcorn is unique because preparing, or cooking, popcorn kernels dramatically changes their size. A popcorn kernel can expand up to forty times its original size when popped! One cup of unpopped kernels makes about 32 cups of popped popcorn. Check out this handy infographic https://buff.ly/cMKVZdR from the Popcorn Board for Unpopped to Popped conversions.

The measurement of popcorn with approximately 5-6 grams of carbohydrate, or carbs, would be one cup of popped popcorn. It’s always a good idea to check the nutrition facts label as most packages of popcorn kernels include nutrition information for both unpopped kernels and popped popcorn. Happy popping!

For more Q&As, tap the link: https://buff.ly/TL1MICT

12/05/2025

Question: Hi there! As a vegan, I’m finding it challenging to incorporate enough protein into my diet. I’m looking for protein powders that I can easily mix into my breakfast. Ideally, these options should be gentle on my digestion. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Answer: Most Americans, including vegans, eat enough protein but could benefit from increased variety in their protein choices. In general, most adults need between 5- to 7-ounce equivalents of protein each day. To calculate your unique needs, check out the MyPlate Plan. You can also find a table of ounce-equivalent protein foods on the MyPlate Protein Foods page. This can help you keep track of what you’re currently getting.

Generally, it is recommended to meet your nutrient and protein needs with food choices. However, with the limited choices of plant-based protein foods, if you have strong food preferences, you may struggle to get enough. If this is the case, supplementing with a protein powder may help you meet your protein goals.

There are many vegan protein powder supplement options on the market. These products contain a wide variety of plant-based protein. Some examples are pea protein, nuts and seeds, h**p, and brown rice. Here are three things to consider when searching for a protein powder that will work for you.

Protein source - If you have any food allergies or sensitivities, you’ll want to carefully consider the protein sources and other ingredients. Some are gentler on the stomach than others.

Sweetener - Some protein powders have added sugars. Others may contain artificial sweeteners. Depending on your nutrition goals and what you’re adding the powder to, you may want to look for an unflavored and unsweetened option.

Third-Party Testing - Protein powders are supplements, and supplements are not regulated by the FDA. We recommend looking for products that have gone through third-party testing to ensure quality and accuracy of the nutrition claims.

Once you find a product that meets your goals, it really becomes a game of trial and error. If you experience digestive discomfort after consuming a protein powder, consider taking the powder as smaller servings throughout the day, combining the protein powder with whole foods, ensuring you’re drinking enough water, or trying a different type of protein powder. Some companies sell sample sizes of their products. This can be a cost-effective way to try multiple products until you find something that feels like a good fit. Best of luck!

For more Q&As, tap the link: https://buff.ly/TL1MICT

12/03/2025

Question: I’m interested in losing weight but am not sure how to do it safely. What I should be eating for healthy weight loss?

Answer: Weight loss can be a tricky subject because there are a lot of individual things to consider. Additionally, losing and staying at a lower weight can be hard for most folks and it’s not without risks.

There’s no quick fix or magic button when it comes to weight loss. But focusing on your main goal can help. Ask yourself, “Why do I want to lose weight?” Is it to manage a health condition? To do an activity more easily? To feel more confident? You might find your true goal isn’t really about weight. Small changes, like eating balanced meals with lots of fruits and veggies, being active, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress, can help you feel better, no matter your weight.

If your goal does include your body weight (whether it’s losing, gaining, or maintaining), it helps to understand your body’s needs. The MyPlate Plan is a great place to start. By entering your basic information, you’ll get an estimate of how many calories your body needs each day. Once you choose a plan, it will also recommend how much to eat from each food group. You can print or download your plan to track your progress.

The MyPlate Plan helps you build a healthy eating pattern that gives your body the nutrients it needs—without cutting too many calories. If weight loss is your goal, slow and steady is best. Losing weight too fast can be unsafe and hard to maintain.

You may also want to talk with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. They can help you make a meal plan that fits your lifestyle, health needs, and goals, and adjust it as your needs change over time.

To find a nutrition expert, tap the link for Find a Nutrition Expert at https://buff.ly/QZTthT1. Some health insurance plans cover visits with a dietitian. Check with your provider for more details.

For more Q&As, tap the link:

Eating healthy doesn't have to be confusing. Our registered dietitian nutritionists will your questions here on Eat Well in a SNAP.

12/02/2025

It's still hunting season out there!

New to cooking with venison? This quick guide breaks down the basics and shows how easy it is to use in everyday meals.

11/21/2025

This Native American Heritage Month, celebrate your heart health and your heritage. The Anishinaabek Cooking Resources make it easy to prepare heart-healthy, traditional meals using local ingredients and simple cooking steps. Each monthly set includes recipes, nutrition tips, and cooking videos rooted in Anishinaabe culture.https://buff.ly/zRNNFjD

11/19/2025

A heads up for Grand Rapids folks.

FREE or Low Cost Thanksgiving Meals!
🦃 This holiday, several restaurants & organizations are offering free meals.
🦃 Here’s a list of those places with details→ https://grkids.com/free-thanksgiving-meals/

PS: Some require pre-registration.
If you know of any other place offering a free Thanksgiving meal, please let us know so we can add it to the list.

11/19/2025

A great new resource featuring recipes that feed four people for about five bucks.

Good food is affordable. That’s the idea behind 4 for $5 from Mitten Eats. Check out the collection of recipes that can feed four people (or more) for around five dollars. https://mitteneats.org/recipes/

11/17/2025

This time of year we put squash on everything, even pizza!