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NUTRITION The Midwest Cattleman · February 25, 2021 · P12
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More of that good home cooking “As people have become more personal nutritional needs and mune system. “So does vitamin A,
One of the more positive out- concerned with their health and preferences. which is found in carrots, broccoli,
comes from the COVID-19 pan- more aware of the connection “Consumers will continue to be spinach, sweet potatoes, red bell
demic has been the increase in the between nutrition and well-be- more specific about what types of peppers, apricots and other foods
number of people cooking meals ing, they are now more focused food and products they feel will fortified with vitamin A such as
at home, says Odessa Keenan, on preparing healthier meals for provide them with safe and nu- milk,” she says. “The same goes
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension themselves and their families,” tritious options,” she says. “Peo- for vitamin C, which you get from
Service program coordinator for she says. “This is a trend that ple are increasingly curious and citrus fruits, strawberries, bell
the agency’s Dinner Tonight ini- has been growing, and we expect knowledgeable about ingredients peppers and tomatoes.”
tiative, Bryan-College Station. to continue through 2021 and be- and nutritional content, as well as Anding also noted that vita-
“For the majority of 2020, peo- yond.” where their foods come from.” min E, which is found in sunflow-
ple have mostly had to stay at Keenan says to help provide Seguin-Fowler also noted that er seeds, almonds, peanut butter
home and have generally been busy families with quick, healthy shortages of some foods and other and avocados, works as an anti-
unable to enjoy their favorite and cost-effective recipes that food-access challenges during the oxidant and can also help support
restaurants unless it’s for take- are also tasty, AgriLife Extension pandemic have drawn consum- immune function. Zinc, found in
out,” Keenan says. “As a result, developed the Dinner Tonight er attention to alternative food poultry, seafood, lean meats, milk,
more people have begun — or re- program. The program provides choices. whole grains, beans, seeds and
turned to — cooking at home. And free recipes and offers free week- “People have discovered new nuts, also supports the immune
while this trend began mainly out ly video demonstrations on food foods or have found alternatives system and plays a role in wound
of necessity, it will likely continue preparation techniques, nutri- to the foods they typically pur- healing.
because people have found it to be tion topics, menu planning and chase,” she says. “In some instanc- “These are just some of the nu-
an enjoyable experience.” healthy living. es, they may have decided these trients that can play a role in sup-
“People are increasingly curi- More attention to food quality, foods were as good as or better porting a healthy immune sys-
ous and knowledgeable about in- food chain than their regular choices.” tem,” she says. “Other beneficial
gredients and nutritional content, Rebecca Seguin-Fowler, as- Greater focus on foods that nutrients include vitamins B6,
as well as where their foods come sociate director of Texas A&M support the immune system B12 and folate, as well as miner-
from.” — Rebecca Seguin-Fowler AgriLife Research and associate The COVID-19 pandemic has als such as copper, selenium and
Keenan says home meal prepa- professor in the Department of also made consumers more aware iron.”
ration allows people to personal- Nutrition and Food Science in of the importance of nutrition in a Anding noted the best way to
ize their food choices, is general- Texas A&M’s College of Agricul- healthy immune system. obtain these nutrients is through
ly healthier and less expensive, ture and Life Science, says great- “Eating a healthy diet is one food.
saves travel time, and makes it er transparency in each link of way to support a healthy immune “No single nutrient is going to
easier to watch calories. the food chain will be another im- system,” says Jenna Anding, pro- protect you from illness,” Anding
“Preparing meals and dining at portant nutrition trend for 2021. fessor and AgriLife Extension says. “Choose a diet that includes
home also helps with family bond- “In recent years, consumers specialist in the Department a variety of nutrient-dense foods,
ing and creates a more intimate have been eager for more trans- of Nutrition and Food Science. including fruits, vegetables, lean
experience than taking the family parency related to the foods they “There are many nutrients that meats, whole grains, nuts, seeds
to a crowded restaurant,” Keenan eat and beverages they drink,” she benefit the immune system and and low-fat dairy products. And
says. “Not only that, cooking with says. “They want to know where overall health.” check with a registered dietitian
the family helps teach kids an im- and how their food is grown — Consumers are now more or your health care provider be-
portant skill and can help them and what, if any, alterations are aware of the importance of foods fore taking any nutritional sup-
create healthier eating habits.” made to a product before it gets to that serve to boost the immune plements.”
Keenan says home cooking their table.” system.
also allows the flexibility of choos- Seguin-Fowler says consumers For example, Anding says the Texas A&M AgriLife
ing more healthful ingredients for look for brands they can trust to protein found in lean meats, poul-
making meals with fewer calories, deliver a high-quality, consistent, try, eggs, seafood, beans, peas and
saturated fats and sugars. safe experience that meets their nuts can help support the im-

KANSAS CATTLEMAN AND VETERAN JERRY honor and opportunity to give you better do it with the National
BOHN NAMED NCBA PRESIDENT back to the industry that made Cattlemen's Beef Association, or
me who I am today and for that I it is not going to get done. This
The Nation- Flint Hills, to his time on Kansas am forever grateful.” is the greatest testament to the
al Cattlemen’s State University’s award-win- Bohn’s term as president along grassroots power of our members
Beef Associa- ning livestock judging team, and with a new officer team was ap- and state affiliates. It is why I
tion (NCBA) eventually serving 34 years as proved by NCBA’s board of direc- am so proud to represent NCBA
concluded its the manager of Pratt Feeders, a tors. Don Schiefelbein of Minne- as President and it is the reason
virtual Win- commercial cattle feeding opera- sota was named president-elect, I get up every day, ready to fight
ter Business tion in his home state of Kansas. Todd Wilkinson of South Dakota for the American producer."
Meeting with He has also dedicated his time was elected vice president. Wyo- The National Cattlemen's
the election of as a leader for several state-level ming rancher Mark Eisele was Beef Association (NCBA) has
Jerry Bohn, a associations, using his expertise elected chair of the NCBA Policy represented America's cattle pro-
cattle produc- and experiences to mentor the Division and Nebraska cattle pro- ducers since 1898, preserving
er from Wichita, Kan., as NCBA next generation of industry advo- ducer Buck Wehrbein was elected the heritage and strength of the
president. cates. policy vice chair. Clay Burtrum of industry through education and
Bohn, a retired Lieutenant “As I look forward to this year Oklahoma and Brad Hastings of public policy. As the largest asso-
Colonel in the U.S. Army Re- as NCBA president, I have im- Texas were elected as chair and ciation of cattle producers, NCBA
serves, has been a part of the cat- mense pride for the cattle indus- vice chair of the NCBA Federa- works to create new markets and
tle industry his entire life. Bohn try and our dues-paying members tion Division, respectively. increase demand for beef. Efforts
has had an expansive career that help to make this the leading "I have heard quite a few pro- are made possible through mem-
in the cattle industry since his cattle organization representing ducers in the past year say if you bership contributions.
early days of custom grazing cat- U.S. producers,” said Bohn. “Be- want to get something done in
tle with his family in the Kansas coming president is my greatest Washington, D.C. in agriculture, NCBA