MOW Blog

How the Flu Virus, Vaccine, and Medications Work

Thursday, January 30, 2020

by Marycela Barron, RDN, LD

The current news cycle is filled with stories on the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in late 2019 linked to an open-air seafood and animal market. The coronavirus has not been identified and currently there are four people in the US confirmed to be infected.

The influenza virus, or the flu, comes in four types: A, B, C, and D.

Humans are susceptible, or can get sick, from types A, B, and C. Type D affects cattle. Type C will cause the mildest of illnesses of the three types. Types A and B can both cause serious illness, but type A mutates more rapidly than B and...

HEALTHY HOLIDAYS

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

By Marycela Barron, RD, LD

The holidays are here and with the season comes many festive activities, and, of course, lots of food. While some of the choices may be high in empty calories, such as high in sugar, saturated fat and low in protein and fiber, there are ways to navigate the season in a healthy manner.

Here are a few tips to get you and your family started!

The holidays are not occurring all season long. For example, you may celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year in the months of November through January. Keep in mind, those are only three days! Be mindful of this as you celebrate the season, where...

The Nutrition Care Process and You

Monday, November 4, 2019

By Marycela Barron, RD, LD

The month of October has been an exciting month here at Meals on Wheels San Antonio (MOWSA). In addition of having the privilege of serving our clients delicious and nutritious meals, MOWSA is now providing nutrition screening and assessments by a registered dietitian (RD). This new service helps us help our clients who are at malnutrition risk.

Nutrition screens and assessments are part of the Nutrition Care Process (NCP). The purpose of the NCP was to standardize care and to enable practioners to provide high-quality care that is individualize with measurable outcomes. There are four steps to the...

FIGHT AGAINST MALNUTRITION

Friday, September 20, 2019

Meals on Wheels is Joining the Fight Against Malnutrition.

By Marycela Barron, RD, LD

September 23-27 is Malnutrition Awareness Week. This is not only for the acute (hospital) center as there are implications for community health. This month’s blog objective is to increase your knowledge of what malnutrition is and empower you to take action in the fight against malnutrition.

Malnutrition is the inadequate intake of calories, protein, or other nutrients needed for tissue maintenance and repair per the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

Malnutrition can...

FIESTA TASTE TESTING

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Fiesta Food Tasting Event

By: Analisse Rodriguez, UTSA Dietetic Student

In honor of the month of Fiesta, a Fiesta Food Tasting Event was presented to the Grace Place clients. Vince, the production manager at Meals on Wheels ordered and supplied the ingredients that were used for today’s event. All food was prepared at Meals on Wheels prior to the presentation. With the help of Oscar and Josh, kitchen staff members from Meals on Wheels, delicious fiesta inspired food items were prepared. Special thanks to them because without them and Vince, none of this would have been possible!

The distribution of food was...

Go Green for St. Patrick's Day!

Thursday, February 28, 2019

By: Analisse Rodriguez, UTSA Dietetics Student

Go Green for St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner! Did you know that your odds of finding a four-leaf clover are about 1 in 1,000? Or that the color of St. Patrick's Day was originally blue? There are so many interesting facts about St. Patrick’s, but I think it’s safe to say everyone associates this Holiday with “Kiss Me I’m Irish” t-shirts, and the color green! Listed below are some great treat and snack ideas from food blogs. Enjoy these yummy recipes this St. Patrick’s Day!

Mint Shamrock Smoothie

Ingredients

2...

Advocating for Antioxidant Rich Foods!

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

By: Analisse Rodriguez, UTSA Dietetics Student

In our world today, there are many external factors that keep us from committing to a healthy lifestyle. Life can get stressful at times, so committing to a healthful lifestyle sometimes feels impossible. A great first step in beginning your healthy lifestyle is understanding and choosing antioxidant rich foods. Antioxidants are compounds in our body that prevent or repair cells that have been damaged from free radicals. The production of free radicals can be caused by everyday body functions and lifestyle habits such as smoking. Specifically, free radicals weaken our healthy cells...

Staff Spotlight: Mary Tijerina

Friday, November 2, 2018

What you likely know is that Meals on Wheels is a non-profit that deliveries hot meals to individuals in the community. Most individuals do not realize how much work goes on behind the scenes before delivery of these meals. The San Antonio location is the only Meals on Wheels location that makes their own meals in house for the individuals of the community.

Behind the scenes are many caring, loving, and selfless individuals that help keep our community fed. Mary Tijerina is one of these individuals that helps keep the wheels turning here. Currently Meals on Wheels delivers 3,400 meals and this number is steadily increasing. Every...

Healthy Halloween

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Healthy Halloween Treats As Halloween approaches sugary treats start to appear in grocery stores, on tv, and even at work! Let’s avoid that stomach ache and sugar rush this season by enjoying a healthy alternative. Listed below are two recipes to replace the typical candy corn and pizza. This candy corn fruit parfait is a great way to incorporate some vitamin C, beta carotene and digestive enzymes in your diet. While the English mummy pizza counts as a serving of grain and dairy. Candy Corn Fruit Parfait Prep Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Ingredients: 1 large mandarin orange 1 can (15oz) pineapple in 100% juice (crushed or...

BETTER BEVERAGE CHOICES

Friday, September 7, 2018

Tips to Make Better Beverage Choices

What you drink is as important for your body as what you eat. When looking for a beverage, it is ideal to look for one that provides nutrients at no additional cost. Many beverages contain lots of added sugar or too much fat and too many calories. Here are some tips to help you make better beverage choices.

Drink Water

Regular soda, energy or sports drinks, and other sweet drinks usually contain a lot of added sugar and even though you can probably get some nutrients out of those choices the price you are paying for the extra calories are not worth the risk.

How much water is enough?

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