Mary Anne Burkman, MPH, Registered Dietitian
MaryAnne Burkman
About me:
Mary Anne Burkman is a registered dietitian and holds a master in public health degree. As the Director of Program Services for Dairy Council of California, she oversees adult nutrition education efforts. Consumer education is the work she finds most fulfilling – equipping people to make small, practical changes that they can maintain over time.
Progress, not perfection, is her goal. She has served on the faculty in the Nutritional Sciences Dept. at UC Berkeley and began her career as a clinical dietitian with two university medical centers. Mary Anne loves southern cooking and "moonlights" once or twice a month in the tasting room of a small Livermore, CA winery.
Connect with Mary Anne on LinkedIn
Shoppers invariably look for a “deal” when making decisions on purchasing items ranging from cars to television sets to shoes…and, yes, food. They’re looking for the biggest “bang for the buck”! For those products, shoppers will be looking for the best value or quality features for the dollars spent. With foods, that value and quality are probably best embodied by the “nutrient-rich” concept.
Nutrient-rich foods are those that supply a high ratio of key nutrients to calories. Those foods, which provide the nutrients we need for growth, development and health maintenance, form the foundation of a healthy eating pattern:
• Low-fat and non-fat milk, cheese and yogurt
• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Lean meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, nuts and beans
• Whole, fortified and fiber-rich grains
The Nutrient Rich Foods Coalition has assembled a number of resources that underscore this positive and inclusive approach to eating – with a focus on those foods we can include as part of daily choices.
You might be wondering, however, if this simple approach can work for you. Maybe you’re someone who doesn’t prepare a lot of their meals from scratch – you’re more of a “grab and go” type. Conversely, maybe you love to cook and often experiment with new ingredients that top the latest culinary “what’s hot” list. Rest assured that regardless of your approach to meal planning and preparation, nutrient-rich foods can serve as the anchor.
The Food Personality Quiz on Meals Matter is an easy, fun way to discover your true food personality, with profiles ranging from “Gourmets” to “Last Minute Meals”. Upon completion of this quiz, you’ll receive personalized recipe recommendations, access to healthy lifestyle tools, and more suggestions and tips. Regardless of your food personality type, almost all of us desire nutritious meals, and a focus on nutrient-rich foods is a great start!
Learn more about this new approach by following our blog series, Positive Eating Approach.
Mary Anne Burkman, Registered Dietitian
Find related posts on Twitter by searching #NYNA.