Jessica Cox Ivey, Registered Dietitian and Chef

09/10/2024

[Sponsored by American Pecans] DYK U.S. adults snack between 1.5 and 3 times per day on
average?! That makes snacks an important opportunity to choose more nutrient-dense foods
and improve the overall quality of your diet. Pecans are a nutrient-dense, versatile, and
convenient addition to healthy diets and are associated with a wide range of health benefits.
This morning I whipped up THREE super simple and satisfying snacks featuring pecans, including
some naturally sweet and kid-friendly Simple Pecan No-Bake Energy Bites, super flavorful
Roasted Red Pepper Pecan Dip, and three-ingredient Pecan Stuffed Dates.
Grab the recipes and more info here: https://americanpecan.com/

12/08/2023

[Sponsored by the Incredible Egg] During the holidays I’m always on the lookout for fun and festive dishes we can enjoy together on slower mornings while everyone is off work and out of school, like these Egg in a Hole Bagels.
Eggs are a high-quality protein and a valuable source of nutrition. They’re an all-around nutrient powerhouse, including high-quality protein, plus essential vitamins and minerals for healthy living like choline, vitamin B12, and iodine. Paired with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand, these bagels are super simple and festive for a holiday brunch get together or a fun family meal.
Grab the recipe here: https://www.incredibleegg.org/recipes/egg-in-a-hole-bagel/

10/05/2023

I had a great time this morning WBRC FOX6 News sharing a super simple sheet pan dinner recipe with all the fall feels. Click the link for the full segment an celebrate October Beef Month with Sheet Pan BBQ Mini Meatloaves with Fall Vegetables. https://www.wbrc.com/2023/10/05/jessica-ivey-sheet-pan-bbq-mini-meatloaves-with-fall-vegetables/

Sheet Pan BBQ Mini Meatloaves with Fall Vegetables
Makes 4 servings

For the vegetables:
1 ½ lb sweet potatoes, cut into ¾-inch pieces
1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
For the meatloaves:
1 lb ground beef (93% lean)
¼ cup breadcrumbs
6 Tbsp barbecue sauce, divided
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large egg

Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss together sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, olive oil, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Spread into a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet.
Bake 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce, smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and egg in a large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape beef mixture into four ¾-inch-thick mini loaves, and brush remaining ¼ cup barbecue sauce over loaves.
Remove pan from oven, and stir vegetables. Push vegetables to sides of pan, and place meatloaves on pan. Spread remaining ¼ cup barbecue sauce evenly over loaves.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meatloaves registers 160°F. Let meatloaves stand 10 minutes before serving.

09/21/2023

Come cook with me in the Samford Wellness Kitchen this fall! The Italian class is now full, but check out the remaining classes and grab a spot before they fill up too.

Teen Cooking Class—Mexican Cuisine
September 28, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Community Cooking Class—Cooking for Brain Health
October 19, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Community Class—Plant Based Meals for Families
October 26, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

https://www.samford.edu/publichealth/community-programs/nutrition-and-healthy-cooking/

✨ COMMUNITY COOKING CLASS ✨

Join the Samford Wellness Kitchen as we explore flavors of Italian comfort foods! 🇮🇹 Participants will learn to make tomato-olive braised chicken thighs, homemade tettuccine, zucchini parmesan crisps and fudgy chocolate cake.

This class is open to anyone in the greater Birmingham community. Snag a spot with the link below and check out other classes throughout the month of October! 👇

https://www2.samford.edu/eve/index.php?formid=4678

08/03/2021

I had a great time at this morning sharing some quick and easy back-to-school breakfast ideas. For a balanced breakfast, be sure to include at least three food groups: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and dairy. Dairy foods are easy to incorporate into family-friendly meals and pack a nutrient punch. Real milk is naturally nutrient-rich like no other beverage, providing 13 essential nutrients, like Vitamin A, Vitamin D, zinc, selenium, and protein. Click the temporary link in my bio for some easy ideas, including overnight oats, yogurt parfaits, and cheesy egg muffins.

03/18/2021

I had a great time this morning at Talk Of Alabama sharing about this year’s National Nutrition Month theme, personalize your plate!
If you’re lactose intolerant or following a plant based diet there are plenty of options for you to personalize your plate with nutrient rich dairy foods. Dairy provides three nutrients lacking in the American diet, calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D. Work with a Registered Dietitian to learn how to personalize your own plate and check out thedairyalliance.com for more on nutrient-rich dairy foods and delicious recipes.

https://abc3340.com/station/talk-of-alabama/talk-of-alabama-the-dairy-alliance-318

ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Alabama offers news, sports, and weather reporting for the surrounding communities including Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Cullman, Gadsden, Talladega, Sylacauga, Carbon Hill, Jasper, Hoover, Bessemer, Vestavia Hills, Alabaster, Trussville and Homewood.

11/24/2020

Let’s talk fermented foods!
DYK research has shown that fermented foods may reduce heart disease risk and aid digestion, weight loss and immunity? This cold and flu season, including fermented foods in your diet may be a way to better support your immune system! Fermented dairy foods, like yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese and buttermilk, are affordable and easily accessible, and the The Dairy Alliance has some great recipes for including them in your daily routine, like Kefir Pumpkin Pie Smoothie and Buttermilk-Blue Cheese Dressing. Find these delicious recipes and more at thedairyalliance.com.

09/02/2020

I’ve been super tired lately ( ) so I’ve been trying to plan simple meals that don’t require a lot of time standing in the kitchen but are still balanced and nutrient-rich. That’s why we’ve been eating a lot of eggs! Eggs provide eight essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, are convenient, easy to prepare, and affordable. Plus, eggs are one of the most concentrated food sources of choline in the American diet.
Choline plays a vital role in brain health throughout our lives, but it’s especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women, babies and toddlers. During pregnancy, choline helps the baby’s brain and spinal cord develop properly, and infants and young children need choline for continued brain development and health. Joanna is currently loving egg muffins and frittatas, and I usually round out the meal with a salad (for Mom and Dad), whole grain toast, and fruit.
Check out my blog for a few of my favorite quick and easy egg recipes: http://jessicaiveyrdn.com/tag/eggs/

08/27/2020

I loved writing this article about nutrient-rich foods for babies! Joanna loves eggs and I love knowing all the nutrients she's getting when she eats them.

Eggs: An Essential Complementary Food Jessica Ivey, RDN, LDN June 26,2020 Egg Allergies Eggs Across the Lifespan The Egg Nutrition Center partnered with Jessica Ivey, RDN, LDN to write this blog post. Some parents are excited to introduce their baby to solid foods, while others find the process nerv...

07/17/2020

Throughout my pregnancy, I’ve been focusing on eating nutrient-rich foods for my own health and the health of my growing baby. Eggs are a naturally nutrient-rich food with eight essential nutrients, and they’re one of the best sources of choline. This year for the first time, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s Scientific Report has recommended choline as a nutrient important for pregnant and breastfeeding women, babies and toddlers, because it is associated with reduced risk of birth defects and can help support overall cognitive development. Two large eggs provide more than half of the recommended daily amount needed for pregnant women. Plus, eggs are a versatile, convenient, and cost-effective choice, too!

For more information on choline, go to: Eggnutritioncenter.org/choline

Check out a few of my favorite egg recipes:
http://jessicaiveyrdn.com/2018/11/fall-salad-with-honey-mustard-dressing-and-boiled-egg/
http://jessicaiveyrdn.com/2017/10/spinach-and-tomato-frittata/
http://jessicaiveyrdn.com/2018/07/ham-and-cheese-egg-muffins-for-back-to-school/
http://jessicaiveyrdn.com/2019/01/sweet-potato-toasts-with-avocado-and-egg/