Myth: Libraries are the only place to find healthy recipes.

Answer: BUSTED!

If you have access to the Web, you can find some good sources for healthy and low-cost recipes.

• The SNAP-Ed Connection Recipe Finder can help you find healthy and low-cost recipes. You can search by ingredient or recipe name. There is also a Spanish language version available on the site. Many recipes have ratings from 1 to 5. When you search for an ingredient or recipe name the results are listed in order, with recipes rated as 5 listed first. Recipe comments for some entries can help you pick a recipe. A Nutrition Facts label is displayed for recipes so you can see information such as calories per serving, sodium content and other nutrition information. You have 3 options for printing: 8½" x 11", 8½" x 11" large font, or 3" x 5" recipe card. Estimated cost information for the recipe as well as cost/serving is provided. Recipes in this database support healthy food choice guidelines from the federal government.
• Quick & Healthy Recipes are available on eXtension’s Families, Food and Fitness website. Pictures of the recipes featured on this site will make your mouth water! A Nutrition Facts label is displayed for these recipes. You can print the recipe as full page, as 3" x 5" or as 4" x 6". The top-rated recipes appear on the home page.
• Healthy Recipes from Oregon State University Extension has several unique categories for recipes including pictorial recipes and kid-friendly. There is also a Spanish language version available on the site. A Nutrition Facts label is displayed for these recipes. You will find recipes for some unique food ingredients like TVP (textured vegetable protein – a soy alternative) if you search by food group.
• At Spend Smart Eat Smart you can view comments left by others who have tried the recipes. A Nutrition Facts label is displayed for these recipes and there is also a Spanish language version of recipes available.
• You can find Healthy Habits recipes on the MissouriFamilies website. Nutrition content information is provided.

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933