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Buy Eat Live Better This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet.

This page provides practical tips, recipe ideas, and support to help individuals and families with limited resources make nutritious food choices, stay active, and live a balanced lifestyle. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. To find out more, contact the Montana Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535 or www.apply.mt.

gov. Montana State University Extension is an ADA/EO/AA/Veteran’s Preference Employer and Provider of Educational Outreach. USDA and Montana State University Extension are equal opportunity providers and employers.

Keeping with this month’s theme, we’re sharing a recipe from Colorado State University Extension’s Eating Smart Being Ac...
05/30/2026

Keeping with this month’s theme, we’re sharing a recipe from Colorado State University Extension’s Eating Smart Being Active program: Lentil Tacos! 🌮

Lentils can replace ground beef in many recipes, and this is a delicious example. These lentil tacos are packed with flavor, easy to make, and budget-friendly. Serve in tortilla shells or with chips as a party dip!

https://www.montana.edu/extension/buyeatlivebetter/recipes/lentiltacos/Lentil_Tacos.pdf

Today is World Nutrition Day! 🌍Today is a great reminder that good nutrition plays a powerful role in our health, energy...
05/28/2026

Today is World Nutrition Day! 🌍

Today is a great reminder that good nutrition plays a powerful role in our health, energy, and overall well-being. Small, everyday choices can add up to make a big difference for you and your family.

Focus on the basics: fill your plate with a variety of fruits and vegetables, choose whole grains when you can, include lean proteins, and stay hydrated with water throughout the day.

Keep it simple: healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Planning meals, using what you have on hand, and cooking at home can help stretch your budget while supporting your health.

Start with one small change today: add a vegetable to your meal or try a new recipe!

Explore our resources to help you and your family eat well every day.

https://www.montana.edu/extension/buyeatlivebetter/

Looking for a sweet way to sneak more nutrients into your and your family's diet? Try this recipe from MT Harvest of the...
05/26/2026

Looking for a sweet way to sneak more nutrients into your and your family's diet? Try this recipe from MT Harvest of the Month and The Lean Green Been: Banana Lentil Muffins! 🧁

Lentils aren’t just for savory meals. They add protein and fiber to baked goods, making these muffins a nutritious twist on a classic treat.

We love them because they’re perfect for breakfast, snacks, or on-the-go, and are easy to customize with chocolate chips, nuts or dried fruit!

https://www.montana.edu/extension/buyeatlivebetter/recipes/bananalentilmuffins/Banana_lentil_muffins.pdf

School is almost out for summer, which means more time figuring out how to keep kids fed and satisfied throughout the da...
05/24/2026

School is almost out for summer, which means more time figuring out how to keep kids fed and satisfied throughout the day.

If snack time feels like a constant struggle, a snack box can be a simple way to make things easier! Snack boxes help kids build balanced snacks while giving them some independence to choose what they want to eat.

To get started, have two snack boxes: one for the refrigerator and one for the cupboard. Fill it with your families' favorites from all food groups like fruit cups, trail mix, and low-fat granola bars!

A little planning can go a long way in reducing stress and keeping kids fueled all summer long.

Check out our fact sheet and easy recipes to build your own snack boxes here:

https://www.montana.edu/extension/buyeatlivebetter/other_nep_resources/fact_sheets/snackboxes/index.html

Nutrient Spotlight: Folic Acid (Folate) Did you know that folic acid – a form of folate – is essential for cell growth a...
05/21/2026

Nutrient Spotlight: Folic Acid (Folate)

Did you know that folic acid – a form of folate – is essential for cell growth and development in the body? It plays a key role in red blood cell formation and is especially important during periods of rapid growth, like pregnancy and recovery from illness.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that all women of child-bearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid each day to help prevent birth defects in early pregnancy.

Chickpeas and lentils are excellent sources of folate. A half cup of cooked lentils provides about 45% of your recommended daily value, and a half cup cooked chickpeas provides about 35%.

Want to learn more about how folic acid supports your health and how to get enough in your diet? Check out our fact sheet for more tips and easy ideas!

https://www.montana.edu/extension/buyeatlivebetter/other_nep_resources/fact_sheets/folicacid/index.html

In honor of May's Montana Harvest of the Month, we are featuring a delicious and nutrient-dense recipe: Hummus – pressur...
05/19/2026

In honor of May's Montana Harvest of the Month, we are featuring a delicious and nutrient-dense recipe: Hummus – pressure cooker edition!

Simply cook ingredients in the pressure cooker and blend until smooth, and you have a customizable snack that will last you all week. Eat it with raw veggies, crackers, pita bread, or on a sandwich.

https://www.montana.edu/extension/buyeatlivebetter/recipes/Hummus%20MIM.pdf

Don’t have a pressure cooker? We offer many other hummus recipe variations on our website!

https://www.montana.edu/extension/buyeatlivebetter/recipes/Hummus%20MIM.pdf

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at MSU Extension Nutrition Education! 👪Today, we celebrate the care, dedication, and s...
05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at MSU Extension Nutrition Education! 👪

Today, we celebrate the care, dedication, and strength that goes into nourishing a child. Feeding your baby is a personal journey, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. What matters most if finding what works best for you and your family.

Breastfeeding can offer valuable health benefits and is encouraged when it’s a good fit, especially in the early months. At the same time, choices like pumping, supplementing, using donor milk, or relying on iron-fortified infant formulas can all support a baby’s healthy growth and development.

No matter your path, providing nourishment is about care, connection, and responding to your child's needs.

Learn more about feeding your little one from infant to toddler with our 4 fact sheets and the USDA Infant Formula resource:

https://www.montana.edu/extension/buyeatlivebetter/other_nep_resources/fact_sheets/
https://www.fns.usda.gov/fs/infant-formula?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExbkFRZktVVzdTVTJlS2p4VnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4X7DVPKv5reW-XyJB56g-dEXAH7vrliZerDxpsA8QZZsKHi3Rc5GnHyqzCCg_aem_Qc70nKsDMUfbx6MZMTj4cg

With so many types and ways to cook them, lentils are a simple way to add flavor, nutrition, and variety to your meals. ...
05/08/2026

With so many types and ways to cook them, lentils are a simple way to add flavor, nutrition, and variety to your meals.

Why we love lentils:
👉 No soaking required – just rinse, cook and enjoy
👉 Store easily in the pantry, fridge, or freezer
👉 Budget-friendly and versatile

Need some inspiration? Mix lentils into salad, make a hearty lentil soup with veggies and broth, use as a ground beef substitute in tacos, sloppy joes, or pasta sauces, and blend into creamy lentil hummus.

Cooking tip: Cook 1 cup dried lentils with 2 cups water for 20-30 minutes on the stovetop, then drain and enjoy!

Share your favorite lentil recipes with us below!

https://www.montana.edu/extension/buyeatlivebetter/other_nep_resources/fact_sheets/lentils/index.html

Spending time outdoors isn’t just fun; it’s an important part of helping kids stay healthy and active! Physical activity...
05/06/2026

Spending time outdoors isn’t just fun; it’s an important part of helping kids stay healthy and active! Physical activity supports strong muscles and bones, boosts mood and focus, and helps kids build lifelong healthy habits. 💪

How much activity do kids need?
Ages 3-5: Active play throughout the day.
Ages 6-17: At least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Kids benefit from different types of movement like running (aerobic), climbing (muscle-strengthening), and jumping (bone-strengthening). Many outdoor activities naturally include all three.

Be a role model and join in on the fun too! Don’t forget protective gear and choose activities that fit your child’s age.

Learn more with the CDC here: https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/adding-children-adolescents/index.html

May’s is chickpeas and lentils! This month we are highlighting two nutrient powerhouses: chickpeas and lentils. Both a...
05/06/2026

May’s is chickpeas and lentils!

This month we are highlighting two nutrient powerhouses: chickpeas and lentils. Both are pulse crops - meaning they are edible seeds of plants in the legume family - and add nitrogen to the soil to improve soil health.

Chickpeas are an excellent source of potassium, calcium, iron, vitamin B6, and magnesium. One cup of chickpeas has 39 grams of protein!

Lentils are highly nutritious and a good source of fiber, potassium, protein, iron, and vitamin B6. Gram for gram, lentils also have more antioxidants than blueberries!

Stay tuned throughout the month for more recipes, micronutrient benefits, and cooking tips.

https://mtharvestofthemonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HOM21_Lentils_Home.pdf
https://mtharvestofthemonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HOM21_Chickpeas_Home.pdf

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