National Eat Better, Eat Together Month 2026 & Spaghetti

Every year in October is National Eat Better, Eat Together Month. It is a month to review what you eat and drink. Also, acknowledging that sometimes it is challenging to make healthier meals due to busy family and work schedules. Yet, making quick and easy meals with the family can be the first step to having healthier meals with the family. Additionally, you can include meatless meals over the weekend or during the week with less ingredients.

Accompany a family member make healthier meals for their health condition and to prevent other health conditions. Also, do not eat anything in front of another family member especially if they can not eat it due to strict medical diet restrictions. Do eat the same meal with your family members especially if they are on a diet due to a health condition. Strive to eat one healthier meal with them. If you are a caretaker, make the same meals so no family member feels left out due to diet restrictions from their doctors. 

Think about changing your meals especially if your doctor advises you to eat healthier for chronic conditions or for a temporary health condition. Understand your health condition and with the help of a registered dietician, you can make healthier meals for yourself and your family. Always consult with your doctor before changing your weekly meal plans for prevention and managing chronic conditions. Nevertheless, planning a meatless meal once a week can be helpful for you and your family's physical and mental wellness. Today's recipe is tofu and spaghetti which can be made for your family. 

Spaghetti is helpful for the digestive system and gives energy. If your family likes tofu and spaghetti, they will like this recipe. You can use soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, steak sauce, or Worcestershire sauce or any other sauce that you might like to go with your spaghetti and tofu. Nonetheless, if you have to avoid oils and butter due to doctor's recommendation, you might like this recipe because all you use is water to make the tofu and the spaghetti. Lastly, having meatless meals once a week or twice a week can help with your digestive system, give you energy, and can help the cardiovascular system. 

This meatless meal has no oils and not butter. Everything was made in water. You can add a small amount of salt which is optional. Yet, it is recommended to prepare this meal in advance before having it for lunch or for dinner. Here is the recipe. 

Ingredients for Tofu:

Chili Powder 

Onion Powder 

Ground Ginger

Ground Mustard 

Ground Cumin

Basil leaves

Dill Weed 

Broth or bouillon 

Spaghetti 

One Lemon

Two Pots

Water

Sauce (optional)

Garlic Cloves

One Onion

Recipe:

Begin by making the spaghetti in a big pot with water. Also, make sure the spaghetti fits inside the big pot with the water. Boil the pasta. While it is boiling, you can make the tofu. Remove the water from the container that the tofu came packaged in. 

Slice the tofu into cubes. Using bouillon or broth boil the tofu. This will give it flavor. Add pressed garlic by using garlic cloves in a garlic press. Next add slices of onions and lemon juice. 

After that add the spices to the tofu. Boil the tofu in water for ten to fifteen minutes. After the tofu is cooked, ensure that the spaghetti is soft or al dente according to your preference. Strain the spaghetti and rinse with cold water. Using the leftover broth from the tofu, add the broth onto the spaghetti. 

The broth will be used instead of using a sauce. However, you can add sauce to the tofu to give it more flavor depending on your taste preference. The sauce is optional and can be beneficial if you are having digestive issues. Nevertheless, you can make a side salad to go with your pasta if you eat your pasta plain without sauce. Serve immediately the spaghetti and the tofu together. 

Family meals with spaghetti can be easy and quick to make by adding tofu. Yet, you can add chicken, or meat, or sardines to your family spaghetti meals. Rotate your pasta meals, protein, and the side salads. National Eat Better, Eat Together Month is about bringing families together with healthier meals and to help connect families during dinner time. Keep in mind that any meal shared together as a family can strengthen relationships and improves family nutrition. 

Save leftovers separately. Dedicate this month to share one meal together as a family and keep conversations simple. Do not ask too many questions which can increase family stress especially for teenagers, children, and young adults. Have everyone participate in making the family meal together and to clean after eating. The last tip is to have a list of ingredients that your family is allergic to or can not eat due to doctor's recommendations, or food items that you need to remove to eat healthier as a family due to health conditions. 

Have the list ready before you go shopping for groceries. In addition, have family members to make their drinks using fruits, water, or less sugar drink mixes with water. Alternatively, you can serve milk, juice, or smoothies instead of a dessert. Nonetheless, plan your meals according to doctor's recommendations and what your family likes to eat during dinner time. Happy National Eat Better, Eat Together Month! 

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