New Year’s Resolution: Eat More ______ !?
Across the world, in all food cultures, one thing is certain: fruits and vegetables are enjoyed for their flavor and nutrition. It is increasingly evident that these powerful plants are the key to obtaining a variety of essential nutrients for optimal health. Southern Selects is proud to offer a wide array of these “superfoods” in a pack size perfect for you.
We love sharing important tips, valuable information and great recipes with you. With our increasingly busy lifestyles, it is difficult to keep track of the calories, fats and carbs we take in, so instead of counting numbers, we recommend integrating more fruits and vegetables into your daily routine. Here’s why it is important:
YOUR BODY WILL THANK YOU
They are crucial for disease prevention and slowing the aging process, due to high levels of antioxidants.
PRODUCE ADDS COLOR TO YOUR LIFE
Colorful array of fruits and vegetables and textures create more appealing dishes and enjoyable meals.
THEY HELP TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Fruits and vegetables are very low in calories and made up mostly of water, so loading up is recommended! An added bonus is their fiber, which makes one feel fuller and lowers the chance of overeating.
THERE ARE SO MANY CHOICES
They offer such a wide spectrum of flavors and cooking methods—so much that they transform the acts of eating/cooking from chores to adventures!
Five Easy Steps to Eat More Fruits & Vegetables
- Have a fresh look! Find a new item to try when you shop in the produce department. Try taking a classic recipe you love and swap out an ingredient (ex: pasta for zucchini noodles).
- Take them to go! You can snack on fresh/baked veggies, by chopping them and storing them in a container or integrate them into quick and easy dips.
- Blend them in! This helps you to seamlessly incorporate fruits and veggies into your recipes. This is especially true when they’re blended into batters for waffles and pancakes, muffins, cakes, and breads. Try them in: purees, dips, sauces, soups, salad dressings, smoothies, and a fruity sorbet!
Photo Credit: Laleh Mohmedi, Jacob’s Food Diaries
4. Make it fun! Get the family involved by assigning tasks for each person and turning mealtime into the ultimate bonding time. Get creative and feel inspired by chefs/bloggers and food artists, like Laleh Mohmedi, who transform healthy food into fun, kid-friendly meals!
5. Cook up a few batches of vegetables (roast, steam, sauté, etc.), then store them in the fridge. This will save time and thinking energy for when you put together quick meals throughout the week—such as quinoa bowls, stir-fry, stews/soups, casseroles, and even sandwiches at lunch time!