I’m on CBS Las Vegas NOW with tips and recipes for National Nutrition Month!
Start Your Day with Antioxidants
One of the easiest ways to support overall wellness is to begin your morning with antioxidant-rich foods, like this pomegranate chia pudding parfait.
I love working with The Wonderful Company because POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice is whole-pressed. That means the juice comes from the entire pomegranate — the rind, pith and arils — helping release beneficial polyphenols and maximize its antioxidant potential.
This recipe calls for a 16-ounce bottle, which contains the juice of four whole-pressed pomegranates and nothing else — no fillers and never any added sugar.
To make it, combine the juice with ½ cup chia seeds, whisk, and let sit for 10 minutes. Whisk again to prevent clumping, then layer the chia pudding with yogurt and fresh pomegranate arils for a nourishing, antioxidant-packed breakfast.
Add More Plant Protein to Your Meals
Another simple nutrition upgrade is incorporating more plant protein into your meals and snacks.
Wonderful Pistachios are one of the highest-protein snack nuts, providing 6 grams of complete plant protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving.
I love using them as a nutrient-dense crouton swap, like in this refreshing cucumber pistachio salad. Simply toss sliced cucumber and chopped pistachios with an Asian-inspired dressing made with soy sauce, chili crunch, rice vinegar, garlic and sesame oil. It’s crisp, flavorful and packed with plant-based nutrition.
Build Smarter Snacks with Protein, Fiber and Healthy Fats
When it comes to staying satisfied between meals, focus on snacks that combine protein, fiber and healthy fats.
In-shell pistachios check all those boxes and may even help you “fool yourself full.” The leftover shells create a visual cue for portions that can help curb intake — something researchers call the Pistachio Principle.
Texture also plays a big role in snack satisfaction, especially crunch. One of my favorite snack ideas is making crunch cups with pistachios, popcorn and Crispy Green crispy fruit, which is made with 100% pure fruit — that’s it, with no added sugar.
The result is a naturally sweet and crunchy, feel-good snack that’s great for lunchboxes, after school or on the go. You can find the seven Crispy Green varieties at Whole Foods, Albertsons and Vons.
