Kicking off National Nutrition Month on News 4 Jacksonville’s River City Live!
For breakfast we have sprouted overnight oats.
I like sprouted oats because sprouting makes it easier to digest, increases the protein and make the nutrients it contains more bioavailable.I use sprouted oats by One Degree Organics which you can find at Publix – all their products are made using clean, organic, non-gmo ingredients and sourced from farmers who only use plant-based farming methods. Next add ½ cup almond milk, 1 tsp of chia seeds and 1 tbsp maple syrup. Place in the fridge overnight and top in the morning. Oats are such a great pantry staple – use them for muffins, baked goods, pancakes
Smoothies are an easy way to help meet your recommended 5+ servings of fruits and veggies for the day.
I like to add 2 fruits and 2 mild tasting veggies like riced cauliflower and spinach. For the base I use an 8 oz bottle of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice -this has the juice of whole-pressed pomegranates – no fillers or added sugar and as much potassium as a banana. It also has 4x the antioxidants as green tea on average which help fight free radicals that can do damage to body’s cells.
The key to smart snacking is to pair protein with fiber.
I like to make energy bites with 1 cup of dates and ½ cup of pistachios. Wonderful pistachios are one of the highest protein snack nuts with 6 grams of plant protein and 3 grams of fiber per serving. About 90% of the fats found in pistachios are unsaturated. That trio of nutrients may help keep you fuller longer.
Another smart way to snack is to pair fiber-rich foods like veggies and whole grain crackers with a nutritious dip like hummus or salsa. I use the Fresh Cravings Hummus because its super creamy and made with a short list of high-quality whole food ingredients like Chilean Extra Virgin Olive Oil, chickpeas and savory tahini in flavors like classic, roasted red pepper and roasted garlic. Find it at Walmart along with their refrigerated chunky and restaurant-style salsa in a range of heat levels.
