With March being nutrition month, it’s a perfect time to prioritize your health and wellness. I have realistic tips and recipes to help set yourself up for healthy eating success.
My first tip is to start the day off with 1 serving of fruit.
You can do this with one of my favorite nutrient-dense beverages, Florida Orange Juice or a I like to call it, the original wellness drink. 100% orange juice paired with a healthy lifestyle may help support a strong immune system by providing a variety of nutrients. In fact, each 8-ounce glass of orange juice includes vitamin C, potassium, folate, and other beneficial plant compounds. You can also get vitamin D if you drink fortified juice. Additionally, an 8-ounce serving has fewer calories than other commonly consumed fruit juices and its key nutrients with no added sugar make it a great substitution for a variety of other drink choices like sugar sweetened beverages. These factors make Florida Orange Juice a delicious addition to any recipe, cocktail or even mocktail. For fun mealtime inspiration, be sure to check out FloridaJuice.com and follow @FloridaJuiceJuice on social media for more health tips and recipe ideas.
My next tip is to prioritize plant-based meals and snacks.
Studies show that eating MORE plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, while limiting animal products, may help support weight management and lower your risk of certain chronic diseases. Pistachios are a great snack option because they are one of the few plant-based sources of complete protein with 6 grams of protein per serving, they contain healthy fat and are a good source of fiber. A recent study out of Cornell University found that pistachios are also very high in antioxidants. Additionally, research suggests that people on a weight loss plan can eat pistachios as a calorie-controlled snack and still lose weight. Besides enjoying them plain, you can jazz the up with your own spices and herbs. For chili roasted pistachios, combine 1 cup of pistachios with 1 tbsp of olive oil chili powder, cayenne , garlic powder and salt. For Honey roasted, combine 1 cup of pistachios 1 tbso of melted butter and 1 tbsp of honey. And for bbq roasted, combine 1 cups of pistachios with oil, brown sugar, smoked paprika chili powder, onion powder and salt with a pinch of pepper. Roast for 10 min at 375 tossing halfway.
For lunch, try plant-powered hummus wraps.
Lantana Foods is taking the thinking out of wellness with its variety of delicious, nutritious hummus flavors which are made with blends of a variety of beans and freshest ingredients. The flavorful family of smooth-blended hummus is the perfect match for veggies, pita and crackers, for on-the-go snacking and even dessert! And for lunch, it’s the perfect plant-powered spread for a sandwich or wrap filled with spinach, carrots, cucumber and cabbage. Lantana makes plant-forward options that are nutritious and accessible. You can find their delicious hummus flavors including Black Bean, Sriracha Carrot, Roasted Garlic and Dark Chocolate at your local Publix.
And for dinner, enjoy burger night with a plant-based twist.
Abbot’s Whole Burgers are made with 100% real, whole food ingredients including organic oats, superfood seeds, and antioxidant-rich herbs and spices so they are a nutrient powerhouse. These savory burger patties are tender with a hearty bite and packed with 22 grams of clean plant protein significantly more compared to your standard veggie patty. Abbot’s Whole Burger just launched exclusively at Whole Foods! You can also find Abbot’s plant-rich proteins such as their ground beef and Chopped Chick’n at Publix, Target, and Sprouts.
