Think about it: We each only have one body, and we all only have one planet, which is heating up fast.
Life is not a dress rehearsal!
Dieting doesn’t keep weight off long term. In fact Yo-Yo dieting (losing and re-gaining weight over time repeatedly) is extremely detrimental to physical and mental health.
Learn to find balance: take care of yourself and the environment that sustains our lives.
Whole roasted chickpeas have become coveted crunchies in the snack food aisle. Intact chickpeas offer the most nutrient density when compared with minimally processed or ultraprocessed foods made from chickpeas. For clarification, ultraprocessed foods are highly manipulated and contain many added ingredients not found in a typical kitchen. Recent research suggests that ultraprocessed foods, including packaged snack foods, have a role in excess calorie consumption, leading to obesity. And while many consumers prefer to eat processed plant-based products for environmental concerns, they should also consider the energy and resources that were required to prepare, manufacture, package, ship, and store ultraprocessed foods compared with whole foods regionally procured.
There’s been rampant marketing campaigns by elderberry supplement manufacturers that it can protect against both the flu and the novel coronavirus. Yet, based on current research and direction from the National Institutes of Health, there just isn’t enough information to demonstrate that elderberry is helpful for preventing or treating cold and flu. What’s worse, taking elderberry has the potential to be harmful if you have COVID-19. The synergistic effect of the total nutrients in whole foods are the most bioavailable to the body. Read on!
As a registered dietitian nutritionist, I am not a perfect eater, I don’t want to be a perfect eater, nor do I believe anyone else should strive to be. But, eating nutritious food for good health, is very important to me. Good nutrition can’t necessarily cure cancer nor multiple sclerosis, but research does demonstrate that eating well contributes to improved physical and mental health. With this personal and professional mission over the decades, I’ve come to recognize that beyond my knowledge and practice of nutrition, both Mindful Eating and Intuitive Eating are essential to eating well and overall health.
Takeaways for healthier eating, a healthier you in 2020 and beyond:
A hearty new take on an old classic that’s full of flavor and comes together quickly. Beyond the nutrient-rich tomatoes, cauliflower is also full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, while the beans boost the fiber and provide quality protein. Really good leftover! As the soup warms at the end, make up a grilled cheese with arugula or spinach and Dijon mustard on rustic whole grain bread—a complete meal.
Tabbouleh is a great way to use a surplus of summer cucumbers and fresh tomatoes—even “B” or blemished tomatoes still have great taste and nutrition. Quinoa adds a super nutritional twist—its high protein content makes this a great main dish. Leftover, this tabbouleh is a great bite when you’re on the run.
Kale is often considered as a fall and winter vegetable, yet early-mid summer kale is a bit more tender and mild, and makes for a really good, nutrition-packed pesto. Lemon brightens the flavor; walnuts add their own taste as well as a nice texture. A food processor brings this pesto together quickly for pasta, pizza, salads, and more. Freezes well for later use.
