It’s a given that here at Integrative Nutrion, we embrace healthy, nourishing food every day but that won’t stop us from celebrating an entire month dedicated to wholesome food!
National Nutrition month was established in 1980 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to share the message that wholesome food and healthy habits are essential to overall well-being. We couldn’t agree more!
This year’s theme for National Nutrition Month is “savor the flavor,” so we came up with some simple ideas that will transform almost any veggie into melt in your mouth delicious.
Sautee with garlic
Almost any veggie can be cut, sliced, or chopped, and lightly sautéed with a little olive oil, garlic, and sea salt. If you can throw in some other seasoning such as fresh rosemary or thyme, pepper, or dried herbs then you’ve got yourself a winning side dish packed with nutrients AND flavor! Kale, mushrooms, and string beans all taste great prepared this way.
Cook it, puree it, then dip stuff in it
A classic approach that’s sure to be a hit with little fingers is to blend up your veggies into a dip. Start with a base of cooked chickpeas or black beans, add some cooked veggies of your choice, season with salt, pepper, and/or herbs and serve with carrot or celery sticks for dipping. The flavor possibilities are endless! Spinach, beets, and artichoke make for great (and colorful!) dips..
Spiralize
If you really want to make a veggie fun to eat then spiralize it into noodles… or shall we say zoodles? Spiralizing your veggies instantly transforms them into a creative and light texture that’s great for topping salads, creating unique side dishes, or even lightly cooking as you would regular noodles. Carrots, zucchini, and daikon radishes are all great options for spiralizing. Looking for recipe inspiration? Try out these zucchini noodles with creamy roasted red pepper sauce.
Roast it with parmesan on top
Parmesan may not be everybody’s idea of a “health food” but it's filled with nutrients and a little sure goes a long way in making your veggies deliciously savory. Whether your roast your veggies with parmesan or grate some on top of your steamed veggies - broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts will never be the same. Don’t eat dairy? Try using nutritional yeast as a cheesy nutrient-packed alternative.
Make your salads sing
A simple salad made with only lettuce and tomato can get a little boring, but get creative with your toppings and dressings and you’ve got a party in a bowl. Start with a base of greens of your choice (mixed baby greens, arugula, spinach, or kale), then add some color and bright flavors like thinly sliced radish, heirloom tomato, diced bell pepper, or carrots, sprinkle in some microgreens such as sprouts for extra nutritional punch, add a protein such as chickpeas or grilled chicken, and then top it all off with crunchy baked sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, sweet dried cranberries, or any other little morsels that give it a YUM factor. Now we’re talking! For a fun new twist this weekend – try out this healthy spring potato salad!
Share the nutrition love with friends and family by having a snack party, surprising someone with lunch, or making a quick video to show your recipe.
There’s no need to convert anyone to your eating style, simply make something good and offer to share. Just think how much healthier and happier our world could be if everyone ate a few more veggies every day!
How are you celebrating National Nutrition Month? Share in the comments below!