Healthy Supplements

In honor of both St. Patrick’s Day and springtime, start thinking green. Green foods include everything from collard greens to pistachios and avocados.  Here’s a look at some of the best green foods you can add to your diet:

• Asparagus – is low in calories and packed with good nutrition. One serving is a good source of potassium and also contains a decent amount of vitamin B6, B1, and fiber. For some creative recipes, click here. An easy recipe I love – lightly coat asparagus with sesame oil (you can use olive oil if you don’t have sesame oil though sesame oil has a unique, rich flavor) and roll the asparagus in sesame seeds – cook in a 400F oven for 10 minutes.

• Collard Greens – are only in season for one more month so be sure to include them in your diet now.  Collard greens contain an array of antioxidants and over 16 vitamins and minerals!  And that’s not all, collard greens are also packed with fiber.

• Pistachios – these little green nuts have more fiber and protein than other nuts and they contain heart healthy monounsaturated fats. They make a great snack.
 
• Avocados – contain nearly 20 vitamins and minerals per serving, heart healthy fats and antioxidants such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein. There are a ton of things you can do with avocado including this unique one I found: Avocado hummus.

• Peas – contain a hefty amount of vitamins A and C, some iron and they are a loaded with fiber (about 9 grams per serving).

Eat Like the Irish!
The Irish are known for dark beer, Irish Stew, soda bread, handmade cheeses, cabbage and of course, potatoes. How can you eat like the Irish while watching your waistline this St. Patty’s Day?  Easy!  Just choose better recipes. 

For example, this Whole-Wheat Irish Soda Bread recipe  leaves out the butter that’s in so many soda bread recipes. And, by using whole-wheat flour, you’ll get some fiber and B vitamins naturally. Opt for low fat buttermilk to make it even lighter.  This website contains a healthy Irish Stew recipe. And if you are looking for a little potato 101, recipes and more, check out Potato Goodness.