The gray days of autumn are setting in, affecting our energy levels. Let’s face it: maintaining optimal energy during this time of year isn’t always easy. Racing season is coming to an end, making way for the recovery period.
Healthy eating can definitely help us stay on track throughout the fall and winter. But what does “eating well” really mean? This concept varies from person to person, but the general idea is that eating well means consuming a variety of foods to promote health and well-being. A healthy, varied diet combined with an active lifestyle is the winning formula.
In fact, dietary variety allows us to obtain a diversity of nutrients from food. Each food group provides a different combination of nutrients, and each individual food within a group offers interesting nutritional properties. For example, oranges are rich in vitamin C, but they don’t contain as many polyphenols as cranberries or grapes. No single food can meet all the body’s nutritional needs on its own, which is why it’s important to add variety to our diet to benefit from a complete range.
Here are 5 tips for diversifying our diet:
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Try a new vegetable or fruit every month: Explore options such as rapini, squash, or haskap berries, especially dark green, purple, or orange varieties.
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Diversify your grain products: Don’t limit yourself to basmati rice—try whole grains such as barley, millet, brown rice, bulgur, oats, quinoa, and wild rice.
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Include meat substitutes: Tofu, Zenit plant-based proteins, TVP, dried beans, and lentils are excellent options.
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Add nutritious snacks to your eating routine: Snacks are an excellent way to add more fruits, vegetables, plant-based proteins (such as hummus, Zenit energy squares), nuts, hemp seeds, and more. We find dozens of super ingredients in Zenit snacks. They’re a must to keep on hand at the office, in the car, or in your hiking bag.
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Take a trip around the world with your meals: Try two new recipes each month by exploring international cuisines for healthy ideas, such as a Greek salad, an Asian vegetable stir-fry, or an Indian dish made with chicken, chickpeas, and curry.
By adding variety to our diet, we ensure that we get a complete range of essential nutrients to support our energy during this time of year and our physical and mental well-being. So let’s make our plate a colorful and nutritious work of art! 🌈🍽️
For healthy snacks with a unique taste, click here
Your Zenit nutritionist
Danielle :-)