Week 3 - Good Food, Good Mood Journey - The Power of Fruits & Veggies
Good Food, Good Mood Journey Week 3
The Power of Fruits & Veggies
When it comes to mood and energy, we often separate the brain from the rest of our bodies. But , in fact, what we eat to nourish our body also provides fuel to power our brain. Studies show that increasing our intake of fruits and vegetables can help improve our mood and energy. The phytonutrients provided by plants help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, known factors that influence mental health.
Click the links below to read more details about the role fruits & vegetables play in our mental health.
https://fruitsandveggies.org/stories/the-plant-prescription-for-a-better-mood/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210513100030.htm
https://foodrevolution.org/blog/mood-boosting-foods/
So, it follows that this week,
the emphasis is on this one small change you can make
to improve your mood and overall health:
Add more fruits and veggies to your diet.
How can you get this done? Below are a few ideas, provided by our assistant manager, Annie.
FRUIT AND VEGGIE POWER!
IT’S EASIER THAN YOU MAY THINK TO ADD EXTRA SERVINGS OF FRUITS AND VEGGIES TO YOUR DIET. CHECK OUT SOME TIPS YOU CAN USE FOR EVERY MEAL OF THE DAY:
~BREAKFAST~
*Add fresh raspberries or fresh, sliced strawberries to your cereal or oatmeal.
*Switch out your morning coffee for a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice once a week. It’s a great way to start your day and limit your weekly caffeine intake!
~LUNCH~
*Why not add extra veggies to your sandwich? Romaine hearts, tomatoes, and cucumber go great with a traditional mayo or vinaigrette
*If you’re more of a grazer during lunchtime, try hummus with fresh veggies for a lighter meal.
~DINNER~
*Try adding a side salad or if you want to be a super sneaky, add some chopped and sautéed vegetables to your pasta sauce! Zucchini, carrots, onion, spinach and bell peppers are great in a marinara!
*Get creative with the pizza toppings! Pineapple, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli… so many possibilities! And “designing” your own mini pizza is a great way to get the whole family involved. Make it colorful!
~MIX IT UP~
*Add some green to your smoothie! Try adding an avocado for a great nutritional boost and a creamy texture. Seriously—it’s delish!
HEALTH IS A JOURNEY…A SERIES OF SMALL STEPS THAT TAKE YOU TO A NEW PLACE.
KEEP YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE HEALTHY GOALS YOU SET FOR YOURSELF. YOU ARE WORTH IT!
A Delicious Recipe to Increase Your Veggie Intake
Eat Your Greens!
Chard, Sausage and White Bean Soup
Perfect cozy soup for this winter weather!
NOTE: Do not leave out the smoked paprika! It gives this delicious soup such richness. You will find this amazing spice in our bulk spice department. If you don’t see it right away, just ask one of our helpful team members to point you in the right direction.
