The fall season has arrived! This means chillier weather and favorite fall foods. Many of our favorite autumn foods can be much richer or sweeter than what we would normally be including in our daily diets. But by making some simple edits to our favorite foods we can give these treats a healthful twist, making it easier to include them in a balanced diet. Your Hy-Vee dietitians have got you covered! Below is a list of 5 fall favorite events and food ideas with a healthy twist.
Your Hy-Vee dietitians have got you covered! Below is a list of 5 fall favorite events and food ideas with a healthy twist.
- Football Sunday: For your next watch party, give your nachos a healthy twist by using whole corn chips or even veggie chips, part-skim mozzarella cheese, a lean protein (ex: chicken or ground turkey) and load up the veggies. Some of our favorite veggies to use on top of a nacho stack are bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapenos and lettuce. Don’t be afraid to go extra heavy on the vegetables; it will give your nachos a colorful and nutrient-packed twist.
- Halloween: Trick or Treat! Sweet treats and Halloween go hand in hand. However, can we make a sweet treat that also has some nutritional value? Yes, we can! How about some candy corn-inspired fruit popsicles? For the first layer you combine Greek yogurt, agave nectar and coconut milk. For the second layer take some of the original mixture and add in orange and mango. Then for the final layer take some of the original mixture from the first layer and combine it with pineapple and banana. Just make sure to freeze each layer before adding the next; that way you will get a final popsicle that looks like a giant candy corn.
- Thanksgiving: Fall is also winter squash season! So add something new and festive to your Thanksgiving spread by making a simple squash side dish. Some easy examples of how to include squash are making a savory soup, roasted squash dish or creamy sauce. One fan favorite dish is a roasted butternut squash dish with mozzarella cheese and bacon. Make sure to include some great fall spices, like sage, thyme and garlic.
- Fall Colors Hike: Autumn is a great time to get out and be active while enjoying the vibrant fall colors. This increase in physical activity can also mean that we need to refuel, especially on a longer or more strenuous hike. Pumpkin energy bites can make the perfect fall hike pick-me-up. Combine 1 cup dates, 1 cup oats, ¼ cup pecans, ¼ cup pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 2¼ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extra, and 1/8 teaspoon salt for a nutrient-packed and easy-to-carry snack.
- Orchard Picking: Autumn also means it is apple season! One of our favorite fall activities is visiting an apple orchard and picking out fun apple varieties. It gets you active outside and it puts fresh fruit on your family’s table. Once you have picked your apples, use some of them to make homemade apple chips. This snack is easy to make and fun to eat. Cut your apples of choice into thin slices (using a mandolin can make this easier), spread the apple slices out on a prepared baking sheet, and sprinkle each side with cinnamon (or another spice of choice). Once the apple slices are prepared you can bake them in the oven at 200?F for 1-1½ hours or cook them in an air fryer according to your machine’s instructions.
Your Hy-Vee dietitians enjoy sharing all things delicious in the grocery store. We are available to schedule your FREE personal nutrition tour or Dietitian Discovery Session in-person or virtually. Go to https://www.hy-vee.com/health and find your dietitian.
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
