When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, you likely think of Ireland, wearing green clothes, shamrocks, and corned beef and cabbage. Did you know that St. Patrick’s Day falls right in the middle of National Nutrition Month? This campaign, sponsored annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The 2016 National Nutrition Month theme is "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right." Why not savor some healthy flavors this St. Patrick’s Day?
Healthy St. Patrick’s Day tips
Be festive with GREEN:
- Add more dark greens to your salad, such as baby kale, spinach, romaine and green leaf lettuce, green peppers, cucumbers, etc.
- Try the Dietitian Pick of the Month: Kalettes. They are a cross between kale and Brussels sprouts.
- Be inspired to go GREEN with your side dish. Try Brussels sprouts, broccoli, edamame or green beans.
- Pistachios and pepitas. Sprinkle on entrees, side dishes and salads.
- Green tea is a good way to warm up and get antioxidants at the same time.
- Sweeten up that fruit salad with kiwi and green grapes
- Spinach. Add to your fruit smoothie to add extra fiber and iron.
More colors of the rainbow needed to find your “pot of gold”:
- Red – watermelon, apples, tomatoes, strawberries
- Blue/purple – blueberries, eggplant, grapes, red onion, blackberries
- Yellow – banana, pear, pineapple
- Orange – clementine, mangos, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe
- White – cauliflower, mushrooms, garlic
Trying to eat right can be very confusing and overwhelming. Try to stick with these two concepts to get you started living a healthier lifestyle:
Moderation is key:
- Consume no more than 3 ounces of meat, like corned beef, per meal
- Consider limiting alcohol consumption
- Limit higher-calorie fried foods
Aim for lower sodium:
- Herbs like thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, dill
- Add other flavors, such as lemon, lime, orange juice
- Spice it up with chili pepper, cayenne, crushed red pepper
- Reduce salt by half in recipes
Red Potato Colcannon
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
