The month of March is National Nutrition Month, a campaign dedicated to stressing the importance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. A majority of us fall short on the nutritional scale, mindlessly consuming foods that are not the healthiest of choices. Try incorporating these delicious, nutrient-packed super foods into your daily diet. Your body (and mind) will thank you!
- Blueberries
These little berries are loaded with antioxidants. Of all the fruits, blueberry is a frontrunner for nutrition. Dieticians have found that these berries prevent heart disease, improve memory, lower blood pressure and even fight cancer. Blueberries are rather easy to incorporate into your diet. You can simply add them to your morning bowl of cereal or oatmeal, eat them in yogurt or salads, or just enjoy them by the handful! - Salmon
When it comes to nutritional value, salmon is truly the only fish in the sea. Salmon contains the greatest amount of Omega-3s, which are fatty acids that help our bodies operate. These acids lower the risk of many diseases. Salmon also contains Magnesium, Selenium, Potassium and vitamin B. Nutritionists say that we should consume this fatty fish once per week. It not only prevents dementia, heart disease and depression, but it also tastes delicious and is low in calories! Try salmon over a bed of wild rice served with steamed vegetables for the tastiest cuisine! - Garlic
Garlic is packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals, making it so worth the bad breath. It is very high in vitamin C and B, as well as Calcium, Manganese, Selenium, Potassium and Copper. Studies have shown that people who consume high amounts of garlic have a much lower chance of developing stomach or colon cancer in their lifetime. Garlic also has been known to lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease. The great thing about this nutritional ingredient is that you can add it to almost any dish for an extra burst of flavor! - Spinach
When it comes to spinach, we should all be more like Popeye. It is a powerful source of key vitamins and nutrients. Spinach is rich in vitamin K, which keeps your bones strong, preventing fractures. It also contains carotenoids. These nutrients protect your eyes, preventing them from degenerating as you grow older. You should also consume spinach due to its high concentrations of Potassium, Magnesium and Folate. It will regulate your blood pressure, as well as lower your risk of having a stroke. There are so many creative and delicious ways to incorporate spinach into your meals. For example, you can add it to your favorite sub sandwich, or sprinkle it on your pizza or pasta dish. You can blend it into your breakfast smoothie, or simply enjoy a spinach salad. Yum!
While National Nutritional Month is celebrated in March, we encourage you to practice healthy, nutritious eating habits all year long!