The change of the season is a great time to change up your diet. "Superfoods" are those nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables that can give you a boost of energy and also help to balance out your diet. Many are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Adding just one or two superfoods to your diet each week is all you need to kick off a healthy habit this season.
Here are five ways to add superfoods to your diet this week:
#1: Add frozen strawberries to your smoothies. Strawberries are high in vitamin C and also packed with antioxidants. Add frozen strawberries to your smoothies or just mix fresh strawberries with Greek yogurt (instead of buying the sugary, fruit-on-the-bottom variety) for a nutritious boost.
#2: Make a rhubarb chutney. Add a flavorful punch to side dishes with a rhubarb chutney or relish. Some studies suggest that rhubarb may have cancer-fighting properties - especially if it's cooked. Make a zesty rhubarb chutney to enjoy with your grilled meats and veggies this season.
#3: Whip up a cherry salsa. If you can pick up cherries from the farmer's market, make sure you choose cherries with the stems intact. Cherries are loaded with antioxidants and can be the perfect ingredient for homemade salsa. Pitted sweet or sour cherries mixed with lime juice, red onion, jalapeno pepper, and mango come together nicely in this cherry and mango salsa recipe. You could also enjoy cherries with yogurt, as part of a fruit and yogurt parfait, or on top of your favorite cereal.
#4: Prepare more spinach salads. While mixed greens and romaine lettuce are great for making salads during the warmer months, don't overlook spinach, another tasty leafy green. Fresh spinach leaves are full of water and fiber and also have a more distinctive flavor than romaine or iceberg lettuce. Try a warm spinach salad this season or saute spinach as a side dish for the extra nutrient and fiber boost.
#5: Add a few slices of avocado to wraps and sandwiches. Avocado is a great source of healthy fats and will also make sandwiches and wraps more satisfying. You only need a very small serving of this superfood to enjoy some health benefits. Mash up avocado to make guacamole or just add a few chunks of this dense fruit to salads.
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