By : Avery Phillips
Some people think that vegetables are only eaten in salads or as a steamed side dish with their main course, and those people are missing out on a lot of creative and savory ways to eat veggies. Winter is not the best time for salads, which can lead those individuals to skip out on their daily serving of vegetables. However, there are tons of delicious vegetable-centered meals that can provide you with your daily recommended intake of veggies. Here are some ideas for healthy meals as well as ways they can improve your health.
Instant Pots are the all-in-one, popular kitchen appliance of the last few years. They can speed up the time it takes to cook countless meals, especially ones that take hours to prepare. Beets and artichokes can take 30 minutes or longer on average to cook and soften, a process that can take less than 20 minutes and minimal attention when cooked in an Instant Pot. Beets and artichokes are loaded with vitamins and minerals, and they can add a savory taste to any meal. There are tons of quick Instant Pot recipes that center around and include vegetables.
Butternut squash, also known as winter squash, can be prepared as a sweet soup or tossed in olive oil, garlic and roasted in cubes until tender and lightly browned. Add a little salt and black pepper and voilà — a warm and wintry meal at the ready. Winter squash is full of health benefits and is a great source of vitamins A and C, and other essential nutrients that can make your skin and hair glow when winter has it feeling brittle.
Cauliflower, when seasoned and roasted slowly in the oven, is bursting with delicate flavor. Whisk a little bit of olive oil with a tablespoon of lemon juice, a little bit of minced garlic and a sprinkle of thyme to give your cauliflower all the flavor it needs. One head of cauliflower cut in half will reduce into two golden brown cauliflower steaks. One serving of cauliflower is low in fat; can provide you with most of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C; and is a good source of protein, fiber and potassium.
Last year, the Department of Psychology at the University of Otago in New Zealand conducted a study on the effects of fruits and vegetables on psychological well-being. The study found that in only two weeks the participants experienced an improved sense of motivation and vitality. Eating a few extra oranges and mushrooms throughout the winter months could help individuals with the winter blues by providing them with an extra boost of vitamin D that they may be missing from lack of sun.
While the way we eat is not always or even often the cause of our health illnesses, people can avoid sickness more often if their bodies are getting the vitamins and nutrients they need to stay healthy. The power of vegetables and of eating healthy knows very few bounds, and getting expert advice on how to improve your diet can be a great tool to improve your health. Family nurse practitioners are trained to advise patients on how they can maintain healthy lifestyles, which can be important when a nutrient deficiency is directly responsible for a negative psychological or physical change.
There are plenty of additional nutrition tips to keep in mind if you’re simply looking to stay healthy. While it may be a little scary to try new recipes, practice makes perfect, and you really can’t go wrong with vegetable-centered meals. Try some of these warm vegetable dishes to get you eating right this winter.
