March is Nutrition Month

nutrition month

Have you had your “daily 10” today? Despite the key role that vegetables and fruits play in equipping our bodies with essential vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants, many people are not eating enough. The Canada Food Guide recommends that adults eat 7 to 10 servings per day – meaning ½ cup of vegetables or one medium sized fruit per serving.[1]

If you’re having trouble fitting in your “daily 10”, try these three ideas for sneaking extra produce into everyday meals and snacks.

 

1. Yam pizza. Boost the vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium content of your next homemade pizza by spreading ½ cup of cooked, mashed yam onto the pizza dough. Top with a thin layer of tomato sauce and your favorite healthy toppings.

2. Black bean smoothie. Rev-up the fibre content and antioxidant power of your morning berry smoothie by adding a ½ cup of black beans.

3. Salsa yogurt salad dressing. Forgo store bought salad dressings that are high in fat and additives by preparing your own nutrient-dense salsa yogurt dressing. *Recipe below.

 

*Salsa yogurt dressing

Ingredients:

1 cup ripe tomato, diced

1 Tbsp. onion, diced

¼ tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. jalapeno, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped

1/4 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1 cup Greek yogurt

salad dressing

Directions:

 Combine tomato, onion, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, salt, and lime juice in a mixing bowl and toss well to mix. Allow to sit for 30 minutes. Mix ½ cup of the salsa with 1 cup of thick Greek yogurt. Serve drizzled over green salad.

Leave your nutrition tips in the comments section below.

[1] Health Canada. “What is a Food Guide Serving of Vegetables and Fruit?” Canada’s Food Guide. 2007. Web. 01 March 2015.

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Heart Healthy Edamame Dip Recipe

Heart Healthy Edamame Recipe

Edamame are one of the trendiest beans around – and for good reason. These green soybeans are not only delicious and easy to prepare, but a naturally rich source of fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Each cup of boiled edamame boasts 22 g of protein, 7.6 g of heart-healthy fibre, and 261 mg of calcium, with zero cholesterol and only 25 mg of sodium.[1] Soybeans also contain good monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3s, and are packed with antioxidant isoflavones.

Eating soybeans in place of animal products can support your heart’s health by maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure.[2] Pair this heart healthy edamame dip with low-sodium, whole grain crackers or fresh vegetables for a savory, guilt-free snack any time.

Heart Healthy Edamame Dip

Ingredients:

2 cups edamame, cooked and shelled

1 tsp. lemon zest

1 clove garlic, pressed

1/4 tsp. ginger, dried and ground

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

5 tbsp. olive oil

2 tbsp. water

Directions:

 Process edamame, lemon zest, garlic, and ginger in a food processor until smooth. While continuing to process, pour in lemon juice and olive oil slowly. Add approximately 2 tbsp. of water until a moderately thick, yet spreadable consistency is reached. Serve with low-sodium, whole grain crackers or fresh cut vegetables for dipping.

 

Explore PGX recipes for more healthy options.

 

 

[1] USDA. “Nutritional Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.” Agricultural Research Service. 2014. Web. 08 February 2015.

[2] Dietitians of Canada. “What are the Health Benefits of Soy?” Nutrition Resources. 2015. Web. 08 February 2015.

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Tips for cooking with PGX

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There are many quick and easy ways to incorporate PGX® granules into your favourite healthy snacks. Fluid and creamy foods are the most compatible choices because they blend well with the extra liquid that is added to make up for the water PGX absorbs. Once you get a sense of how PGX can change a food’s consistency and how much extra liquid to add, PGX granules may become your new ‘go-to’ ingredient for smart snacking recipes.

Here are three superb snacks you can rev-up with PGX granules.

Creamy almond butter spread: Using a small food processor or hand held blender, process 1/4 cup of almond butter with 3 tbsp. of soy milk until the consistency is smooth. Stir in 2.5 g of PGX* and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Enjoy spread on apple slices or plain rice cakes.

Kefir dill dip: Combine 2/3 cups of kefir, 1 tbsp. of minced dill, ½ tbsp. of lemon juice, a pinch of sea salt, and 5 g of PGX* granules in a bowl. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Eat as a dip with fresh-cut veggies.

Blueberry oatmeal sauce: Using a small food processor, process 1 cup of blueberries with ½ cup of water until smooth. Stir in 2.5 g of PGX* granules and allow to sit for 5 – 10 minutes. Drizzle over warm steel cut oats.

Once you feel ready to kick the fibre content of your own recipes up a notch, use the PGX chart for guidance on how much PGX and liquid to use.

* Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX. If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX.

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Recipe: Droppin’ Beets with PGX

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Juicing is a great way to incorporate additional nutrients into your diet without feeling like you’re “only allowed to eat salad this week.” Uggh…I hate that feeling and thinking that way is not a great mindset for long-term goals.

Instead of that line of thinking, dieting should be considered a life-long, healthy attitude toward foods and with juicing, you can work a massive yet healthy amount of veggies (and some fruits) into your diet. Take this recipe, for instance: Today, I wasn’t planning on eating two beets, a half a head of celery, an entire romaine heart, two cucumbers and two apples – but that’s just what this recipe does, minus the additional pulp that doesn’t get juiced.

Further, when it comes to juicing, adding in an additional 2.5-5 grams of PGX® Granules (that’s two stick packs or between ½ and 1 full scoop of granules) I can get some additional fiber into my diet and get the benefits of satiety1,2 that you get from taking PGX.

Caution: Do not put the PGX granules through your juicer. They should be manually mixed into a glass of your juice by hand immediately before drinking.

Beet Juicing Recipe with PGX

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Ingredients:

  • 2 romaine hearts
  • 2 apples
  • 2 beets
  • 2 cucumbers
  • ½ head of celery (optional)
  • 2.5 – 5 g PGX Granules*

Directions:

  1. Using a centrifugal juicer – start by juicing the romaine hearts at LOW/MED speed. Because the leaves are thin, sometimes large particles of them can get caught in the blades. The rest of the “heavier” fruits and veggies will help push those un-juiced leaves through.
  2. Increase speed to HIGH and juice the remaining apples, beets, cucumbers and celery.
  3. Pour a 8-12oz of juice into a drinking glass.
  4. Mix with 2.5-5 g of PGX granules.
  5. Drink immediately (within 1-5 minutes). PGX Granules don’t dissolve in liquids – they absorb water sort of how chia seeds do, so they should be consumed quickly after mixing with any liquid.*

Yield: 2 Quarts

Variety Tip: Get creative by adding in any other healthy fruits or vegetables you have on hand. With this recipe, carrots or spinach would go nicely.

Storage Tip: You can refrigerate any juice you don’t immediately drink for up to 24 hours. Because of oxidation, the juice starts to lose its benefits very quickly, so be sure to drink it within 24 hours or make slightly smaller batches. Be sure to store it in an air-tight container – glass jars work perfectly.

 * Drink additional water (8 fl. oz.) after ingesting PGX.  If you are taking medications, take one hour prior to or two hours after taking PGX.

References:

1. Kacinik V, Lyon M, Purnama M, Reimer RA, Gahler R, Green TJ, Wood S. “Effect of PGX®, a novel functional fibre supplement, on subjective ratings of appetite in overweight and obese women consuming a three-day structured, low calorie diet.” Nutr Diabetes. 2011, 1:e22. doi: 10./038/nutd.2011.18.
2. Lyon MR, Reichert RG. “The effect of a novel viscous polysaccharide along with lifestyle changes on short-term weight loss and associated risk factors in overweight and obese adults: an observational retrospective clinical program analysis.” Altern Med Rev. 2010; 15(1): 68-75.

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Guilt-free dessert: Chocolate Chia Avocado Pudding

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A rich, chocolate pudding full of nutritional goodness!

Avocado’s are an excellent source of healthy fats and a variety of additional nutrients and vitamins including potassium, fiber, and vitamins C, K, and B6.

And don’t underestimate the tiny chia seed! These seeds are packed with omega-3, calcium, magnesium, complete protein and fiber, just to name a few.

Prep time: 10-15 min
Serves: 2

IngredientsIMG_2148-adjusted

  • 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons almond milk
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or stevia to taste

Directions

  1. Place the chia seeds and almond milk (or milk alternative) in a small dish. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes until the seeds form a gel consistency.
  2. Add the thickened chia seed milk mixture and the remaining ingredients into a small food processor.
  3. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  4. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later.

I hope you enjoyed this recipe!

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How to Make Smoothie Freezer Packs

DIY: Smoothie Freezer Packs for Busy Back-to-School Schedules

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Green Smoothies are a great way to get in a nutritious meal or snack. However, many of us may be short on time to gather and prepare the variety of fruits and vegetables that go into a green smoothie.

Preparing smoothie packs ahead of time that are easy and fast to blend up will help save time in the mornings or provide a quick healthy snack during the day. Kids can also help make their own custom smoothies for the week!

4 Simple Steps to Making Freezer Packs:

  1. Choose your fruit: Berries, peaches, mango, banana, etc. (fresh or frozen)
  2. Choose your greens: Spinach, kale, collards, etc.
  3. Bag it up! Place approximately equal amounts of fruit and greens into a medium size Ziploc freezer bag in any flavor combination of your choice.
  4. Store in the freezer

When ready to use, place 2-3 cups of liquid, freezer pack contents, plus optional ingredients into a blender.

(Depending on the type of blender you use, you may have to add the frozen ingredients in small portions at a time)

Choose your liquid base:

  • Dairy free milk (almond, soy, etc.)
  • Coconut water
  • Milk/yogurt
  • Chilled fruit tea or green tea
  • Juice
  • Water

Add optional ingredients:

  • Protein powder
  • Fiber supplement
  • PGX granules
  • Chia seeds
  • Sweetener: Stevia, honey, agave, etc.

Blend until smooth and enjoy!

Have a favourite smoothie recipe? Share it in the comments.

Lauren Taylor

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