NIFS Healthy Living Blog

We have all heard about holiday weight gain from eating too much of those delicious celebratory foods. However, a lot of the foods that we typically only see around this time of year can be very good for us. Here are some superfoods and recipes to incorporate into your annual holiday feasts!

Brussels Sprouts:

• Loaded with 15% of your RDA for fiber to help keep cholesterol low.
• Lots of cancer-fighting antioxidants like Vitamins C, E, and A.
• Contain one-third of the inflammation-reducing omega-3 fatty acids your body requires per day.
• Over 200% of the RDA of Vitamin K, which is essential for proper brain and nerve function.

Pomegranate:

• May help keep plaque from forming on artery walls.
• Antioxidants in it have been found to slow prostate cancer growth.
• Improves blood flow to the heart and reduces the risk for heart disease.

Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate and Bacon

Makes 3 to 4 side-dish servings

5 to 6 cups Brussels sprouts (about 1.5 lbs.), cleaned and quartered

2 slices turkey bacon or center-cut bacon, cut into small pieces

¼ cup pomegranate seeds

¼ cup pecan halves, roughly chopped

⅛ to ¼ tsp. sea salt and pepper, depending on preference

1. Begin by cooking the bacon over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
2. Once the bacon is almost all browned, add the Brussels sprouts. Cook and stir at least once a minute. When most of the Brussels sprouts have browned a little bit and are softened
   (about 5 to 7 minutes), pour into pomegranates and pecans.
3. Add salt and pepper.
4. Cook the entire mixture for another 2 to 3 minutes.

(Recipe from www.eatliverun.com.)

Turkey:

• Lean source of protein with all of the essential amino acids.
• Contains selenium, which is helpful in thyroid and immune system function.
• Is a good source of Vitamins B3 and B6.

Turkey Pot Pie Soup

Makes 8 servings

¼ cup flour

2 cups turkey stock

4 cups fat-free milk

2 large celery stalks, chopped

1½ cups chopped onion

8 oz. sliced mushrooms

Fresh ground pepper

2 TB. chopped parsley

8 oz. frozen peas and carrots

1 tsp. turkey bouillon (or more to taste)

2 medium (12 oz. total) potatoes, peeled and cubed small

16 oz. cooked turkey breast, diced small or shredded

1. Create a roux by combining ½ cup of the cold broth with flour in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended. Set aside.
2. Pour remaining broth and milk into a large pot and slowly bring to a boil. Add celery, onion, mushrooms, parsley, fresh pepper, frozen vegetables, and salt and return to a boil.
3. Partially cover and simmer on low until vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes.
4. Remove lid, add potatoes, and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
5. Add turkey, and slowly whisk in roux, stirring well as you add.
6. Cook another 2 to 3 minutes, until soup thickens.
7. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve.

(Recipe from www.skinnytaste.com.)

Sweet Potatoes:

• Rich in beta carotene and meet the daily requirement for Vitamin A.
• Provide one-third of your daily dose of Vitamin C.
• Packed with fiber to help keep you full.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Makes 12 servings

1 lb. cooked, mashed sweet potato

½ cup orange juice

½ cup sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla

2 egg whites

Topping:

½ cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons butter

1. Mix orange juice, sugar, vanilla and egg whites. Add to sweet potato.
2. Place sweet potato mixture in a casserole dish.
3. Mix topping ingredients until mixture is mealy. Spread on top of potato mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup of chopped pecans on top (optional).
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

Pumpkin:

• A serving contains more than 200% of the RDA of Vitamin A, which helps with vision.
• Loaded with the antioxidant beta carotene, which is a cancer fighter.
• Plenty of potassium to aid in the body’s electrolyte balance.

Cinnamon:

• Has been found to help reduce blood sugar levels of individuals with diabetes.
• Can help fight against bacterial and fungal infections.
• May help against the destructive process of multiple sclerosis.

Pumpkin Pie Dip

Makes 12 servings

15 oz. canned pumpkin

8 oz. Cool-Whip

1 package sugar-free, fat-free vanilla pudding mix

½ TB. pumpkin pie seasoning

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. nutmeg

Sliced apples for dipping

1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together except apples.
2. Chill in refrigerator until ready to eat.
3. Serve with sliced apples.

 Red Wine:

• Can have a significant positive effect on lowering cholesterol levels.
• Resveratrol, a compound in red wine, can help keep your brain sharp.
• Studies have shown it can prevent you from getting the common cold when drinking red wine in moderation (5 oz. per day for women and 10 oz. per day for men).

Pot Roast with Dried Fruit and Red Wine

Makes 6 servings

1 well-trimmed boneless beef rump roast (2 pounds), tied

¾ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup beef broth

1 cup dry red wine

½ cup orange juice

½ teaspoon ground allspice

2 large red onions, cut into wedges

2 cups pitted prunes

2 cups dried apricot halves

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Rub the roast with the salt and pepper.
3. In an ovenproof Dutch oven, bring the broth, wine, orange juice, and allspice to a boil over high heat.
4. Place the roast in the pot and return to a boil. Cover the pot and place in the oven.
5. Bake, turning the roast several times, for 2 hours. Add the onions, prunes, and apricots and cook for 1 hour, or until the roast is very tender.
6. Place on a cutting board, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes.
7. Remove the strings from the roast and cut into thin slices.
8. Arrange the meat on a platter and spoon the pan juices and fruit over top.

(Recipe from www.prevention.com.)

Happy Holidays, and make sure to incorporate some of these superfoods into your meals this season!

This blog was written by Angie Scheetz, RD, wellness coordinator at NIFS, She also organizes the Mini Marathon Training Program, Dealing with Diabetes, and Lite ‘N Up classes. To contact Angie about Personal Nutrtional Coaching sessions email her at ascheetz@nifs.org or call 317-274-3432.

There are a lot of different days throughout the year devoted to certain foods, and October 2 is no exception. This day is reserved for all things kale!

So, if you have been hearing about this wonderful green, leafy vegetable and have been wanting to try it, or if you are already a lover of the vitamin-K-packed wonder, then definitely take this day to enjoy some recipes that incorporate kale.

Since kale thrives in cooler weather, this time of year is the perfect opportunity to sample it when other vegetables are out of season. To find the freshest kale, search for deeply colored leaves with hardy stems.

If you want to increase your intake of folate, calcium, iron, fiber, and phytonutrients, here are three ways to incorporate kale into your diet for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack time.

Orange-Blueberry Kale Smoothie

If the thought of drinking a green smoothie doesn’t appeal to you, try this delicious option that keeps the color a gorgeous purple!

1 whole orange

1 cup blueberries

½ cup vanilla almond or soy milk or ½ cup skim milk

2 cups chopped and loosely packed kale

1 cup ice

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Makes three 8-ounce servings or two 12-ounce servings.

Kale Salad

1 big bunch kale; chopped fine

1 cup cooked wild rice or brown rice, cooled (or try cooked quinoa)

1 red or orange bell pepper; chopped

¼ cup thinly sliced red onion or green onion

1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins or both

½ cup feta cheese

¼ cup grated parmesan

Dressing:

2 to 3 TB. olive oil

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

2 TB. Dijon mustard

1 to 2 TB. honey

Juice of 1 lemon (add zest if you want)

Sea salt and pepper to taste

Toss salad. Put all dressing ingredients in a shaker and combine. Pour over salad and enjoy.

Kale Chips

Slice kale into bite-sized pieces. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

For more information and recipes, check out the National Kale Day website.  

Schedule a personal nutrition consultation to plan how you can incorporate more veggies like kale into your diet.

This blog was written by Registered Dietitian at NIFS, Angie Scheetz, RD. To meet the NIFS Bloggers click here.

Diabetes is a disease that affects 8.3% of the population, or 26 million individuals. When it comes to diabetes, nutrition is key. The goal is to be able to choose foods that help to keep blood sugar levels under control and in the recommended range.

The best way to eat to guarantee optimum blood sugar levels is to always combine carbohydrate foods with a protein to help prevent levels from spiking too high. Foods that are carbohydrates are grains such as rice, cereal, and pasta; dairy foods such as milk and yogurt; and fruits and vegetables. Foods that have protein include meat, eggs, soy, beans, nuts, and dairy foods (which also contain protein in addition to carbohydrates).

Here are some diabetic-friendly recipes that follow this suggestion.

Mini BBQ Chicken-Topped Potato Halves

Ingredients:

• —2 (1/4 lb total) new potatoes, scrubbed and pierced with a fork in several areas
• —2 cups prepared shredded barbeque chicken
• —1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt or fat-free sour cream
• —1/4 cup finely chopped green onions (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place the potatoes on a microwave-safe plate and cook five minutes, turn, and cook another 4 to 5 minutes until fork tender.
2. Meanwhile, place the barbecue chicken in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, about 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir frequently. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
3. Place potatoes on cutting board, cut in half lengthwise, top with equal amounts of chicken, and then top with the sour cream and green onions.

*Serving size is half a potato; makes 4 servings.

Calories: 83; Total Fat: 1g; Total Carbohydrate: 24g; Protein: 10g

Grilled Asparagus

Ingredients:

• —1 pound/bundle of fresh asparagus
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• —Pinch of pepper
• —¼ tsp Mrs. Dash salt-free seasoning
• —1 ounce Fresh lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Heat grill to high heat.
2. Lightly coat the asparagus with olive oil, squeezed lemon juice, pepper, and Mrs. Dash.
3. Grill 2 to 3 minutes.

*Makes 4 servings.  **Pair this with your favorite grilled lean meat

Calories: 116; Total Fat: 10g; Total Carbohydrate: 6g; Protein: 3g

Strawberry Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients:

• —1 cup Chocolate Cheerios®
• —2 containers (6 oz. each) Yoplait Greek Strawberry Yogurt (1 1/3 cups)
• —2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

Instructions:

1. Save two teaspoons of Chocolate Cheerios for toppings.
2. Take each of the serving glasses and layer 2 tablespoons of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of Chocolate Cheerios, and 1/4 cup of sliced strawberries, and repeat layers.
3. Top with the remaining Cheerios and a whole strawberry.

*Makes 4 servings.

Calories: 136; Total Fat: 1g; Total Carbohydrate: 25g; Protein: 8g

Getting the Balance Right and Learning More About Diabetes

Most individuals need between 45 and 60 grams of carbohydrate per meal. Combine this with 15 to 25 grams of protein and blood sugar levels will remain stable and in the healthy range. By incorporating dietary changes, diabetics will be able to improve their health and manage their diabetes.

This blog was written by Angie Scheetz, RD. For more information contact her at ascheetz@nifs.org or 317-274-3432, ext 239.

Although carrots are delicious and nutritious, we can often prepare them in ways that smother their nutritional benefits (carrot cake, anyone?). These Carrot Spice Muffins not only taste amazing, but they are relatively healthy due to three star ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas
• ¾ cup coconut oil instead of butter
• 1 cup shredded carrots

Chickpeas provide an extra fiber boost and add in a touch of extra protein (and I swear you cannot taste them!). The coconut oil is very heart-healthy, and the carrots are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants such as Vitamin A and beta-carotene.

I promise, these muffins are soft and delicious, and you will not even know that the chickpeas are there! These muffins are just bursting with the flavors of carrot, cinnamon, and ginger.

Carrot Spice Muffins

Yields: about 20 medium sized muffins

Cook time: 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick entered in the center of the muffin comes out clean

Ingredients:

• 1 16-oz. can of rinsed and drained chickpeas
• ¼ cup agave nectar
• 1 cup white flour
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ginger
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup white sugar
• ¾ cup coconut oil, softened but not melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup walnuts

 Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line muffin tins with muffin liners and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Place the chickpeas and agave in the food processor and process until smooth. Set aside.
4. Combine the flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger in a large bowl and set aside.
5. Combine the coconut oil and sugars until creamy, then add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract.
6. Add in the chickpea mixture and the applesauce.
7. Slowly add in the flour mixture until thoroughly combined.
8. Mix the carrots and walnuts into the batter.
9. Fill the muffin tins about three-fourths of the way full. Place in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean.
10. Cool and enjoy!!

This blog was written by Tara Rochford, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist. Visit her website.