Fall is a busy time for everyone- whether you’re running from extracurriculars to your next activity or spending long nights at the library to prepare for your never-ending midterms. As the weather gets colder and your life gets busier, your own personal health often gets lost in the mix of all-nighters and comfort foods. What’s important to remember, though, is that no matter what you have going on, being healthy is still important and it’s something that you should find a way to prioritize in your life. By taking a little time to focus on your health each day, you’ll feel better and be able to devote your newly energized self to whatever is important to you. Not only that, but you’ll feel better about yourself, too. While a lot of different things fall under the umbrella of being healthy, eating well is definitely one of the most important, so check out these tips and recipes to keep eating healthy through your busy fall season.
Tips for Healthy Fall Eating
· If you’re hungry for a snack in the middle of the day, stick to fruits, vegetables, or protein-heavy snacks to keep you full longer and avoid adding extra calories. Apples, which are high in vitamin C and dietary fiber with only around 70 calories, or pears, with just a little more natural sugar, are great picks.
· Fall is a season full of vegetables in harvest so next time you’re making yourself a salad or choosing a side for your dinner, try broccoli, cauliflower, or even brussel sprouts, all of which are high in vitamins and minerals and low in calories.
· Yes, pumpkin is great, but you still have to watch out for your health. So next time you stop at Starbucks for your favorite pumpkin spice latte, try asking for one made with skim milk or without whipped cream, so you can cut your calories and extra fat while still keeping the great pumpkin taste.
Fall Fruit Smoothie
Many fruits are in season in fall- apples, kiwi, tangerines, pears, you name it. So a good bet for a seasonal snack is a smoothie packed with your favorite fruits. By using almond milk rather than regular milk or ice cream and Greek yogurt rather than the regular, sugary kind, the health benefits of added protein, less cholesterol, and even fewer calories. This healthy fall favorite is the perfect snack to grab and go on a busy day.
Ingredients: Plain greek yogurt, Silk Pure Almond vanilla unsweetened milk, fruit juice (for this example, orange juice), and your favorite fall fruits (for this example, kiwi and strawberry)
Directions: Combine 1 cup of almond milk, 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt, ½ cup of juice, and however much you like of your favorite fruits in a blender and mix until smooth- then enjoy!
Healthy Pumpkin Pancakes with Protein
This recipe combines the most famous fall flavor, pumpkin, with the new health trend of banana pancakes, making this breakfast favorite much more health-friendly. This version especially, with the added ingredient of whey protein, is as great for you as it tastes. This protein powder is a commonly used dietary supplement created from whey, which is left over when milk coagulates, and helps keep you full longer as well as aiding muscle growth. These pancakes are simple to make and a great start to a cool fall morning.
Ingredients: one banana, pumpkin, oats, baking powder, and whey protein
Directions: Mash the banana with a fork and combine it with ¼ cup pumpkin, ½ cup oats, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder. Stir the mix thoroughly and then pour it onto a griddle and cook until golden- just like normal pancakes!