Hello collegiettes! It’s that time of year again…the dreadful, hated thing that only appears in your nightmares: bikini season! I know it may seem easier to try some fad diet like Atkins, but the real secret to losing weight (this may seem like a shocker) is eating healthy. You may need to make a few changes to your regular meals if you’re a bread and pasta lover like me, but if you simply put your mind to it, you can succeed! There are certain foods that you can add to your diet that will give you more energy and help you feel better, longer. Here are 5:
1. Greek Yogurt
You may have already committed yourself to a regular morning or afternoon yogurt, but I urge you to make the switch to (drum roll please)…greek yogurt! Some of you may be asking yourselves what the difference is, or some of you may already be avid Chobani lovers. For those of you that haven’t yet jumped on the Greek yogurt bandwagon yet, it is a higher-protein, lower-sugar version of regular yogurt. It has a much thicker consistency and tangier taste, and goes great with all types of fruit and honey. You can also buy it in a low-fat or fat-free version (Chobani 0% Peach is my favorite). Greek yogurt can have twice the protein of a regular yogurt, which makes it a winner in nutrition, texture, and flavor.
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2. Flaxseed
This may sound like a weird one, but I swear it carries a multitude of nutrients that are sure to be a great addition to your diet. Flaxseed is an omega-3 fatty acid (same as fish oil, which is also a great supplement). It improves your metabolism and heart, and also helps give your skin a youthful shine. Secondly, flaxseed is really high in fiber, which I know many of us struggle to get enough of. Just a little sprinkle on your morning oatmeal, or even Greek yogurt (hint hint), can be a great addition.
3. Quinoa
This one has splashed on the foodie scene in a big way in recent years. This may be another head scratcher for those of you that aren’t yet interested in special ingredients, but quinoa is a great addition to your pantry. Although not technically a grain, quinoa is the perfect substitute for starches such as pasta and rice. It is cooked similarly to rice, and has a wonderful soft but crunchy texture and nutty flavor when cooked. Quinoa is also an excellent source of protein, so a good way for vegetarians to get more of their intake. It is also contains hard-to-get nutrients like magnesium. Although it may not be very well known yet, quinoa is definitely here to stay.
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4. Avocado
We all know what an avocado is, even if just for the universal love of guacamole. Avocados get a bad rep sometimes because of their high fat content, but there’s is definitely a healthy fat, like olive oil. It is also full of fiber, potassium, and various minerals. It is always good to eat fats in moderation, but avocados are ones that you can safely get a larger helping of. While they are great in any guacamole, salad, or sandwich, another great way to eat them is plain with just a little bit of lime or lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Voila!–An easy and delicious way to get its healthful benefits.
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5. Green Tea
I’m sure many of you have heard of the benefits of green tea. Tea in general is a good source of antioxidants, but green tea especially is full of them! Tea can be yummy any time of the day, but I find that I especially like to drink it after dinner. It fights cancer, heart disease, lowers cholesterol, and helps prevent diabetes. There isn’t much to do except gush about the healthful benefits that come with this superfood. Some people may not like the taste of it, but you really just have to find the right blend. Plain green tea is great, but I especially enjoy Earl Grey green tea. I like to add a little bit of sugar and nonfat milk, which makes the perfect blend.
So there you have it! 5 foods with amazing nutritional benefits that will make you look and feel better too!
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Added bonus? My favorite healthy recipes! Enjoy!
Tomato Basil Quinoa
2 tbs. butter or olive oil
¼ cup chopped yellow onions
1 cup of quinoa
1 ½ cup of chicken stock (vegetable is fine too)
Handful of basil leaves, sliced
3-4 tomatoes, chopped
1 tbs. crushed garlic
Pinch of crushed red pepper
Parmesan cheese
Sautee onions, crushed red pepper, and garlic over medium high heat in butter until onions are translucent (You may want to add the garlic after the onions have cooked for a bit so it doesn’t burn). When they are done, add the quinoa and stir, coating it with the butter. Add in the stock and reduce the heat to medium low. Put on the lid and cook until the quinoa has absorbed all of the liquid. If it does not taste done, you can add more stock as needed.
Chop up the tomatoes and basil and add to pot when quinoa is done cooking. Stir, incorporating all the elements, and then take off the heat and let sit and steam. When it is ready, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over as desired.