I am big on setting intentions for the New Year and know how hard it can be to stay consistent with things when life and the pandemic get in the way! A new year does offer you a chance to reset and reconnect with what is important to you on all things health related. Being that my job is practicing as a naturopathic doctor, I do highly value health but there is things we can all improve upon so I ask you these questions. What is the first thing that you could stand to improve with regards to your health? Choose the first thing that comes to mind. For me, that is drinking more water. In fact, I am going to drink two big glasses of water when I first get up. That way I start the day with more hydration. This I need to be a habit, so I intend to do this for 21 days; then it will be automatic!
For my corporate clients who are working from home, I am wondering if they are cooking more healthy meals versus going out to eat as in house restaurant services are restricted at the moment. Choosing to eat healthier may be a goal of yours so let’s keep it simple. Can you get more colors of the rainbow into your day of food intake? I think roygbiv (I remember this from early schooling and look for a color for each letter).
R is for red. Pomegranates are an amazing food full of antioxidants and polyphenols that help protect your heart and blood vessels from plaque and buildup. Can you incorporate a pomegranate piece or juice into your diet today? Only 2 oz are required for the benefits.
O is for orange. Can you add an orange vegetable into your diet? How about a sweet potato? You can bake sweet potato fries which are a tasty snack. Sweet potatoes are high in Vitamin A which is important for the health of your eyes. What about a yellow vegetable? You could incorporate a butternut squash homemade soup for lunch or have a piece of baked acorn squash for your dinner today. More Vitamin A for you and betacarotene for your eye health.
Next letter is green. This is one of my favorite vegetable categories. I think dark leafy green vegetables are the most energizing food you can eat. Make it organic for the dirty dozen fruits and vegetables but choose kale, spinach, collards, or dark leaf lettuce to increase your intake of magnesium and fuel your mitochondria. Blend in a smoothie with some fruit like kiwi or banana and half a lemon or perhaps steam a serving for your buddha bowl for your dinner meal.
B is for blue and the first food I think of is wild blueberries. This is the berry family which is so good for your cognitive function and to preserve your brain. Throw a cup in your dinner salad to mix it up tonight.
Next is indigo and violet colors of the rainbow. These foods are a little harder to pin down but black beans will fit the bill for indigo. This is a vegetable protein so incorporate some black beans into your breakfast today to keep your blood sugar balanced longer.
The violet color can be incorporated with some eggplant in your diet. Eggplant is good for protecting the fat in the brain from damage so for all my MS clients make sure you get some eggplant in your diet. You could make an eggplant dip from a recipe for Baba Ganoush. I will start posting some cooking videos soon so I will add this to my list of things to cook for my patients.
So by starting with a simple goal of getting the rainbow into your diet today. This is a great goal and a reset for the New Year. To book in with me to discuss your health goals for the New Year, call Parallel Wellness at 4032321283. Kind regards, Dr. Robin VInge, ND
Reference: www.whfoods.com