Tags: trends

Jess’s Favorite Items (plus a new trend!) To Try In The New Year

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Jess’s favorite items (plus a new trend!) to try in the new year

Cheers to 2023! As you reflect on the adventures of the past year and look forward to the opportunities of the year to come, I challenge you to consider trying something new. When I think about trying something new, I naturally gravitate towards food. So, to help you get started on your own “something new,” these are some of my favorite and lesser-known items (plus one trend) that I urge you to try in the New Year!

1. Sweet Haven Tonics

You have GOT to check this gem out! Sweet Haven Tonics handcrafts delicious concentrates right here in Minnesota for both cocktails and mocktails. These wonderfully fresh flavored tonics will produce an awe-worthy drink in about 30 seconds. Yes, you read that correctly – 30 seconds! With flavors like Lemon Basil Lavender and Spiced Cherry & Orange, these tonics are too exciting to pass up. Mix your flavor of choice with plain seltzer water for a mocktail or add liquor to make it a cocktail. The versatility and flavor of these products make them a bar cart must-have.

2. Black Bean Sun Chips

Sun Chips are an awesome choice for a savory and crunchy snack. They make reaching your daily 3 servings of whole grains easier by pairing whole grains with exciting and delicious flavors. In recent months, you may have noticed some new options in the chip aisle under the Sun Chips name! Sun Chips now sells a line of chips that contain real black beans. Black beans are rich in fiber and protein, so naturally these new chips boast slightly higher protein and fiber content. Not to mention the fun new flavors to compliment the inviting taste of black beans!

3. Superior Fresh Citrus Splash Greens

Sound familiar? That’s because I wrote about Superior Fresh Salmon back in October! At their facility, they recycle the water from the salmon pools to the aquaponic greenhouse, and the plants thrive on the nutrient rich water. They grow many varieties of leafy greens, but this one is by far my favorite. The unique sharp flavor of the Citrus Splash greens comes from red veined sorrel leaves. Which are as beautiful as they are scrumptious! Try out our Winter Greens and Grains Salad to experience it for yourself. Learn more about their salmon here!

4. Spindrift

I’m a HUGE fan of this sparkling water. While it may not be a new product, it’s newer on the seltzer water scene in the Midwest. The contents of this sparkling water set it apart from others, with each can of Spindrift featuring real fruit juice! The flavors range from a classic lime to a more adventurous pink lemonade, and everything in between. So, there’s a flavor for everyone! These are so yummy straight from the can, over ice, or even in a mocktail.

5. Swicy (sweet + spicy)

Here’s a new word to add to your vocabulary! We learn something new every day – right? This goofy word describes the collision of two bold flavors – sweet and spicy. You’ll see a lot more of these types of dishes and products heading into 2023. My personal favorite way to enjoy this flavor fusion involves combining the sweet of dark chocolate with the spice of Cayenne pepper. Get a head start on the trend with our Sweet & Spicy Chicken and Broccoli and Swicy Chile Brownies!

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It’s always fun to try something new! Who knows, maybe you’ll find a new favorite food in 2023.

Happy Eating!
Jess, Registered Dietitian
MPPD, RDN, LD

Ask A Dietitian

Cauliflower Has Some Competition!

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Ashley

I don’t know about you, but I see literally everything these days made from cauliflower including crackers, wings – yes even wings, gnocchi, tots, pizza crust and of course the riced cauliflower. You name it, I’m sure it exists. This trend has been around for a while, and we still get many questions about it as more of these plant-based products make their way to grocery store shelves.

It was initially started by the low carb movement as a way to reduce carbs (i.e. instead of rice choose riced cauliflower to go from carbs to no carbs). As a dietitian, I LOVE the fact that we are adding another veggie to the plate in so many creative and fun ways! I mean turning cauliflower into wings – that’s pretty amazing. The flavors are quite impressive, too. However, I do want to course correct and be sure we are all on the same page that carbs are GOOD for us and that we do need carbs at every meal, including those of us with diabetes and those trying to lose weight. It truly is the number way that our body prefers to get energy and its most efficient for our bodies. The problem is when we are getting too many carbs and when we are choosing simple carbs as opposed to complex carbs (i.e. whole grains, fruits, starchy veggies, milk and yogurt).

I tell clients that if they want to take part in enjoying all things with cauliflower, that’s great. I will definitely be cheering you on as you add another veggie to the plate, especially one that wasn’t especially desired prior to this trend. I love this rebirth of cauliflower, BUT please ensure that you are still getting carbs at that meal and of course those whole grains that are rich in iron, fiber, B vitamins and offering protein. What does this look like on the plate you ask?

When doing riced cauliflower, I would recommend doing half riced cauliflower half whole grain brown rice or quinoa. And then still half you plate being fruits and more veggies with of course your serving of protein and dairy as illustrated on MyPlate. Or if you are doing mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes (which are still very healthy; it matters about the portion and what you are adding to them that makes all the difference) again you could do half mashed potatoes, half cauliflower or the mashed cauliflower, but add a slice of whole grain bread to the meal. This way you are still getting in whole grains and complex carbs during your meals 😊

Finally, just because something is made with cauliflower doesn’t mean it is always healthier, it can have added sugar, added sodium and lots of fat for it to taste good. For example, mashed cauliflower with all the bacon and cheese- we all know its tastes amazing, however, keep in mind “everything in moderation,” 😉 It’s best to always check the shelf tag for that ‘Dietitian’s Choice’ label indicating that it is a better for you option.

Cheers to making veggies cool and fun!!! Who knows what the next vegetable trend will be, perhaps cabbage? Who knows! More and more we are seeing consumer interest move towards more plant-based foods, bolder flavors, and overall healthy eating and gut-health are top of mind. Always remember that as trends change and new eating patterns appear in the media, ask our team of Registered Dietitians to give you the science-based research to help you know what truly is best for you and your personal health. You can count on us to keep you updated and well informed!!

Peace and Wellness,
Ashley

Plant Based Eating – Staying On Trend

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Staying on Trend with Plant Based Eating

Plant based foods are trending in the world of health and nutrition, and for good reason! By aiming to incorporate more plant-based foods in your meals and snacks, you’ll increase your serving of fruits and vegetables, vary your protein sources and boost your fiber intake. All can aid in digestive health, weight management, and overall health.

Choosing more plant-based foods doesn’t mean throwing out all your meat and poultry options. It simply means adding more variety to your food choices to jazz up your meals and snacks! You’re likely eating some plant-based foods as part of your daily routine already. Fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and beans are all examples. With spring upon us, it’s a great time to be thinking about potentially having a vegetable garden or having some tomatoes or green peppers in potted plants on your deck. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to have more produce on hand.

Digestive Health

As a registered dietitian, I want to be clear that eating meat and poultry is not bad and can still provide great nutrition! However, sometimes we are repetitive with our shopping list and food choices. (I’m guilty of this as well!) There are so many plant-based foods that can help us achieve our protein and fiber needs throughout the day. For example, beans, quinoa, brown rice and lentils all provide protein and fiber! 

Inside our guts we have a microbiome that is made up of mostly bacteria (don’t fret – we need these bacteria!!) Our gut plays a huge role in our overall health and you’ll feel much better if your microbiome is well balanced! We can help balance our microbiome by having good nutrition and feeding it pre and pro biotics.

Prebiotics and Probiotics

People often think of these two as the same, but they are in fact very different! Prebiotics act as food for the current bacteria that’s in our gut and helps it to grow. On the other hand, probiotics are the new bacteria that we add to our current microbiome. They are both essential for a healthy gut!

Prebiotics can be found in many of the foods that we consume (or should consume) daily. That’s why there is more of an emphasis on probiotics in the media. Foods that have prebiotics include fruits, vegetables and other complex carbs including fiber. So, plant based foods can offer great benefits towards our gut health!

Probiotics contain live organisms, which is good! Yogurt is a perfect example of a common food that contains probiotics. Now if you look on the shelf at the store, you’ll see other items such as kombucha and sauerkraut that have probiotics. Then again, you can find supplement forms of both pre and probiotics. Food is the best source for pre and probiotics, as they offer so many other nutrients beneficial to our health.

Find what works for a healthier YOU!

As always, our goal as Registered Dietitians is to help you feel your best! We’d challenge you to tie in more plant-based foods into your day-to-day life and see how you can boost your intake of fruits and vegetables as well as provide protein, fiber, pre and pro biotics into your routine. If you have any questions, please reach out to us through our Dietitian’s Corner page!

Check out these plant-based recipes!

 Amy, RD, LD

 

Mayo Clinic. (2018, March 06). Prebiotics, probiotics and your health. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/prebiotics-probiotics-and-your-health/art-20390058