Monday, May 16, 2016

What are phytonutrients anyways?

With so much information easily available at our finger tips, it is easy to get overwhelmed and  even confused with separating fact from fiction; especially when  it comes to nutrition.  This past weekend, I had the joy of attending a seminar with the North Suburban Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  At this luncheon, we learned about phytonutrients (also known as phytochemicals).  Phytonutrients are the chemicals that give plants their color, flavor, and scent.  The reason they are so healthy for us is because these phytocheicals are what protect the plant from predators (like bugs and such).  The more predators around, the more phytonutrients the plant produces to keep itself alive!


 Unfortunately, we did not receive the recipes for all of these delicious salads yet, but I will be sure to share the resources when I can.  The very top picture is the demo room we chopped, blended, and mixed up these healthy dishes.  The picture just above this paragraph is a vegan avocado mousse with fresh berries and coconut.  And the picture below is my plate of the salads created.  If you think of the plate as a clock, starting at 2 o'clock is a green pea tabbouleh followed clockwise by some jicama, chickpea chips with strawberry hummus, kale salad with walnuts and raisins, and finally a cabbage slaw with peanut sauce.  All 100% vegan and delicious!  Oh! And the drink on the top right of the picture is a fresh made kale lemonade!


With so much information easily available at our finger tips, it is easy to get overwhelmed and  even confused with separating fact from fiction; especially when  it comes to nutrition.  This past weekend, I had the joy of attending a seminar with the North Suburban Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  At this luncheon, we learned about phytonutrients (also known as phytochemicals).  Phytonutrients are the chemicals that give plants their color, flavor, and scent.  The reason they are so healthy for us is because these phytocheicals are what protect the plant from predators (like bugs and such).  The more predators around, the more phytonutrients the plant produces to keep itself alive!


 Unfortunately, we did not receive the recipes for all of these delicious salads yet, but I will be sure to share the resources when I can.  The very top picture is the demo room we chopped, blended, and mixed up these healthy dishes.  The picture just above this paragraph is a vegan avocado mousse with fresh berries and coconut.  And the picture below is my plate of the salads created.  If you think of the plate as a clock, starting at 2 o'clock is a green pea tabbouleh followed clockwise by some jicama, chickpea chips with strawberry hummus, kale salad with walnuts and raisins, and finally a cabbage slaw with peanut sauce.  All 100% vegan and delicious!  Oh! And the drink on the top right of the picture is a fresh made kale lemonade!

Only a few more weeks until the beginning of Splash into Summer! Be sure to subscribe so you can stay up to date on the latest health and nutrition information.

Question of the Day:  What is your favorite meal that you wish was vegan? Let me know in the comments!

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