How many times did you hear the phrase “eat your veggies” growing up? For many of us, we carry a lingering guilt over not eating enough vegetables when we were younger and still struggle to get enough veggies as adults.
It’s especially difficult during the holiday season - the parties, rich food, wine - all can be tempting, causing you to throw in the towel, ask Santa for some alka-seltzer and worry about fixing things in January.
But what if there were a better way? What if you could enjoy yourself while maintaining your health (and waistline) at the same time?
Unlike in our grandmother's time, there are many ways to make sure you are getting those crucial vegetables in every day.
Whether you’re doing last minute shopping or headed to a party, we’re here to share 5 healing veggies that will help you avoid sickness, stay balanced and feel energized.
1.Magic Mushrooms
Despite your best intentions, wine won’t prevent sickness or sniffles from coming on.
Shuffle in the mighty mushroom.
This superstar food has compounds that enhance your body’s ability to fight viruses. Infused with a host of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, these small, but mighty gems destroy infections and slow down aging.
Mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years because their immense healing power. If you’re short on time or just want to benefit from the healing properties of the best mushrooms, check out Dr. Sara’s new
Immune Boost supplement.
Dr. Sara loves
Immune Boost because the
proprietary mix of seven different mushrooms provide incredible healing power in a single dose (and it’s way easier than eating pounds of exotic mushrooms every day).
2.Kale is Queen
Despite washing your hands and avoiding the sick neighbor down the street, it’s easy to get sick during the holiday.
While you’re loading up on your probiotics, sipping on bone broth, and taking your
Immune Boost...be sure and grab a bundle of kale too.
Packed with vitamins, eating just one cup provides you with over 200% of your value of vitamin A, 134% of your daily value for vitamin C, and almost 700% of your daily value for vitamin K!
This up-and-coming vegetable also takes the stage with important minerals like manganese, potassium and copper.
Containing a wide range of antioxidants such as quercetin, which has anti-viral properties that have been shown to treat the common cold, kale is truly a healing superfood.
You can saute it, throw it in a smoothie or even bake it into Kale Chips in the oven! It’s so versatile!
But if eating heaping plates of kale isn’t your thing, try Dr. Sara’s exclusive Super Greens with this awesome holiday 15% deal.
Super Greens has 8 of the most nutritious and health-boosting green foods known to science...all in an easy to mix and drink powder.
3. Decrease Hunger with Spinach
Sticking with greens, we’d be crazy not to highlight the ever popular spinach. We all know that spinach is a mild vegetable that pairs well with a variety of holiday dishes, but many salads use it a staple as well.
Interestingly enough, there are several recent studies that have shown that the thylakoid-rich extracts from spinach help to:
- delay stomach emptying
- decrease levels of hunger-related hormones like ghrelin
- increase levels of satiety-related hormones like glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).
Finding it hard to make healthy meals while on the go this holiday season? Check out Dr. Sara’s Body Hero Shake Packets.
The convenient and perfectly measured protein is chock full of nutrients, (including spinach!) to keep you feeling full.
4. Choose your Potato Wisely
It’s tempting to sit down with a loaded baked potato with your holiday meal. Think twice and swap it out for its cousin, the sweet potato.
Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene, which may decrease the risk of some types of cancer.
Sweet potatoes have also been shown to help reduce blood cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Lower in carbs, they are a great alternative in many ways.
Did you know?
Rather than baking the potato, try boiling it which will result in a lower glycemic index.
Holiday Tip: At your next gathering, bring your own sweet potato appetizer. Check out this healthy one here:
https://bit.ly/2AZjXPl
5. You Can Have Your Dessert and Eat it Too
We all know there are several ways that you can sneak in your veggies, but did you know that you can do it for dessert?
Take for instance, zucchini.
By making a healthy bread (think applesauce or honey for sugar, coconut or almond flour in place of white flour) you really can have a guiltless treat!
Zucchini is low in carbs and a great source of Vitamin C. If you need a good gluten-free recipe, click
here for one that looks yummy.
It’s okay if you can’t get in all your veggies during this time of year...don’t feel guilty and don’t stress.
Just do your best, look for small ways to upgrade and if you need a quick solution, you can always grab a tub of Dr. Sara’s Super Greens to help bridge the gap.
Remember that the holidays are about making memories and enjoying time with family and friends!
Here’s to a happy holiday!
Team Dr. Sara & Reset360