Wellness Weekly 6: Fruits And Veggies, And Staying Motivated As January Ends

By Idy Perl
Welcome back to another Wellness Weekly installment! This week we uncover truths about fruits and veggies and clear up some misconceptions about those delicious, nutrient packed foods. Also, as January comes to a close it's easy to lose sight of the goals you set at the beginning of the year, but don't let the monotony of winter get to you! Check out this week's "Mind And Body Exercise" to regain the motivation you had at the start of the year.
Myth Buster
Myth: Vegetables lose nutrients and become less
healthy when they’re cooked or frozen.
Truth: Frozen vegetables (and fruits), if they’re
frozen right after they’re picked actually don’t lose any nutrients and are
just as healthy and beneficial as when they’re fresh. As for cooking
vegetables, although certain ones might lose a few nutrients during cooking, it
can also boost levels of certain nutrients and makes them more digestible. For
example, cooking increases the levels of the antioxidant lycopene that is found
in tomatoes, as well as the amount of digestible carotenoids in carrots,
spinach, mushrooms and cabbage.
Healthy Hacks
Fruit smoothies are a delicious and healthy way to start
your day. To mix it up a little, try making a smoothie bowl and garnish it with
your favorite toppings!
To make the smoothie, blend bananas, frozen strawberries or
a blend of your favorite frozen fruits with some milk or yogurt. You can add
frozen acai, chia or flax seeds, peanut butter, or avocado for some added taste
and nutrients.
Pour it into a bowl and top with granola and sliced fresh
fruit and dig in!
Wellness Wisdom
There is often confusion about the natural sugars found in
fruits and whether they are healthy or not. As with most things in life, those
natural sugars are perfectly healthy, in moderation. Fruits are packed with
many essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which all help regulate blood
sugar levels and balance out the sugars found in the fruit. However, eating too
much sugar, even natural ones, can lead to weight gain and insulin resistance,
so it’s best not to overindulge. The recommended intake of fruit is around 2
cups per day for adults.
Mind and Body Exercise
We’re (finally) nearing the end of January, and the exercise
resolutions we made at the beginning of the year might be at risk of
disappearing along with the melting snow. Before the month ends, take the time
to sit down and remind yourself why you started. Figure out what motivators
work best for you and implement them before you lose momentum. Most
importantly, keep going!
Sharing Is Caring
What’s your favorite way to get some extra fruits and
veggies into your daily diet?