National Nutrition Month® is celebrated each March. It is a great time to reflect on healthy food choices and regular physical activity habits for your members. The message of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for the year is to Celebrate a World of Flavors.
- Enjoy vegetables in a variety of ways. People who eat more vegetables tend to reduce chronic diseases, such as heart disease and hypertension. Including vegetables with meals and snacks also helps boost your immune system, and it’s also a delicious way to increase fiber in your diet.
- Whole grains and beans also can be made in many ways. Like vegetables, they offer many health benefits, and they are good sources of protein, fiber, and other nutrients such as iron and zinc.
Here are a few ideas on how you can Celebrate a World of Flavors with spices from around the world.
- Harissa is a spicy, peppery, garlicky red chili paste with a kick of citrus used in North African cuisine. It can be added to just about any food. For that African flare, drizzle some Harissa on roasted vegetables, sweet potatoes, or rice (try brown rice for more nutrients and fiber).
- For a delicious Asian twist, sprinkle carrots, green beans, or brown rice with Chinese Five Spice. It’s made from a mix of cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise, and Sichuan pepper.
- Flavors of Italy can be found by adding sweet basil to tomatoes, tomato-based soups, sauces, or eggplant.
- Another European spice is Herbs de Provence. Herbs de Provence is found in many French dishes. It is often added to roasted vegetables, roasted potatoes (keep the skin on for added fiber), and asparagus.
- In India, curry powder and turmeric powder are added to stir fry vegetable blends or roasted carrots.
- Chili Powder is a spice made with cayenne, cumin, and garlic, and it is a great addition to pinto beans or black beans. Doing this gives your beans the flavor of Latin America & the Caribbean.
- Mexican cuisine often adds garlic and chilies to create flavorful foods. Avocado, beans, and tomatoes that are used in recipes along with the garlic and chilies are full of health benefits.
In keeping with the spirit of Celebrating the World of Flavors, be sure to check out some of GA Foods' culturally inspired meals for your members:
Our Latin Favorites menu offers delicious entrees such as:
- Rancheros Cheese Omelet, (cheese omelet with chicken chorizo, potatoes, pinto beans), served with cranberry pears.
- Cuban Black Beans and Rice, served with whole kernel corn with red peppers, and parslied carrots.
- Mexican Bean Burrito with Queso, served with carrots and parslied whole kernel corn.
- Homemade Chicken Stew served with steamed green beans and baked apples with raisins.
- Beef Patty with Picadillo Sauce served with green beans and sweet potatoes.
- Our Neighborhood Recipes menu offers some meals with a European and Asian flare:
- Pasta Bolognese served with Italian vegetables.
- Chicken Marsala served with butternut squash and green beans.
- Lasagna Florentine served with creamed spinach.
- Beef Patty in Teriyaki Sauce served with steamed white rice and mixed vegetables.
Keep your members nourished after hospitalization with home-delivered meals. They'll appreciate the convenience of not needing to shop or prepare meals.
Download the latest menus to see some flavors of the world.
