As we welcome the New Year, a key goal for many revolves around health and vitality. Good nutrition, what you eat to “fuel” your body, combined with physical activity, are key.
Many conditions (heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis) can be prevented or controlled with dietary changes and exercise. A healthy diet also provides vitamins and minerals your body needs. And water, along with fiber, helps your digestive system.
What is healthy eating?
Healthy eating is about balance, variety and moderation. It means you eat enough, but not too much, and eat a variety of colorful foods that provide nutrients needed to stay healthy. All foods eaten in moderation can be a part of healthy eating. Five or more servings of fruits and veggies daily provides fiber and energy to help you live a healthy life. Create power-packed easy meals by adding spinach or kale to a morning fruit smoothie, vegetables to scrambled eggs, vegetables to your whole grain sandwich, roasted veggies to soup, salads or grains.
How to roast vegetables
It’s quick and easy to roast vegetables, usually taking less than 45 minutes. Choose various vegetables, such as potatoes, beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts and broccoli, and chick peas for extra protein. Experiment with fresh herbs, citrus and seasonings such as rosemary, thyme, garlic and lemon to decrease sodium intake.
ROASTED BELL PEPPER MEDLEY
Servings: 2 to 3
Prep time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
4 large bell peppers (use a mix of green,
yellow and red)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. dried or fresh chopped herbs
pinch (to taste) kosher salt and pepper
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Wash peppers, cut them in half, remove top and seeds.
3. Slice peppers into strips.
4. Mix/toss slices in a bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper.
5. Spread sliced peppers on baking sheet and sprinkle with herbs.
6. Roast for 30 minutes or until tender.
For more information on healthy eating, recipes, and more, visit kp.org/nutrition and kp.org/seniorhealth.
KAISER FOUNDATION HEALTH PLAN, INC.
711 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96813
808-432-5915 (TTY 711) | kp.org
This article contains health and wellness or prevention information.
