3 Ways Food Is Medicine

Food nourishes us, gives us energy, keeps us feeling our best. Food is medicine. While food is necessary to survive, enjoying the right ingredients can help you not only survive, but thrive. Enjoying nutritional-dense foods can influence and increase your quality and longevity of life. Our dietitians and culinarians work together to incorporate a variety of foods that help residents feel their best and our monthly superfoods are highlighted through education, hands-on demonstration, and delicious dishes featuring the superfood ingredient. Our culinarians and dietitians utilize superfoods to showcase their health benefits and versatility, which are highlighted on our menus or sampled for their health benefits and versatility. Here are three superfoods and how they help your body.

1. Leafy Greens

Any plant that is grown and eaten for its leaves is a leafy green. Also known as greens, salad greens, or vegetable greens, think kale, lettuce, arugula, or spinach. When it comes to leafy greens, the darker in color, the higher number of nutrients. Leafy greens are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and tend to be very low in calories, making them some of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. Whether enjoyed cooked or raw, there are several creative ways to eat your leafy greens. Try kale in a Kale and Mushroom Rice Bowl – vegetarian and packed full of flavor and nutrients!

2. Berries

Berries are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals which may help protect us from the effects of aging, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer. Found year-round, these small but mighty foods such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries can provide packed nutrients in each bite. Whether enjoyed on their own or combined for a delicious dish like Blueberry Basil Salsa, berries are delectable in many ways.

3. Nuts

The perfect snack or used as a finishing ingredient in many dishes, nuts are bursting with nutrients. Nuts are thought to protect us from a variety of chronic illnesses since they are high in protein, vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats. While best enjoyed in moderation to avoid hefty calories, there are several health benefits in each handful. Try them chopped into a Vanilla Blueberry Nut Snack Bar!

Try one of these recipes and learn more about how Morrison Living promotes the health and wellbeing of our residences through our nutrition and wellness offerings.