5 foods I eat daily

As an RD, I often get asked what I eat on a regular basis or what I recommend to my clients. I am a big proponent of everyday foods vs. sometimes foods. Everyday foods are foods that are recommended to eat daily, such as fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, plant or animal proteins, and healthy carbohydrates. Sometimes foods are just that; foods that should only be consumed sometimes. These would include desserts, treats, salty snacks, and bakery goods.

It can be hard to distinguish between these foods sometimes, but I help clients in my accountability groups, as well as my private nutrition consulting clients figure out which foods they should eat daily and which foods they should limit, based on their personal goals! *click here for more info on how to begin working with me!

I thought it would be fun to post about foods that I personally eat daily, and why I eat them. These foods always find their way into my meal plan, and I hope it can shed some light and help you find ways to include healthier and nutrient-dense foods into your daily diet too!

1. Dark leafy greens (Spinach, kale arugula). These green vegetables find their way onto my plate in the form of a salad, or blended up in a smoothie, or sauteed with some coconut oil and garlic (because garlic is life). Dark leafy greens are filled with vitamins A, C, and K, and are rich in antioxidans and anti-cancer properties. They are low in calorie but high in nutrition, which means they give you the most nutrient bang for your buck!

2. Nut butters (almond butter, peanut butter). First of all, nut butter is DELICIOUS, and if it was its own food group, I'd be all over that. But, nut butters are also filled with healthy satisfying fats that not only taste good, but fill us up and keep us satisfied between meals. Healthy fats regulate our blood sugars, which means our sugar levels won't hit peaks and valleys throughout the day, which leaves us lethargic, sluggish, and reaching for a candy bar at 3pm. When incorporating healthy fats into your day, such as nut butters, your blood sugars will remain stable and your sugar cravings will be tamed. Which leads me to..

3. Bananas! I love eating a banana with nut butter every single day. I will typically have one during breakfast time, or blended up in my superfood smoothie. Bananas have potassium which is a great mineral to replenish with after a tough workout. I also love bananas as a pre-workout for a quick sugar dose to power me through. Plus, they taste GREAT with almond butter or peanut butter. SO banana-on! :)

4. Carrots. I have probably had carrots every day since high school. I love peeling fresh carrots, but baby carrots are great for dipping too! Carrots and hummus, or carrots with guacamole, are two of my favorite ways to eat carrots. Plus they are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A, which is great for eye sight and promotes healthy skin. Their fiber content also makes them surprisingly filling for a low-calorie veggie!

5. Shakeology! I have gushed about my love of Shakeology for about a year now since I started drinking it daily. I even stopped drinking it as consistently this past week since life got away from me, and I noticed a huge difference in my overall health and energy levels, SO it's back! PLUS my digestion is so much better when I am drinking Shakeo daily! I am committed to drinking Shakeology every day because, as an RD and someone who has always been passionate about health, I want to take care of this body God has given me. Shakeology is a great source of vitamins and minerals, but is also jam-packed with super foods, antioxidants, digestive enzymes, and probiotics! If you are interested in trying some out, please reach out to me h ere and we can chat about it!

That's it for my daily eats! I hope this inspires you to add some of your own healthy foods into your "everyday" list so that your body can get filled up on all the good stuff! And remember, never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! tveen.verano@gmail.com