(BPT) - March is National Nutrition Month, making it the perfect time to take a closer look at your health and identify small ways to improve your routine. Supporting your wellness with balanced, nutrient-rich meals can help you feel your best all day long.
This may sound intimidating, but you don't have to overhaul your life to build a more nutritious routine with healthier habits. Making small changes to your daily meals can make a meaningful difference in how you feel each day. To get you started, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner shares five simple, practical tips to help you build a better daily routine that supports steady nourishment and overall wellness.
Cut back on added sugars and refined ingredients
Have you ever experienced a sugar crash? This drop in energy can throw your day off, leaving you feeling fatigued and distracted, making it harder to power through your to-do list. Highly refined, sugary foods digest quickly, causing blood sugar to rise fast and then fall just as quickly. You don't have to eliminate these foods completely, but choosing whole, nutrient-dense options more often can help maintain steady energy so you can stay focused on work, errands and family time.
When a sugar craving hits, try Greek yogurt topped with berries, nuts and a few dark chocolate chips to provide long-lasting energy thanks to its balance of protein, fiber and healthy fats.
Boost nutrition with simple ingredient swaps
Making smarter, healthier choices to improve your nutrition doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite meals. Instead, look for simple ingredient swaps that boost the nutrition of meals you already love.
For example, the next time you're cooking pasta, pick up a box of high-protein, high-fiber pasta made of lentils or chickpeas instead of your regular white flour noodles. If you're sauteing veggies, reach for olive or avocado oil instead of butter. Instead of making sour cream dip, opt for low-fat Greek yogurt for your mix. Not only are these swaps simple, but they're also tasty!
Keep nutritious snacks on hand
Busy days often lead to grabbing whatever snack is closest, but planning ahead and keeping nutritious snacks on hand can make it easier to make better-for-you choices. Having nourishing snacks readily available can help you stay productive and avoid energy dips throughout the day.
Aim for snacks that combine protein with fiber-rich carbohydrates to promote lasting energy. Convenient options include: hard-boiled eggs and whole grain crackers, edamame and orange slices, or a cheese stick and an apple.
Did you know that the different colors of produce provide different nutritional benefits? According to Harvard Health, fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients, which give produce its rich colors and offer a wide range of health benefits. When building your plate, aim to include at least two different-colored fruits or vegetables.
Adding multiple colors to each meal helps you cover a broader range of beneficial nutrients, without overthinking it. Plus, produce is naturally hydrating, which can support better energy throughout the day.
Meal prep nutrient-packed breakfasts
Use the weekend to prepare easy, nutrient-packed breakfasts for the week ahead. A make-ahead breakfast built with wholesome ingredients can help set a positive tone for the entire day. Start by testing out this Vegetarian Egg Casserole made with Eggland's Best eggs, for a convenient and nourishing way to kick off a productive week.
Eggland's Best eggs contain more than double the Vitamin B12 compared to ordinary eggs, which supports energy production inside your cells. Eggland's Best eggs are also an excellent source of Vitamin B5, which helps release energy from the carbs, fats and protein you eat.
- 10 Eggland's Best eggs, Large
- 14 ounces ground vegetarian sausage
- 3/4 cup finely diced zucchini
- 1 finely diced red bell pepper
- 3/4 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese (Feel free to use any kind of white cheese that you like. Mozzarella, parmesan or muenster would work well.)
- Optional: fresh chopped herbs
- In a large cast iron skillet, cook vegetarian sausage for about 5 minutes until it is cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Add in the zucchini, bell pepper and celery and sauté for another 3 minutes. Note: if your sausage is very low-fat, you may need to add in a tablespoon of olive oil so the sausage and veggies do not stick to the pan.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, onion powder and black pepper.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour the egg mixture over the sausage/veggie mix.
- Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and top the eggs with shredded cheese.
- Bake for another 10 minutes or until the eggs are cooked through.
- Enjoy!
Pro tip: For meal prep, allow cooling before freezing. (Keeps well in the freezer for up to three months.) Alternatively, you can also skip baking and store the prepped casserole in the fridge, covered, until ready to bake. Store in fridge for up to five days.
Fueling your day doesn't have to be complicated. By focusing on small, sustainable habits, you can support steady energy and overall wellness throughout National Nutrition Month and beyond. To find more energizing recipes and nutrition tips, visit EgglandsBest.com.
