Kick Off 2012 With Healthy Eats!

Whew! Did anyone else overdo it on the treats, sweets and rich eats over the holidays? We sure did, and now we’re ready to get back to basics when it comes to our diet! USA Today posted an interesting list of nutrient-rich foods to roll into your diet for 2012. Some of these a great ideas for building a healthful, delicious meal plan that will leave you satisfied! Here are some of our favorite recommendations:

1) Nuts: Well, of course nuts would be our top pick. We love all varieties! Try snacking on a handful of raw almonds for a calcium, protein and zinc boost. Roasted pistachios contain a great amount of fiber and potassium (and they taste mighty good, too). If you want to try something new, soy nuts, macadamia nuts and Brazil nuts are all fantastic choices.

2) Chocolate: Who doesn’t love a little chocolate now and then? It’s a great way to sweeten up your diet! It doesn’t hurt that dark chocolate contains powerful antioxidants that can lower blood pressure and help battle heart disease. We love it! Try our high-quality chocolate bars, such as the Godiva 85% Dark Chocolate bar, or chocolate-covered nuts like our rich and delicious dark chocolate covered almonds for a special treat!

3) Beans: Beans are a fantastic vegetarian source of fiber and protein. Try including them in soups, salads, stews and stir-fries in place of meat. You can even make bean-based dips, such as hummus, for a nutrition-packed pairing with vegetable sticks. We’ve got more than 20 varieties of beans, from adzuki beans to pinto beans, so you’ll never get bored!

4) Lentils: Red lentils and green lentils don’t need to soak overnight like dried beans, so they’re a quick, fiber- and protein-rich food that’s perfect in soup or served over a bed of brown rice. Lentils have a surprisingly rich flavor, and they’re packed with nutrients. We love to keep some in our pantry for a rainy day!

5) Oats: Oats make for a filling, whole-grain breakfast that’s full of good-for-you fiber. Oatmeal has been shown to lower cholesterol , and it’s one of the healthiest breakfast foods you can indulge in. The best part is that it never gets boring! We offer more than a dozen varieties of oats, including steel cut oats, organic rolled oats and organic Scottish oatmeal. We also have several varieties of gluten-free oats for those on a gluten-free diet. Yummy!

What are some of your favorite healthy foods?

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