A Healthy Diet Needs Variety

My life has been very busy for this last while. It seems like the New Year brings lots of new challenges that keep me active and demand a lot of my time. I found myself getting into an ‘eating rut’. When things get hectic I tend to eat the similar things every day. It seems easier to buy the same groceries and prepare the same foods, but I didn’t feel satisfied with what I was eating. While munching on the vegetables that I packed for lunch for the last five days, I stopped and thought about how an important component of healthy eating is variety. Eating a diversity of foods will help provide a mixture of nutrients, and it will make meal preparation more enjoyable. I asked myself, “How can I get out of this slump?”

I knew that I had a goal in mind – to eat a variety of foods. I met this challenge head-on and set out to change my ways. I resolved that I would buy a new fruit or vegetable, something that I did not normally eat, once a month. Instead of always buying cucumbers, I used zucchini for my salads and casseroles. I used bok choy in stir-fries instead of always using celery. I made a resolution to try Brussels sprouts again, even after convincing myself for years that I did not enjoy them. Much to my amazement my steamed Brussels sprouts added a beautiful green colour and a wholesome flavor to my dishes, as well as providing my body with vitamin A, vitamin C, sulfur and iron.

Eating a variety of foods brought my taste buds back to life! My morning shake was not just another meal I had to consume. Instead, each day it was a different colour from the different fruits I would add. The deep blue shake with blueberries was for the morning before a good workout: I needed those powerful antioxidants. The pink shake with strawberries was for a mellow morning and provided my body with a high amount of vitamin C to keep my immune system healthy.

This new goal of mine opened up conversation about food. While shopping at the Farmer’s Market one day I saw an interesting cabbage-like vegetable that I was curious to try. I have found that a great way to learn about food preparation is to ask someone who is buying that food. Another shopper, delighted with my interest, informed me the vegetable was a kohlrabi. If you come across this vegetable you are in for a treat: not only is it high in fiber but it tastes delicious! Cut it up and eat it raw, or steam it, and enjoy the variety of nutrients it provides. I realized that it is easier to try a new food if someone helps you understand how to prepare it. That is where Bundles of Energy comes in.

Eating a medley of foods makes eating fun. I think trying new foods is both an adventure and nutritiously rewarding. Have you tried anything new lately? We would love to hear about it! Please comment below.