For those of you who were able to listen to my webinar, you heard me speak about the importance of incorporating as many whole plant foods into your diet as possible.
To start us off, let's explore the category of legumes. According to Dr Joel Fuhrman, Dr Michael Greger, and many other health experts, it’s recommended to eat them every day for optimal health and longevity, not to mention keeping you slim.
They are rich in plant protein, fiber, and packed with nutrients like B-vitamins, iron, folate, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc and free from saturated fat This makes them low in calories, while still allowing you to feel fuller longer. We metabolize the carbohydrates in legumes slowly, over time, which provides a steady energy for the body, brain, and nervous system.
They contain antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and fight aging and can help lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and risks of heart disease, diabetes, cancers, and other illnesses.
This legume category includes beans, lentils, and peas. So while most of us think of cholent and lentil soup, there are many other foods we can eat to get them into our diet.
Here are some ideas for your to try:
Hummus (chickpeas) with crudite'
Ezekiel bread or wraps (sprouted grains, lentils and soybeans) with some raw almond butter or mashed avocado, tomato and sprouts
Quinoa salad with edamame (whole soybeans)
Split pea soup
Roasted chickpeas
The list goes on and on......
Let me know how you incorporate legumes into your daily menus. And if you have questions or want to learn more, please be in touch!
