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How to Easily Get More Variation In Your Diet | The Health Sessions

7 Stress-Free Strategies to Get More Variation in Your Diet

It’s the first rule of healthy eating: eat a wide variety of foods.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDA and DHHS, 1980) advises you to consume something from all 5 major food groups: fruits and vegetables, (whole) grains, meat, poultry, fish and legumes, dairy products, and fats and sweets. You should also try to vary with ingredients within each food group.

But did you know that on average, we only eat 25 different kinds of foods in 3 days? In contrast, research suggests that our hunter-gatherer ancestors used to collect over 55 unique plants to secure food all year round. That’s a pretty big difference! But why should you want to bring more variation to your daily diet?

Best Bowl Food: 18 Hearty & Healthy Meals in a Bowl

After a tiring day, there’s nothing more comfortable than wrapping your hands around a warm bowl of food. No wonder buddha bowls have replaced a lot of standard plates over the past years.

I don’t know what makes deconstructed dishes like burrito bowls or bibimbap so cozy. Perhaps it’s the vibrant colors, perhaps the composition of all those tasty ingredients side by side. What I do know is that keeping components separately not only looks pretty, but can also be a great trick to cook family meals for picky eaters.

Bowl food often consists of a layer of whole grains, topped with greens, roasted veggies and grilled chicken or fresh tuna. Finally, the lunch and dinner bowls are sprinkled with fresh herbs and crunchy elements, like toasted nuts, sesame seeds or edamame. But you could also have a fresh smoothie bowl for breakfast, a savory brunch bowl for lunch or a healthy dessert bowl at night.

No matter the time of day or the occasion, there’s a savory or sweet food bowl for you to enjoy. Take a look at these 18 hearty and healthy meals for the best bowl food.

12 No-Cook Recipes to Make Without Turning On Your Stove | The Health Sessions

12 No-Cook Recipes to Make Without Turning On the Stove

On warm summer days, the last thing you feel like is turning on the stove or the oven to cook an elaborate dinner. Even firing up the grill outside can be too hot to consider. That’s when no-cook recipes come to your rescue.

Ok, not everything in no-cook recipes has to be raw. Using the microwave to make rice, popping pita bread in the toaster or pouring boiled water over a bowl of couscous requires little heat or energy. And it’s still quick and easy too!

What’s more, not only are these light and refreshing dishes perfect for summer evenings, no-cook recipes work all year round when you struggle to spend much time in the kitchen because of your health.

So get that summery feel without the flames with these 12 fresh no-cook recipes!

17 Satisfying Summer Salads You Need This Season | The Health Sessions

17 Summer Salads You Need This Season

When it comes to food, summer is synonymous to ice creams and firing up the grill. But don’t overlook crispy and cool summer salads!

The perfect summer salads do come with a few requirements: they must be vibrantly colorful, juicy, packed with nutrients and filling. No boring iceberg lettuce with cucumber and tomatoes as a side!

You can easily assemble a satisfying summer salad by sprinkling a healthy dressing over your greens. Next, add raw, pickled or grilled veggies, fresh herbs and your choice of protein. And don’t forget to top it off with crunchy bites like nuts, seeds or savory granola. I know that adding fruit to savory meals is a controversial topic among foodies. But to me, any excuse to enjoy juicy fruit on a summer’s day is perfectly legit.

No matter if you’re having lunch al fresco, going on a picnic or hosting a cookout, try these 17 summer salads when the sun’s out!

10 Savory Yogurt Bowls for a Hearty Breakfast

You’ve probably heard me say it before: eating veggies with most meals is an easy way to boost your health and happiness. And this food trend will help you start your day on track: savory yogurt bowls.

You may be used to combine your yogurt with cereal and fruit. But across many cultures, yogurt is traditional eaten in a savory dish. Whether it’s Indian raita, Greek tzatziki or Turkish yogurt soup, savory yogurt is a staple in many cuisines.

For a healthy breakfast that keeps you full until lunch, try a savory yogurt bowl. If you want to keep things simple, just drizzle olive oil over your yoghurt and sprinkle it with nuts, seeds, chili flakes and sea salt. Or you could go all in with nutrient-packed toppings like roasted veggies and poached eggs.

Check out these 10 savory yogurt bowls for a healthy start of your day!