TOP 5 HEALTHIEST SEASONAL FOODS

Holiday parties are right around the corner.  Along with all the fun comes the temptation of all the holiday dishes.  Keep your body feeling refreshed and energized this holiday season by including these five healthy fall foods into your meals:

Pumpkin
There’s so much more to pumpkin than pies and lattes.  Pumpkin is considered a low-calorie vegetable that is high in antioxidants, so try creating a savory soup or casserole.

Sweet Potato
Full of fiber and nutrients, sweet potato chips are a healthier alternative to potato chips. Just simply cut the sweet potatoes in thin slices, drizzle olive oil and salt and pop them in the oven at 300 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes until they are crispy.

Apple
Apples during the fall season can be commonly seen wrapped in caramel and drizzled with chocolate, but they are also the perfect fruit to incorporate into breakfast. Apple cinnamon oatmeal is a wholesome dish baked at 325 degrees for 35-45 minutes. This minimal ingredient meal is a great source of fiber and vitamins

Pomegranate
Rich in antioxidants, pomegranates have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications, such as a heart attack or cardiac arrest. This season try creating a pomegranate juice by  cutting the cutting the crown off to obtain the seeds, place the seeds in a clean bowl, place your seeds in a blender, pulse the seeds gently so the seeds can release juice, chill and enjoy!

Plum
​This seasonal nutrient-rich fruit is delicious as a healthy snack or incorporated into a Fall salad. This season try creating a fall salad with sliced plums on top. This is not only a nutritious meal, but it is refreshing too.

All of these seasonal, healthy foods can be discovered at local grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
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“Fall is a great time for foods rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber and minerals! A good rule of thumb is the more colorful, the more nutrients.” said Victoria Gerace RD, LDN at AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares.

For more news and events in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, this month, click here.  Discover the area's online entertainment calendar here. Also download the area's free mobile app.  ​​