There are so many health benefits of a plant-based diet, but if you’re just starting out, there are a few nutrient-dense foods you should be eating every day (or at least incorporating them into your diet regularly.) So, to find out, we asked Kimberly Snyder to share her top five with us.
The holistic nutritionist is known for helping major celebrities on their health and wellness journey (including Drew Barrymore) and her books (she’s written 10!) have ranked her as a New York Times best-selling author. So, it’s safe to say she knows a thing or two about nutrition. Read on to learn more about Snyder’s top five nutrient-dense foods then start cooking them with our favorite recipes below.
#1. Glowing Green Smoothie
This is almost always my top recommendation, but there’s a reason the GGS® is my signature drink. It is low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with nutrition. That means it fills you up and provides you with the nutrients and enzymes your body needs for peak performance. And, because it’s blended, it also allows your body to minimize the energy necessary for digestion so it can be used for beauty energy and fat burning.
#2. Chia Seeds
These nutritious little seeds are great for fat loss, because they help stabilize blood sugar, contain lots of fiber, and improve your sensitivity to insulin. Insulin is one of your body’s main fat storage hormones, and improving insulin sensitivity can reduce the amount of insulin circulating in your bloodstream, which can lead to fat loss. Chia is also rich in Omega-3 fats, and the seeds are filling because they contain fiber. Try a few tablespoons of chia in unsweetened almond milk with some vanilla and stevia for a delicious and filling beverage.
#3. Greens
Like a Glowing Green Smoothie®, fresh greens will help fill you up, giving your body the enzymes it needs for full digestion. Greens are also high in fiber and nutrition and they don’t raise your blood sugar.
#4. Lentils
One cup of lentils has an amazing 18 grams of easy-to-digest and assimilate plant protein. Move over protein powder, let lentils fuel your body with all-powerful goodness. Not only are they loaded with amazing amounts of plant-based protein, but they are also so easy to make, filling, and totally delish. Loaded with minerals, vitamins, and phytonutrients too.
#5. Sprouts/Microgreens
These “baby” plants are very rich in nutrients—amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and so on. They are an enormous bang for your buck! I incorporate them almost every day into my meals, whether it’s just piling them onto soups or into my wraps.
Start incorporating the top five nutrient-dense foods into your diet today with these delicious recipes:
Jammy Chia & Yoghurt Parfaits
Colorful, fresh, fruity, this delicious breakfast will transport you to a beachside cafe in California. This means that even if you live in Minneapolis or Chicago, you, too, can channel sunny vibes for a few bright minutes in the morning. And it’s good for you too!
The Big Green Immunity-Boosting Vegetable Soup
Soup is a great way to pack an inordinate amount of green veggies into one very delicious meal, ie. it’s an immune-boosting powerhouse. Which, heaven knows we could all use right about now.
Coconut Curry Red Lentil Soup
Lentils pack tons of protein (1 cup contains 18 grams), plus they’re full of iron, fiber, magnesium, and calcium. This soup will give you that “totally satisfied without feeling weighed down” vibe that can be hard to come by.
Raw Kale Caesar With Beet Microgreens & Poached Egg
This hearty salad has a great bite and brightness making it the most satisfying meal maybe ever. This almond Caesar dressing is naturally dairy-free but has the bold, zingy flavor that every caesar needs.
Snyder believes her Glowing Green Smoothie® (GGS) recipe is one of the most potent health and beauty elixirs on the planet. And she has reason to make such a strong claim. This smoothie really packs a punch with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, high-quality amino acids (which build protein), and countless other phytonutrients that work synergistically to prevent and repair damage in your body and boost rejuvenation. Can we hear a “yes please!”
