This week, I’m delighted to introduce you to Mary Ellen, one of my favorite plant-based bloggers. A woman after my own heart, she shares quick and healthy vegan recipes on her blog, VNutrition. What’s more, I’m pretty sure she loves tasty food and nerding out about evidence-based nutrition just as much as I do. Speaking of which, she’s written a fantastic guest post packed with yummy food and fun nutrition facts. If you’re looking to feel your best and try something new, check out her fave fall foods and recipe suggestions below!
Top 5 Healthy Foods for Fall
I am so honored that Lee has asked me to do a guest post for her blog this week! When I asked Lee what type of post she’d like me to do, she pretty much gave me free range so long as it’s healthy! Since fall is in the air (at least it is more in the air now than the 90 degrees we’ve been having in New Jersey previously), I thought I’d share with you my Top 5 Healthy Foods for Fall!
1. Squash
Dill Lemon Butternut Squash Soup from Rock my Vegan Socks
I love squash (both winter and summer) but I’ve really been getting into winter squash in the past few years. They’re so tasty and and comforting. There are a number of types of winter squash. The ones I use most often are pumpkin, spaghetti, acorn, butternut, and kabocha (Japanese squash).
Squash can be so versatile. You can add roasted squash to salads, soups, sandwiches, sauces, pastas, or wraps. You can also use spaghetti squash as a pasta substitute.
Besides being high in beta carotene and phytonutrients, squash is high in vitamin C and fiber.
Want to try some squash but don’t know where to start? Check out this Dill Lemon Butternut Squash Soup from Kimmy at Rock My Vegan Socks!
2. Apples
Raw Apple Pie from Vie de la Vegan
My favorite type of apple (as well as my dog Firenze’s) is Granny Smith—we share one every once in awhile… but there are so many other types as well: gala, red delicious, fuji, honeycrisp, golden delicious, and more!
Apples are a great way to get dietary fiber. A good dose of Vitamin C is found mainly in the skin—so be sure not to peel them!
Maybe an apple a day can truly keep the doctor away? For a tasty way to have apples, check out this Raw Apple Pie from Kyra of Vie de la Vegan.
3. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts for Skeptics – Veggie Quest
I feel like Brussels sprouts get a bad rap. Actually, I only started eating them a few years ago, but now I love them (if they’re cooked right!). I think they would be a great addition to kids’ plates too because they taste good, kids can pick them up with their hands, and they are great in nutritional value (see below).
Brussels sprouts are high in protein: 1 cup gives us 3 grams of protein and much of the RDA of vitamins K and C.
Check out Lee’s post on Brussels Sprouts for Skeptics.
4. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potato Almond Soup – Veggie Inspired Journey
Sweet potatoes are a staple in my house for fall. I bake them whole or slice and bake them to make fries. If you have dogs, sweet potatoes make a great addition to their food. We give boiled or baked sweet potato to Ren and Sophie for extra vitamins!
Speaking of vitamins, sweet potatoes contain a huge amount of vitamin A which is so important for eye health, immune function, and growth and development.
Looking for a tasty sweet potato recipe? Check out this Sweet Potato Almond Soup from Veggie Inspired Journey.
5. Warming Herbs and Spices
Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal – VNutrition
I love warming spices when the weather gets cooler. They are a quick way to warm the body. There are a number of spices and herbs that can warm you: cinnamon, turmeric, red pepper flakes, ginger, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, sage, cayenne, cardamom, allspice.
Besides their warming qualities, these herbs and spices have been shown to possess other health benefits such as ginger and turmeric having anti-inflammatory properties. These herbs and spices can be added to all sorts of dishes like my Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal (a favorite of mine for fall!)
So tell me, what are you of the foods you eat to keep healthy during the fall?
More about Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen is the blogger behind VNutrition, a resource for those interested in forming better nutritional habits by adopting a vegan lifestyle. She’s an animal lover, runner, and sparkle addict, who lives by the motto “Eat Kind, Be Healthy.” When she isn’t studying for her nutrition degree, blogging, or creating scrumptious vegan treats, Mary Ellen can be found doting on her shih tzus or traveling the world with her husband.
Visit her on social media:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/v.nutrition/
- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/VNutritionist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VNutritionandWellness
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/V_Nutrition
- Bloglovin: https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/vnutrition-14323115
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I'm Lee, an RD thriving on a healthy plant based diet.
Thanks for sharing this awesome fall recipe roundup Mary Ellen!
All of these recipes look so great – I’m totally eyeing up the brussels sprouts & sweet potato ones.
YUM!
It’s still 90 degrees here… I may have to wait a bit to try these. Except the raw apple pie – that’s a cooling recipe =)
90 degrees? I’m jealous! It’s been cold and rainy all week here!