5 Ways to Supercharge Your Meals, According to a Dietitian
Only you can know what foods taste amazing and feel right in your body. But every so often, it’s helpful to turn to the experts to make sure we’re getting all the nutrients we need and fueling thoughtfully. Enter Hannah Cooper, a registered dietitian known across social media as @eatwellwithhannah—she’s our go-to expert on all things nutrition. Take it away, Hannah!
As a dietitian, the one thing I constantly preach to my clients, followers, and peers is nutrition by addition: instead of removing foods or even food groups from the diet, we add. Additions can come in many forms, from veggies and fruits to healthy fats and ancient grains. By supercharging your meals with powerhouse foods, you fuel your body and support important cellular functions. Check out some of my favorite ways to practice nutrition by addition:
- Incorporate whole grains
Whole grains are a great heart healthy complex carbohydrate full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals—think brown rice, quinoa, barley, farro, and wild rice. What separates these grains from white rice, pastas, and breads? Whole grains contain all parts of the grain whereas the others are more processed. Swapping your white rice for quinoa or brown rice a few times per week is a simple, tasty way to boost your whole grain intake. Hot tip: get both of these grains easily with Hungryroot’s microwaveable Brown Rice Quinoa Blend packs!
- Boost your sauces with roasted veggies
One of the easiest—and sneakiest—ways to boost a pasta dish is by adding veggies to your sauce. I like to roast Mini Sweet Bell Peppers and blend them with tomato sauce to boost the vitamin A and C content. Consider adding any veggies you like, such as spinach, butternut squash, and cauliflower. If you’re in a pinch, you can always order Hungryroot’s Superfood Tomato sauce—it’s made from red bell peppers and tomatoes, plus has hemp seeds for extra protein and fiber!
- Make a high protein dip for veggies with Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt dips are one of my favorite healthy hacks. Lots of dips, dressings, and sauces can be quite high in fat and low in protein. Using Greek yogurt not only decreases the fat content of the dip but also adds protein. My favorite combo is a yogurt ranch dip using the Spicewalla Ranch Seasoning.
- Boost your fruit and veggie intakes with smoothies
Smoothies are another amazing way to boost your fruit and veggie intake throughout the day. If you need a quick sip on-the-go, check out the new smoothies from Hungryroot, like the Acai Berry Smoothie. They’re packed with fruit and make a super simple and satisfying snack—especially if you pair them with a protein!
- Lean on salad kits for busy evenings
Salad kits are one of my staples for a weeknight dinner. Alone, they aren’t always the best complete meal, but when you top them with extra nutritious foods, they transform into a delicious and balanced plate. My go-to formula? Adding a protein and 2-3 veggies to make my salads filling and flavorful. Try toppings like Seasoned Grilled Chicken Breast, Mini Cucumbers, and Fresh Avocado.
