StayLucky and Healthy on St. Patrick’s Day
As a religious and cultural holiday, St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated for over 1,000 years on March 17th to commemorate the death of St. Patrick.
For centuries, traditions such as annual parades, wearing green, drinking green beer, and enjoying Irish foods such as corned beef and cabbage are usually a part of the celebrations. While many of the traditions are surrounded around delicious foods and tasty beverages, including additional wholesome green fruits and vegetables can help you stay healthy on St. Patty’s day and beyond.
Focusing on including more green foods such as leafy greens, avocados, edamame, kiwifruit, green beans and split peas, can help lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and blood pressure as they are naturally low cholesterol, calories and sodium. In addition, these foods are high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help prevent chronic disease such as cancer and birth defects. Greens also play a role in digestive health as they are high in fiber and promoting regular bowel movements while feeding the gut beneficial bacteria.
Some GREEN ideas for St. Patrick’s Day include:
Enjoy a tossed green salad made with an array of dark green leaves.
Try the traditional Corned beef with cabbage.
Sneak green foods such as kale or collard greens into soups and stews.
Make a green fruit salad with kiwi, green grapes, and honey melon.
Add some healthy fat to meals by including avocado slices to salads and sandwiches.
Enjoy raw foods such as green peppers, green apples and broccoli florets.
Make greener smoothies by including spinach or other dark leafy greens.
Finish dishes with green garnishes such as green onions, parsley, cilantro, basil and mint.
Try some green recipes for St. Patty’s Day
- St. Patrick’s Day Snack Board – St. Patrick’s Day Snack Board – Eating by Elaine
- St. Patty Melt – St. Patty Melt Recipe
- St. Patrick’s Day Green Dublin Cocktail – St Patrick’s Day Green Dublin Cocktail – Culinary Ginger
- Air Fryer Asparagus – Air Fryer Asparagus – The Plant Based School
- Corned Beef and Cabbage – Best Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe – How to Make Corned Beef and Cabbage
Reference: UNL – Nebraska Extension
– Dana Gardner, Registered Dietitian, MS, LD/N
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