Robin's Tips: How to Eat Better
We chatted live with Robin Miller today on our Twitter page about quick, healthy meals, tasty ways to eat fruits and veggies and more. Missed the live chat? See the questions and Robin's answers here.
Whole grains, fruit, nuts -- way to go, so young and making changes! Don't forget low-fat dairy for still growing bones and nuts like peanuts and cashews for protein to keep you satisfied.
I love roasting and caramelizing -- they both bring out the sweetness in vegetables. You can do a little bit of olive oil and a pinch of sugar to caramelize in a sauté pan. Or honey!
Whole-grain pastas, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, cured olives and super-flavorful cheese like feta, goat, blue and really good Parmesan.
I have a 8-year-old! Pizza is a great canvas for new ingredients: Top the pizza with mushrooms, chicken, broccoli, sweet potatoes, butternut squash or cherry tomoates. Fruit is awesome on pizza, too! And serve new foods with a favorite dip or dressing.
Chicken smothered with salsa, black beans and corn, with shredded cheddar. Baked like that, until the chicken is cooked and the cheese melts. I pick up fresh salsa from my favorite Mexican restaurant every week so I always have it on hand.
I hike and speed walk. I look silly - my arms swing and people make fun of me -- but I like it.
Strawberries, blueberries and peaches are always, always in my freezer. They're great for smoothies and savory sauces for pork and chicken. For Christmas, I made fruit empanadas for my neighbor with frozen fruit.
Instead of sandwiches, try Asian noodles, pasta salad, soup, rice salad or cold rice pilaf or individual pizzas. These are all things you could make at home and eat cold or reheat at work.
Oregano, thyme, cumin, chili powder and cinnamon. For Italian sauces with oregano and thyme, Mexican sauces with the others. Savory sauces and sweet desserts with cinnamon.
Almonds, dried mango and apricot, popcorn, individually-sized peanut butters with pretzels, fruit leather. I also like those mini Baby Bell cheeses, and Gogurt.
For calcium, try canned salmon, canned beans, spinach and broccoli, or fortified cereals, bread, multivitamins. Also, try calcium-fortified soy products. Canned salmon is calcium rich because of the bones!
Whole-grain pasta with olive oil, garlic and pine nuts or almonds for protein. Fresh basil and fresh parsley. Also, crushed red pepper flakes. Also, I love to add olives. The nuts are for protein, but if you don't want nuts, black beans are great too.
For kids, Red Robin has done a great job with their healthy menu. Also, PF Chang's has good steamed things, and lots of vegetables. For kids meals at restaurants, look for grilled or baked instead of fried. Side dishes like broccoli and fruit salad, and main dishes like fish. Some kids menus have salmon, and IHOP now has tilapia on their menu.
Using whole peeled garlic cloves and pre-roasted red peppers. I also pre-cook pasta 3 days in advance, and marinate 2 days in advance.
Yes, I've tried gluten-free meals. There are so many excellent choices on the market now. That's what turned me on to brown rice noodles -- they are awesome!
Back to basics -- Plain roasted chicken, or a grilled steak. Not fancy, but simple and delicious. Also, more international flavors are hitting store shelves: You can find curry paste in corner grocery stores.
I love roasted chicken, turkey tenderloin, pork tenderloin -- all of those with roasted root vegetables, like sweet potatoes, turnips, acorn squash.
Check back here every week for Robin's fresh take on healthy eating, see Robin on the Today Show Friday, February 18, and look for her new book, Robin Takes 5, in November.
