Many of us are constantly trying to keep up with our jam-packed schedules, and by noon we are already exhausted and unable to concentrate.
That’s when you reach for your second cup of coffee.
But as a nutritionist, I don’t look to caffeine for an energy boost. headache, can not sleep and anxiety.
Instead, I eat an unlikely food that has been neglected for too long: prunes.
Prunes are best known as remedies for those in need Helps their digestive health.
But they are also an excellent source of information Energy in the form of natural sugarsWhat’s great is that it doesn’t cause blood sugar spikes.
In some cases, a spike in blood sugar followed by a drop in blood sugar can make you feel sluggish. Low glycemic foods like prunes can help give you sustained energy without crashing later.
Depending on the size of the prunes, I eat about 30 grams a day, about 3-4 prunes.
Another bonus: eating prunes every day can help keep your bones strong as you age.a 2022 study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition A daily intake of 50 grams (5 to 6 prunes) of prunes was found to prevent the loss of hip bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.
Prunes are great on their own, but make sure the brand you choose has no added sugar. To do.
Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate prunes into your diet.
1. Add prunes to your smoothie.
Add prunes to your smoothie if you want some natural sweetness.
For a energizing morning smoothie, add 1 frozen banana, 1/2 tablespoon lime zest, 1 cup frozen peach, 3/4 cup frozen cherries, 1/2 cup cherries and 4 pitted prunes. oat milk.
2. Substitute prune puree for sugar in baked goods.
Combine 16 ounces of prunes and 1/2 cup of warm water in a blender and blend until a puree forms.The puree can be used to replace 1/3 to 1/2 of the sugar in recipes. .
Prune puree can also be used as an egg or fat substitute. To reduce fat, replace up to half the butter or oil in your recipe with an equal amount of puree.
3. Dip the prunes in dark chocolate.
For an antioxidant-rich, fiber-rich dessert, dip five pitted prunes in melted dark chocolate and let set for a few hours.
4. Add chopped prunes to the chicken salad.
The amazing sweetness that prunes add to chicken salad is an easy way to dress up a classic poultry dish. Simply add chopped prunes to your favorite chicken salad recipe and mix well.
Lauren Manaker An award-winning nutritionist, “First-time Mom’s Pregnancy Cookbook: A Nutritional Guide, Recipes, and Meal Plans for a Healthy Pregnancy”. She has held leadership roles in Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics I have contributed to publications such as health day and live strongfollow her Instagram.
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