Fall is here, and with it comes a yummy influx of delicious, seasonal foods. No matter how you feel about pumpkin spice, there are plenty of fall flavors you can enjoy. Of course, for many people, the bounty of fall treats is actually a diet-busting problem.
While many people think it’s hard to keep the extra pounds off due to the holiday feasts, there are actually countless fall-festive foods that can satisfy your cravings while pushing you closer to your weight loss goals. Here are just a few healthy foods to incorporate into your diet this fall.
Pears
Pears are filled with fiber and natural energy in the form of fructose, so they’re worth incorporating into your diet in some way this season. Fortunately, their flavor profile is incredibly versatile, making them ideal for pairing with almost any type of smoothie or salad.
What other fruits and veggies are in season during the fall? In addition to ripe fall pears, fall is the perfect season for fruits such as grapes, cranberries, and guava. You can also incorporate broccoli, cauliflower, and various squashes into your fall cooking.
Lean Meats
Lean meats like chicken and turkey breast are incredibly healthy and versatile. That being said, if you’re a football fan, you’re bound to run into some tough choices when it comes to staying healthy. Instead of indulging in whatever red meats and fried foods your buddies have prepared, consider a tip that Muscle and Fitness has dubbed BYOM — ‘bring your own meats.’
“Top picks at football tailgates and BBQs include an assortment of fried foods, fatty dips, and meats slathered with sugary glazes and sauces. If you’re easily tempted — and who doesn’t enjoy fried lard nuggets with cheese on a brisk autumn day? — fight the urge to pig out by bringing your own lean meats to grill,” writes Zack Zeigler.
Chicken breasts, fish, and shrimp are all great BYOM options. If you can’t get through football season without some type of red meat, opt for leaner and grass-fed beef instead of the traditional ground beef.
Artichokes
Even though artichokes are primarily considered a springtime vegetable, their second harvest makes them ideal for fall as well. Not only are artichokes a natural diuretic, but they’re a high fiber food as well. But don’t feel like you can go crazy with indulgent appetizers like spinach and artichoke dip — try pairing artichokes with a traditional chicken or pasta dish.
Ultimately, more than one in three adults are considered to be obese. The colder temperatures and food-based holidays of fall can make it hard to stick to a healthy diet. But it only takes a few small decisions throughout the season to stay healthy and happy all autumn long.
Shelly Smiths
Thursday 11th of June 2020
Wow. Thanks for sharing. I am sure this will work