Foods that Fit People Love

Some time ago I came across a SHAPE Magazine gallery that revealed 13 foods that fit people loved. If you have not seen this you can check it out here!

(pepper, spinach, avocado photo credits)

This inspired me to think back to my childhood (or just a couple of years ago) and how many foods I hated. I basically disliked anything that was healthy... I really did not like vegetables at all, with exceptions such as tomatoes(I don't care if its a fruit), bok choy, cauliflower, potatoes, and green beans. But all the nutrient rich vegetables, like broccoli, spinach, avocados(again with the fruit), beans, asparagus, bell peppers, eggplant, carrots, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and squash, I disliked. I also did not like nuts all that much (almonds, walnuts, etc. I did like cashews and peanuts, tho.)

However, I have came to like a lot of the foods that I would not even touch before if my parents had cooked them for dinner. I realized that learning about nutrition and health, as well as maturing into a sensible adult, really helped me to accept these foods into my diet. I did not even have to force myself to like fresh and nutritious food, fresh food is what it is, delicious, filling, and healthy! So without awareness, I fell in love with so many of the foods I used to hate! I can't even explain why!

I think this is the easiest way to become healthier and live a better life. It is not about starving yourself or eating foods that taste like sand, it is about loving what you eat. Fresh foods will give you tons of energy and make you feel like a different person! I swear! ;-) You can also surprisingly save money if you start buying fresh and spend less on pre-packaged foods!

I'm now going to share some foods(not all, I love pretty much everything) that I used to dislike but now love along with some tips and recipes to make them taste delicious! :-)

Almonds

Almonds are super foods that contains tons of healthy fats. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, the same type of health-promoting fats as are found in olive oil. However almonds, along with some other nuts, don't have that much flavor and they have that awkward hardness to it (What I used to think). Now I love it. Here are some ways to get some of the healthy nutrients that Almonds have to offer. I LOVE both. 

(Almond Milk) 

(Ways to eat Almond butter)

Asparagus   

I know how this would be not tasty, it has a strange crunch to it and has bit of that "hardcore plant" flavor (boy I am so good at explaining taste). But the key is to dress it up, literally. Here are some of my favorite ways to eat Asparagus.

(Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus SkinnyTaste) 

(Penne with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes Giada de-Laurentiis)

Beans

The first time that I actually liked black beans was when it was in a Chipotle Burrito Bowl. From then, *Poof*, I was obsessed. I love beans! I know that sometimes they can be starchy and bland, but they offer high quality protein as an alternatives to meat sources. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy beans, in a healthy way, of course.

(Quinoa Chili with Black Beans and Sweet Potatoes)

(Southwestern Black Bean Salad Skinny Taste)

Bell Peppers

I still think that bell peppers have a little bit of an acquired taste to them, but I am acquired to that taste now! I love bell peppers especially in salads and wraps. One exception, though, I only like my bell peppers cooked. And here are a couple of ways to cook them!

(Steak Fajitas The Meatwave)

(Grilled Vegetable Salad Cooking Light)

Broccoli 

Broccoli, a food that I still remember ever hating. It has more plant flavor than cauliflower and has more of a crunch to it when cooked. I believe that reason that I used to hate it it's because I never liked the way it was cooked and seasoned. But now I love broccoli, believe it or not I even crave it once in a while... The key is cook it until it is not hard and slightly tender and season it up with some big flavors!

( Broccoli with Shrimp The Wednesday Chef)

( Broccoli and Tofu Sitr-fry Eating Well)

Mushrooms

(photo) 

Oh mushrooms. I also remember hating this one. The texture and flavor is very unique among the other veggies. I really LOVE mushrooms love, especially in veggie burgers, grilled, and in pasta. If you don't like mushrooms, try it on pizza and pastas! They are great!

(Mushroom Risotto Skinny Taste) 

(Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps Skinny Taste)

Oatmeal

YUM-O. Oatmeal is one of my favorites, not just for breakfast, but anytime of the day! I know that I used to not like oatmeal because it really doesn't have any flavor... or texture. But with just a little sweetness and a little added touches, oatmeal could be delicious! Oatmeal is proven to be a help with weight-loss and to maintain a healthy heart. Here are some sweet and delicious, yet healthy ways to prepare oatmeal. (I love both ways!)

(Almond Joy Oatmeal) OBSESSED

(Choco-Banana "Monkey" Oatmeal)

Raisins

All I can say about raisins is that they are ridiculously addicting and delicious! I know that you either love this treat or hate its taste. I have stepped on to the "dark side" when I made vegan energy bites. Raisins are healthy but also dangerous. They offer great nutrition, but the downside is they are rather caloric. So limit your portions to just 1/4 cup!

(No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate covered Katie)

(More Raisin Ideas Here!)

Zucchini 

Zucchini is super low in calories while it contains towns of cholesterol lowering and cancer fighting nutrients. I like Zucchini personally because it is delicious! especially if its cheesy. It can even be used to make healthy desserts! What else could be better? Here are some of my favorite recipes.

(Pasta with Zucchini, Tomatoes and Creamy Lemon-Yogurt Sauce)

(Cheesy Zucchini Rice) 

(Low-Fat Brownies)

However...

I Still don't like carrots. I don't know why I can't stand them. The only way I will eat my carrots is if its in one of these...

Back on topic... 

Thanks for checking out this post! Have you ever had a change of heart on certain foods? Share along with some of your favorite recipes for your favorite healthy foods! 

Happy Friday!

-Grace

PS. Julia left today :-( But wish her all the best at Wellesley!