Staying healthy and maintaining vitality is about living your best life with energy and confidence to do the things that bring you joy. Whether that's playing tennis, traveling the Mediterranean or tooling around your house, feeling good starts with good food.
If you're preventing a chronic disease or managing one on a regular basis, a nutritious diet can help you be in control of your health. According to the 2020-2025 US Dietary Guidelines, balance, variety and moderation are key to a healthy diet. Research shows that food is medicine!
A recent review article in the journal Nutrients finds that a diet including more whole fruit has several health benefits including protecting against constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticular disease, promoting long term weight management, lowering risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, decreasing risk for depression and improving bone mineral density, particularly in post-menopausal women.
In addition, a systematic review of studies indicates a diet high in fruit and vegetables has been linked with improved mental health in adults. This includes improved feelings of optimism, self-efficacy, life satisfaction and happiness.
A nutritious diet may also help to manage arthritis and bowel irregularity as well as support a strong immune system, which are so important as we age. Including more plants in your diet is much easier and sustainable when they taste good.
Natural Delights Medjool dates are a delicious treat to help you maintain great overall health that leads to vitality. With sixteen essential nutrients including potassium to lower blood pressure and dietary fiber to manage blood sugar and appetite, they're a delightful way to fuel a fulfilling life.
Beyond potassium and fiber, Medjool dates provide slowly digested carbohydrates to boost your morning walk, workout or swim class or give you a pick-me-up for an afternoon hike or bike ride.
Medjool dates are also a source of disease-fighting antioxidants that have been shown to reduce serum triglyceride levels and oxidative stress. Despite their delicious sweet taste, they have not been shown to worsen blood sugar. Medjool dates are a simple, delicious fruit for the whole family.
Adding Medjool dates to your routine doesn't have to be challenging!
Here are several great options for adding natural sweetness and added health benefits with Medjool dates:
Add diced dates to rolled oats or your favorite dry cereal
Enjoy chopped dates in your morning yogurt
Pair whole dates with pistachios or other nuts
Include chopped dates with apples in your salad
Add chopped dates to stuffing or rice pilaf
Dip dates in almond or peanut butter for a quick pick me up
Split dates and add chopped pecans and drizzled chocolate for a delicious treat
Wrap sliced dates in lettuce with grilled shrimp
Stuff dates with blue cheese and drizzle with honey
