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By Kirsti Mauthe, Registered Dietitian and PHS Clinical Nutrition Manager
Traditional St. Patrick's Day meals don’t usually scream "healthy." However, there are many ways to get your daily dose of nutrients while still enjoying all the traditional favorites.
Add green vegetables for your side dishes such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, green beans or cucumbers.
Embrace Ireland's favorite veggie – the potato! Potatoes are a good source of fiber and are packed with important nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B6.
Roasting potatoes with the skin on is the best way to ensure you are getting all the nutrients potatoes have to offer. Try tossing in olive oil and seasoning with garlic, pepper and fresh herbs such as chopped parsley or rosemary.
If roasting isn’t your thing, you can boil, then mash red potatoes with the skin on. Make them creamy by whipping with low-fat milk or plain Greek yogurt and a small amount of butter. Use potatoes as a side to corned beef and cabbage or on top of Shepherd's Pie.
Speaking of cabbage...that's another great vegetable to feature on St Patty's day. Sauté cabbage with olive oil, onions, garlic, thyme and pepper for a nice, crunchy side dish.
For dessert the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends making “Pot O' Gold Fruit Skewers” with green grapes and kiwi slices; then place a pineapple chunk at each end to serve as the pot of gold.
Or try this healthy Shamrock Smoothie for a delicious, creamy and nutritious treat! (See recipe below.)
Remember balance is key to any healthy lifestyle, so enjoy some of your favorite St Patrick's Day foods in moderation and add some new healthier options as well. 😊 Just like every day, we encourage you to eat the rainbow!
Explore culinary opportunities within PHS that give you freedom to be creative with food and can lead to life-long careers.
Further reading:
Eat the Rainbow
Skip the seasonal job and grow with the Culinary Team at PHS!
Live cooking demos by chefs at Prairie Gate draw 'oohs' and 'aahs'