Move over vegans and pescatarians, there’s a new diet in town.
While it may seem like a no-brainer to eat vegetables and fruits—while especially avoiding excess trans fats, sodium and simple sugars—the nutritarian diet reconfigures the food pyramid to put vegetables at the base of the pyramid, replacing grains.
Photo courtesy of drfuhrman.com
Nutritarians maintain a diet rich in high-quality nutrients, seeking out green vegetables, colorful vegetables, fresh fruit and beans. The result is a high fiber diet that balances micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) with macronutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It’s an awesome diet for diabetics and athletes alike, so we might start reaching for greens more often—or at least attempt. Below is a mini round-up of nutritarian-friendly meals or snacks for you to try it out yourself:
1. Corn salad with hummus, feta, peppers and chicken
Photo by Krysten Dorfman
With healthy fats like chickpeas combined with lean protein like chicken, this salad packs a nutritious punch that still leaves you full.
2. Summer chopped salad
Photo by Elizabeth Layman
Lettuce, kale and tomato are topped with avocado and a bit of egg in this chopped salad with greens at its base—much like the nutritarian diet.
3. Leftover fruit smoothie
Photo by Jocelyn Hsu
Everything but the kitchen sink? Nah, but this fruit medley smoothie packs in tons of vitamins without additional sugar. A light snack, or beverage, if you will.
4. Soy-glazed sesame green beans
Photo by Mackenzie Barth
A little seasoning can’t hurt, especially when the key ingredient is green beans.
5. Roasted asparagus, carrots and zucchini
Photo by Mackenzie Barth
Like the previous recipe, seasoning can come a long way in making summer veggies more appealing. You can even substitute pearl onions or baby squash, depending on the season.