healthyeating

How Many Ways Do You Eat Grapefruit?

😋 7 Creative Ways to Eat Grapefruit 😋

Not a lot of fruits are in season through the winter, but oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are! 

Grapefruits are one of my favorites because they have a tart flavor that can go with either sweet or salty foods. They’re also low in calories, high in nutrients, and packed with vitamin C. 

Let’s get creative with 7 ways to eat grapefruit! 

1️⃣ Fresh!

Keep it simple by slicing or peeling your grapefruit and sprinkling it with a little sugar, salt, or nothing at all. 

2️⃣ Grilled & Drizzled

Cut the grapefruit in half and put it over a grill or under the broiler until just browned. Drizzle with honey or sprinkle with cinnamon. 

3️⃣ In a Smoothie

The sweet yet tart flavor of grapefruit blends well into smoothies along with spinach, a banana, and some yogurt. 

4️⃣ Over Greens

Toss your salad with vinaigrette and throw in some chopped nuts, feta cheese, and grapefruit chunks. 

5️⃣ With Avocado

Make a chopped salad of grapefruit and avocado, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt. 

6️⃣ On Crackers

Mix up the ordinary crackers and cheese by using goat cheese and pieces of grapefruit on top. 

7️⃣ Alongside Fish or Shrimp

Everyone thinks of using lemons with seafood, but why not give grapefruit a try? 

There you have it—7 creative ways to eat grapefruit. 

Which one will you try next? Let me know in the comments!

5 Natural Sweeteners Explained

We all know that too much sugar (of any kind) is bad for our health. But are there natural sweeteners that are less problematic than just plain cane sugar?

Let’s break down what you need to know about 5 natural sweeteners you may have seen in ingredient lists…

🍬 Stevia

Stevia is a zero-calorie sweetener extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant. It’s green in its raw form but white after being processed. Even though stevia is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, it can leave a bitter aftertaste that some people don’t like.

🍬 Erythritol

Erythritol is also a zero-calorie sweetener. It’s a sugar alcohol that naturally occurs in some fruits. Even though it is absorbed from the intestines, it’s then eliminated in the urine without being converted into calories. The most common issue with erythritol is gas or diarrhea in high amounts.  

🍬 Xylitol

Xylitol is similar to erythritol in being a very low-calorie sugar alcohol. But its digestive side effects can be even worse, so use it sparingly. Xylitol has specifically demonstrated benefits for dental health. 

🍬 Monk Fruit Extract

Monk fruit extract comes from a fruit that is native to Southeast Asia. It has zero calories and may contain beneficial compounds like antioxidants. It’s a more expensive ingredient that is not used as often as some of the others listed here. 

🍬 Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar is not zero calories. It has the same calories as regular table sugar but is higher in nutrients and has a slightly lower glycemic index. Even though it’s a whole food, it’s close enough to sugar to be considered almost the same. 

This is obviously not an exhaustive list. There’s also agave nectar, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, molasses, and more. 

Want the bottom line?

🍒 The best approach is to eat foods closest to their whole form. Satisfy that sweet craving with a piece of juicy fresh fruit…

and on the occasion when you want to add a sweetener? Choose a natural sweetener you like and do it in moderation 😋

5 Simple & Healthy Lunches

Back to school? Back to work? Time to brainstorm some simple and healthy lunches you can pack up and go! 

I’ll go first…

🍌 Nut butter & fruit wrap

Mix and match your favorite nut butter with apples, strawberries, or bananas, some chopped nuts or granola, and a sprinkling of cinnamon.

🥕 Hummus & veggie wrap

Use wheat or gluten-free wraps with hummus and an array of chopped veggies. Add in some shredded cheese or chopped chicken for a protein boost. 

🥣 Chicken salad & crackers

Chicken salad is pretty versatile and can be paired with crackers, pita bread, a wrap, or just eaten on its own. 

🥚 Hard-boiled eggs & Quinoa salad

Both of these can be made ahead (even on the weekend) and stay fresh in the fridge for as many grab-n-go lunches as you need. 

🥬 Ham & lettuce wraps

For those who are not a fan of sandwiches or unnecessary bread, wrap up some deli ham or turkey slices with cheese and your favorite spread in a lettuce wrap. 

Pair any of these with some fresh fruits and veggies (maybe a square of chocolate?), and you’ll have the energy to power through the afternoon. 

What other sack lunches do you love?

It's Pear Season! (What You Need to Know)

Lots of people get excited about apple picking and cobblers this time of year, but what about pears? Pears are also in season through the early fall months. 

Pears are delicious AND offer some surprising health benefits!

🍐 Pears are high in fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar and supports healthy blood sugar levels. 

🍐 The fiber in pears also makes them supportive for gut health—including bowel movements and the microbiome.

🍐 Pears contain antioxidant plant compounds that can support heart health and fight inflammation. 

🍐 Pears are nutrient-dense, providing folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and copper. 

Let me know in the comments: 

👉 How do you like your pears—crunchy or soft?