50+ Lifestyles

Five HealthMarket Products Fit for Your Meal Plan

By Katie Schaeffer, RD, LD
Hy-Vee Registered Dietician
(515) 695-3780 kschaeffer@hy-vee.com

Stay focused on your health and wellness goals this New Year with the help of your Hy-Vee dietitian. With the right education, support and structure, you will be on your way to reaching your health and wellness goals. Choose from a variety of nutrition services including Nutrition Store Tours, Healthy Habits Menu Program and Wellness Wednesday weekly classes. For many people, these three tips can be helpful when choosing food products in the aisle.

Choose whole-grain products that provide a good source of fiber and protein.

Whole grains can be helpful for those wanting to maintain or lose weight, balance blood sugars, promote healthy cholesterol levels and improve gut health. They help you stay full longer as they take longer to digest, which also helps keep blood sugar levels stable. Fiber can also help reduce cholesterol and promote GI regularity.

Select products that provide a source of healthy unsaturated fats.

Fat can be very satiating even in small amounts, which can help you feel full and satisfied. Healthy fats are actually beneficial for cholesterol levels, helping reduce bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol.

Look for products to help reduce your added sugar intake.

Often even a small swap in your diet can make a big difference when done consistently day after day. Products without added sugar will be lower calorie for weight loss goals and can help with improving blood sugar control.

Here are five HealthMarket products your dietitian may recommend adding to your shopping list for a well-
balanced meal plan that includes whole grains, healthy fats and smart no-sugar-added swaps.

1. Food For Life Ezekiel sprouted grain bread: Food For Life Ezekiel bread is made by combining six sprouted grains and legumes which together provide a complete protein. Each slice of bread contains 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein.
2. Tumaro’s Carb Wise wraps: Tumaro’s Carb Wise whole-wheat wraps contain 60 calories, 13 grams carbohydrates, 7 grams fiber and 5 grams protein. Try them for wraps, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, enchiladas, tacos and fajitas.
3. Banza pasta: Banza pasta is made from chickpeas. Banza pasta contains 5 grams fiber and 11 grams protein per serving. For those wanting to eat more plant-based, Banza can be a helpful addition for a pasta as it provides 1.5 times the protein and 3 times the fiber as traditional pasta.
4. Chosen Foods avocado oil: Chosen Foods avocado oil is made from ripened-to-perfection avocados, providing a healthy source of fat. With a neutral flavor, avocado oil can be used for baking, marinades, dressing mixed greens and pasta salads. With avocado oil’s 500°F smoke point it can be used for any cooking purpose, from high-heat sautéing to grilling or baking.
5. Zevia zero-calorie soda: Zevia is zero-calorie and sugar-free; it is sweetened with 100% stevia leaf extract which will not raise blood sugar levels.

Try out two of these product picks in a delicious weeknight dinner recipe for Tomato Margherita Pasta.

Tomato Margherita Pasta

Serves 4

All you need:

• 3 tbsp Chosen Foods avocado oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups chopped heirloom tomatoes
• ½ tsp Hy-Vee salt
• ½ tsp Hy-Vee black pepper
• 8 oz Banza dry penne pasta
• 1 (8 oz) pkg fresh mozzarella pearls, drained
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 2 cups baby arugula

All you do:

1. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in chopped heirloom tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook for 4 minutes or until tomatoes are softened.
2. Cook Banza penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.
3. Stir tomato sauce mixture, mozzarella pearls and cherry tomatoes into hot pasta. Transfer to serving platter. Top with arugula.
4. Enjoy meal with a piece of fruit and a glass of milk or water, if desired.

Recipe adapted from: https://www.hy-vee.com/recipes-ideas/recipes/tomato-margherita-pasta

To learn about more products recommended throughout the HealthMarket and across all the departments of the grocery store, register for a Nutrition Store Tour. To learn how to incorporate recommended products into recipes with a structured meal plan, ask your Hy-Vee dietitian about the Healthy Habits Menu Program. To stay up to date on the hottest nutrition trendsand newest product picks, tune in for our Wellness Wednesday weekly classes.

The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.