I love reading everyone’s post about what they are thankful for in November.  It is a great time for us to sit back amidst the chaos of life and remember that we all have something to be thankful for.  I am very thankful for the abundance of food that God has provided my family.  We have never gone without food or had to worry if we would have enough food to eat which is more than 870 million people could say. (www.worldhunger.org)

Here are five specific foods that I am thankful for:

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1. Chocolate I’m not really an emotional eater, but seriously chocolate makes me happy!  It may not make everything better when I’m feeling blue, but for those few blissful moments I am indulging in chocolate, my view on life is just a little tastier.  So I’m thankful for chocolate in moderation.  Unsure what moderation looks like?  Contact us to learn how to indulge in food the healthy way.

Used with permission by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

2. Avocados. One of our family’s favorite foods to consume.  Avocados are a nutritional power house.  Eating just 1/5 of an avocado provides only 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients making this a nutrient dense food.

Used with permission by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

3. Blueberries I love that that blueberries are so versatile.  You can buy them fresh in season or frozen out of season and they still taste delicious.  You can eat them plain or throw them in salads, parfaits, and desserts. Blueberries are a superfood loaded with phytonutrients. With their powerful antioxidant protection, blueberries can improve nighttime vision, promote quicker adjustment to darkness and promote faster restoration of visual clarity after exposure to glare.  According to the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, laboratory studies show a diet including blueberries may improve motor skills and reverse the short-term memory loss that comes with aging or age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.  Researchers have also identified a compound in blueberries that helps to reduce the risk of infection. That is a big nutrition punch for a little bitty berry!

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4. Chia Seeds Chia seeds make adding fiber to your diet really easy.  There is 5 grams in just 1 tablespoon.  It is an ancient grain that was consumed to boast energy and increase stamina.  Chia seeds has a mild, nutty flavor that makes it versatile to add to sweet and savory dishes. Use it in puddings, smoothies, porridge, baked goods, and salads.  No matter the dish, with a sprinkle of chia seeds, you instantly increase its nutritional value.

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5. Almonds Almonds help with weight control. (see #1)  They may also protect against DNA damage and lower cholesterol.  Almonds are a good source of manganese, riboflavin, and copper which all help increase your energy production.  They also are high in protein and vitamin E, an antioxidant.

While there are many other nutritional powerhouses that could be included, these are my favorite!  What is yours?