Lunch of Champions! <3
While prepping for Miss United States, I get a lot of questions about how I manage my nutrition, especially eating vegan! Not a lot has changed in my regular diet in comparison to when I'm not competing, but the timing of when I eat is very strategic. I look forward to 12 noon every single day because it's lunch time! Every morning I prepare the most scrumptious salad sand it's so so so good!!
Here are the details below of what's in my salad bowl!
Spinach
Olives (1 tsp)
Small amount of raisins
Sunflower seeds (salt free)
Grape tomatoes
Sliced yellow pepper
1/2 Avocado
Parsley
Shaved almonds
Topped with quinoa
Black beans
Chickpeas
and drizzled in avocado oil
With these ingredients, I am getting my sources of vegan protein, health fats, and it is loaded in anti-oxidants!
The plus side? There are SO many benefits to the ingredients in this salad!
Spinach:
filled with vitamins A, C, and E
contains zinc, iron, potassium, and magnesium
good for the colon, healthy brain function, and mental clarity
it's also a great antioxidant and can it can help lower cholesterol
(www.foodfacts.mercola.com)
Avocado
great source of health fats!
digestive aid
helps give you that healthy glowy skin
it is high in nutrients, about 20 vitamins and minerals to be specific...
vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin E
the plus is also that they don't contain sodium! ooohh yeahhh
(authoritynutrition.com)
Olives
vitamin E
iron source
high in antioxidants
low in carbs
high in calcium
(authoritynutrition.com)
Parsley
good source of antioxidants
sources of vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin C
boosts immune system
helps improve bone health
(www.organicfacts.com)
Yellow Pepper
rich in vitamin C
boosts the immune system
lowers inflammation in the arteries that leads to heart disease
(www.foodfacts.mercola.com)
Grape Tomatoes
good source of fiber
supports eye, bone, and skin health
it is an antioxidant
high in vitamin C, vitamin A
(fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org)
Sunflower Seeds
high in fatty acid
rich in vitamin E, copper, and B vitamins
(www.stylecraze.com)
Almonds
source of vitamin E, copper, and magnesium
good source of protein'can help prevent cardiovascular heart diseases
(medicalnewstoday.com)
Chickpeas
helps control blood sugar levels
great plant-based protein
iron source
fiber source
folate source
helps with weightloss
helps decrease symptoms of IBS and constipation
helps protect against heart disease and cancer
(www.draxe.com)
Black beans
good source of fiber
contains vitamin B6
contains potassium
helps lower cholesterol
Quinoa
great source of plant-based protein
has lots of fiber, more than other grains
rich on magnesium
good source of iron
(www.mindbodygreen.com)
Avocado Oil
helps prevent gum disease
it's a health fat
reduces cholesterol
contains lutein which is an anti-oxidant that is good for the eyes
assists with reducing symptoms of arthritis
improves skin and wound healing
(www.authoritynutrition.com)
So as can you can see, this salad is nutrient packed! When I eat this salad regularly, I almost never get sick, even with me working in a hospital! It's yummy but I also the love it gives to my body! Enjoy!
xoxo