Father’s Day is upon us and if you are anything like me, you love any excuse to celebrate your dad. People say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so serving up a delicious meal is a great place to start. As a Registered Dietitian, I am always conscious of the impact our food choices have on long-term health when planning a menu for those I love. That is why I love using recipes that are both healthy and delicious; you can do the same for your dad this year!
When planning a menu with dad’s health in mind, aim for a variety of nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy. A great example would be this breakfast celebration meal: a Georgia Peach Smoothie made with protein-packed real dairy, alongside a tasty Crustless Swiss Chard and Tomato Quiche filled with an impressive four cups of Swiss chard and nutrient-rich mozzarella. Finish with warm Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins that provide fiber from fruit, ground flax meal, and whole-wheat flour.
About 90 percent of Americans don’t meet the recommended servings of dairy, so there’s a good chance your dad is one of them. That’s why choosing recipes that feature dairy or serving those that don’t with a cup of low-fat milk is a great solution. Milk provides 13 essential nutrients that support wellness, so you definitely don’t want dad to miss out! For non-milk drinking dads, along with using milk in recipes, it can also shine as the base of delicious specialty beverages like this Maple Cinnamon Milk Tea.
Show dad you care this year by planning out a healthy and delicious meal to share together. That coupled with quality time is the ultimate recipe for Father’s Day success!
