Hi AIYANA fam 👋 Julia here for another ingredient spotlight. This is our monthly series where we highlight some ingredients in our prepared meals. We want you to know the intention behind our ingredients, which have been curated with your family’s health in mind!
Oats, extra virgin olive oil and turkey support essential macronutrients (carbs, proteins, fats) and vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that fuel you to feel your best, so let’s dig in!
Oats
Good old-fashioned oats! We love oats so much we’ve included them in the Granola Goodness, Fuel Good Smoothie, Oat Date Carrot Muffins, Vitality Oatcakes, Overnight Oats, Mylk Ball Energy Bites, and Snap Back Energy Bites. Oats are a great food because the options and flavour profiles are endless. Their versatility comes in handy during the different stages of food aversion experienced during pregnancy. Oats are high in both soluble and insoluble fibre which help stabilize blood sugar levels, making them a great breakfast or snack option if experiencing rollercoaster blood sugar levels or gestational diabetes. Oats will set up your energy levels for the day, keep you feeling full, and can help with constipation during pregnancy. Oats are also low in fat but rich in vital minerals, iron, and folic acid. Minerals like selenium, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium are all important for proper immune system functioning and calming your mind for optimal mental health. Iron and folic acid are needed to keep both baby and mom strong by increasing red blood cell production and transporting oxygen from your lungs to your organs and your baby.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The benefits of extra virgin olive oil include a myriad of health properties that have been studied over the last couple of decades but be sure not to confuse extra virgin olive oil with olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is cold pressed, meaning the oil is extracted without chemical solvents and high heat. This extraction process yields the purest oil with all its vitamins, minerals and antioxidants intact. The antioxidants in EVOO that make it liquid gold are polyphenols. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant that neutralize free radicals in the body, which can enhance heart, skin and cellular health. More properties of extra virgin olive oil include anti-inflammatory healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Extra virgin olive oil is a staple ingredient in both Mediterranean diets and Blue Zone populations all over the world–diets followed by people who are some of the healthiest and longest living people on the planet! Studies have linked extra virgin olive oil to decreasing rates of cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases and certain types of cancers. Using EVOO as our desired cooking oil was a no-brainer! Olive oil is found in our salad and bowl dressings and used in the preparation of our cold dips (Hummus). Good thing that studies recommend daily consumption of EVOO because our dressings are so good, you could practically chug them!
Turkey
You may think of turkey as chicken’s second cousin or your favourite holiday food only but I’m going to convince you that turkey is a powerhouse and should be a staple in your fridge. Nutritionally speaking, a serving of turkey contains less saturated fat and more protein than chicken. Turkey is high in B12 and folate (critical during pregnancy), magnesium (a mineral that is heavily depleted due to birth control pills), b vitamins and selenium (think gut and skin health). Turkey is also high in the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is needed to make serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter (a chemical message) that signals the brain and nervous system to feel calm and allow feelings of gratitude. Serotonin is also responsible for immune function, regulating body temperature, hunger, sleep and sexual function. Are you convinced yet? Our Turkey Zucchini Burger Bites and Turkey + Veg Meatballs are the perfect chameleon protein–they are moist, perfectly seasoned and can be accompanied on their own, as a slider or in various bowls. Not to mention they are the perfect size for kids.
Nutrient-dense, whole foods are so important for you to consider while busy, pregnant, or raising a family. Try incorporating these star ingredients into your day-to-day. The AIYANA mission is founded on bringing healing ingredients to your family dinner table.