Going Green for St. Patrick's Day

While green beer or Guinness and green cupcakes are the usual fare on St. Patrick's Day, has some healthier options for eating green.

Go green this St. Patrick’s Day:

Kale Chips – Instead of grabbing for those greasy potato chips, opt for vitamin K infused Kale Chips for a healthy take on your favorite snack. Toss 1 bunch of kale leaves (wash, dry, strip them from their stems and tear into bite-sized pieces) with 1 Tbsp. olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes until the edges begin to brown. The crunchy goodness of this snack will make you forget all about those “other” chips.

Avocados – These green super foods are rich in monounsaturated (heart-smart) fats and provide 2 grams of fiber per serving. Slice one up and add to sandwiches, salads or make guacamole. With their rich creamy texture, they’ll pair nicely with a wide variety of foods.

Cucumbers, Arugula and Pistachios – St. Patrick’s day can be full of such “heavy” foods like corn beef and potatoes. Take a lighter approach to your green day snacking by serving a cucumber and arugula salad topped with pistachios and drizzled with light vinaigrette.

Asparagus - Try this elegant side dish. Toss roasted asparagus with crumbled reduced-fat blue-cheese and crushed walnuts. Asparagus is a nutrition powerhouse. One 5-ounce serving contains only 20 calories, but provides an excellent source of vitamin A, important for eye, skin and immune health and Vitamin K which supports bone health.

Green Apples, Grapes and Kiwi – Branch out from the traditional fruit bowl and combine these sour and sweet fruits together. Each of the fruits provides good amounts of fiber and antioxidants – plus they make a great presentation for a green day!

Drink and Dip the Green! Add a fun green hue to your sparkling water, light beer, dips and dressings. Just add a few drops of food coloring to your drinks or dips to change an everyday item to a St Patty’s Day special.