Flourish with Food: A New Year’s Intention

A recent feature on NPR interviewed researchers who asked, “what foods make you happiest”. Many people said sugary sweets and ultra processed foods brought happiness – but usually only for a short time. Researchers then explored a bigger question: what foods support happiness in the long run?

They found that whole grains were strongly linked to overall happiness. The thinking? Whole grains have the type of fiber that supports and protects a healthy gut, which is connected to mood.

January is often seen as a fresh start time to set resolutions. Instead, consider mindfully setting an intention this year. An intention focuses on how you want to feel or live. This is different from a resolution, which focuses on a specific goal, like eating oatmeal twice a week.

Because intentions are flexible, they can shape healthier habits over time. For intention setting guidance refer to Calm’s blog.

This year, my personal intention is to eat more whole grains, starting with quinoa as a sometime alternative to rice. While quinoa is technically a seed, its nutrient profile is like whole grains, and it can function as a base ingredient for many dishes. Recipe searches will be the first step.

Gluten-free quinoa contains more protein, fiber, and certain vitamins and minerals than many common grains. Quinoa affects blood sugar less than rice and it’s one of the few plant foods that contain all the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.

To easily cook perfect quinoa, check out Love & Lemons tasty recipe.

Need another reason to eat whole grains? With 70-80% of immune cells residing in the gut, a healthy gut also can help protect against winter illnesses.