7 Unique Foods to Shake Up Your Fx™-Approved Shopping List
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD. Click here to learn more about Mel’s personalized nutrition coaching services.
A routine can be a good thing, but after a while it can make you feel like the “time to make the donuts” guy. Do you remember him from those 1980s donut commercials?
The phrase “time to make the donuts” became synonymous with doing the same thing every day—in this case, buying the same foods every week.
Tearing up your grocery list and starting from scratch isn’t necessary, but I would like to challenge you to let your eyes wander into the unexplored nooks and crannies at your local Heinen’s.
Need some help getting started? Here are seven Fx™-approved foods you may have yet to discover but are definitely worth trying.
Vegetables
Watermelon Radishes
Though they are slightly sweeter than an ordinary radish, watermelon radishes taste nothing like summer’s most beloved fruit. When cut open, the first thing you will notice is their vibrant magenta color surrounded by a green burst, just like a watermelon.
Add a few slices to vegetable trays or cheese platters for a pop of summer color or impress your guests with this colorful, 10-minute Watermelon Radish Salad.
Bok Choy
For better health, you’ve probably heard the advice to eat more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts. But don’t forget about bok choy! This variety of Chinese white cabbage also counts as cruciferous and makes a delightfully sweet and crunchy addition to salads, soups, and stir-fries. Try it raw or cooked, like in this 100% plant-based bok choy recipe!
Mushrooms (Beech, Black Trumpet, Lion’s Mane, Maitake, Morel, and Oyster)
Few foods come close to the immune-boosting power of mushrooms. We tend to reach for the familiar white button variety, but remember we are challenging ourselves to think outside of the box.
Heinen’s has one of the widest assortments of packaged and bulk mushrooms to awaken your tastebuds and add unique “meaty” texture to your meals. Beech, black trumpet, lion’s mane (great for brain health), maitake, morel, and oyster mushrooms can be chopped, cooked, and added to meals in minutes.
You could add them to scrambled eggs and omelets, or try something new with this eggless Mushroom Tofu Scramble.
Jicama
Also known as the Mexican potato or yam bean, jicama is a large, bulbous root with thick brown skin that needs to be removed before eaten. Inside is a crisp white flesh with a mildly sweet, nutty flavor and a texture like that of a water chestnut.
The friendly bacteria in your gut love the prebiotic fiber in jicama and use it as fuel to grow more healthy bacteria.
Snack on sliced jicama sticks dipped in Heinen’s fresh ground almond butter or chop it up and add to Fruit Salsa!
Fruits
Coconut
Does the thought of cracking a coconut keep you from enjoying this fascinating tropical fruit? You can rejoice because Heinen’s does the cracking for you with our fresh organic coconut chunks in the fresh cut produce case.
Coconut meat is rich in insoluble fiber, which helps prevent constipation. But it’s also high in calories and saturated fat, so be careful not to overdo it. For a creamier smoothie, drop a couple chunks of coconut meat into your favorite recipe and blend, or simply enjoy a piece as a snack.
Red Bananas
I’m not sure why, but these little guys used to intimidate me. Maybe it’s because they appear so out-of-this-world compared to their cousin, the yellow banana.
They look like they would be less sweet than yellow bananas, but the truth is red bananas are sweeter with a hint of raspberry flavor!
The small but mighty red banana is packed with healthy doses of fiber (3 grams per banana), potassium, vitamin B6 (important for energy and immune function), magnesium, and vitamin C.
When ripe, red bananas should have a purplish hue with soft creamy white-to-pink flesh. Enjoy with Heinen’s fresh ground walnut butter, sliced on top of oatmeal, or added to fruit salad!
BONUS: Heinen’s Organic Rice Crispies
OK, I realize most of us have probably discovered rice crispies, but they are up against dozens of other cereals and can be easily forgotten.
Heinen’s Organic Rice Crispies are simple, and when it comes to cereal, simple is better. Made from whole grain brown rice, this crunchy low-sugar classic makes a great addition to yogurt parfaits, salads, oatmeal bowls or chili, and of course as a base for everyone’s favorite party dessert, rice crispie treats.
To help you stay committed to your Fx™ lifestyle, we’ve created a better-for-you version that uses Heinen’s maple syrup and creamy almond butter instead of marshmallows. Whip up a batch of Healthy Rice Crispie Treats and watch your family and friends devour them.
Key Takeaway
If you’ve been feeling like your cart is taking you shopping lately, rather than the other way around, it’s time to shake things up with one or two new foods this week. Try one of the above suggestions and pay attention to the tiny thrill that comes with stepping outside of your comfort zone.
