Do you eat to live? Or do you live to eat? The good news is you don’t necessarily need to choose between the two. Whether you call it the ‘un’ diet or simply a smart, healthful eating plan, many nutrition experts agree that positive messages around what to eat as opposed to what not to eat is the best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Chicagoan Dave Grotto, Registered Dietitian and author of the book, 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life, has long been leading the charge that healthy eating isn’t a black and white issue. “As a dietitian, I found that once people give up their favorite foods, that’s the death knell to them following a healthy diet – don’t think about what to give up,” explains Grotto. “Let’s change the attitude and think about what can I add in? It’s a lot easier that way.”

Think about food as all the things it is: pleasure, fuel and a potentially natural solution to heal what ails you. Grotto’s book is a handy guide to help you do just that.

The book is an encyclopedia, nutritional resource, and cookbook all rolled into one. Each entry is smartly organized into easy-to-digest chunks of information including: why we should eat a particular food, home remedies to fortify health, prep and storage tips, and recipes. As the title implies, each item in the book was carefully selected for its nutritionally-rich properties or as Grotto calls them “powerhouse” foods. Most of the entries are foods you’d commonly find at conventional grocery stores but there are some exotic foods too.

For example, you’ve probably seen those flat cactus leaves and may have wondered what you might do with agave besides make it into tequila. Grotto points out that Mexicans have long used agave to purify the body and soul. Agave is ninety-percent fructose. It doesn’t as dramatically impact blood sugar like cane sugar can so you can use it to satisfy your sweet tooth. The recipe for a simple agave berry sauce was taste-tested and approved by Grotto’s kids, as are all the recipes in his book.

Enjoying 101 Foods

Spring is finally in full swing. And Grotto’s book includes many of the season’s finest offerings. For example, you may know that asparagus comes in green, white, and purple. But did you know that the green and white variety come from the same plant? Once sunlight hits the shoot, the stalk turns green. Purple asparagus, on the other hand, is its own variety and has a fruitier flavor. Asparagus in general is a great source of folic acid which aids your heart and mind; and it also has ample amounts of vitamin C, thiamine and vitamin B6. Given its straight shoot, it’s no wonder that asparagus has been touted to improve sexual desire. And now, according to Grotto, science gives some credence to that lore because the veggie contains protodioscin, a chemical that has been found to enhance male performance.

101 Foods That Could Save Your Life is an ideal companion for those who love to cook, are interested in making healthful dishes, and for those who enjoy nutritional facts and culinary lore about common and exotic ingredients. Read, cook, enjoy!

Dining on 101 Foods’ salads is a great way to pack a lot of nutrition into a lunch bowl. But who has time for all that chopping and shopping for lunch? For downtowners, the restaurant Ponte Fresco features most of Grotto’s recommended 101 foods. As a consultant, he’s guided the menu creation and his nutritional facts appear throughout the store. Choose from a wide selection of ingredients for your own powerhouse made-to-order salad, protein skewers, soups, or sandwiches. Ponte Fresco is located on the Chicago Pedway inside the Illinois Center, 225 North Michigan Ave, (312) 861-0900. It is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit http://pontefrescousa.com.

Recipe

Asparagus with Citrus & Almonds

2 tablespoons almonds
1 ½-2 pounds asparagus stalks washed and trimmed
¼ teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toast almonds in a small shallow baking dish until golden brown; 4 to 5 minutes. Steam asparagus until crisp and tender, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Transfer hot asparagus to serving bowl or platter. In a small bowl, whisk together orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon orange dressing over top of asparagus and sprinkle with almonds.

Calories: 90 Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 1g Carbs: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 10mg Fiber: 2g Protein: 3g

Serves six. Prep & Cooking Time: 10 minutes.

Courtesy: 101 Foods that Could Change Your Life.