To help celebrate Wellbeing Week our Chefs at the EngineRooms have come up with their usual tasty menus using a range of ingredients that offer a wide range of benefits for both your body and mind.
Our Wellbeing Week menus will include:
Butternut Squash
Beta-carotene in butternut squash helps fight against later life cognitive issues. The gourd vegetable is also believed to prevent damage from ultra-violet rays. Elevated levels of potassium in butternut squash offer heart-healthy benefits by lowering blood pressure, while fibre improves digestion and lowers risk of inflammation in the colon. A pilot study using protein-source tryptophan in butternut squash found significant improvement in participants with social anxiety disorder.
Asparagus
Filling and low-calorie, asparagus packs several health benefits into each spear. For example, asparagus is a useful source of prebiotic dietary fibre inulin, which is known to improve gut bacteria levels, boost the immune system and assist in weight loss. High fibre intake is also linked to less cardiovascular disease
Mozzarella Cheese
Did you know that mozzarella cheese contains more tryptophan, an amino acid, than turkey? The benefit of tryptophan to your health is that it’s linked to brain function and production of serotonin, both of which are helpful for boosting mood and improving cognition.
Mushrooms
A delicious accompaniment to steaks, salads, stews, soups and plain, mushrooms are a useful source of vitamin D, important in reducing depression rates. Researchers at the University of Milan found that mushrooms’ vitamin D helped overweight and obese individuals to reduce weight, especially as they upped their mushroom intake. Mushrooms have also been found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, aid heart health and immunity, and provide benefits to those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Salmon
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, this cold-water fish boasts properties that help reduce inflammation, lower heart disease risk, and help in the prevention of certain neurological issues associated with aging. Salmon’s omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important for pregnant women and their unborn child. An added benefit, discovered by Purdue researchers, is that the omega-3s in salmon can increase collagen. Want a more youthful glow? Eat plenty of salmon.
Sesame Seeds
Many people don’t realize that sesame seeds are a reliable source of non-dairy calcium, which is good for strong bones and teeth. Sesame seeds also help promote weight loss.
Tuna
Once again, it’s the omega-3 fatty acids in fish, in this case, tuna, that fight against inflammation and reduce heart disease risk Trusted Source. Researchers at Purdue University said that tuna promotes the production of collagen for soft, smooth skin.
Quorn
The mycoprotein found in Quorn products is naturally high in protein (11g per 100g) and low in fat (4g per 100g) – a winning combination for those looking to watch their weight and remain satiated. Quorn is also packed with fibre (6g per 100g), something which we all need more of, not only because it helps to reduce cholesterol but also because it is essential in feeding our gut bacteria. The mycoprotein itself is also considered a ‘complete protein’, as it contains all nine essential amino acids for adults.
Poached Chicken
A poached chicken may contain higher B vitamins. These group of vitamins have an important role to boost body metabolism. Therefore, phosphorus also presented as one of important minerals in the chicken. This mineral also have an important role to optimizing body metabolism.
Fresh Salad
Your leafy greens and raw veggies are a superb source of natural fibre, and consuming enough fibre each day has several health advantages.
