Dietitian shares quick ways to increase meal nutrition

A registered dietitian nutritionist has shared several low-effort methods to increase the nutritional value of everyday meals. These suggestions focus on quick upgrades that can be implemented in under 10 minutes.

Key recommendations include adding beans or chickpeas to salads, soups, or grain bowls to increase fiber, plant protein, and minerals. Another method involves squeezing fresh lemon or lime juice over vegetables; the vitamin C in citrus can increase the absorption of non-heme iron from plant-based foods by two to threefold. Additionally, topping meals with fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, dill, basil, or mint can provide extra polyphenols and micronutrients.