Avocados, Carrots, & Hummus

Welcome to another new series (don't you love them?)! I've (Emily, here!) received a lot of questions around how I eat on campus and survive my days of being a gluten-free vegan without dying of lack of protein (doesn't happen, folks) or only eating cardboard-flavored foods. I promise it's not impossible. The food I eat is tasty, delicious, and absolutely INCREDIBLE. I love food, and I love sharing my passions with you. Every other week, I'll be dishing out three of my go-to foods for everyday life, especially when I'm away at school. Let's get to it!

AVOCADOS

Avocados are incredible. Forget the outdated, fats-make-you-fat idea, because it does not apply to healthy fats like what's packed into these bad boys. Monounsaturated fats are not an enemy. Nope. In fact, they actually help regulate belly fat, carving and toning that belly from the inside out. The majority of the fat is oleic acid which reduces inflammation and has beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer. Did you know avocados have more potassium than bananas? Say goodbye to cramping. They are loaded with fiber, too, which is great for digestion, contributing to weight loss, and reducing blood sugar spikes. Also, notice how there is no cholesterol or sodium making these additionally amazing. Eat your avocados, okay? Okay.

CARROTS

Carrots aren't only good for purifying and stepping up the eye sight -- courtesy of the vitamin A and carotenoids content. Thanks to being rich in antioxidants -- alpha and beta-carotene, anthocyanins, vitamins, and minerals, carrots are anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and have cardiovascular benefits worth bragging about. I love this root vegetable and eat it so much that sometimes my skin turns orange on my palms - no joke; this is totally normal also. In addition to Vitamin A, they also rock out in the vitamins and minerals department with vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B8, pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese.

HUMMUS

Hummus is a serious babe. Chock full of protein, healthy fats, heart-aiding benefits if made with certain oils (like olive oil), hummus can be an ideal snack with the aforementioned carrots or with a sliced apple. It's also great in Avocado Toast or stirred into a stir fry or pasta to make a creamy yummy goodness. Garbanzo beans, a main component of this hummus you see above, are packed with fiber, helps regulate fat levels in the body, and lowers levels of LDL-cholesterol. They also help regulate blood sugar levels, too! They pack a punch in terms of vitamins and antioxidants: vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, as well as concentrated supplies of antioxidant phytonutrients. I add hummus wherever I can. Seriously. It's too good not to!

+ what are your favorite foods that you couldn't live without? share below or on facebook!