Editor's Note: Tired of hearing why it's important to eat healthy and what your diet should consist of? If you're a STACK reader, you know by now that certain foods are better than others; but how do you actually apply that knowledge to your daily eating habits?
We are pleased to announce a solution. Each month STACK Expert and sports dietitian Kait Fortunato provides a recipe to STACK athletes right out of her own kitchen! Each recipe is accompanied by a catalog of its benefits to athletes and Fortunato's advice about the best time to consume it. All of the recipes are healthy, quick and easy to prepare and, best of all, great-tasting.
This extremely easy and versatile dish is one of my favorite eggplant recipes. Perfect for Italian food lovers who do not want to overdo it with pasta and excess cheese, it can be prepared the night before and then popped in the oven to heat up when you're ready to eat.
I never used to like eggplant, but I find that roasting or grilling this vegetable helps remove some of the bitterness and brings out its natural flavor. Eggplant provides a multitude of health benefits for athletes. The skin is loaded with fiber, which aids in proper digestion and satiety. Eggplant also contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids acting as antioxidants to help reduce risk of disease.
Ground turkey provides a lean source of protein, making this a complete meal for athletes. I love when I can use a vegetable as part of my main dish as well as a side. I get double the nutrients without adding a lot of calories, fat, sugar or salt.
Photo: dietitianontherun.com
