By: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA

Parents are truly special people, no matter your age you always feel special around your parents and we want them to live a long and healthy life.

Encourage the special man in your life to eat a balanced diet rich in lean protein, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Don’t forget the annual doctor’s visit to make sure he’s in tip-top shape!

Top 5 Health Concerns – talk to your doctor about prevention and treatment if you are suffering from a condition that is not being treated.

1. Heart Disease
2. High Blood Pressure
3. Obesity – especially around the abdomen
4. Diabetes
5. Stroke

Tips for your Dad…

• Eat a balanced diet low in saturated fat and HIGH in Fruits and Vegetables.
• Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.
• Get to know your Doc – physical exams and important screenings yearly.
• Even super-dads need to play it safe – wear a seatbelt and helmet while biking.
• Don’t abuse alcohol – alcohol abuse causes 100,000 premature deaths in the U.S. each year.
• Ditch the smoking habit – avoiding tobacco of all kinds dramatically reduces a man’s risk of premature death and disability from heart disease, stroke and cancers of lung, larynx, and esophagus.
• Spend quality time with your loved ones.

Grilled Salmon & Zucchini with Red Pepper Sauce

Jazz up simply grilled salmon and summer vegetables with a zesty sauce based on the classic Spanish romesco. Made with roasted red peppers, tomatoes and almonds, this sauce is a great match for any seafood, poultry or vegetables. Using smoked paprika brings out the flavors from the grill. Serve with: Grilled baguette.

Makes: 4 Servings

Total Time: 35 Minutes 

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted (see Tip)
• 1/4 cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers
• 1/4 cup halved grape tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes
• 1 small clove garlic
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar, or red-wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon paprika, preferably smoked
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided
• 1 1/4 pounds wild-caught salmon fillet, (see Note), skinned and cut crosswise into 4 portions
• 2 medium zucchini, or summer squash (or 1 of each), halved lengthwise
• Canola or olive oil cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat grill to medium.
2. Process almonds, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, oil, vinegar, paprika, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a food processor or blender until smooth; set aside.
3. Coat salmon and zucchini (and/or summer squash) on both sides with cooking spray, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Grill, turning once, until the salmon is just cooked through and the squash is soft and browned, about 3 minutes per side.
4. Transfer the squash to a clean cutting board. When cool enough to handle, slice into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss in a bowl with half of the reserved sauce. Divide the squash among 4 plates along with a piece of salmon topped with some of the remaining sauce. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Per serving: 280 Calories; 13 g Fat; 2 g Sat; 7 g Mono; 66 mg Cholesterol; 8 g Carbohydrates; 32 g Protein; 2 g Fiber; 601 mg Sodium; 871 mg Potassium

1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Tips & Notes

• Tips: To toast chopped or sliced nuts, stir constantly in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Source: Eatingwell.com