6 doctors share their favorite healthy fall foods

Plus, a tasty and healthy way to celebrate Taco Tuesday.

October 10, 2023 | VIEW IN BROWSER Autumn is officially here and we're ready to hit the farmers market and hunker down with our favorite cookbooks. That's why we talked to six doctors to find out what they're cooking up this season. "I love to cook, but fall cooking is one of my favorite activities," Dr. Adrienna Jirik, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic, tells TODAY.com. There's just something about autumn that "makes me want to nestle in my kitchen, slow down, take a deep breath, reflect, sip on some hot cider and cook," she says. We couldn't agree more! Below, MDs share their favorite healthy meals to dish up this fall.    Want to share your favorite fall recipe ideas? Head over to the Start TODAY Facebook group!   Walking Challenge Walking Challenge Today's Workout If you're joining us for our 5K challenge this month, today is a training day. Here's what your workout will look like based on your fitness level: Beginner:  ½-mile walk, ½-mile speed Intermediate: ½-mile walk, ½-mile run, ½-mile walk Advanced: ½-mile jog, ½-mile run, ½-mile jog   The side leg swing is a great stretch to open up the outer and inner hips while strengthening the outer hip and thigh. To start, stand with your feet as wide as your shoulders. Place your hands on your hips for balance. Lift the right leg up and swing it out to the right side almost as high as your hip. Bring it through center and swing it over toward the left. Repeat this 5 times. GET THE WORKOUT > Need a break from this month's challenge? Click here to snooze this section until next month. 😴 Your Meal Plan Your Meal Plan Today's Plan Taco Tuesday, anyone? This is the homemade version of the kind of comfort food we all love, but these tacos are filled with heart-healthy fish and fiber-rich veggies that won't weigh you down. Feel free to add guacamole and salsa for extra deliciousness! Breakfast: Slow Cooker Breakfast Sweet Potatoes Lunch: Edamame Brown Rice Bowl Dinner: Fish Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Cabbage Slaw     GET THE MEAL PLAN > Making Space for Mindfulness Making Space for Mindfulness Woman, 104, set to break skydiving record, shares her secrets for long life 104-year-old Chicago woman Dorothy Hoffner appears to have set a skydiving record as the world's oldest skydiver. She shares her simple tips for a long life. READ MORE > One Small Thing One Small Thing Real ways to make a difference in your life, one small thing at a time. Doctors share their favorite versatile and healthy fall vegetable With heartier vegetables turning up at the farmer's market and temperatures cooling enough to stand having the oven on, fall brings all kinds of possibilities back to the kitchen.   "At this time of year, I love acorn squash — it's really delicious," Dr. Shari Lipner, an associate professor of clinical dermatology at the Weill Cornell Medical Center, tells TODAY.com. She roasts it in the oven with a bit of butter and a drizzle of honey and serves it alongside a lean protein, like chicken or salmon. The squash can take a while to cook (often up to an hour, depending on the recipe), but it's worth the wait, she says. For Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a medical oncologist treating breast cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, her love of butternut squash comes with a wave of nostalgia. "As a little girl, my mother used to bake butternut squash with a tiny bit of butter, cinnamon and brown sugar," she, tells TODAY.com. "I either cube the squash or slice it in half and bake in the oven. It's an easy, healthy dish that tastes almost like dessert." And there are some big nutritional benefits, too. "Classically fall foods, like butternut squash and pumpkin, are rich in vitamins and fiber," she explains. Get 8 more MD-approved meal ideas. READ THE ARTICLE > Wellness News Wellness News 1 in 3 adults are at risk of developing this new heart syndrome What is cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic or CKM syndrome? The new condition defines overlap between heart disease, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. 1 in 3 adults are at risk of developing this new heart syndrome What is cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic or CKM syndrome? The new condition defines overlap between heart disease, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Paris is infested with bedbugs: Can they fly home with you? An expert explains Yes, bedbugs can infest airplanes and hitchhike on flights. Here's how to spot bedbugs and prevent bringing them home, according to experts. Paris is infested with bedbugs: Can they fly home with you? An expert explains Yes, bedbugs can infest airplanes and hitchhike on flights. Here's how to spot bedbugs and prevent bringing them home, according to experts. Change up your usual meatballs with Greek salad-inspired ingredients Inspired by the ingredients in a Greek salad, these chicken meatballs are made with feta, oregano and garlic with yogurt. Change up your usual meatballs with Greek salad-inspired ingredients Inspired by the ingredients in a Greek salad, these chicken meatballs are made with feta, oregano and garlic with yogurt. Thanks for letting us in your inbox! See you again tomorrow morning. Want to refer a friend? 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