Meal Ideas to Boost Colon Health

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

For colon health, Dr. Isabelle von Althen-Dagum, a gastroenterologist at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center in Smithtown, N.Y., recommends a diet high in fish, vegetables and fruits.

To foster a colon-healthy diet at home, try these simple meal ideas from von Althen-Dagum.

Keep the health kick going with these flavorful and healthy dishes.

Sioux Lookout Salad

This salad is a healthy lunch or starter.

1. Make a salad of fresh spinach and strawberries.
2. Put 1 cup of almonds, ½ cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of water into a saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar is caramelized and coats the almonds.
3. Place the almonds on aluminum foil to cool.
4. Once cooled, sprinkle the almonds over your salad and drizzle with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

Butternut Squash

For a side dish to pair with chicken or fish, try this simple recipe for roasted butternut squash.

1. Peel and cut the squash into bite-size pieces, then season with olive oil, salt and pepper.
2. Place the squash onto a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
3. Once the squash is done (it’s ready if you can pierce it easily with a fork), top it with fresh, chopped cilantro and ½ cup of low-fat, shredded cheddar cheese.

Vegetarian Fajitas

Put a vegetarian twist on a Mexican delight by using canned black beans, red beans and chickpeas as the focus of your fajita.

1. Rinse the beans and put them in a saucepan with a little bit of water. Warm on the stove until heated through.
2. Move them to a bowl and toss them with your favorite brand of salsa.
3. Once mixed, place the beans in the center of a flour tortilla and top with sour cream, guacamole or more salsa.
4. Lastly, garnish with Dr. von Althen-Dagum’s favorite: cilantro.

Have you tried any of these meals yourself? In what ways do you maintain a colon healthy diet? Tell us in the comments below! 

Check out more recipes in our Food for All department.