Today marks what would have been the 99th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-reigning monarch. An interesting aspect of the late Queen’s life was her preferred simple two-ingredient lunch, consisting of healthy elements that possibly contributed to her youthful appearance.
While many in Britain opt for carb-heavy lunches, the Queen favored a lighter, more nutritious midday meal, often enjoying Grilled Dover sole atop a bed of wilted spinach or courgette. Former royal chefs disclosed that she had a practical approach to food and enjoyed eating dishes like the grilled fish with spinach consistently.
Spinach, the core component of the Queen’s lunch, is renowned for its health benefits. It is rich in nutrients such as vitamin K, essential for bone health and blood clotting, and vitamin A, vital for vision and immune function. Frozen spinach, in particular, is lauded for preserving these nutrients, unlike fresh spinach that may lose its nutritional value during transportation and storage.
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Prof. Tim Spector, a well-known expert, has advised against dismissing frozen foods, emphasizing the preservation of nutrients in frozen spinach. Additionally, frozen spinach’s longer shelf life and economic benefits make it a practical choice for various recipes, from smoothies to frittatas.
The other component of the Queen’s lunch, Grilled Dover sole, is recognized for being nutrient-dense and rich in essential fatty acids. Omega-3 fats from fish, which are crucial for a healthy brain and heart, are found in abundance in this flatfish. Studies have linked omega-3 fatty acids to cardiovascular health, emphasizing their role in reducing the risk of heart-related issues.
As people pause today to remember the late Queen Elizabeth II, her simple yet wholesome lunch serves as a reminder of her practical approach to nutrition and perhaps provides insight into how she maintained her vitality.