While sushi is often bursting with flavor, if you want to elevate the experience even more, pairing it with nutrient-rich sides can not only satisfy your taste buds but also your health. Below are seven nutrient-rich accompaniments that will not only enhance the taste of your sushi but also provide additional health benefits.

1. Miso Soup – A Savory Boost Credit: Seiya Maeda

Miso soup is a classic Japanese broth featuring fermented soybeans, kelp, and bonito flakes. The soup provides your body with vitamin K2, supporting bone health, along with probiotics that can improve your gut health. It is important to keep an eye on the soup’s sodium levels to keep your daily intake in check.

2. Pickled Vegetables – Probiotic Powerhouse Credit: Portuguese Gravity

Adding a blend of pickled vegetables, like kimchi, to your sushi meal offers a crunchy side that’s loaded with probiotics for better gut health. Along with the probiotics, pickled vegetables are also packed with antioxidants, protecting against heart disease. Moderation is key for this side dish due to its high sodium content.

3. Fresh Fruits – Refreshing Flavor and Nutrition Credit: Sahand Babali

Add a couple of slices of fresh fruits like watermelon and avocado to add some much-needed hydration and healthy fats to your meal. Watermelon provides a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals, while avocado adds a creamy texture along with protein and fiber, keeping you full for longer.

4. Seaweed Salad – Nutrient-Dense and Flavorful Credit: Flickr

While it may not work for everyone’s taste buds, seaweed salad and nori chips are a great way to get important vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They are also a great source of antioxidants, turning the side dish into a perfect complement for your sushi meal.

5. Shiitake Mushrooms – Immune Support Credit: Yuval Zuckerman

There are so many types of mushrooms out there, but shiitake mushrooms provide you with vitamin D and selenium, which are essential for proper immune function. They also contain compounds that may help lower blood pressure, adding more health benefits to your meal.

6. Salmon – Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids Credit: Caroline Attwood

A superfood on its own, incorporating salmon into your sushi meal enhances your intake of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. This can help reduce inflammation in the body and support mental health. Cooked salmon pairs well with sushi, giving a much-needed nutrient boost to your meal.

7. Spinach Salad and Edamame – Light and Nutritious Credit: Louis Hansel

Need a lighter side to go with your sushi? A spinach salad with edamame may be the answer. The dish adds iron, plant-based protein, and fiber to your body. It’s a perfect side that keeps your meal light but your nutritional benefits stacked. You may also include grilled or blanched asparagus for more fiber and vitamins.

Final Thoughts Credit: Mahmoud Fawzy

While sushi is a tasty and nutritious meal on its own, adding in some of these nutrient-dense sides creates a balanced and wholesome meal that will leave you feeling better. So, try one or more of these sides during your next sushi meal and increase your flavor and health benefits. Who knows? You might find your new favorite side dish.