The Artichoke Baby Boom
Keep your eyes peeled for baby artichokes during May for a real treat. Given that artichokes have an amazing antioxidant content, a delicious flavor, and awesome nutritional value, you will want to start eating them all the time.
Farro: Pharaoh's Wheat
Farro is an ancient grain belonging to the wheat family. It gave rise to durum wheat, from which pasta flour is made, and spelt, but was replaced in modern times by ordinary wheat because modern-day wheat is easier to harvest and has a higher crop yield. Yet farro has twice the fiber (5 g/serving) and protein (7 g/serving) of modern wheat. It's also high in minerals: iron, magnesium, selenium, and zinc, as well as B vitamins and vitamin E.
Oatmeal: Breakfast of Champions!
If you are looking for a great-tasting food that can help you begin your day with lasting energy, lose weight, fight disease, and stabilize your blood sugars, eat oatmeal! It's high in dietary fiber, quality protein, and vitamins and minerals, as well as phytonutrients. It is the breakfast of champions!
Marvelous Mushrooms
Mushrooms are packed with phytonutrients that help the immune system fight sickness and prevent unwanted inflammation. They're also full of vitamins and minerals not usually found in vegetables, and this is all in addition to a wonderful, savory taste, with lots of fiber and few calories.
The Classic Cranberry
The health benefits of cranberries are becoming increasingly recognized. Their amazing phytonutrient power is where they really shine! Take December's (2011) Healthy Challenge and eat cranberries as much as possible to obtain all of the super health benefits that they have to offer.
Bravo for Broccolini
Broccolini is more kid-friendly than regular broccoli, and it's great for anyone who isn't the biggest fan of veggies. It's full of anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory nutrients, and has many other health benefits. Try it steamed, boiled, roasted, stir-fried, or sautéed!
Peppers-a-Plenty: Chili and Sweet
Chili (hot) and sweet peppers are both loaded with nutrition. Chili peppers are rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and potassium, yet extremely low in calories (20 calories in 3/4 cup chopped fresh hot pepper). Serrano peppers are amazingly high in anti-inflammatory properties as well.
Magnificent Mangoes
The mango is one of the most popular fruits worldwide, which is not surprising given its exceptional nutritional content and deliciously unique, sweet flavor. Your mango options are endless. Take July's (2011) Healthy Challenge and eat mangos. Mangoes are a low-pesticide food, so take advantage of the cheaper summer prices and enjoy their wonderful flavor. This tropical fruit will add a great new dimension to your diet and will be extraordinarily nutritionally beneficial.
Amazing Avocados
Avocados are a delicious and healthy fat source loaded with nutrition, and they help the body absorb more nutrients from other healthy foods. Take this month's Healthy Challenge and replace unhealthy fats in your diet with avocados. Add nutrition along with a great taste and you'll get a healthy feeling of satisfaction.
The Champion Chia Seed
Chia seeds are the same seeds used to grow Chia pets, but they have recently been rediscovered as a nutritional powerhouse (especially by those selling it) with the added benefit of outstanding culinary capabilities. Native to Mexico and Guatemala, one handful of this seed was used to sustain an Aztec warrior for 24 hours.
Amazing Asparagus
Asparagus is a delicious spring vegetable loaded with an amazing amount of health-promoting nutrients. Roasted or grilled asparagus is so good and so healthy that in April when it's in season and less expensive, it can and should be eaten with almost everything!
Bok Choy: Winter Wonder Food
In addition to its delicious taste, bok choy (sometimes referred to as white cabbage or Chinese cabbage) has terrific health benefits with almost no calories. It's great stir-fried with garlic and olive oil. Start strengthening your bones with this calcium-rich vegetable!
Beans and Lentils: Nutritional Powerhouse
Beans and lentils, also known as legumes, are edible plant seeds and nutritional powerhouses. They are a nutritionist's dream food: they help regulate blood sugar, they satisfy the appetite with fewer calories, they're rich in nutrients and phytochemicals that help prevent cancer and heart disease, and they provide high amounts of protein.
