Some fruits as healthy as they may look naturally contain disease-fighting, health promoting properties, while others contain elements that may hinder your health goals. Below are a number of our everyday fruits and vegetables and some important information about them.
1. AVOCADO
- Avocados are rich in mono unsaturated fat, which is easily burned for energy.
- An avocado has more than twice as much potassium as a banana.
- For a delicious, creamy salad dressing, mix together avocado and fresh carrot juice.
2. BANANAS
- Bananas are high in sugar, so they should not be eaten if you have blood sugar problems.
- Don’t eat bananas on an empty stomach; combining them with a bit of protein will help to normalize the insulin response caused by the sugar in the banana.
- Green-tipped bananas are better for your health than over-ripe bananas.
3. BROCCOLI
- Broccoli contains twice the vitamin C of an orange
- It has almost as much calcium as whole milk–and the calcium is better absorbed
- It contains selenium, a mineral that has been found to have anti-cancer and anti-viral properties
- Broccoli is a modest source of vitamin A and alpha-tocopherol vitamin E
- It also has antioxidant properties
4. CELERY
- Celery is the best vegetable source of naturally occurring sodium.
- It is high in potassium.
- The high water content in celery makes it ideal for vegetable juicing.
- As an easy way to reduce grains in your diet, spread peanut butter on celery rather than bread.
5. CHINESE CABBAGE
- Chinese cabbage has anti-inflammatory properties
- It is an excellent source of folic acid
- Chinese cabbage is low in calories and low in sodium
- It is also high in vitamin A and a good source of potassium
6. GREEN BEANS
- Fresh beans contain vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, calcium and potassium
- Green beans are diuretic and may be used to treat diabetes
- A fresh bean should snap crisply and feels velvety to the touch
7. ONIONS
- Onions are an excellent antioxidant, and they contain anti-allergy, antiviral and antihistamine properties.
- Sulfur compounds in onions help to detoxify the body.
- Onions aid in cellular repair.
- Onions are a rich source of quercetin, a potent antioxidant.
- To obtain the maximum nutritional benefits, onions should be eaten raw or lightly steamed
8. PARSLEY
- Parsley is useful as a digestive aid
- It helps to purify the blood and stimulate the bowels
- Parsley is an anticarcinogen
- It contains three times as much vitamin C as oranges, and twice as much iron as spinach
- Parsley contains vitamin A and is a good source of copper and manganese
- For a natural breath freshener, try a sprig of parsley
9. PEANUT BUTTER
- When buying peanut butter, only buy organic varieties.
- Non-organic peanut butters are high in pesticides and fungus and contain aflatoxin, a potent carcinogenic mold.
- To increase the protein in peanut butter (peanuts have about the same amount of protein as soy), Brewer’s yeast can be mixed in. This is especially useful for vegetarian
- Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of carotenoid antioxidants
- They contain calcium, are high in vitamins A and C and contain thiamine
- Be careful: eating too many may cause abdominal swelling and indigestion
- Sweet potatoes are also high in sugar and therefore should be used sparingly
- Sweet potatoes are not related to the potato nor the yam–they are actually a member of the morning glory family
- Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, flavonoids and other phytochemicals with anticarcinogenic properties
- Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C (the vitamin C is most concentrated in the
- jelly-like substance that surrounds the seeds)
- They also contain vitamin A and B-complex vitamins, potassium and phosphorus
- A tomato grown in a hothouse has half the vitamin C content as a vine-ripened tomato
Remember, something like this could also be an unusual birthday or special surprise treat for a friend, relative or for that special somebody- you can visit here to order for any of their featured menu.
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