Winter Vegetables
Winter can be a disappointing time for some. It’s difficult to watch the vitamin C and A filled watermelon go off the shelf only to be replaced with a less sweet, yet equally nutritious cousin, the squash. While winter may not be a time when all our favorite fruits are in season, there are loads of fresh, locally grown vegetables that have hit the produce department. Picking the right ones to make into a side dish for dinner is simple when you know which 3 pack the biggest, nutritional punch.
Kale
Kale is the most nutritious food on the planet. Few vegetables can compete with its high amounts of vitamin K, A and C. In fact, it’s only necessary to eat one leaf of kale a day to prevent most vitamin deficiencies. There are also loads of photochemicals, like chlorophyll, which may help to prevent cancer.
It’s recommended to cook this vegetable if you’re going to include it in your diet. Cruciferous vegetables have a chemical that may suppress a person’s thyroid. Luckily, it is cooked out of kale when the vegetable is boiled, cooked or steamed.
Cauliflower
Some underestimate the power of cauliflower because of its lack of photochemicals. While this species may be lacking when it comes to pigment, there is nothing spared when it comes to the nutrition it can provide. This veggie has plenty of omega-3 fatty acid. Which helps to keep the cardiovascular system healthy. Some studies have suggested that Omega-3 might be useful in the treatment of ADHD and Austism. Cauliflower is also a much cheaper source of this fatty acid than nuts or fish.
Fruits can be hard to come-by in the winter. It’s especially difficult to find them for sale at an affordable price. Cauliflower makes the addition of fruits to our diet no longer necessary. It has 95% of the vitamin C we need for the day. Which is almost all that fruit adds to our diet.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts have developed a bad reputation as a less than tasty vegetable. Maybe you’ll find new ways to make them tasty once you learn that they have protein, vitamin B-1, B-2 and B-6. Usually, you have to eat a steak to get all of that. Which makes brussels sprouts a great option for vegetarians.
The Most Nutritious Vegetables Are The Ones You Will Actually Eat!
Remember to add loads of color to your dishes by trying all the winter vegetables in stock at your local, supermarket. Dietitians all agree that diets filled with color and variety are the healthiest. They also suggest to eat a lot of fiber and avoid fats. It’s easy when you stick to the produce department!
