Recently on the radio,I heard a food expert talking about the benefits of certain foods- in particular certain vegetables. Now I’ve always been a rap for my veggies. I was always a child that happily ate my vegetables, with the exception of peas. But that’s another story.
It’s always good to know that what you like is actually good for you and can help keep you healthy.
Two of the vegetables he mentioned I use a lot, broccoli and lentils. I steam broccoli as a side dish to whatever meat or fish we’re having. Many of you will know I threw out the microwave and went to steaming my vegetables. This guy on the radio, whose name I didn’t catch, agreed this was the best thing to do with them from a nutritional point of view.
Broccoli is rich in vitamins and fiber has been shown, because of the antioxidants it contains it is useful in reducing risk of cataracts, heart disease and some cancers. These are all surely good reasons to be eating it.
I also use broccoli in stir fries, crock pot meals and casseroles. The same with lentils. I throw lentils into all sorts of dishes. When in a crock pot they dissolve so much they add fiber but without being detectable. Handy if you have fussy eaters.
Cauliflower is another of my favorite vegetables. It contains allicin. This is good for your heart and can reduce the risk of strokes. Cauliflower can also strengthen the immune system and help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. It’s also helpful for pregnant women to help the baby develop well. Like broccoli it is a great source of fiber and therefore good for colon health and can be useful in keeping cancers at bay.
I don’t smother cauliflower with white sauce or cheese sauce though. It’s less fattening without. In my book, a bit of pepper is all steamed cauliflower needs.
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