Fun Foodie Facts That Will Make You Want to Eat Your Veggies
Did you know combining certain veggies increases their health benefits?
“People who love to eat are the best people.” ~Julia Child
Random Fun Veggie Food Facts to Relieve Anxiety and More
- Did you know potatoes are good for anxiety? Yes, even French fries, however I would advocate a baked potato with steamed broccoli would be better. Yes, according to ‘Healing Foods’ by DK Publishing, the tryptophan in potatoes has properties that relaxes the nerves.
- Avocados are rich in stress relieving B Vitamins & heart healthy fat which reduces anxiety.
- Asparagus is another food that reduces anxiety because it has 2/3 of our daily recommended mood boosting folate.
- Combining broccoli and tomatoes are healthier than eating them alone and may even prevent prostate cancer.
- Combining dark leafy greens with tomatoes combines iron and vitamin C for absorption. Consider a salad of kale and tomato or spinach, strawberry, and lemon juice.
- Some vegetables have natural beautiful colors such as candy stripe beets, purple potatoes, purple carrots, purple and orange cauliflower, and rainbow radish. In addition, there is something called fairy tale eggplant. How fun is all of that?!
Bonus Fun Fact: Sea Beans taste like a mix of a green bean and asparagus to me, but they are naturally salty like seaweed. They do not taste of the sea. You can eat them raw, although I prefer them just slightly boiled or steamed. They do not require salt because of their natural sodium content. They thrive in the muddy water between the fresh water and the sea in places such as California, the East Coast, and even France. The best season is generally early to late summer.
I had sea beans the first time as a side dish in an upscale restaurant in San Diego. I thought they were the best vegetable I had ever tasted. To my chagrin, about six years later I saw them in my Kroger produce section. That was the only time I was able to find them in Ohio. Then, I saw them in a farmers’ market in Seattle! I steamed them with scrambled eggs, and it made a fabulous healthy breakfast. I look for them every chance I get, and I hope you will too.
Have You Ever Cooked With Purple Potatoes or Carrots?
They add a surprising element of delightful natural color that make both children and adults more drawn to want to eat the food due to its natural beauty and seduction. the purple carrots have a pop of bright surprising orange or yellow sometimes in the center, and both taste the same as their regular counterpart, the orange carrot and white potato, but just seem more intuitively fun to eat. Plus, when I have a rainbow of colors on my plate I feel as if I am getting a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals that I naturally need.
Did you know the Surprising Health Benefits of Okra?
Okra is grown in the deep southern United States and is considered a superfood due to its health benefits. It’s high level of antioxidants fight cancer, and the high level of Polyphenols decrease the risk of heart problems and promote brain health.
The thick gel on the inside is said to lower cholesterol. It is also great for controlling blood sugar. Okra is high in fiber containing 4g. which is important if you are on a plant-based diet.
I prefer to oven roast mine. I leave it whole and toss it very lightly in olive oil and pink Himalayan Sea salt, roast at 425 degrees for about 30–45 minutes or until crispy.
I also love pickled Okra, especially in a Bloody Mary.
Have you ever had Jicama?
My first experience with jicama was when a college professor brought it in for our entire lecture hall to taste. That class completely changed my outlook on education. That professor genuinely cared about us and brought the textbook to life through food. He explained that it tasted like a cross between a potato and an apple, and I have to agree. It is somewhat starchy and plain like a potato- not as sweet or tart as an apple. It is crunchy and rather bland in taste. I prefer to dip in in salsa and or guacamole or chop it and add it to salads. It is safe to eat the skin, but I prefer to peel it.
Jicama has many health benefits.
- 4g. protein
- 32g. fiber
- 85% water
- It is very high in B6 which supports brain health and nerves and also high in Vitamin C which boosts immunity.
I hope this article has given you a few reasons to eat veggies more often. They are beautiful, colorful, tasty, and provide many health benefits. My favorite health benefit personally is that many veggies reduce anxiety. Oh, did I mention that dark chocolate, especially apples dipped in dark chocolate is great for alleviating anxiety? Oh yes! You are so welcome! Please comment and tell me your favorite fruit and or veggie and why.
Load up on fruits, veggies, and whole grains and live well. You are worthy of living the life you love.
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ~ Hippocrates
Thank you so much for taking the time to read. I want to be clear that I just absolutely love food and sharing food and nutritional facts. I am not a certified nutritionalist nor am I a doctor.
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