The Health Benefits of Broccoli,
The Vegetable We've Loved to Hate
The health benefits of broccoli have never been disputed. I've never heard of a diet fad trying to prevent people from eating broccoli. We all know it's good for us.
That doesn't mean we've always had a love affair with broccoli. Former President George Bush did once declare, “I do not like broccoli. And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli.”
President Bush banned it from Air Force One and the White House. His position enraged the broccoli growing industry because broccoli sales did actually drop after he declared his hate for broccoli.
Since most of us (and our parents) have always known how good it is for us, you might have nightmare memories of being forced to eat a whole plate of the green stuff before leaving the dinner table. But, it's high time you get over that because the health benefits of broccoli don't prevent it from tasting delicious as well.
What Are the Health Benefits of Broccoli?Some of the broccoli health benefits include being packed with vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin C, as well as folate, fiber, manganese, and potassium.
All of these nutrients help to keep your eyes and skin healthy, lower cholesterol, detoxify the body, decrease allergic reactions, reduce inflammation, regulate digestion, increase cardiovascular health, all of which can lead to cancer prevention and reduction in heart attacks and strokes.
How to Select BroccoliWhen you're picking broccoli at the market, look for stalks with compact heads without loose florets, and for a uniform color with no yellowing or yellow flowers. Don't wash your broccoli before storing it in a sealed bag in the fridge, as water will spoil the broccoli.
If you grow broccoli or otherwise have an abundance of it and want to freeze it for later, try blanching it. To blanch broccoli, drop it in boiling water for 1 minute, dunk it in an ice bath, dry it, and then freeze it in a sealed bag for up to a year.
Cooking Brings Out the Health Benefits of BroccoliBroccoli is one of the few vegetables that are actually healthier when cooked because the body can absorb its vitamins easier. It's delicious when steamed very lightly and can turn disgustingly mushy when overcooked. Try steaming it for 3-4 minutes and then dunking it in an ice-water bath to instantly stop the cooking process. This will give you a slightly crunchy, still sweet texture and flavor. Then flavor it or eat it plain.
I love broccoli when simply steamed or roasted with nutritional yeast sprinkled on top, or some Bragg's Liquid Aminos. It's also excellent in a macaroni and cheese casserole, or even made into mashed broccoli with potatoes. You can put it into nearly every pasta or whole grain dish and those picky little eaters at your house won't even notice. Most of all, learn to enjoy the flavor of fresh, crunchy broccoli.
Pages Related to the Health Benefits of Broccoli
Done with Health Benefits of Broccoli? Return to List of Fruits and Vegetables
Return to the Home Page
New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
|
