February 20, 2018
Beets!
As we are falling nicely into fall and with winter on it’s heels my love for beets and all the wholesomeness it offers, I embrace the comfort foods this season has to offer. Beets, being a starch and with a serving of 4 or more per day, bring on the yummy-ness! I like to enjoy my beets several different ways including steamed, sauteed, roasted, or how about grated raw to add some colour to your salad. Oh, wait! Borscht, can you say a “delicious beet soup!”
Let’s see what else beets have to offer and you too will find a special place for beets at your table.
Beet Greens
Vitamin A: The greens of beets offer a good dose of vitamin A which supports eyesight, tissue and healing, healthy skin and is an antioxidant.
Calcium: Calcium is well known for the maintenance and the development of bones and teeth.
Iron: Found in both the greens and the root of the beet. Iron is required for the red blood cells, the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin. With low iron, one has less red blood cells that help provide the body with oxygen and results in fatigue.
Beet Root
The beet root is richest in:
Iron: As noted above, iron is also found in the beet greens.
Potassium: Helps regulate water, along with sodium. Due its close relationship with sodium it is a key factor in regulating blood pressure.
Niacin: Helps with the formation of red blood cells, reduces cholesterol and stimulates circulation, supports digestive tract and is important to the health of nerves and brain function.
Copper: Works with vitamin C to form collagen and part of the healing process, especially the bones.
Vitamin C: Used to help form and maintain collagen and is an antioxidant that helps prevent free radicals. Vitamin C also works closely with folic acid to metabolize it into its active form.
Zinc that helps detox the liver and works closely with vitamin A, folic acid, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus are some other nutrients found in beets. As you can see the whole beet has many benefits, along with a possible surprise with your bowel movement after enjoying these deep purple treats. So don’t be alarmed if your elimination is pink!
