Don't Avoid These Vegetables!
By Sara Butler
If you’re getting tired of the same vegetables day in and day out, then enjoy some new horizons! Some people mistakenly think that certain vegetables should be avoided due to their carbohydrate content or some other reason, but the fact is that each vegetable has something to offer. Here are a few you should welcome back into your kitchen and back on your plate.
Potatoes
Potatoes, especially white potatoes, have gotten a bad reputation over the last 20 years or so. The truth is that these tubers are a great source of Vitamin C, calcium, and complex carbohydrates. The only caution you must take with these is preparation. Obviously, fried potatoes are not the best health option. Try roasting them or baking them -- and be careful of the toppings! Too much butter or salt will add unnecessary calories and fat.
Fennel
People just don’t use enough fennel. These bulbs are a great source of Vitamin K and fiber, all while being low in calories. Plus, fennel is really versatile and pretty much always in season. You can add its leaves to salads, soups, and stews, or thinly slice the bulb and throw it in. You can even roast the bulb or grill it and use it as a side dish. It has a sweet earthy flavor that you probably haven’t explored!
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts can conjure a lot of memories from growing up, probably none of them good. Everyone has been served a soggy, tasteless Brussels sprout at one time or another (sorry mom!) and it left them, quite literally, with a bad taste in their mouths. Give them another try now because if prepared the right way, they’re delicious and nutritious. They’re a great source of Vitamin K and Vitamin C, plus contain phytochemicals that help reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Beets
Beets don’t make a regular appearance on many dinner tables, but they should! Beets are full of powerful antioxidants that can help to lower blood pressure and relax blood vessels. You can slice beets thinly and toss with olive oil to bake into chips, you can put them in smoothies, or spiralize them into noodles. Probably the most popular way to prepare beets is by roasting them with a little olive oil or adding them to salads or soup.
These vegetables may not be on every dinner table, but that doesn't mean they're bad. Try something new and you might be surprised!
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