Make them the staples of your countdown-to-summer meal plan.
Sea Buckthorn
"This super food has been linked to youthful skin," says Brooke Alpert, RD, founder of B-Nutrititous in NYC. "It contains the highest natural source of omega-7 fatty acids, as well as vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and over 190 phytonutrients." The best part: it's a staple at most juice joints but is also laced into anything from teas and jellies to purees and sauces as well as skincare products.
Arugula
"Arugula is in season from spring to early summer months and contains about eight times the amount of calcium, five times the amount of vitamin A, C, and K and four times the amount of iron compared to traditional iceberg lettuce," says Kieth Kantor, RD, author of the Green League of Nutritious Justice."
Related: 7 Sneaky Healthy Foods to Indulge In, Guilt-Free
Not only are these foods in season (read: delicious, ripe, easy to find), they're nutrient-packed, too. Add them to your spring diet now and you'll have everyone asking for your new diet plan in no time.
"This super food has been linked to youthful skin," says Brooke Alpert, RD, founder of B-Nutrititous in NYC. "It contains the highest natural source of omega-7 fatty acids, as well as vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and over 190 phytonutrients." The best part: it's a staple at most juice joints but is also laced into anything from teas and jellies to purees and sauces as well as skincare products.
Arugula
"Arugula is in season from spring to early summer months and contains about eight times the amount of calcium, five times the amount of vitamin A, C, and K and four times the amount of iron compared to traditional iceberg lettuce," says Kieth Kantor, RD, author of the Green League of Nutritious Justice."
Related: 7 Sneaky Healthy Foods to Indulge In, Guilt-Free
Kelp
This seaweed or algae is "rich in vitamins, calcium, plus chlorophyll and has many health benefits relating to an increased metabolism and energy levels," says Alpert. Find kelp at any health food store and simply "add some to soups or sitrfrys."
Plums
"Plums start to become in season by late spring and of course can be found in your local market," says Kantor. "Research shows that they increase the body’s ability to absorb iron, related to its high content of vitamin C, plus as a rich source of antioxidants, they improve immune function if consumed regularly. Over just biting into them? Kantor suggests adding them sliced on pizza with goat cheese, or even pitted and baked as a warm dessert.
Hemp
"The cannabis plant is naturally rich in protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids," explains Alpert. Which means it has a ton of body benefits including helping every single cell in your body and helps you maintain stellar muscle, tissues, bones and organs. "Sprinkle hemp seeds or hemp protein in your cereals or fruits for breakfast, or add it to your smoothie," suggests Alpert.
Rhubarb
"While rhubarb is actually a fruit that's available most of the year, its actual season is early spring," says Kantor. Their distinct red stalks resemble celery and can be used as a "natural sweetener when combined with other fruits when put into pies." And since it's "rich source of antioxidants and vitamins including, calcium and lutein, which has numerous healthy benefits relating to the skin and eyes", you'll want to put it on your shopping list asap.
Microgreens
Although once only used to garnish fancy dishes at top notch restaurants, these tiny vegetable greens, which are "high in vital nutrients including vitamins K, C, E, lutein and bea-carotene, and are important for skin and eye health" can now be in the meal spotlight, says Alpert. "Use instead of lettuce for your salads for an extra health boost to your meal."
Kombucha
"This fermented tea beverage has been linked to stimulating the immune system, improving digestion and liver function," says Alpert. And its popularity has moved it from a rare health food story staple to lining the shelf at most corner delis along side a Diet Coke. Alpert suggests opting for it, not the caffeine and sugar-laden DC for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Sprouts
Sprouts aren't new to the produce asile but "they're great in colorful spring salads for extra crunch and nutrition," says Kantor. What makes them so great: "Their high amount of fiber and vitamins A, B-complex, C, and E, and they help increase energy along which could boost weight loss efforts," he says.
Aloe
Although you typically think of it as a topical skin soother, "aloe vera juice has cleaning properties that aid the digestion process, and it also might lower sugar levels," says Alpert. Pick up a bottle and pour into your morning smoothie to help give an all-green mix for a sweeter, and easier to swallow taste.
Chlorophyll
"This molecule is responsible for the green color in plants but it's also important to our blood health, as it helps our body produce red blood cells and regulates oxygen flow," says Alpert. Find it in dark green leafy vegetables including kale, Swiss chard and arugula or buy it in liquid form to make a alcohol-free chlorophyll cocktail (mix with seltzer and add fresh fruit) or to any juice or smoothie.
Pomegranate
"Pomegranates are very low glycemic, which means they do not have a negative impact on blood sugars," explains Kantor. "And compounds in pomegranates have been shown to have positive effect on blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart attack and high blood pressure." If de-seeding is too time consuming, buy a cup ready-to-eat; or add them to smoothies or to a salad for an extra crunch factor.
Related: The Most Effective Fad Diets
This seaweed or algae is "rich in vitamins, calcium, plus chlorophyll and has many health benefits relating to an increased metabolism and energy levels," says Alpert. Find kelp at any health food store and simply "add some to soups or sitrfrys."
Plums
"Plums start to become in season by late spring and of course can be found in your local market," says Kantor. "Research shows that they increase the body’s ability to absorb iron, related to its high content of vitamin C, plus as a rich source of antioxidants, they improve immune function if consumed regularly. Over just biting into them? Kantor suggests adding them sliced on pizza with goat cheese, or even pitted and baked as a warm dessert.
Hemp
"The cannabis plant is naturally rich in protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids," explains Alpert. Which means it has a ton of body benefits including helping every single cell in your body and helps you maintain stellar muscle, tissues, bones and organs. "Sprinkle hemp seeds or hemp protein in your cereals or fruits for breakfast, or add it to your smoothie," suggests Alpert.
Rhubarb
"While rhubarb is actually a fruit that's available most of the year, its actual season is early spring," says Kantor. Their distinct red stalks resemble celery and can be used as a "natural sweetener when combined with other fruits when put into pies." And since it's "rich source of antioxidants and vitamins including, calcium and lutein, which has numerous healthy benefits relating to the skin and eyes", you'll want to put it on your shopping list asap.
Microgreens
Although once only used to garnish fancy dishes at top notch restaurants, these tiny vegetable greens, which are "high in vital nutrients including vitamins K, C, E, lutein and bea-carotene, and are important for skin and eye health" can now be in the meal spotlight, says Alpert. "Use instead of lettuce for your salads for an extra health boost to your meal."
Kombucha
"This fermented tea beverage has been linked to stimulating the immune system, improving digestion and liver function," says Alpert. And its popularity has moved it from a rare health food story staple to lining the shelf at most corner delis along side a Diet Coke. Alpert suggests opting for it, not the caffeine and sugar-laden DC for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Sprouts
Sprouts aren't new to the produce asile but "they're great in colorful spring salads for extra crunch and nutrition," says Kantor. What makes them so great: "Their high amount of fiber and vitamins A, B-complex, C, and E, and they help increase energy along which could boost weight loss efforts," he says.
Aloe
Although you typically think of it as a topical skin soother, "aloe vera juice has cleaning properties that aid the digestion process, and it also might lower sugar levels," says Alpert. Pick up a bottle and pour into your morning smoothie to help give an all-green mix for a sweeter, and easier to swallow taste.
Chlorophyll
"This molecule is responsible for the green color in plants but it's also important to our blood health, as it helps our body produce red blood cells and regulates oxygen flow," says Alpert. Find it in dark green leafy vegetables including kale, Swiss chard and arugula or buy it in liquid form to make a alcohol-free chlorophyll cocktail (mix with seltzer and add fresh fruit) or to any juice or smoothie.
Pomegranate
"Pomegranates are very low glycemic, which means they do not have a negative impact on blood sugars," explains Kantor. "And compounds in pomegranates have been shown to have positive effect on blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart attack and high blood pressure." If de-seeding is too time consuming, buy a cup ready-to-eat; or add them to smoothies or to a salad for an extra crunch factor.
Related: The Most Effective Fad Diets
Source : elle.com
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