Green Tomato Health Benefits

Green tomatoes have most of the same health benefits that red tomatoes have. They have about the same amount of beta carotene, even though they are green. The beta carotene is just temporarily hidden by the chlorophyll.

In some ways, green tomatoes are even better than red. They have slightly more vitamin C than red tomatoes, and they have three times the amount of calcium. Tomatoes are just flat out good health food, so if you’ve never tried green tomatoes, give them a try.

Try Some Grilled Green Tomatoes!

Fried Green Tomatoes are a southern standard, but did you realize you can also grill green tomatoes?  In fact, they work much better on a grill than red tomatoes, since they aren’t so soft yet.

You can use about any seasoning, but here is a simple recipe to try:

Ingredients:

• Mrs. Dash Salt Free Seasoning Blend of Your Choice
• Large green tomatoes, cut into ½” thick slices
• Olive Oil

Preheat grill of your choice (indoor or outdoor).

Brush one side of tomato with oil, sprinkle with seasoning to taste, then place on grill.

Immediately brush other side of tomato with oil and season to taste.

Cook for 4 minutes on each side, or until tender. (Note, if using an indoor grill, both sides are cooking at once, so no need to turn. Check tenderness after 4 minutes to see if tender clear through. Cooking time will be dependent on the temperature of the grill.)

This is simple cooking, and an easy way to add a healthy food to your diet.

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Great Grilled Green Tomatoes

Simply put, carotenoids are pigments that plants synthesize.  These pigments are usually red, orange or yellow, and give various fruits and vegetables their bright colors.  They are essential for photosynthesis and plant growth, and are also a natural source of vitamin A for people.

There are over 600 identified carotenoids.  They are divided into two classes:

1. xanthophylls, which are the yellow pigments, and
2. carotenes, the orange and red pigments..

Why Should I Care About Carotenoids?

Carrots are orange and full of carotenoids, and you’ve surely heard about eating carrots for good eyesight, right?  This is because approximately 50 carotenoids are known to act as forerunners to vitamin A, an essential vitamin source for helping eyesight and seeing in the dark.

Not only are these food nutrients essential for good vision, they are potent antioxidants, help with immune function, and are involved with the growth and repair of tissues.

What Are Some Of The Better Known Carotenoids?

Even though there are over 600 known carotenoids, only a few are mentioned frequently on their own accord.  Some of these include:

• alpha-carotene: one of the most abundant carotenoids, it can be converted in the body into retinal, an active form of vitamin A
• beta-carotene: found in dark green and dark yellow fruits and vegetables, and another known precursor to vitamin A
• beta-cryptoxanthin: abundant and able to be converted to vitamin A, this carotenoid is a strong antioxidant
• capsanthin: carmine-red carotenoid pigment occurring in paprika, often used as a natural dye in foods. Accounts for 30-60% of total carotenoids in fully ripe fruits.
• lutein: yellow pigment that does not readily form vitamin A, but powerful antioxidant, and found in the retina of the eye.
• lycopene: found in tomatoes and responsible for their red color, this carotenoids does not readily for vitamin A, but is known to help prevent certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration
• zeaxanthin: one of the two carotenoids contained within the retina of the eye, gives saffron and corn their yellow color

What Are Some Of The Best Natural Food Sources For Carotenoids?

Yellow vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins, squash and sweet potatoes are full of these food nutrients. 

Broccoli, peas, kale, lettuce, peppers, and spinach are some of the green vegetables containing carotenoids. 

Fruits such as apricots, cantaloupe, papaya, peaches, watermelon, cherries and tomatoes also have these food nutrients in abundance.

Tell Me Again – Why Are Carotenoids Such Important Food Nutrients?

The body uses carotenoids to make vitamin A, which is essential for good vision, growth and development, plus it strengthens the immune system.

Carotenoids are potent antioxidants, helping with immune function and the growth and repair of tissues.

These health food nutrients are also associated with reduced risk of several chronic health disorders including some forms of cancer, heart disease and eye degeneration

Health Food Made Easy Tip: If a food has carotenoids, it’s got some good food nutrients!  So eat up!

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Why You Should Care About Carotenoids

Eggs Aren’t Evil

For a long time, eggs got a bad rap. Their consumption was accused of doing terrible things to your cholesterol levels. While it’s true eggs are high in cholesterol, with the average egg containing 212 milligrams, only a small amount of the cholesterol from food actually passes into the blood.  The real villains are saturated and trans fats in your diet, as they have a much bigger impact on blood cholesterol levels.

So it’s another one of those health food myths that eggs are bad news. They’re one of the best natural foods around, and actually quite good for you.

Build A Better Body With Protein

Your body needs proteins to supply the amino acids for building healthy cells. Eggs are full of high-quality protein with about 5.5 grams of protein per egg. Even better, they are an economical source. Compare the cost of eggs to just about any lean meat, and you’ll see what I mean. If you’re looking for cheap high-grade protein, eggs are just the thing.

Eggs are Full of Natural Food Goodness

Not only do eggs have protein, but they are also a good source of

• selenium,
• vitamin B12, and
• vitamin D.

Yes, eggs are one of the rare natural foods containing vitamin D.  (Other sources are fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel.)  Most foods sold with vitamin D have it added artificially.  Eggs are undoubtably of the cheapest natural food sources of vitamin D.

Calling All Choline Suppliers!

Eggs are also a good source of choline, which is very important for gene regulation, brain function, and heart health. So instead of eggs being bad for your heart, they are actually one of the best natural foods to eat!

Choline is also important to maintain levels of B vitamins, and it helps reduce inflammation. Considering more than 90% of Americans are choline-deficient, eggs sound like a good natural food to add to your diet!

Phyt For Sight - Phytochemicals Help Your Eyes

Eggs also contain the phytochemicals lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids may reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

What’s more, the natural lutein found in eggs is as bioavailable, or even more so, than the forms of the nutrient offered in purified lutein products. In other words, eggs are as good or better a natural food source of usable lutein than supplements.

But Weight! We’re Not Done Yet!

Would you believe studies have shown that eating eggs for breakfast can help you lose weight? Yes, some studies have shown eating eggs for breakfast helps curb the appetite for the rest of the day.

What’s Not To Love About A Natural Food Like Eggs?

Eggs are cheap. They’re loaded with good-for-you ingredients like protein, vitamins, choline, phytochemicals and more. They may even help you lose weight. So it turns out eggs aren’t evil after all. They’re good for you!

Post from: Health Food Made Easy

Eggs: Natural Food, Great Health Food Benefits