Beets…better for you than you think!
Beets might be a super food but they get B-list treatment at the supermarket and their health benefits deserve top billing. Think of beets as red spinach. Just like Popeye’s power food, this crimson vegetable is one of the best sources of both folate and betaine, two nutrients that reduce heart-disease risk. It’s time to give beets a chance and add them to your list of favorite health foods.
They are easy to add to a variety of dishes. Peel one beet, then grate it on the widest blade of a box grater. It’s now ready to be added to a salad. In addition, you can eat the leaves and stems since they’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Simply cut off the stems just below the point where the leaves start and wash thoroughly. For a simple side dish, sauté the leaves, along with a minced clove of garlic and a little olive oil, in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook until the leaves are wilted and the stems are tender. Season with a dash of salt and pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice, and sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese. They are also tasty, steamed or roasted. The possibilities are endless…
