Red and Pink Superfoods Special for Valentine's Day
As Valentine's Day approaches, store windows light up in red and pink. But which red and pink superfoods are good for both the eyes and your health?
As Valentine's Day approaches, every storefront and street is under the spell of red and pink hues — even sweets come in red-and-pink boxes, chocolates for loved ones are paired with red sauces on cakes. It's true that they appeal greatly to the eyes and the stomach, but it's hard to say the same for your health! Dark chocolate is our crown jewel, so I'm keeping that one out of this group, of course...
Here are the red and pink superfoods special for Valentine's Day that appeal to your eyes and stomach just as much as they appeal to your health, along with their benefits:
APPLE
WHY WE LOVE THEM: Apples absolutely and wholeheartedly deserve their reputation. A single serving of apple contains approximately 3–4 grams of fiber, which comes from their own pectin content. On top of that, apples help with digestion and lowering cholesterol.
HOW TO ENJOY THEM: Although they are freshest in the fall, you can eat them raw throughout the year or bake them with a sprinkle of cinnamon during the winter months.
RED BERRIES
WHY WE LOVE THEM: All red berries are low in calories and rich in fiber — not to mention their high vitamin C content. They are also known to have positive effects on memory.
HOW TO ENJOY THEM: You can make a wonderful pairing by opting for chocolate-covered strawberries. Or you can enjoy red berries mixed into salads and oatmeal.
CRANBERRIES
WHY WE LOVE THEM: While cranberries are famous for fighting germs, they are also a great source of vitamin C and have a protective effect on heart health.
HOW TO ENJOY THEM: Cranberries add a distinct flavor to salads in particular, and you can also mix them into breakfast cereals.
CHERRIES
WHY WE LOVE THEM: Cherries are well known as a good antioxidant and for improving heart health. They are also used by athletes to aid in muscle recovery.
HOW TO ENJOY THEM: Cherries can be enjoyed fresh, dried, frozen, or even juiced. You can also add dried cherries to a mix of walnuts, dark chocolate, and almonds.
BEETS
WHY WE LOVE THEM: The vibrant color of beets is actually a sign of just how healthy they are. Beets are excellent anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, and they are also a great source of folic acid and vitamin C.
HOW TO ENJOY THEM: Experts recommend roasting beets, even though this method takes a little time. They also add that beets make a wonderfully tasty pickle.
POMEGRANATE SEEDS
WHY WE LOVE THEM: Pomegranate helps lower cholesterol and protect heart health thanks to its vitamin C and antioxidant content.
HOW TO ENJOY THEM: You can enjoy pomegranate as a simple snack or create new flavors by adding the seeds to salads and soups.
GRAPEFRUIT
WHY WE LOVE THEM: Grapefruit contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant best known for its presence in tomatoes. It also has cancer-protective effects. Grapefruit is also a low-calorie, high-fiber fruit that helps lower cholesterol. With its high vitamin C content, it is a super fruit to use as an immune booster during the winter months.
HOW TO ENJOY THEM: Eating grapefruit raw is certainly not wrong, but you can also enjoy it warm during the winter months. However, grapefruit can interact with certain medications and become harmful — this should be kept in mind when consuming it.
RED WINE
WHY WE LOVE IT: Although studies on this topic vary, red wines do contain healthy components. Thanks to the resveratrol compound it contains, red wine has significant health benefits and also possesses antioxidant properties.
HOW TO ENJOY IT: Without overindulging, women can consume 1 glass per day and men can consume 2 glasses per day. Consuming more than this can lead to health problems.
RED BELL PEPPER
WHY WE LOVE THEM: Red bell peppers are low-calorie vegetables rich in carotenoids and vitamin C, and they are protective against heart disease.
Their vitamin C content also helps boost your metabolism.
HOW TO ENJOY THEM: The best way to enjoy red bell peppers is to sauté them. Red bell peppers contain carotenoids, and a little fat should be added while sautéing in order to fully benefit from their compounds. Olive oil is a great choice for this.
TOMATO
WHY WE LOVE THEM: Because they contain lycopene, a cancer-fighting compound, tomatoes are particularly effective against prostate and breast cancer. Their rich vitamin C and K content also makes them effective at improving bone health.
HOW TO ENJOY THEM: You don't have to eat tomatoes only in summer to benefit from their healthy compounds. You can also enjoy them in winter pepper dishes, spaghetti, or salsa sauce.
Stay well and stay loved.
Registered Dietitian Merve TIĞLI
