Resist fattening comfort foods during the winter and try these healthy vegetables.
Kale: This leafy green is loaded with vitamin A, C, calcium, and a handful of other antioxidants. Kale is rich in beta-carotene, which helps protect the eyes. Some studies suggest kale also helps reduce a variety of cancers.
Beetroot: Healthy vegetables grown underground – also called root vegetables – are believed to warm up the body, making them ideal during cold months. This colourful veggie contains a pigment called betacyanin, which can prevent heart disease. Don’t let the naturally sweet taste fool you – beetroot is low in kilojoules and fat too. A study in the Journal of Applied Physiology reported that beetroot juice improved stamina while exercising.
Cranberries: This tangy low-kiljoule berry (one cup has 185 kilojoules) is loaded with antioxidants like resveratol, which helps promote heart health and is linked to cancer prevention. Even when consumed in juice form, cranberries can help treat some UTIs–just make sure there’s no added sugar.
Winter Squash: Winter vegetables that are both versatile and immunity boosting are a beneficial addition to your diet. Squash is full of fiber, potassium, and vitamin A, which help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer and other diseases. A study conducted at Kansas State University found that diets deficient in Vitamin A were linked to high rates of emphysema.
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