Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. They can be eaten raw, which is the most nutritionally sound way to have them. The beneficial effects of garlic are similar to those of onion.
But with garlic, the effects are more prominent, and you get them with smaller amounts. Garlic is just brimming with protective compounds and vitamins. In addition to being high in vitamins C and B6, garlic also has manganese, selenium, and phosphorus.
All of these nutrients are anathema to viruses, harmful bacteria, and other pathogens. While the health benefits of salsa are as many as they are powerful, this popular condiment can be made in ways that reduce or remove its healthy effects.
This is where not all salsas are created equal. Some salsas contain lots of preservatives to extend the shelf life, but this kicks up the sodium content. Salsa can also be made with unhealthy fats such as vegetable oil, and they can also have quite a bit of sugar added to the recipe. When picking out a salsa, always scan the ingredients and nutrition facts to check for sodium content, sugar, and saturated fats.
Fresh salsa made from scratch that day is always the best option. Sure, salsa itself is a pretty healthy snack. You can also try baking your own tortilla chips at home to be in control of the ingredients and cut down on sodium.
Alternatively, you can really up the health factor by using chopped vegetables as your salsa scoopers instead of chips. Celery stalks are the perfect shape for loading up on salsa, and you can also cut bell peppers into thin slices that are great for dipping. If you usually eat salsa with round tortilla chips, try sliced cucumbers instead! English cucumbers have the best flavor and a satisfying crunch too. Organic salsa is more likely to be made with few to zero pesticides, preservatives, and unnatural flavor enhancers.
Still always check the ingredients and nutrition facts before you buy, but organic is a great place to start. Salsa made correctly from fresh ingredients will spoil more quickly.
For this reason, the salsas you find on the unrefrigerated shelves in your supermarket have preservatives that you will want to avoid. As always, growing your own vegetables is the best way to ensure they are fresh, organic, and chemical-free. Read more: 8 healthy lime facts ».
So feel free to keep your refrigerator stocked with this healthy condiment. Your health — and taste buds — will thank you! As a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, she helps others learn how to use food to manage their blood sugar and improve their lives!
For more delicious, diabetes-friendly recipes, visit to her website at www. Tomatoes are high in many nutrients, and also contain a cancer-fighting substance called lycopene. For optimal health, it's a good idea to choose the foods that contain the most nutrients. Here are the 11 most nutrient-dense foods on earth. Getting your meals delivered can save major time on meal prep. Numerous foods are marketed as healthy but contain hidden ingredients.
Here are 14 "health foods" that aren't as nutritious as you thought. If you're considering adding or removing meat from your diet, you may wonder whether meat is healthy. This article explores the environmental and…. Calcium has many benefits, but most people aren't getting enough of this mineral. Here is a list of 15 foods that are rich in calcium, many of which…. Salt, also known as sodium chloride, is abundant in most people's diets.
This article explores whether salt is healthy or unhealthy. Among these sources, tomatoes offer more dietary lycopene than any other type of food 3. Studies show that lycopene has a wide-ranging number of potential beneficial effects on health, and some of these include;. Notably, lycopene is not very bioavailable in raw tomatoes. Since salsa usually uses cooked tomatoes, this makes it an excellent option for dietary lycopene. Furthermore, unlike most condiments, traditional salsa recipes are very much based on unrefined foods.
Traditional salsa gets its natural sweetness from the tomatoes present, but some store-bought options use large amounts of added sugar or corn syrup. With more than mg of sodium or mg salt per grams, salsa is not one of the best options for those on low-salt diets. There is nothing inherently wrong with salt; sodium is an essential mineral that has several vital functions in our body These products are widely available. However, there have been some food poisoning cases with the salsa cruda raw variety of the condiment.
Studies show that salmonella bacteria can survive and grow in salsa when it is not adequately stored and refrigerated 17 , Unfortunately, prepared and packaged salads are notorious for potentially harboring foodborne illnesses such as salmonella. Proper hygiene and storage during production are crucial That said, it is worth noting that millions of people consume salsa each year without issue, so these food poisoning cases are rare.
On the positive side, there are many ways to eat salsa that are simple to prepare, nutritious, and tasty. However, we can use salsa in the same way, and this is probably a lot healthier than the most common sauce options. To use salsa in this way, all we have to do is heat the salsa on a stove and then pour it over the top of our meal. Instead of using a typical oil-based salad dressing, salsa can offer a lot of flavor to any salad.
Since most store-bought salad dressings are full of sugar and vegetable oil, using salsa in this way can also improve the nutritional properties of a salad.
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