Holiday Food Nutrition
Worried about all the food you’ll be consuming this holiday season? You may be pleased to discover that many of these foods are actually quite nutritious! Here are some facts about the health benefits of foods we typically eat around this time of year:
- Cranberries are rich in antioxidants. Some studies have suggested that they can help fight against cancer, neurological diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and bacterial infections. (Information obtained from nutrition-and-you.com)
- Turkey is extremely popular around the holidays. If you trim off the skin, it is a great low-calorie source of protein. Try to obtain your turkey from a small farm that raises its birds ethically.
- Cocoa (especially dark chocolate) is packed with iron, magnesium, and antioxidants. Studies have linked the consumption of dark chocolate with lowered blood pressure, improved cognitive function and mood, and prevention against type 2 diabetes. (Information from fitday.com)
- Sweet Potatoes are high in the antioxidant vitamin A, which is great for healthy skin and vision. In fact, they are the highest of all root vegetables in this important vitamin! They’re also high in vitamins B1, B5, B6, niacin, and riboflavin and have a substantial amount of iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and potassium. Pass the sweet potatoes, please! (Information from nutrition-and-you.com)
- Green Beans are rich in dietary fiber and vitamin A. They are also high in B vitamins (B6 and B1) and vitamin C, and contain iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and potassium. Be sure not to skip these nutrition powerhouses! (Information obtained from nutrition-and-you.com)
