Healthy Meals

Fresh Vegetables!  Is there anything healthier?

Sweet, green peppers… Very low in calories, carbohydrates, cholesterol, fat, and sodium.  Bell peppers are a GREAT source of vitamin C and dietary fiber.  They are also a good source of vitamin A, Niacin, Thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, copper, potassium, and vitamin K.  Wow!  This vegetable really packs a healthy punch!

White onions… Extremely low in fat and calories.  Great source of dietary fiber.  Good source of vitamin C. Manganese, copper, vitamin B6, folate, and phosphorous are also present in white onions.  They also contain flavonoids, anti-oxidants responsible for protecting the body from free radical cells.  Onions have been used in many studies regarding their ability to prevent certain types of cancers.  Fantastic!

Roma tomatoes… Fat and calories are almost nonexistent.  No cholesterol.  Very low in sodium.  Excellent source of vitamins A and C.  They also contain anti-oxidants.  Nice!

Fresh cilantro… (also known as coriander) No cholesterol.  Very rich in anti-oxidants and dietary fiber.  Excellent source of numerous minerals such as calcium, potassium, manganese, iron, and magnesium.  Also a great source of vitamins A, K, C, and B6.    My family loves the flavor cilantro adds to dishes.  It’s kind of a love-it-or-hate-it-herb, but it is definitely beneficial to your health.

Now, what to do with these beautiful, tasty, healthy vegetables?  My family loves when I add them to a pot of pinto beans.  Beans are an excellent source of protein and are very low in fat and calories.  My bean soup is both delicious and healthy.

You can also add these fresh vegetables to pretty much any soup recipe, chicken, ground beef, or whatever your heart desires.  Chopping them fine makes it easier to sneak them into your regular recipes, too, and your family may not even notice.  But they will definitely reap the health benefits.