Have you been told “You have to finish your broccoli before you can leave the dinner table”? Its not the phrase you want to hear when there is something more interesting than dinner going on.
Today were going to learn about why broccoli is a vegetable you don’t want to skip out on. If you don’t believe me, keep reading!
Before we talk about the benefits and uses of broccoli, here are a few facts about it:
- Broccoli is harvested in the spring and fall.
- Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family.
- When selecting broccoli at the store, make sure it is dark or bright green and that the top is firm and tightly bunched.
- If you have broccoli in a garden, cut the top of the broccoli off so that the bottom of the stem is still planted in the ground. The stem will grow more broccoli florets, even though you already chopped the top off!
Part of the reason you get told to “finish your broccoli”, is because broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrients! You may still need to be convinced on why you should eat broccoli, but your body loves broccoli. Here are some of the great nutrients in broccoli:
Vitamin C: important for skin, tissue, bones, and healing.
Vitamin A: helps with good vision and bone health.
Fiber: important for good digestion.
Folate: helps make new cells.
Sulforaphane: this nutrient is only found in plants. Research suggests that it can reduce cancer risk!
If you want the benefits of eating broccoli but you’re not a big fan of the flavor – try one of the ideas below!
- Bake your broccoli! Sprinkle it with a little olive oil and shredded cheese then put it in a 425ºF oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Add it to a salad
- Add it to a pasta
- Put it in a stir-fry
- Use it as a pizza topping
- Add it to an omelet
- Eat it raw with some hummus
Can you think of other tasty ways to eat broccoli??
Sprouting broccoli: this is the kind you most often see at the grocery store. It is also known as Calabrese.
Broccolini: this is a combination of broccoli and kale. It has a long stalk with small florets on top.
Broccoflower: this type is a cross between broccoli and cauliflower – it is a light green color.
Broccoli sprouts: a small sprout with small leafy green tips – sometimes put in salads or sandwiches.
Information came from medlineplus.gov, msuextension.org, panen.org
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