Unusual Foods to Boost Your Health

If you're looking for an antioxidant boost going into the winter, then you might try some of these less mainstream foods. They are available in most grocery stores, but they are foods that you might overlook or that you might avoid because you're not sure how to prepare them.

Let me assure you that each of these foods are tasty, easy to prepare, and loaded with immune-enhancing antioxidants. Going into cold and flu season we can all use a little extra support for our immune defenses.

Tart Cherries: Tart cherries are those bright red, small cherries with a lot of pucker power. They are rich in antioxidants and good for your heart. In animal studies tart cherries helped to lower cholesterol and inflammation. They also promoted healthy weight loss. Look for dried tart cherries or juice made from them.

Purple Potatoes: These little relatives of the red and gold potatoes have purple skins and purple flesh. They are a good source of the vitamins and minerals found in regular potatoes, but they're much higher in antioxidants.

Pine Nuts: These are actually the seeds found in pinecones. They are rich in monounsaturated fats and in the antioxidant vitamins A and C. They're also rich in vitamin D, which plays an important role in your overall health. Try pine nuts blended with basil for your own tasty pesto.

Star Fruit: When you slice these unusual fruits width-wise, the pieces are shaped like a star, which makes them festive and fun to eat. Plus, they are rich in vitamin C and a good source in vitamin A, both of which boost your immune system.

Leeks: Leeks look like overgrown green onions. They have a mild flavor that can bring a lot to your savory dishes. Like garlic and onions, leeks are rich in antioxidants that fight inflammation and help to lower cholesterol.

Trying some new foods will bring variety to your holiday menu and can give your immune system a boost when it needs it most.

Stay well,
Heather Robwell