10 Fall Super Foods To Keep You Healthy
Autumn harvests yield a number of powerful fruits and vegetables, which contain key vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients that have the ability to boost health and ward off disease. Before you head to your local supermarket, learn how to identify some little-known fall super foods that can boost your long-term health.
Ten Potent Options
A growing body of research suggests that we can reduce the risk of health problems by eating diets rich in vitamins, fiber and phytonutrients. Numerous other studies have shown these diets also have the ability to delay aging. During the fall, your local grocer provides numerous fruits and vegetables that offer all these valuable health benefits. Among the most powerful include:
- Apples: Tart and sweet, apples contain heart-healthy flavonoids, along with 4 grams of dietary fiber per serving.
- : A good source of iron and folate, Brussels sprouts are also very rich in vitamin K.
- Pears: Rich in vitamin C and copper, these sweet and juicy fall fruits contain 4 grams of fiber per serving.
- Parsnips: A good source of potassium and fiber, parsnips add great flavor to potatoes and rice.
- Rutabaga: A cross between a cabbage and turnip, this popular Swedish root vegetable is high in fiber and vitamin C.
- Cauliflower: Chock full of vitamin C, cauliflower contains special compounds that may lower cholesterol and prevent cancer,
- Squash: Rich in vitamin A, winter squash contains omega-3 fatty acids, which provide a number of important health benefits.
- Pumpkin: A kind of winter squash, pumpkins are rich in vitamin B and potassium. They also contain over 20 percent of your DRI of fiber.
- Sweet potatoes: An excellent source of vitamin A, these fall staples are a good source of iron. They also offer key anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Turnips: Mild and tender, these root vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins K, A, C and folate.
Although some of these options may not sound especially appetizing at first glance, they can be delicious when combined with other ingredients. Use a cookbook or the Internet to find recipes that use one or more of these fall super foods and create unique dishes that boost your family’s short- and long-term health.
