Boosting Beetroot
Did you know
that raw beetroot does not stain your fingers? It washes right off! Comparing it with peeling and chopping cooked beetroot, where you will be left with pink
fingertips for a while! I always wonder what made people think of digging out
beetroot in the first place and then deciding to cook it and see how it turns out when cooked!?
I always think of beetroot being “red” so it is good for blood, which is also red.
Your blood needs iron. Whenever you are feeling tired, lethargic, dizzy and a
bit run down, go for beetroot. Without iron, our red blood cells cannot
transport oxygen around the body. Beets should especially be included during
menstruation.
Beets are
also packed with nitrates, which the body convert to nitric oxygen. This
compound dilates the blood vessels, which improves blood flow and lowers
overall blood pressure. Nitrates are exceptional elements for sports
performance and recovery.
Raw beetroot
contains more vitamins, minerals and anti oxidants than cooked beet. Like all
vegetables, the longer the cooking process, the lower the nutritional content,
except with tomatoes. Nutrients leach out into the cooking water.
Where to use
beetroot:
· You can add beets to your raw
vegetable juices through your juice extractor.
· We enjoy making a raw beetroot
salad/salsa to add to salads, in gluten free wraps, on cooked potatoes. Peel
and grate a few raw beetroots, peel and grate an apple, add some pink salt,
apple cider vinegar and black pepper. Toss and let stand at least half an hour
before serving.
· Roasted beetroot caramelizes the beet
sugars giving you a wonderful, sweet beet to work with. Cook whole beets in an
oven tray covered with foil until tender. Cool and peel the beetroot. Cut into
chunks, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and pink salt. Roast open
until slightly shriveled. You can add some goats cheese or feta, rocket or
freshly ground black pepper to glam it up for guests.
· Grate raw beetroot into coleslaw.
· How about adding a cooked beetroot
when making hummus next time?
Other beetroot benefits:
-High in anti-oxidants
-Boosts brain health
-Boosts heart health
-Aids digestion (High in fibre)
-Anti inflammatory
-Boosts detoxification process
*Remember
that store-bought, bottled beetroot is full of added sugar, so try to stay away
from it as far as possible.
If you are
not up to the whole schlepp of cooking, peeling and chopping beetroot, and you
just don’t have time for beetroot, then look out for the following products;
· Redibeets powder by AIM (0nline
orders)
· Superscoop mix by Lisa Raleigh
containing many superfood ingredients including beetroot, wheatgrass, alfalfa
and mushrooms.
· Nature’s Nutrition super greens and
reds with 32 organic superfoods and dairy free probiotics.
(faithful-to-nature.co.za online)
· Health Connection Berry Beetroot
Superfood mix including chia seeds.
You can find
most of these at Dischem Pharmacy or on the online shops mentioned above.
If all else
fails, then sit with your feet up and snack on a packet of crunchy beetroot
crisps! So no excuses!
Lizelle
