Strawberries
Strawberries
are bursting with delicious flavor, and they help with weight loss by
eliminating the need for a fatty sweet.
Luscious strawberries are the most popular berries and are unique because they
are the only fruit with seeds on the outside rather than on the inside. In
season, quality strawberries need no extra sweeteners or toppings.
These
delicate heart-shaped berries range in size from tiny wild varieties to larger
cultivated ones. Generally, smaller varieties are more flavorful.
Unfortunately, today's cultivated berries are bred with durability, not flavor,
in mind. Still, in late spring and early summer, you can find superbly sweet
strawberries at farmers' markets and green grocers.
Health Benefits
Nutritional Values
Strawberries
Serving Size: 1 cup sliced
Calories: 53
Fat: <1 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbohydrate: 13 g
Protein: 1 g
Dietary Fiber: 3 g
Sodium: 2 mg
Vitamin C: 98 mg
Calcium: 27 mg
Manganese: <1 mg
Pantothenic Acid: <1 mg
Potassium: 254 mg
Carotenoids: 55 mcg
As with all
berries, they are a fabulous fiber find, with those little seeds providing
insoluble fiber that keeps you regular and helps fend off digestive system
woes, including hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
Most of all,
strawberries are a super source of vitamin C, even better than oranges or
grapefruit. Strawberries are also a good source of potassium. Because it keeps
blood pressure in check, potassium may keep you from becoming a stroke
statistic. Also, strawberries contain ellagic acid, a phytochemical with
cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory power.
Selection and Storage
Look for strawberries that
are ruby red, evenly colored, and plump, with fresh, green, leafy tops. Big
does not translate into flavor; in fact, smaller berries tend to be the
sweetest. Avoid strawberries in containers with juice stains or berries packed
tightly with plastic wrap. And walk on by if you notice soft, mushy, or moldy
berries. Strawberries spoil quickly. So it's best to buy them within a day of
serving. Refrigerate unwashed strawberries loosely covered.
