Most research shows that eating fresh vegetables is much better than eating canned or frozen ones. This is because they are fresh and therefore, still retain most of their ‘goodness’. Seasonal vegetables are also cheaper than other vegetables, which means you can stay healthy and lose weight on a budget. It can be more of a challenge to find familiar vegetables in winter, but I’ll list below some of the best seasonal vegetables for this time of year and ways to prepare/use them.
Let’s start with the good old brussel sprout. Love them or hate them, these are going to make a big appearance this time of year. They are packed full of goodness and flavor. They taste particularly divine when boiled. If you find their flavor too strong, coat in a tiny bit of pancetta, rosemary and crumbled chestnuts. Smear them in a tiny bit of butter in order to allow the mixture to stick.
White cabbage is another favorite for this time of year. You can use white cabbage in a soup or a pie.
Both leeks and potatoes will have hit their peek around this time. There are many dishes that incorporate leeks, potatoes or both. A leek and potato pie is always a good bet! Remember to eat your potatoes in moderation since they are high in carbohydrates. Avoid frying as this adds to their calorie content – boil or bake them instead.
One of the vegetables which seems to hit its peak around this time of year but gets very little attention is kale. Try incorporating kale into your diet for the high amount of vitamins and minerals it provides. It may take a bit of effort to find good kale recipes, but trust me, it is worth it. You might also go to your local Whole Foods market and look in their produce section for bagged “kale salad”. It’s already put together with shredded carrots!
Finally, carrots and cauliflower are found in abundance this time of year, and can be combined to make a tasty vegetable stew or vegetable curry. Rich in goodness as well!
As you can see, there are a lot of seasonal vegetables to choose from to help you lose weight. All of them taste fantastic, and all of them will make a great side dish to whatever food you are eating.
The best way to lose weight is to combine a diet high in fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains with regular CONSISTENT exercise. If you need a little push on the exercise part, consider signing up for a one-week free trial at a lifeSport Fitness boot camp in San Jose, Los Gatos or Campbell!
For more articles go to http://lifesportfitness.lifestyleezine.com