Why You Should Eat Your Broccoli!

You might enjoy eating broccoli. You are more likely to be one of the many people that just don’t care for broccoli all that much, or even loathe it. I understand that, but let’s talk about some of the amazing health benefits that broccoli has to offer and some delicious ways to enjoy broccoli. Who knows, broccoli might just be something you’ll start to like!

Why Broccoli Rocks The Nutritional Charts

• The American Cancer Society recommends eating broccoli since it’s anticancer properties are well established.

• Excellent source of isothiocyanates, which fight cancer! Studies have shown that isothiocyanates actually help prevent esophageal and lung cancer, and can even lower the risk of having other cancers.

• In 2003, The Environmental Working Group named broccoli as one of twelve foods least contaminated with pesticides.

• One cup of broccoli contains:

-288 mg of potassium

-2 g of fiber

-43 mg of calcium

-2 g of protein

-1,277 mcg of lutein and zeaxanthin

-81 mg of vitamin C

-magnesium, phosphorus, folate, beta-caratone, and vitamin A.

• Contains indole-3-carbinol which has been shown to protect the structure of DNA, as well as being a strong antioxidant and stimulates detoxifying enzymes. It also protects against the carcinogenic effect of toxins, including pesticides. Indole-3-carbinol is great for everyone – especially women – since it increases the ratio of benign (“good”) estrogen metabolite levels compared to the potentially harmful ones.

Eating Broccoli…and Enjoying it

You can eat all of broccoli – the leaves, stalk, and the “flower” of the plant, which is what most people are familiar with.

Here’s a couple of suggestions on what you can do with broccoli, to make it a bit more enjoyable to eat.

Broccoli & Raw Cheese

-Steam broccoli and once it is done cooking, sprinkle on some raw cheese to the broccoli and serve one the cheese has melted. This is how my Mom was able to get us kids to eat (and love!) broccoli when we were growing up!

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

– In a frying pan, combine cooked chicken, brown rice, raw broccoli with a healthy teriyaki sauce and/or soy sauce. This is a great way to enjoy broccoli as part of a main dish.

Broccoli Soup

-This recipe is really easy, and Chef Gordon Ramsay made this dish look more than appetizing! Here’s the video with full instructions:

I hope you all will consider eating broccoli and enjoy the many health benefits that are associated with it!

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