Did You Get Your Blackberry Yet?

Introduction:

Did you think we were talking about the cell phone? Nope, but we are talking about this amazing little fruit that is great for your body! Blackberries are nature’s sweet tart. Blackberries can be a bit sour unless they are ripe, however once ripe they are sweet and the perfect addition to any recipe. Store brought and frozen berries are okay, but if you want a party in your mouth, wait until they are in season and pick them fresh.

Nutritional Value:

1 cup of blackberries equals 144 grams. Within 1 cup of blackberries, you’ll get 75 calories (what? that’s practically nothing!), 1 gram of protein, 18 grams of carbohydrates, .6 grams of fat and 7.6 grams of fiber. Blackberries are also a good source of folate (49 mcg – micrograms).

Folate is necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells and is especially important during periods of rapid cell division and growth. Folate is needed to make DNA and RNA, the building blocks of cells. Both adults and children need folate to make to make normal red blood cells and prevent anemia. The recommended daily allowance for folate is 400 mcg. If one cup has 49 mcg, imagine how much you could get with a breakfast smoothie.

How to Buy and Store:

When you are in the grocery store in search of the perfect blackberries, look for the ones that are plump and have a shine all their own. Fresh blackberries are best when eaten immediately, but if you have store them, use a non-air tight container and place them in the refrigerator. Make sure that you rinse them thoroughly before eating. Eating a handful of blackberries makes a great on the go snack.

If frozen berries are more your thing, blackberries have a tendency to bunch up and stick together in the freezer. To prevent this from happening, spread them out evenly on a cookie sheet so that they are not touching each other. Then place them in the freezer for about an hour (time varies based on freezer so use your judgement). Once they are completely frozen place your berries in a sealable bag. Then take as many as you want for smoothies and other frozen delights.

Resources:

The A to Z of Health, Beauty and Fitness http://health.learninginfo.org
PCC Natural Markets http://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com/health/3588006
Folate http://healthlinkmcw.edu

By rawfoodnation Tags: blackberries, carbohydrates, fiber, folate, protein
Posted in Raw Foods | 1 Comment »

One Response to “Did You Get Your Blackberry Yet?”

1. Gina from Diet Renegade says:

   February 14, 2009 at 5:58 pm

   I absolutely looove blackberries! Its so sad though because I have the hardest time finding them at the store.

   I didn’t even think about buying them frozen – thanks for the tip!

   ~ Gina

   [Reply]