Take the Beets to the Streets

Introduction:

We think beets are misunderstood. They have such a rough, tough appearance that they are often mistaken for being undesirable, but in actuality they have a unique sweet  flavor all their own and are very good for you. Did you know that even the green leaves attached to the root are edible? Indulge us as we unlock the amazing nutritional value of beets.

The Taste:

The sweet taste of beets reflect their high sugar content (side note: beets’ value grew in the 19th century when it was discovered that they were a concentrated source of sugar, and the first beet sugar factory was built in Poland). Raw beet roots have a crunchy texture. The beet leaves have a lively, bitter taste similar to chard. The greens attached to the beet are also incredibly rich in nutrients, concentrated in vitamins and minerals as well as caratenoids such as beta-carotene and lutein zeaxanthin. The quickest way to add beets into your daily routine is to simply grate them raw for a colorful addition to a salad or garnish for raw soup.

What You’ll Find When in the Grocery Store:

Look for medium sized beets with firm roots. Pick them up to feel them. Their skin should be smooth and deep in color. Avoid beets that have spots, bruises or soft, wet areas, all of which indicate spoilage.  Also avoid beets that look shriveled, as this is a sign that the roots are aged, tough and fibrous. As for the leafy portion, if you plan on eating this part of the plant too, make sure they are green and look fresh. Once you get home, if you can’t consume right away, you can store beets for about 2 weeks or more in your fridge. Cut the greens at the roots so they don’t pull moisture away, and leave about 2 inches of the stem attached to prevent the roots from “bleeding.”

Nutrition Info & Health Benefits:

• Beets are a good source of maganese and potassium.
• 1 cup of beets has 10% DV of Vitamin C.
• Beets are rich in color. Betacyanin is the name of the pigment that gives beets their rich color. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, betacyanin is also a powerful cancer-fighting agent. Here’s a reason to consume them in the raw, studies show that beets’ anti-cancer activity is diminished by heat.
• Beets are an excellent source of the B vitamin folate (about 34% DV in one cup), which is essential for normal tissue growth.

References:

Beets by WHFoods, http://www.whfoods.com
Nutritional Data, You Are What You Eat, http://www.nutritiondata.com

By rawfoodnation Tags: beets, betacyanin, folate, vitamin c
Posted in Raw Foods | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “Take the Beets to the Streets”

1. Nancy W says:

   March 11, 2009 at 5:28 pm

   editable?

   [Reply]
2. rawfoodnation01 says:

   March 11, 2009 at 10:01 pm

   Thanks for noticing that! Darn spell check! ) We appreciate your good eyes!

   [Reply]