This blog was written by Lisa Larkin. Meet our blogging fitness specialists at the NIFS website.
Do you consider fruit when you’re hungry for a snack? Instead of grabbing those chips, grab some berries! Most berries taste like a treat, anyway, with their natural sugars, and the health benefits are amazing. (Okay, some might not agree that berries are a treat, but they are very good for your body!)
Why Berries Are So Healthy for You
Most berries are packed with vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. They also contain organic chemicals that help to lower blood pressure and increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels. There are several possibilities, so don’t be afraid to branch out on your berry intake. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are good tasting and fun to add to other things.
Ways to Use Berries in Healthy Meals
The ways to incorporate berries in your diet are endless. You can
- Add them to a salad for lunch
- Make a homemade low-fat smoothie
- Add them to a relish on top of your favorite barbecued meat
- Put them in pancakes
- Add them to yogurt
When adding them to recipes, it’s best to use frozen berries. But do not add any additional sugar.
Go ahead; pick up some berries at the store tonight for a healthier you!