Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

 

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October 11, 2013

Fit Facts: Off the Beaten Garden Path

Bored by bananas? Jaded by juice? Tired of tomatoes? Take a break from your ordinary grapes and apples, and try something new.

Choosing fruits counts as a smart pick because fruits are low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Colorful fruits and veggies are loaded with antioxidants called flavonoids, which may help prevent diseases like heart disease, stroke and cancer. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends making fruits and vegetables half of your plate for meals and snacks.

Try these lesser-known fruits to give your plate a taste of something different.  

  • Tomatillos are small, round, green or yellow fruits wrapped in a light-brown husk. They contain vitamin C. Like their cousin the tomato, tomatillos can be used in salads, salsas or sauces. Just remove the husk, wash and slice.
  • Asian pears are round, yellow, fiber-rich fruits that are crisp and juicy like apples. Their flavor is slightly sweet and tart. They are ripe straight from the store. You can eat them as is or add them to slaws and sandwiches.
  • Cherimoyas are green fruits that resemble pinecones and are loaded with vitamin C. They have a pulp that tastes like a combination of pineapple, papaya and mango. To eat, cut one in half, remove the seeds and scoop out the inside with a spoon.
  • Pitayas (dragon fruit) are a member of the cactus family; they have a red, white or yellow leathery skin. Fruit can be scooped out from the skin after cutting in half. Pitayas are high in vitamin C and are a source of lycopene.

This month, we invite you to visit Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois’ Facebook page and join the conversation on our “I Pink I Can” campaign throughout October. We will be featuring people who are passionate about the fight against breast cancer.

Sources: Fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org, Myplate.gov

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an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.