Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog: Food Network's Healthy Eats: Healthy Recipes, Weight Loss Tips & Nutrition Information

Fresh artichokes are a classic spring treat, but you can enjoy artichoke hearts all year long.

What Are Artichoke Hearts?
Buried within the rough leaves of an artichoke, is the sweet and tender “heart.” These little treasures have a buttery texture and earthy flavor that you can deepen with olive oil and garlic or liven up with a squirt of fresh lemon. You can find them bagged and frozen, canned in water or jarred, marinated in olive oil and spices. The oil-packed ones are a little higher in healthy fat but draining the oil will help save some calories.

Healthy Attributes
Artichoke hearts are low in fat and calories but overflowing with fiber. They also offer up a healthy dose of potassium, vitamin C and antioxidants that help detoxify the body.

5 Ways to Love Artichoke Hearts

•    On top of a pizza with fresh oregano.
•    Sizzling with lemon and chicken.
•    Warmed with spinach and bubbly cheese.
•    Spiced up with saffron.
•    Marinated in balsamic vinaigrette and added to antipasto platter.

Tell Us: Have you tried artichoke hearts?

You Might Also Like:

• Have You Tried: Lemon Curd?
• Have Your Tried: Saffron?
• Have You Tried: Goat Cheese?

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition. See Dana’s full bio »