Also known as Italian broccoli, I grew up calling this veggie rapini. It has a pungent and bitter flavor similar to turnips and cabbage that gets mellowed out by cooking. It’s also a nutrient powerhouse, packed with calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and vitamins A, C and K.
When at the market, look for a nestled bunch of bright leafy greens, with tiny broccoli-like buds peaking out. To prepare, steam or blanche in boiling water, then sauté in olive oil and garlic. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, a pinch of red pepper flakes and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve as a side dish or incorporate into soup, quiche or pasta.
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Broccoli is usually found later in the summer, some varieties of this vitamin-packed veggie can be found the markets now.
Bright green and full of goodness, one cup dishes up 30 calories, 2 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein and more than a day’s worth of vitamins C and K. The varieties you’ll find at the farmers’ market are sweet and more tender than anything at the grocery store. What ever you do – please EAT THE STALKS, they are packed with nutrients and way too delicious to throw away.
Recipes to Try:
Broccoli Salad
Broccoli, Mushroom and Cheese Breakfast Strata
Creamy Broccoli Slaw
Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
Roasted Broccoli
- Broccoli is loaded with cancer-fighting plant chemicals.
In honor of World Cancer Day, we’re focusing on cruciferous veggies—those from the cabbage family. Studies show that these vegetables have a special plant chemical that protects against cancer. Here are some ideas on how to incorporate them into your everyday eating plan.
The Power
Cruciferous vegetables include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, kale, and Brussels sprouts. These superstar veggies are packed with so many nutrients it’s tough to keep count. They contain fiber, vitamins A and C, riboflavin, B6, folic acid, magnesium, potassium and omega-3 fats. What’s more, they also have plant chemicals known as glucosinolates that have been shown to help reduce the risk of various types of cancer.
A 2011 study in the International Journal of Urology found that the more veggies that were eaten from the cabbage family, the lower the risk was from prostate cancer. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, studies also link the various components in cruciferous veggies to helping reduce the risk of colorectal, esophageal, stomach, mouth and pancreatic cancer.
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- Rolled oats will cost you just 20 cents per 1/2 cup portion.
Our original top 10 list was so popular, Healthy Eats readers asked for more. Here are 10 more healthy foods that won’t break the bank.
#1: Carrots
Cost: $0.89 per 1 pound bag (about 9 carrots)
Even my kids tout the benefits of carrots, “They give you healthy eyes, mom” they always tell me. But beta-carotene has more benefits than meets the eyes. It also helps promote healthy bones, skin and hair. Make carrot soup, add to a stir-fry, or slice into strips for an easy kids snack.
#2: Low fat cottage cheese
Cost: $2.75 per 16-ounce container
This perfect combo of protein, carbs and fat will help keep you satisfied. It’ll also give you a boost of calcium with 10% of your daily recommended dosage in every ½ cup serving. If you’ve been passing this underappreciated food in your dairy aisle, check out more reasons why we love it.
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- Ina Garten's Brussels Sprouts
When you eat the rainbow, you get a rainbow of nutrients, so each month, we’re offering up 10 ways to eat foods of a different color. With both St. Patty’s Day and spring just around the corner, what better color to focus on than green? March is also National Nutrition Month and this year the focus is eating a variety of colors, so be sure to check out some yummy orange and red-colored foods, too.
10 ways to eat more green »
During the winter, in-season fresh fruits are limited in many parts of the country. Luckily, we can turn to dried fruit with all its nutritional goodness.
Dried fruit, 5 delicious ways »
- Dana's 5-Ingredient Broccoli Slaw
A picnic staple in the South, mayonnaise- and bacon-drenched broccoli salad can be overflowing with fat and calories. But you don’t have to banish it to cookout purgatory — this salad can be super-nutritious (and super-satisfying) when you focus on the basic ingredients.
Get our easy, 5-ingredient recipe »
- Spiced White Rice - Photo by Con Poulos/Food Network Magazine
We all have those days where we just can’t make it to the market. That’s where a freezer stocked with frozen veggies comes in handy. Here are our 5 favorites we keep at home — plus, some ways they can help jazz up a meal.
Recipes and more »
It wouldn’t be fall without cranberries. At only 46 calories a cup, fresh berries add guilt-free sweetness to mains, sides, desserts and more. Plus, they’re an excellent source of vitamin C and fiber. Of course, classic cranberry sauce is on our list, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised with our other healthy finds.
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If you get the ABC News Now channel, you may have caught Dana on “Good Morning America – Health” earlier this week. She talked with host Tanya Rivero about fresh foods that boost your brain. If you missed it, check out the list and watch the short segment here.
Let us know what you think!
