What fruits and vegetables should not be eaten in winter. Should I buy fresh vegetables in winter for a child What fruits should I eat in winter
They lie on the shelves like glossy pictures on the pages of various magazines. But "All that glitters is not gold" is the famous saying. So you need to know and be able to choose not only beautiful, but also the most.
Researcher of the Academy of Nutrition of the Republic of Kazakhstan, sports medicine doctor, nutritionist told the correspondent of the media portal how to choose vegetables and fruits.
- What vegetables and fruits are good for a person to eat in winter?
In winter, you can eat any fresh vegetables and fruits, as long as they contain a minimum amount of pesticides. We, near Almaty, have farms that grow them. It is safe to buy vegetables there, as they are grown in an ecologically clean area.
You can also eat freshly frozen vegetables and fruits. Freezing preserves all the vitamins and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots - they are also useful for consumption.
The main component of healthy nutrition is their thermal processing.
If you throw vegetables into boiling water while cooking, then 15 percent is lost. useful substances. If you put vegetables such as carrots, beets, potatoes in cold water then 65 percent of vitamins are lost, for example, in a slow cooker, only five percent. Vegetables must be handled with care.
Is it healthier to eat raw vegetables or is it better to boil them?
Depends on what. For example, you will not eat raw broccoli and cauliflower. It depends on the origin of a particular vegetable crop. If we consider the example of a tomato, then it is a good antidepressant and antioxidant. If it is stewed or baked in the oven for 15 minutes, then it is reduced by about 30 times. beneficial features.
- What do you recommend for right choice vegetables?
The best way is to carry an eco-test with you. In our country they bring it to order, in Russia they sell it even in pharmacies, I hope it will soon appear in free sale in our country too.
And if without a device, then you should rely only on your instinct and sense of smell. For example, a tomato should smell like a tomato, the smell should go at the base of the stalk. 
The next step is to cut it, if there are white fibers, then the vegetable is full of nitrates, then it should be elastic, its flesh should be uniform. The same goes for the cucumber, it should smell like a cucumber. Cucumber should not be dark green, it should be light green. The so-called pimples on its skin should not be hard.
With regard to greens, it is simply impossible to visually determine the degree of saturation of nitrates, but if it is soaked in water, then their amount can be neutralized.
Zucchini and eggplants are best chosen medium in size and naturally smooth.
- Size matters?
Yes. The smaller the fruit, the less it contains chemical fertilizers.
- And on what principle to choose fruits?
It is better to buy fruits that are grown in our country. Because fruits sent to us from abroad are treated with chemicals in order to maintain their freshness.
To give a marketable appearance, often producers or sellers of vegetable crops resort to some tricks, for example, they rub vegetables and some fruits with paraffin for shine. Is it harmful to the body?
There is such. Usually rubbed with wax and sulfur. Of course, this is harmful, it's not a food product, it's unnatural for the human body.
- Can fruits and vegetables contain GMOs?
Oh sure.
- How to protect yourself from this?
According to the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the manufacturer is obliged to indicate the level of nitrates and various chemicals on the product. You should always keep track of what is included. Of course, with vegetable crops in this regard, it is more difficult.
How many fruits and vegetables can a person eat? daily mode nutrition?
Everything is purely individual, it is influenced by many different factors. It depends on the age, sex and weight of the person. Even human activity must be taken into account. But, as with everything, moderation is needed. It is advisable to consume fruits as much as it will fit in your palm.
Not only for the child, but also for yourself? On the one hand, these are some kind of vegetables about which we have heard so many good things. On the other hand, these vegetables did not grow at the right time and not always in natural conditions ..
I am sure many of you in the refrigerator can find not only a head of fresh cabbage, but also greenhouse cucumbers, tomatoes and even greens. Some are guided by the age-old rule, if fresh means healthy. Others cannot deny themselves fresh salads in winter, especially after the summer-autumn season.
However, let's see if we deliberately harm ourselves in the pursuit of the desired vitamins?
Fresh vegetables on the shelves in winter, the season of which was still distant summer, are usually imported from warm countries, but in order for the product to have the appropriate appearance, it is not only plucked ahead of time, but also saturated with nitrates. Having decided to buy fresh cucumbers, check with the seller the country of origin, because the road from Tajikistan and Azerbaijan to Ukraine is not so long, which means there are fewer risks.
It is best to go to the market in the summer, buy really fresh vegetables and berries, pre-process them and freeze them. Good for freezing: tomatoes, peppers, parsley, dill, raspberries, strawberries, black and red currants, cherries.
But for those who follow the figure, it is better to give up potatoes because of the meager content of vitamins and a large amount of starch.
In warm countries, citrus fruits (oranges and tangerines) are in season during the cold season in our geographic area, so try to include them in your daily diet.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the persimmon, the peak of which also falls on the winter. Not everyone knows, but the fruit contains many minerals, phenolic compounds (even more than in apples) and antioxidants.
In addition to the fact that pomegranate, which is also considered a winter fruit, normalizes nervous system(thanks to vitamin B6) and improves immunity, it also promotes hematopoiesis thanks to vitamin B12.
There is an opinion that in greenhouse vegetables there are many times less vitamins than in fruits grown in open areas. In fact, only the land can affect the benefit, and, as you guessed, it is the same.
For this reason, many of the world's Michelin-starred chefs specially develop menus based on seasonal products and at the same time deliberately refuse many vegetables in winter. After all, even the most exquisite spices are not able to give a summer taste to a soup made from fresh tomatoes or tomato sauce for pasta.
Eat right and be healthy. But for those who follow the figure, it is better to give up potatoes because of the meager
In warm countries, the citrus season (oranges and tangerines) falls on
The coldest time of the year in our geographic area, so try to include
Them in your daily diet.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the persimmon, the peak of which also falls on the winter. Not all
They know, but the fruit contains many minerals, phenolic compounds (even
More than in apples) and antioxidants.
In addition to the fact that pomegranate, which is also considered a winter fruit, normalizes
nervous system (thanks to vitamin B6) and improves immunity, it also
Promotes blood formation due to vitamin B12.
There is an opinion that in greenhouse vegetables there are many times less vitamins than in
Fruit grown in open areas. In fact, it can be beneficial
Only the earth can affect, and he, you guessed it, is the same.
How to replenish the vitamin supply in winter time when the choice of fresh is limited? There are, of course, greenhouses, but, as experience shows, they solve the problem of vitamin deficiency somehow sluggishly.
It is not surprising - overseas fruits (with the exception of citrus fruits), as a rule, are not rich, and besides, they are stuffed with fertilizers and all that sort of thing. Yes, they look like the picture. But the benefits are debatable.
No matter how trite it may seem, your eyes in winter should be turned primarily to vegetables containing phytoncides.
Onions and garlic, when used regularly, can protect a weakened body from colds, boost immunity and help “hold out” until the first spring greenery.
Onions, especially green ones, are a real storehouse of useful substances in off-season times. It is a living source of vitamins C, E, B, carotene, thiamine, nicotinic and folic acids, as well as mineral salts. In addition, both onions and garlic are excellent anti-sclerotic agents that can suppress cholesterol synthesis and regulate blood pressure. The anti-cancer activity of onions is also known. According to the recommendation of the State Educational Institution of the Research Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, the consumption rate of onions per year for an adult is 10 kg, of which 2 kg is in the form of fresh herbs.
Just do not forget: fresh onions and garlic in in large numbers not recommended for peptic ulcer, diseases of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. For those who cannot bear onion, you can offer a leek, it contains not so much essential oils and is considered dietary.
White cabbage is another indispensable crop in winter. In pickled form, it is the leader in the content of ascorbic acid among vegetables. The anti-ulcer vitamin U was first found in cabbage, and the leaves contain tartonic acid, which prevents the conversion of carbohydrates into fats. Carotene, despite the fact that it is most in carrots, is absorbed better from leafy vegetables (which include cabbage).
In addition, this vegetable is rich in sugars, fiber and potassium. Therefore, cabbage can rightly be considered a medicinal crop. To get the maximum benefit, it should be consumed fresh or pickled, since after heat treatment, some of the vitamins are destroyed.
You should not get involved in a cabbage diet with an exacerbation of peptic ulcer and kidney diseases. In other cases, it is advisable to eat 300 g of cabbage per day. As an alternative to white cabbage, Beijing, or Chinese, cabbage is suitable.
“Horseradish and radish, onions and cabbage will not allow dashing” - says a Russian folk proverb. Horseradish, although it refers more to spices, can rightly be attributed to the most useful winter vegetables. Rhizomes are rich in vitamins C, B1, B2 and PP, have a pleasant burning taste, stimulate appetite and are a proven antiscorbutic and bactericidal agent. Horseradish activates the secretion of gastric juice, so it is used as a seasoning for fatty protein foods.
Radishes are useful all without exception. In winter, most often you can find the traditional black radish, Margelan radish with dark green pointed roots and daikon. Root crops contain many vitamins C and B1, they are rich in potassium and magnesium, phytoncides and essential oils (especially black radish).
Good "rare" cuisine for gout, kidney stones and high cholesterol in the blood. And black radish juice with honey is a famous folk recipe for coughs and colds. You should not get carried away with radish only for diseases of the stomach and intestines, liver and heart.
Given that proper storage vitamins are stored for a long time in the roots of carrots, beets, celery, and also in pumpkins.
The ten most useful vegetables and fruits in winter.
The orange color of its pulp indicates a large amount of beta-carotene. This substance, a derivative of vitamin A, strengthens vision, stimulates the renewal of lung and bronchial cells.
A milkshake with persimmons will help alleviate a cough (whisk half a liter of milk with two peeled ripe fruits in a blender).
Also, persimmon contains a lot of nicotinic acid (vitamin PP), which helps fight fatigue and is involved in the production of the hormone serotonin, our natural antidepressant.
But the main “trick” of persimmon is vegetable sugars, which are good for the heart and do not harm the figure. Scientists from the University of Munich found that persimmon helps to normalize blood pressure without the use of drugs in the initial stage of hypertension.
Apples
On a cold morning, the body will wake up faster if you drink tea infused with Antonovka slices. In the baked form, apples improve the functioning of the stomach. Apple juice stimulates metabolism.
Green apples of sweet and sour varieties contain a lot of iron. This trace element is very important for blood, fights fatigue and anemia.
In the seeds of "winter" apples, for example, antonovka, there is a lot of iodine: 5-6 apple seeds cover the daily requirement. Iodine helps to overcome hypersensitivity to cold.
Antonovka has long been used as a remedy for winter beriberi: by spring, it retains up to 90% of vitamin C, while in other fruits its content drops to 40-30%!
On the day you need to eat 2 large apples or 3-4 smaller ones.
Garnet
Eating one pomegranate or drinking a glass of pomegranate juice a day is a great way to “cleanse” the blood after a cold and flu. It contains enzymes that help the production of erythrocytes - red blood cells.
Pomegranate contains four essential vitamins: C - strengthens the immune system, P - blood vessels, B6 - the nervous system, and B12 improves the blood count.
Pomegranate astringents help to get rid of a painful cough in bronchitis, and also stimulate the pancreas. But with increased acidity of the stomach, pomegranate juice in its pure form is contraindicated - it is better to dilute it with carrot juice.
But the cores in a concentrated form should not drink this juice - it increases blood clotting and can damage if prone to thrombosis.
On the day you can eat one ripe pomegranate or drink a glass of pomegranate juice.
Citrus
Grapefruit juice helps to gently lower blood pressure. For hypertension, it is recommended to take 1/4 cup of grapefruit juice 20-30 minutes before meals. Also, this fruit contains the substance bromelain, which enhances lipid metabolism, in other words, helps to “burn” fats.
Orange juice lowers cholesterol levels.
Out of breath on the subway? Buy a bottle of grapefruit essential oil at the pharmacy - it relieves attacks of lightheadedness and dizziness.
Oranges, tangerines and grapefruits contain: beta-carotene or vitamin A, which is important for skin and digestion, B6, which fights derpessia, ascorbic acid, and also a lot of folic acid, which is important for hormonal metabolism.
Immunologists advise eating half a grapefruit a day or two oranges a day in winter to prevent colds.
Cranberry
Scholars call it " snow queen» among the berries. Still: if it is hit with frost, there is only more vitamin C in the marsh berry!
So when frozen, it does not lose any useful properties.
Cranberries contain acids that act like real antibiotics. Cranberry juice helps fight inflammation of the kidneys, recover faster after the flu and SARS.
Cranberry juice is useful for preventing the formation of kidney stones. And soaked cranberries relieve fever, quickly relieve fever. So be sure to keep a bag of frozen cranberries in the fridge in case of winter colds.
In addition to ascorbic acid, it contains a lot of potassium, which is important for vitamin H, which is necessary for immunity, and phosphorus, which gives muscle tone and strength to bones and teeth.
It is advisable to drink half a liter of cranberry juice a day, made from
a couple of glasses of fresh or frozen cranberries.
Sauerkraut
Cabbage 2-3 day salting, which is most often sold in stores, is not very useful. But real sauerkraut has the most vitamin C and antioxidants among winter preparations. It is better to eat sauerkraut not earlier than 10 days after salting (during this time, harmful compounds - nitrites - break down in it). There is more vitamin C in sauerkraut than in fresh!
And scientists also call white cabbage a “minus-calorie” product. This means that the body spends more energy on its processing than it receives calories from it!
Also in cabbage (and in ordinary white cabbage and broccoli) there is a lot of unique vitamin K, which helps our immunity to defend against cancer. But this vitamin is fat-soluble, that is, it is absorbed by the body only with fats. So cabbage salad is best seasoned with vegetable oil.
To get your daily requirement of vitamin K, you need to eat about 250 grams of fresh or sauerkraut per day.
Pumpkin
Its freshly squeezed juice is good for metabolic disorders, diabetes. A glass of juice drunk on an empty stomach will help get rid of cardiac or renal edema. There are a lot of zinc salts in the pumpkin, and they increase male potency (so treat the faithful more often pumpkin pancakes). Vitamin E smoothes and moisturizes the skin.
Pumpkin seeds are a recognized choleretic agent. Helps the liver if you overeat or drink too much. In addition, the pumpkin pulp contains a lot of vitamin D, which is especially valuable in a short daylight hours. It is needed for the strength of bones and teeth and is produced by the body only under the influence of sunlight.
Eat up to 250 grams of pumpkin pulp per day or drink 2 glasses of pumpkin juice.
Tomatoes and tomato juice
The best source of the antioxidant lycopene. Moreover, it is better absorbed not from fresh fruits, but from stewed, baked, and also from tomato paste. The daily preventive dose of lycopene is 10-15 mg. It can be obtained from a choice of: 200 g of tomatoes in their own juice, 2 glasses of tomato juice, or 3-4 tablespoons of natural tomato sauce.
Tomatoes in all forms are very rich in potassium, and this is good for the cores (the daily requirement of potassium is contained in a glass of tomato juice).
Tomato juice gently reduces arterial and intracranial pressure, it is useful to drink it in case of hypertension and glaucoma.
But tomatoes are high in fiber and acids. Therefore, you should not eat a lot of tomato dishes with gastritis with high acidity and inflammation of the gallbladder.
Drink a glass of tomato juice a day or eat two or three tomatoes in their own juice.
radish
Our natural "antibiotic" - it is rich in antimicrobial substances. The bitterness contained in it has an anti-sclerotic effect, that is, they are involved in the breakdown of “bad” cholesterol. The radish is well stored and holds the title of champion among vegetables in terms of preservation of vitamin C over the winter. It also has diuretic properties, which is useful for vascular edema and high blood pressure.
Grated radish with honey is one of the best recipes against cough. Green radish (daikon) salad with sunflower oil and will help to cope with winter asthenia (loss of strength).
But because of bitterness, radish is contraindicated in inflammation of the stomach, pancreas and kidney stones.
To maintain immunity during the beriberi season, it is enough to eat 150 grams of radish salad per day or take two tablespoons of radish juice with.
Green pea
In addition to magnesium, zinc, proteins (there are more of them, by the way, than in), nicotinic acid PP, which is important for heart function, there are a lot of two important B vitamins in green peas.
- B1 (thiamine) strengthens the nervous system, is involved in the production of the stress hormone - adrenaline.
– B2 (riboflavin) provides cells with energy. This is important for maintaining normal thermoregulation, including our response to cold. Its lack causes chilliness, a feeling of lack of air.
These vitamins are lost during long-term storage, but are preserved during conservation. So if you are frozen and come home from work on your nerves, open a jar of your favorite peas from Soviet times, but under a glass. This is where it gets warmer.
Vegetables are one of the most useful elements proper nutrition person. They are a valuable natural source of nutrients - vitamins and minerals. Juicy red tomatoes, purple eggplants, bright orange pumpkins - they all contain substances that allow all body systems to function properly. The best way cooking vegetables - stewing or steaming. This is how they retain their beneficial properties. For storage, it is best to purchase fresh fruits without damage and cracks. Eating fruits in winter is also necessary human body to minimize the effects of beriberi.
The role of fruits and vegetables in human nutrition
It is generally accepted that only fresh vegetables plucked from the garden in summer bring the greatest benefit to the body. But today there are storage methods that allow you to save not all, but many useful properties of fruits. The consumption rate of fruit or vegetable crops for an adult should be about 300 grams per day.
One of the main functions of vegetables in the human diet is to improve the digestibility of protein foods, such as fish or meat. Therefore, they are the best side dish and are part of many diets. The only exceptions are high-calorie vegetables - beets or potatoes. Some cultures contribute to weight loss because they require a lot of energy to digest. These include celery and cabbage. Many diets include celery dishes.
Most healthy fruits in winter - citrus fruits. Oranges, tangerines, grapefruits are an indispensable source of vitamin C, which has a positive effect on human immunity. Also among the useful crops you can find pomegranate and persimmon. Eating many vegetable and fruit crops reduces the risk of developing serious illnesses. But some have contraindications for use. For example, people with chronic diseases stomach, it is not recommended to eat tangerines, and for patients with diabetes, bananas are strictly prohibited.
Despite the fact that the variety of fruit and vegetable crops on store shelves in winter is not as great as in summer, some of them can be stored for a long time and retain the necessary vitamins and minerals in their composition. The most popular winter fruits include persimmons, apples, citrus fruits, pumpkins and cabbages. Persimmon is valuable source vitamin A, which is responsible for the state of vision; and PP, which promotes the production of the “hormone of joy” serotonin. The daily intake of persimmons is 2-3 pieces.
Apples are among the types of fruits in which they are best preserved. In addition, apples are a source of iodine and iron, especially necessary in the cold season. They are stored for a long time - some varieties of apples may lie until the onset of spring.
Pomegranate fruits or juice are useful for strengthening immunity after colds and correct operation vessels. Pomegranates contain such useful substances as vitamin C, B6 and B12. Pomegranate juice should be used with caution in people suffering from cardiovascular diseases or increased acidity of the stomach.
Citrus fruits are useful in hypertension and the prevention of influenza and acute respiratory infections. Grapefruit is recommended for those who want to lose weight, as its properties allow you to speed up your metabolism. Due to the content of vitamin B6, citrus fruits have a positive effect on the nervous system.
Another important source of vitamin C is sauerkraut. It is best to eat not the one that is sold in stores, but to cook cabbage at home. Sauerkraut is ready to eat about 10 days after pickling. In addition to vitamin C, it contains vitamin K, which has a positive effect on.
Pumpkin has a bright orange color due to the content of vitamin A, which strengthens eyesight and has a positive effect on skin condition. Pumpkin juice improves metabolism and prevents the formation of edema. Pumpkin is one of the valuable natural sources of vitamin D, which is necessary for the body during short daylight hours.
fruit and vegetable crops will retain their useful properties longer right ways preparation and storage. Each of them has its own allowable shelf life, before the expiration of which it is desirable to cook or consume it.
In order for fruit or vegetable crops to retain nutrients longer, they must meet certain requirements. When purchasing fruits for long-term storage, make sure that they do not contain mechanical damage or signs of spoilage, are not overripe and have not been frozen. Radishes, carrots, celery, garlic, onions, apples are stored the longest. The place of storage must be reliably protected from adverse external factors- penetration of rodents and negative temperatures.
Vegetable crops with a shorter shelf life can be processed into salad or lecho. This method will save useful properties bell pepper, tomatoes or cucumbers. Eggplants and zucchini can be frozen or dried to add to soup or other dishes in winter. Some berry and fruit crops retain their beneficial properties as part of the jam.
Each vegetable or fruit crop has its own best way cooking. For example, different kinds cabbage - broccoli, Brussels sprouts or cauliflower are best stewed or steamed. Pumpkin or potatoes are suitable for baking in the oven. You can also cook a nutritious and healthy cream soup from pumpkin by adding roasted seeds there. Reduce the loss of nutrients when cooking beets, eggplants or red cabbage stewing in sauce or steaming will help.
Thanks to a variety of storage methods, today it is possible to preserve useful substances in vegetable and fruit crops for a long time. This allows you to eat them not only in summer and autumn, but also in winter and in early spring when the lack of nutrients is felt especially acutely. Useful fruit and vegetable crops contribute to the proper functioning of the body and better absorption of other foods.
Shutterstock photo materials used
In winter, the counters of local shops are full of imported fruits and vegetables. And our grandparents did not have access to such a variety, but this is for the best, because our local plants are able to give odds to overseas ones! A whole pool of minerals, a huge portion of vitamins and the healing power of antioxidants lies not in some exotic acai and goji berries, but in our native rosehips and black elderberries, onions and apples, potatoes and beets.
Oranges and tomatoes, bananas and cauliflower, spinach and even strawberries - the list of fruits and vegetables that can be served on our table is only slightly inferior to the summer offer. The fruits of fields and orchards (or rather greenhouses) arrive on our shelves from all over the world all year round. Unfortunately, imported goods often frighten off price and quality: especially vegetables grown hydroponically, they are only a pale copy of the aromas and tastes of our gardens. Maybe then patiently wait for the season, and use native reserves outside of it? Maybe it's better to give preference to local delicacies that are closer to us not only in terms of territory, but also in spirit?
Onion
Onion provokes the appearance of tears, but drives away diseases. Its healing properties were already known to the ancient Romans. Nero himself was treated with it, although this is not the best advertisement for the plant. The advantages of the vegetable are also highly appreciated by our contemporaries. Onions not only increase the body's resistance to typical winter diseases, but also lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, improve digestion and prevent constipation. Our grandmothers cut it into slices and sprinkled it with sugar, and then set it aside for several hours to get onion syrup - a great cough remedy!
Garlic
One of the most powerful natural antibiotics and one of the most popular spices in Slavic cuisine. Garlic has a detrimental effect on fresh breath, but is good for immunity. In winter, it is best to eat it regularly, because it reduces susceptibility to infections, helps fight colds and aching bones, and reduces fever. Allyl sulfides and bactericidal action allicin, which appears as a result of the conversion of alliin after damage to garlic tissues, for example, after passing through a garlic press, are responsible for the healing properties of garlic. Garlic is not only a fighter against microorganisms, but a vegetable with a wide range of specific health properties. It is recommended, in particular, for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, because it helps lower cholesterol levels, thins the blood and reduces its pressure, as well as for the prevention of cancer due to its properties to inhibit the formation of certain carcinogens.
Sauerkraut
This is not only a great addition to the main course, but also a delicacy in itself. In addition, it is a storehouse of health. Like all pickled vegetables, fermented cabbage contains many cultures of lactic acid bacteria that are useful for us (in much larger quantities than yogurt and kefir). These microorganisms are essential for the proper functioning of the intestines. They inhibit inflammatory conditions, stop the growth of yeast and harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, commercially available pickled vegetables are usually pasteurized and devoid of valuable bacteria, or acidified with vinegar to speed up the process. production process. However, cabbage should be consumed in any form: boiled or stewed. It is a rich source of vitamins B, A, C, K, as well as rutin, a flavonoid that strengthens and tightens blood vessels and increases their elasticity. Rutin also reduces the toxicity of oxidized cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and preventing excessive blood clotting.
Beet
The most famous vegetable for borscht also works well in casseroles, appetizers, desserts, fruit and vegetable cocktails. Beetroot should be consumed especially in winter, because it strengthens the immune system, adds energy and helps fight aching bones. Pickled beetroot juice is one of the best medicines for anemia: it increases the number of red blood cells, improves blood circulation, cleanses the blood vessels. This vegetable also has strong cleansing properties, improves the condition of the blood and flushes out harmful uric acid from the body. "Red balls" contain two rare metals - cesium and rubidium, which inhibit growth cancer cells. Beets should be avoided by people with diabetes. Even in the dining room of her incarnation contains a lot of sugar.
Potato
It is the main side dish for lunch or dinner for the average Slav. We eat potatoes in all sorts of ways: fried, boiled, baked, in the form of fries, potato pancakes and mashed potatoes. This miracle vegetable came to Europe from Peru in the 17th century, and now it is practically our national product. However, the good old potato can offer us not only flavor variations, but also a dose of health. Not many people know that potato tubers are one of the main sources of vitamin C in our diet: they have more of it than apples and onions. Potatoes also contain B vitamins, iron, potassium and magnesium. Due to its digestibility, it is recommended for stomach diseases.
Black radish
It is known primarily as a cosmetic plant. Shampoo with black radish effective remedy to strengthen hair, and a boiled and grated vegetable is an excellent mask for fighting acne. However, black radish works well not only as a component of cosmetic preparations, but also as an ingredient in salads, soups, casseroles or pie fillings. People with sensitive palate should not eat it raw. It is much sharper than its "relative" radish, but after heat treatment it loses its spicy properties. Mustard oils are responsible for the intense taste and aroma of radish, which strongly stimulate the secretion of digestive juices and saliva, positively affecting digestion. Black radish also contains phytoncides - substances with antibacterial and antifungal effects, as well as vitamin C, B1, B2 and mineral salts, including potassium, magnesium, iron, sulfur and calcium. In winter, it will help, in particular, in the fight against cough and inflammation of the respiratory tract.
Apple
The history of apples dates back to 4000 BC, but most modern varieties appeared in the 20th and 19th century. This happened because of the need to adapt the product to the requirements of mass production, including by creating varieties that are resistant to frost and disease. The apple is an "orchestra fruit" with an almost unlimited number of culinary uses. It is suitable for making salads, jams, purees, jams, compotes, juices and even some lunch dishes. You can make apple cider vinegar from it, as well as natural homemade marshmallow. An apple is not only a delicacy, but also a small healing bomb containing almost all known vitamins: A, C, D, E, K and a pool of vitamin from group B, as well as many valuable minerals. It is best to eat unpeeled apples (if they are local) and raw, as under the influence of heat treatment they lose most of their valuable properties.
Pear
She came to Europe from ancient Persia and initially took root only in the south: in Greece and Rome. It came to the west of the Old Continent only in the 17th and 18th centuries. This popular fruit from our gardens is loaded with nutrients. First of all, pears contain wide range minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, copper, boron and iodine. They are also a rich source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and PP. Pears are recommended to eat with digestive disorders or poisoning, best of all grated or in the form of compote. They also have antipyretic properties, so they can do a great job in treating a cold or relieving flu symptoms.
Rose hip
This is a common shrub growing on roadsides, forest edges, in thickets. And, like many ordinary plants, it has outstanding properties. Rose hips are a real treasure trove of health. They are the second richest source of vitamin C after exotic Barbados cherries (they contain several times more than citrus fruits). They also have a lot of vitamins A, B1. B2, E, K, folic acid, essential oils and flavonoids with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects. The fruits of vitamin types of rose hips are an effective vitamin remedy for strengthening the body in winter season, they also help in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys and even joints. The fruits are not suitable for eating raw. They can be dried, soaked or poured with alcohol. Those who find it difficult to manually process rose hips can buy it in any supermarket in the form of tea or syrup.
black elderberry
Black elderberries cannot be bought in any supermarket. They can be found in specialized herbal stores or ordered online. Better yet, harvest your own in season, that is, at the turn of August and September, when the elderberry reaches full maturity. But be careful! They should not be eaten raw - in this form they are poisonous. Only after appropriate processing, such as drying or boiling, can we safely enjoy their aroma and healing properties. What specific power is hidden in black elderberry? First of all, it is an excellent remedy for colds with twice the vitamin C content of citrus fruits. Black elderberry is also rich in vitamin B and is the largest source (along with chokeberry) of anthocyanins - strong antioxidants with antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects. Berries also act as a diuretic and laxative, have a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels and prevent the development of atherosclerosis.