A Christmas Full of Berry Nutrition

Small, simple, juicy, delicious in stunning colors – berries are a common favorite when it comes to desserts and tarts. But strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries have much more to offer than just satisfy the sweet tooth’s craving.

rnRecent studies reveal that although berries don’t quite make up for curing any disorders, they definitely may help prevent all kinds of cancerous growths and contribute to a good immune system on top of supplying our body with Vitamin C. The very same phytochemicals and flavanoids that give them their bright colors are responsible for the possible health benefits that can be enjoyed on their regular consumption.

rnSo if you think Christmas will be all about fattening and unhealthy food, try berries! Who knows maybe this holiday season onwards, you may modify your usual meals to ensure that you get a regular dose of berry nutrition.

Berry Use in Food

Berries can be consumed in several forms. Existing day-to-day dishes such as French toast, omelets, pancakes, snack cakes and your average cereal bowl can be modified to add those extra flavors completely transforming your palette for entertaining your guests without missing out on spending time with them.

If you’ve surplus of fresh berries which cannot be consumed immediately, you can make jams and sauces out of them beforehand which can be used beyond the holidays too with good refrigeration. Since they’ll be home-made you wouldn’t have to worry about artificial preservatives.

So the kids don’t like to eat berries fresh and raw as they come?

• Try ways like muffins, crumble bars, waffles, scones or even oatmeal!

• You can also get creative with popular but also healthy breakfast recipes such as pancake berry tacos, berry breakfast pizza or breakfast berry nachos.

• Of course, there are the deserts like parfait and soufflé along with berry topped ice-creams and cakes.

• Don’t forget that the texture can be changed with mid-day slurps like smoothies, fresh juices and milkshakes.

Berry Shopping

Organic berries are increasingly becoming popular as the common man’s daily struggle to get off chemically preserved food and compromised nutrition due to added preservatives continues. The color of the berries matters. Packages must be inspected in which the berries arrive. Reputed sellers can be resorted to for regular supply since they tend to have experience and plenty of stock for replacement in case of returns. Remember to order in advance to escape the Christmas rush as berry boxes also make excellent gifts.

Fresh berries can be enjoyed by just consuming them raw. However, frozen berries are best suited for sauces, smoothies or cooking. One of the best ways to enjoy the seasons is to eat within the season. This applies to berries as well. For instance, summers are a great time to reap the benefits of blueberries. Remember the goodness of healthy food can be experienced only when its consumption is a habit.