[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]
Hi,
Today I want to talk about a salad that I purchased for lunch last week.
This may seem strange, but it was a really tasty, though simple salad. It was promoted as a ‘super food’ salad. So I thought I would research why it was so ‘super’.
What was in it?
Rocket leaves,
Baby English Spinach leaves,
Finely chopped Chinese Wong Bok
(or Napa) cabbage,
Pepitas,
Lemon juice dressing.
Now for the ‘Superfood’ part.
It seems that Rocket leaves are a very nutritious salad green. Apart from providing a little ‘peppery burst’ in each mouthful, it is very good for us.
- Salad rocket is very high in antioxidants.
- Also it seems that Rocket is a rich source of certain phytochemicals, which may offer protection against various cancers.
- Fresh salad rocket is one of the greens rich in folates and an excellent source of vitamin A. Studies found that vitamin A and flavonoid compounds in green leafy vegetables help keep humans protected from skin, lung and oral cavity cancers.
- This vegetable is also an excellent source of the B-complex group of vitamins, which are essential for optimum metabolic functions.
- and Rocket also contains healthy levels of vitamin-C.
The English spinach is another salad green with health benefits, many similar to Rocket.
- Spinach is storehouse for many phyto-nutrients that have health promotional and disease prevention properties.
- The dark green pigments indicate the presence of antioxidant nutrients and phytochemicals such as beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin – important for healthy eyes.
- It is also good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
The Chinese cabbage also has similar health benefits to the other leafy greens. I have chosen to highlight just 2.
- Napa cabbage is incredibly low in calories. 100 g fresh leaves carry jus 16 calories.
- Napa is also packed with many antioxidant plant compounds. Scientific studies suggest these compounds are known to offer protection against breast, colon and prostate cancers. They also help reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood.
Finally, the Pepitas or Pumpkin seeds (I like mine toasted)
- The kernels are especially rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids that help lower bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol in the blood.
- Pumpkin seeds carry good-quality protein. In addition, the seeds are an excellent source of amino acid tryptophan and glutamate which helps reduce anxiety and nervous irritability.
The nutrition facts were found on http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/
So, it would seem that the very tasty salad that I bought for lunch, was in fact ‘super’.
I have purchased the same greens and replicated the salad more than once now, it is very easy to make and is still really tasty. This salad also works really well with the addition of crumbled Feta.
Enjoy the week and until the next post,
Live Clean n Prosper
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]