Sweet Strawberries
My pigtailed photo was posted at the strawberry patch. “Weigh squirt upon arrival and departure.”
So, more berries landed in my belly than the basket.
Or so I was told. So went the story Dad liked to tell, amazed that a pint-sized pipsqueak could pig-out so ravenously on nature’s candy. Yes, ruby red, fresh and sweet strawberries were irresistible.
During my pigtailed days, I chose strawberry-flavored ice cream, candy, lipsmack—heck, even my favorite shirt had a big ole’ strawberry on the front. Some might call this obsessive. Or, weird works too.
And now in my era of adulthood, strawberries now adorn my margarita glass, my wine spritzer, my morning smoothie and my cheesecake. Minus the cheesecake and alcohol, these ruby gems are, in fact, good for us, too—which we all know. But…
WHY are they good for us?
Here’s the deets on what the berries do for our bods:
From WebMD as well as nutritionists with whom I’ve worked, here’s the DL…
Strawberries are:
- Packed with Vitamin-C, fiber and high levels of antioxidants.
- Ever notice their heart-like shape? That’s God giving us a clue. They’re fantastic for supporting heart health. In fact, these sweet little suckers help protect the heart.
- Strawberries increase our HDL cholesterol (that’s the good cholesterol).
- They lower blood pressure.
- They guard against cancers.
Want more reasons to eat them? Great! Here you go:
- Strawberries are sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free and a low-calorie food.
- They’re a good source of potassium.
- They also provide a good quantity of manganese (this is tied to iron and minerals, helping to prevent osteoporosis and inflammation).
- According to WebMD, strawberries are “among the top 20 fruits in antioxidant capacity.”
How much should we eat? This varies, of course. But according to experts, eating just 8 strawberries provides the same Vitamin-C as consuming a full orange.
So since it’s strawberry season, let’s all buy a carton at the grocery store or local farmer’s market (where they’re more fresh!)—or better yet? Go pick ‘em yourself. Just keep an eye out for your own pigtailed mini-Sue.
Berry Good Tip:
Ever bought strawberries only to watch them sit lonely in the fridge, gathering mold prior to pending disposal in the trash? Happens to me sometimes, too. Here’s how to prevent it:
As soon as you get home with your berries, wash and slice off the hulls on each berry, then place in a see-through Tupperware container in the fridge. This way they’ll be ready to eat, you’ll see them in clear view—and chances are higher you’ll consume them, thus leading to healthier, happier days.
Another idea: once washed and hulled, place berries in small snack bags in quantities of 8 berries each. That way you have an easy go-to snack ready for the grabbing. Your body will thank you from the ‘berry’ bottom of your heart.