If you’re trying to find a juicy, healthy, and sweet option to help you stick to your nutrition goal in the New Year, go for strawberries. The brightly colored fruit is one of the more nutritious fruits. According to Prevention Magazine, strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, even more than an orange. In fact, Prevention states that just one cup of the fruit provides about 85 milligrams of the vitamin, which is 100% of your daily requirement. The Mayo Clinic cites Vitamin C as a powerful antioxidant which provides support to your immune system. In addition, they have very few calories, and are high in water content and fiber. Their fiber content supports health digestion.
There is a reason why the United States sells so many of the fruit. According to the International Fresh Produce Association, they are the fourth most sold fruit in the county at about 71% of sales.
The best part about the fruit is that they are versatile. They can be added to anything you can think of from yogurt and granola to a salad, to strawberry-basil chicken, and everything in between. How about a quick recharge with a smoothie made with your favorite protein powder, strawberries, and low-fat almond milk? In my opinion, strawberries are the number one item to include in a delicious fruit salad. If you feel like being decadent, dip them in dark chocolate, have a strawberry shortcake, or add strawberries to your favorite cheesecake recipe. Strawberries are such a delicious option and are incomparable with any other fruit.
Strawberries grow in the spring months in the Northeast. This is my favorite time of year, because that’s when we go strawberry picking. Alway a fun family outing that can guarantee a good time. We pick them by the bushel and freeze them to use all year round. But in winter they can be purchased from the local grocery and are certain to satisfy.
Overall, strawberries are the best thing to put on your list for your next grocery run. Be sure to remember the redder the better, that’s when they are at their ripest. They beat every other fruit by a long shot, nothing compares to the tiny, tasty, red strawberry.
