Eat Your Veggies!
Mother always told you to eat your vegetables to grow up big and strong. Guess what? Mama was right.
A recent study in Finland affirmed your mother’s instructions, especially concerning tomatoes. The study found that people with higher concentrations oflycopene—the pigment that gives ripe tomatoes their red color—cut their risk of stroke in half. This doesn’t mean eating tomatoes will prevent stroke, but it does affirm the importance of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Click your way through this slideshow for some creative ways to get more lycopene into your diet.
Tomato and Basil Frittata
No healthy day starts without breakfast. Not only does this frittata have the tomatoes you know you need more of, but it also uses garlic, onion, and olive oil, three things that are good for your blood, heart, and brain.
Hearty Beef-and-Beer Chili
If you’ve got a house full of football fans, you know the veggie tray is often left untouched on Sunday afternoons. If you want to wow your armchair quarterbacks, combining beef and beer in chili form is a good start.
Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs
Sometimes good health decisions can come in the most delicious ways. The nice thing about this recipe is that the turkey contains less saturated fat and cholesterol than beef, so you’re automatically cutting down yet another stroke risk factor in the process.
Whole Wheat Pasta with Spinach, Tomato, and Feta
Looking to switch it up on spaghetti night beyond just the meat? Not only is this dish healthy, but it’s quick, easy, and vegetarian friendly.
Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
If you’re already getting your tomatoes from salad, the minty touch of this quinoa tabbouleh salad might have the dietary diversity you’re looking for. You won’t know for sure until you give it a try.
Chickpea Stew
There are plenty of health benefits in spicy food, so this Indian-themed chickpea stew not only brings the benefits of lycopene, but also garam masala, ginger, and turmeric.
Sea Bass à la Provençale
If you’re looking for a healthy and colorful way to get your tomatoes at dinner, this sea bass will sure be the one thing your dinner guests will be talking about. For maximum nutritional value and flavor, get your veggies from your local farmer’s market.
Try the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet has been touted for its positive health effects for generations. Research has shown the diet to lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and other major health concerns.
Its focus on vegetables, legumes, fruits, and olive oil make it not only great for your heart and brain, but it’s also packed full of flavor and variety.
Control as Many Risks as Possible
An important thing to note with the tomato-stroke study: those with the lowest risk of stroke and highest lycopene concentration also were younger, smoked less, and were more physically active. To really cut your risk for stroke, you have to cut down your risk factors, including quitting smoking and regularly exercising.
Learn more by exploring our other slideshows.
