An A to Z of Healthy Eating - P
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, papaya, parsnips, peaches, pears, peas, pineapple, plums, potatoes, prunes, pumpkin and parsley. Actually, I think he just picked a peck of pickled peppers, but this modified nursery rhyme seemed a reasonable way to introduce the plethora of foods beginning with 'P'! Okay, okay, I'll stick to my day job as a nutritionist and tell you more about some of these food items, why they're good for us, and how they can be used.
Peppers are linked with a range of health benefits including normalising blood pressure, improving digestion and improving the circulatory system. They also provide us with a number of different nutrients that play important roles in the body's biochemistry, including potassium (needed for muscle contraction and nerve transmission), various B vitamins and vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from damage by harmful 'free radicals'). I like to stir-fry peppers in olive oil, chop them into salads, or eat them raw with a dip.
Parsnips are known to be very cleansing to the body. In particular, they support the kidneys and they help to improve bowel action. They are also a good source of essential minerals including phosphorus (needed to form the membrane of every cell in the body), calcium (for bones, teeth, nerves and muscles) and magnesium (required by many of the body's enzyme systems). Parsnips can be added to casseroles or as an accompaniment to a meat dish.
Papayas improve digestion and help soothe intestinal inflammation. They provide us with a range of nutrients including calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and beta-carotene (converted into vitamin A - an essential nutrient for healthy eyes). Papayas can be chopped into salads, added to stir-fries, salsa or chutney.
Peaches are alkaline, so they help to combat the acid diet that most people tend to eat. They are very easily digested and have a natural cleansing effect on the kidneys and bladder. Peaches provide us with a whole host of nutrients including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin C, potassium and beta-carotene. I like to poach peaches with cloves, cardamom and cinnamon, and then serve them warm. For a special occasion you can even add a dash of Cointreau!
Pineapples contain bromelain - a powerful digestive enzyme that helps to kill bacteria and parasites. They provide us with calcium, phosphorus, potassium and beta-carotene and are a great addition to any fruit salad, wheat-free pizza topping or sweet and sour sauce.
If you'd like to try a really fruity salad, here's my recipe for Pineapple, Papaya and Peach Salad.
Ingredients:
1 medium-sized pineapple, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 large papaya, cut into pieces
4 peaches, cut into slices
2 tbsp slivered almonds
Simply mix the fruit together and top with almonds.
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