OK- what makes you pucker and sigh in pleasure, can be sour and sweet but is best with savory?
Yes – you are right! Cranberries.
This tiny little red fruit is a powerhouse of antioxidants and immune building goodness. Once typically eaten at the holidays, it is now an everyday ingredient and with good reason.
Cranberries are high in antioxidants. We know this at a glance due to the deep red color. They help boost the immune response in the upper respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract. They have been shown to slow the rate of carbohydrate breakdown and absorption thereby creating a healthy blood sugar balance. Not only do they support kidney function, decrease inflammation and create healthy bacteria, they also can support healthy blood pressure.
Things to remember when buying fresh or dried cranberries:
1. Buy organic- while not in the top 15 items on the Dirty Dozen, cranberries are still sprayed with above average amounts of herbicides/pesticides.
2. When purchasing dried cranberries read the label. Look for preservatives and added sugar.
3. Buy organic cranberry juice with no added sugar. It will be very tart but you can sweeten it with stevia. It is one of the few low sugar juices available.
4. Consider homemade cranberry sauce at the holidays. It is easy to make, low in sugar with the right recipe and delicious!
Check out our Blonde Coconut Macaroons and Peanut Poppers- they both have organic cranberries!
Happy Healthy Eating!
Dana Farrell RN CCM CHC
