Strawberries must be the
favorite fruit of millions of people, even those who are unfortunate enough to
suffer from Strawberry rash. The strawberry was certainly my favorite fruit
when I still lived in England, though I must confess it has been overtaken by
mango since I moved to a tropical island.
With all their
attraction, it is good to know that strawberries are also quite a healthy
fruit. With the USDA now recommending that every American eats at least five
servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day, including strawberries can
make that target not only achievable but a pleasurable daily journey.
Strawberries are a
versatile fruit, tasting good on their own, but also suitable for drinks and
desserts. Of course, when mixing with other foods in drinks and desserts, you
need to take care of the calories you may be adding. It is not good to take one
healthy food and turn it into an unhealthy food, however delicious it may
taste.
Strawberries and Nutrition
Strawberries are blessed
with many nutrients, including a good dose of of vitamin C. But that is not
all. Strawberries contain significant levels of antioxidants and
phytonutrients. The chemicals that give strawberries their bright red colour
are thought to be responsible for their strong antioxidant properties.
As most people now know,
antioxidants are an important constituent of the diet, since antioxidants are
thought to reduce the damage done by free radicals. Free radicals are elements
that can damage the cells of the body, and they are thought to play a part in
the formation of many kinds of cancer cells. This is just another good reason
to include strawberries in your diet whenever you can.
As well as significant
amounts of vitamin C, strawberries are also a source of vitamins B5 and B6,
vitamin K and manganese, folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, copper, magnesium
and omega-3 fatty acids.
Selecting Strawberries
Strawberries are among
the most versatile of fresh fruits, but unfortunately they are more perishable
than most as well. For this reason, fresh strawberries should be purchased
within a couple of days before they are to be eaten. When strawberries are in
season locally this is seldom a problem; in some places you can even pick your
own, a very popular summer pastime in the UK. At other times of the year,
though, you may be need to make do with canned or frozen strawberries, unless
you are able to buy imported strawberries.
When choosing fresh
strawberries it is important to choose those strawberries which are firm and
free of mould, and with a deep red colour. Strawberries do not continue to
ripen after they are picked, therefore it is important to choose the ripest,
reddest strawberries, as they will provide the best taste and the highest
nutrient density. Many people find that small or medium sized strawberries are
sweeter and more flavorful than larger ones, and that is certainly my
experience. When buying strawberries that have been prepackaged, it is
important to be sure that the berries have not been packed too tightly, as this
can, and often does, cause them to be damaged.
It is of course
important to handle strawberries properly, and to store them well after they
have been purchased. Strawberries, like all fruit, should be washed thoroughly
prior to eating or storing. Any strawberries that show signs of mould should be
removed at once, as they could contaminate the remaining strawberries. The
strawberries should be placed in a bowl, covered with plastic wrap and kept in
the refrigerator. The freshest strawberries will keep in the refrigerator for a
few days.
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