(NaturalNews) June is the month for road-side stands, farmer's market deliciousness, and red berry gathering in gardens across the world. Strawberries have been labeled by The Fat Resistance Diet (FRD) as the fruit that can increase a hormone that stimulates metabolism, suppresses appetite, and controls blood sugar after starchy meals while inhibiting inflammation. This craved hormone that strawberries trigger, adiponectin, is the fat burning hormone that works with the hormone leptin, the hormone responsible for weight loss and gain. Having high levels of adiponectin in the blood stream has been shown to lower the risk of heart attack while lower levels of adiponectin are indicative of obesity.
According to FRD, "Strawberries are also a good source of Vitamin C and fiber. One cup of strawberries has only 49 calories, and contains the minerals magnesium, potassium and calcium. Eating high nutrient density foods such as strawberries, with lots of nutrition for the calories consumed, is a key to weight loss and healthy eating."
With June being the strongest month for strawberry production and sales, the ability to obtain and use strawberries is convenient. Slicing fresh strawberries into yogurt, granola, or organic cereals is a great way to add strawberry power to your daily nutritional routine.
Choosing the Best Strawberries
Choosing the best available strawberries is easy and can be affordable when knowing what to look for and what to avoid. Strawberries should be fully ripened, bright in color with stems still attached, and medium in size. Large strawberries are often filled with water, allowing the commercial grower a higher sales margin with no added nutritional benefit to the consumer. Avoid over packed containers that have bruised fruits as this can cause mildew that is easily spread from a damaged strawberry to an otherwise healthy strawberry in the same packaging. To avoid mildew of strawberries after purchase, it is best to remove them from the original packaging, placing them in an airtight container. Washing strawberries should only be done just before consumption or long term storage such as dehydration or freezing.
Methods of Long Term Storage
When freezing strawberries, gently wash the fruit, removing pesticides and dirt and leaving the stems attached. Remove all fruits that have been bruised and use for smoothies. Spraying the strawberries with antioxidant abundant lemon juice will keep the color bright in the freezer. Freezing will preserve the vitamin and mineral content of the fruit.
Dehydrating strawberries is another great way to preserve them for long term use. There are several methods used to dehydrate strawberries which include: oven drying, sun drying, and dehydrator drying. Dehydrated strawberries are a great addition to homemade granola, yogurt, cookies, granola bars, and trail mixes.
Pesticide Alert
The Environmental Working Group has placed strawberries in the number three position as one of the most pesticide laden foods. Pesticides are easily absorbed through the skin of strawberries. Organic strawberries are always the best choice for pesticide free consumption and living.
Resources:
http://www.fatresistancediet.com/health/101-eat-summer-strawberries-weight-losshttp://www.cbn.com/health/weightloss/strawberries_galland.aspxhttp://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=17982http://strawberriesweb.com/strawberries/How+to+Select+and+Store+Strawberries/http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=32http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8256.pdfhttp://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.phpAbout the author
Wendy Rae is an herbalist, wellness coach, and yoga instructor who loves to share information on the healing properties of plants and foods. Her website is
http://www.Wendy-Rae.com
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