Why is Broccoli So Good For You?
“Eat your broccoli,” may be a familiar refrain from your childhood. Maybe you didn’t love broccoli as a kid, but your parents were onto something. The “little trees” are full of fiber, folate, vitamins and more. Broccoli is a member of the Brassica genus of plants, also known as the cabbage family. Broccoli’s relatives include Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chard and watercress. Many Brassicas have strong flavors and mix well with meats and other vegetables.
“A pile of steamed broccoli doesn’t appeal to everyone,” recognizes registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, LD. “But broccoli is incredibly versatile and can be used in so many different dishes. Toss it in with your stir fry, chop it fresh in a salad or roast it with your baby potatoes. And with an abundance of nutrients, there are many benefits of eating broccoli.”
Broccoli nutrition facts: A cup of chopped raw broccoli has approximately:
- 31 calories.
- 6 grams of carbohydrates.
- 0 grams of cholesterol.
- 0.3 grams of fat.
- 2 grams of fiber.
- 2.6 grams of protein.
- 30 milligrams of sodium.
- 1.6 grams of sugar.
Excerpted from Health Essentials
