Vegetables you didnt know exist but could improve your health, or even save your life

 

Healthy vegetables you might not know exist Part 1

Okay, now that is probably exaggerating, some of you might think, but believe it or not I haven’t known about some of these, then I have added some that I knew about but never added to my diet. Not only are they healthy but make great ingredients for your cooking.   

Growing up, we ate healthy. All kinds of vegetables. However red meat is what was important in our diet. Like Brazilians and Argentinians. But, our diet also consist of different healthy vegetables like; carrots, cabbage, pumpkin, butternut(my favorite) cauliflower and broccoli.  This is what I can recall now, but that is about it.

“I love vegetables.” Was my answer if someone would ask.

But did I ever eat VEGetables? And did I eat it regularly enough?

Not until I discovered the Philippines. This is when I realized that I have never really eaten vegetables, that I discovered that there is so much more to choose from, with health benefits that after 1 year of following this new diet became noticeable in my diet.

We read about diets all the time, follow them for a few weeks, maybe months and after we see no results we become discouraged. But, living in the Philippines and eating what was on my plate - like my father taught me - forced me into a diet that truly proved to have health benefits.

Probably most of you already have these in your diet, but I am sure there are many like me who never even tasted these, because they were foreign to you, or it was never prepared growing up.  Which also wants me to add this little snippet to mothers. Even if you don’t know of a certain vegetable or it is not your favorite, make sure you add them into your child’s diet. It takes much longer to reverse a diet and for your body to adapt to a new diet, than just starting early.

A healthy diet that eats to healthy body could add to your child’s over all confidence.

I will go down the list as I was introduced to these new vegetables that has became must haves. Please not, some of them is common, and I knew of, however was not part of my diet. Also I now understand that a diet shouldn’t be followed for change, but changes will follow when you adapt to your new ddiet.

1^st is one we all know but one I can confidently say most of you don’t consume enough

1)    Ginger

Ginger improves brain function, and may protect against Alzheimer’s. Ginger improves reaction time and working memory.

Ginger contains antioxidants that can prevent stress

It may reduce pain and inflammation which is valuable in preventing headaches and arthritis

Note: the following, I did even before the diet, as I travel a lot and suffer from motion sickness. I take about 2grams of dried powdered ginger 1-2 hours before travelling, to ease the nausea, most of the times it prevents it. I find that taking it closer to travelling is more effective.

2)    Chilli

It is said that 42 grams of chilli is equal to the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Chilli also contains vitamin A, iron and potassium.

Vitamin A supports your respiratory passages, urinary tract and intestinal tract.

Chilli peppers may also reduce body inflammation.

I wanted to focus more on what this diet has done for me and what is noticeable now, but important are also the preventative benefits, as chilli peppers is said to prevent cancer as well as fight diabetes. A healthy diet is better sooner than later, diet does not only have to be, to be in shape, but to be healthy, so you would be able to be the best you.

3)    Kangkong

Kangkong is a tropical plant, grown as a vegetable, also known as water spinach or river spinach, this is one I have never heard of before until I saw it floating in a bowl the first time. Some dishes just aren’t that dishes without a certain ingredient, and this is one of those ingredients. Is it tasty? Honestly I can not say that confidently, but is olive tasty? I thinks some of the best ingredients are ones you learn to appreciate.

Kangkong is also rich in vitamin A, this is essential for the health of your hair, vision and skin.

 

The last vegetable for todays post, and part one of exotic vegetable diet is,

4)    Okra

Never heard of it before, it is however available in a very select few outlets in my country, but I ended up buying seeds and planted my own. Okra also it is very unique in taste, and has a slimy texture, but if cooked in a soupy dish, the okra absorbs the soup, deliciously. This is probably not one for everyone, but I have grown to love this, and in certain dishes this is a must have.

Okra is a low calorie food, good for digestion  I may be beneficial to pregnant woman, heart health and blood sugar.

This is it for part 1. I have divided this post into parts as there are many exotic vegetables on the list, I will also cover exotic fruits, you might not know. If you want to be updated with the rest of the vegetables that benefitted noticeable changes in my health, then please subscribe to not miss out on all the exotic vegetable I will share in parts 2 and 3.